Chapter 257 – 257 ⥤ I Have a Plan

For a long time, Hueco Mundo has been a symbol of violence, chaos, and endless slaughter.

In this realm, survival of the fittest reigns supreme. Both ordinary Hollows and Menos Grande follow their primal instincts, devouring their own kind to evolve into stronger beings.

Such existence has left Hollows with no concept of time. Each day brings the same cycle — they either hunt or flee for their lives.

Though Hueco Mundo now has a new God-King whose leadership has brought rapid changes and innovations to Las Noches, these changes remain confined to Las Noches’ territory.

Most Hollows continue their unchanged lives, indifferent to who sits upon Hueco Mundo’s throne.

Until one day.

A skull Hollow bearing massive bull horns appeared at Hueco Mundo’s outskirts. Its overwhelming Reiatsu swept across the land as countless skeletons emerged from its shadow, forming a vast army.

Before the astonished eyes of nearby Hollows, these skeletons marched across the silver-white desert, burying strange orbs that emitted green light beneath the sand.

What followed was extraordinary. Thick vines and tree trunks erupted from the silver sand, twisting and interweaving with one another.

The landscape transformed dramatically. Where once stretched endless silver-white desert now stood a lush tropical jungle.

Towering trees reached toward the night sky while dense foliage blotted out the heavens. Twisted vines sprawled in every direction, and the air grew rich and fresh, leaving nearby Hollows in a state of euphoria.

“What is this, what is this?!”

“Why do I feel so intensely satiated?”

“My soul feels filled, the void is completely packed, it’s almost overflowing!”

“It’s Reishi, they added Reishi to the forest!”

Rudbornn Chelute withdrew measuring equipment from his chest and checked the air’s Reishi density. Confirming it met the standards, he nodded with satisfaction.

This was a task personally assigned by the God-King — there could be no room for error.

“Everyone, behold the God-King’s blessing and miracle. He declared three purposes in coming to Hueco Mundo: to plant trees, change the environment, and end the killing!

As you can now feel, the Reishi density has multiplied several times over and can sustain most Hollows’ survival needs. Those Hollows or Menos who require more Reishi than the air provides may seek it at Las Noches, in the heart of Hueco Mundo.”

At this point, Rudbornn nodded slightly, soul fire flickering in his hollow eye sockets — an expression of pure fanaticism brewing within.

“This is benevolence!”

Similar scenes unfolded across Hueco Mundo.

As an Arrancar, Rudbornn’s ability allowed for infinite division, making him the perfect choice to lead this grand transformation throughout the realm.

However, even with his extraordinary capabilities, Hueco Mundo’s vastness required the mobilization of other Arrancar to complete the task.

Upon his return to Las Noches, Akira greeted him with an angry lecture:

“Three trips to deliver goods to the Forest of Menos, and each time it’s either wind or rain! Did you think you were going to the moon? You got cut up AND chased around!”

Starrk attempted to speak in his defense, but his nerve failed when he met Akira’s gaze.

“My King, storms and waves happen. How could we have known about the powerful Shinigami in the Forest of Menos? Give me another chance — I’ll succeed next time.”

As Lanza No. 1, Starrk bore the most challenging task: transforming the Forest of Menos.

Everything had progressed smoothly until a red-haired Shinigami appeared, wielding both terrifying battle techniques and overwhelmingly strong Reiatsu.

Without even releasing his Resurrección, Starrk found himself completely outmatched.

His poor performance stemmed partly from his inherent laziness. Despite Akira’s repeated discipline, he remained content to drift through his comfortable life in Las Noches, unable to summon any fighting spirit.

Akira crossed his arms and smiled with a snort, “Never mind, I’ll handle this…”

Before he could finish, a figure emerged from the shadows beside the throne.

“Let me handle this.” Aizen interjected, stepping between them, “My investigation reveals this person is Ashido Kanō, a Shinigami from Soul Society. He served as captain of the Hueco Mundo Subjugation Unit and was close friends with Shunsui Kyōraku and Kenpachi Kuruyashiki. Though Soul Society declared him killed in action, he survives, having accidentally entered the Forest of Menos where he continues his duties as a Shinigami.”

Akira contemplated this thoughtfully.

He knew of this man. To endure alone in the vast, lonely Forest of Menos for centuries required extraordinary willpower.

“I have some ideas for him.” Aizen said casually, as though discussing the weather. His lips curved slightly as he glanced at the husky, “Don’t worry — I admire such a person. I won’t harm him too severely.”

Akira nodded, trusting his adopted son’s judgment.

While he might question Kisuke’s ability to execute plans, he never doubted Aizen.

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That day, a terrifying black coffin thousands of meters high rose above the Forest of Menos, casting its shadow over the silver-white desert and blocking out the sky.

At that moment, heaven and earth fell silent!

Sensing the terrifying Reiatsu from the Forest of Menos, the Arrancar in Las Noches gained a clear understanding of the Second King’s power.

That afternoon, Las Noches welcomed another powerful warrior.

After a thorough education, Ashido chose to remain in Hueco Mundo rather than return to Soul Society.

What he hadn’t achieved in a hundred years of hard work, two juniors had accomplished with ease. How could he not be curious?

Ashido held no particular hatred toward Hollows; his guard over the Forest of Menos stemmed purely from his duty as a Shinigami.

Moreover, after interacting with the Arrancar, he found many talented individuals here — it reminded him of being back in the 11th Division.

Above all, Ashido wanted to witness Hueco Mundo’s future unfold.

He hoped the outcome would honor his fallen comrades…

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“What… what did you say?”

In the Wörtlich Hall (Sacred Knight Order’s Public Hall), Akira bolted upright in his chair, eyes wide.

