Upon hearing this, Yoriichi's mind couldn't help but recall Retsu Unohana's skill.
Although she had once lost to him, her reaction speed was astonishing, ranking among the top captains.
Combined with her exquisite swordsmanship, it seemed reasonable that she could defeat Saito Furofushi.
After all, a time-based Zanpakuto, while seemingly powerful, primarily extends one's lifespan rather than accelerating one's actions.
Thinking of this, Yoriichi nodded slightly, indicating understanding, and then inquired about Bakuzan Saigyunzai's abilities.
"Bakuzan Saigyunzai, huh…"
Yamamoto Genryusai fell into contemplation once more. Stroking his beard, he carefully chose his words and slowly said,
"If I remember correctly, her Zanpakuto is purely power-type, shaped like a long-handled naginata, and after Shikai, it gains the property of being undefendable."
"Even my Ryujin Jakka would be cut by her."
"This Hell Gate, and even the chains binding the three, were likely cleaved open by her."
"Yoriichi Tsugikuni, if you encounter her, it's best not to engage her directly."
"Your strength is indeed great, but if your sword breaks, even using my Ikotsu won't be enough against her."
"Of course, if you use Bankai, that's another matter, but its use is basically strictly forbidden in the Human World."
"Invisible Kido, which means your Shunko, is her greatest counter."
"Remember this point."
These three First Generation Captains each had their strengths, but it seemed his own strengths completely countered theirs.
This was good news.
Beside them, the nobleman's expression gradually shifted from worry to relief upon hearing this.
After all, when he arrived, he had no idea that Yoriichi Tsugikuni was so formidable.
His abilities completely countered the three First Generation Captains.
This was probably the strongest Shinigami in Seireitei, besides Yamamoto Genryusai, wasn't it?
Yamamoto was already so strong, and his disciple was also this strong; it truly left no room for others to live.
But fortunately, their clan was not involved in worldly affairs.
If not for the recent problems in Hell, forcing them into the Human World, they probably wouldn't have known about this until Yoriichi Tsugikuni became Captain-Commander.
As for Kyōraku and Ukitake?
Sorry, not familiar.
Once Yoriichi Tsugikuni resolves this matter, they will likely be forced to take sides.
Because this incident was entirely caused by their negligence.
Of course, Yoriichi Tsugikuni's arbitrary imprisonment of criminals might also be a fuse, but unfortunately, they had no evidence.
Moreover, even if there was evidence, what then?
The act itself was not problematic; imprisoning those heinous criminals in Hell was a normal action.
The more he thought about it, the more disheartened he felt. Why couldn't the ability to control Hell appear in their clan?
The nobleman sighed heavily, his eyes filled with endless sorrow.
Afterward, he continued to converse with Yamamoto Genryusai, confirming the approximate time of the operation, then quickly left.
Before leaving, he took a deep look at Yoriichi Tsugikuni, as if to engrave his appearance firmly in his mind.
As long as they didn't seize their Hell Gate, then no matter what happened, everyone would still be good friends.
...
After receiving that information, Yoriichi did not linger long in Seireitei.
Although the three First Generation Captains dared not use their full power in the Human World, nor harm it, their existence was ultimately a huge hidden danger.
After bidding farewell to Yamamoto Genryusai and returning to the Ninth Division, Yoriichi quickly formulated a general training plan for those participating in the special training.
Immediately after, he entrusted everything to Zaraki Kenpachi, repeatedly admonishing him not to be impatient or reckless, then immediately set off for the Human World.
Of course, before that, he didn't forget to briefly say goodbye to Uta.
This mission was not expected to take too long, because through Yamamoto Genryusai's reminder, Yoriichi already knew their weaknesses and locations.
If all went well, it would probably be over in a day or two.
And in the Shinigami's perception, a day or two was but the blink of an eye.
Though Uta was filled with reluctance, Yoriichi was a Captain, and she could only let him act.
