First floor.
Without any unnecessary nonsense, Kurotsuchi Mayuri reached out and tapped the screen a few times.
The content on the screen constantly switched, displaying a desolate valley. Countless mud-like substances grew on the rock walls, continuously stacking, layer upon layer.
The crimson earth exuded a profound aura, as if soaked in an immeasurable amount of blood.
Even through the screen, one could still feel the eerie gloom seeping out from it, giving off an extremely uncomfortable feeling.
"Under normal circumstances, the Soul Society and the World of the Living are separated by the Dangai, and the two would never intersect."
"But now, for some unknown reason, the distance between them is drawing closer and closer, as if someone has created a bridge out of thin air to connect the two worlds."
"According to my observations, as time passes, it won't be long before the two worlds merge and subsequently collide."
Mayuri tried his best to avoid using technical jargon so that the intellectually lacking leader beside him could understand.
"Have you sent anyone to investigate?"
Naraku Sora withdrew his gaze from the screen and turned to look at Mayuri.
"As soon as this anomaly was discovered, a squad of Soul Reapers was sent over to investigate."
Mayuri frowned deeply, as if recalling something unpleasant.
"Not only did they fail to send back any useful information, but now they haven't even returned themselves."
"Judging from the current situation, they have most likely been killed. That's why I came to discuss this with Mr. Naraku immediately."
Sora nodded.
"Since things have come to this, let's notify Teacher first."
"He is the Head Captain in name, after all. There's no reason to keep him in the dark about such a serious incident."
Soon, Yamamoto arrived in the laboratory with a stern expression, led by a messenger Soul Reaper.
Mayuri then repeated what he had just said using even more concise language.
In his eyes, the fact that Naraku Sora had turned into such a reckless brute was inextricably linked to this teacher of his.
Hearing this, Yamamoto's face darkened.
"It must be the work of those damn Quincies!"
"An incident like this happened a hundred years ago. Because they over-exterminated the Hollows, the balance between the two worlds was destroyed."
"Fortunately, I discovered it early and sent multiple Captains to the World of the Living in advance to negotiate with the Quincies."
"I thought that after signing the treaty last time, those damn Quincies would behave themselves. I didn't expect them to dare commit such heinous acts in secret!"
"Boy, it seems you were still a bit too merciful."
Sora grinned but didn't say anything.
The old man was in a fit of rage. If he said something inappropriate and angered him, a severe beating would be unavoidable.
Though he wasn't really afraid of that anymore.
Mayuri, on the other hand, spoke bluntly without a hint of fear. He frowned.
"Judging from the observed signs, it isn't necessarily the Quincies' doing."
"Because the expansion speed is too fast. Unless they exterminated an extremely large-scale group of Hollows all at once, but Squad 12 did not issue any early warnings."
"Therefore, I lean more towards the possibility that some unknown anomaly has occurred within the Dangai."
Sora nodded in deep agreement.
*Yamamoto lacks intellect, so it isn't surprising at all that he would say something so thoughtless. After all, not everyone possesses rare, world-shaking wisdom like I do.*
Thinking of this, he crossed his arms and let out a scoff.
Veins popped on Yamamoto's forehead. If he hadn't taken into account that they were in front of his subordinate, he would have already punched a certain bastard in the head.
"I was merely proposing a hypothesis."
"Regardless of whether it is the Quincies' doing or not, we should send someone to the World of the Living to investigate. If my guess proves true, then we must stop them by any means necessary."
"If necessary, dispose of them all!"
Instantly, a murderous intent spread throughout the entire laboratory.
Even without releasing a single trace of Reiatsu, Mayuri still felt that rising, scorching heat.
It left one's mouth parched.
"Boy, I am leaving this matter entirely in your hands. If anything goes wrong, I will hold you accountable!"
Yamamoto dropped those words and left in a hurry.
Looking at the direction he left in, it seemed he was heading to Squad 12 to ask for more specific details.
As the Head Captain of the Gotei 13, his primary duty was still to protect the Seireitei.
Just then, Urahara Kisuke hurried back from outside.
As soon as he opened the door and saw Sora safe and sound, his rising interest diminished quite a bit.
Seeing Yamamoto leave his barracks with a displeased expression just now, he thought he would be able to witness some beautiful scene, but there was nothing.
*What a pity.*
"Kisuke, you're back," Sora grinned.
Looking at the smile on a certain someone's face, Urahara Kisuke suddenly had a bad premonition.
Just as he was about to say something like "I still have other work to do," he was directly pulled in front of the screen by a large hand that appeared out of thin air.
Mayuri tacitly described what had just happened.
This time, it involved a lot of mind-numbing technical jargon.
Urahara Kisuke put away his smile and said seriously:
"Judging from the observation results, it is indeed unlikely to be the Quincies' doing, but we can't rule out the possibility that they used some special method."
"After all, Quincies don't just exist in the World of the Living, but also right beneath our feet."
"Lord Naraku, what do you think?"
He just asked out of habit, not expecting Sora to give any decent answer.
His leader was an expert at frontal assaults, but when it came to other fields, it was a bit too much to ask of him.
However, Sora's answer exceeded both of their expectations.
