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"However, when I learned that I was a collection of countless fragments of memory, I understood that those memories did not truly belong to me."

They come from different people, different lives, different stories. Even if I retrieve all the fragments, I cannot piece together a complete 'me'.

Her gaze hardened, and her voice carried a sense of having found a new direction in life:

"However, I have found a new goal, even though I am a bead of longing formed from many memories, even though those memories do not truly belong to me."

However, those dreams in our memories are real; they are the wishes that departed souls cherished until their last moments.

I want to... help them realize these dreams; perhaps that's the meaning of my existence afterward.

She closed her eyes, and countless fragmented images began to flash through her mind—

A young girl stands in front of an easel, holding a paintbrush in her hand, with a sea of ​​blooming flowers before her.

Her eyes sparkled with a longing for art as she softly said, "I want to paint a picture that can touch people's hearts, so that those who see it can feel the beauty of this world."

A young girl stood in front of the microphone and said with a smile, "I want to become a singer and lead my band to win the national championship!"

An elderly man with white hair sat in the courtyard, holding a yellowed photo album in his hands. He looked tenderly at the figures in the photos and murmured:

"I want to go to that beach again, watch the sunset again, and walk along that sandy beach with him again."

Countless dreams, countless lives, countless obsessions—they twinkled like stars in Shizuku Akane's mind, converging into a dazzling galaxy.

She slowly opened her eyes, and a determined light shone in those clear eyes.

She looked at Liu Chuan, a genuine smile appearing on her lips:

"Therefore, I decided to live in this world not as the Bead of Longing, but as Shizuku Akane."

I'm going to fulfill those dreams from my memories, one by one!

Chapter 260 Journey to Hell

After listening to Akane Shizuku's resolute and radiant words, a rare gentleness and approval flashed in Yanagawa's eyes. His tone carried a sense of certainty:

"What a remarkable idea! After learning the truth about themselves, they did not wallow in confusion, but instead found their own direction forward."

He reached into his pocket, took out a neatly folded piece of paper, and handed it to Shizuku.

The note contained a neatly written address in the modern world, along with a name: Kurosaki Isshin.

Liu Chuan explained, "If you don't have a suitable place to live in the real world, you can stay at this address for a while."

The homeowner is a good friend of mine. Although he seems a bit eccentric, he's reliable and I think he'll help you integrate into normal life more quickly.

Akane Shizuku took the note with both hands, glanced at the address on it, and then carefully put it away.

She raised her head and bowed deeply to Liu Chuan, her voice clear and sincere:

"Mr. Liuchuan, thank you for taking care of me. Without you, I might still be trapped in the valley, not knowing who I am or where to go."

You gave me the answer, and you gave me direction.

She straightened up, a bright and confident smile appearing on her lips, a smile that carried a sense of renewal, like a butterfly emerging from its cocoon.

"Next time we meet, I'll show you a different me, the real Akane Shizuku!"

After saying that, she turned around and, with light but firm steps, slowly left the devastated valley.

Her long purple hair fluttered in the wind behind her, like a flag waving in the breeze, announcing the start of her new life.

Liuchuan stood there, watching Akane Shizuku's figure gradually disappear into the distance, until her silhouette vanished at the edge of the gray horizon.

He let out a soft breath and muttered to himself, "Then, it's time to deal with the matters of Hell."

Liu Chuan stood still, his gaze fixed on the gate to hell that was still suspended in mid-air and had not yet been closed.

The vermilion gate gleamed with a dark luster in the dim light, and the scarlet light shining through the cracks seemed like some kind of mysterious summons, slowly flowing in the air.

Although most of the thick black chains around the door frame had retracted, a few still dangled over the edge, making a faint metallic clanging sound, as if silently inviting him to enter.

Yanagawa was indeed very curious about the scenes in hell.

What exactly is that mysterious space that exists outside the Three Realms and within the underlying rules of the world?

Is it really the terrifying place filled with flames and punishments as legend has it? Or is it some kind of completely different scene beyond human imagination?

Moreover, the information he received from Hyosube Ichibei filled him with anticipation for this journey to hell: the souls of the captains of Soul Society throughout the ages had not returned to the earth, but had been sent to hell.

In other words, in some corner of Hell, there may exist those names that left a glorious mark on the history of Soul Society, those who once stood at the pinnacle of the Shinigami, and their souls may still exist in Hell.

Thinking of this, a hint of anticipation appeared on Liu Chuan's lips.

He glanced down at Sankino Hikoya beside him, then at the scattered remnants of Ryudoji in the distance. After confirming that the Soul Society's reinforcements would arrive soon, he no longer hesitated.

He strode toward the still-open gates of hell.

The moment he stepped through the gates of hell, the crimson gate finally began to slowly close.

It emitted a muffled roar, and then, along with the thick black chains, completely vanished into the sky above the valley.

Liu Chuan's figure disappeared into the crimson light behind the door.

Soon after, a golden crack appeared in the gray sky above the valley, and several figures emerged from the crack.

Leading the group was Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni, the captain of the Gotei 13. He held a cane, and although his posture was slightly hunched, his eyes, which seemed to see through everything, still gleamed with a sharp light.

Following closely behind was the captain of the Eighth Division, Kyoraku Shunsui. He was still wearing that flashy pink haori, a straw hat, and a blade of grass in his mouth, looking lazy and casual. But his eyes, hidden in the shadow of the hat, were quickly scanning the surrounding scenery.

Captain Jushiro Ukitake of the 13th Division was also in the group. His face was still a little pale, but his mental state was obviously much better than before. After seeing the scene in front of him, he finally felt relieved.