She instructed Yoriichi not to take risks if he was outmatched, to return quickly, for if one person couldn't defeat an opponent, two or three people surely could.
She thought to herself, if only she were a Shinigami, but alas, she was merely a nominal member, without any combat power.
Yoriichi sensed her thoughts. To prevent her from worrying too much, he said little, only that she wouldn't need to go to the Fourth Division until he returned.
What Retsu Unohana had taught her was enough for her to digest for a while.
Both were worried about each other's safety, but fortunately, this was merely groundless worry.
...
...
At the same time.
In the Human World, Ishida Soken had been filled with sorrow recently.
This was because, as the last pure-blood Quincy clan in the Human World, his son, Ishida Ryūken, possessed powerful and unparalleled Quincy talent, yet was unwilling to become a Quincy.
Although he could understand his son's thoughts, given that the Shinigami's suppression of the Quincy was almost to the point of eradication.
It was precisely because he had promised the Shinigami never to easily use Quincy abilities that their clan had survived.
But even so, he still inevitably felt regret.
Ryūken only sought to live peacefully; his dream was to make money, not to pursue reconciliation between Quincy and Shinigami.
Reconciliation?
After so many lives were taken, how could there be reconciliation?
Putting himself in his son's shoes, Ishida Soken felt that if he were his son's age, he would probably have the same thoughts.
Unfortunately, he was old, already over five hundred years old this year.
As a pure-blood Quincy, without external intervention, this age was equivalent to about fifty years old for a human.
Time had worn down his desire for revenge.
During his time in the Human World, he calmly reflected on everything the Shinigami had done to the Quincy and found nothing wrong with it.
Even setting aside their respective stances, the Quincy's actions were undoubtedly destroying the Three Realms.
The Shinigami's act of extermination was normal; after all, they couldn't just stand by and do nothing.
After seeing the truth, Ishida Soken was filled with helplessness, but what had happened had happened, and regretting it now was meaningless.
So he prepared to look to the future in his limited time.
That is, to try and cooperate with the Shinigami, hoping to better protect those souls and humans.
However, the age difference meant that Ishida Ryūken could not understand his ideas.
Recalling the expressions his son had shown him, Ishida Soken couldn't help but sigh softly.
On his way home from the training ground, tree shadows swayed, and a gentle breeze blew.
The afterglow of the setting sun on the horizon cast upon his face, just as he was contemplating the future.
Suddenly, a subtle movement came from the nearby woods, instantly catching his attention.
He paused slightly, looking in that direction, vaguely hearing the voices of a few people talking.
"Is this one of the few Reishi-dense areas in the Human World?" This was a young man's voice, full of confusion.
"Furofushi, you didn't get it wrong, did you?"
"Can we really escape Hell's surveillance by staying here?"
"Last time we fought those guys, we almost got dragged into the Hell Gate. Luckily, Batsuunsai was there."
"I really don't want to go back to that damned place. Suddenly, there were some Menos Grande, the kind without masks, and fighting them was truly exhausting."
"Baraggan was even in there... When has I, Shihouin Sennich, ever suffered such humiliation?"
Although Ishida Soken couldn't see the speaker's face, just by listening to the tone, he could feel the man's full of complaints, as if he had been severely beaten by that Menos Grande named Baraggan.
—Baraggan?
That name sounded somewhat familiar.
Hell... Ishida Soken's brain, overloaded with information, entered a brief state of stagnation.
He had not yet determined the man's origin.
Then another voice spoke: "Shut up!"
This time it was a petulant woman, her tone quite impatient, utterly annoyed.
"Keep whining and I'll cut you down! Do you think you're the only one annoyed?"
"Damn it, those few Menos Grande, I don't know who sent them in, they took over our territory."
"What is that old man Yamamoto Genryusai doing anyway..."
Before the petulant woman finished speaking, another person spoke to soothe her, this time a gentle female voice:
"Alright, Furofushi, we're out now. As companions, we should support each other, shouldn't we?
