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

"why?"

"Because they will not allow someone weaker than themselves to stand beside them, let alone treat them with the respect a wife has for her husband."

Remember, in family relationships, a balance is maintained when the man is stronger and the woman is weaker.

Although he is single, Yamamoto seems to know a lot about this.

"Moreover... let alone others, I'm afraid they themselves don't even consider themselves women."

"No wonder, I was wondering why no one had pursued her all these years—it's a good thing for me."

"I must say, he truly deserves to be my disciple; he is incredibly courageous."

Yamamoto pondered, "But strength alone is not enough... Only you can make Saito realize in every way that she is still a woman."

Did I awaken the femininity within her?

—Iori found it amusing.

"Teacher, you seem to be in a good mood?"

"Humph……"

Yamamoto's face didn't show much change, but Iori, who had spent a lot of time with him, knew that his expression was much gentler than usual.

"Her ability to find a final resting place is a rare comfort to the Grim Reapers of that era—including myself."

Even people like us can find happiness and peace.

"I understand."

Iori bowed again, solemnly saying, "I will take good care of her."

"Let a young man who is not even thirty years old take care of a thousand-year-old Grim Reaper..."

"Both in appearance and in mind age, Saito is younger than you."

Iori jokingly said something slightly offensive, "If you look at it with the naked eye, you really can't tell that we're from the same era."

"Ha ha……"

Yamamoto, unusually cheerful, said, "Aging isn't necessarily a bad thing; it's just that women care too much about their appearance."

Unohana and Saito are only slightly younger than Yamamoto, so why do they still look the same as they did a thousand years ago, like young girls and beautiful women?

The answer is "maintenance".

Just as the most profitable departments in modern hospitals are not surgery but dermatology and plastic surgery, among the many medical technologies and advanced techniques of the Fourth Division, the ones used most frequently are those that can stabilize skin condition and repair wrinkles.

This doesn't keep their physical condition at its peak, doesn't enhance their combat abilities, and might even slightly increase their physical burden... However, from an appearance standpoint, it can erase the traces of time left on them.

Throughout the Seireitei, countless older female Shinigami rely on this method to maintain their youth. Aside from those who are more open-minded or no longer care about others' opinions, from nobles to ordinary Shinigami, most women patronize the Fourth Division's beauty salon once they reach a certain age.

This is why there are overwhelmingly more elderly men than women in Seireitei!

Do you really think every female Grim Reaper is an ageless goddess? They've secretly put in a lot of effort!

Saito and Unohana didn't have any men they wanted to please, but even tomboys like them cared about their appearance, after all... what if they got old while their companions remained young and beautiful...

Saito should be very glad now that he didn't choose to age naturally like Yamamoto.

Incidentally, among the people in Seireitei who are generally considered untouchable, Unohana ranks second only to Yamamoto, not only because of her cunning, but also because the consequences of being her enemy are too terrifying—no one wants to be an enemy of the entire Women's Shinigami Association.

"And one more thing."

Iori hesitated for a moment, seemingly unsure as well: "I was conducting some research with Mayuri Kurotsuchi a while ago and accidentally discovered some strange phenomena... I can't make a judgment yet, but I suspect it's related to the Quincy."

"Queens?"

Yamamoto opened his eyes. "What happened?"

“Yes, some traces of what appear to be ‘spirit particle clusters’ have been found in a corner of Seireitei. That could not have been caused by the Kido. If it really is a ‘spirit particle cluster,’ it means that Quincy are active in Seireitei within the last ten to twenty months.”

Ok? !

Yamamoto's expression turned serious, his eyes hardening: "This must be treated as a major matter. You must put in a lot of effort... If a Quincy infiltrates the Gotei 13 and goes undetected, it would be a disgrace to the entire Gotei 13!"

He was furious at this moment, more like a lion whose territory had been invaded by hyenas, and did not feel much threat.

After all, he thought it was at most a small Quincy force that had infiltrated Seireitei while things were in turmoil, given that quite a few major events had indeed occurred recently.

As for where these Quincy came from, the most likely explanation is that they are elite purebloods left over from the "War of the Holy Sons." If these people were to cause trouble, they would certainly cause considerable damage to Seireitei—but that would be the extent of their influence.

