Sōkyoku Hill

The Sōkyoku Hill (双殛の丘, Sōkyoku no oka) is an iconic, large, rocky mesa located at the center of Seireitei in Soul Society, where it is overlooked by the Senzaikyū (懺罪宮, Palace of Penitence). The hill is visible from most of Seireitei. It has sheer cliffs on all sides. There are two known access points to the Sōkyoku Hill - a long bridge connecting to the Senzaikyū (懺罪宮, Palace of Penitence), and a long, zigzagging stairway carved into one side of the hill.[1] The Senzaikyū is where the Kyokushū (中央犯人, Capital Offender) is stationed, generally waiting one month before execution.[2] One end of the hill is heavily undercut, where the Sōkyoku and the bridge are located. The opposite end is covered by a white forest.[3] When he was young, Kisuke Urahara dug a large cavern beneath the Sōkyoku Hill, which was to be used as a secret training area. It is accessed via a small cave in the side of one of the hill's sheer cliffs. In this training ground, he and Yoruichi Shihōin would play and train. Ichigo Kurosaki and Renji Abarai both train to attain Bankai in this cavern.[4][5] The Sōkyoku Hill is the scene of the execution ceremony of Rukia Kuchiki and several battles, including Ichigo's final fight with Byakuya Kuchiki and the final battle against the Bount leader Jin Kariya.[6][7] It was central to Sōsuke Aizen's plot to acquire the Hōgyoku.[8] Not only was the Sōkyoku his intended method of gaining the Hōgyoku, but it was also the place where Menos Grande arrived and enveloped Aizen, Gin Ichimaru, and Kaname Tōsen in Negación to allow them to escape from Soul Society.[9] The Sōkyoku Hill is also the location where Muramasa confronted the Shinigami about their Zanpakutō prior to the Zanpakutō Rebellion.