"The Wandenreich is something recorded in my grandfather's notes."
"Though neither Ryūken nor I have interacted with these people, based on what's written… they definitely aren't the most approachable group."
"The reason is simple..."
Walking through a pitch-black corridor, Uryū Ishida's voice was serious, his expression somber.
"These people have lifespans extended beyond natural limits thanks to Yhwach's power."
Seiya, walking beside him, nodded slightly, though his face showed a curious look.
"Is that really so strange?"
"Of course it is."
Uryū pushed up his glasses.
"You Soul Reapers have a clear historical background and a system of rules that define your society."
"But Quincies are different..."
"They exist solely to perpetuate Yhwach's hatred. At their core, they're playthings for a tyrant's whims."
The very foundation of their existence was flawed.
"That realization may have been what prompted my grandfather to tamper with things."
Seiya nodded in agreement—without Sōken Ishida's contributions, they wouldn't have found a way to enter the Wandenreich.
Behind them, Ryūken and Isshin followed quietly—rare for the typically vocal duo.
Of course, Isshin couldn't help but elbow Ryūken playfully. The latter looked annoyed, but held back from snapping.
"Back to business," Ryūken said, stepping forward to face them.
"Once inside the Wandenreich, you must be extremely cautious."
"Even in Sōken's writings, there are explicit warnings about certain individuals."
"Though I hate to admit it, given enough time, Quincies can become terrifyingly powerful."
He and his son both turned to glance at Seiya.
The power he had displayed was strikingly similar to what Sōken had described—something beyond spirit weaponry, an advanced Quincy state not yet named, but clearly potent.
Seiya simply nodded calmly in response.
"I understand the risks. Don't worry—I'll manage."
With that, there was little more to say. Ryūken gave him a long look, then sighed.
"Just… be careful."
It wasn't just Seiya he was worried about—Uryū's decision to go along had clearly unsettled him.
Despite their normally frigid relationship, this moment showed an unmistakable bond. A father is still a father, after all.
Uryū, unused to such concern, adjusted his glasses to hide his discomfort, then finally murmured:
"I'll be careful..."
His choice to accompany Seiya wasn't just for aid—it was deeply personal.
Yhwach's Auswählen had extended his life, but at the cost of the bloodlines of the Kurosaki and Ishida families.
Uryū now understood the truth—the Ishidas' legacy, and his father's role in protecting it. He could no longer pretend not to know.
This was their duty. One passed down from Sōken.
They had to stop Yhwach.
Seiya, observing the father-son moment, spoke softly.
"Well then, we're off."
Time was short. They needed to move quickly.
As the two turned to go, Isshin suddenly called out.
"Hey, can I ask something?"
Seiya stopped and turned halfway.
"Go ahead."
"Are you… still the same Seiya Arima?"
A question more philosophical than factual—and yet, one everyone present had likely considered.
The details of Seiya's public execution had been distributed openly. There were no loopholes.
Seiya Arima had died.
So who was this man before them now?
A ghost? A new beginning?
Seiya paused, then shook his head.
"To be honest, I don't really know."
"The truth is… whether me, or the version within Ichigo, we're just fragments with some of Seiya Arima's memories."
"We're not the original. We're missing something important."
He tapped his temple.
"Memory. The vital thread connecting us is gone."
"Though we resonate with each other, we can't truly understand everything about one another."
"Like battleships adrift without a signal tower, all we have left is our mission."
Isshin frowned, unsatisfied.
"I don't need the science lesson—I just want to know: are you still you?"
Yes... or maybe no.
Seiya offered a metaphor:
"You've heard of the Ship of Theseus?"
Uryū nodded.
"Plutarch's thought experiment. If every part of a ship is replaced over time, is it still the same ship?"
Isshin squinted.
"Mind dumbing that down?"
Uryū explained: "Athenian King Theseus had a ship that was maintained over the years. As each plank was replaced, people began to wonder—when none of the original parts remained, was it still the same ship?"
Applied here—it suited Seiya's condition perfectly.
"I honestly don't know who I am anymore," Seiya admitted. "We've all experienced different paths… gained different views. In time, we've become different people."
Isshin stared at him a while, then sighed.
"I don't get it… but I'll respect it."
"You've gone so far already—what in the world are you afraid of?"
Self-sacrifice. Memory severance. A multi-layered contingency plan.
Now he was walking into the Quincies' stronghold.
Even for someone like Isshin, the whole thing seemed impossibly grand.
Seiya chuckled and shrugged.
"Because no one else can go this far."
And that was that.
With no more words, Seiya and Uryū stepped forward. Seiya held out the Wandenreich token.
Waves of energy rippled outward.
Soon, they faded from view—into another world, hidden deep in shadow.
Even Ryūken, ever calm, looked slightly nervous.
He glanced at Isshin.
"How'd you find this place?"
Isshin scratched his chin sheepishly.
"Slowly… with trial and error. Without your old man's notes, I'd never have pulled it off."
"That patient, huh?"
"Not really—but the situation gave me no choice."
He explained:
"The Soul Society was too risky—they'd be watched."
"Hueco Mundo? Seiya had too many traps and contingencies there."
"That left only the World of the Living."
Narrowing the search by two-thirds.
"And Urahara helped, too."
With his tech and foresight, Urahara contributed plenty, even if he kept most of it secret.
Regardless, the knowledge wouldn't be wasted.
When the Wandenreich finally moved… well, no one would know who was watching whom.
"Once we wrap up here, we've got more work. Ryūken—no slacking off."
"You don't have to remind me."
As Seiya and Uryū disappeared beyond the veil, the two fathers turned back to their next steps.
Everyone had a role to play. All were working toward what lay ahead.
——
Inside the Wandenreich.
Crossing through the rippling barrier, the two arrived in a strange new world.
Uryū looked around, dazed.
"This is…?"
"Very stylized. Seems modeled after medieval architecture," Seiya mused.
Pale white buildings and towering walls surrounded them.
They had landed in a quiet part of a town. Voices buzzed from nearby.
"At least we didn't materialize in a crowd."
Seiya was about to move when Uryū grabbed his sleeve.
"Wait… What should I call you now?"
Uryū looked conflicted.
It was a valid concern. He could pass off his identity with a story—but Seiya was another matter.
This man had blown up the entire Seireitei. Even forced the Wandenreich to relocate.
"Plenty of Quincies must know your name."
A pseudonym was the obvious solution.
But Seiya simply shook his head.
"No need. Just call me that."
Because Ichibē Hyōsube had already "stained" the name.
To most, "Seiya Arima" was now unrecognizable.
With the Soul King's backing, his memory had been erased from history.
Now a man with no past or future, he had nothing to fear.
"Even if you shout my name in public, others will hear it as something else."
"..."
Uryū didn't get it—but if Seiya was confident, that was enough.
They moved toward the town.
But before they reached the crowd, commotion stirred nearby.
A thin man in a uniform and cap stood in the square, delivering a fervent speech.
"We are the Quincies!"
"Those who will sacrifice everything for His Majesty!"
"Join us—become one with the Sternritter!"
"I am Quilge Opie! Your instructor in the power of truth!"
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Powerstones?
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