Sokyoku Hill, Execution Ground.
The light of the Sokyoku's release, once rarely seen, had now become a daily sight.
The huge shadow of the spear rose again and again, carrying its purifying power, precisely descending upon the bound figures on the execution platform.
Each time the light fell meant the complete annihilation of a soul that had once been high and mighty, but now had a face ashen with despair.
Beneath the execution platform, the watching Shinigami and residents of the Rukongai erupted in excited cheers time and again.
Those executed were, without exception, former 'great figures' of Soul Society.
The sages and judges of the Central 96, the clan heads, elders, and powerful figures of the Four Great Noble Families and various lower nobles who had committed numerous crimes.
Their crimes, under the public trials presided over by Aizen, were listed, evidenced, and sentenced one by one:
Abuse of power, wanton killing, trampling on the law, destroying families and wiping out clans... truly shocking and beyond enumeration.
The once glamorous nobles, before irrefutable evidence and absolute power, had all their halos stripped away, leaving only pale fear and desperate struggles.
Their wails, pleas, and curses ultimately drowned in the brilliance of the Sokyoku.
Ichigo, standing atop a nearby ruined tower, silently watched it all.
"Hey, listen," He said in a low voice to Renji beside him, his tone somewhat dry, "So this is the Soul Society we fought so hard to protect all that time?"
"What exactly were we protecting when we defended the Seireitei? Were we protecting these pests?"
Renji remained silent, his expression also grim.
He had grown up in the Rukongai and understood the privileges and oppression of the nobles more deeply.
He also knew that some nobles were dark, but he never imagined the darkness could go this deep.
"If I had known Soul Society was like this," Ichigo said self-mockingly, "I probably would have sided with Aizen and the others back then."
Renji could only smile bitterly. The rot at the top of Soul Society was indeed so deep that it gave him a sense of defeat, as if he had been aiding evil.
As he lamented, Ichigo's gaze involuntarily turned towards the center of the Seireitei, towards the 1st Division's barracks.
That was now the temporary headquarters of that legendary Captain.
'The darkness of Soul Society lasted a million years, but only that senior dared to tear away this fig leaf!' Respect rose in Ichigo's heart. He felt he could never do such a thing himself.
Even if he had that senior's power, he wouldn't have that senior's resolve and awareness.
Moreover, he didn't have eyes that could see through the darkness. The most likely outcome for him would have been becoming a 'blade' in the hands of those great figures.
...
1st Division's Barracks, Captain-Commander's Office.
The atmosphere was completely different from the grimness of the execution ground, but equally grave.
The Captains and Lieutenants of the Gotei 13 were all present. The remaining four members of the Zero Division also stood to one side.
Everyone's gaze was focused on the black-haired young man in the main seat.
Setsuna's gaze swept over everyone, cutting directly to the point:
"Although the Wandenreich has suffered heavy losses, it is far from destroyed. Yhwach was rescued, and the main force of his Sternritter still exists. The next attack could come at any time."
"And next time, I will need to fully focus on dealing with that Hollow. The Wandenreich and Yhwach will have to be handled by you."
"Handled by us?" Toshiro frowned deeply. "Yhwach is the one who defeated Captain-Commander Yamamoto. Even wounded, he is by no means someone we can easily deal with."
"Moreover, they still have that sinister method of stealing Bankai..."
The other Captains also showed troubled expressions.
They had witnessed the power of Yhwach and the Sternritter. They were not enemies who could be defeated by passion alone.
Byakuya frowned and said, "If we could use Bankai, we would naturally not fear the enemy."
Setsuna's gaze turned to Mayuri. Before Hikifune was promoted to the Zero Division, she had recommended Mayuri to become Captain of the 12th Division.
"Captain Kurotsuchi, is there any progress in researching the principle behind the Quincy's medallion stealing Bankai, and a way to counter it?"
Mayuri showed respect for Setsuna, his former superior. "Hohoho, of course. Rather, after obtaining the sample portions provided by Setsuna-sama, this research topic has become so simple it's almost ridiculous."
The samples he referred to were naturally those members of the Sternritter who had not been rescued.
"These so-called [Quincies], although they have a strong counter to the Reishi power of Shinigami, are a race that has absolutely no resistance to Hollows."
Some people were surprised. "Quincies are countered by Hollows?"
Mayuri laughed sinisterly. "Amazing, isn't it? Shinigami counter Hollows, Hollows counter Quincies, and Quincies counter Shinigami."
"If we can simply research Menos Grande a bit, especially the power composition of Adjuchas-class and above, extract the 'erosion factor' that conflicts with Quincy power, and attach it to the power of Bankai..."
"The Quincy medallion's stealing system will, like a computer infected with a virus, either fail or... boom! directly overload and break!"
Mayuri looked at Setsuna, rubbing his hands together. "However, Hueco Mundo is completely under the control of Captain Aizen and his group. Although I would very much like to capture a few Menos Grande for research, it wouldn't be appropriate to overstep boundaries, hohoho..."
"No problem." Setsuna nodded. "I will order Aizen and his subordinates to cooperate with your research. Produce a viable countermeasure and combat equipment as soon as possible."
Hearing that the crisis of Bankai theft might be resolved, the Captains present visibly relaxed.
If they could use Bankai, their confidence in facing the Sternritter would be much greater.
Seeing this, Setsuna shook his head. "You young Shinigami are too dependent on Bankai. Can't you fight without it?"
"Have your Kido and Hakuda become mere decorations?"
Hearing Setsuna's scolding, many Captains and Lieutenants showed ashamed expressions.
If anyone else had said this, they might have been unconvinced.
But the person saying it was Setsuna. He hadn't used his Zanpakuto's power to defeat Yhwach.
They couldn't help but reflect. They had poured all their energy into developing and training their Bankai, neglecting the refinement of their basic abilities.
When facing a strong enemy, their first reaction was often to release Bankai.
Facing the Quincies, who could steal Bankai, they almost didn't know how to fight.
Setsuna tapped the table. "I will create a space where the flow of time is one month inside to one day outside. During the time Kurotsuchi is researching the countermeasure to the medallion, all of you will go in for special training."
Hearing Setsuna's words, the Captains all widened their eyes.
'Wasn't this the Dangai? The Captain-Commander was powerful enough to create a space similar to the Dangai? This was already the authority of a god, wasn't it?'
Toshiro couldn't help but sigh, 'No wonder Captain-Commander could defeat Yhwach without needing his Zanpakuto.'