Bleach: The Fifth Division Captain

At this moment, Seiya made his request to the Hōgyoku.

But before receiving an answer—

He took a moment to analyze his situation.

His Zanpakutō had been forcefully blackened by the abilities of Ichibē Hyōsube, the Zero Division Monk, preventing him from releasing it.

This was his current predicament, and it was severely limiting his power.

And that wasn't even the only issue weighing on him.

Every event was tightly interconnected, creating an unbreakable chain of obstacles.

"First, without the Ōken, I can't reach the Soul King's Palace."

"And even if I get there, I can't defeat the Zero Division right now."

"If I can't defeat them, those old men will just throw me off the edge… and I'll rot in a prison cell for eternity."

What a textbook example of "so close, yet so far" (leaning back in frustration).

So, before Aizen made his move to ascend, Seiya needed to make preparations and find a way to enhance his own strength.

——I need to know my Zanpakutō's true name!

——Then you'll have to defeat that damn monk first!

——How am I supposed to fight him without knowing my Bankai's name?!

——Then go defeat the monk first!

——SO WHAT THE HELL IS MY BANKAI'S NAME?!!!

What a vicious cycle!

With this deadlock, Seiya needed an alternative approach to break free.

And he found it.

By using the Hōgyoku.

As a longtime follower of the original events, Seiya's biggest advantage right now was knowing what this artifact was truly capable of.

It absorbed the strongest wills of those around it and materialized them using its own power.

Of course, it wasn't an all-powerful wish-granting machine.

Just like how it couldn't manifest something out of thin air—if someone wished for eternal life, the Hōgyoku wouldn't simply grant immortality.

It would probably offer "a healthier lifestyle" as an answer.

"If a wish cannot be granted directly, the Hōgyoku will take a roundabout approach to achieve the wisher's goal as best it can."

Seiya had confirmed this observation the night before.

Hollowfication couldn't be reversed, but the Hōgyoku had managed to suppress it to its lowest possible level.

——Even if it had to strain itself, the Hōgyoku would always try to fulfill a wish.

Honestly, it was really dedicated to its job!

Hard to believe this thing was created by fusing souls and fragments of the Soul King's fingertips.

He could have tried using Aizen's half of the Hōgyoku for this experiment instead.

But after considering all factors, Seiya decided to proceed with his plan now.

"I have no idea how the Hōgyoku will react."

After all, he wasn't its rightful wielder.

And the artifact had a will of its own.

If it outright rejected him or did something unpredictable…

Well, if that happened while he was near Aizen, he might not even be able to keep his head. Talk about embarrassing!

By comparison, even if something went wrong here, it was still within an acceptable range of consequences.

With that, Seiya set aside his thoughts on the Hōgyoku for the time being.

Planning and prediction were always complicated processes prone to failure.

He didn't dwell on short-term setbacks—just like how he hadn't been discouraged when he realized he couldn't steal the Hōgyoku outright.

And judging by the current results, his gamble was already paying off.

Because at this very moment—

Seiya saw it.

The Hōgyoku in Urahara's grasp began to glow faintly.

Not as bright as before.

But the energy rippling from it was enough to make everyone in the room take notice.

"…What?"

Yoruichi, who had been heading for the exit, suddenly stopped. She turned her head slightly, her expression filled with surprise.

She had heard Urahara mention this artifact before, but this was the first time she had felt its power up close.

Urahara, the Hōgyoku's holder, furrowed his brows.

Due to the difference in information, he had no idea what was happening—just a vague and unsettling feeling of losing control.

Seiya, though keeping a neutral expression, inwardly let out a breath of relief…

"Good. My hypothesis was correct."

His wish wasn't something simple.

Because right before his eyes—

The Hōgyoku's power had entered a state of tension, caught in an unseen tug-of-war.

Taking advantage of this brief moment, he carefully considered his next thoughts.

Where exactly did the Hōgyoku's power come from?

The fusion of souls? The remnants of the Soul King?

