Starting as the mastermind behind Naruto

Chapter 682 On the Eve of the Decisive Battle

"I don't believe it."

Kurosaki Ichigo's words nearly made Uehara Naraku explode.

What's the intelligence level of these anime's hot-blooded male protagonists...? They can't even see what's going on, and they always have to resort to hot-blooded tactics no matter what!

What good would it do to clash with the powerful and evil Uehara clan at this time? Tobirama Senju could crush you, a mere child with three powers, in a heartbeat!

This is indeed in line with Ichigo Kurosaki's personality.

Ichigo Kurosaki doesn't care about all that nonsense.

Right now, Ichigo Kurosaki only wants to rescue his friend, regardless of whether he is a pawn sent by Yhwach. Besides, Ichigo still doesn't fully understand who Yhwach is; he only knows that he's not a good person...

certainly…

The Uehara Naraku in front of me is a good person.

Even though Ichigo Kurosaki believed Uehara Naraku's words, he still wanted to save Uryu Ishida. He wouldn't give up on his friend until he got the answer from him!

This makes Ichigo Kurosaki seem a bit out of touch with reality.

However, it is precisely because he was willing to risk his life for a friend that he was recognized by others.

"Hmph, arrogant and conceited!"

Tobirama Senju snorted coldly and flew to Ichigo Kurosaki's side!

Just as Ichigo Kurosaki became wary and drew his Zangetsu to strike Tobirama Senju, who was launching a sneak attack, he saw the white-haired man in blue leather armor suddenly point his finger at his Zanpakuto!

A look of fear crossed Kurosaki Ichigo's face. His body was completely immobilized by that single finger strike, and the curse runes slowly spread across his body...

"Mr. Tobirama!"

Yoruichi Shihōin, Kisuke Urahara, and Naraku Uehara all spoke at the same time.

After the three of them spoke at the same time to try to stop Tobirama Senju, they exchanged glances. Kisuke Urahara and Yoruichi Shihouin took a few steps back, placing their hopes of persuading Tobirama on Naraku Uehara.

Clearly, Uehara Naraku did not disappoint them.

At this crucial moment when the operation is about to conclude, Uehara Naraku will not let anyone down. Only in this way will these people witness what true despair is.

"Tobirama-san, please release Ichigo!"

Uehara Naraku's hand landed on Senju Tobirama's wrist, and he gritted his teeth, saying in a deep voice, "Ichigo is my friend..."

"..."

Tobirama Senju withdrew his arm in a somber tone.

At this time, you're claiming that Ichigo Kurosaki is your friend?

That kid's life has been pretty miserable.

As everyone knows, anyone whom Uehara Naraku considers a friend at this point is already at the peak of their life, and from then on, their life will be a series of ups and downs...

"If Ichigo doesn't want to believe it..."

Uehara Naraku looked at Senju Tobirama, a strange light flashing in his eyes, and said softly, "Then let's wait for Mr. Ishida Uryu to wake up before we question him... I believe that with his proud personality, he wouldn't lie to us."

"There's no need for that."

Tobirama Senju shook his head and loudly ordered the Shinigami squad beside him, "You guys, go and bring the witnesses who are pursuing Uryu Ishida! The evidence is conclusive; he can't refute it. The entire Quincy clan and their descendants are all pawns of Yhwach!"

"Ishida wouldn't..."

"Mr. Tobirama is right."

Kisuke Urahara suddenly interrupted Ichigo Kurosaki's argument, pressing down on the brim of his hat and saying in a low voice, "Let's hand Uryu Ishida over to Lord Naraku for now... Ichigo, Rukia has already been pardoned, you no longer have the right to remain in Seireitei."

No one expected that Kisuke Urahara would side with Tobirama Senju; even Naraku Uehara couldn't help but feel somewhat surprised…

No, it doesn't seem surprising.

Because Tobirama Senju will soon propose to hunt down the remaining Quincy and their descendants throughout the world. Ichigo Kurosaki, who is the son of a Shinigami and a Quincy, is also among those being hunted!

Kisuke Urahara needs to protect Ichigo Kurosaki's safety!

Compared to Uryu Ishida, a Quincy whose identity is questionable, Ichigo Kurosaki, a human who possesses the combined powers of a Quincy, a Hollow, and a Shinigami, is the person Kisuke Urahara wants to protect in secret, and is also the person with the most value to him!

Kisuke Urahara held a very special place in the hearts of Ichigo Kurosaki and the others. His views could easily influence the people present. Even though Orihime Inoue and Chad Yasutora were somewhat unconvinced, they were quickly given a wink by Yoruichi Shihouin.

They had no choice but to accept the proposal.

