Asano Kiyoshi's words struck like deafening thunderclaps, slamming with immense force into the eardrums of everyone present.
That's right! We're people too! We can think! We can cry! We can laugh! We can feel sorrow and pain!
We are not lambs waiting to be slaughtered! Not ants that can be crushed without a thought!
We are people—just like you!
Seeing the emotions rise on everyone's faces, watching their spirits begin to stir and rise—
Asano Kiyoshi knew in his heart that he had planted a red seed within them—a seed called equality, hope, and resistance.
That seed would one day grow into a towering tree in the hearts of all.
This tree would need to be nurtured with their blood, effort, sweat, and even lives. But Asano Kiyoshi believed that a heart that has awakened could never again be drowned by despair and hardship.
Seeing that the atmosphere was right, Asano Kiyoshi spoke:
"This man—I leave his fate to you. Whether you let him live or kill him, do as you will."
With that, he finished tending to the old man's wounds, then picked up the bag filled with severed heads and walked deeper into District 79.
As the crowd watched him leave, a realization struck them.
They looked toward the path he had taken, then back at the still-breathing Musakasa, who was still being hacked at by the girl. Then a man with a dark, brooding face spoke:
"We should wait. See how things go for him. If he dies, we're all dead too! Honestly, I think the chance of him getting killed is pretty high. Why don't we save Musakasa, tie up the girl, and maybe use them to negotiate for some kind of benefit? Then, based on—"
Before he could finish, a rusty hatchet slammed into his neck. Because the blade was old and dull, it only went halfway through. The man turned around instinctively, his eyes full of shock and resentment.
Standing behind him was an old man, face twisted with fury and grief, yelling:
"It's beasts like you that have made this place hell! You're no different from that monster on the ground—you both deserve to die!"
With that, he yanked out the hatchet and swung it down again!
The crowd, shaken by the sight, erupted. They surged toward both the man and Musakasa, wielding whatever weapons they had, pouring out their fury and grief.
In the end, the mutilated corpses of the two men were hung from a tree—a symbol of the first cry of defiance from this darkest, filthiest part of the Soul Society.
Asano Kiyoshi, as if spiritually attuned, turned his head slightly. When he saw the two corpses hanging, he exhaled lightly, a satisfied smile playing at his lips.
Then, his voice calm and cool, he spoke to the still-living Yamano Yarō inside the bag:
"Next stop. Don't even think about lying to me. I told you—so long as you don't lie, I'll let you live."
Yamano Yarō, bearing through the pain, forced a smile and said:
"Sir, I suggest you take the small path to the right. It's usually used by internal staff for recreation—no one really guards it."
Asano Kiyoshi nodded.
"I believe you. You're a smart man."
Though Yarō smiled outwardly, his thoughts cursed:
"Of course you believe me! You've already chopped me to pieces and I've spilled all kinds of secrets. Even if your plan fails and you die, my boss will definitely torture me to death in the most horrific way. The moment I was captured by you, I lost the right to survive!"
Asano Kiyoshi gave a faint smile. He knew Yarō understood him—and that Yarō was no fool.
So, he followed Yarō's advice and turned down the narrow path.
The path was tight, overgrown, and far muddier than the rest of the district. Even Asano Kiyoshi's mastery over spirit particles was affected—using Shunpo here felt sluggish.
The moment he entered, he noticed that the concentration of spirit particles was far denser than anywhere else. But more importantly—the spiritual pressure felt cold, violent… and not like a Soul Reaper at all.
No—it felt more like a Hollow.
Feeling this unfamiliar spiritual pressure, Asano Kiyoshi immediately turned to Yamano Yarō and demanded:
"What is this?! Why is there Hollow spiritual pressure here?! Are you lying to me?!"
As he spoke, his Zanpakutō was already pressed to Yarō's throat, a dark red line of blood rising along the blade.
Sensing the killing intent, Yarō's entire body began to tremble violently. Almost in tears, he shouted:
"Please, sir! It's not what you think! I swear! While there is Hollow spiritual pressure here, I've never seen an actual Hollow! I've investigated this area out of curiosity before—and aside from the squad leader who was… 'entertaining' himself nearby, I saw no trace of any Hollow!"
Afraid that Kiyoshi wouldn't believe him, Yarō went on pleading:
"Sir, from the moment I fell into your hands, my boss would never let me live. He's so paranoid that no matter what I told you—truth or lie—he'd assume I betrayed him. It's like testing a cup for pressure: the moment it's tested, it's doomed to shatter."
"That's why I never had any reason to lie to you! Even if you don't defeat him, I know you'd kill me before that happens! I cannot afford to lie to you!"
As he finished, his face pale from blood loss and the emotional outburst, Yarō began to lose consciousness.
Asano Kiyoshi frowned. If Yarō was faking, his willpower was bordering on absurd. Besides, according to the information on the "watch," this "Yingkou Huie" really was an extremely suspicious and cruel man.
All signs pointed to the same conclusion: Yarō likely wasn't lying.
Which meant… if this was indeed Soul Reaper spiritual pressure mixed with Hollow energy—there could only be one explanation.
Aizen—The Hollowfication Plan.
T/N: For up to 20 chapters ahead on all my translations, become a p@tron at [email protected]/LordHipposApostle
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