Chapter 91: The Espada Overseer; The Captains' Simulacra

The Soul Society's handling of Urahara Kisuke's case was extremely cautious.

After all, they had already suffered significant losses because of him.

One incident occurred over sixty years ago when Urahara's Hollowfication experiment caused the captains of the 3rd, 5th, 7th, and 9th Divisions, as well as the vice-captain of the 8th Division and the vice-commander of the Kidō Corps, to undergo Hollowfication. This dealt a heavy blow to the Soul Society.

To put it into perspective, the Soul Society only had thirteen captains at the time. With four captains Hollowfied and the captains of the 2nd and 12th Divisions rebelling, nearly half of the captains were compromised, reducing the Soul Society's combat strength to its lowest point!

When Aizen betrayed the Soul Society, he once said—

"The greatest strength of the Gotei 13 lies in its thirteen captains. However, with three captains rebelling and four trapped in Hueco Mundo, the Soul Society's combat power has been severely weakened."

This statement perfectly applied to the Hollowfication incident as well.

But the Hollowfication incident was just the beginning. Subsequent abnormal events related to Hollows in the Soul Society were also attributed to Urahara Kisuke.

For example, during the little game Aizen and Haruki played, the unfortunate captain of the 3rd Division who died...

And finally...

The mysterious bull-headed Hollow incident.

In the eyes of the Soul Society, Urahara Kisuke was nothing short of a "heinous criminal." Naturally, they were extremely cautious about how to deal with him.

The main reason was that they still didn't fully understand the principles of Hollowfication. They feared that any Shinigami they sent out might fall victim to Urahara's schemes and undergo Hollowfication again.

Therefore, during this time, they ordered the Technology Development Bureau to create a device that could block Hollowfication. Until such a device was developed, the Central 46 was not prepared to recklessly pursue Urahara Kisuke.

According to the intelligence Haruki had received, the 12th Division seemed to be close to completing a similar invention. Once this invention was finished, it would be time for the Gotei 13 to settle accounts with Urahara Kisuke.

That was why Haruki had brought this up to Aizen.

He believed that Aizen's decision to Arrancarize the Hollows in Las Noches at this time was also part of his plan to stir up trouble in the near future.

Aizen's words implied that he thought Urahara Kisuke was wasting his time in the human world. For someone with such extraordinary intellect, he should be fully utilizing his talents instead of hiding in a small town as a convenience store owner.

As for Aizen's next plans, Haruki wasn't entirely sure. However, the battlefield would likely be in Hueco Mundo.

It seemed these Arrancars would soon be put to use.

It looked like Haruki's arrival was finally having a significant impact on the storyline. A major battle between Hollows and Shinigami was about to break out, even before Ichigo Kurosaki was born.

Haruki followed Aizen back to the main hall of Las Noches. Aizen sat on his throne, and in front of him was a holographic screen displaying information about various Menos Grande.

These Hollows had been gathered by Haruki over the past three years.

Nelliel had chosen to stay in Hueco Mundo because she saw the future of Hueco Mundo in Aizen.

Hollows like her were rare. Most Hollows had come for Aizen's power.

"In just three years, you've achieved so much. Murakami, you've done well," Aizen said with a light smile as he reviewed the data on the Menos Grande.

"I've always been diligent when working for you, Captain Aizen," Haruki replied with a smile. "So, have you decided who will become the Espada?"

"This matter will be left to you, the Espada Overseer," Aizen said, closing the screen. "You're in charge of selecting the Espada."

Originally, Tōsen Kaname had been the Espada Overseer. However, since Haruki had been stationed in Hueco Mundo for so long, no one was more suited for the role than him.

In other words, it was now Haruki's responsibility to choose who would become the Espada.

"I have a bit of a selection phobia," Haruki sighed. "Captain Aizen, you always leave these troublesome tasks to me."

"You often delegate tasks to Momo as well," Aizen said. "It's time for you to take on some responsibility."

"Fine, I'll deal with this later."

Haruki rubbed his temples, looking troubled. "I need to go home today."

"I promised Captain Kyōraku I'd have a drink with him last time. I can't send a fake to meet him."

"That old fox," Aizen said softly. "If Captain Kyōraku notices any flaws, you won't be able to continue working under me."

"Got it, got it," Haruki said as he walked toward the exit.

Just before leaving, he suddenly stopped and turned back to look at Aizen sitting on his throne. "By the way... Captain Aizen, the task you assigned me has been completed by Loly."

"That's a very convenient ability," Aizen said, seemingly praising Loly but also hinting at Haruki. "Let them act freely."

"Understood."

Haruki nodded and then left the hall, returning to his room.

His room was connected to a large laboratory, which belonged to Haruki himself. Over the past three years, he had been conducting small experiments here.

He always kept in mind that science and technology were the primary productive forces!

"Master Haruki."

At this moment, Loly had also completed her Arrancarization. However, as a mere Adjuchas, even after being enhanced by the Hōgyoku, only half of her mask had broken off.

Her eyes were gray, and she had medium-length black hair and a slender figure, though her gaze lacked vitality.

Seeing Haruki enter, she said respectfully, "Everything is ready."

"Good work."

Haruki spoke kindly, then turned his attention to the twelve capsule-like devices in the room, similar to the incubation tanks used for White.

Inside these tanks were twelve souls.

Haruki narrowed his eyes and looked at the faces of these twelve souls.

"Urahara Kisuke, what a remarkable genius."

Haruki murmured softly. "The 'Soul Simulacrum'... what an interesting invention."

In the Soul Society, any Shinigami—no, even a student or a spoiled noble—would be shocked to see these twelve souls.

Because these twelve souls...

Were the twelve captains of the Gotei 13!

