Shimo's words plunged the group into silence.
Some of the Shinigami stared blankly, clearly struggling to believe what they had just heard.
After a long pause, Shunsui let out a deep sigh and broke the silence.
"I'll report this to the Old Man Commander personally."
"For now, let's handle the aftermath."
He looked toward the ruined remains of Las Noches behind Shimo.
"Even though it's already reduced to rubble… I'd still like to see if we can find any clues."
Shimo nodded. He hadn't sensed anything valuable with his spiritual pressure, but Aizen's mastery of Kidō rivaled his own. There was always the possibility of hidden barriers.
After all, Aizen had once cast Hadō #90: Kurohitsugi without incantation and instantly defeated Sajin Komamura. That alone spoke volumes.
"I'll leave Hueco Mundo to you for now," Shimo said with a quiet sigh.
"This isn't the time for idle conversation. Since Aizen isn't in Las Noches, he has most likely already moved to the Human World… to the spiritual nexus."
Ichigo immediately stepped forward.
"Shimo-san… what's a spiritual nexus?"
Shimo glanced around and realized the others looked equally confused.
"The spiritual nexus refers to a spiritually active focal point in the Human World," he explained patiently. "A location where spiritual phenomena naturally gather. The exact site changes with time."
Ichigo nodded thoughtfully.
"Then why is Aizen going there?"
Shimo's expression turned unusually patient.
"According to the records in the Great Spirit Book Library, Aizen's goal is to create the Ōken—the King's Key."
"The requirements are one hundred thousand souls… and a spiritual nexus with a wide radius."
Ichigo's eyes widened in shock. The thought of hundreds of thousands of people dying at once was unimaginable.
Shimo looked at him with faint pity.
'You think that's the end? No… this is only the beginning.'
"And as far as I know," Shimo continued, "the current spiritual nexus in the Human World is Karakura Town."
Ichigo's pupils shrank in disbelief.
"I have to go back to the Human World immediately!"
Shimo nodded.
"You can come with us. But the rest of the Shinigami should remain here and handle Hueco Mundo."
Shunsui frowned, his tone unusually serious.
"As a Captain of the Gotei 13, I have a duty to protect the balance of the three worlds."
Shimo shrugged helplessly.
"You foolish old man. I know you're confident in your strength—but against Aizen, you would still lose."
"In a chaotic battle in the Human World, your Bankai would be unusable. And Kyōka Suigetsu still hasn't been countered."
Shunsui fell silent, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.
"Isn't there any other solution?"
Shimo lowered his gaze.
"The solution is simple. Leave the fighting to Ichigo and me."
Shunsui hesitated.
At that moment, Unohana spoke gently:
"Shimo-kun, please allow me to go with you. And don't underestimate a swordsman's intuition when it comes to Kyōka Suigetsu."
Shimo considered for a moment before nodding.
"Very well. Unohana and Ichigo will accompany me to the Human World. The rest of you will remain in Hueco Mundo."
Shunsui covered his face and sighed.
"Ever since you grew up, you've never listened to my advice."
Shimo replied without mercy,
"When have I ever listened to you?"
Shunsui froze mid-gesture like a puppet whose strings had been cut.
Unohana smiled softly at the scene.
Ichigo, however, had no mood to enjoy it. Ever since hearing about the Ōken, anxiety had consumed him.
"Shouldn't we get moving?" he urged.
He didn't want to return home only to find devastation.
Shimo nodded casually, far calmer than Ichigo.
"Enough talk. It's time to head to the Human World."
Shunsui no longer tried to stop him. Once Shimo made a decision, nothing would change it.
Shimo raised his hand and began the incantation to open a Garganta.
Suddenly, a familiar voice echoed in his mind.
[New Check-In Mission issued: Check in at Karakura Town in the Human World.]
[Reward: Complete Hollow System.]
Shimo smiled slightly. That reward was certainly enticing.
He completed the incantation:
"My right hand is the stone that bridges worlds. My left hand is the blade that binds reality.!
The black-haired shepherd is hung from a chair. Stratus clouds come, and I strike down the ibis!"
Cracks split open before him.
A Garganta leading to Karakura Town opened.
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