Aizen's sche had dealt a devastating blow to the Soul Society.
Two Captains defected.
One Captain died.
From any perspective, the damage was imasurable.
The ryoka invasion brought with it a massive influx of wounded.
The battle power of Ichigo Kurosaki and his group was overwhelming for ordinary Shinigami.
Forget Ichigo—even Chad alone could defeat dozens of Eleventh Division mbers within minutes.
Only seated officers and above could stand against them at all.
Because of this, the Fourth Division's main dical ward was bursting at the seams.
And the Captains weren't spared either.
First & Second Division: Lieutenant Sasakibe and Ōmaeda were both knocked out by a single strike from Ichigo. Their injuries were moderate.
Sixth Division: Lieutenant Renji Abarai challenged Byakuya. Even after Shimo's brief treatnt, Zabimaru was completely severed and had to be sent to the Shinigami Research and Developnt Institute for repairs.
Seventh Division: Captain Komamura was ambushed by Tōsen and was now critically wounded, unconscious and on the brink.
Ninth Division: Lieutenant Hisagi Shūhei, nearly killed by Gin's Kamishini no Yari, was still in treatnt.
Tenth Division: Captain Hitsugaya, after breaking out of jail, freezing the Sōkyoku, and shielding Hinamori from Aizen's killing blow, was not doing much better.
Eleventh Division: Captain Zaraki Kenpachi, Third Seat Madara Ikkaku, and Fifth Seat Ayasegawa Yumichika were defeated by Ichigo and were still recovering.
Twelfth Division: Captain Kurotsuchi Mayuri and Lieutenant Nemu were defeated by Ishida. Mayuri's injuries were severe enough that his entire body needed reconstruction.
As for Third Division, they had essentially done nothing this entire incident.
The reason?
They were still stationed in the Human World to prevent further Hollow outbreaks; all officers of seated rank and above remained deployed.
Furthers still—Captain Ukitake Jūshirō had a relapse of illness at the worst ti and was recuperating in the infirmary at Ugendō.
Shimo could only feel sympathy for Ukitake's misfortune.
And yet, there was soone whose condition was even worse than all others—
Fifth Division Lieutenant—Hinamori Momo.
Aizen's ticulous manipulations had nearly destroyed her completely.
Now she was like a puppet whose strings had been cut—spirit broken, expression empty, eyes lifeless.
According to the specialists, she was no longer fit to serve as a Lieutenant…
Not even fit to serve as a Shinigami.
Her friends—Kira, Renji, and others—were worried, but after hearing the expert diagnosis, they could only accept it.
For now, Hinamori was relieved of all duties and placed in the Fourth Division for long-term care.
When she would recover…
No one could say.
Thus, the Fourth Division grew even more overcrowded.
---
anwhile—Hueco Mundo
Across a barren desert of pale cliffs and endless winds, a towering white palace rose amidst the sand.
Hollows scavenged weakly around the outskirts, seeking scraps of spiritual energy—though they dared not approach the vast spiritual pressure emanating from the palace itself.
Inside Las Noches, three figures occupied the hall:
Gin Ichimaru stood silently, expression unreadable.
At his feet lay the damaged corpse of Tōsen Kana.
On the throne at the center, Aizen Sōsuke sat calmly, gaze unreadably serene.
"Gin," Aizen said suddenly, breaking the silence.
"What do you think of Shimo?"
Gin paused, then answered truthfully:
"…Strong. Strong enough to make feel a kind of fear I can't suppress."
Aizen lowered his gaze to Tōsen's body.
"A fair assessnt," he replied softly.
"But it ignores sothing else."
Gin blinked, surprised.
"Sothing more important than his strength?"
Aizen's voice remained level.
"As I've said before—Shimo's greatest threat isn't his strength. "
"It's his potential."
"Yamamoto Genryūsai is the strongest Shinigami in Soul Society's history.
But Shimo…
Shimo may be the greatest potential Soul Society has ever seen."
Gin's eyes widened, shock finally breaking through his composure.
"Lord Aizen…"
"You're comparing him directly with Head Captain Yamamoto?"
Aizen chuckled quietly.