The Quincy are on the verge of extinction. They have no decent experts left, and even the so-called "Holy Son" is dead. What kind of power do they have left?

Therefore, this is just a "public security issue" and it cannot shake the overall situation.

"Judging from the traces, there may have been a slightly larger number of Quincy."

"This is a dereliction of duty by all thirteen teams!"

Yamamoto was furious at their incompetence: "They didn't even notice it right under their noses! They're all such dullards!"

"..."

Iori gave Yamamoto a strange look, but quickly looked away.

"In short, I will now command the Third Division to conduct a search throughout the entire Seireitei, including all the barracks. Is that alright?"

"I grant you this authority in the name of the Captain."

Yamamoto snorted: "These lazy guys need to be given a wake-up call!"

"That's true."

Iori agreed.

"Some people really need to reflect on themselves—even the captain!"

……

"The Grim Reaper's forces are still the same as before, but it seems they've been making some additional deployments in recent years."

In the vast palace of the Empire of Light, Yhwach, dressed in a dark red cloak and with the appearance of a young boy, sat on a pure white throne, with members of the Sternritter standing on either side below.

"Yes!"

One person knelt on one knee, placed his right hand on his chest, and respectfully said, "They are still called the 'Gotei 13,' but compared to a thousand years ago, they have been given new functions. Moreover, the Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force and the Human World Surveillance Force have now been separated, which are also part of the squad configuration."

In terms of overall strength, they are superior to us. If we were to engage in a direct war, the Empire of Light would probably be completely destroyed within three days!

However, now that our king has returned, the scales of power are meaningless to you. Please lead us to conquer this world once more, Your Majesty.

"Hasward, a thousand years have passed, and you are still outstanding. Although you are bound to the Empire of Light, you still have access to intelligence from all over the world. It is clear that you have never forgotten my entrustment to you and are always ready for the next war... Now, it is time for me to fulfill my promise."

Yhwach rested his head on one hand, a knowing smile playing on his lips.

“My children, wait a few more days, and soon you will be able to shine on a new stage. At that time, true peace will descend upon the Three Realms.”

No need for doubt, no need for pain, simply follow behind me!

"Of course! His Majesty's will is with us!"

"Your Majesty, how is your recovery going?"

Within the Quincy, where there are hierarchical distinctions such as "ruler and subject" and even "father and son," such an attitude could be considered rude or offensive. However, apart from a few people feeling indignant, no one came forward to criticize the blond man.

Because Haschward's position was second only to Yhwach, and his loyalty was beyond question.

"It doesn't matter."

Yhwach glanced at him, equally unimpressed by his attitude.

"We've already gotten through the adjustment period and will soon be back to peak form. Is there anything you'd like to say?"

Haschward, my half.

Upon hearing this, most of those below the throne showed expressions of resentment and jealousy, but none dared to speak at this moment due to Yhwach's formidable power.

"Congratulations, Your Majesty,"

To Yhwach's right, a dark-skinned, one-eyed Quincy stepped forward: "Your subjects have always believed in your return, and now that your wish has been fulfilled, we cannot wait to take revenge on the Soul Society, which is indulging in its beautiful dream."

"Be patient, Lijiebarrow, my first creation."

Yhwach raised his hand in a gesture of respect, and the dark-skinned Quincy immediately returned to his original position.

"There are still some shortcomings... I will bestow upon you new power, enough to surpass the Bankai of the Shinigami. Only those who can master this power can become new members of the Sternritter, or even join my personal guard."

Royal Guard?!

The Quincy were immediately invigorated:

Most of the members of the Knights Order from a thousand years ago have perished, including several members of the Royal Guard. Now that Yhwach wants to rebuild the Knights Order, he will surely personally select talented individuals and bestow upon them "holy script".

That's so tempting!

"But we cannot let our guard down. There are still many things to entrust to you. You must follow Hasward's instructions. While I am asleep, he will act on my behalf."

Before full recovery, the Empire of Light cannot launch an offensive against the Seireitei. In the meantime, new knights must master the Holy Script as quickly as possible... and a new stance called 'Perfect Holy Body'.

