The revelation of Yhwach and the dormant Quincy threat cast a heavy silence over the group.
For a moment, no one spoke.
Although the one they hated most was still Aizen Sōsuke, the man who had personally orchestrated their downfall if what Gosuke Shigure said was true, then the Quincy crisis was something none of them could ignore.
After all, the hatred between Shinigami and Quincy was not a personal feud.
It was a racial conflict, etched into history.
As long as they remained Shinigami, the Quincies' vengeance would one day come for them.
If blame had to be placed anywhere…
Then it would fall upon Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto.
For defeating Yhwach nine hundred years ago
but failing to completely erase him.
That single omission had allowed the Quincy bloodline to endure.
And allowed Yhwach to remain alive.
"So that's why…"
Yoruichi finally spoke, her voice quieter than usual.
"So that's why you chose to step down from the captain's position, Sensei."
"Because you learned these secrets from the Zero Division."
She looked at Gosuke Shigure again, her expression complicated.
Gosuke Shigure nodded faintly.
"This world is far more chaotic than most people believe."
"Even if we wish to live in peace, there will always be those who crave power and attempt to reshape the world to their will."
"Aizen is one such man."
"The Quincies lurking in the shadows are another."
He paused briefly.
"And they are not the only ones."
Everyone looked up.
"As far as I know," Gosuke Shigure continued,
"there is already a ruler in Hueco Mundo."
"A Hollow who has established a fortress at the very center of that realm."
"His palace is called Las Noches."
"He is gathering powerful Hollows under his banner."
This time, even Urahara Kisuke's expression subtly shifted.
"Although the worlds are currently maintained by Shinigami," Gosuke Shigure said,
"Hollows are older than the Gotei Thirteen."
"They are a force that cannot be underestimated."
When his words ended, silence once again descended.
Only now did they truly understand.
They had believed Aizen to be the sole enemy.
But in truth, the shadows lurking beyond him were far more numerous and far deeper than they had imagined.
Perhaps it was precisely because Gosuke Shigure knew so much that he had chosen to retreat from the forefront.
To abandon the captain's seat.
To watch the world from the shadows instead.
Sensing the oppressive mood, Gosuke Shigure suddenly laughed.
"There's no need to look so grim."
"When a road reaches the mountain, a path will appear."
"When a boat reaches the bridge, it straightens itself."
"Yes, Aizen is dangerous."
"Yes, the Quincy threat is real."
"But as long as preparations are made in advance, no crisis is truly unavoidable."
He shifted the topic naturally.
"Compared to the Quincy which is not an immediate danger
have you thought about how you intend to deal with Aizen?"
At the mention of that name, Hirako Shinji and the others refocused.
They began explaining their current plan.
Since Gosuke Shigure had openly acknowledged Aizen and the Zero Division, neither Urahara Kisuke nor Shihōin Yoruichi showed any wariness toward him.
That alone was proof enough.
Gosuke Shigure stood firmly on their side.
If anyone within Soul Society could be considered an unseen ally, it was likely Urahara and Yoruichi.
The Visored had survived entirely because of Urahara Kisuke.
Though Hirako Shinji would never say it aloud, gratitude ran deep in his heart.
Because of that trust, they hid nothing from Gosuke Shigure.
Their plan was simple, yet dangerous.
They would remain hidden.
They would continue to master Hollowfication.
Although Aizen had forced Hollow power upon them, that same power offered a new path forward.
A path to strength beyond conventional Shinigami limits.
Of course, controlling that power was far from easy.
But they believed that with time and discipline, it could be mastered.
All they needed was patience.
Aizen was not a man who could remain in the shadows forever.
He had already begun manipulating captains and vice-captains.
That alone proved his ambition had reached a reckless stage.
Eventually, he would expose himself.
Gosuke Shigure nodded approvingly.
"That approach is correct."
"For now, waiting and strengthening yourselves is the best course of action."
"Only then will you have a chance to take revenge on Aizen."
He paused.
"However… regarding that revenge, there is something you should consider."
"What is it?"
Aikawa Love asked.
Gosuke Shigure spoke slowly.
"If Aizen conducted Hollowfication experiments on all of you…"
"Then that means he had already been researching Hollow power long before targeting you."
"So ask yourselves"
"Where did his experimental material come from?"
Everyone froze.
"Occasionally, Hollows do cross into the Soul Society," Gosuke Shigure continued,
"but those incidents are immediately detected by the Twelfth Division."
"It would have been impossible for Aizen to acquire enough test subjects that way."
"You mean…"
Hirako Shinji's eyes narrowed.
"Hueco Mundo."
"Yes."
Gosuke Shigure nodded.
"Hueco Mundo is the Hollows' domain."
"I believe Aizen has already infiltrated it."
"Only there could he conduct countless Hollow experiments without restriction."
"It's even possible he tested Hollowfication on Hollows themselves…
before ever laying a hand on you."
"So I hope that while strengthening yourselves…"
"You also gather as much intelligence on Aizen as possible."
"And keep your attention on Hueco Mundo."
"That way, when the decisive moment arrives"
"You won't lose simply because you didn't understand your enemy."
Hirako Shinji and the others nodded firmly.
"We will."
After a brief pause, Hirako Shinji added,
"There's one more thing you should be careful about."
Gosuke Shigure turned to him.
"Aizen's Zanpakutō."
"Kyōka Suigetsu."
"It's not a water-type Zanpakutō."
"It's an illusion-type."
"I was already under its effect long before I realized it."
"I believe its ability manipulates perception itself."
Hirako Shinji explained everything he had inferred so far.
Though his understanding was incomplete, his warning was sincere.
Gosuke Shigure listened quietly.
He already knew the truth behind Complete Hypnosis.
But he did not reveal it.
Instead, he nodded calmly.
"I understand."
And in his heart, he added
Aizen Sōsuke… I have never underestimated you for even a single moment.
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