Chapter 58: The Invisible Empire is shaken, and the morale of the Court Army is boosted

Haschwalth's expression turned serious. "Who is it?"

A shinigami capable of shaking their entire observation network—how had such a powerful individual gone unnoticed?

Could it be… that child? The one rumored to possess the strongest ice-type Zanpakutō?

The technician straightened his back and responded respectfully, "Uehara Shiroha."

Haschwalth's brow furrowed. "Who?"

The name didn't belong to any of the thirteen Gotei 13 captains. Not even among the vice-captains.

The technician, sensing his confusion, elaborated. "Uehara Shiroha is the shinigami who has been very active in Hueco Mundo recently. He has proven difficult to track."

"That guy?"

Haschwalth finally recalled the name.

A strange shinigami—one who never seemed to step near the shadows, making him difficult for the Quincy to observe.

But wasn't he just a third seat? A nobody who wasn't even a vice-captain?

How could someone like that possess a Bankai this powerful?

His memory painted Uehara Shiroha as nothing more than a frivolous playboy, someone with no particular ambition or value. A man who indulged in extravagance wherever he went, enjoying the luxuries of life without a care in the world.

And yet, now he was being labeled as a top-tier powerhouse?

Haschwalth's fingers tightened around the document as the technician handed it over.

"Due to the immense reiatsu fluctuations, only this image remains," the technician explained.

Haschwalth's eyes scanned the image.

It showed Uehara Shiroha, his face calm and composed, ice armor partially dissolved. Opposite him, Zaraki Kenpachi—completely frozen.

For a moment, Haschwalth hesitated.

Then, he accepted the fact.

A new, unsettling thought took root in his mind.

"Is Soul Society… about to give birth to another Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni?"

The mere notion sent a ripple of unease through him.

Haschwalth turned to his men, issuing a swift command. "From this moment onward, closely monitor Uehara Shiroha's movements. Gather every single piece of information available on him."

He wasted no time in relaying the intelligence to the other members of the Sternritter, ensuring that they were all informed about this unexpected anomaly.

Yet, among the elite guards of the Quincy, there was doubt.

They had lived in a world of absolute superiority, where every battle was an easy victory.

What real threats had they ever faced?

A single third-seat shinigami—even one with a powerful Bankai—was nothing more than an amusing distraction.

"I hope he turns out to be an interesting opponent."

The one who spoke was Gerard Valkyrie.

Towering and imposing, possessing the very heart of the Soul King, he exuded an air of invincibility.

His Schrift, M—The Miracle, granted him near-immortal endurance.

He was fearless.

He always fought head-on.

Beside him, another figure sat with his left eye closed, a black crosshair covering it.

Lille Barro, the captain of the Sternritter's elite Schutzstaffel, scoffed, his right eye glowing with cold amusement.

"Since when have we ever encountered an interesting opponent?"

His Schrift, X—The X-Axis, allowed him to penetrate everything—to fire a shot that ignored all defenses, all attacks, all physical limitations.

"What could a mere shinigami's Bankai possibly do to us?"

Their reactions were typical of the elite.

They had spent centuries honing their arrogance.

To them, no enemy was worthy of true concern.

Haschwalth observed their attitudes.

He sighed internally.

There was nothing he could do.

After all, the Sternritter—especially the Schutzstaffel—had every right to be proud.

They had spent a thousand years gathering strength.

And they were about to learn what a true monster looked like.

Meanwhile, in Soul Society

The news spread like wildfire.

The entire Seireitei was shaken.

"Uehara Shiroha… defeated Kenpachi Zaraki!"

Shockwaves rippled through the ranks of the Gotei 13.

Some refused to believe it.

Inside the 11th Division, Madarame Ikkaku locked himself in his room, screaming, "IMPOSSIBLE! CAPTAIN ZARAKI WILL NEVER LOSE!"

Beside him, Ayasegawa Yumichika and Abarai Renji exchanged uneasy glances.

They had trained relentlessly, pushing themselves day and night.

And yet, a man who spent his time surrounded by women, basking in luxury, had crushed Kenpachi in a single battle?

If he could reach that level, then what was the point of their own hard work?

Of course, not everyone was upset.

"Ken-chan must've had fun!"

Kusajishi Yachiru smiled, swinging her legs idly. "I bet he's happy. Even if he lost."

She knew Kenpachi better than anyone.

For him, winning and losing didn't matter.

What mattered was the fight itself.

But for the rest of the 11th Division—the division built around Kenpachi's undefeated legend—this was a devastating blow.

They had worshiped him, seen him as invincible.

And now, that myth was shattered.

Their hero had fallen.

For them, Uehara Shiroha's existence was a nightmare.

But for everyone else in Soul Society?

It was a reason to celebrate.

The Court Army's morale skyrocketed.

"A strong leader is the greatest inspiration to an army."

With Uehara Shiroha standing at the top, the Shinigamis of Soul Society felt renewed purpose.

Even the ordinary shinigami—those without noble blood, without centuries of heritage—looked at him with pride.

He wasn't a noble.

He wasn't an aristocrat.

Yet, he had become one of Soul Society's greatest Shinigamis.

