What is your answer?
As those words echoed, Seiya's expression turned peculiarly calm.
Was there even a question?
In truth, Seiya had never once wavered. Every hardship, every calculated step he'd taken until now—was all to achieve one goal: to minimize sacrifice and maximize salvation.
Yhwach must not be allowed to destroy the world.
And above all, no one else should be harmed in the process.
Taking a slow breath, Seiya raised his head, gazing directly at the figure trapped in amber.
"I choose… my own path."
He knew very well what that answer meant.
For within the data the Soul King had already transmitted to him, he had glimpsed countless timelines in which Yhwach emerged victorious.
So many, it was almost despairing.
But he wasn't surprised.
After all, the outcome in the original timeline was a convergence of unrepeatable miracles.
The Yhwach who absorbed the Soul King attained the third eye, reached omniscience, and could manipulate time at will—striking into the future from the present, severing Ichigo's blade over and over again.
Thus, breaking it down…
To defeat Yhwach, three key elements were absolutely required:
Overwhelming strength—enough to sever fate itself.
A means to blind his perception and divert his attention.
A silver arrowhead forged from Quincy resentment—one that could strip away divinity.
Even then, further luck was needed. But these three were the indispensable cornerstones.
So, if Seiya was going to do this his way…
He needed to prepare all three himself.
Ideas spiraled through his head, his brows furrowed tight with the burden. It reminded him of his first time facing a battlefield—searching for one thread of escape amid infinite dead ends.
To see that path through—that would be his final exam.
And the answer he would give the Soul King.
A flicker of light, a silent thought—
Seiya poured his full plan into the stream of consciousness.
The amber figure didn't move, didn't react.
Had he transmitted it properly?
But before he could doubt himself too deeply, Ichibē stepped forward.
"Seiya, the Soul King has accepted your proposal."
"...?"
He didn't respond directly—he only contacted Ichibē?
Before Seiya could follow that thread, Ichibē nodded and continued:
"The Soul King also shared your plan with me. A bold proposal—it certainly won't be an easy path."
But what path ever is?
"To shoulder the fate of the Three Realms alone… takes a rare kind of resolve."
Ichibē bowed slightly, his tone somber.
"I see clearly that your heart burns for the suffering of all living beings. If it were up to me… I'd want someone like you to succeed the Soul King."
"Yeah… thanks, but no thanks."
Seiya gave an awkward laugh, scratching the back of his head.
"Being sealed in a crystal, watching the tides of the world pass by forever? I'm not enlightened enough for that."
"Ga-ha-ha! Well said! Very well then, Seiya—on behalf of the Soul King Palace and the Royal Guard, I recognize your plan in full."
No further discussion was needed. With their minds already entwined through shared thought, all intentions had long been made clear.
Now came the matter of implementation.
"Seiya… what's your plan next?"
He paused briefly, then looked toward the sky.
"I think… a fight would be best."
His sudden appearance at the Soul King Palace wouldn't go unnoticed. Returning unscathed would only raise suspicion.
Even if he could explain things to allies, the Quincy would inevitably see through the charade.
He had promised the Soul King he'd steer fate with minimal disruption.
And Ichibē seemed satisfied.
"Indeed. Even if the palace can't be observed, this will sell the illusion best."
So, a fight it is.
Seiya smiled ruefully. It was a hassle—but he felt strangely at peace.
Because now he knew.
His struggle hadn't been in vain. Even the Soul King acknowledged his cause.
And that validation was more powerful than any material reward.
"Then allow me to escort you out."
Ichibē's grin turned mischievous.
"Wouldn't want to tarnish my record by brawling inside the throne room, now would we?"
It was lighthearted—but his next words dropped heavily.
"But Seiya… don't forget the other promise you made to the Soul King."
Seiya's face darkened. He nodded.
"I remember."
—Never reveal the plan to anyone.
Though the script had been entrusted to him, the Soul King hadn't given full authorship.
Restrictions remained.
No one—not even the three key individuals—was to know.
Not even Aizen or Ichigo.
