Restricted Death

Chapter 238 Tragic
At the same time, after receiving the information from the letter, Chojiro Sasaki, disregarding his inner shock, immediately ordered the news in the area to be blocked. He then rushed alone to meet with Captain-Commander Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni, each step seemingly treading on a precipice, fearing that he might be even a fraction too late.

Subsequently, Chojiro Sasaki received orders from the Captain-Commander and then, along with Captain Byakuya Kuchiki of the Sixth Division and Captain Sajin Komamura of the Seventh Division, headed towards the Central 46 Chambers Council Hall.

When they arrived at the place, they witnessed a scene that they would never forget for the rest of their lives.

Blood soaked the floor, the deep red, almost black blood accumulating in puddles in the dents. Corpses littered the ground; the forty-six council members, once the symbols of the highest judicial authority in Soul Society, now lay twisted and contorted on the cold floor like discarded rag dolls, the magnificent decorations of the council chamber stained with glaring blood. The scene was horrifying, a chilling and heart-wrenching spectacle!

The air was thick with the stench of blood, so strong it was almost tangible, mixed with the chilling aura of death that was suffocating.

Chojiro Sasakibara's face was ashen. He strode forward and quickly bent down to examine a still-warm corpse. He declared in a low voice, "They were just killed. We're too late!"

Kuchiki Byakuya and Komamura Sajin both looked grim. Komamura gripped the hilt of his Zanpakuto tightly, his massive body trembling slightly with rage, his gaze burning fiercely beneath his iron mask. Kuchiki Byakuya, in particular, was deeply troubled. Among these council members were members of his Kuchiki family, and his gaze was fixed on a corpse wearing a Kuchiki family crest haori. The familiar face was frozen in shock and fear; he had never imagined that someone would dare to lay a hand on a member of the Central 46.

Byakuya Kuchiki's face was like a frozen lake, devoid of any expression. Only his tightly pursed lips and the sudden drop in temperature around him betrayed the raging rage and chilling killing intent within him.

Chojiro Sasaki stood up and said to the two of them, "Let's go!" His voice carried a hint of barely perceptible tension.
The Great Spirit Book Corridor, located beneath the Central Chamber 46, is a highly secret location. As they walked along, they encountered no security forces. The passage, which should have been heavily guarded, was eerily silent, with only the echoes of their footsteps. Occasionally, they could glimpse the bodies of guards lying in the corners, which had obviously been cleared away.

The vast passage leading to the deepest secrets was deep and silent, flanked by ancient stone walls covered in mysterious carvings. Only the faint light from the eerie torches emanating from the ancient carvings provided glimmering illumination. The flickering light cast long, distorted shadows in the deep passage, adding to the eeriness. The massive, heavy gate, reinforced with multiple layers of ghostly energy, was tightly shut and silent, its surface adorned with complex protective runes that resembled the movement of stars. The runes faded, releasing a powerful sealing force.

Upon seeing the person standing at the door, Komamura Sajin instinctively tightened his grip on the hilt of his sword.

"Tosen..."

Captain Kaname Tosen of the Ninth Division, with a sword in his arms, leaned against the massive alloy gate, exuding a cold and aloof aura.

When Chojiro saw the other party, his heart sank to the bottom. The fact that Tosen was here at this moment almost confirmed that what Shin had said earlier was true.

Aizen has truly rebelled...

The Quincy and the Wandenreich were already troublesome enough, but now something like this has happened within the Soul Society itself.

Chojiro Sasaki stared intently at the other man and demanded, "Captain Tosen, can you explain this?"

Tosen Kaname said calmly, "What's there to explain? The fact that you're here means you already know everything, doesn't it?"

Chojiro Sasaki took a deep breath: "Is Aizen inside?"

“That’s right,” Tosen readily admitted.

"Were the lawmakers also harmed by you?"

"They're just a bunch of people who deserve to die."

"Tosen!" Komamura Sajin roared, his voice like thunder, "Why?! Why did you betray Soul Society! Why did you become a Shinigami? What did you tell me back then? Wasn't it to uphold justice?!"

Tosen said indifferently, "Komamura, the path I have taken is one of justice."

Kuchiki Byakuya snorted coldly, his Zanpakuto flashing from its sheath and pointing at Tosen Kaname: "Since he's a traitor, why waste words with him? If we don't get rid of him, we can't stop Aizen inside!"

