Chapter 657 - 657 Heading To The Soul King Palace

"Forget it, Toshiro, stop here!!"

Just as Kirinji Tenjiro was about to be overwhelmed by Toshiro's pressure, Yamamoto's voice suddenly rang out.

Toshiro turned his head and saw that Yamamoto and Ichibe'e, who had been a step too late earlier, appeared together before him. This surprised Toshiro inwardly.

Yamamoto aside, Toshiro had mainly directed his pressure at Kirinji and the other Zero Division's members, without affecting the Gotei 13's members.

However, although the other Zero Division's members like Ichibe'e did not bear as much pressure as Kirinji, Toshiro had not deliberately held back much in order to give them a show of force.

'Although I deliberately suppressed the level of power when releasing my Reiatsu, and he wasn't the main target of the pressure, even so... being able to move freely under my Reiatsu shows that Hyosube Ichibe'e's strength is indeed on par with Genryusai-sensei...' Toshiro thought to himself.

As a 'god', Toshiro already surpassed 'mortals' like Kirinji in every aspect. If he didn't actively lower his power, people like Kirinji wouldn't even be able to sense his Reiatsu.

So, when releasing his aura and Reiatsu, Toshiro had deliberately suppressed his power level.

Nevertheless, Kirinji could not withstand it, but Ichibe'e could still move freely. It must be said that Ichibe'e is indeed the strongest member of the Zero Division.

Upon hearing Yamamoto's words, Toshiro subconsciously withdrew his Reiatsu, but he did not retract his right hand, which was blocking Kirinji's fist.

"....."

Cold sweat continuously dripped down his face, his breathing rapid and disordered.

After Toshiro withdrew his Reiatsu, Kirinji seemed on the verge of collapse. If Toshiro weren't still gripping his fist tightly, he might have already slumped to the ground.

Just then, Ichibe'e slapped Kirinji on the shoulder, saying with a playful tone tinged with a hint of reproach: "Really, Kirinji, it's a reunion after so long, can't you restrain that bad temper of yours!"

After speaking, Ichibe'e looked playfully at Toshiro: "So you're Captain Hitsugaya? I heard you broke the Shinigami limit and became an existence surpassing Shinigami and Hollows. Seeing you now, it certainly seems true. My, what an impressive young man. But could you let go of Kirinji first? He's always had this bad temper and meant no harm. Please don't misunderstand."

"Heh, no harm meant?" Toshiro sneered, but did not release Kirinji.

Just then, Unohana, who had been standing quietly, suddenly spoke.

"Alright, Toshiro, they are guests after all, and we cannot be too rude." Unohana, who usually maintained an expressionless face, looked at Toshiro and suddenly bloomed with a gentle, radiant smile.

This was also the first time Unohana had directly and intimately called Toshiro by his first name in front of everyone, rather than addressing him as Captain Hitsugaya in public as before.

"Hmph! Since Hana-chan says so, I'll let it slide this time. But... if there's a next time, I will definitely... kill you!" Toshiro said seriously.

This was also the first time Toshiro affectionately called Unohana 'Hana-chan' in front of everyone.

Then, Toshiro snorted and released Kirinji.

Kirinji just looked at Toshiro with a fearful and awed expression, saying nothing more. The other Zero Division's members also did not find Toshiro's threatening words excessive.

Because after what had just happened, the Zero Division's members clearly realized that Toshiro was on a completely different level from them.

The Divine Power they prided themselves on meant nothing before Toshiro, because what they were facing was a true 'God'!

Not to mention them, even the Soul King they served would be equally vulnerable before Toshiro!

If it were the Soul King from his prime, he might indeed not have feared Toshiro. But the current Soul King needs their protection, and is extremely weak in combat ability.

It could be said that if Toshiro wanted to, he could overthrow the Soul King's rule at any time and take his place, and they would lack the power to stop him.

So, the Zero Division's members now clearly understood reality. Therefore, they found Toshiro's threatening words only natural and saw nothing wrong with them.

"Alright, everyone, don't just stand here. Let's go inside the Seireitei first before discussing anything else." Yamamoto said.

Then, neither the Gotei 13's members nor the Zero Division's members said anything more. Led respectively by Yamamoto and Ichibe'e, they walked towards the Seireitei.

…

1st Division, Meeting Room.

The Captains of the Gotei 13 stood on left and right, while the Zero Division's members stood at the head of the room alongside Yamamoto.

"So... Hyosube, what is the purpose of your descent to Soul Society this time? If it's just about my proposal to appoint Toshiro as my successor, the new Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13, then regardless of whether the Soul King refuses or approves, a simple written order should suffice. It shouldn't require the entire Zero Division to descend to Soul Society, should it?" Yamamoto asked Ichibe'e first.

"Well, our descent this time is indeed to appoint Captain Hitsugaya as the second-generation Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13, following the Soul King's will. However... as you said, besides this matter, there is another reason for our visit." Ichibe'e replied.

"What is it?" Yamamoto asked again.

"Nothing much. Mainly, we wanted to see with our own eyes whether Captain Hitsugaya has truly broken the Shinigami limit, and... to escort Captain Hitsugaya to the Soul King Palace to meet the Soul King!" Ichibe'e said gravely.

Yamamoto's eyes narrowed slightly, somewhat surprised: "Oh? How rare. How many years has it been since the Soul King last met anyone outside the Zero Division?"

Even Yamamoto himself couldn't remember how many years it had been since he last saw the Soul King. Yet now, the Soul King wanted to see Toshiro.

'However... although unexpected, it is reasonable. After all, in the entire world, only Toshiro has broken the Shinigami limit and reached the same realm as the Soul King. Moreover...'

'Not to mention the Soul King's current state... he is no match for Toshiro. If Toshiro wanted to act recklessly, he has the power to overturn the entire world at any moment...'

'Thinking about it, it's only natural for the Soul King to want to meet Toshiro, to understand his stance and intentions. Otherwise, the Soul King could never rest easy...'

Thinking this, Yamamoto understood the Soul King's purpose in wanting to see Toshiro. After all, Toshiro now possesses the power to destroy the entire world at any moment, and yet the current Soul King lacks the strength to contend with him.

So, without confirming Toshiro's intentions, even the Soul King, as the nominal ruler of Soul Society, would not be able to sleep peacefully.

Then Yamamoto looked at Toshiro and said: "So... Toshiro, what do you think? Are you willing to go to the Soul King Palace to meet the Soul King?"

"Meet the Soul King, huh... Alright. There are some things I'm curious about and want to ask the Soul King directly. So, I'll go to the Soul King Palace with you." Toshiro thought for a moment, then finally nodded.