Chapter 129 - Past and Future, World and World!

Chapter 129 - Past and Future, World and World!

In the Soul Society, at the Sōkyoku Hill.

When Gilgamesh saw Rukia tied to the execution platform, he instantly understood the timeline of this world.

However, while Gilgamesh knew, the others who had come with him to conquer this world did not. For them, this world belonged to a future timeline, so they had no idea what had transpired.

Still, based on the current scene, they were able to deduce some things.

For instance, it was clear that Rukia had violated the laws of the Soul Society, and it must have been a serious offence, given that she was sentenced to the Sōkyoku execution.

This piqued their curiosity. What exactly had Rukia done to deserve such a punishment?

At this moment, Gilgamesh spoke, "Rukia, go and save yourself from this world."

The Rukia standing next to Gilgamesh, dressed in her Shihakushō and wearing the expedition army's haori, nodded slightly. Without hesitation, she used Shunpo and swiftly approached the execution platform.

Just as the Sōkyoku, the massive phoenix with the power of a million Zanpakutō, began its attack, Rukia appeared beside Ichigo at Rukia's side.

Ichigo had been about to say something to Rukia, but when he saw another Rukia, he froze in shock.

His gaze darted back and forth between the two Rukias, and in utter disbelief, he mumbled, "Why... why are there two Rukias?!"

It wasn't just Ichigo who was stunned. Rukia herself, bound to the platform, looked equally shocked. She couldn't help but ask, "Who are you?!"

Rukia didn't answer either Ichigo or her self. Standing tall and calm, she stared at the Sōkyoku, which was diving down, its fiery heat suffocatingly intense.

The bound Rukia finally reacted and urgently warned, "Get out of here! That's the Sōkyoku! It has the power of a million Zanpakutō—there's no way you can—"

Ichigo, trying to suppress his confusion, drew Zangetsu from his back, ready to intervene.

But before either of them could act, Rukia drew her own Zanpakutō, speaking softly, "Dance, Sode no Shirayuki."

As she uttered the command, Rukia gracefully swung her Zanpakutō, tracing an arc in the air before her, chanting, "First Dance, Tsukishiro."

In the next instant, a brilliant white light shot into the sky. To those watching from below the execution platform, it seemed as though the world had been turned upside down, with a crescent moon rising, casting a dazzling pillar of light in Rukia's path.

Then, the shocking sight unfolded.

As the Sōkyoku plunged into the pillar of light, the flames surrounding it were instantly suppressed, and its movements became sluggish.

From their close vantage point, both Ichigo and Rukia found the scene before them eerily beautiful, momentarily lost in the sight.

Rukia didn't strike again. Instead, she calmly cut the ropes binding herself and carried her off the execution platform.

As the two Rukias escaped, the Sōkyoku broke free from Tsukishiro's restraints and continued its charge toward the platform where Ichigo stood.

Realizing the danger, Rukia cried out in terror, "Ichigo, run!!"

Her memory of Ichigo was still from the time they spent in the human world. Back then, there was no way he could have stood against the Sōkyoku.

Thinking this, Rukia instinctively turned to look at herself.

Though Rukia didn't fully understand what was happening, her instincts told her that was indeed herself, perhaps from when she was much younger.

She wanted to ask this Rukia to save Ichigo.

But before she could shift her gaze, she saw Ichigo pull out his Zanpakutō and slash at the Sōkyoku, his sheer power managing to halt the giant phoenix in its tracks.

With a slight smile, Ichigo's entire body surged with spiritual pressure as he shouted, "Getsuga Tenshō!!"

A wave of compressed spiritual energy shot forth, striking the Sōkyoku and sending it flying back.

Taking advantage of the moment, Ichigo used Shunpo to leave the execution platform and chased after Rukia.

Below the platform, the captains watched in stunned silence, their minds reeling.

Setting aside the sudden appearance of another Rukia, just the fact that Ichigo, a recently empowered Substitute Shinigami, had managed to repel the Sōkyoku was unbelievable.

Yamamoto's expression was dark and stormy.

Under normal circumstances, Yamamoto would have already moved against Rukia and Ichigo.

But now, he could feel a distinct energy targeting him.

As much as he hated to admit it, Yamamoto felt an undeniable sense of danger from this presence.

He knew the source of this energy—it came from the other version of himself aboard Vimana.

The other captains present, however, didn't share this awareness.

Still, they were deeply concerned about the other Gotei 13 aboard Vimana—or rather, the fake versions of themselves.

They knew they were real, which meant the others had to be fakes.

Could they be modified souls?

But even the Shinigami Research and Development Institute couldn't create modified souls that looked and acted exactly like them, down to their mannerisms.

More importantly, what was the purpose behind creating these duplicates of the Gotei 13? Surely, no one would go to such lengths—spending so much time, money, and effort—just to create these copies without a reason.

Their minds swirled with confusion and doubt.

Soi Fon, the commander of the Stealth Force and captain of the Second Division, pushed aside her concerns. She knew that the immediate priority was to capture the escaping Rukia.

As for the imposters, she trusted that Yamamoto would deal with them.

Without hesitation, Soi Fon used Shunpo and rushed toward Rukia.