Upon hearing this, Tosen Kaname shook his head: "No, you're wrong."

He turned his head slightly, gesturing towards the massive gate behind him.

"I won't stop you from going in, provided that you can get in."

These words startled all three of them. Yes, the Great Spirit Book Corridor was just ahead, but... none of them had permission to enter it.

Are we going to force our way in?
The reason given was to stop Aizen from inside, which is quite plausible.

Kuchiki Byakuya spoke first: "We can deal with you first, and then wait for Aizen to come out here."

His words extinguished any remaining thoughts of Chojiro Sasaki and Komamura Sajin.

Upon hearing this, Tosen Kaname scoffed: "So this is what nobles are like, so strict with the rules. Captain Kuchiki, I heard your deceased wife was from Rukongai and had no spiritual power. Aren't nobles forbidden from marrying people from Rukongai? Why is that...?"

His words were like cold, poisonous needles, precisely piercing Byakuya Kuchiki's deepest pain and most sensitive spot.

Before he could finish speaking, his expression changed slightly, and the Zanpakuto he had been holding instantly rose half an inch, its scabbard trembling slightly. The Zanpakuto flashed from its sheath, blocking Byakuya Kuchiki's swift attack. Clang! The sound of metal clashing echoed through the empty passageway!
The two were only inches apart. Byakuya Kuchiki's icy face was now showing signs of anger. Tosen's words had completely ignited his suppressed rage, and his eyes were so cold they could freeze one's soul.

"Scatter, Senbonzakura!"

The Zanpakuto shattered instantly into countless cherry-colored blades, which rose up under the impact of the spiritual particle turbulence, transforming into a pink torrent that crashed down on Tosen Kaname like a waterfall! Billions of incomparably sharp blades formed a destructive storm that swept forward!

Kaname Tosen's expression tightened as an invisible wind barrier, accompanied by a mournful buzzing sound, instantly rose up in front of him!

"Tweet! Clear away the insects!"

#
Now, let's talk about the copy space. Death's side had a significant numerical advantage, and they quickly gained the upper hand in the ensuing melee.

Most of the Arrancar and Shinigami have already unleashed their swords, and the battlefield is now experiencing an even more powerful and intense aftershock of battle.

When Halibel first clashed with Yoruichi, neither could gain the upper hand. His long golden hair flew wildly as his massive shark blade clashed fiercely with Yoruichi's lightning-streaked fists and feet, each impact unleashing dazzling sparks of spiritual pressure.

But as Soi Fon joined the battle, that small yet deadly black shadow rushed into the fray with speed no less than Yoruichi's, and the golden flash of Suzumebachi aimed straight for Halibel's vitals.

Helibel was instantly at a disadvantage, as both of them moved with lightning speed, leaving her unable to keep up.

Soi Fon had so many questions she wanted to ask Yoruichi, but she also knew that now was not the time to talk. She could only suppress her doubts and focus on the battle, transforming her complex feelings of being deceived into the sharpness of her fighting spirit.

She knew that whatever the truth was, at least in terms of their stance on these illusions, the Soul Society was aligned with Urahara and Hirako.

Driven by the same inner urgency, Soi Fon held nothing back in the battle. Her fighting style was very similar to Yoruichi Shihouin's, and their teamwork was perfect, which inexplicably reminded her of when she was Yoruichi's subordinate.

Tia Heribel's subordinates wanted to help, but they were too busy to spare any attention. They were preoccupied with dealing with the ferocious attacks of Hiyori Sarugaki, who wore a strange mask, the massive meteor hammer wielded by Machiyo Ōmaeda, and the silver mist of blades that Matsumoto Rangiku's gray cat form created. The three of them were pinned down and could only let out anxious cries.

On the other side, the First Espada, Koyatai Stark, faced Rojuro Touhou and Shiro Kunan. Compared to the tense and fierce battles on the other battlefields, Stark's expression appeared unusually decadent and languid. His face remained expressionless throughout, as if what he was witnessing was not a life-or-death struggle, but a boring farce he was forced to participate in. He even hunched his back slightly, his eyelids drooping, and even his movements of dodging carried an air of laziness.

