After dealing with Robert, 'The Nimble', Sora successively received battle reports from the other fronts.
The continuous stream of victory reports was a relief.
No Sternritter had appeared on the other fronts. In the face of the Shinigami army, their defeat was only a matter of time.
While Aizen was collecting the reishi residue from the stone statue, Sora returned to the black rift that had been sewn up by his shadows.
The shadow passage opened by Robert would have closed automatically if no one maintained it.
But Sora had used his own shadow power to maintain its form, so it had not closed.
This shadow passage was a type of Quincy reishi technology, and Sora wanted to keep it for research.
If he could crack the reishi technology within, he might be able to open a shadow passage to the Wandenreich, allowing other Shinigami to enter with him.
Sora stepped into the black rift. Inside, it was pitch black, except for the light at the end of the tunnel.
A moment later, he came out the other side.
"As expected, they set up a transit station."
Sora arrived on a deserted island.
He didn't know where it was, but he was certain it was still the human world.
"It's a deserted island... I thought the end of the tunnel would lead to a Quincy base!"
Urahara and Mayuri also came out of the passage.
"Some of the methods these Quincy have shown are very unfamiliar. I can't find them in the Quincy data I have. They are worth investigating."
Mayuri took out a highly sensitive reishi detection instrument and began to scan the island for residual reishi traces.
"No signs of activity. This is just a transit station," he quickly concluded. "It seems their base is not here."
"Let's go back," Sora turned to Urahara and Mayuri. "Don't destroy this shadow passage. I want to keep it for research."
...
Several days later, the war ended, and the Shinigami returned to the Soul Society.
First Division, Assembly Hall.
Standing in the center, Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto looked at the two rows of captains and lieutenants before him, feeling gratified.
For the past several hundred years, the Gotei 13 had been in a state of decline.
The successive deaths of the first-generation captains had left a long-standing void in the top-tier power of the Gotei 13.
Now, with a new generation of talent emerging, the captain-level strength was gradually being replenished.
"The war is over. This extermination campaign was very successful. The participating Shinigami squad members may collect five years' salary from the logistics team. Captains and lieutenants may all collect ten years' salary."
Yamamoto felt more and more satisfied with Katori Sora the more he looked at him.
More than half of the rising stars here were related to him.
Yamamoto had chosen to let Sora handle this war to test his abilities.
The Gotei 13 was, after all, a military organization. As the Head Captain, the ability to command in war was indispensable.
This war had gone without any major mistakes, and the casualties were within an acceptable range for Yamamoto.
Given time, Sora would surely be able to take over his burden.
"Kana Azashiro, Kensei Muguruma, and Isshin Shiba have demonstrated their Bankai. They are now qualified to bear the heavy responsibility of a captain. I recommend them for the positions of captain of the 3rd, 9th, and 10th Divisions."
Yamamoto paused. "Does anyone have any objections?"
"I agree!"
Yoruichi Shihōin raised her right hand high.
"I've read the battle reports. Their performance was outstanding. I also agree,"
Retsu Unohana said with a smile.
"I agree," Sōjun Kuchiki nodded slightly.
"I agree as well," Love Aikawa looked at the people around him and also nodded.
"They are all Captain Katori's beloved disciples..." Shunsui Kyōraku felt that the 'Katori' content around him was getting higher and higher. "If even old man Yama approves, they must have the strength to be captains. I agree."
"They've all learned Bankai, so of course they should be captains. There are still so many vacant positions!" Kenpachi Kuruyashiki laughed loudly. "I also agree!"
"I agree," Sora nodded gently.
"I agree. Things should be a little easier in the future," Jūshirō Ukitake was also happy to have someone take over the 3rd, 9th, and 10th Divisions.
"Eight captains agree with my recommendation. The resolution is passed. Kana Azashiro, Kensei Muguruma, and Isshin Shiba will serve as the captains of the 3rd, 9th, and 10th Divisions."
Yamamoto nodded and said solemnly, "I hope you will live up to expectations and bear the responsibilities of a captain!"
"Yes, sir!"
The three of them bowed their heads.
...
After the meeting, everyone dispersed. Sora did not leave immediately.
"You did very well."
Yamamoto's stern expression from the meeting was gone.
"It is all thanks to your guidance, Head Captain. You are our role model," Sora said.
"No need to be modest. It is no easy feat to teach so many outstanding juniors," Yamamoto's expression became even more amiable.
