Death: Starting as the Guardian of Avici Hell

It's normal not to remember clearly.

If Aizen provided more information, he might be able to come up with more ideas.

Seeing that Naruto had given up thinking, Aizen turned his attention to the screen and casually clicked a few times on the device, instantly enlarging the relevant content.

"Phoenix energy comes from [hell]."

"It is not the place where you live, but another world that is independent of the Soul Society, Hueco Mundo, and the Human World."

At this point, Aizen frowned:

“I have consulted a large number of books in the library of the Spiritual Arts Academy, but there are very few records about hell. From the descriptions in the text, it seems more like a kind of ‘superstition’.”

"Therefore, the concept of 'hell' was not considered at the time."

"But the appearance of Takeda Satoki shattered my original concept. In the days following the attack, I went to the Fifth Division's library again to look up the relevant records."

"It mentions the concept of 'phosphorus' and points out that it is a substance unique to hell."

"Its specific uses are currently unclear, but what is certain is that it can resonate with death in some way and influence death itself to some extent."

"I need more materials and data to understand this."

Aizen pointed ahead, and the light screen folded and retracted instantly, restoring the laboratory to its original state.

"Although it is unclear how phosphorus is obtained, we can speculate further based on this."

"For example, does Tsunayoshi have some kind of connection with Hell, and are Hell included in her schemes...?"

Naraku Sora was shocked to hear this.

He seriously doubted whether he was missing a part of his memory compared to others.

Just a moment ago they were fighting amongst themselves among the nobles and cleaning up the insects in Soul Society, how come in the blink of an eye we've suddenly jumped straight into Hell?

If it were the hellish prison of the True Central Prison, it would be a little better, since that was originally his territory.

Except for the bottom floor, "Mūjīn," which requires Yamamoto to keep the key, all other floors can be entered and exited freely, just like one's own home.

But what Aizen described was hell in the truest sense.

If he remembered correctly, the Academy of Spiritual Arts had taught about rituals related to the death of the Grim Reaper.

The body of a Shinigami is made up of spirit particles, and once they die, their body returns to Soul Society in the form of spirit particles.

However, spiritual particles of level three or above are too concentrated to return on their own. In order to complete the return, the Gotei 13 will lead the ritual of the Soul Burial Ceremony.

Aizen was clearly aware of this as well, and after gathering his emotions slightly, he continued:

"However, in fact, according to what I have found, no matter what they do, spirit particles of grade three or higher cannot return to the Soul Society."

"The so-called soul burial ritual has a deeper meaning; the true purpose of this ceremony is actually to allow the powerful deceased death gods—"

"Fall into hell!"

Naraku Sora seemed to be deep in thought.

Aizen did have some recollection of what he said, but since it didn't involve many specific details, he didn't pay much attention to it.

"My guess is that Tsunayoshi may have mastered some method to open the gates of hell, tried to explore it, obtained a certain amount of phosphorus, and conducted related experimental research."

"The pyrokinetic energy contained in Takeda Satoru's arm is the result of his research."

Naraku grinned: "Since you've already made your guesses, why not be even bolder?"

"For example, Takeda Satoru should have fallen into hell, but because of some actions by Tsunayo, he ended up staying in Soul Society in his current state..."

Upon hearing the first part of the sentence, Aizen couldn't help but frown.

Scientific conjectures are based on certain facts and are not wild guesses.

But when Naraku uttered the second half of his sentence, Aizen's tightly furrowed brows relaxed, and his eyes shone even brighter, as if he had discovered a new world.

"Kong, you're really suited to be a researcher."

"?"

Naraku Sora strongly suspected that Aizen had been driven mad by him. Why was this perfectly normal person suddenly talking nonsense?

"My previous assumptions were indeed a bit too conservative."

Aizen frankly stated, "Phoenix is ​​a substance unique to Hell. I once conducted a fusion experiment on one of Shihouin's retainers with the part that was previously separated."

"Unfortunately, we failed."

"His strong rejection reaction made it impossible for him to tolerate the phosphorus. If the relevant parts had not been removed in time, he would have completely collapsed."

"At first I thought it was because my research on phosphorus was insufficient, or it might be due to a lack of knowledge about the Grim Reaper."

"But after you reminded me, I realized—"

Aizen raised his eyes, looked intently at Naraku Sora, and said, word by word:

"Takeda Satoki may already be dead..."

……

……

The 72nd district of West Rukongai, on an endless plain.

Two groups of people stood facing each other, their imposing aura soaring to the sky. Thick dark clouds shrouded the plain, obscuring the starlight and spreading an oppressive and heavy atmosphere.

The moment the rain fell, both sides simultaneously unleashed their spiritual pressure.

