ushernet Chapter 234 – Expectations
Chapter 234 – Expectations
Chapter 234 – Expectations
Shunsui Kyōraku was right. The 2nd Division's Execution Force specialized in gathering intelligence within the Seireitei. While they did have some external sources, their capabilities paled in comparison to the 8th Division, whose expertise lay in gathering information from beyond the Seireitei’s walls.
After all, Kyōraku and Ukitake were close friends. Their subordinates also knew each other well. Many of the Shinigami stationed in the World of the Living were members of the 13th Division, but they also served as informants for the 8th, providing valuable intel about the human world.
Soi Fon, unaware of Kyōraku's subtle machinations, readily agreed to his proposal, believing it would streamline their investigation.
She then turned to Ailin.
“Captain Ailin, Head-Captain Yamamoto has requested your assistance in this investigation. Now that the 2nd and 8th Divisions have divided the workload, would you prefer to investigate within the Seireitei with me, or in Rukongai with Captain Kyōraku?”
“Since the Hollow was discovered within the Seireitei, I believe it would be more efficient to investigate here. I’ll accompany you, Captain Soi Fon.”
“Very well.” Soi Fon nodded. Ailin’s choice aligned with her own.
“Then, Captain Kyōraku, we’ll get started,” she said, turning to address Shunsui.
“I wish you all the best in your endeavors, Captain Soi Fon.” With a wave of his hand, Shunsui departed, eager to lead his subordinates into the sprawling districts of Rukongai.
Swoosh!
Soi Fon, known for her impatience, vanished in a flash of Shunpo, heading towards the scene of the incident. Ailin, with a single thought, followed close behind.
Soi Fon glanced at Ailin, not slowing her pace. While she didn’t know the true extent of his power, having trained under him, she understood that his strength far exceeded her expectations.
Perhaps even Yoruichi wasn't his match.
As they traveled, Soi Fon used her Hell Butterfly to contact the 2nd Division, dispatching members of her intelligence unit and the Execution Force to the location where the Hollow had been slain.
Within ten minutes, Ailin and Soi Fon arrived at the site in the forested area behind the 13th Division barracks.
“Teacher.”
“Captain Soi Fon.”
A young woman with a distinctive bob haircut stepped forward, greeting Ailin with a respectful bow before addressing Soi Fon.
“Captain Soi Fon, Captain Ailin.”
Head-Captain Yamamoto! The strongest Shinigami in a millennium!
The other 13th Division Shinigami also heard Ailin's words, but they dismissed it as a teacher’s hopeful encouragement. They couldn’t fathom Rukia possessing such monstrous potential.
“Captain Ailin, will you handle this, or should I?”
After catching up with Rukia, Soi Fon and Ailin approached the spot where the Hollow had been slain. It had been a day, and Mayuri Kurotsuchi had already taken samples. The ice encasing the Hollow had shattered, leaving only a trail of ice shards and a scattering of broken crystals.
Soi Fon looked at Ailin. While he was the captain of the 11th Division, he had also served as the lieutenant of the 2nd Division. When it came to tracking spiritual traces, Soi Fon didn’t believe he was any less skilled than her.
Ailin shrugged. “Captain Soi Fon, this is your area of expertise. It wouldn't be appropriate for me to overstep my bounds. Besides, it’s been decades since I’ve used Kidō to track spiritual particles. Compared to you, I’m practically an amateur.”
“Very well.”
Since Ailin declined, Soi Fon didn’t force the issue. She crouched down, her hand glowing with blue reiatsu as she scanned the area, searching for traces of the Hollow’s reishi.
As Soi Fon began her investigation, Ailin surveyed the surroundings. The moment he had heard Ukitake and Kurotsuchi’s reports during the captains’ meeting, he had known which Hollow Rukia had slain.
It was Aaroniero Arruruerie, the future 9th Espada.
He was the only Gillian-class Espada among the ten.
Aizen had chosen to grant Aaroniero a place among the Espada because, even before his transformation into an Arrancar, he had exhibited two extraordinary abilities.
The first was absorption. Aaroniero could devour other Hollows and even Shinigami, assimilating their spiritual pressure, memories, and abilities. He could perfectly replicate the powers of those he had consumed.
Ailin remembered how, in the original storyline, Aaroniero had devoured Kaien Shiba, inheriting his Zanpakutō and wielding his power with chilling accuracy.
His second ability allowed him to dissolve any Zanpakutō that touched his body.
It was this ability that had intrigued Aizen. While he had already reached the limits of a Shinigami's power, standing on par with Head-Captain Yamamoto, his Zanpakutō, Kyōka Suigetsu, didn't enhance his combat strength.
If he were to face Yamamoto in a direct confrontation, Aizen would be crushed by the sheer power of Ryūjin Jakka. He had no chance of victory.
Therefore, Aizen had extracted Aaroniero’s reishi, hoping to cultivate a Hollow that could devour all Zanpakutō.
Thank you for the Ratings/Likes.
If you like the story, please support. Thank you.