His blade always precisely deflected Rojuro's complex attacks wielding the golden bladed whip "Kinsara," as well as Kunan Shiro's swift and powerful martial arts combos. He even had time to use his spinning technique to cover the somewhat reckless and excited subordinate, Lilynet, multiple times. When facing both Rojuro and Kunan Shiro simultaneously, he seemed quite at ease, his movements small yet always managing to block or evade all attacks perfectly.

He knew he was being underestimated; his opponent clearly hadn't realized his true ranking and strength. But that suited his mindset perfectly. He knew this was going to be a pointless battle, which only made it more tedious and uninteresting.

Looking at Stark, whose expression remained consistently uninterested, Fengqiao Loujuro asked in a deep voice, "Aren't you going to unleash your swords?"

He knew that these Arrancar were similar to their Masked Ones. He had already performed his Shikai, but he still couldn't defeat them, which made him feel slighted.

Stark said listlessly, "There's no need to work so hard."

"Damn Stark!" The little girl Lilynette seemed even angrier than her opponent. She suddenly kicked Stark in the leg and shrieked, "Stop dawdling! Hurry up and finish this guy off!" She pointed angrily at Rojuro Ootori, her face flushed. She expressed her extreme dissatisfaction with Stark's slackness.

Stark rubbed the spot where he'd been kicked, glancing helplessly at Lilynette as if to say, "Easy for you to say." Then he explained to Rojuro, "This guy is strong; he can't be taken down so easily." He was telling the truth, but his expression made it sound more like he was just giving a perfunctory answer.

Rojuro Fengqiao looked at him and suddenly said, "I say, you Arrancars all have a ranking number, right?"

Aizen knew that there was a Legion of Espada under his command, and he had just noticed that some of the most powerful enemies had already revealed their numbers.

"Could you tell me what your ranking is?"

Stark seemed somewhat surprised that the other party would ask this. He tilted his head slightly, a hint of amusement in his gray-blue eyes, or perhaps it was just a response born of boredom: "Oh? Are you interested in this?" The corner of his mouth seemed to twitch slightly, as if he were sneering, or perhaps mocking himself.

Fengqiao Lou Shilang said coldly, "Ah, I feel like I'm being looked down upon. Do you think I'm not worth your full strength?" His words bluntly pierced through the feeling of being slighted.

Stark sighed upon hearing this, as if dealing with an unreasonable child, and then slowly removed his left glove as if performing an insignificant ritual, revealing a large, equally simple number "1" on the back of his hand.

The numbers looked particularly glaring in the light.

Number 1... I've really hit the jackpot!

Fengqiao Loujuro's pupils shrank immediately. He originally thought that the person in front of him should not be ranked too high among the Ten Espada, at least in terms of aura, he was far inferior to the others. That extremely domineering and arrogant old man should be the strongest among the Ten Espada. He did not expect that this guy with an inconspicuous appearance was actually No.1!

“I’m sorry, though it may be rude to say this,” Stark said slowly, “I really don’t want to fight you, and you’re no match for me.”

His tone, as if stating a fact, was more impactful than any provocation. Fengqiao Lou Shilang's face darkened, and without a word, he charged forward again. Knowing his opponent might be ridiculously strong, his pride wouldn't allow him to back down. He wielded the Golden Sandsword even more rapidly, transforming it into a golden curtain of light that pressed down.

Regardless of whether this guy is the number one Espada, he was once the captain of the Gotei 1, so he naturally has the right to be proud of his strength. How could he tolerate such contempt!

Not far from each other, Kyoraku Shunsui, Ukitake Jushiro, and Urahara Kisuke finally clashed with each other at the same time.

Xin did not participate; he was responsible for blocking the remaining two subordinates of Barragán for the three of them.

Shin's actions were driven by his own motives. He had little spiritual power left in his body. Although he could use "Freeze" and "Celestial Phenomenon" again, the people in front of him represented the top combat power in Hueco Mundo at present.

Even though Aizen's betrayal was a done deal, Shin was certain that there would be no immediate war between Soul Society and Hueco Mundo.

Dealing with the Quincy is the top priority.

Even if they cannot form a temporary alliance with Aizen, these people can still be used as important tools to weaken the Quincy. If they are allowed to perish here, the Seireitei will not let them go.

Moreover, considering the various situations that Soul Society is about to face, Shin felt it was better to leave them behind.

It will definitely be beneficial to oneself.

(End of this chapter)