You are very strong, but my painting style is better than yours!

Iori strolled along the surface of a satellite, which resembled Hueco Mundo, carefully sensing the magical circulation flowing through the void, and meticulously calculating her gains from this trip.

"As expected, the effect of using dragon veins to increase the upper limit of magic power diminishes if done too often... No, am I just too strong now?"

Given Iori's current level, a "bonus equivalent to thirty points of art style value" is already quite substantial. If it were a dragon vein of the Empire level from "Akatsuki no Akame ga Kill!", it would at most be worth a single digit for him now.

Once he reaches a certain level, using conventional methods to enhance his artistic foundation becomes less effective; ultimately, his "art style" holds its value better.

However, this is still quite good. If Iori were just an ordinary Shinigami, this would be enough to promote him to a high-ranking captain—based on spiritual pressure alone. Furthermore, it stored a significant amount of dissipated magical energy, allowing Iori and Sera to activate their Third Magic several times over.

Flame Dragon, Alpha, and a group of Death Girls—these subordinates, absolutely loyal to Iori, finally have the opportunity to enjoy this company perk.

Iori has always been generous. As long as someone demonstrates sufficient potential, loyalty, and merit, they will naturally receive the corresponding reward. She would never hide her wealth from others.

Moreover, because Iori possesses leadership-type skills such as [Single-minded Aspiration for Reversal] and [Arm of the Great], the more followers he has and the stronger they are, the better the buffs he receives, thus achieving two goals at once.

"Next is the Dragon Vein of 'Godslayer'... I feel like it will provoke a lot of earth-attribute divine beasts and those who will resist. Hmm... let's deal with the Seireitei and Hueco Mundo first."

hum!

With a surge of magical energy, Iori conjured up an identical image from his body, as if a mirror had been placed between the two of them.

Subsequently, the clone's facial features, clothing, and height began to change, eventually transforming into a frivolous young man with a sinister gaze, as repulsive as a snake.

It looks exactly like the Tsunayoshi Tokinada!

"The Great Demon King Tsunayoshi Tokinada, who intends to overthrow the Seireitei."

Iori looked at his clone, and because of the shared perspective, the opposite viewpoint also appeared in his mind at the same time, which was truly amazing. If it weren't for his amazing mental abilities and the fact that he had specially trained his clone control skills, he might have already confused himself.

"By the Soul King, I, Aizen Iori, am here today to punish the traitor—your end has come!"

The two gazed at each other silently, then suddenly burst into laughter at the same time.

"Although it's just a regular clone... I wonder if any captain can take my head?"

……

As night approached, the stars in the night sky began to appear and disappear, replaced by a hazy layer of clouds. The chirping of insects gradually rose from the surrounding mountains and forests. These tiny creatures emerged, and as people fell silent, they became the masters of the world.

Iori and Akame walked along the main street of Rukongai. The daytime hustle and bustle had faded away, and the lively night market had not yet opened. The streets were somewhat deserted, but Akame paid no attention to any of that. Her attention was entirely focused on Iori, and the man's words made her particularly flustered.

"Talk to Kurohime... talk about what?"

“From now on, we’re family, and she’s your only sister, so you should let her know about our relationship.”

Iori said with a smile, "For example, I'm sorry, Miss Kurohime, I slept with your sister and she left—or something like that?"

"He hasn't fallen asleep yet!"

"Red Eyes retorted, a hint of anger in his eyes."

"That's a real shame. How about we try it together sometime?"

"Well!"

She no longer has the luxury of being stubborn.

"What, you regret it?"

Iori looked at her tenderly.

"Um... how should I put it, there's a feeling of loss."

Akame frowned slightly: "I've been thinking for a long time that this day might come. Although I knew it would come sooner or later, I don't know what to do after I've really confessed."

"Next?"

Iori gazed at the sky gradually turning white in the distance and smiled slightly, "Then you need a new goal—how about raising a child?"

"It's too early to talk about this now..."

Akame turned her face away.

For Akame, this was indeed a difficult problem to handle, since she had no experience whatsoever, let alone raising children, or even the process of "creating" or "giving birth" a child.

However, she is a girl who takes everything very seriously, and is also a bit naive. I suppose she will try her best to study it even if she is shy at the time.

Iori admires people with a thirst for knowledge the most, so she decided in her heart to fully cooperate!

It's just a pity that there isn't enough time to proceed step by step; the Hueco Mundo conquest is about to begin...

……

The expeditionary army was fully prepared, and the Kido Clan opened a massive interdimensional portal. Meanwhile, a corresponding portal was slowly opening in Hueco Mundo, indicating that everything was ready.