Complete the Eucharist?

"Also, Hasward?"

"Your subject is here."

"I don't see it very clearly yet. Tell me what's most noteworthy about Seireitei right now?"

"If we're talking about being careful and vigilant... then it should be..."

Haschward frowned slightly: "Third Division Captain, Aizen Iori."

"Aizen Iori... Although it's the first time I've heard this name, it feels familiar."

This is really something to look forward to!

Yhwach sat reclining on the pure white throne, his eyes seemingly focused on a point in the void, a genuine smile on his face.

What kind of person would he be?

Chapter 480 Bount and the Quincy.

huh... huh... huh...

The woman gasped for breath as she wiped the blood from her face. She had been slashed from her forehead to her chin, and a mixture of tears and blood was flowing out, making the wound sting with pain.

He was extremely exhausted, with only a quarter of his spiritual pressure remaining. He also had several wounds on his body that could barely be considered non-fatal, all caused by spiritual blades and arrows. These wounds seemed to have been mixed with a substance like holy silver, which is a kind of poison to Shinigami and is difficult to heal with ordinary healing methods.

Fortunately, her heart and brain were not damaged, and the damage to other organs can be repaired with "flesh repair agents," allowing her to retain some combat ability.

This is a tool developed by Mayuri Kurotsuchi. When he was arrested last time, it was received and kept by the 12th Division. Due to the issue of raw materials, Captain Kiryu Hikifune is prohibited from mass production.

This woman, as an "ordinary member" of the Twelfth Division, had previously bypassed the security system to steal some research data and resources. She originally intended to keep this flesh-enhancing agent as a collectible, but she never expected it to come in handy here.

Even in such a miserable state, she had no intention of surrendering. Her two eyes, barely open, were fixed on the enemy. Her muscles were trembling, but her right hand holding the knife remained as steady as ever—after all, she was someone who frequently performed external surgeries.

Named "Saint-Lan Island," the ordinary squad member and researcher of the 12th Division, he joined along with the private laboratories that were merged when the division was reorganized into the "Technology Development Bureau," and was not a core member.

Her mature appearance, conservative hairstyle, and black-rimmed glasses made her inconspicuous in the 12th Division. Apart from completing her regular work, she rarely went out, and many people in the team didn't even know she existed.

In the 12th Division, which is full of eccentric characters, she is a rare normal person—or so it appears on the surface.

In reality, her simple, even somewhat boring, background information was fabricated, and her current appearance and personality were deliberately trained, all to bury her past.

Lan Island, she was once the chief researcher of a certain noble family. Before the "Seireitei Research Institute Explosion Incident", her reputation in the circle was no worse than that of Mayuri Kurotsuchi.

However, her research project went awry, causing the spiritual particles to go berserk. This destroyed the 10th Division's base and spread the abnormal spiritual particles throughout the Soul Society and even the human world, causing great chaos... That battle also made Aizen Iori known as the "strongest water-type" in everyone's eyes.

Lan Island miraculously survived the explosion... or rather, "she came back to life."

The experimental project aimed to create "eternal life," that is, a spirit that does not age. Although it ultimately failed, the mutated spirit particles merged into her body during the explosion, transforming her into another form of life, which allowed her to survive!

No one thought there were any survivors at the epicenter of the explosion. Lan Dao also took the opportunity to change her identity and use a pre-prepared one—she had always been worried that she would be silenced by the nobles at any time, but she never expected to use it in this kind of situation.

He then infiltrated the 12th Division, living a life of aimless drifting as an ordinary researcher while secretly investigating the events of that year.

Yes, the aftershocks of the Big Bang have not disappeared even now!

The spread of those mutated spiritual particles was extremely wide. Although the monsters produced in the explosion were eliminated by the Grim Reapers led by Iori, many of them leaked into the mortal world and quietly merged with the souls of normal humans, giving birth to "new humans".

Just like Lan Island now!

This process won't happen overnight, but Seireitei will surely discover the anomaly sooner or later, right?

Although they were innocent victims caught in the crossfire, in the eyes of the Seireitei, these people were no longer human, and the safest way to deal with them was to eliminate them all!