In that way, he was similar to Aizen before his betrayal—a man who had inspired others through sheer strength and leadership.

Uehara Shiroha's reputation, once clouded by frivolity, was now cemented in history.

His name would be spoken alongside the greatest shinigami to ever live.

Even the nobility viewed him favorably.

Over the years, the Gotei 13 had grown too powerful, absorbing the Kidō Corps and Onmitsukidō into its ranks.

The noble families had sought a counterbalance to keep the organization in check.

Now, in Uehara Shiroha, they saw a solution—a new force capable of shifting the power dynamics.

As Kenpachi Zaraki was carried—along with his chair—to the Fourth Division's comprehensive first aid room, Uehara Shiroha made his way to the captain promotion ceremony.

The formalities were tedious, but necessary.

With his newfound status, Uehara Shiroha also attended several social gatherings afterward.

After all, power in Soul Society wasn't just about fighting and killing.

It was about politics and connections.

Sitting in his new position, he quickly realized something—strength alone was not enough.

The world of Soul Society was built upon relationships.

Still, his decision to expose so much of his strength had been a necessary evil.

Kenpachi Zaraki had simply been too much.

If he had held back any further, the fight might have escalated into something even more absurd.

But there was an upside.

With his dominance now fully displayed, his future actions would be far more convenient. His voice in the Gotei 13 would carry more weight.

He had power. He had subordinates.

Anyone with a functioning brain would know better than to provoke him.

Of course, the Tsunayashiro family was an exception.

Those arrogant nobles had been growing increasingly inflated with self-importance.

And, honestly? They weren't very smart.

No one could predict what they would do next—especially since their ancestors had once dared to stab the Soul King in the back.

Tsunayashiro Tokinada, was even worse—a man who had massacred his own family just to consolidate his power.

That level of madness was something even the most deranged nobles would light a cigarette in respect for.

It didn't matter.

Uehara Shiroha was already prepared to strike first.

As he entertained the thought, a familiar face approached.

Vice-Captain Shiba Kaien of the 13th Division walked up to him, hesitating for a brief moment before speaking.

"Commander Uehara," Kaien said, his voice even. "Captain Ukitake asked me to express his gratitude for training Rukia. He also mentioned that if you ever feel like having tea, you're welcome to visit anytime."

Ukitake Jūshirō, as expected, was always polite.

He was incredibly fond of the Shiba family's young heir, even preparing the captain's haori in advance—just waiting for his eventual retirement.

For an event like this, sending Kaien was a way of letting him acquaint himself with his future colleagues.

Uehara Shiroha smiled faintly. "I'll take that invitation seriously. But honestly, Vice-Captain Shiba, you're quite young and promising yourself."

Though outwardly composed, he couldn't help but internally sigh.

Kaien had definitely struggled to remember his name just now.

The entire Shiba family seemed to have severe face blindness.

Even Ichigo Kurosaki—their indirect descendant—didn't recognize his own classmate, Ishida Uryū.

And now, Kaien had needed a moment to recall his name—despite the fact that Uehara Shiroha was one of the most famous figures in Soul Society.

"Kaien, be more careful next time."

Kaien, unaware of the internal roasting, remained humble.

"Compared to you, Commander Uehara, my achievements are insignificant."

He was genuine, lacking any arrogance one might expect from a noble prodigy.

After exchanging further pleasantries, Kaien took his leave, satisfied.

As a pure shinigami, he was genuinely happy to see the Gotei 13 growing stronger under capable hands.

Rukia had spoken highly of Uehara Shiroha's guidance, and Kaien was inclined to trust her judgment.

As Kaien left, another figure approached.

This time, it was Shiba Isshin, leading a young silver-haired boy toward him.

"Commander Uehara," Isshin greeted, his usual grin in place. "This little guy is Hitsugaya Tōshirō—the genius of our 10th Division."

He ruffled the kid's hair before continuing, "His Zanpakutō is also of the Ice and Snow type. Figured you might be able to give him some pointers."

Hitsugaya, standing rigidly in his black shinigami robes, immediately saluted.

"Commander Uehara! Please guide me!"

His tone was respectful—filled with genuine admiration.

As someone who also wielded an Ice-type Zanpakutō, Hitsugaya had a much clearer understanding of just how powerful Uehara Shiroha truly was.

Uehara studied the dwarf prodigy in front of him, suppressing the urge to chuckle.

He softened his expression.

"I wouldn't say I can give you guidance," he said, "but I do have some advice."

Hitsugaya listened attentively.

"If you can take action," Uehara continued, "then do it. Don't waste time talking—especially not in the middle of a fight. Otherwise… you'll probably lose both the battle and the argument."

Hitsugaya tilted his head slightly, confused.

But Uehara Shiroha simply sighed.

He had seen the future.

He knew this kid had a bad habit—one that led to humiliating losses.

For example, his infamous "Ten arrancars can destroy Soul Society!" claim.

And every time he fought Aizen, he had a tendency to dramatically announce his deductions, as if he could outmaneuver the master of deception with words alone.

The result?

He got wrecked.

Every.

Single.

Time.

Aizen didn't even bother responding—he simply one-shot him like it was a scripted event.