"You guys should know how vicious the conflicts of interest between the nobles were when the Tsunayashiro clan was still around, right?"
The two of them froze for a moment, thought for a few seconds, and then nodded.
As members of the Seireitei's organizations, although they didn't often interact with the nobles, they were influenced by them in every aspect.
Not to mention the past, even now that the Tsunayashiro clan had fallen, and with Sora's deterrence, those nobles were still constantly fighting in secret.
It was just that compared to the past, they had restrained themselves quite a bit.
Coupled with the Kuchiki and Shihōin clans keeping each other in check, the nobles were much more stable on the surface, and the overall environment was more peaceful.
"If I remember correctly, in the early years, there was a high-ranking noble clan that failed in their power struggle and was ultimately exiled to the Dangai by Central 46."
"If something went wrong inside the Dangai, it's highly likely related to them."
Beside them, Mayuri had already forcibly hacked into the Gotei 13's database and retrieved the key information.
"There is indeed such a record."
"The exiled family was a high-ranking noble clan named Ryūdōji. It has been a thousand years since then."
Hearing this, Urahara Kisuke's expression became somewhat lamenting.
"After so much time has passed, the people of the Ryūdōji clan should all be dead by now, right?"
"After all, the environment in the Dangai is even harsher than Hueco Mundo. Coupled with the periodic appearances of the Kōryū and Kōtotsu, one would lose their life there with the slightest carelessness."
Sora nodded.
"Then your mission is very clear."
"Search the Dangai for all members of the Ryūdōji clan."
"Oh, I almost forgot."
Just as he was about to turn and leave, he suddenly thought of something and looked back.
"If necessary, you can deploy the Kidō Cannon."
"Although some people might call this kind of action an evil war crime, for the sake of the stability of the Soul Society and the World of the Living, I prefer to call it—"
"Efficient."
The corners of Urahara Kisuke's mouth twitched, and his eyes twitched wildly.
Ordinary people might not know what the Kidō Cannon was, but he understood it perfectly well.
This thing was a weapon of war jointly developed by the Kidō Corps and Squad 12. Although it had many flaws, such as taking too long to charge and being inconvenient to move, its power was absolutely terrifying.
When unleashed at full power, it could even destroy a small world.
For Sora to say such a thing, it showed just how serious the situation was.
However, it would be best not to use it unless absolutely necessary. If they accidentally blew a hole through the Dangai, that would be a bit too efficient.
Leaving the laboratory, Sora originally planned to head to the Senkaimon, but on second thought, it didn't seem necessary to go through all that trouble.
Thus, he casually found an empty corner, reached out, and tore open a Garganta leading to the World of the Living.
*Hollowfication, pretty amazing, right?*
When he reappeared, he had already arrived at the Ishida Manor.
Sensing the powerful Reiatsu that appeared in the courtyard, Ishida Sōken immediately rushed out of his room and respectfully went to greet him.
"Lord Naraku..."
Before he could finish speaking, he was interrupted by Sora raising a hand.
"Let's skip the small talk. I'm here on official business this time."
He then briefly explained the purpose of his trip.
After hearing it, Ishida Sōken's expression changed drastically.
"That's absolutely impossible!"
"Ever since the treaty was signed, the Quincies have completely quieted down and no longer harbor any of their previous foolish thoughts."
"Even if they discover a Hollow, they will only avoid it from afar or immediately notify the Soul Reapers stationed in the World of the Living."
"Furthermore, I have never slacked off on monitoring them..."
Looking at the expressionless Soul Reaper lord in front of him, Ishida Sōken broke out in a cold sweat.
No one knew better than him just how terrifying the other party was.
Even if multiple Quincies with strength comparable to his joined forces, they still wouldn't be able to withstand a single blow from Naraku Sora.
Moreover, judging from the Reiatsu he had just released, he was even stronger than when they first met.
Thinking of this, a deep sense of powerlessness welled up in Ishida Sōken's heart.
*Weren't Soul Reapers supposed to have a very long growth cycle?*
*How long has it been? This already powerful monster has become even more terrifying.*
But on second thought, it didn't seem to be a bad thing either.
*The stronger Naraku Sora is, the greater the probability of saving the Quincies in the future.*
*Although there are still quite a few years left until the time indicated in the Kaiser Gesang, who knows if any accidents will happen along the way?*
Compared to Yhwach, who treated the Quincies as food, Ishida Sōken was more willing to trust this Soul Reaper lord who had signed a treaty with them.
Just as Ishida Sōken was about to suggest having the Quincies in the World of the Living help investigate the cause, Sora suddenly raised an eyebrow, sensing an abnormal fluctuation within the range of his Reiatsu.
Without hesitation, he immediately activated Sonído and left the Ishida Manor.
Ishida Sōken took a deep breath and hurriedly chased after him.
Before long, Naraku Sora arrived near a park.
Among the coming and going crowds, strange creatures were constantly weaving through.
Red heads, illusory white bodies, looking just like matchsticks that had come to life.
Upon seeing these things, Sora's eyes lit up. Now he could finally confirm the reason why the world was about to be destroyed.
*So, next...*
Just as he was about to dispose of all these creatures, a clear voice suddenly rang out from not far away:
"Bring down the dusk, Mirokumaru!"