"Let's lay low for a while. Whether or not the Reishi-dense area can immune us to the Hell Gate's surveillance, it's not advisable to act again for now."
"It's been who knows how many years since we died. I hope the Human World will be more interesting."
—Die?
At the mention of this word, Ishida Soken finally remembered: Hell, that was the world where the dead lived.
As a Quincy, due to his special abilities, he had never seen a Hell Gate once in his life.
Information about Hell was only known through his lineage.
Adding Yamamoto Genryusai and Baraggan, the King of Hueco Mundo he just recalled...
It can be inferred that these people speaking must be Shinigami, and old-generation Shinigami at that.
Ishida Soken's lips parted slightly, about to speak, but in the next instant, the words on the tip of his tongue were forcibly swallowed back.
Simply because, if these people were indeed contemporaries of Yamamoto Genryusai, then their attitude towards Quincys would surely be to annihilate them.
Thinking of this, a drop of cold sweat quietly slid down his forehead.
He subconsciously tucked away the "Quincy Cross Pendant" hanging around his neck, symbolizing the last Quincy.
Just as he was about to quietly leave, the bushes were suddenly pushed open, and two women and one man emerged.
They had varied appearances and different clothing, but chains floated from each of their chests.
The man had dazzling silver hair, bronze skin, exuded an untamed aura, and moved with powerful strides.
The woman to his left was petite, with swaying purple twin pigtails, a black eye patch over her left eye, and a wild, extremely mad demeanor.
The woman to his right wore glasses, with waist-length black pigtails tied behind her back, exuding a gentle temperament.
Yet, in her hand, she held a long-handled naginata, creating a strong sense of contrast.
The moment Ishida Soken saw them, he instinctively took half a step back, with only one thought remaining in his mind.
—It's over!
...
Even if he didn't recognize them.
But seeing their appearance—Zanpakuto paired with Shinigami robes.
Any Quincy who saw them would immediately know they were Shinigami.
If they were ordinary Shinigami, that would be fine; Ishida Soken might even consider chatting with them.
However, the key was that these people came from a thousand years ago, an era when Shinigami and Quincys were locked in a death feud.
Even if he desperately wished for reconciliation with the Shinigami, what could he do if the other party refused to listen?
Ishida Soken's breathing suddenly stopped, and cold sweat dripped from his forehead like broken beads.
In his eyes, the tragic scene of these people slicing him in half with a single strike seemed to have already appeared.
Time seemed frozen at this moment, and the air became incredibly heavy.
However, due to the peculiar environment.
This scene, in the eyes of the three, was merely interpreted as sweat caused by seeing them.
His halted breathing was also attributed to being awestruck by their appearance.
Bakuzan Saigyunzai scrutinized him.
Suddenly, she spoke, "Old man? Can you see us?"
These words made Ishida Soken snap back to reality, surprised that these Shinigami hadn't attacked...
Wait, why would they attack?
He hadn't displayed any Quincy abilities.
Even the items symbolizing his Quincy identity had been put away.
As long as he didn't proactively reveal himself, in the eyes of others, he was just a kind old man.
Spiritual power?
Many people in the Human World possess spiritual power.
Taking a slight breath, Ishida Soken, as an elder Quincy, finally calmed down quickly.
As his thoughts raced, he asked in a deep voice, "Are you human or ghost?"
Upon hearing this, they mistakenly thought Ishida Soken had taken them for wandering spirits.
After all, a normal person couldn't possibly have a large hole in their body with a chain inside.
Considering that Ishida Soken possessed spiritual power, he might often see spirits.
Bakuzan Saigyunzai smiled, "You misunderstand, old man, we are Shinigami."
"You may not know what Shinigami are, but we are good people."
"Do you know what era it is now?"
She asked tentatively, to determine how many years had passed since her death.
Hell, like Hueco Mundo, has no distinction between day and night.
There is only endless pain and torment.
Having finally arrived in the Human World, they naturally wanted to enjoy themselves before being discovered by those Shinigami.
Perhaps this old man in front of them could serve as a stepping stone...
