As Yamamoto Genryusai finished speaking.
The entire meeting room fell into brief silence.
A disturbance in Hell was undoubtedly serious.
But…
It was also troublesome.
None of the captains seemed eager to volunteer.
Except one.
"Hell, huh?"
Kenpachi Zaraki sat slouched in his seat, his expression wild. "Sounds like there might be something worth cutting down in there."
"Old man Yamamoto, just let me go!"
Yamamoto Genryusai gave him a glance, then ignored him.
He continued calmly, "No one else is volunteering?"
Kenpachi: "…"
He slapped the floor in frustration. "Hey, hey! I said I'd go!"
Kurotsuchi Mayuri let out a laugh. "You're not seriously sending a researcher like me to that kind of place, are you?"
Yamamoto didn't expect anything from him either. Instead, his eyes turned to Kyoraku Shinsui.
Kyoraku, who had been slacking off, paused for a moment. Scratching his head lazily, he replied, "Wouldn't this sort of thing be better left to the more specialized Second Division?"
After all, the cause of the incident in Hell was unclear. It made more sense to let the more professional Second Division investigate.
Of course…
All of this was just an excuse to avoid taking the mission.
Soi Fon: "…"
The new captain really had no authority.
No.
It was worse. She was stuck in a role where she couldn't speak up but was expected to work.
She wasn't as old as the veterans, but more capable than most newcomers.
Basically born to be a workhorse.
She sighed, then straightened her posture and said seriously, "In that case, I'll go."
Yamamoto Genryusai looked at her silently for a moment, then nodded. "Very well. I'll leave it to you."
Soon after, the decision was finalized.
The Second Division quickly mobilized.
Gate of Hell.
Soi Fon and her squad approached.
She frowned at the miasma surging out, then produced her mission certificate and said coldly, "Open the gate."
Clang—
Moments later, the Gates of Hell opened completely.
Whoosh—
Unhindered, the miasma poured out even more violently, like it had found an escape route.
Seeing this, Soi Fon was the first to step into the gate.
Meanwhile.
Fifth Level of Hell.
Lynn suppressed his overwhelming spiritual pressure.
He began using it to communicate directly with Hell.
Soon—
He captured a faint consciousness.
Lynn attempted to establish communication.
But...
There was no response.
"…?"
Hell's consciousness…
It didn't seem fully developed.
So…
Was all of this just its instinct?
Did it instinctively recognize Lynn as a Yama and believe he could help it develop?
Lynn smirked at the thought.
He wondered if Hell's consciousness had ever heard the phrase "letting a wolf into the house."
Then he forced his way deeper into Hell's consciousness.
Buzz—
Hell's awareness suddenly flared up, and the entire realm trembled violently.
Saito Furofushi: "?"
"What's going on?"
Her expression tensed.
Why did Hell's reaction grow even more intense after Lynn suppressed his spiritual pressure?
Hell's consciousness began resisting instinctively.
But Lynn sent it a message.
"You don't want Hell to be trapped in a corner of the world, scrounging for scraps left behind by others, do you?"
...!
Hell's awareness suddenly stilled.
The struggle ceased.
"…Really now."
Lynn looked a little surprised.
Was it that easy to convince?
He actually felt a little sorry for it.
But…
That didn't mean he'd hold back.
He seized control of Hell immediately.
However...
"Locked?"
Lynn furrowed his brow slightly.
He now had control over Hell—just not full control.
Hell's consciousness made a deal with him.
It would hand itself over completely to Lynn, but...
Only if it saw real development.
This thing…
Was sincerely devoted to Hell.
Its purity made even Lynn feel a little ashamed.
Well, briefly.
After finishing the negotiation, Lynn opened his eyes.
Saito Furofushi was right in front of him, blinking with curiosity.
Seeing him awaken, she asked, "Did you do something just now?"
Lynn nodded. "Just made a deal with Hell."
Saito Furofushi: "...?"
Hell? A deal?
She understood the words individually, but together, they didn't make sense.
A deal with Hell?
"Is that even possible?"
She was full of doubt.
She had lived in Hell for so long, yet never heard of such a thing.
Lynn tilted his head. "Could it be..."
"You're just not qualified?"
"…?"
The corner of her eye twitched. "You mean..."
"I'm not worthy?"
Lynn nodded meaningfully.
"…Haa."
Saito let out a heavy breath.
Not worthy?
Well…
It might actually be true.
Thinking of Lynn's spiritual pressure—far more terrifying than Yamamoto's—she clicked her tongue.
She had no reason to doubt him anymore.
"I didn't expect you to be that strong," she muttered in awe.
And...
She was curious.
What kind of deal had Lynn made with Hell?
Even Yamamoto and Squad Zero couldn't intervene here.
Yet the man before her had done exactly that.
Her adrenaline spiked.
This was getting interesting.
Unable to suppress her curiosity, she asked, "So, what kind of deal did you make with Hell?"
"Nothing much," Lynn replied casually. "I'll help it develop. In return, Hell will be mine."
"…?"
Ownership of Hell?
Wait a minute!
Saito's eyes widened. "Hell will belong to you?"
You develop it, and then it becomes yours?
Was that even a deal?
Why did it sound like Lynn got everything?
And Hell… agreed?
Lynn simply shrugged.
Saito was speechless.
She had a strange feeling.
Hell might not be very smart.
But despite that, it had kept her bound here all this time.
Thinking about it, she sighed deeply.
After calming herself, she asked again, "So... what are you going to do?"
Developing Hell...
She wanted in on something that interesting.
"First…"
Lynn said, "Let's shake hands."
"…?"
Saito looked confused.
Under her puzzled gaze, Lynn raised his hand and waved.
A portal instantly formed before them.
Lynn locked onto coordinates and connected to the Hell in Japan from the main world.
Soon—
Through the dimensional gate, a field of red spider lilies came into view.
In the center of the red bloom stood a small thatched hut, quietly nestled in the scene.
"…This is…"
Saito's eyes narrowed in surprise.
Beyond the portal…
It almost looked like a connection between Hell and the Soul Society.
But…
Her understanding was still limited.
That place...
Was actually another world's Hell.
Naturally, Lynn didn't explain.
At the same time.
---
Main World.
In the Hell of Japan.
Ai Enma sensed the sudden change.
The moment she saw the gate open through the field of red spider lilies, a question mark formed in her mind.
Before she could react.
She saw Lynn.
"…?"
"Lord Lynn?"
(To be continued.)
***
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