Chapter Thirty-Three: Declaration of War

In the world of darkness, no one knew his whereabouts, yet the master of this realm was now restless, eager to stir.

“Your Majesty.”

Saidritz knelt on one knee, speaking in a low voice to the emperor seated upon the throne.

“The preparations for war are complete, aren’t they, Saidritz?” The man with long black hair parted his lips slightly; he did not even open his eyes.

“Yes.”

Without the slightest hesitation, Saidritz answered almost instinctively.

“Then…”

At last, the man opened his eyes, a glint of cold murderous intent flashing within them.

“What matter compels you to disturb my rest at this time?”

“My deepest apologies, Your Majesty.”

Saidritz bowed his head even lower, yet his voice showed no intention of retreat.

“I have something I wish to ask Your Majesty.”

“Speak.”

A brief silence. Saidritz hesitated for only a moment before finally mustering his resolve.

“To deliver the declaration of war to the Soul Society—the Silver Cross Knights are sufficient for such a task. Why…”

He glanced up at the man seated above.

“Why must Your Majesty act in person?”

No answer came; the man continued to regard his kneeling right hand with icy, unblinking eyes.

“Is it that our strength is not to be trusted?”

Still, no reply.

Why must he go to Soul Society himself? Was it that he could place no trust in his subordinates?

No, that had never been the question from the very beginning—

Subordinates were nothing more than pieces on a chessboard.

A soft tap echoed as the man's hand rested lightly upon the armrest of his chair. Then, in the next instant, he stood behind Saidritz.

Saidritz had not perceived the movement at all, and cold sweat broke out on his face as he slowly turned his head.

“There’s no need to overthink it, Saidritz.”

The man gazed into the darkness before him, a grim smile twisting his features.

“I merely wish to see with my own eyes the dwelling place of the Shinigami, who have long stood against us. And…”

“To commit to memory the visage of a land soon to be reduced to scorched earth.”

“Memory is the only means truly worthy of joy.”

Silence sank deep, dissolving into the darkness.

…

Meanwhile, the Soul Society had fallen into utter chaos.

All captains and lieutenants of the Gotei Thirteen were assembled in the First Division’s captain’s chamber. In other words, two captain’s meetings had been convened within a single day—a phenomenon unprecedented in history.

“In District Five of West Rukongai, seven hundred seventy-eight resident souls have been extinguished. Out of the three hundred seventy-six Shinigami dispatched upon detecting the enemy’s presence, only one survived. It is estimated the battle lasted no more than three minutes…”

The further the report went, the softer the death god’s voice became, sweat beading on his brow.

A suffocating pressure filled the room, emanating in varying degrees from each captain, the greatest of which radiated from the Head Captain, Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto.

For an ordinary soul reaper, enduring the spiritual pressure of so many captains was almost impossible.

“You’ve done well. You may go now.”

Had he lingered any longer, the soul reaper might have broken under the strain. Chojiro sighed and patted his shoulder, dismissing him.

“Vice-Captain Sasakibe… Yes, sir…”

Relieved as if all the pressure had vanished in an instant, he handed Chojiro his report and hurried from the chamber.

“How many enemies were there?”

Yamamoto asked in a low voice.

Ah, honestly, with that kind of presence, only captain-class Shinigami could withstand it.

Chojiro curled his lip slightly and reviewed the report in his hand.

“According to the surviving soul reaper, there were about thirty.”

What?! Thirty warriors had annihilated a force of over three hundred Shinigami in the blink of an eye.

Undoubtedly, each opponent possessed at least vice-captain level strength, if not more.

“My, my—so many troublesome foes appearing all at once,” remarked Morikawa Higashinosuke with a light tone, though his eyes were chillingly cold.

“But there’s something else you haven’t reported, is there? Enemy casualties…”

Before Shirakawa Nobu could finish, Amanomiya Kazuki interrupted.

“There was no report. Does that mean the number is zero?”

“Not just that,” Chojiro continued, leafing through the documents. “'White uniforms,' 'bows and arrows formed of spirit particles,' and…”

“This.”

He produced the sole piece of evidence from the report.

It was a golden object, stamped with a five-pointed star, stained with traces of blood—a button-like token.

“This is said to be the only material evidence left at the scene to identify the enemy.”

So it has finally come, this war…

Everyone’s face changed dramatically.

Only the Head Captain lifted his gaze slightly, his expression otherwise unmoved.

“I never thought our adversaries would be them…” Sora井 Kingoro gave a wry smile, rubbing at the corner of his eye.

“So they truly dare to come…” Jingu Kichiemmon’s gaze turned cold; his once easygoing and mischievous manner vanished.

“The Quincy.”

“I had little hope negotiation would yield any good result, but I did not expect they would initiate the attack,” Morikawa said, his expression equally grim.

As one of the veteran captains among the Gotei Thirteen, he understood well the history of blood and grievance between Quincy and Shinigami.

Conflicting ideals, opposing methods—everything had driven the two races to such irreconcilable enmity.

The Shinigami had always hoped for peace.

But they never imagined the Quincy would be the ones to ignite war.

“There’s no point in further discussion now.”

Yamamoto’s sudden, icy words silenced everyone present.

“It matters not—they have declared war upon us. For the honor of the Shinigami and the Gotei Thirteen, failure is not an option!”

With a thunderous step, he drove his foot into the floor.

“For those who do not know their place, words are wasted!”

“If they have chosen war, let them learn the price!”

“From this moment, all Shinigami of the Gotei Thirteen, captains included, are permitted to carry their Zanpakuto! In combat, full release is authorized!”

“Pay no heed to other concerns!”

“Crush them with your might!”

“Subdue them with your honor!”

“Let them know—those who invade the Soul Society—”

“Will never leave here alive!”