At this moment, there are a thousand Shinigami soldiers in the open square, arranged in three squads. This is only the vanguard. More and more troops will be sent from Soul Society to Hueco Mundo.

At the front of the formation, Iori and the other captains lined up in a row, but he stood out from the others and became the focus of the entire arena.

Although he appeared exceptionally young among the high-ranking members of the Grim Reaper ranks, his demeanor and bearing were impeccable. He handled the situation with composure, and all the soldiers who had been incorporated into the expeditionary force looked at him with admiration.

Iori's voice was calm yet powerful, using the Kido technique to deliver her words at a moderate volume to everyone's ears.

Unlike the lengthy speeches given by leaders in certain situations in my previous life, this one is concise and to the point, without any fluff.

The first priority is to let the soldiers know why they are fighting. Even though everyone understands the situation, Iori still needs to make a declaration on a formal occasion, which can be considered the overall tone of this war.

Revenge and Suppression!

Anyone can talk about protecting the three realms, but Iori didn't want to use grand principles to pressure people; his reason was simple.

That former nobleman named Tsunayoshi Tokinada orchestrated the previous Seireitei turmoil, and even the annihilation of the 10th Division may now seem to be related to him. The Gotei 13 has an irreconcilable blood feud with him!

Secondly, Iori had Hibiki read out the military regulations, discipline, and reward/punishment system to the soldiers on his behalf. Everyone, including Iori himself, whether commoner or noble, soldier or officer, was required to abide by them!

Finally, there were some inspiring words. Iori declared that she would never stand behind anyone, always be the first to move forward and the last to retreat, would never abandon her wounded comrades, and would do her best to collect all the corpses to prevent them from being devoured by the Hollows...

A little further away, Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni led the high-ranking officials who remained in Soul Society to stand behind the high platform, giving the main position to Iori and the captains who were going to war.

Yamamoto, with his white hair and beard, watched this scene and sighed softly. His deep, unassuming eyes remained calm and unchanging, revealing little emotion.

But the vice-captain, Sasakibe, who was serving beside him, noticed something and subtly turned his head to observe the captain-commander's expression.

"Chōjirō?"

"I'm sorry, Captain-Commander."

"…What do you think?"

Although nominally subordinates, their relationship had been like that of father and son or brothers for a thousand years. Yamamoto naturally wouldn't mind such a small matter and instead sought his opinion.

"What are the chances of victory in this Hueco Mundo invasion?"

Quebu feigned ignorance and asked.

Yamamoto squinted and glanced at him indifferently: "No, I'm asking for your opinion on Aizen Iori, the captain of the Third Division."

"I can't comment on the captains, but Captain Aizen... is indeed an outstanding person."

"It's too perfect, sometimes it even feels unreal," said Suzabe earnestly.

“When Saito recommended this person to me, the reason I was willing to take him as my apprentice was actually due to a combination of considerations… But after spending time with him, I found that he was a rare gem, which could be transformed into a beautiful jade with just a little polishing.”

Yamamoto unconsciously used a tone he wouldn't normally use: "Looking back now, it wasn't his good fortune that brought him into the 'Genryu' school, but mine!"

"Lord Genryuzai..."

Quebu was startled; he could detect a hint of a hero's decline in his voice... This immediately made him tense.

In his mind, Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni will always be the "strongest," and his power has never waned. But if his mindset changes, even a demon will gradually become dull.

"But no matter what, Captain Aizen is still a young man who is not even a hundred years old, and he has only graduated from the Shinigami Academy of Arts and Sciences less than ten years ago. To become a captain and even the commander of the expeditionary army is already a promotion beyond the norm..."

"The Gotei 13 has always been based on strength. Anyone who can defeat the current captain can take over the position, no matter who they are. That's the nature of the 13."

Yamamoto seemed to understand the concerns of the sparrow, but he smiled slightly and shook his head.

"Don't worry, I have no intention of retiring now. You're right, Iori is still too young. Even if his strength and achievements are up to par, there are still many things he needs to learn. Moreover, he needs to come into contact with the dark side of Seireitei, which may impact his beliefs."

This is what Yamamoto is most worried about!

Iori is too kind and also naive. Although he is mature and acts steadily, it is mostly because he is born intelligent, not because he can truly accept some of the bad things in Seireitei.

"Three...no, two hundred years."

As if he had made up his mind, Yamamoto slowly said, "In two hundred years, he should be able to truly mature, and I will be able to relax a bit then."

