Soul King Palace.
The deep passage entrance was wide open.
Ukitake Jushiro and Kyoraku Shunsui were the first to arrive here as ordered. They exchanged glances, each with a hint of confusion on their faces.
"Has the Zero Squad already known of our defeat?"
"It would be strange if they didn't notice with their power!"
Kyoraku Shunsui responded casually, sighing lightly, "I'll stay here to receive the old man; you go and contact them. It seems we really need to rely on their strength this time!"
"Alright..."
Ukitake Jushiro hesitated and nodded.
Just as Ukitake Jushiro was about to step into the passage connecting the Soul Society and the Soul King Palace, a figure slowly walked out from within the passage and appeared before them.
"Mr. Kabuto?"
A flash of surprise appeared on Ukitake Jushiro's face.
Kyoraku Shunsui's expression turned slightly peculiar when he saw Yakushi Kabuto, as Kyoraku Shunsui felt somewhat guilty towards Yakushi Kabuto.
When Yakushi Kabuto served as the Captain of Squad 8, the 8th Squad, leveraging intelligence, had almost become the most powerful Squad in the entire Guardian Court Thirteen Squads. However, after Kyoraku Shunsui took over, the 8th Squad seemed to slowly become useless.
"We already know everything that happened in the Quiet Spirit Court."
Yakushi Kabuto adjusted his glasses and spoke softly, "The Zero Squad has specially permitted all Shinigami of the Guardian Court Thirteen Squads to temporarily find refuge within the passage of the Soul King Palace, as the upcoming battle might affect the entire Quiet Spirit Court..."
"Yes!"
A trace of gratitude flashed across Ukitake Jushiro's face. He had not expected the Zero Squad to be so generous, willing to let all the Shinigami of the Guardian Court Thirteen Squads enter the passage.
Kyoraku Shunsui's eyes held some doubt, and he suddenly spoke, "Mr. Kabuto, the Guardian Court Thirteen Squads are allowed to enter the passage... what about the Reanimation Legion of the Uehara Race?"
"The Reanimation Legion..."
Yakushi Kabuto adjusted his glasses, a slight smile curling his lips, "The order from the Zero Squad is that as a reward for their willingness to fight alongside the Guardian Court Thirteen Squads, we will allow the Reanimation Legion to be stationed at the entrance."
"!!!"
Ukitake Jushiro and Kyoraku Shunsui's faces simultaneously showed shock!
The Guardian Court Thirteen Squads of the Quiet Spirit Court could enter the passage for refuge, but the Reanimation Legion of the Uehara Race was only allowed to hide at the entrance of the passage. This seemed like using a knife to kill someone!
No...
This was using a knife to kill someone!
Even at this moment, the Zero Squad had not given up on the idea of internal conflict?
Or could it be that Yakushi Kabuto, who had already become a member of the Zero Squad, was finally taking this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to wield the butcher knife against his old enemy, the Uehara Race!
After all, if the Uehara Race knew that Yakushi Kabuto became a member of the Zero Squad, a status akin to being nearly immortal, they would certainly not let it rest...
Now, the Uehara Race's elite Reanimation Legion was being chased by the Arrancar Legion. A little trip from Yakushi Kabuto could wipe out this most elite legion here!
Once the war ends...
The greatly weakened Uehara Race would no longer have the hope of retaliating against Yakushi Kabuto, and it's questionable whether the Uehara Race would still exist in the Quiet Spirit Court at all after the war...
One must admit that this is indeed the best opportunity to exterminate the Uehara Race.
Yet this opportunity is somewhat hard to accept.
Ukitake Jushiro and Kyoraku Shunsui's faces gradually turned grim. Their gazes at Yakushi Kabuto held a hint of dissatisfaction and indignation.
At this moment...
Yakushi Kabuto was still instigating internal conflict!
"This is an order from the Zero Squad."
A glint of light flickered under Yakushi Kabuto's glasses, and a smile curled at his lips, "Kyoraku, Ukitake, don't look at me like that... indeed, I suggested this, and I've been waiting for this day for a long time."
"But..."
An anxious expression crossed Ukitake Jushiro's face.
"No buts."
Yakushi Kabuto interrupted Ukitake Jushiro, chuckling lightly as he continued, "After today, all disturbing factors hindering peace will be thoroughly cleared away..."
"Mr. Kabuto."
Kyoraku Shunsui gripped his Zanpakuto tightly and suddenly looked up and said, "Can we stay at the entrance to continue fighting alongside the Reanimation Legion?"
If the intention of the Zero Squad is for the Reanimation Legion of the Uehara Race to hold the entrance and die, they would never stand by and watch their companions who just fought alongside them die in the conspiracy of their own people!
Even if they can't change this outcome, they won't let it happen without acting, preferring to face Aizen Sousuke alongside the Reanimation Legion at the passage entrance!
Even if... it means dying in battle!
"I advise you not to do that."
Yakushi Kabuto's face became cold immediately. He slowly adjusted his glasses and said coldly, "If you want to change the fate of the Uehara Race, then I hope you can persuade the Zero Squad's members to rescind the order!"
After speaking, Yakushi Kabuto suddenly flashed a cold smile, "If you can persuade them... I believe they would be more rational than you..."
"Bastard..."
Ukitake Jushiro couldn't help clenching his teeth.
At this moment, he didn't care at all that Yakushi Kabuto was a member of the Zero Squad.
Unfortunately, at this time, Ukitake Jushiro and Kyoraku Shunsui had no way to change any of this. They could only wait for the arrival of Yamamoto Shigekuni.
Led by Yamamoto Shigekuni, the Shinigami army and the Reanimation Legion of Senju Tobirama were not far behind. Under the pursuit of the Arrancar Legion, their retreat speed was rapid, also aided by the Arrancar Legion's playful chase like a cat playing with a mouse.