Boom!
Lightning descended from the sky, accurately hitting near the ancient building. The explosive sound shattered the silence.
Like a spear piercing through from the sky, it tore apart the desolate land.
Even the air smelled like it was burning.
Due to the lightning, the ancient building was instantly reduced to rubble, burying the people who were performing the ritual.
"It seems you have a knack for coming at the right timing, Captain Ukitake."
Tokikaze's tone was unfriendly, laden with a strong gunpowder scent:
"You didn't show up before the entire Ryodoji Clan perished. Did you only come to clean up the mess after the ritual was completed?"
The one who suddenly showed up and launched a devastating attack without explanation was none other than the current Captain of the Thirteenth Division, the pride of the Ukitake Clan, Ukitake Jushiro.
"*cough, cough, Captain Tokikaze, please don't get me wrong."
The sickly Ukitake Jushiro coughed several times before forcing out a smile on his face.
"I'm just here to atone for my sins..."
Bzzz—
In the distance, Reiatsu burst forth, scattering dust in all directions.
There, dozens of figures remained standing. The leader was covered in black patterns, with numerous eyes covering even their garments, truly a terrifying and gruesome sight.
"Elder brother, you have violated the rules of Ukitake Clan."
Ukitake Jushiro's expression became serious.
"Sacrificing the nobles to Lord Mimihagi is an absolute taboo. You're the one who told me about this rule."
However, all he received in response was a maniacal laugh and a hideous face beyond recognition.
"Hahaha! You're as pretentious as always, Ukitake Jushiro."
"Now there's no trace of Lord Mimihagi in the shrine, just a remnant of the Soul King's power!"
The person had a twisted look on his face as he shouted angrily.
"A few hundred years ago, you absorbed Lord Mimihagi, and now you're pretending to be a good person? Disgusting!"
The angrier he got, the more intense the black Reiatsu around him became, forming masses of shadows that constantly writhed.
"What happened back then was beyond my control."
Ukitake Jushiro shook his head helplessly.
"It was Lord Mimihagi who chose me as its vessel."
"My parents just wanted me to continue living."
Listening to the conversation between the two brothers, coupled with what he knew, Tokikaze roughly understood the situation.
When Ukitake Jushiro was three years old, he suffered a severe lung disease that even the doctors had given up on him. Refusing to give up, his parents prayed to Lord Mimihagi through a ritual.
Fortunately, Mimihagi agreed, choosing Ukitake Jushiro as its vessel. Almost all of its power merged with Ukitake Jushiro.
What remained in the shrine was only the residual of Soul King's power.
The real right arm of the Soul King had long merged with Ukitake Jushiro.
As for how his elder brother knew about these secrets, it remained unknown.
It could be records within the Clan, or perhaps his parents disclosed it to him.
However, Tokikaze didn't care about those details.
What intrigued him was Ukitake Jushiro himself.
Even after the right arm of the Soul King, how was Ukitake Jushiro still sick?
The left arm of the Soul King governed "Progress", while the right arm governed "Stillness."
It was considered one of the most potent powers in the Three Worlds.
Yet, even with this power, Ukitake Jushiro couldn't even be cured.
In terms of strength, the lung disease he suffered surpassed even the power of the Soul King!
Truly terrifying.
Tokikaze sighed secretly.
"It doesn't matter!" the black shadow roared. "Now that I have attained the Soul King's power, I only need to kill you to reclaim Lord Mimihagi's strength!"
"At that time, I can even ascend to the Soul King's palace, becoming the unparalleled supreme existence in the Three Worlds!"
Indeed.
The villains in this world often shared the same goals.
"You've strayed from the right path."
Ukitake Jushiro's face turned stern as he drew the Zanpakuto from his waist.
"I will end this mistake to maintain stability in the Soul Society."
"All Ye Waves, Become My Shield. All Ye Thunder, Become My Blade!" The azure Reiatsu around him surged, flowing like water on the blade in his hand.
"Sogyo no Kotowari!"
His Zanpakuto suddenly split in two. As the blades peel apart, a large red rope-like chain at the base of the hilt lengthens, and silver metal square charms attached to the chain begin to fall, until all five present themselves.
It was a rare type of twin blade among the Zanpakuto in the Soul Society.
Facing his elder brother, who had absorbed the remaining power of the Soul King, Ukitake Jushiro undoubtedly displayed his full strength.
If it weren't for his sickly body, Tokikaze had every reason to suspect that he would release his Bankai directly.
As described by Aizen, this Captain of the Thirteenth Division was a bit too kind.
He was eager to wipe away the stain on the Ukitake Clan, to the point where his behavior didn't quite match his usual character.
Tokikaze couldn't say anything about Ukitake Jushiro for sure, but from some of his actions, it was not hard to deduce that this seemingly amiable Captain was also someone with a heart as cold as ice.
Or rather, his amiability was reserved solely for the Gotei 13.
Simply proposing to use Substitute Soul Reapers Badge to monitor the Substitute Soul Reapers and control their Reiatsu was enough to reveal a glimpse of his true nature.
Beneath the amiable smile, he concealed a heart as cold as ice.
"Then, you shall die!"
The shadow roared, raising his right hand, and the black patterns on his body merged directly into the ground, turning into countless shadowy figures, heading straight for Ukitake Jushiro.
In the sky, black patterns also surged, forming snake-like entities, locking onto Ukitake Jushiro.
The battle was about to begin.
Ukitake Jushiro used Shunpo, leaving afterimages in place. With a determined gaze, he rushed into the shadows
Even though countless shadows formed a complex web, and Ukitake Jushiro continued to cough up blood, they still couldn't touch the hem of his clothes.
The strength of the veteran Captain was fully revealed!
"Captain, are we just going to watch here?"
Nanao Ise reminded carefully. "Captain Ukitake's body may not withstand intense combat for too long, and I'm worried..."
Tokikaze waved his hand and nonchalantly replied, "It's okay. When they're both heavily injured, we'll step in."
"The opponent is not that weak, and Ukitake Jushiro is not as strong as he imagines."
"This prey ultimately belongs to me..."