Restricted Death

Chapter 256 Broken Bee
Harribel and the others were escorted back to Seireitei and imprisoned in a jail, where they were personally guarded by Soi Fon, the captain of the 2nd Division.

Shinto and Kisuke Urahara were standing outside the cell. Urahara had requested to come and visit them, and he seemed to be very interested in these Arrancar.

Harribel and the others were all dressed in specially made restraint suits, with their mouths, eyes, and even ears sealed off. This method was only used against extremely dangerous criminals, and its restraining power was far stronger than the cursed spirit locks used by patrols.

"What are you thinking about?" Shin asked, seeing that Kisuke Urahara was just standing there silently watching Harribel and the others.

Kisuke Urahara slowly said, "If they were also created by Aizen using the Hogyoku, then what would be the difference between the Hogyoku created by Aizen and the ones I created?"

Shin really didn't know about this. Urahara and Aizen created the Hogyoku in different ways. Urahara used Hollow souls, while Aizen used the spiritual power of the Rukongai residents.

Kisuke Urahara added, "I'm thinking that the speculation you made before, the true power of the Hogyoku, might not be clear to me myself. Breaking the boundary between Shinigami and Hollows might just be one of them."

Shin pondered, "What do you intend to do with the Hōgyoku?"

Kisuke Urahara glanced at the letter, then shook his head slightly after a while: "I don't know where to start... If it were just my other works, I could experiment without any worries, but with the Hogyoku, I don't have the courage."

Shin could understand that; in Urahara Kisuke's view, the Hogyoku was far too dangerous.

Kisuke Urahara gave a bitter smile: "It's laughable, I had the courage to create it back then, but now I don't have the courage to use it."

"..."

Urahara's next question truly surprised Shin: "If the Hōgyoku were in your hands, what would you do?"

Xin chuckled: "I don't even know what it is, how am I supposed to use it?"

The two did not stay in the prison for long before leaving and running into Soi Fon, who was in charge of guarding the Arrancar. She asked them if they had obtained any useful information.

Kisuke Urahara shrugged and said, "No."

Soi Fon immediately frowned: "Then what are you going in to see them for?"

Urahara gently stroked his chin: "I'm curious. After all, it's a rare opportunity to see Arrancar up close, and they're all stunning beauties. It's a feast for the eyes."

Soi Fon's face instantly darkened. After not seeing her for decades, this guy was even more annoying than before!
She gritted her teeth and said, "I shouldn't have let you in!"

Urahara responded with a smile, "Don't say that. After all, it was Nobu-kun who brought him back. Nobu-kun has the right to come in and take a look, right?"

Shin remained silent the whole time. Just when he thought that given his disharmonious relationship with Soi Fon, Soi Fon would at least say something back to him, Soi Fon merely glanced at him before looking away and continuing to sneer at Urahara Kisuke: "You were once a captain, don't you even know the laws of Seireitei?"

Seeing that she was ignoring him, Xin glanced at the system interface.

【Favourability: 31】

When did it go up?
Shin hadn't noticed it before, but after thinking about it carefully, he realized that Urahara, Hirako, and Yoruichi were able to return to Soul Society at this time because of him. It wouldn't be surprising if Soi Fon changed her opinion of him after realizing this.

Everything Xin did in the past was to increase the favorability rating of the female characters he knew, and he would check the favorability rating of each person almost every day.

Recently, I've been troubled by Aizen and the Wandenreich, and I don't want to care about the system's changes as much as I used to.

Since the favorability rating has increased, it's naturally a good thing. It also raises my spiritual pressure level by two levels and my Zanpakuto unlocking progress by two points.

However, he might not be able to accumulate enough strength before engaging in battle with the enemy.

Xin also seriously considered whether his current actions, which have caused a significant deviation in the course of history, were the right thing to do.

Whenever he thought of Yhwach and his "omniscient and omnipotent" power, he couldn't understand how he could possibly defeat him.

Without the original Ichigo Kurosaki, he would have to find a way to defeat his opponent on his own. Ichigo Kurosaki had gathered all sorts of conditions, having the perfect timing, location, and support, before he could unleash that crucial strike. How could he possibly gather all those conditions himself?

Therefore, taking action before Yhwach awakens is the best possible choice.

Within the Seireitei, every move was under the watchful eyes of the Unseen Empire, with Aizen by his side and the various rules and regulations of the Gotei 13 in place, leaving Shin with no opportunity to make any arrangements.

Even if there isn't enough certainty, I must do it.

After several arguments with Urahara, Soi Fon turned her attention to Shin.