Aboard Vimana, just as Soi Fon moved, Gilgamesh turned to the Soi Fon from the past, who was nearby. "Go. Test your future self and see how much you've grown over the decades."

Past Soi Fon obeyed immediately, vanishing from Vimana in a flash.

On the Sōkyoku Hill, aside from Soi Fon and Yamamoto, Byakuya, Shunsui, and Ukitake were also present.

Gilgamesh turned to the past versions of Byakuya, Shunsui, and Ukitake, instructing them, "You go as well."

Without hesitation, they leaped into action, heading into battle.

However, Gilgamesh didn't send the past Yamamoto into the fray.

If the past and future versions of Yamamoto were to fight, the clash could very well destroy the entire Soul Society.

Moreover, Yamamoto's power had already reached the limit of what a Shinigami could achieve. No matter how hard he trained over the past few decades, it was unlikely his power had increased unless he broke through those limits.

Of course, the past Yamamoto had already surpassed those limits, thanks to Hōgyoku and the help of Hikifune.

If he were to engage in battle, he would undoubtedly defeat the future Yamamoto.

Not just Yamamoto—everyone who had followed Gilgamesh on this expedition had grown stronger over the past year, under his guidance.

The most notable improvements were in Renji and Rukia.

Without looking at the ongoing battles on the Hill, Gilgamesh turned to Aizen from the past and said, "The chaos in this Soul Society was caused by your future self."

"I trust you know why. Whether you wish to meet him is up to you."

Past Aizen paused, a flash of realization crossing his face. He nodded and said, "My King, I shall meet him."

With that, Aizen used Shunpo and disappeared into the distance.

At the same time, Zaraki from the past could no longer sit still. "My King, can I go and fight my future self?" he asked eagerly.

After receiving Gilgamesh's approval, Zaraki left Vimana, excited to seek out his future counterpart.

Gilgamesh knew that, in the current Soul Society, only members of the Zero Division, Yamamoto, or Unohana could challenge past Kenpachi.

As for future Kenpachi...

Woosh!

Suddenly, the future Yamamoto appeared aboard Vimana, his gaze immediately locking onto Gilgamesh, who sat on the throne.

Even future Yamamoto felt the overwhelming pressure of Gilgamesh's regal presence, his body growing heavy with tension.

Weighed down by this aura, future Yamamoto glanced at his past self, standing silently by Gilgamesh's side. He then asked, "Who are you, and what is your purpose here?"

Gilgamesh, uninterested in explaining, glanced at Hitsugaya from the past, signaling for him to answer.

Had Urahara or Mayuri been here, they would have handled the explanation better, but they remained in the original world for more pressing matters.

Understanding his role, past Hitsugaya stepped forward, addressing future Yamamoto. "We are the Uruk Multiversal Empire Expeditionary Force, led by the King to conquer this world."

Future Yamamoto furrowed his brow.

He understood the word "conquer," but why say "this world"? Why specify?

Sensing his confusion, Hitsugaya elaborated, "We come from another world—one where the timeline is about 40 years in the past compared to this world."

Future Yamamoto's pupils contracted sharply, shock and disbelief spreading across his usually composed face.

Hitsugaya pulled out a small projection device and began playing a video. "Here, take a look at this."

As the video played, future Yamamoto's eyes were glued to the screen, his expression shifting with each passing second.

Meanwhile, on the Sōkyoku Hill...

Battlefields unfolded, past and future versions of captains engaging each other in fierce combat.

Kyōraku from the past and future fought in a laid-back, probing manner, testing each other cautiously in line with their personalities.

After some back-and-forth, past Kyōraku revealed the truth to his future self.

At first, future Kyōraku refused to believe it.

Not because the truth was too outlandish, but because the idea that his past self was stronger than him was something he could not accept.

As for the two Ukitakes, rather than fighting, they were sitting together, chatting like old friends.

"Are you really from the past?" future Ukitake asked.

"Absolutely," past Ukitake confirmed. "By the way, where's Kaien in this future? I haven't seen him."

"Kaien... died," future Ukitake said, his face filled with sorrow.

Suddenly, a familiar voice chimed in, "Just as the King foresaw, the future version of me died as well."

Future Ukitake spun around, eyes widening in disbelief as he saw Kaien standing beside him, looking wistful.

At that moment, future Ukitake finally believed the unbelievable truth.

Meanwhile, the battle between past and future Soi Fon and Byakuya raged fiercely, with both sides fighting at full strength, the ground shaking and crumbling beneath their feet.

In another part of the battlefield, Aizen from the past confronted Aizen from the future.

By this point, future Aizen had already gravely wounded Rukia and seriously injured Ichigo.

They could only watch helplessly as future Aizen approached Rukia.

Seeing this, past Aizen appeared in an instant, standing between Rukia and his future self.

Future Aizen stared at his counterpart in shock, struggling to keep his composure.

He knew this other Aizen was himself.

But how... how could this be possible?

Before future Aizen could speak, two more figures appeared.

They both looked at Ichigo with curiosity. "So this is our son in the future?" they asked.

Ichigo's eyes widened in disbelief. His voice trembled as he stammered, "Dad... Mom?!"

Yes, the two figures standing before him were Isshin and Masaki.

Or rather, the younger versions of Isshin and Masaki.

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