BLEACH: Blade of Purification

One step ahead of the times is a genius; two steps ahead, one often becomes a madman. Although the specific historical facts may differ, the story of someone being burned at the stake for promoting the theory of heliocentrism does persist.

The situations aren't entirely equivalent, but the principle is similar. When one displays immense talent within an understandable range, it brings joy. But when that talent is so strong that it inspires fear, problems arise.

This was the situation Ling Qing faced.

The problem lay with one entity—Soul Society's supreme judicial body, the Central 46.

From the perspective of the Shinigami alone, there wouldn't be much of an issue with Ling Qing. Although some would inevitably view him as a monster, no one would dare to do anything about it. But the Central 46 was different. It was a council composed of forty sages and six judges gathered from all over Soul Society. They held the highest authority in the entire Soul Society, and once a verdict was passed, not even a captain was allowed to object.

It is for this very reason, to maintain their absolute authority, that the Central 46 sometimes does things that are not so 'just.'

Before addressing Ling Qing's problem, one must first understand how the Central 46, a mere forty-six sages and judges, came to command the entirety of the Shinigami, the sole and absolute military power of Soul Society. There are many aspects to this system, but one is particularly relevant to Ling Qing.

It involves a being that, to the current Ling Qing, seems completely unrelated—the Head-Captain of the Gotei 13, Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni!!

The Gotei 13, rather than obeying the decisions of the Central 46, are in fact obeying the orders of the Head-Captain. Known as the "Millennial Shinigami," Head-Captain Yamamoto possesses the greatest power in the entire Seireitei. He is hailed as the final and strongest line of defense for the Gotei 13.

Since the inception of the Central 46, Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni has unconditionally supported all of its decisions, upholding its authority. From a command perspective, the Head-Captain leads by example, obeying first. In terms of power, anyone wishing to oppose the Central 46 or defy its orders must first face the might of the Gotei 13 and the Head-Captain.

For nearly a thousand years, this has never changed.

Until now.

Ling Qing, without even achieving Shikai, merely by turning his Asauchi into a Zanpakutō, was able to push back and even slay an Adjuchas-class Gillian. If word of this got out, even other Shinigami would dismiss it as a myth. But if this event was real, it could only mean one thing: a being had emerged whose future power could rival, or even surpass, that of the Head-Captain!

Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni was the strongest Shinigami. While he was indeed nearly invincible a thousand years ago, wielding his fiery sword to slay all foes, his power was also built upon a long accumulation of time and experience.

If a being were to appear now who was already overly powerful before even achieving Shikai, a being whose Shikai might rival that of Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni's... then what about his Bankai?

The power that took Yamamoto a thousand years to acquire, how many years would this being need?

For the Shinigami, this might be a dream combination, elevating the Gotei 13 from a situation of "one superpower and many strong powers" to "two superpowers and many strong powers," making it the strongest it has ever been in history.

But for the Central 46, it was a different story. A large part of their authority came from Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni's unconditional support. If a being as strong as, or even stronger than, Yamamoto were to appear, what would happen if that being opposed their decisions, their authority?

It didn't even need to become a reality. The mere possibility of it would be enough for the Central 46 to destroy it at any cost.

Within the Seireitei, there is a place called the "Maggot's Nest," a special prison for dangerous individuals who may pose a threat to Soul Society but have not yet committed any crimes.

And Ling Qing... wouldn't even have the chance to be imprisoned in the Maggot's Nest.

Ling Qing has unlawfully used a Shinigami's Zanpakutō. Ling Qing has unlawfully interfered with a Shinigami's duties. Ling Qing conspired to obtain a Zanpakutō with the premeditated intent to kill a Shinigami, or an even more severe charge.

As long as it could condemn Ling Qing to death, the Central 46 would pass the sentence.

Shihouin Souichirou didn't want to admit that a mere boy could be compared to the Head-Captain in his mind. But he knew even more clearly that if he could have such a thought, it was inevitable that others would think the same. Even among the captains, few were as politically sensitive as he was.

What Souichirou was proposing was, strictly speaking, just a conjecture based on shadows and whispers. But on the other hand, Souichirou could guarantee that this conjecture, without interference, would certainly become reality. It was simply because he knew all too well what those who held power were like. To call them incompetent freeloaders would not be an overstatement.

If it had been another captain here instead of Shihouin Souichirou, they might have joyfully brought Ling Qing back to the Seireitei, unknowingly pushing him into a chasm of certain death.

So, now that Ling Qing knew all this, could he avoid this situation by not appearing in the Seireitei or not revealing his power?

The answer was no.

And the reason was also Shihouin Souichirou.

Ling Qing's good fortune was that he was found by Shihouin Souichirou, who had chanced upon rumors of him, allowing him to learn of all this now.

Ling Qing's misfortune was precisely this as well. Shihouin Souichirou was a Shinigami of the Gotei 13, and a captain at that. The fact that Souichirou knew of Ling Qing's existence meant that the Gotei 13 and the Shinigami establishment knew of his existence. Even if Ling Qing were to kill Souichirou now, it would be useless. The sudden death of a captain would only trigger a larger backlash.

Souichirou's identity and position meant that he could not possibly conceal Ling Qing's situation. Even if he didn't immediately report it to the Central 46, he would have to report Ling Qing's status to the Head-Captain, Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni. After all, who knew if the currently calm, brave, powerful, and responsible Ling Qing might one day become an enemy of the Seireitei, Soul Society, or even all three realms.

If such a possibility existed, Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni would issue an order to execute Ling Qing even before the Central 46 gave the command!

Therefore, the problem now became—

Bring Ling Qing back to the Seireitei, and he will die because of the Central 46.

Temporarily let Ling Qing go and stay in the Rukongai, and he will die because of the Gotei 13!

Ling Qing was indeed very strong right now, but he was not yet strong enough to fight the entire Soul Society by himself!

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