Who are you calling a stable boy?!

"Although it seems that the captain's plan is still to have the band leader take over his position and then have you take over the band leader's position, given the band leader's personality, as long as you are reliable enough, he might really use you as a way to get out of the situation."

"Simply put, when that time comes, there is a very high chance that the head of the Peking Opera band will directly recommend you to the chief conductor to take over."

"And this is something that most people who know the captain and the band leader can notice."

As she spoke, Yoruichi spread her hands.

"So now you understand why so many centrist nobles sided with you as soon as the news of the Fourteenth Division's formation was released, right?"

Ye Yi winked at Zheng Jing: "I heard it when Vice Captain Cang Chun secretly asked you what kind of girl you like at the banquet that day!"

"Huh? This..."

Zheng Jing scratched his cheek: "Isn't that because Cang Chun has a low alcohol tolerance and is talking nonsense?"

"Hey, in short, the establishment of the Fourteenth Division is obviously the Captain-Commander paving the way for your smooth succession in the future."

Yoruichi pointed her thumb at Aizen and said, "Your old man Aizen proposed this plan because he saw how much the Captain-Commander valued you."

"Now, the only obstacle standing between you and the position of Captain is time."

"Ouch......"

Muttering something, Zheng Jing shook his head vigorously.

"I don't want to hear it! The more I listen, the more troublesome it becomes! Let's talk about something else—oh right! Who was that again? Hakiye, didn't you call us over this time because you said you'd made some new discovery about that person?"

"It's about Captain Mole City."

Kisuke, who was standing nearby, spoke up.

"Correct."

Yoruichi's expression turned serious, and she nodded slightly: "After we talked about him last time, I spent some time investigating him again. Although there was no progress in the investigation of his background, I found a rather strange record during the year he became the captain of the Eleventh Division."

"About six months ago, he proposed a plan to Room 46."

Yoruichi raised a finger.

"The theme is to modify the souls of all the residents of Rukongai, giving them the ability to annihilate Hollows, and thus infiltrate Hueco Mundo."

-

Although Rukongai is called a "city", it is actually a vast area consisting of a total of 320 districts.

The further away a district is from Seollingting, the worse its living standards and security are.

For example, in District 78, where Mole City is currently located, there is almost no order. Souls here are like wild beasts, and everything demonstrates pure survival of the fittest.

Therefore, this was a suitable testing ground for Zhicheng, with ample materials for him to practice his techniques of modifying souls, and he would not be detected by the court.

However, it seems that he is not here today to find new material to practice with.

It seems more like, in a state of distress, he sought out a familiar place to clear his head...

He was indeed restless today.

The reason is not complicated.

It was because of the official establishment of the Fourteenth Division.

Suddenly, Kenpachi Azashiro stopped in his tracks.

"You've been following me for almost an hour. If you have something important to say, why don't you say it here?"

As he spoke, he slowly turned around and looked at the small hill a dozen meters away from him.

"Since you've put it that way, then let's say it here."

A voice unfamiliar to Mole City came from behind the hill.

Seeing the figure that turned out, Zhicheng raised his eyebrows, a hint of surprise on his face.

"...Quinshi?"

Chapter Twenty-Six: There Are Actually Quite a Few Divine Beings in Seireitei

It was already dusk, and the setting sun in Soul Society was slowly sinking, dyeing the horizon a poignant orange-red, like spilled blood ink.

Kenpachi Momoshiro stood in this blood-red ink.

His shadow stretched along the ground, as if it were being torn apart by the newcomer.

Zhicheng quietly examined the tall figure standing opposite him.

This is an old man in his sixties with a white goatee.

Souls that appear to be this age are common in Rukongai. Most of them have lived through many years, and before and after death, the edges of their souls have been worn down by time, leaving them with a kind of numb acceptance of fate.

But the people who came were completely different.

He was not only radiant, but his attire was also extremely sophisticated, completely out of place in the chaos of Rukongai.

The white dress with black patterns was impeccably tailored, and the fabric shimmered with a soft silky sheen in the remaining sunlight. Every seam revealed meticulous tailoring.

He even had a pair of gold-rimmed glasses perched on his high, straight nose.

By all accounts, he doesn't seem like a resident of Rukongai.

Of course, Mochijou could tell at a glance that the other party was a Quincy, not because of the other party's overly conspicuous attire.

Rather, it was his unique Zanpakuto.

In his perception, the difference between Shinigami and Quincy was far too stark.

"As expected of the current captain of the 11th Division who was able to defeat that Kuruyashiki and inherit the name of Kenpachi."

The old man stopped about five steps away from Mole City, gracefully adjusted his top hat, and then bowed to Mole City.

"Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Milenion, Milenion O. Earl. As you can see, I am an elderly Quincy."

Why are Quincy here?

