Who can replicate this feat?
"During that age, all of creation was in a state of ambiguity. There was neither life nor death; progression and regression flickered to and fro. Swaying and swaying slowly; this waning and waxing world waited for a hundred million years to cool down. Eventually, Hollows became a part of the circulation of souls."
The monk spoke in a matter-of-fact tone; quietly reminiscing about the world that existed before the birth of Hueco Mundo and the World of the Living.
"But before long, Hollows began devouring humans. And so, the circulation ceased. All those souls came together to form a gigantic Hollow, a Menos. The world became completely still. But you know, it's a strange thing. A new life came into being. As if the world itself naturally rejected it, he destroyed it and turned it into sands of reishi; thus, circulation began once again."
"That was the Rei-o of the first era...?"
One of the new recruits involuntarily whispered; but he hurriedly closed his mouth for fear of having said something profane. But the monk nodded and told him not to worry.
"That's right. Others; with special powers, including myself; appeared, but it is fair to say that the Rei-o stood out; his powers very close to omnipotence and omniscience."
The monk paused, recalling the former Rei-o who had already disappeared from this throne.
"As the Rei-o continued to protect the world from the Hollows by annihilating them; to prevent the world from stagnating, the world itself began to slowly sink into chaos."
The monk went on, stroking his beard.
"However, there were those who did not find this state of affairs agreeable. There were five of them. Although not as much as the Rei-o; they were strong. They were the original founders of the Five Great Noble Houses, including the Shiba family."
The monk told them.
Each of them had different motives.
The Tsunayashiro ancestor was afraid that this mighty power would someday be used against them.
The ancestor of the opposing clan said that it was necessary to have a world that would serve as the lid to cover up the 'pit' that would later be known as 'Hell'.
The Kuchiki ancestor believed that a new order was necessary to solidify the world more.
The Shihoin ancestor said that it was necessary to form a larger circulation to advance the stagnant world.
And the Shiba ancestor wanted to explore the path of purification of Hollows rather than destruction; since they too had hearts.
But their widely varying motives strangely led to the same goal in the end; to split the world. A world of order, a world of implementation, also a paradise of sand where Hollows from two sides would end up in.
Perhaps another form of the world would be born, but the essential thing was the clear separation the world of the 'living' from the world of the 'dead'.
In order to turn this division into a reality, what was required was the power of a man who transcended everything.
"Although the Shiba ancestor tried to talk the Tsunayashiro ancestor out of it, it is said that the Rei-o was tied up and sealed within the crystal. The rest of Soul Society's history was witnessed directly by myself."
A man who was later named the Rei-o.
Using his powers of the Almighty as the 'keystone', the five of them created the foundation of a new world. Soul Society, the Material World and Hueco Mundo. Life and death were separated. The Soul Cycle ushered in a new era.
And then, one day, the ones who managed the Soul Society, came to be known as 'Shinigami'.
"Perhaps it was because he could see the far-flung future.... Maybe he could not escape his fear; or maybe he found some hope in the new world.... I don't really understand... But the Rei-o dared not resist it."
The monk lowered his eyes and then repeated his first words.
"But the Tsunayashiro ancestor doubted even this non-resistance. Afraid of the Rei-o escaping from his seal by himself; he neither wanted the Rei-o to live nor did he want to kill him. Continuing this helix of contradictions, the Right Arm of 'stagnation' and the Left Arm of 'Progress' were torn off."
The recruits drew in sharp breaths. The four members of the Zero Division, except for the monk, had unfathomable expressions on their faces; but they remained silent.
The monk then stated a cruel fact in a flat tone as if he was talking about the weather.
"Well; I suppose that still wasn't enough. The ancestors; including Tsunayashiro; gouged out his heart and internal organs; and dismembered both his legs. Doing so, they destroyed his power; creating a king convenient for themselves."
Upon hearing the monk's tale; Shutara Senjumaru, who had remained silent until then, opened her mouth with a smile. But that smile was heavy with traces of insurrection.
"Convenient indeed. He continues to remain the lynchpin without ever having a say in the workings of this world, while the real business is carried out by others."
The others all nodded at her words. But the monk said,
"Oh, he most certainly had a will of his own. It might have faded with the passage of time, but I think he was aware of the general situation and thus guided Kurosaki Ichigo here to the Reiokyu. This shows that he possessed his own will. I could feel it. If the bone is the Oken, then a part of his soul is entrusted to this Reiokyu."
Actually, long ago, the Right Arm and the Left Arm of the Rei-o did find their way back to the Reiokyu along with their respective 'wills'. The Right Arm had been enshrined within the Soul Society as a protector of this world, whereas the Left Arm as a Quincy under Yhwach's influence; was meant to restore this world back.
As if agreeing with the monk's words, Tenjiro Kirinji raised his voice, his toothpick going up and down.
"Bloodline will always tell. The boy from the House of Shiba was supposed to be the next Rei-o. It's interesting."
"The Shiba ancestor did rebel against the Tsunayashiro ancestor for sealing the Rei-o by force. He tried to find a way to sacrifice himself instead of the Rei-o. I had hoped that the sinless would be exempt from the other crimes."
"Ho..! That mentality certainly fits the House of Shiba."
"In a sense, it was a most foolish thing for him to do. If he had not failed to persuade; then he would have had to prepare himself to be the cornerstone of the three worlds. It's ironic, really. The Shiba bloodline was allowed to thrive only because the Tsunayashiro ancestor decided to seal the Rei-o."
Hikifune Kirio shrugged her ample shoulders, thinking about the past.
"I remember Kaien-kun. He was like that too."
"And so, the Shiba ancestor was erased from history by the House of Tsunayashiro."
The monk sighed, staring up at the ceiling.
"But when the descendant, Ichigo appeared, possessing all the qualities that made him fit to replace the Rei-o, I really thought that history was repeating itself. Perhaps the world needs someone like him."
As the monk's story drew to a close, he saw the pale, ashen faces of the newcomers. They were looking at each other nervously. But the Zero Division understood. The monk's words could also be interpreted this way:
That is; the history of the Shinigami is built on far more cruel sins than murder and that the crime is being committed even today.
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