On the surface, it seemed simple. But why did it function like a wish-granting machine?

After countless experiments and observations while working alongside Aizen, Seiya had developed a unique theory.

"Maybe… just maybe…"

"The Hōgyoku isn't merely made from the Soul King's discarded remains?"

A simple deduction could explain it.

The Soul King was the keystone holding all three realms together.

His very existence transcended all reason, embodying an unfathomable divine force.

His heart controlled the ability to reverse negative energy into positive energy, allowing him to constantly regenerate, akin to an immortal phoenix.

His left hand controlled execution, symbolizing ceaseless progress.

His right hand controlled stagnation, representing eternal stillness.

And his very body had been scattered across the realms, embodying absolute sovereignty over existence.

It was undeniable that the Soul King's fingertips alone held immense power.

But after extensive research, Seiya had arrived at a different conclusion—

"What if…"

"The Hōgyoku actually carries a fragment of the Soul King's will?"

Only a creator.

Only a sovereign.

Only a divine will of that magnitude—

Could so easily manipulate reality and generate the phenomenon we call "wishes."

Of course.

Seiya had no concrete proof.

He had never shared this theory with anyone.

But in terms of logic, it made sense.

So now—

——Seiya watched as the Hōgyoku's glow intensified, and his expression tensed with a mix of anticipation and apprehension.

One side held the absolute will of the Soul King, a force of undeniable supremacy.

The other belonged to Ichibē Hyōsube, the Zero Division Monk who served as the Soul King's personal enforcer.

Which of them had higher authority?

Which of them would ultimately override the other?

Seiya waited with bated breath.

…

Far above, in the Soul King's Palace—

The unchanging blue sky stretched endlessly, unshaken and eternal.

Today, too, would be a peaceful day.

Or so it should have been.

Ichibē Hyōsube's pleasant smile suddenly froze.

He felt it.

The black ink he had painted upon Seiya's Zanpakutō—

Something was trying to erase it.

His mouth opened slightly, his throat tensing.

Then, the corners of his lips curved into a strange grin.

"…Ho?"

He had expected resistance.

But he hadn't thought it would come this quickly. And more than that—

This wasn't just resistance.

Raising his head, Ichibē turned toward the towering, imposing Soul King's Palace behind him.

Soul King…

If this is your will… If this is what you desire…

Then as your loyal servant, I have no choice but to acknowledge it.

Lowering his gaze, Ichibē slowly bowed deeply toward the grand palace.

However—

"But teaching this arrogant young man a lesson… should still be fair, right?"

As the Soul King's enforcer, Ichibē made his decision.

…

In an instant.

Everything changed.

As anticipation filled Seiya's mind, his thoughts were suddenly cut off.

A black light erupted before his eyes, consuming everything in an instant.

Darkness.

Blinding.

He could see nothing.

He could hear nothing.

He could smell nothing.

He could say nothing.

Even his body—

Numb. Frozen. Breathless.

And then—

From within the abyss, a voice emerged.

Calm, yet laced with amusement.

"I see now."

"So this is your strategy?"

"Not bad, kid! I'm starting to like you."

"To think you'd use the Soul King's power to suppress me."

"That must mean you've already figured out my name, huh? Good!"

"Even though your abilities have been sealed, it seems fate still won't let you escape this outcome."

"It's strange… I have no idea where you got your information, but at this point, it doesn't matter."

"Though I'm not exactly pleased, I can't deny—your strategy is flawless… Gahaha! I have to admit, I'm starting to look forward to seeing what you'll do."

"Seiya."

Hearing his name called—

The dazed young man slowly opened his eyes.

"Weak and insignificant, like an ant."

"But given time, your power may one day change the world."

"Your resolve, your will, your strength."

"I suppose even I can look forward to witnessing them."

"I am Ichibē Hyōsube, leader of the Zero Division, steward of the Soul King."

"Now then, now then, now then…"

"Take this name and fulfill the Soul King's expectations."

"Listen closely."

"The name of your Zanpakutō."

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