"These are the reishi images extracted from Mayuri Kurotsuchi's optic nerve. Please take a look, Head Captain."
Sora handed several sheets of paper to him.
"Optic nerve? Extracting reishi images?"
Yamamoto felt he recognized every word, but not when they were combined. "I don't recall a Shinigami's vision having such an ability."
"Mayuri... on his own body..." Sora made a "tiny bit" gesture with his thumb and index finger, "...made a few small functional modifications."
"Modifying the spiritual body..." Yamamoto frowned. "You need to keep an eye on him. Don't let him go too far."
Some of the small inventions from the Technology Development Bureau had brought about many positive changes for the Shinigami.
Therefore, Yamamoto was not opposed to innovation in reishi technology.
He picked up the papers. On them were images drawn with reishi.
The images on the several sheets were of Robert, 'The Nimble', the Quincy instructor Quilge, and the dreamer Gremmy.
"A remnant of the Quincy from eight hundred years ago..."
Yamamoto frowned. He had some impression of this Quincy who had followed Yhwach in the attack on the Soul Society.
The Quincy war back then had not completely wiped out all the Quincy who had invaded.
After Yhwach's defeat, some had taken the opportunity to escape.
"These Quincy... participated in the first Quincy war?"
Sora feigned surprise.
"The other two look unfamiliar," Yamamoto shook his head. "Although they look young, you can't always judge a Quincy's age by their appearance."
"These three Quincy are no weaker than captains. Although two of them have already been killed by us, one escaped. The Shinigami should be alerted. If they are encountered in the future, it must be reported immediately."
Sora gave Yamamoto a reminder that there were still strong fighters on the Quincy side.
"Hmm... Chōjirō."
Yamamoto beckoned.
Chōjirō Sasakibe suddenly appeared, kneeling on one knee before him.
"Print the Quincy on these papers into wanted posters and distribute them to every Shinigami."
Yamamoto handed the paper images to him.
"Yes, sir!"
Chōjirō left with a Shunpo.
"I have carefully read the battle reports. Your other disciple, the lieutenant of the 5th Division, Sōsuke Aizen, held out against several strong enemies for a long time, waiting for your support..." Yamamoto asked, "He must also have captain-level combat power, right?"
"Indeed," Sora nodded.
"He has not demonstrated his Bankai, so I did not recommend him as the captain of the 5th Division just now," Yamamoto said.
"He is just about to apply for the captain's proficiency test," Sora said with a smile.
"In that case, the Gotei 13's captains will be complete."
Yamamoto showed a smile.
After several hundred years, the Gotei 13 had finally once again gathered thirteen captains.
...
Several days later.
Entrance to the 5th Division training ground.
Shinji Hirako, after getting off work, blocked Sōsuke Aizen.
"Lieutenant Aizen!" Shinji slapped Aizen's shoulder hard, like a senior putting a junior in his place. "Let me hear you call me 'Captain'!"
Aizen: "?"
"Lieutenant Aizen, I have mastered Bankai!"
Shinji's face was full of pride.
He usually disliked being called "Lieutenant Aizen" because he was "Third Seat Hirako."
But now he had mastered Bankai!
In the future, Aizen would still be "Lieutenant Aizen," but he would be "Captain Hirako"!
The tables had turned!
"Is that so..." Aizen showed a gentle smile. "Congratulations, Lieutenant Hirako, on mastering Bankai."
"Hmph, in the future... wait!" Shinji corrected him. "Lieutenant? I, who have mastered Bankai, am now qualified to be a captain. You have to call me Captain Hirako!"
"My apologies..." an apologetic look appeared on Aizen's face. He took a white haori from his reishi pocket. "Just a moment ago... the Head Captain has already appointed me as the captain of the 5th Division."
"I haven't even had the chance to wear this captain's haori yet."
"What?!"
The smile on Shinji's face instantly froze.
Aizen put on the captain's haori in front of him.
"It's my first time wearing it, so I'm still not used to it, but it fits quite well."
Aizen's smile made Shinji's heart sink into an icy abyss.
"You timed this on purpose, didn't you!!!"
Shinji's composure broke, his face flushing with anger.
He had just mastered Bankai, and Aizen had become a captain. How could it be such a coincidence!
"How could that be," Aizen slowly adjusted the haori on his body. "The Professor has taught us that fellow disciples should be united and love each other. I have taken that to heart!"