At first, he hadn't understood the rationale. But now, it made sense.
It was a contingency—for when things inevitably went wrong.
If, by some turn of fate, Yhwach still absorbed the Soul King…
Then, standing atop omniscience, he would see everything.
And he would see Seiya's plan—unless it remained hidden even from allies.
"Sorry, Seiya—but this is the Soul King's decree."
Ichibē tapped his temple.
"Not just me—even the Soul King himself will erase all memory of your plan."
"Only you will remember. We'll forget everything."
"Can you accept that?"
Ichibē was not a man to hesitate.
But this was different. The stakes were too high.
"If you wish to back out, now is your only chance."
"Because once you nod—there will be no one left to help you."
"The Soul Reapers will brand you a traitor. Hueco Mundo will turn its back. The Quincy will see you as an enemy…"
"You'll be the outcast of all three realms."
Like Yhwach once was.
But unlike him—Seiya would have no power of sanctification.
He would be utterly alone.
And all changes, all schemes…
Would have to come from him alone.
Even with all his preparation, that realization made him close his eyes and exhale slowly.
There was nothing to fear.
Hadn't he resolved himself long ago?
His answer had never changed.
…
Roughly one incense stick's time passed.
Then—across the silent heavens above the Soul King Palace—
A thunderous explosion shattered the air.
BOOM!!!
The world shook.
Inhabitants of the Soul King Palace rushed outside, eyes drawn skyward.
They couldn't see clearly—but they could see one figure flung from the palace like a ragdoll.
Crashing through supports, spinning through the sky, debris raining down like dust.
That figure twisted midair, struggling for balance—
Only after dozens of meters did he finally stabilize.
"Ugh…"
Floating there, Seiya wiped blood from his lips.
What a pain…
He got attacked the moment they erased his memory?
Was Ichibē just doing his job—or had he always planned to hit him?
Still groggy, Seiya stood tall and prodded his aching ribs.
Yup. Definitely bruised a kidney.
In the midst of those thoughts, Aizen appeared before him.
"Seiya. What happened?"
Seeing the concern in his mentor's eyes, Seiya hesitated.
Even now, Ichibē's words echoed:
You have no allies left, Seiya.
"No, it's nothing. Just got blindsided by that damned monk."
He forced a smile. Aizen narrowed his eyes, unconvinced.
But before he could press, Ichibē stepped forward.
"How dare you lay hands on the Soul King?"
His voice boomed across the palace.
"You defy our goodwill—you threaten the order of all realms…"
"UNFORGIVABLE!"
THUMP.
Ichibē unsheathed a massive, brush-shaped Zanpakutō, blood-red eyes locked onto Seiya.
"Royal Guard—mobilize."
"Restraints are unnecessary. Use full force."
"Apprehend the traitor who insulted the Soul King!"
Even if Ichibē was hamming it up, his killing intent was real.
Seiya now stood in the role of the villain.
Just like Yhwach once did.
Even the Royal Guard showed no hesitation.
They were, after all, defenders of the Soul King.
This was their duty.
Seiya wasn't surprised—but he was troubled by one thing.
Aizen.
It would be hard to fool someone like him.
"You didn't do this, did you?" Aizen asked calmly.
He stood beside Seiya, eyes on the approaching enemies.
"No. I refuse to believe you did something so foolish."
"So… did something change?"
"Or is this something you can't explain?"
Being too smart could be a pain.
Seiya tried to find a convincing excuse—but Aizen cut him off.
"No—forget it. Save it for later."
"Let's handle this first."
"Seiya—focus."
It was time.
Though this was all going according to plan, a pang of sorrow welled up.
The Soul King stood just meters away—and Aizen would never meet him.
"Sorry, Sensei…"
"No need to apologize. I was prepared for this before we came."
To dwell on the past was to stagnate.
"Let's look forward."
A faint smile crept to Aizen's lips.
"I can't meet the Soul King—but if this is how it must be…"
"Then we shall not bow our heads to anyone."
"You and I—together—we are the pinnacle of the Three Realms."
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Powerstones?
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