"Though it's unclear why this Shinigami captain's strength varies so much, one-shotting Zommari proves he deserves his spot!"
On the palace's left steps, Starrk adjusted his posture, shedding his usual laziness for a serious demeanor.
Initially disappointed and skeptical, Zommari's death convinced him.
"The Shinigami captains aren't entirely useless…" Lilynette dropped her mocking tone.
Though she shared Starrk's soul, most of their reiatsu resided in him, leaving her relatively weak.
As a Fracción, watching an Espada like Zommari fall instilled fear.
Nearby, Harribel's expression shifted slightly.
As a top-three Espada and one of Hueco Mundo's rare Vasto Lordes, her strength wasn't vastly superior to Zommari's.
The gap wasn't enough for her to dominate him easily.
Seeing him one-shot by Byakuya, though she remained outwardly calm, her heart roiled with shock.
So, a Shinigami captain's true strength lay not just in Bankai but in their seemingly ordinary slashes!
"Lady Harribel…" Apache, one of her Fracción, asked curiously, "I noticed the number '6' on that captain's haori. Does that mean he's the sixth strongest in the Gotei 13?"
Her assumption stemmed from the Espada's ranking system, where numbers denoted strength and status.
Since Aizen took over Hueco Mundo, Arrancar were ranked by killing prowess, birthing the Espada.
Harribel's eyes lowered, nodding. "It's likely. His strength places him in the Gotei 13's upper-mid tier, which makes sense."
"So, there are five stronger captains?" Apache's face paled.
An Adjuchas-level Arrancar, one-shotted by Byakuya.
Wouldn't captains stronger than him surpass even Vasto Lordes?
That was terrifying!
Reading her subordinate's fear, Harribel forced a smile, reassuring her, "Apache, don't panic. Only two have been ranked so far, with 13 spots left. Even if six stronger captains appear, there's still room for the Espada!"
"Lady Harribel, you mean…?" Apache's eyes widened.
Flipping her blonde hair, Harribel crossed her arms confidently. "Even if stronger captains take the list, the remaining spots will belong to the Espada!"
"Exactly!" Sunsun, another Fracción, gazed at Harribel with admiration. "The Shinigami may have the upper hand now, but Lady Harribel will turn the tide!"
"Let's keep watching," Harribel said sharply, her voice like a deep-sea shark's roar. "I believe the Espada's moment is coming soon!"
---
6th Division Barracks
The oppressive atmosphere in the office finally lifted.
Before the transparent screen, Renji Abarai cheered excitedly, "That was epic! Captain, that sword swing was insanely cool!"
One-shotting an Adjuchas-level Arrancar—what a feat!
When would he, the red-haired lieutenant, achieve such glory?
Most would've been swayed by such flattery, but Byakuya wasn't ordinary.
Whether due to arrogance or his "aloof noble" persona, he maintained his stoic expression, secretly pleased but unmoved.
He nodded slightly, saying calmly, "Renji, I understand your excitement. That battle's outcome is indeed uplifting."
"But…" His tone turned serious. "Have you considered why these scenes appeared? I've never been to Hueco Mundo."
"Captain, you mean…?"
"The future," Byakuya said firmly, his eyes flickering. "These battles are likely future events. Perhaps soon, a war will erupt between the Soul Society and Hueco Mundo!"
"War?!" Renji's face paled.
The Soul Society had known peace for nearly a century.
A war would bring devastation!
"Exactly. It's the only explanation for my presence in Hueco Mundo," Byakuya nodded.
"But… that's so sudden!" Renji stammered.
Before he could continue, the screen flickered back to life, Zommari's death fading.
Familiar subtitles appeared:
[NO.13: Genius Prodigy, Tōshirō Hitsugaya]
"Huh?!"
"The next ranking already?" Renji blinked, then frowned at the subtitles. "Tōshirō Hitsugaya? The youngest captain, ranking above Captain Kuchiki? That can't be right!"
His skepticism spilled out, unconvinced by the ranking.
Byakuya was equally stunned. "Captain Hitsugaya? Why him?"
With 13 spots left, he'd expected veteran captains like Retsu Unohana, Shunsui Kyōraku, or Jūshirō Ukitake—centuries-old powerhouses he respected.
But Hitsugaya?
Was it his youth, potential, or the power of Hyōrinmaru, the strongest ice-type Zanpakutō?
Byakuya was puzzled.
"Captain…" Renji rubbed his chin, theorizing, "Could it be, like you, Hitsugaya gets stronger in the future and also defeats an Adjuchas-level Arrancar?"
As he spoke, the video began, shifting to a familiar setting—Karakura Town's suburbs!
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