Sarcophagus Stone Mine Laboratory.
Sora was watching this scene through the Surveillance Bacteria.
"That Sōsuke... he really goes to great lengths to mess with Shinji!"
The image on the screen was not one he had actively sought out.
After Aizen had returned, he had been using the bacteria to watch the 5th Division training ground.
During the Quincy war, Shinji had found the opportunity to learn Bankai and was just one step away.
In fact, Aizen had already become a captain a few days ago.
But he had kept the news under wraps. In the entire 5th Division, only Shinji didn't know.
After Aizen, Kana, Kensei, and Isshin became captains, Sora also received the corresponding rewards.
[Disciple Kana Azashiro has become the captain of the 3rd Division. Rewards settled.]
Received Reward: 100,000 general experience points.
Received Reward: Hadō: Shinnyo Gorai (Beginner level).
[Disciple Kensei Muguruma has become the captain of the 9th Division. Rewards settled.]
Received Reward: 100,000 general experience points.
Received Reward: Zanjutsu: Fūatsu-ken (Beginner level).
[Disciple Isshin Shiba has become the captain of the 10th Division. Rewards settled.]
Received Reward: 100,000 general experience points.
Received Reward: Shiba Secret Art: Saigo no Getsuga Tenshō (Beginner level).
[Disciple Sōsuke Aizen has become the captain of the 5th Division. Rewards settled.]
Received Reward: 100,000 general experience points.
Received Reward: Hadō #99: Goryūtenmetsu (Beginner level).
He had received a total of 400,000 general experience points!
He invested 350,000 of it into 'Reishi Manipulation'.
[Reishi Manipulation Lv 92 (0/100,000)]
'Reishi Manipulation' was raised from level 80 to 92!
The Quincy ability levels indicated by the system were benchmarked against Shinigami.
Sora's current Quincy strength had reached the level of a captain-class Shinigami even without using his Shinigami abilities!
He invested the remaining general experience into 'Blut Vene'. After verification in actual combat, the practicality of the Quincy's Blut abilities was extremely high. Both the defensive 'Blut Vene' and the offensive 'Blut Arterie' were very useful.
[Blut Vene Lv 82 (500/30,000)]
'Blut Vene' was raised from level 80 to 82.
Sora's Quincy panel had changed dramatically:
[Base Abilities (Quincy):
Reishi Manipulation Lv 92 (+3)
Blut Vene Lv 82
Blut Arterie Lv 80
Hirenkyaku Lv 60]
After 'Reishi Manipulation' was raised above 90, the amplification from the 'Seiren' spiritual tool had decreased.
Sora tried taking one of them off, and the +3 bonus dropped to +1.
"One 'Seiren' provides about a 1.5 level bonus?"
Sora's other 'Seiren' was the one he had confiscated from the Quincy instructor, Quilge.
He was very satisfied with the boost they provided.
The bonus from both 'Seiren' brought his 'Reishi Manipulation' ability to level 95.
A level 95 'Reishi Manipulation' was equivalent to a Shinigami's Second-Class Spiritual Authority!
In other words, his ability to manipulate external reishi was now no less than that of the elite Sternritter.
Based on his combat experience, the Quincy instructor Quilge's 'Reishi Manipulation' ability was also in this range.
However, after entering his 'Vollständig' form, Quilge could use 'Sklave Rai', and his ability to manipulate external reishi would be even stronger.
Sora looked at his other rewards.
"Goryūtenmetsu..."
This was a Kidō Sora had longed for for a long time, and now he finally had it.
"Shinnyo Gorai... an unnumbered Hadō?"
The 'Shinnyo Gorai' he had obtained was a Hadō that was not in his memory.
It was a lightning-based Hadō.
Currently, the strongest lightning-based Hadō that could be used to enhance the power of 'Raikiri' was 'Hadō #67: Raimeisan'.
And 'Shinnyo Gorai' was an even stronger lightning-based Hadō.
Its power was comparable to a high-tier Hadō.
"If I use the lightning created by 'Shinnyo Gorai' to cast a Kidō sword technique..."
Sora began to imagine the use cases for 'Shinnyo Gorai'.
"The Final Getsuga Tenshō is one could say Isshin's ultimate move."
Sora hadn't expected this reward to even pull out Isshin's last resort.
------------------
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