Aside from Aizen Sōsuke, the captain of the 5th Division, the other twelve captains were all inside these incubation tanks!

Of course, these weren't the real captains. They were 'simulacra' created through a special method.

Urahara Kisuke was indeed a genius.

Even Aizen firmly believed this.

Many people knew that the Onmitsukidō possessed a special spiritual tool called the 'Sōkyoku,' which helped users achieve Bankai.

A Shinigami's training with their Zanpakutō revolved around Shikai and Bankai.

Shikai required the Shinigami to 'communicate' and 'synchronize' with their Zanpakutō, while Bankai required the Zanpakutō to 'materialize' and 'submit.'

Generally, it took at least ten years of training to achieve materialization.

However, using the Sōkyoku made this process much easier. By stabbing the Zanpakutō into the Sōkyoku, the Zanpakutō would be forcibly materialized.

If the user could make the Zanpakutō submit during this time, they could achieve Bankai.

However, aside from Urahara Kisuke, no one else had been able to accomplish this.

Yet, few people knew...

Urahara Kisuke had also developed a tool similar to the Sōkyoku, called the 'Soul Simulacrum.'

The Soul Simulacrum's function was to use the user's memories, amplify them, and create a perfect replica of the user to serve as a training opponent.

Like the Sōkyoku, it was a tool designed to enhance the user's combat abilities.

If the Soul Simulacrum was used in conjunction with Loly's Negación threads and Aizen's Hōgyoku, it could create long-lasting 'simulacra.'

These simulacra were almost identical to the originals and could even achieve a higher level of 'unity between person and sword.'

Of course, this unity couldn't compare to the real thing. It was merely slightly stronger than the original, as initially designed by the Soul Simulacrum.

Urahara Kisuke's original purpose for developing the Soul Simulacrum was to help users continuously break through their limits by fighting a version of themselves that was slightly stronger, thereby surpassing their past selves.

Even with Loly's Negación threads and Aizen's Hōgyoku, the simulacra's power wasn't enhanced. Instead, their duration was extended.

Each simulacrum could survive outside the tanks for at least a month.

If Loly continued to provide Negación threads, they could survive even longer.

According to Aizen's plan, these fake captains would be sent into the Soul Society.

Controlling these captains wouldn't be easy, so once they were in the Soul Society, what they did would be out of Haruki's hands.

His only responsibility was to deploy them.

"Loly, get ready. I'll open a Garganta later, and we'll send them all in."

"Yes, Master Haruki," Loly replied respectfully.

Haruki glanced at Loly and then at her soul ability.

It wasn't easy for Hollows to develop soul abilities. Even if their spiritual power met the requirements, some Hollows who appeared in the original story didn't have soul abilities.

For example, Loly, who had a brief appearance in the original story, might not have had a soul ability before becoming an Arrancar due to her limited screen time.

It wasn't until she completed her Arrancarization that her soul ability manifested.

Loly's soul ability was 'Negación Loom.'

Negación Loom: Can only be used after permanent acquisition. Generates a special organ capable of producing Negación threads.

Given Loly's personality, experiences, and abilities, the Negación Loom was the most suitable soul ability for her.

However, this ability didn't seem much different from simply acquiring someone else's abilities.

Although Loly was loyal to Haruki, her favorability was only in the thirties. This was because Loly was a modified Menos Grande with inherent emotional deficiencies.

In a sense, she had no sense of self.

Therefore, raising Loly's favorability was difficult. Haruki was trying to find a way to repair her soul defects and restore her emotional system.

Of course, this was a long and arduous task.

Looking at the captains' 'simulacra,' Haruki fell into deep thought.

Wasn't this similar to the anime's original 'Reigai Arc'? And Loly would be... Kageroza Inaba?

After pondering for a while, Haruki activated his Hollowfication.

He opened a Garganta and entered the Soul Society.

Soon, Loly would deploy the captains' 'simulacra' as well. It was best for him to leave first.

Haruki deactivated his Hollowfication and quickly made his way toward the Seireitei.

This time, he entered through the East Gate, Seireimon, and greeted the gatekeeper, Kūkaku Shiba, before entering the Soul Society.

Tonight, he had promised to have a drink with Kyōraku Shunsui, but this was just an excuse to return to the Soul Society.

Haruki returned to the Soul Society to go home, to his safe house.

Only in his safe house could he avoid all surveillance.

After Stark's enhancement by the Hōgyoku, Haruki noticed that this Vasto Lorde Arrancar's favorability toward him had finally reached sixty.

Although it was still far from eighty, this meant Haruki could use the 'Soul Split' ability once.

He planned to return home and see what this 'Soul Split' was all about.

He needed a doppelganger to handle tasks that were inconvenient for him to do personally.

Since he was almost constantly under Aizen's surveillance, there were many things he couldn't do.

Tonight's meeting with Kyōraku Shunsui provided the perfect opportunity to return to his safe house and complete this task.

Of course, this would have to wait until after his drink with Kyōraku. After all, this was his first time attempting something like this, and he wasn't sure what would happen.

There was no need to cause trouble right before meeting Kyōraku.

With this in mind, Haruki hurried toward the 5th Division.

"Hey, Tōshirō~"

As soon as Haruki returned, he saw Hitsugaya Tōshirō and greeted him. "What are you up to?"

"I'm on patrol," Hitsugaya sighed. "What about you? Where have you been all day?"

"Captain Aizen must be overworked with a vice-captain like you."

"Haha," Haruki laughed. "I'm going to have a drink with Captain Kyōraku later. Want to join?"

Hitsugaya Tōshirō was currently the 3rd Seat of the 5th Division. Although he had only recently joined, he had already become the third most important figure in the division.

Momo, who had graduated earlier, was only the 6th Seat.

The next step would be to transfer him to the 13th Division.