Naruto: Copy System

Chapter 893: [893] : The Second Clash Approaches

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"Shin told you the Sternritter are planning to release Aizen?" Head Captain Yamamoto’s voice was grave as he addressed the members of the Zero Division.

"You doubt us?" Ōetsu Nimaiya shot back, clearly irritated. After all, he’d lost his own Zanpakutō, Sayafushi, to get this information.

While he rarely used Sayafushi, keeping it sheathed most of the time, that was only because he hadn’t faced a worthy opponent. In truth, the blade was incredibly important to him. If Shūtara Senshumumaru hadn’t been there to hold him back, Nimaiya would have already gone to settle the score with Shin.

Of course, if he had actually tried to settle that score, the self-proclaimed "God of the Sword" would have likely gotten a severe beating for his trouble.

"I believe you," Yamamoto said flatly.

Now that they knew the Sternritter’s location, they had to act. The threat they posed was too great to be ignored.

"I will personally lead the charge and coordinate with you."

Yamamoto knew the Zero Division would be mobilizing as well. Yhwach’s potential return was a direct threat to the Soul King.

"If you all leave the Soul King Palace, what will happen if there’s a problem?" Yamamoto asked the Monk, Ichibē Hyōsube.

"The Soul King Palace is protected by a barrier. If anyone approaches, I will know immediately and can return in an instant," the Monk replied.

He was right. The Soul King’s safety was paramount. He was the linchpin of the world; if anything happened to him, the entire world could be thrown into chaos. Unless, of course, someone could take his place.

Becoming the Soul King wasn’t exactly a blessing. While he was the symbolic leader of the Soul Reapers, owed their loyalty, he was, in reality, nothing more than a tool. His existence was solely to maintain the stability of the world and prevent its collapse. To become the Soul King was to be eternally confined, never to move again.

Thus, the King of the Soul Reapers likely harbored a deep resentment towards them. His origins were a mystery, possibly even tied to the Soul Reapers themselves. It wasn’t out of the question that they had created him as a tool.

"I hope nothing happens to the Soul King. If anything does, it will be your responsibility," Yamamoto warned the Monk and the others.

The Monk seemed to ignore the warning. In truth, they had already taken precautions. He had moved the Soul King long ago. Even if Yhwach were to revive now, he wouldn’t be able to find him. His safety, for now, was not a concern.

"Can you get Shin Uzumaki to join us? If he acts, everything will be much safer. I’m sure you’d like to see that as well," the Monk said to Yamamoto.

"I have no way of making Shin Uzumaki act," Yamamoto replied, glancing at the Monk before continuing in a flat tone. He knew that Shin would never listen to him.

"That’s a shame. But even if he doesn’t act, we must."

Whether Shin Uzumaki made a move or not, they had to. They couldn’t wait for Yhwach to be revived. This was why the Zero Division was willing to leave the Soul King Palace unguarded—to take the initiative and eliminate Yhwach while they had the chance.

——————

Meanwhile, in Hueco Mundo, Jugram Haschwalth stared at the sphere hanging in the sky. It resembled a small planet, and sealed within was Sōsuke Aizen.

Yhwach himself held Aizen in high regard.

"How are we supposed to free him? Just blast the seal open?"

"I doubt it’ll be that easy. I heard Shin Uzumaki was the one who sealed him."

As those words were spoken, a flicker of terror appeared in the eyes of some of the Sternritter. Shin’s very existence was a source of extreme dread for them, especially after he had single-handedly killed the Schutzstaffel—though Yhwach had since revived them. That revival had come at a cost to Yhwach, but the Schutzstaffel were too important to him to be left for dead.

"I’ve already scanned it. I can’t detect Aizen’s spiritual pressure from inside this planetoid. Are we sure he’s even in there?" one of them asked with suspicion.

"This was His Majesty’s command. Are you questioning him?" Haschwalth’s voice was calm, but carried a dangerous edge.

Perhaps it was because of their crushing defeat, but a sense of unease had begun to spread among their ranks. If not for their deep-seated fear of Yhwach, some might have already considered betrayal.

At this point, they almost envied Bambietta. They had once looked down on her as a traitor, unworthy of their company. Now, they wished they could be in her position, free from this constant danger.

"Do what you can. And be careful not to make too much noise. We don’t want to attract the Soul Reapers," Haschwalth ordered.

For now, he planned to destroy the small planetoid and see if that would be enough to free Aizen. If not, they would find another way. They had to free Aizen, and if necessary, he could even use the power Yhwach had granted him.

Haschwalth was Yhwach’s other half, capable of wielding a portion of his power.

They were still unaware that the Soul Reapers had already discovered them and were on their way to Hueco Mundo. If they knew, they would have abandoned their attempt to free Aizen and fled immediately.

The Soul Reapers, at this very moment, had opened a Senkaimon and were descending upon Hueco Mundo. This time, they hadn’t brought a large force—no ordinary squad members. Even the captains weren’t all present; those injured in the last battle with the Sternritter had remained in the Seireitei, and not a single lieutenant had come.

Everyone who came to Hueco Mundo was an elite. Even so, without the Zero Division, they might not be a match for the Sternritter.

But the Zero Division was here. Though they numbered only five, their combat strength was said to be equal to the entire Gotei 13. This wasn’t an exaggeration—they truly possessed that level of power. The Monk’s strength was by no means inferior to Yamamoto’s, and his Zanpakutō’s abilities were incredibly difficult to counter.

With them on the field, victory was all but certain. Even if Yhwach himself were present, he would likely be forced to retreat, let alone now, when he had yet to be revived.

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