The chaotic and disordered spiritual pressure completely shattered the silence on the plain, and the Shinigami, using Shunpo, launched an unstoppable charge towards the enemy.

The first thing to be dealt was a clean and decisive clash of swords. The cold blades flashed as they sliced ​​through flesh, making a sound like tearing silk. The bright red blood that fell on the grass was particularly striking.

As the chaotic battle fully erupted, the light of the demonic path burst forth, and blazing flames burned wildly amidst the billowing smoke and dust, adding a few mournful cries to the war.

The most eye-catching figure was the one wearing a red scarf.

Unlike his amiable demeanor in the Seireitei, Kuchiki Kyouga now seemed possessed by a god of death; wherever he went, opposing death gods collapsed to the ground, utterly powerless to struggle.

As the leader of the forces that quelled the rebels, he was the main force in this war and the backbone of the group.

As long as that touch of red remains, failure is inevitable.

In the eyes of their own faction, this rising star of Soul Society is an invincible existence!

Before long, when the rebels had suffered a certain number of casualties, they were completely defeated and had no intention of resisting anymore. They obediently lay down on the ground and surrendered.

Kuchiki Hibiki stood at the forefront, his cold gaze fixed on the desolate battlefield.

Behind him, many Grim Reapers stared at his back, their faces showing obvious fanaticism. Someone in the crowd shouted something.

"Rotten wood!"

"Rotten wood!"

The cries of the Grim Reapers pierced through the clouds in the sky, and a ray of sunlight fell on the shoulder of the rotten wood Xianghe. His tense face finally relaxed, and a faint smile appeared.

This kind of recognition is what he longs for...

Chapter 72 I remembered something happy

"Kushiki Hibiki has rendered meritorious service in eliminating the traitorous Grim Reaper. I hereby appoint you as the captain of the First Division, First Squad."

In front of the First Squad's barracks, in front of the duty room.

Yamamoto looked at the young man standing ramrod straight in front of him and said seriously.

"Thank you very much, Captain!"

A hint of excitement flashed in Xiu Mu Xiang He's eyes.

Some time ago, he was promoted to the third seat of the Sixth Division for his outstanding performance on the battlefield. Now, he has once again led the Shinigami team to achieve great merit and has been directly promoted to the captain of the First Division's direct subordinate unit.

Although it appears to be a promotion in name only, it is actually a demotion in reality, but his status has improved considerably.

Most importantly, the respect I couldn't get from my father-in-law was now being given to me here.

It should be noted that Kuchiki Ginrei was extremely unwilling when he was granted three seats.

In fact, judging by his merits and abilities, he would be more than qualified to be the vice-captain.

In reality, the vice-captain of the Sixth Division is still Kuchiki Sojun, the eldest son of the Kuchiki family and the successor designated by the head of the family and the elders.

Even though he was treated unfairly, Kuchiki Kyouga still wanted to gain the approval of his elders through his own efforts.

However, no matter how hard he tried, Kuchiki Ginrei's attitude towards him was always unusually harsh, and he often reminded him not to rely too much on the power of his Zanpakuto.

But he's a Shinigami (Death God). If a Shinigami doesn't rely on the power of a Zanpakuto (Soul-Slaying Sword), then what does he rely on?

Are we supposed to kill the enemy with our bare hands?

"Xianghe, you are responsible for escorting those traitorous Grim Reapers who were arrested earlier to the Shinigami Prison."

Suddenly, Yamamoto remembered something and said, "According to their crimes, the 46th Chamber has already issued a verdict, and they will be imprisoned on the third floor, [Zhonghe], for a thousand years."

"Yes, Captain!"

Kuchiki Hibiki held the old man who had promoted him in high regard.

As he watched her departing figure, Yamamoto's gaze grew even more profound.

Not far away, Chojiro Sasaki, who had been standing in the corner, slowly walked out and placed several files on the table. Just as he was leaving, Yamamoto suddenly spoke.

"Chōjirō, what do you think of Kuchiki Kyouga?"

Upon hearing this, Chojiro Suzaku paused, a thoughtful expression on his face. After a moment, he said in a deep voice:

"Whether it's talent or ability, they are in the top tier, but their character is too poor, and they are prone to extremism and going to extremes. Such a weakness can be easily exploited by other factions."

Yamamoto nodded.

As a subordinate who had been with him day and night for over a thousand years, Chojiro Sasakichi had a very discerning eye.

Despite having little contact with Kuchiki Hibiki, I immediately spotted its biggest problem.

When Yamamoto first discovered Kuchiki Hibiki, he thought it was a good piece of material.

He is incredibly powerful, and his Zanpakuto possesses unique abilities.

Most importantly, they were brave and daring, often charging to the front lines when fighting rebels, and even risking injury to minimize their own losses.