As one of the First Generation Captains, she had killed countless people in her life.
Naturally, it was impossible for her to have a good impression of any particular group of people.
It was merely pity for the weak.
Beside her, Shihouin Sennich and Saito Furofushi became interested in this.
Their gazes collectively fell upon Ishida Soken.
The latter swallowed hard twice, feigning panic, and reported the current era.
His performance was exactly that of an old man terrified by the sight of an unknown entity.
Seeing this, Bakuzan Saigyunzai smiled:
"So that's how it is, seven hundred years have passed..."
"Old man, we are looking for a place to rest, I wonder if you could do us a favor?"
When it comes to reclusion, people often think of deep mountains and old forests, and Bakuzan Saigyunzai initially thought the same.
However, after seeing Ishida Soken, this line of thinking changed.
Why should they hide in the deep mountains and old forests?
That would be too boring.
The most dangerous place is often the safest place.
Those Shinigami chasing them would never think they would hide in a human's home.
At the same time, even if they were discovered, out of Shinigami's pity for humans, they would never use high-intensity attack methods.
At that time, it would be their opportunity.
At worst, they could just move to another place to continue their reclusion.
As long as they weren't discovered by the Hell Gate, they would still be free.
Hearing Bakuzan Saigyunzai's words, the bitterness in Ishida Soken's heart grew even stronger.
What on earth is going on with these Shinigami?
He had originally thought that by playing dumb, he could avoid this disaster, but he never expected that they would insist on staying in his home...
Did he dare to refuse?
As a "timid" human elder, he knew he had no grounds to refuse.
Taking a slight breath, Ishida Soken tried to force out a "kind" smile and slowly said:
"Yes, yes, there's nothing wrong with it. You wouldn't take my life, would you...? After all, you are Shinigami."
"You're overthinking it, old man. Shinigami are not beings who harvest human lives. We are only responsible for guiding souls into the world of the dead, though that is already a thing of the past..."
Bakuzan Saigyunzai sighed lightly, seemingly unwilling to dwell on the past, and simply responded with a smile: "It's good that you agree. So, where is your home?"
"Don't worry, we are only borrowing your residence to rest and will not affect anything actual."
"We don't need to eat or drink, and humans without spiritual power cannot see us."
"Although we don't know your family structure, there shouldn't be many people who can see spirits like us, right?"
Ishida Soken didn't speak, but instead fell silent.
He really wanted to say that his home was full of Quincys, everyone had spiritual power, and everyone could see them.
But could he say that?
Obviously not.
Noticing his attitude, Bakuzan Saigyunzai seemed to guess something and nodded gently:
"I see, it's alright, old man, we are willing to give you some time to prepare."
"Even if they can see us, just treat us as non-existent beings."
...Ishida Soken was filled with helplessness. It's come to this point, and you still won't give up?
Alas, it seems this calamity cannot be avoided.
These Shinigami, he didn't know what they had done, to be so determined to enter his home.
They shouldn't have seen through his identity; it could only be that something happened in Soul Society, or perhaps some change occurred in Hell, forcing them to seek a place to seclude themselves.
The specifics could only be slowly determined in the future.
For now, it's better to go home and tell Ryūken and the others about this.
Lest any flaws be revealed, causing the last Quincy to vanish from the world.
His eyes were complex and difficult to read.
Facing the three, Ishida Soken reluctantly nodded.
And directly opposite him, in stark contrast to his expression, which was as heavy as if he had swallowed a steelyard weight, was the fact that.
All three of them were smiling, as if everything was under their control.
...
At the same time.
Human World.
Yoriichi Tsugikuni quickly appeared above Karakura Town through the Senkaimon.
Based on the last message, it could be determined that the three were fleeing towards this direction.
Although their exact location was unknown, Karakura Town was not large after all.
They couldn't hide for too long.
Yoriichi Tsugikuni only hoped that their actions wouldn't be so extreme.
Lest he be forced to use unconventional methods.