"I'm not comparing them."
"I'm saying that in terms of threat—Shimo surpasses Yamamoto."
---
Back in Soul Society
With all wounded gathered in the Fourth Division, Unohana Retsu and Kotetsu Isane were overwheld.
Unexpectedly, Shiba Kūkaku adapted perfectly to the Fourth Division lifestyle.
After receiving multiple comndations for her contributions, Kūkaku was promoted to Fourth Seat, right below Isane.
Her relationship with Unohana also improved drastically.
She often visited the Captain's quarters during breaks to discuss healing techniques and battlefield trauma care.
As for the Lieutenant of the Fourth Division—
Shimo suddenly found himself with absolutely nothing to do.
He had expected a short rest period.
Instead, Kyōraku Shunsui arrived and shattered the illusion.
---
Fourth Division – Sixth Relief Unit Barracks
Shimo sighed as he looked at Shunsui and Nanao.
"So… the Head Captain is really in that much of a rush?"
"I don't think this is the ti for making quick decisions."
Shunsui looked just as exasperated.
"Believe , I agree."
"But when the old man hands down an order, I can't exactly throw it back."
He continued:
"Three divisions have no Captains—Third, Fifth, and Ninth.
The Fifth doesn't even have a Lieutenant anymore.
Naturally… certain people are being considered."
Shimo interrupted calmly:
"You want to choose one of those three divisions and take the Captain's seat?"
Shunsui froze.
"…How did you know?"
Shimo poured himself a glass of sake and finished it.
"Isn't it obvious?
After what I displayed at Sōkyoku Hill, the Head Captain's eyes have been… different.
And with three vacancies, I'm the only Lieutenant qualified enough."
Shunsui tried to reject that but realized—
Shimo was absolutely correct.
He coughed awkwardly.
"Ahem… yes, well—That's the situation.
You turned down the offer to lead the Tenth Division last ti.
This ti, you won't be allowed to slip away."
Nanao left behind several bottles of sake "collected" from the Eighth Division stockpile, then followed Shunsui out.
Shunsui's complaints about "precious stolen sake" echoed down the hall.
...
Once alone, Shimo sat on the tatami mat and closed the door behind him.
Yamamoto's intention didn't surprise him.
The mont he revealed his true power, this outco beca inevitable.
He considered the three divisions:
Third Division – Support Division: free to move, support all units except the Fourth Division.
Fifth Division – Rescue Division: works closely with the Fourth Division, less freedom.
Ninth Division – Internal Affairs: protects the Seireitei, manages communications and publications.
Shunsui's long romance novel The Rose-Colored Path was published under the Ninth Division and had huge popularity—even among noble circles.
Shimo didn't think long.
He chose the Third Division.
The reason was simple—freedom and mobility.
As the Support Division, he could travel anywhere under the pretext of assisting.
If he encountered any "check-in tasks," he could move freely without suspicion.
With his decision made, Shimo turned to the system panel.
He had been anticipating the previous reward for so ti.
[Check–In Task Complete — Reward Distributing]
[Congratulations, Host: You have obtained Limitless Reiatsu!]
A chanical voice sounded.
Shimo felt his body and soul beginning to transform.
If his forr spiritual pressure was gaseous—Now it condensed into a solid state.
His vast spiritual pressure volu shrank, but his strength increased steadily, like ascending a spiritual staircase one step at a ti.
More importantly, he sensed a transformation within his soul—similar to when he had broken through a dinsion before.
"Is this the necessary step to surpass the Shinigami dinsion…?"
His spiritual pressure compressed little by little, reshaping itself.
The process lasted half an hour.
During that ti, he suppressed his spiritual pressure to prevent it from affecting the surroundings.
Even so, the guard outside—Rokushima Yūsuke—felt a cosmic, star-like pressure crushing against him.
Sweat drenched his uniform as he stood trembling, but he remained loyal and unwavering at his post.
Finally—
Shimo retracted his spiritual pressure.
Yusuke collapsed, drenched in cold sweat.
Shimo opened his eyes, a sharp gleam flashing within.
"It's ti… to challenge the 100,000th step of the Staircase of Ti."
------------------------------///
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