"As the captain, you should set an example and tone down your nonchalant attitude!" Xin: "..."

Soi Fon's words sounded like a warning, but her tone was unexpectedly calm.

Xin was puzzled by the change in the other party's attitude, and then noticed the changes in the system interface.

【Favourability: 38】

tsk...

What is this woman thinking?
Shin was suspicious and muttered to himself. Soi Fon had always disliked his way of doing things. Although they had known each other for more than ten years since Shin became the captain, they never exchanged more than three sentences with each other when they met, except for official business, and Soi Fon always treated him coldly.

Because he cleared Yoruichi and the others' names, Soi Fon's opinion of him improved. Could it be considered that their relationship has thawed? However, Shin found it strange that his favorability rating suddenly increased when he hadn't said or done anything.

After leaving the Second Division, Shin went to see Ishida Muneaki and, after some hesitation, told him about what had happened to the Kurosaki family.

Upon hearing this, Ishida Sogen did not react as strongly as initially expected. He simply stood there silently for a long time before finally sitting down on the ground, looking somewhat lost.

He gave a bitter smile, lowered his head and said in a low voice, "We left in the first place because we wanted to stay away from all the troubles and grudges, but it turns out we've been caught up in it all along."

Then, he suddenly reached out and grabbed Shin's arm tightly: "I know this may be impossible, but if there really is a chance... please try to rescue Masaki and the others."

Even if Ishida Sogen hadn't mentioned it, Shin would have taken note of it. Kurosaki Masaki was a name on the system and a Quincy. There were very few people who could meet the requirements for forming the "Queensword Wedge." Apart from Kurosaki Masaki, the rest were all in the Wandenreich. Given their opposing stance, it would be extremely difficult to gain favor from them as a reward.

Although they wanted to save Masaki Kurosaki, it was no easy task, as it meant heading to Hueco Mundo.

In the original story, Ichigo Kurosaki was able to rescue Orihime Inoue from Las Noches because Aizen had just led most of the Espada away. If he had gone, it would have meant facing the power of the entire Hueco Mundo, including Aizen.

If the Seireitei decides to conquer Hueco Mundo, there might be a chance.

Seeing the letter, Ishida Sogen remained silent for a moment, as if he had made a decision, before speaking again: "If you can help me with this, I can also help you... help the Grim Reaper once."

Xin was taken aback upon hearing this, and his expression changed. The next moment, he immediately released his spiritual pressure, forming a spiritual barrier that enveloped the area where they were.

Ishida Sogen continued, "I can... truly help you Shinigami once."

Xin stared intently at him, her face expressionless: "What do you mean? How can I help?"

Ishida Sogen said, "You... don't understand His Majesty's true power. A thousand years ago, your Captain-Commander Yamamoto did defeat His Majesty, but now, he may not be able to do so."

Shin seemed to be deep in thought. It seemed that Ishida Sogen's ability to say this was related to Yhwach's innate abilities, a point Shin had some suspicion about.

Ishida Sogen explained to him, his voice calming down: "All Quincy in this world are His Majesty's children. The only consequence of betraying His Majesty is death. His Majesty can control the life and death of all of us in an instant because we all have a part of His Majesty's soul within us. It is His Majesty who shared his power with us... This is the origin of the Quincy's power. After we die, that part of our soul will return to His Majesty."

Sainthood, on the other hand, is the forced repossession of this part of the soul.

Shin recalled that in the original work, Ryugen Ishida, through dissecting the body of his wife, Haze Katagiri, discovered that after his wife, a half-Queen, had her life taken by Sanbe, a special kind of silver blood clot had grown in her body.

He then collected several Quincy who had died because of Sanctuary and created the Silver Blood Bolt Arrow, which could temporarily seal Yhwach's power.

This silver blood clot arrow became one of the key factors that enabled Ichigo Kurosaki to defeat Yhwach.

Ishida Sogen continued, “Your choice to attack the Unknown Empire before the prophecy of the Holy Emperor’s Hymn takes effect is indeed a good one for you, but it doesn’t mean you will win… I can help you. I know that I will die if I do this, but… please save Shingo’s child.”

The letter asked again, "How do you plan to help us?"

Ishida Muneaki suddenly raised his head, his eyes slightly red, staring intently at the letter.

"You need to rescue Masaki and the others first! Then, as you said before, ensure their safety... and let them live a good life."

"..."

Shin silently removed Ishida Muneaki's hand from his arm, then slowly stood up, looked at him, and nodded, saying, "I will save them."

Upon hearing this, Ishida Sogen seemed reassured and let out a long sigh of relief.

(End of this chapter)