In the First Division barracks, Uwahara Shirayuki was experimenting with the newly acquired "Omnipotent Barrier".
It had to be said, it was truly a powerful ability, just a little short of reaching SR level.
Regardless of whether it was Kidō, Hakuda, Zanjutsu, or even spatial abilities, nothing could penetrate the absolute defense of the "Omnipotent Barrier".
At least, not captain-level attacks.
The only problem was that the entry-level "Omnipotent Barrier" had a very short duration.
Now, Uwahara Shirayuki felt that his Shadow Clones were increasingly insufficient. There were too many abilities that needed to be improved.
Therefore, for something like the Shadow Clone technique, this BUG-level training cheat, the more the better.
After all, the higher the proficiency, the stronger the ability.
Once an ability reaches mastery, not only will its power increase, but it will generally not miss the opportunity to use it, which is crucial.
An ability reaching the pinnacle often undergoes a qualitative change. Like his Shadow Clone technique, it became much slower to improve after reaching its peak.
However, the Shadow Clone technique was an ability Uwahara Shirayuki used every day.
He believed it wouldn't be long before it was upgraded to the Perfect Realm.
At that time, his rate of improvement would become even more astonishing.
Next, Uwahara Shirayuki planned to use two Shadow Clones specifically to raise the level of the "Omnipotent Barrier".
Just like he had spent a lot of time in the past to enhance "Substitute: White Album".
Investing more time and effort into an S-class ability was never too much.
In the room, Uwahara Shirayuki continued to try to analyze the various characteristics of the "Omnipotent Barrier".
After all, it was a power-type ability, like a talent or a blessing, naturally carrying some mysterious information.
Through this information, Uwahara Shirayuki learned that the power of the "Omnipotent Barrier" was not only related to proficiency but also to power, or rather, faith.
Fortunately, Uwahara Shirayuki was no longer a mortal but a Shinigami.
Although the Shinigami in the Shinigami world were more like "melee mages," they indeed contained divine power, that is, the Shinigami power derived from the Soul King.
The complete Soul King was definitely considered the absolute ceiling of Shinigami strength, without exception. He was a being like a creator god.
Therefore, this Shinigami power was also very profound.
It was just that the Zero Division held onto too many powers, so ordinary Shinigami appeared relatively mediocre.
For example, Hyōsube Ichibē possessed the power of "names," which was a manifestation of power.
In other words, the ceiling for Shinigami was very high, after all, their source was the Soul King.
However, ordinary Shinigami simply couldn't touch that level, unless they obtained the Soul King's Reiatsu, becoming a "Key of the King".
Uwahara Shirayuki pondered that he should make a good impression on this trip to Hueco Mundo.
In a way, purifying Hollows was one of the duties of a Shinigami.
Through this, he could enhance the power of the Shinigami, in turn enhancing the strength of the "Omnipotent Barrier".
Combined with Shinigami power, this ability had a lot of room for development.
Uwahara Shirayuki already had many ideas about it.
However, he also knew that you couldn't eat a whole elephant in one bite and had to take it slowly.
After all, the development of an S-class ability was like a Shinigami's Bankai. It usually took a hundred or several hundred years to develop a truly ultimate technique.
...
While Uwahara Shirayuki was immersed in understanding the "Omnipotent Barrier," Ise Nanao was showcasing her Kidō skills to Kyōraku Shunsui.
Watching Nanao's Kidō effortlessly destroy the targets on the training ground designed specifically for high-ranking officers, Kyōraku Shunsui's pupils constricted.
Then, a look of delight appeared on Kyōraku Shunsui's face.
Nanao possessing such strength meant she finally had the initial means to protect herself.
This would put his mind at ease.
In his heart, Kyōraku Shunsui was already thinking about how to thank Uwahara Shirayuki. Should he book out all the top-ranked courtesans or bring out his treasured collection of fine wine and drink together until they were merry?
Or maybe, both?
Taking advantage of Kyōraku Shunsui's elation, Ise Nanao made a request: "Captain, can I participate in the Hueco Mundo mission this time?
I want to protect the Seireitei alongside Uwahara-sensei!"
"Ahahaha... Let's talk about that later!" Kyōraku Shunsui chuckled.
Then, he ignored Nanao's pleading gaze and ran to the First Division barracks to find Uwahara Shirayuki and celebrate properly.
If it wasn't for the fact that he had to start working on the strategic deployments for the Hueco Mundo expedition, these two would probably be indulging in pleasure and song every day for a long time.
Before the Hueco Mundo expedition began, Uwahara Shirayuki carried out various experiments.
In the end, he confirmed that only killing Hollows and Soul Burial, actual actions, could increase Shinigami power.
Superficial efforts wouldn't work at all. This kind of idealistic power was difficult to obtain through shortcuts.
However, these days of effort were not without effect.
The current "Omnipotent Barrier" was already at the proficient level, capable of lasting for about a minute.
But even if the time ran out, it was fine. He could just replenish it with another one.
It's just that the consumption of an S-class ability was quite high.
As his strength increased, Uwahara Shirayuki discovered that his Reiatsu was actually becoming insufficient.
Shinigami indeed had limits.
Even captain-level Reiatsu couldn't sustain such a powerful ability as the "Omnipotent Barrier".
At the very least, second-rank, or even first-rank Spiritual Pressure, would be barely enough.
Fortunately, he had daily missions that allowed him to steadily grow stronger, so there was no need to rush.
Just as Uwahara Shirayuki was enjoying life while steadily becoming stronger, the pre-war preparations for the Hueco Mundo expedition finally concluded.
War was all about logistics.
Even if only a few hundred elite Shinigami were ultimately qualified to go to Hueco Mundo, the manpower, resources, and various assets that needed to be mobilized along the way were still considerable.
After all, Shinigami, as spiritual beings, also needed to eat and drink.
Otherwise, the Shinigami's power would recover very slowly. If the environment was poor, they might even starve to death.
Soon, the high-ranking Shinigami of the Seireitei were summoned.
Here, Uwahara Shirayuki saw many familiar faces.
After all, anyone who could appear here was at least an elite Shinigami. The big shots who were rarely seen on ordinary days were basically all present.
Even Kuchiki Byakuya, the "arrogant" captain of the Thirteenth Division, was unusually not on sick leave.
At this moment, the gentle Kuchiki Byakuya was standing at the forefront of the crowd alongside Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni and Kyōraku Shunsui.
Kyōraku Shunsui winked at Uwahara Shirayuki in the crowd.
Even on such an occasion today, Kyōraku Shunsui still wore his straw hat and flamboyant red and pink haori, with an unconcerned expression.
Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni, at the forefront of the crowd, twitched the corner of his mouth, then slammed his cane heavily and said:
"I, as Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13, issue an order!
To form a Hueco Mundo advance force, drawing personnel from the Second, Eighth, and Eleventh Divisions: captains, vice-captains, and other elite Shinigami!
The Twelfth Division and the Technical Development Bureau will be responsible for technical support and logistics; the Fourth Division for treating the wounded; the Fifth Division for emergency rescue.
This mission will be led by the Eighth Division Captain, Kyōraku Shunsui, who will be responsible for overall coordination!
First Division Seventh Seat, Uwahara Shirayuki, will be the vice-commander, responsible for assisting the commander in handling expeditionary force affairs!"
Everyone was mentally prepared for the orders before that.
But the last order, apart from those who knew beforehand, shocked all the other captains and vice-captains.
A mere Seventh Seat, how could he be given such a great responsibility?