From his position at the head of the hall, Jugram’s face showed resignation — this kid was perfect in every way, save for his overly excitable personality.

Seeing Akira’s look of disbelief, he had no choice but to repeat himself.

“His Majesty awakened recently. He greatly admires you, praises your work for the empire, and stated that upon his next awakening, he will summon you.”

Akira drew in a sharp breath.

He wasn’t ready to meet Yhwach. With his limited abilities, if his true identity were discovered, the old man would be sending a black-haired person to their death.

His face twisted with worry, “When will he wake next?”

Jugram considered for a moment before answering, “The exact time isn’t clear. However, it shouldn’t be long. His Majesty’s heartbeat has fully returned, and he has regained most of his consciousness. His power, too, has recovered considerably as other Knights’ souls returned to him.”

Akira nodded.

Under the influence of profound wisdom, such butterfly effects were natural. Even if Jugram announced that Yhwach planned to attack Soul Society tomorrow, he wouldn’t flinch. He would simply act decisively, embracing his role as a double agent.

Whatever came, they would handle it when the time arrived.

“Lord Haschwalth.”

Just as he was formulating a plan, someone raised their hand beside him, drawing his angry glare. He had been so close to devising a countermeasure.

Under Akira’s fierce gaze, Quilge Opie felt nervous, but driven by loyalty, he gathered his courage and continued.

“During His Majesty’s awakening, did he give any other instructions regarding Hueco Mundo and Soul Society?”

Jugram shook his head. Yhwach’s condition this time was unusual — he lacked his typical calmness and composure, as if something had frightened him.

He had only inquired about the empire’s recent situation and expressed admiration for the empire’s excellent general Hashirama before falling silent.

Based on his understanding of Yhwach, Jugram quickly grasped his intentions.

Since the empire was flourishing under Hashirama’s leadership, they should maintain their current path. When Yhwach fully awakened, that would be the time to counterattack Soul Society.

To implement Yhwach’s will, Jugram decided to grant Hashirama additional authority. The results spoke for themselves — there was no room for criticism.

If anyone wished to object, they would need to show achievements of their own. Empty words would earn them confinement in the Fourth Tower.

Those who brought prosperity to the empire would receive more power. It was that simple.

Watching Jugram’s actions, Quilge’s face fell in disappointment.

As Yhwach’s devoted follower, he had eagerly awaited his leader’s awakening to lead the empire in a grand war. As a soldier, this was his reason for existence.

The meeting continued with a review of the empire’s recent developments, most concerning Akira.

Aizen had prepared his script in advance; he needed only to read it.

“The release method for Kirchenlied: Sankt Zwinger has been optimized, reducing Reishi consumption by seventeen percent.

Through my personal experiments, Quincy can now absorb small amounts of Hollow power to produce antibodies, enhancing their combat ability.

In the Hueco Mundo conquest three days ago, the First Vanguard Squad, Third Guard Squad, and Fourth Hunt Squad lost ninety-seven soldiers and thirty-eight holy weapons. We captured eighteen Arrancar and one self-proclaimed Lanza.”

“…”

Looking at Akira’s lengthy work report, the other Knights’ expressions grew peculiar.

Previous meetings had followed the same procedure, but typically, various Knights would share the speaking duties, each having a chance to contribute.

How could one person’s work report go on for hours without any repetition?

The sheer number of contributions he had made to the empire was staggering!

The group listened in silence as their expressions shifted from bewilderment to complexity, and finally to admiration.

While Emperor Yhwach’s achievements remained unseen, Vice-Captain and Vice-Grandmaster Hashirama had demonstrated tangible results for the empire, its soldiers, and their welfare.

From enhanced spiritual techniques to improved living conditions, his accomplishments were evident in their daily lives.

Such a person was truly the empire’s pillar — its foundation!

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“Madara, save me!”

Aizen stood at the control panel, holding the Hōgyoku.

Just as he was about to merge imagination with the Hōgyoku’s power, a blood-curdling roar erupted from outside.

Before he could react, someone burst through the laboratory door.

“What trouble have you caused now?” Aizen asked with annoyance, putting away the Hōgyoku.

He assumed it was some trivial matter — perhaps complaints about cafeteria food or accidentally breaking Bazz-B’s spine during training.

But when the husky woofed, his expression changed.

“Yhwach is awake. This old man said I have the potential to be an emperor!” Akira said gravely, “Jugram said he’ll summon me the next time he wakes up.”

Aizen’s brows furrowed.

As the chief architect of the disguise project, he knew its limitations well. While fooling the Sternritter was one thing, facing Yhwach directly posed a high risk of discovery.

The main problem was their uncertainty about Yhwach’s true strength.

Records of the centuries-old war were scarce, even in the Daireishokairō (library). This meant Yhwach’s abilities and Reiatsu remained unknown.

Meeting under these circumstances would be too dangerous. Akira couldn’t take such a risk.

As he was considering countermeasures, someone chuckled, raised his right hand, and pointed his index finger.

“Sōsuke, I have a plan that can solve this situation!”

Aizen gave him a calm glance, and though he didn’t say anything, his meaning was obvious.

Feeling insulted, Akira became angry and immediately wanted to show his adopted son what true earth-shattering wisdom was.

“Look, why am I worried about meeting Yhwach? It’s because I’m concerned he’ll discover my true identity, leading to an intense battle between us. And what’s our biggest problem right now? We can’t confirm Yhwach’s true strength, so we can’t prepare appropriate countermeasures. But since that’s the case, why not consider a compromise?”

Aizen frowned; he already had a feeling about what this guy was going to say.

Akira grinned, “Rather than living in fear, why not prepare in advance? So… Use Hollowfication on me!”

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