Having roughly estimated the strength comparison between friend and foe, Yamamoto's heart settled slightly, and his gaze swept over everyone.
"The most important thing now is to figure out how the First Generation Captains left Hell."
"If something truly went wrong in Hell, allowing the Togabito inside to escape, it would be an unimaginable disaster for the entire world."
Yamamoto's expression was solemn; he propped his hands on the table, slowly stood up, and said in a deep voice.
The original purpose of this meeting was to discuss the search for the Wandenreich with the Captain.
But who knew, one wave hadn't settled before another rose; the Wandenreich issue hadn't been resolved, and now there was another big problem.
A bigger problem than the Wandenreich!
In this world, if there was any threat that could make even the strongest Shinigami in a thousand years feel helpless, it was undoubtedly Hell.
For a million years, almost all the deceased with spiritual power above third-class, meaning Captain-class Souls, whether Shinigami or Hollow, were sent to Hell.
Based on what he learned from the Yomotsuki Family, Yamamoto knew that the beings in Hell were immortal and indestructible.
Even if killed, they would resurrect in Hell until their hearts turned to sand.
If what the Yomotsuki Family said was true, even if most Souls turned to sand over a million years, the remaining Captain-class might still be numerous.
After all, the First Generation Captains were still there, and in these thousand years, he himself had sent countless people to Hell.
Regardless of earlier times, this combined total would absolutely be an astonishing number.
Yamamoto's eyes narrowed slightly, recalling the combat situation with Shihoin Chika.
When had his most mischievous old comrade ever shown such a dull, wooden expression?
Rather than harboring malice towards him or Soul Society, it was more like his body was being manipulated by something, almost like a puppet.
Moreover...
If someone escaped from Hell, shouldn't the Yomotsuki Family, who had been observing Hell, have notified him immediately?
Why was there no reaction at all, requiring him to send someone to invite them?
Just as he was thinking, a Advance Team Squad members ran in.
"Report! Captain-Commander, the Yomotsuki Family's elder has arrived and is waiting outside!"
Finally!
Yamamoto raised his eyebrows.
If the Yomotsuki Family hadn't come, he would have paid them a visit even if it meant offending the Five Great Noble Houses.
Not long after, an old man walked in, leaning on a cane.
It was Yomotsuki Hoshi, whom Aozaki Reiji had met once.
It was this old man who had previously discussed the issue of Kenpachi Kiganjo's Soul with him.
The old man, with a solemn expression, bowed to everyone present.
After everyone returned the bow, he looked at Aozaki Reiji and, in a serious tone, began to inquire about the specific details of the entire matter.
After listening, Yomotsuki Hoshi's face showed shock, "So that's it... Hell's Will has actually come to the Three Worlds, no wonder we couldn't observe it."
"What does that mean?"
Kensei Muguruma asked subconsciously.
Under everyone's gaze, Yomotsuki Hoshi cleared his throat and slowly began to explain:
"Hell's Will is the guardian of Hell, and also the personification of Hell's rules."
"As the Captain know, Hell is where sinners are imprisoned."
"The existence of Hell's Will is to punish those Souls who committed heinous crimes in life."
"Their power contains special laws; no matter how powerful the Togabito are, they cannot resist."
"They will torment and kill the Togabito again and again, waiting for them to resurrect, and then continue."
"Repeating this, inflicting eternal suffering on the Togabito."
"They do not possess self-will, but exist as a part of Hell."
"Since they appeared in Soul Society and did not bring the First Generation Captains back."
"That means... the First Generation Captains are not fugitives! Instead, Hell's Will permitted them to come here!!"
"That's also why we couldn't detect any anomaly."
"It's shameful to admit, we can't interfere with Hell in the first place; for a long time, all we could do was observe it."
"And now it doesn't want us to see, so we can't see anything and are completely helpless."
Kensei Muguruma scratched his head, a bit puzzled; he felt his brain wasn't quite keeping up.
But even though he didn't quite understand, everyone else nodded, so he could only follow suit.
Yomotsuki Hoshi paid no mind, instead turning to Aozaki Reiji:
"Captain Aozaki, if I'm not mistaken, you saw Hell's Will merge with the First Generation Captains, right?"
Aozaki Reiji nodded:
"That's right, Hell's Will's reishi converged on Shihoin Chika, and everyone else was also clad in golden armor, with their eyes turning gold."
Yomotsuki Hoshi nodded:
"It seems that the First Generation Captains may not have attacked you voluntarily, but were controlled by Hell."
"However, Hell's actions in the Three Worlds should also be subject to some restrictions."
"Otherwise, it wouldn't use Hell's Will to control the First Generation Captains; instead, it would send an endless supply of Hell's Will directly to the Three Worlds."
Shiba Isshin stroked his chin, pondered for a moment, then asked:
"If Hell's Will suppresses those Togabito through rules, then perhaps their own strength isn't actually strong."
"Did Hell believe they couldn't pose a threat to us, which is why it didn't send them?"
Yomotsuki Hoshi shook his head:
"According to what we know, Vice-Captain-class attacks have almost no effect on Hell's Will."
"They might not be comparable to Captain-class, but they are undoubtedly a powerful fighting force."
The Captain immediately felt somewhat surprised.
As everyone knows, Shinigami are a group of high-offense, low-defense individuals.
The defensive power of Hell's Will clearly surpassed that of ordinary Captain-class Shinigami.
Seeing this, Yomotsuki Hoshi suddenly put on a serious expression.
"If the First Generation Captains were indeed sent by Hell's Will, then I hope the Captain can protect themselves."
"Hell's Will possesses special rule power; Souls killed by Hell's Will will fall into Hell and become Togabito."
"It stands to reason... the First Generation Captains who merged with Hell's Will likely possess the same power."
"The Three Worlds suppress the Hell Gate by relying on Reiatsu."
"If too many Captain-class spiritual pressures fall into Hell, it could cause a more severe imbalance between Hell and the Three Worlds' Reiatsu."
"At that time, the opening of the Hell Gate will be the true disaster!"
Hearing Yomotsuki Hoshi's words, the Captain' expressions all turned somewhat grim.
Those were the First Generation Gotei 13 Captain!
Referring to Unohana, whose true strength has gradually been revealed in recent years.
They are very likely a group of formidable individuals who can kill ordinary Captain-class Shinigami like dogs!!
Aozaki Reiji being able to disregard the First Generation Captains doesn't mean they can too.
Just thinking about encountering the First Generation Captains gives one a tingling sensation on their scalp.
"Especially Captain-Commander and Captain Unohana, and Captain Aozaki, I heard your Reiatsu has already surpassed Captain-Commander."
"Your Reiatsu is too powerful, even stronger than all the other Captain combined; no accidents must occur."
"Otherwise, for the entire Three Worlds, it will be a cataclysm!"
Yomotsuki Hoshi said seriously to the three in a steady voice.
Shunsui stroked his chin.
Indeed, as Yomotsuki Hoshi said, Aozaki Reiji's Reiatsu had already surpassed his teacher's.
It's unclear by how much stronger he is than his teacher, but it's definitely a massive, dimensional gap!
If Reiji were to fall into Hell, then this world might truly be completely finished.
Unbeknownst to him, that mischievous junior disciple had already become an important figure whose mere existence could affect the world's safety!