"..."
Aizen Sousuke did not answer, and his figure did not even pause.
"Hehehehe..."
However, Black Zetsu hidden within Aizen's sleeve sinisterly responded on his behalf: "Orochimaru, how could we possibly fail?"
"..."
Orochimaru's expression subtly turned peculiar, as if disgusted, he furrowed his brow and swiftly followed Aizen Sousuke's figure.
On another side.
Beneath the Central Tower of Quiet Spirit Court.
Just as Aizen Sousuke led the Hollow World army nearing the Soul Society, Yamamoto Genryuusai Shigekuni led the captains of the Guardian Court Thirteen Squads to prepare for war.
A battalion of Shinigami dressed in Death-Conquering Robes gathered under the Central Tower, and the captains of the Guardian Court Thirteen Squads stood by Yamamoto Shigekuni's side, reporting the number of members from their squads participating in the battle.
Currently, there were roughly three thousand members under the Central Tower. Most of them were elite Shinigami of the Guardian Court Thirteen Squads, almost equivalent to half of their force.
Except for those stationed in the Mortal World and patrolling the Soul Society, all the Shinigamis capable of being mobilized from Quiet Spirit Court were here.
Based on intelligence analysis, this group of Shinigamis had to face the Arrancar Legion formed by possibly hundreds of Arrancar Hollows from the Hollow World.
Compared to the Guardian Court Thirteen Squads' army of Shinigamis...
Beside this Shinigami army, a densely packed legion wearing Cloud Black Robes seemed more attention-grabbing; they were reinforcements dispatched by the Uehara Race.
It's said...
These reinforcements were secured by Uehara Naraku from the Deadguard Seat Officers.
In terms of numbers, the reinforcements sent by the Uehara Race even surpassed the Guardian Court Thirteen Squads', amounting to over five thousand people.
As for the leaders of this Reanimation Legion of over five thousand, naturally, they were led by the Deadguard Seat Officers from the Uehara Race; the fifth officer Senju Tobirama personally led them, accompanied by the sixth officer Sarutobi Hiruzen, seventh officer Namikaze Minato, and the tenth to thirteenth officers, Rasa's last four officers all present.
One could almost say half of the Uehara Race had been mobilized.
"No wonder Central 46 has been continuously retreating..."
Sui Feng's forehead was dotted with cold sweat as she muttered softly, "Just looking at the numbers, the Uehara Race can mobilize more Shinigamis than the regular combat squads of the Guardian Court Thirteen Squads..."
"In terms of quality, there's no difference either..."
Kyoraku Shunsui lowered his gaze to the Uehara Race's Reanimation Legion, smirked softly, "I've heard that the selection standards for the Uehara City Reanimation Legion are even stricter than our tests for those young ones at Shin'o Academy!"
This was another reason.
Aside from this elite Reanimation Legion within Uehara City, there were many more Shinigamis who had never been mobilized. Those Shinigamis' powers were too weak, making them live like ordinary people.
Just as Guardian Court Thirteen Squads select souls across the Soul Society, the Uehara Race can also conduct selections in the Soul Society, absorbing powerful souls into Uehara City to become part of their strength.
To be honest...
Central 46 was quite helpless facing such a powerful and noble family due to their lack of better options.
Whether in high-end combat or basic combat power, the Uehara Race's strength could almost compare with the Guardian Court Thirteen Squads.
Fortunately, Uehara Naraku's emergence changed this situation...
Since Uehara Naraku took over as patriarch, there have been increasing collaborations between the Uehara Race and the Guardian Court Thirteen Squads, significantly easing their relations.
In recent times, Uehara Naraku even announced proactively giving up Uehara City's policy of gathering souls in the Soul Society, which is akin to a voluntary concession to Quiet Spirit Court's upper echelons.
If this continues for hundreds or even thousands of years, the Uehara Race will eventually, like the Kuchiki Clan and other Four Great Noble Clans, slowly integrate into Quiet Spirit Court's system.
"Speaking of which, where's Naraku?"
Kyoraku Shunsui examined surrounding, curiously looked at Senju Tobirama seated beside Yamamoto Shigekuni, and asked, "At this time, hasn't Captain Naraku arrived yet?"
"I and Lord Yamamoto have prohibited him from participating in this war."
Senju Tobirama's face was full of displeasure, snorted coldly, "Taking advantage while Madara and my elder brother are absent, he mobilized elite Reanimation Legion from the clan for assistance... Forget it, since he has already agreed with you, I have no choice but to cooperate with him."
"Cough cough..."
Beside Senju Tobirama, Yamamoto Shigekuni couldn't help feeling slightly awkward, spoke softly, "No need to worry, while Captain Naraku isn't present, I've already temporarily appointed Captain of Squad 3, Hirako Shinji, to lead the members of Squad 5..."
Hirako Shinji was originally the captain of Squad 5.
Hirako Shinji and his Masked Legion members were all once squad captains, so such arrangements were reasonable.
Just a pity for Uehara Naraku's absence.
Because during high-level meetings, these captains of Guardian Court Thirteen Squads lamented their slight inadequacy dealing with the Arrancar Legion from the Hollow World, Uehara Naraku heard this and self-initiated mobilization of the Uehara Race's Reanimation Legion for cooperative combat.
Such matters...
Of course, wouldn't please a hardliner like Senju Tobirama.
It was inevitable that Senju Tobirama would confine Uehara Naraku before the big battle.
In fact, Yamamoto Shigekuni suspected that perhaps there was another reason.