Rukia Kuchiki stepped forward, grabbed Ichigo Kurosaki's arm, and whispered to her friend, "Ichigo, leave Seireitei immediately!"

"Yes, let's go!"

"If we don't leave soon, Uncle Yixin will worry too! We've been here for so long, Xia Li and Yu Zi must be extremely worried!"

"Don't worry, Ichigo."

"If you don't leave..."

Kisuke Urahara gripped Ichigo Kurosaki's shoulders tightly and whispered in his ear, "Whether it's you, or Yasutora and Inoue, you're all in danger... Go back immediately and tell your father everything that happened here!"

"..."

Ichigo Kurosaki's expression showed a hint of confusion.

After a long silence, he nodded dejectedly and was forced to leave with his friends. Before leaving, he asked Uehara Naraku to take care of Ishida Uryu.

Uehara Naraku readily agreed.

After Ichigo Kurosaki and his friends left, the unconscious Uryu Ishida was immediately locked up in the research institute of Uehara Inner Castle, where Tobirama Senju would try to extract Yhwach's blood from Uryu Ishida's body.

Because of the Quincy's awakening...

What's needed is blood from Yhwach!

According to Uehara Naraku's idea, he naturally wanted to eliminate Yhwach before the final battle with Aizen Sousuke, as he hated uncontrollable people the most.

The research institute in Uehara Inner Castle.

The instruments in the underground research lab were filled with corpses.

These corpses were all Quincy hybrids who died when Yhwach launched the Sanctification. Their blood was collected by Tobirama Senju and used to make weapons to kill Yhwach.

Compared to a thousand years ago, the current Seireitei is actually more dangerous for Yhwach. Perhaps he himself knows this, which is why he has been hiding in the shadows and has never shown himself.

Even Ishida Uryu's arrest failed to bring Yhwach into the picture; that guy's caution is truly baffling...

This is Ishida Uryu!

In a sense, Ishida Uryu was personally designated by Yhwach as the successor to the Empire, equivalent to the crown prince of the Wandenreich, and his status was similar to that of Portgas D. Ace in the Whitebeard Pirates!

"never mind."

Uehara Naraku looked at the dazed and exhausted Ishida Uryu after Yhwach's blood was extracted, waved for him to be locked in the dungeon, shook his head and sighed, "It seems the only way to lure that guy out is to use the Soul King as bait in the future..."

Aside from the Soul King, there doesn't seem to be anything else that Yhwach should pay attention to. Compared to Aizen Sousuke, Yhwach has received far too much.

Furthermore, Aizen Sousuke's ultimate goal was also the Soul King...

No one in Seireitei would ever have imagined that someone would want to use the Soul King as bait to lure out the two ultimate masterminds behind the scenes in this world.

However, the modus operandi of these two masterminds gradually changed.

Fearing the current power of the Seireitei, Yhwach has been hiding in the Shadow Realm and has refused to show himself, not even in Hueco Mundo or the human world.

However, after obtaining the Hogyoku, Aizen Sousuke frequently sent out Arrancar and Hollows to disrupt the human world. He even tried to send Ulquiorra to secretly kidnap Inoue Orihime after hearing about her power.

However, Kisuke Urahara learned this information from the White Zetsu and stopped Ulquiorra's actions in time, saving Orihime Inoue.

With the frequent actions of the Arrancar and Hollow legion, the Seireitei realized that Aizen Sousuke was no longer silent and was likely planning a decisive battle.

in this case…

Forced to abandon the pursuit of Yhwach, the Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13, Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni refocused his efforts on capturing Aizen Sousuke.

A dotted circle.

Inside the Void Palace.

Aizen Sousuke sat calmly on the throne, tilting his head to look at the Hogyoku beside him, a slight smile on his lips. He had just achieved his goal, successfully subduing the Hogyoku that had finally been completed with his own power.

"Is this the Hogyoku?"

Gin Ichimaru squinted, curiously examining the shimmering Hogyoku: "It looks so ordinary, who would have thought it contains such terrifying power..."

"Um."

Aizen Sousuke chuckled softly, looking at Ichimaru Gin and saying, "Gin, do you need me to help you obtain Hollow power using the Hogyoku? It will further enhance your power..."

"Isn't that necessary?"

Gin Ichimaru's eyes remained narrowed as he slowly shook his head, saying, "Master Kabuto once told me that it would be quite foolish to recklessly fuse unknown powers without overwhelming strength..."

"That's a real shame."

Aizen Sousuke didn't seem to care.

Compared to the original Shinigami history, Aizen Sousuke is much more tolerant of Ichimaru Gin, even though he now knows that Ichimaru Gin is not loyal to him.