Mosashiro's question was concise and direct, ignoring the flattery in the other party's words and getting straight to the heart of the matter—why was a Quincy who shouldn't have appeared in Soul Society standing in front of him?

"Of course, I have important matters to discuss with you."

Millernion straightened up, a smile plastered on his face, an attempt to create a friendly and harmless atmosphere, as if he were just an old-fashioned gentleman who had come to discuss cooperation.

“Answer my question.”

But Zhicheng looked at him and said something like this.

He wasn't asking about the purpose of Milner's visit.

It's not the way he appeared here that matters.

Upon hearing this, Millernion's smile remained unchanged, and he kept silent, though the muscles in his body had already tensed slightly.

He certainly knew what Mole City was really asking.

The Quincy of the present world, since that bloody battle a thousand years ago, have long since lost most of their heritage over the long course of time. Their power and knowledge have declined to a terrible state, and they simply do not have the ability to actively step into the Soul Society from the human world.

The Shinigami have been monitoring the Quincy in the mortal world for hundreds of years, and naturally, they have long since formed this understanding.

If that's the case, then what gives this old man who calls himself a Quincy the right to set foot on this desolate land of Rukongai?

"A new friendly order is being established between the Quincy and the Shinigami."

Seeing that Milneren remained silent, Mole City spoke again.

"So whatever your original purpose in infiltrating Soul Society, surrendering now will at least save your life."

Upon hearing this, Milneren let out a soft, slightly mocking laugh from deep in his throat.

"A friendly order, huh, Captain Mole City, do you really want this so-called friendly order to be established?"

"Shinigami and Quincy both bear the heavy responsibility of fighting Hollows, and should not kill each other."

Zhicheng answered without hesitation.

Upon receiving this response, Millernion spread his hands.

"Even if the premise for both sides to get along well is to let the wicked run rampant together?"

"..."

This time, Huanzhicheng suddenly fell silent.

However, this silence itself seems to be an answer.

"Captain Mole City, I can answer your question."

Milnion's tone became more sincere: "Why would an old Quincy like me be here? It's simple, because we have mastered a new type of interdimensional portal technology."

His composure made this news, which was enough to shake the entire Seireitei, seem like some insignificant rumor.

Before he finished speaking, Milnerian moved.

It's a flying sickle kick.

Milnion's Flying Scythe Kick was swift and fluid, its skill far surpassing that of pure-blooded Quincy in the present world.

But as soon as his feet touched the ground again, a hand with long, slender fingers, fair skin, and a look that seemed more suited to playing music than holding a knife pressed down on his shoulder.

It was as if they had been waiting for a long time.

"...Well lived up to your reputation, truly a magnificent Instant Step, Captain Momoshiro."

Fine beads of sweat appeared on Milern's forehead, but he maintained a polite smile on his face.

As he spoke, he tried to shift his weight, but found that the hand on his shoulder remained motionless, pinning him firmly to the spot.

"Don't move."

Zhicheng's voice came from behind him.

He looked down at the slightly hunched Milner with a grave expression, his words carrying a clear and cold warning: "Unless you really want to lose your legs."

This was no empty threat; if he truly wanted to take away the old Quincy's legs, it would be as easy as turning his hand.

Millernion was well aware of this as well.

"Oh, please don't say such terrible things to an old man! Captain Mole City."

Despite having his back to a powerful figure who could cripple his mobility at any moment, Milneren's tone still carried a hint of humor and ease.

“I have come to see you with no ill intentions. As I said before, I just have something important to discuss with you.”

He paused, then lowered his voice.

"You've worked so hard to achieve your goal of eradicating Hueco Mundo, are you really willing to let it all fall apart at this crucial moment?"

"who are you?"

My shoulder ached from the tight grip of those five fingers, and my bones made a faint sound as they strained under the weight.

But Milneen seemed oblivious to the pain, his expression remaining unchanged.

Because he could feel that the force on his shoulder had loosened slightly.

"As you can see, an old Quincy who is no match for you, and an old Quincy who wants to help you."

"help me?"

"good."

Millernion nodded: "We can provide you with a new type of portal to help your modified soul army invade Hueco Mundo."

"..."

There was no response from Mole City.

He fell silent again.

This time it just took longer.

Milneen wisely quieted down as well.

He knew that the stone he had thrown had already created ripples, and now he needed time for those ripples to spread, to spread...

He didn't know how much time had passed—maybe a minute, maybe ten minutes—but just as Millernion felt his shoulder almost go numb, he suddenly felt the hand on his shoulder completely loosen its grip.

"Next, I'll ask questions, and you'll answer."

Mole City's tone remained indifferent, but the underlying meaning had changed.

At this moment, with his back to Mole City, Milneren's smile held an undisguised air of smug satisfaction.