In front of the 8th Division's headquarters, even though it was still early, Uwabami Byakuya was already thinking about where to start his exciting nightlife.
Then, Uwabami Byakuya saw an 8th Division Shinigami reporting something to a familiar young female Shinigami.
The slender figure, holding a book and wearing glasses, was none other than Ise Nanao, the 10th Seat of the 8th Division.
She was also Kyōraku Shunsui's niece and Uwabami Byakuya's friend, someone he knew through books, just like Lisa.
Soon, the 8th Division Shinigami swiftly left, leaving Ise Nanao alone.
Uwabami Byakuya stepped forward, ready to greet her.
But seeing Ise Nanao's serious expression, Uwabami Byakuya asked curiously, "Did something happen?"
Hearing Uwabami Byakuya's inquiry, Ise Nanao replied with a heavy expression:
"Uwabami 7th Seat, something has happened in Rukongai. The 12th Division's technicians just discovered that a large number of Rukongai civilians have been disappearing over the past month.
The 12th Division has already reported the intelligence to the Captain Commander.
Just now, an investigation advance team consisting of ten Shinigami has already departed.
Now, all the divisions know about this."
Although Rukongai civilians were essentially consumables, the large-scale disappearances would still attract the attention of the Gotei 13.
This was because the number and strength of souls in Soul Society, the World of the Living, Hueco Mundo, and Hell needed to be maintained at equal levels, not more or less, otherwise the entire Shinigami world could potentially collapse.
Therefore, the Captain Commander dispatched ten Shinigami team members to investigate this matter immediately.
Hearing Ise Nanao's description, Uwabami Byakuya instantly thought of something.
It's about time.
Coincidentally, the system also sent a new prompt.
【Witness the Birth of the Visored (Special Mission 7)】
【On the night of the full moon, someone is conducting secret scientific research in a district of Rukongai. You decide to investigate and witness the birth of the Visored with your own eyes. 】
【Reward: Random Ability or Item】
Daily missions can steadily improve strength, like a slow and steady stream that gradually builds up.
Special missions, on the other hand, can lead to sudden wealth, and with good luck, you could get an EX-level ability, making you invincible.
However, special missions need to be triggered.
According to Uwabami Byakuya's observations, participating in the plot has the highest trigger rate.
Therefore, before reaching invincibility, Uwabami Byakuya didn't plan to drastically alter the plot.
After receiving a special mission, Uwabami Byakuya was delighted and comfortingly reassured Ise Nanao:
"Don't worry, nothing serious will happen.
Under the wise leadership of the Captain Commander and the Central 46, our Soul Society will definitely be prosperous and peaceful."
Ise Nanao stared at Uwabami Byakuya.
She always felt something off about Uwabami Byakuya's words.
The words were good, but coming from Uwabami Byakuya, they tasted different. She couldn't quite put her finger on what was wrong.
The two parted ways.
...
After some leisurely strolling, Uwabami Byakuya returned to his residence, humming a tune, with a cheerful mood.
The 1st Division offered excellent treatment, even seat officers could have their own houses, complete with small courtyards.
Uwabami Byakuya's courtyard wasn't as large as those of other captains, but it was sufficient for practicing swordsmanship. However, he usually trained in his room.
The reason was that he had set up powerful Kidō barriers throughout the entire house.
And not just one layer of barriers, but several.
Although the strength of these barriers was far inferior to the Sōkyoku, they were completely sufficient to block various surveillance methods.
After all, the Technical Development Bureau had just been established, and Aizen's "research project" had just reached a critical stage, there weren't that many black technologies available yet.
Uwabami Byakuya was so cautious, not only to guard against the ambitious Aizen, but also to prevent the Wandenreich.
Yhwach's seizure of the Soul King's Palace was indeed something else.
During the Thousand-Year Blood War, Yamamoto, the Captain Commander, showed off the invincible Ryūjin Jakka Bankai one second, and the next, Yhwach stole it from him.
All we can say is that he went peacefully, even his ashes were scattered.
Reaching his bedroom, Uwabami Byakuya activated his Reiatsu, and his waist-mounted Danku immediately released a faint white glow.
Instantly, the entire room was enveloped by an invisible layer of spatial power.
Now, it's foolproof.
In the room, Uwabami Byakuya sat cross-legged, placing Danku on his lap, and began his daily Zen of the Blade training.
A Shinigami's Zanpakutō is their core, equivalent to a sage's soul weapon.
Having a good Zanpakutō is incredibly important. If Aizen hadn't possessed a powerful Zanpakutō like Kyoka Suigetsu, he wouldn't have been able to deceive everyone.
Of course, this was also because Aizen had terrifying Reiatsu and strength.
In the hands of others, Kyoka Suigetsu wouldn't have had that kind of terrifying power to perfectly hypnotize a group of Shinigami captains.
After the Thousand-Year Blood War, Tōsen Kaname used the artifact Yoruichi Jingū to recreate Kyoka Suigetsu, but its power was incomparable to Aizen's Kyoka Suigetsu, literally like heaven and earth.
Of course, the strength of a Zanpakutō also depends on proficiency.
After all, a Shinigami's Zanpakutō is a manifestation of their soul, closely related to their mental will, personality, and experiences.
Training a Zanpakutō and achieving Bankai is actually also a transformation and sublimation of a Shinigami's mental will, even their soul.
Therefore, after Shikai and Bankai, a Shinigami's Reiatsu and strength will significantly increase.
A Shinigami who has mastered Bankai is simply on a completely different level compared to an ordinary Shinigami.
Don't be fooled by the seemingly common Bankai in the original story, even Black Star Kurosaki learned Bankai in three days.
It seems like Bankai is no big deal, but the truth is, every Shinigami capable of achieving Bankai is a major figure in Soul Society and Seireitei!
Zen of the Blade is one method of training a Zanpakutō.
This technique has been passed down in Soul Society for thousands of years.
The difficulty of Zen of the Blade is not low because it requires the practitioner to be absolutely focused, concentrating all their energy on their Zanpakutō.
At higher levels, after Zen of the Blade, a Shinigami can directly communicate with their Zanpakutō. This is extremely beneficial for controlling the Zanpakutō and achieving Bankai.
With the Shadow Clone Jutsu, Uwabami Byakuya mastered Zen of the Blade effortlessly.
He began to close his eyes and train.
As Uwabami Byakuya's consciousness sank in, the snow-white Danku glowed and emitted a cold light.
His mind gradually synchronized with Danku.
After a period of training, Uwabami Byakuya's connection with Danku became even closer.
Uwabami Byakuya looked at the calming Danku in his hand, and nodded with satisfaction.
Danku's appearance was that of a simple ancient long sword, with a subdued divine light and condensed sword energy.
Although a Shinigami's Zanpakutō is called a "sword," its released form can take various forms, from swords and spears to bows and arrows, axes, halberds, hooks, and forks, even various exotic weapons.
In terms of appearance, Uwabami Byakuya's style was unremarkable, it could only be described as simple and elegant.
However, Danku's ability is a bug.