Behind them were several deputy captain-level Death Slayers, as well as a team of professionals responsible for escorting and handling the scene.

Kyoraku Shunsui looked around at the crisscrossing battle scars on the land of Kaguya.

The bottomless fissures, the rocks molten by the intense heat, the cracked earth crushed by gravity—I couldn't help but gasp, my voice tinged with a mixture of amazement and感慨 (gǎnkǎi, a feeling of deep emotion or reflection):

"Tsk tsk tsk... I never imagined that such a mysterious space was hidden deep within the Broken Realm, and that the Ryudoji family had been using it for so long."

"If it weren't for Lord Yanagawa's thorough investigation this time, we'd probably still be in the dark."

Jushiro Ukitake, standing to the side, nodded, a look of relief appearing on his pale face.

He spoke slowly, his voice tinged with relief and gratitude:

"We are so grateful for Lord Yanagawa's help this time. If Tsunayoshi Tokinada's plan had continued, the consequences would have been unimaginable..."

Captain-Commander Yamamoto slowly walked forward, his gaze falling on the boy, Hikoya Sankina, who was lying on the ground and had fallen into a coma.

He slowly began to speak, "I never expected... that the Tsunayo family would actually use a fragment of the Soul King to create this child."

He paused for a moment, then shook his head, his tone carrying a hint of decisiveness:

"However, the Zero Division has taken over the aftermath of this matter, so we, the Gotei 13, don't need to interfere any further."

He turned around, his gaze sweeping over the Ryudoji family members lying haphazardly on the ground, and gave the order:

“Take away all members of the Ryudoji family present and await further interrogation and processing. Do not leave a single one out.”

"Yes!" the Grim Reapers behind him responded in unison, and then began to move, taking away the dying Ryudoji members one by one.

Kyoraku Shunsui took off his straw hat, scratched his head, and spoke with a knowing smile:

"The Tsunayo family... should be completely finished. An ancient noble family that has lasted for thousands of years has collapsed overnight. It's really quite a sad story."

Chapter 261 The Nemesis of Room 46

When the Tsuna Yayo family's conspiracy was completely exposed, the news spread through the streets and alleys of Seireitei at an astonishing speed.

Whether it's the barracks of the Gotei 13, the market, or even those izakayas where people usually only discuss the weather and food, you can hear the Shinigami talking about this topic everywhere.

As evening fell, the lights were on and the place was bustling with activity inside an izakaya called "Tsubaki" in the northern ward of Seireitei.

This izakaya is a place where many Grim Reapers often come after get off work. A wooden sign with the menu hangs on the wall, and the air is filled with the aroma of grilled skewers and sake.

At this moment, the store was almost full. Several Grim Reapers were sitting around a low table, holding wine glasses in their hands, with expressions of shock or emotion on their faces.

"Hey, have you heard? What happened to the Tsunayo family!" A middle-aged Shinigami said in a low voice, but his tone still couldn't hide the mix of excitement and shock.

"Nonsense, it's all over the Seireitei!" A Shinigami of similar age took a swig of sake, wiped his mouth, and...

"Who would have thought that the Tsunayo family, one of the five great noble families! An ancient family that has existed since the founding of Soul Society, would do something so crazy!"

"It is said that they have been secretly attacking Fullbring humans and Death Agents in the mortal world to steal the Soul King's fragments for hundreds of years!"

A young Grim Reaper interjected, his eyes gleaming with disbelief, "Hundreds of years! And no one discovered it during that time? It's been hidden far too well..."

"It's more than just taking the fragments!" the middle-aged Grim Reaper who spoke first said in a low, mysterious voice.

"I also heard that they used the collected fragments of the Spirit King to create a boy, an artificial life form that fused with the power of the Spirit King!"

It is said that child's power is even enough to overturn the balance of the entire Three Realms!

"Hiss—" The surrounding Grim Reapers gasped in shock at the same time.

"This...this is too insane!" the young Shinigami murmured. "What are the Tsunayo family thinking? Don't they know the magnitude of the disaster this will cause?"

"Who knows?" The Fifth Division's Shinigami shook his head and poured himself another glass of wine.

"Anyway, it's all over now. It's said that Lord Yanagawa of the Zero Division personally intervened and thwarted Tsunayoshi Tokinada's plot."

"Lord Yanagawa..." A hint of awe flashed in the young Grim Reaper's eyes.

"Is that the Zero Division member known as the 'strongest Grim Reaper'? I heard he disappeared for fifteen years. I didn't expect him to do something so big as soon as he came back."

"That's right!" The middle-aged Grim Reaper slapped his thigh, his tone tinged with admiration.

"Fifteen years ago, he was already a legend in Soul Society. This time, he came back and completely overturned the Tsunayo family. He truly lives up to his reputation!"

A female Grim Reaper at the next table joined the discussion, putting down her chopsticks and sighing:

"Speaking of which, the Tsunayo family is completely finished this time. After this incident, the Tsunayo family, one of the five great noble families, will be wiped off the list of history in Soul Society."

"Sigh, they brought this on themselves." The middle-aged Grim Reaper sighed, his tone tinged with complex emotion.

"But then again, if even the five great noble families can do something like this, the Soul Society is truly a deep and murky place..."

His words caused a moment of silence around him. Everyone looked at each other, and they all saw a hint of unease and deep thought in each other's eyes.

A moment later, the middle-aged Grim Reaper raised his glass, breaking the silence:

"Forget it, these big things are for the higher-ups to handle. We small fry should just stick to our drinks! Cheers!"