"Honestly, just talk less."

Though still confused, Hitsugaya bowed deeply. "Thank you for your advice! I'll remember it!"

Uehara Shiroha could only hope he actually would.

He probably wouldn't.

With that, the ceremony concluded.

After fifty years of rebuilding, the Gotei 13 had finally recovered from the Hollowfication Incident.

And after today, no one dared to question Uehara Shiroha's leadership any longer.

Even among the captains, he had earned absolute respect.

That evening, under the admiring gazes of their fellow shinigami, Uehara Shiroha and Kyōraku Shunsui strolled off toward Hanamachi, arms around each other's shoulders.

It was drinking time.

Seeing this scene…

The normally stoic Captain-Commander Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni sat motionless—but beneath his beard, his right hand tightened slightly around his cane.

In the red-light district, after a wild night of drinking, Uehara Shiroha left in style.

Kyōraku Shunsui?

He had left at midnight—after settling the bill.

In the end, he had merely been a walking wallet.

"Now he looks cool," Uehara mused. "But it's completely different from me."

Kyōraku, meanwhile, was frustrated.

His well-behaved niece had gone missing.

He had to handle confidential reports himself.

And on top of that, the Tsunayashiro family's arrogance was becoming a growing concern.

The pressure was mounting.

And so—much to his own despair—Kyōraku was forced to cut down his drinking time.

For the first time in centuries… he had to be responsible.

As Uehara Shiroha stretched lazily, feeling refreshed from the previous night's escapades, he turned his attention to his daily tasks.

[Leisure Party (Daily Task)]

[It's time to take a break again. Gather with friends and relax.]

[Reward: Random attribute 2]

Uehara Shiroha blinked.

"Ah, right. Today's the monthly break."

Even though his strength was already ridiculously high, the attribute points rewarded by these daily tasks still had value.

It wasn't much, but as the saying went—"Even a mosquito is still meat."

The gap between captains was real.

And even among millennial captains, there was still a gap.

There was no such thing as too many attribute points.

More importantly, attribute accumulation could break past racial talent limits.

In other words—if he stacked enough points over a few hundred years, he could reach transcendence just through sheer stat growth.

That was the power of the system.

So, even though he was already at the top, he wasn't about to skip his dailies.

After all, in about thirty years, the fight between gods would begin.

It was better to prepare early.

Besides, daily tasks were easy. They were just a part of life at this point—a bit of entertainment.

Why not get stronger and have fun at the same time?

With that thought in mind, Uehara Shiroha headed toward his personal mansion on Noble Street.

His status had already detached him from the common world.

Commander-in-Chief of the Court Army.

Chosen Shinigami of Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni.

A Shinigami with unparalleled battle prowess.

Both the Tsunayashiro and Kuchiki families sought to win his favor.

Whether by title or power, he had transitioned into nobility.

As he entered his estate, a group of young maids immediately approached to serve him.

They had already prepared an exquisite breakfast ahead of time, laying it out with precision.

Uehara Shiroha indulged in the meal, then sighed deeply.

"What a corrupt aristocratic life."

Of course, he mercilessly criticized this extravagant lifestyle from a moral standpoint.

But in reality?

He accepted it all without hesitation.

As the maids admiringly gazed at him (yes, very good), Uehara Shiroha vanished in an instant—reappearing at the Kuchiki mansion.

The Kuchiki estate was as massive as ever.

But for Uehara Shiroha?

He was more familiar with this place than even Byakuya Kuchiki himself.

Casually navigating through the halls, he made his way to the second corridor of the outer courtyard, pushing open a hidden door at the far left.

Light flooded in.

Revealed before him was a spacious and elegant conference hall—though its decor leaned toward feminine charm.

Which made sense.

This was the secret base of the Woman Shinigami Association.

Inside, Kuchiki Rukia and Hinamori Momo were carefully arranging fruit platters, desserts, and other snacks.

"Teacher Uehara!"

Both girls brightened the moment they saw him, greeting him with excitement.

After hearing his legendary battle yesterday, their admiration for him had only deepened.

Now, Rukia had risen to chief officer of the 13th Division, and Momo was the chief officer of the 5th Division.

If not for Uehara Shiroha, they would have idolized their respective captains even more.

But now…

His brilliance simply overshadowed everyone else.

Uehara Shiroha nodded, then glanced at the snacks on the table.

"Huh. That's it?"

His brow raised slightly.

"Why are there so few snacks?"

Rukia's face instantly fell with guilt.

"I'm sorry, teacher!" She lowered her head.

"I already spent my entire salary for the month…" The reason was simple.

She wasn't particularly favored by her brother, Byakuya, and she had always insisted on being self-reliant, refusing financial support from the Kuchiki family.

Hinamori Momo, standing beside her, pouted innocently.

"My salary is too low too…" She had just been promoted, and her pay wasn't enough to afford the high-end gourmet snacks sold in the noble districts.

Uehara Shiroha looked at the two pure-hearted girls, then shook his head.

"You're both too naive."

==============================================

Support me at p@treon.com/goldengaruda and check out more chapter of this or more early access chapter of my other fanfic translation.

==============================================