Chapter 557

"Didn't expect to run into you here. Captain Unohana, Captain Yoruichi, greetings." Byakuya spoke calmly. 

Meeting Hui, Retsu, and Yoruichi here was truly unexpected. 

Although his mission this time was indeed to find Hui.

"You've arrived just in time. Have a seat and some tea." Hui said, with a gentle wave of his hand. 

Whether it was Renji, tense and ready to flee at any moment, or Byakuya, inwardly solemn, or even Rukia and Ichigo, all were utterly bewildered, all vanished from their spots in an instant. 

When they reappeared, they were already in the living room of Hui's villa.

Hui's command over spatial manipulation could be said to have reached an inhuman realm entirely. 

These people simply had no power to resist before him.

And this display made Renji completely abandon any thought of escape. 

He knew that with facing someone who could manipulate space like this, his chances of escape were absolutely zero.

Compared to Renji, Byakuya was much calmer. 

As the head of the noble Kuchiki Clan in Soul Society, Byakuya possessed undeniable will power.

Not to mention, Retsu and Yoruichi were also here, and judging by their expressions, neither of them were being held captive or had suffered any harm.

Therefore, he understood that Hui was friendly towards them, the Shinigami, and that he himself was safe.

As for Rukia and Ichigo, they were still completely dumbfounded and clueless. 

But they weren't stupid either. They didn't speak out of turn, just sat obediently, observing secretly.

"The last time we met, Captain Kuchiki, your Zanpakuto left a deep impression on me. Those fluttering cherry blossoms yours, though only a fleeting sight, were truly unforgettable." Hui said with a gentle sigh.

This wasn't mere flattery. 

Although the power of Byakuya's Bankai, Senbonzakura Kageyoshi, wasn't all that impressive, in terms of sheer visual splendor, it ranked among the top in the entire Soul Society.

Hearing Hui's evaluation of his Bankai, Byakuya felt a complex mix of emotions. 

It turned out that his most powerful attack was, in Hui's eyes, merely beautiful. 

It sounded like praise, but why did it feel like a subtle mockery? This made Byakuya feel a pang of bitterness.

In the end, he could only say, "Thank you for your praise."

"Please." As he spoke, Hui controlled the teapot, pouring tea for everyone, and took a leisurely sip himself. 

As for why these people appeared here, what happened before, he had no intention of asking. 

After all, the moment these people came near him, they no longer held any secrets for themselves. 

All their thoughts were already perceived by Hui.

Faced with Hui's invitation, Byakuya and the others naturally dared not refuse. They obediently picked up their teacups, preparing to drink. 

This made the atmosphere in the living room rather strange. 

Facing this strange atmosphere, Rukia and Ichigo exchanged glances, seeing deep confusion and shock in each other's eyes.

Especially Rukia, she knew what kind of Shinigami Byakuya was. Though polite and with the air of a nobleman, he was proud to the core.

And now, Rukia saw restraint in Byakuya's demeanor, a kind of...lack of confidence. This made Rukia feel a sense of disbelief, unable to understand why it was so. 

However, her inner turmoil vanished the moment the tea touched her lips. Her body trembled involuntarily, her pupils dilated. 

Because in that instant, an extreme sense of exhilaration surged through her, as if she had taken a gulp of ice-cold cola on a scorching hot day. 

Every cell in her body rejoiced.

Not only Rukia, but Renji also shuddered, his expression changing. 

Even Byakuya, with his excellent composure, couldn't help but widen his eyes, his body stiffening for a moment. 

His inner world was in an uproar. This tea...was actually pure, concentrated reiryoku!!!

Looking at the crystal-clear tea, Byakuya found it hard to remain calm. reiryoku was invisible. Although the density of reiryoku varied from place to place, even the places with the densest reiryoku he had encountered couldn't compare to the outrageous concentration within this cup. This was reiryoku condensed into a physical form, a feat he couldn't accomplish, nor could any other Captain in Soul Society. 

No wonder Captain Retsu stayed here.

"Thank you for the tea. It's truly extraordinary." Byakuya praised, while inwardly pondering how to explain his purpose for coming. 

Hui caught this thought, and spoke, "May I ask what brings Captain Kuchiki here today?"

Hearing this, Byakuya inwardly let out a sigh of relief, then replied, "I apologize for the intrusion, but due to a major incident in Hueco Mundo, Captain Yamamoto sent me to discuss a matter with you."

Byakuya's expression turned grave. "We recently discovered that the Hollows in Hueco Mundo seem to be under the control of some force. Many Hollows have been launching organized attacks against Soul Society. Captain Yamamoto suspects that a ruler has emerged in Hueco Mundo, or perhaps...you..."

Byakuya stopped here, leaving the unspoken implication hanging in the air. 

Yamamoto suspected that Hui was behind the upheaval in Hueco Mundo.

"So that's how it is." Hui responded with a feigned look of understanding.

In fact, he knew better than anyone that the reason for the Hollows' unusual behavior was Aizen's control over Hueco Mundo. 

Therefore, Hui guessed that Aizen must have fused with the Hōgyoku, although at this point in time, the fusion was likely incomplete. 

This filled Hui with anticipation.

Before fusing with the Hōgyoku, Aizen relied on his Zanpakuto, Kyōka Suigetsu. 

However, Kyōka Suigetsu's ability was completely countered by Hui.

When it came to illusions and mental control, Hui was the true king. 

After fusing with the Hōgyoku, judging from the original story, Aizen's power would undergo significant changes, rising by more than just one level, and this power wouldn't come from Kyōka Suigetsu.

"Being able to control mindless Hollows, huh… I'm also very interested in the changes in Hueco Mundo. If Captain Yamamoto has any ideas, he can tell me. 

"Perhaps I can be of some assistance." Hui said, making it sound as if he and Yamamoto were close acquaintances. 

At least, that's how Ichigo perceived it. 

And Renji found it incredibly strange and unacceptable. 

'This guy just wreaked havoc in Soul Society and beat up all the Captains and Lieutenants! How can he act like he's close friends with Captain Yamamoto?!' He complained frantically in his mind, but didn't dare show any change in his expression, maintaining a look of quiet obedience.

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