ALL NOVEL Chapter 59: Someone Coming From Above
Arima reflected on several moments from the thousand-year bloody battle stored in my memory.
He thought that perhaps it would be wise to plan ahead.
Even though the war was still far off, with Yhwach yet to awaken, the wounds he had suffered thousands of years ago were not solely inflicted by Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni.
Before that, Yhwach had also faced Ichibei Hyōsube and had ultimately been sealed away by him with the help of the Soul King's left arm.
It was this seal, combined with the damage inflicted by Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni, that had left Yhwach significantly weakened. Ultimately, he was defeated by Yamamoto and fell into a deep slumber.
During his slumber, Yhwach not only worked to heal the injuries from his battle with Yamamoto but also sought to undo the seal placed by Ichibei Hyōsube.
In light of this, Arima concluded that there was still ample time before the impending war.
However, having time did not mean he could be complacent.
Given Arima's current position, it was possible he might one day find himself standing opposite the Shinigami. Yet, no matter what, Arima himself was still a Shinigami.
This was not the case with the Quincy. They were the true adversaries—a people locked in a bitter blood feud with the Shinigami.
Arima knew that planning ahead was critical.
The looming war cast a heavy shadow over the Gotei 13, making its atmosphere tense and somber.
But for the general public in Seireitei, the war had little immediate impact.
As had been the case during the outbreak of the thousand-year war in the original timeline, even when the Gotei 13 was nearly obliterated, the noble families of Seireitei suffered minimal casualties. Central 46 continued to function, and new captains were appointed as needed.
When Arima went to a local tavern for a drink, he noticed no signs of the oppressive tension weighing on the Gotei 13.
As he drank, Arima listened to the tavern guests chatting among themselves.
Wherever people gathered, there were always rumors, gossip, and stories. This was one of Arima's favorite pastimes in recent years.
He often frequented pubs and the bustling streets of Kabukicho to overhear the latest gossip.
The stories varied—some were about nobles' private affairs, others about Seireitei's politics.
Of course, the truth of such tales was often dubious, but for many, the entertainment value outweighed the need for factual accuracy.
Recently, alongside the usual noble gossip, Arima overheard snippets about the ongoing war between the Shinigami and the Quincy.
It seemed that certain Shinigami had leaked information to their families, who then discussed it openly in places like this.
As Arima had predicted, the Shinigami were struggling in this war.
Eradicating the Quincy was proving far from easy.
The Quincy were not lambs waiting to be slaughtered. Faced with the threat of extinction, they resisted fiercely.
Under the leadership of Captain Kenpachi of the 11th Division, the Shinigami faced intense opposition from the Quincy. Both sides suffered heavy casualties, though the Quincy losses were greater.
To bring the conflict to a swift conclusion, the Gotei 13 continuously sent reinforcements to the battlefield.
As Arima quietly drank and absorbed this information, he suddenly noticed something unusual. He raised his gaze toward a certain direction, his expression turning thoughtful.
"How interesting," he murmured.
"The war has begun in earnest, yet as the captain of the Eighth Division, you have the time to sit here drinking instead of gathering intelligence on the Quincy?"
A figure approached and casually sat down beside Arima, pouring himself a drink as if he owned the place.
It was Kyoraku Shunsui.
He sighed, his tone weary yet jovial. "Sometimes, I truly envy retirees like you. No responsibilities, no worries. Because of this blasted war, I haven't had a proper drink in ages."
"I didn't expect to find you here, senior!"
Arima smiled faintly but said nothing.
Kyoraku Shunsui knew better than to expect sympathy from Arima. As a former captain, Arima was well aware that gathering intelligence was one of the Eighth Division's primary responsibilities.
In peacetime, Kyoraku's duties were light, but in times of war, the workload became almost unbearable.
Taking another sip of wine, Kyoraku mused aloud, "I really don't understand Central 46. Yes, the Quincy upset the balance of souls, but after all these years, why have they suddenly decided to annihilate them completely?"
Arima took a sip of his drink, his deep eyes fixing on Kyoraku Shunsui. After a pause, he replied, "I don't know what Central 46 is thinking, but this war won't last long."
"The Quincy may be gravely injured, but exterminating them completely? That's not so simple."
"Why?" Kyoraku asked, puzzled by Arima's confidence.
Arima did not elaborate further. He couldn't possibly reveal that his knowledge came from the original timeline.
He knew the Quincy would not be completely eradicated. Some families would survive under the Shinigami's watchful eyes.
Years ago, when Arima first arrived in this timeline, he had been uncertain of the reasons behind this change. Now, he had a theory.
"The will of the Soul King?" he murmured to himself.
The encounter with Kyoraku Shunsui at the tavern was a coincidence, but Unohana Retsu seeking Arima out was entirely unexpected.
Since returning to Seireitei, Arima had made an effort to greet old acquaintances like Hikifune Kiryu and Unohana Retsu. Yet, these interactions had remained superficial.
Instead, he often ran into Kyoraku Shunsui, whose outgoing nature made him a frequent presence around Seireitei.
The city was only so large, and with Shinigami living for centuries, chance encounters were inevitable.
But this time, Unohana Retsu's invitation led him to the Fourth Division.
When he arrived, he realized she was not alone.
In addition to Unohana, there was another familiar figure present.
"Someone is coming from above," Arima thought to himself, his mind racing.
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1k words
You know what...
And no, bananas isn't it