However, Gin Ichimaru's current identity is not simple either. He is a hostage left by Kabuto Yakushi to Aizen Sousuke, and also a disciple that Kabuto deliberately entrusted to Aizen Sousuke's care...

Aizen Sousuke wanted to obtain the key to the Soul King Palace from Kabuto Yakushi, a member of the Zero Division, so he definitely wouldn't target Gin Ichimaru.

In fact…

Aizen Sousuke also had a good impression of Ichimaru Gin.

Throughout Las Noches, most of the Arrancar Men were loyal to Orochimaru, except for Koyatai Stark and Ulquiorra, who were loyal to Aizen Sousuke.

Apart from these, Aizen Sousuke's only remaining confidant was Ichimaru Gin.

Whether it was Ichimaru Gin's strength, wisdom, or status, Aizen Sousuke greatly admired this subordinate, and he hoped to use his charm and power to make Ichimaru Gin completely submit to him.

then…

Then, through Ichimaru Gin, he influences Yakushi Kabuto.

This pair of master and apprentice, who can be described as all-rounders, have always been the two subordinates that Aizen Sousuke most wanted to obtain, even Ulquiorra is far inferior to them.

Congratulations…

Gin Ichimaru slightly opened his eyes, glanced at the Hogyoku, then turned to look at Sosuke Aizen: "In that case, it seems our goal is about to be achieved..."

"Everything is still uncertain."

Aizen Sousuke slowly shook his head and said softly, "Although our plans have never gone smoothly, we've still made it to this day... After I fuse with the Hogyoku, I'll inform Orochimaru-san and prepare to begin the attack on Soul Society!"

"Should we...directly attack Soul Society?"

"good."

Aizen Sousuke tapped his fingers on the table and pondered, "I received a promise from Kabuto-sensei that as long as we can stand before him, he will open the gates of the Soul King Palace for us. Until then, taking care of the Gotei 13 is enough."

At this point, Aizen Sousuke's lips curled into a smile, and he continued softly, "Of course, there's also that little Naraku. I'm really curious to see how far he'll grow. Besides taking care of Kurosaki Ichigo, it seems Naraku needs some extra attention too!"

According to Aizen Sousuke's idea, both Kurosaki Ichigo and Uehara Naraku were secretly guided and nurtured by him!

Now, Ichigo Kurosaki is frequently encountering Arrancar and Hollows, gradually developing immense power under the guidance of Sosuke Aizen. In particular, during this period, Ichigo has obtained the power of Hollow White within him and, with the help of Kisuke Urahara, has learned the Arrancar abilities of the Visored...

But on Uehara Naraku's side...

This put Aizen Sousuke in a bit of a dilemma.

Because that little guy's strength is too hard to define, and he's always protected by the Death Servants, his personality seems to be getting weaker and weaker...

This is not what Aizen Sousuke had hoped for!

Therefore, Aizen Sousuke hoped to ignite Uehara Naraku's fighting spirit through one event: a true strongman without the heart of a strongman is merely a useless person…

Aizen Sousuke's beliefs are, in some ways, no different from those of other worlds; he also enjoys manipulating others with emotions: "The most important thing in this world is bonds... For Naraku, who is the most important person?"

"Ha, that's a problem..."

Gin Ichimaru narrowed his eyes again, and couldn't help but chuckle as he said, "For him, the person who influenced him the most should be Captain Aizen, right?"

"That's really frustrating..."

Aizen Sousuke chuckled, recalling how decades ago he had manipulated Uehara Naraku into the Fifth Division, and then orchestrated the assassination and defection incidents, thoroughly shattering the little guy's innocent heart.

"Let's make it up to him a little."

Aizen Sousuke slowly retracted his fingers, and the smile in his eyes gradually faded: "Then after fusing with the Hogyoku, I'll go see him one more time... It just so happens that before the final battle, I also want to use those seated officials to personally test the power of the Hogyoku."

Even though Aizen Sousuke believed that the Hogyoku would bring about a qualitative change in his power, it still needed to be put into actual combat. What if he accidentally messed up again?

If it really comes to the decisive battle...

If Aizen Sousuke only realized that the Hogyoku couldn't change the course of the battle, then wouldn't he have absolutely no chance of turning the tide?

Without a reference point, Aizen Sousuke could not personally determine how much power the Hogyoku could increase for him!

Aizen Sousuke wasn't entirely confident in dealing with the unfathomable Uchiha Madara alone; he had to personally test the Hogyoku's infinite evolutionary potential!

"If all goes well..."

Aizen Sousuke's gaze fell on Ichimaru Gin, and he softly ordered, "Have Orochimaru and the Arrancar army launch their attack on Soul Society ahead of schedule!"

Ah, it's almost over!

(End of this chapter)