Yhwach was finally dead, which meant that the long and brutal war between the Wandenreich and the Seireitei had come to an end.
However, this was just the beginning; many complex matters would surely need to be handled afterward.
But for now, these matters had nothing to do with Aozaki, as he had a more important task awaiting him.
Aozaki simply gave Aizen a few instructions, ordering him to take full responsibility for overseeing the post-war cleanup.
Then, he hoisted Yhwach's remains onto his shoulder and took a step.
At that instant, the ruins vanished without a trace, and the chaotic Reiatsu receded from his perception, replaced by a serene scene.
Before him was a palace, its interior boundless and filled with a faint white mist.
A gentle breeze drifted in through the windows, as if playing a soothing and pleasant melody.
The sound was like that of ancient instruments, yet also like the singing of millions of Souls.
They were praising, they were chanting, creating a wonderful illusion.
Despite decades having passed, the ancient structure of the Soul King Greater Palace still held that familiar feeling.
Aozaki's gaze slowly swept around; he found no obvious changes, nor any new furnishings.
Only the wind gently rustled in his ears, making him feel comfortable and relaxed, as if he had returned home.
There was no sacred majesty here, only a warm atmosphere and an ordinary middle-aged man.
"Yhwach, I have gathered all of Yhwach's fragments; hurry and give me my prize!"
Aozaki casually sat on the stone steps, his gaze fixed on a spot not far away.
There, a broken human body lay on the ground, its once majestic white robes and black cloak long gone.
Yhwach lay still on the ground, his eyes fixed on the ceiling, his facial expression vivid, still bearing the look of terror from his dying moments.
Blood and internal organs were clearly visible, and the various parts of his body looked no different from those of an ordinary person.
He was not breathing, seemingly killed instantly by Aozaki.
But Aozaki remained seated, silently gazing forward, unmoving.
To ensure that the corpse remained undisturbed, he had specifically used the power of stasis to maintain its state at the exact moment of death.
Aozaki raised his hand, his voice devoid of the joy of having defeated an enemy, instead speaking with unusual calmness:
"The Soul King, stop playing dead. Are you going to tell me that this guy is truly the so-called Son of God?"
The middle-aged man shook his head, slowly raising his gaze, his originally calm and inscrutable expression gradually fading, replaced by his usual gentle smile.
"He was indeed born from the world according to my will, but he is not my son. Now, it is time for him to fulfill his true mission."
Yhwach was very candid; although Yhwach had claimed to be the Soul King's son, in his long life, he had never had a blood-related son.
They both existed because of the world's needs; from this perspective, they were more like brothers.
The distribution of Souls was precisely why Yhwach could become the progenitor of the Quincy.
But truly, the first Quincy in the world should be this ordinary the Soul King before him.
Even the origin of all abilities, including those of the Shinigami and Fullbringers, was him!
This deity was the world's first power entity!!
This identity did not bring arrogance; Yhwach looked at Aozaki, a faint smile playing on his lips.
"Just hand him over to Hyōsube later; he knows what to do," Yhwach said softly.
As his voice faded, Aozaki saw an emotion called "guilt" on Yhwach's face for the first time.
He didn't know for whom Yhwach felt guilty, but he could sense that the man had become different the moment he saw Yhwach's corpse.
Perhaps the object of his guilt was this "brother."
Yhwach sighed, seemingly wanting to say something, but ultimately remained silent.
He quietly looked at Yhwach, a complex emotion in his eyes.
This brother was too weak when he was born, his constantly decaying Soul causing him to be overwhelmed by the fear that constantly enveloped the depths of his Soul.
It was precisely this fear of death that led him to instigate war, wanting to return the world to a primitive state of no life and no death, to escape the fear of death.
Of course, no matter the purpose, it could not absolve him of the sins he committed, and this was also the result of his own indulgence.
Thinking of this, the Soul King lowered his gaze.
Undoubtedly, even if the reason was to save the world, he was still sinful.
"Hyōsube is already on his way; from now on, everything here will be entrusted to you."
The middle-aged man took a deep breath, enunciating each word:
"You are the Soul King."
Guilt returned to composure, and Yhwach raised his palm, beckoning to Aozaki.
"You are the only deity in this world; everything in the world is as you wish."
"So, Aozaki, become the Soul King!"
"I'll take your body, but as for becoming the Soul King, forget it. I still prefer to be myself."
Aozaki raised his head defiantly and laughed loudly:
"I've heard enough nonsense. The world is waiting for me to save it; let's get started quickly."
More vulgar and direct than with a girl, Yhwach shook his head helplessly.
He spread his hands, and his shattered body shimmered with blue light, scattering like shooting stars and turning into nothingness.
That supreme deity, the king of all beings, thus vanished from this world forever.
"You trapped me, but you ran away quickly."
Aozaki's voice carried a hint of complaint, and before he could think carefully, the door pushed open.
A hint of sorrow also seemed to appear on the Great Monk's face. He met Aozaki's gaze, and after receiving the latter's permission, dragged the shattered, pitch-black king out.
Did I finally get the last grand prize?
Aozaki, on the contrary, felt a sense of relief.
He stood quietly in the silent hall, watching the white mist gradually dissipate and the entire space gradually brighten, as if an infinite cosmos appeared before his eyes.
The starlight was dazzling, and in a trance, he found himself no longer within the Three Worlds; as for where he was, it no longer mattered.
This was because a crystal, like a star, flew from the air on its own and stopped before Aozaki.
The Soul King's remains, along with the world itself...
Aozaki no longer pondered profound topics like the essence of the world.
He lowered his head and saw the light beneath his feet obscured by darkness, countless stars falling from the sky.
Just as the first thing to do upon returning home is to close the door, Aozaki felt he was doing the same thing now.
The last sliver of light vanished in the blink of an eye, leaving only the starlight in the darkness, completely cutting off any retreat.
It could be said that Aozaki was merging with the world.