So, the first choice for successor has indeed changed from young master Kyoraku to young master Aizen? —Suzume nodded, but didn't find it surprising.

Kyoraku Shunsui himself had no intention of doing so, and the other captains also had their shortcomings. Only Iori's performance in all aspects was impeccable, and in some areas he was even the best in the entire Seireitei.

He himself has no family background. As a commoner born into Yamamoto's school, if he were to inherit the position, it would mean a perfect transition. He would never casually disrupt the structure left by his predecessor, and there would be no need to worry about internal turmoil within the Thirteenth Division. He is truly the only candidate to be the next Captain-Commander.

What's most wonderful is that even Kyoraku Shunsui is willing to support and assist his junior brother; that's truly rare!

"Where there is fire, there is shadow; light and darkness are never separate."

Yamamoto said with a deep gaze, "Iori and Shunsui will surely become pillars of the Seireitei in the future."

Sparrow expressed his agreement, understanding Yamamoto's meaning perfectly:

If Jushiro Ukitake hadn't been ill, he and Shunsui Kyoraku would have been a wonderful ruling duo—one warm, one cold; one sunny, one feminine… But despite their different styles, they were also close friends who could entrust their lives to each other.

In this way, no matter who is the captain, the other can make up for his shortcomings.

But Ukitake's health was indeed a problem; he wasn't suited for mental or physical exertion, and Haruhime was always acting the same way... Yamamoto was about to give up when Aizen Iori suddenly appeared.

With Shunsui acting as the "shadow" to assist Iori, the "light," the Seireitei can naturally be at peace, and there's no need to worry even if Yamamoto goes into seclusion behind the scenes.

However, at that very moment, the Third Division Captain, whom Yamamoto saw as "light" and considered somewhat naive—

There were so many people, it was like a garbage dump!

As Aizen Iori finished speaking, looking at the orderly yet constantly erupting Shinigami formation below, a thought flashed through his mind out of boredom.

……

wow~

In Hueco Mundo, far from Las Noches and the Reaper camp, a flickering light began to appear on a deserted white desert. Then, an archway gradually emerged, and a humanoid Hollow dressed in a pure white uniform and wearing a half-mask walked out from it.

He hadn't been waiting there long when a black-haired grim reaper wearing a haori (a type of kimono) arrived.

"The earth shakes the high hills, and the streams and mountains are eternally beautiful."

"The gate faces the vast sea, where three rivers converge and flow for ten thousand years."

"Is this Lord Kuchiki?"

"Hello, Mr. Arrancar."

These two were there to hand over some things on behalf of the big boss behind them. After exchanging a token signal, the Arrancar simply took out the items.

"By the way, what do these two codes mean? I am a studious person, but I have never seen such words in any book."

"This is a code set by His Majesty Barragán. As for its meaning... well, it's very profound and mysterious."

"Hmm... that King of Hueco Mundo... Anyway, I'm handing the things over to you. Be careful on your way back."

Kuchiki handed the long, cloth-wrapped item to the Arrancar, and the white-clad phallus solemnly said, "Understood. I will bring the item back safely. Thank you for your help."

"me too."

Kuchiki Sojun also received the same thing.

The two people used the same "tube" to store the intelligence, both made by Mayuri Kurotsuchi. Only matching spiritual information can unlock it; if anyone else tries to force it open, it will only cause the entire container and the intelligence inside to self-destruct!

"The [Lost Palace] actually has an undercover agent in Shitan, and a very rare Arrancar at that..."

"The fact that things went so smoothly is all thanks to Captain Aizen's long-term planning!"

Cang Chun held the "tube" with his five fingers applying slight pressure.

"We cannot let Iori's efforts go to waste... This time we must completely eradicate this scourge, Tokina!"

Chapter 424 What, is this also your wife?

"The location of the lair and the size of the army of the great criminal Tsunayoshi Tokinada have now been discovered."

As the "host," Esdeath, using the alias Hyori, spoke eloquently to the captains and their adjutants at the war council. Although nominally Iori's subordinate, her demeanor was remarkable.

There is a natural sense between experts. Even without fighting each other, they can make a general judgment on the strength of each other. Everyone present had a very deep first impression of Esdeath. Judging from the aura and spiritual pressure she naturally exuded, she was undoubtedly another captain-level powerhouse!

Those like Sou Chun, who already knew Esdeath, were fine, but the captains who had just been transferred from Soul Society were amazed by the sheer number of powerful warriors under Iori's command.

Come to think of it, Iori has only been in the industry for a short time, but he has personally trained or promoted quite a few talents, including more than one captain.