Chapter 51: The Soul King Palace |
Yeruashi lounged in the center of his courtyard, his gaze fixed on the sky above the Seireitei.
His eyes, emitting a golden radiance reminiscent of the Tenseigan, swept across the various small dimensions surrounding the Soul Society and Hueco Mundo, tracking the movement of every spirit particle.
The current world of Bleach was vastly different from the one created by the Soul King and the King of Hollows nearly a million years ago. In addition to the Soul Society and Hueco Mundo, new dimensions like Hell and the Dangai had emerged.
All these realms had been fashioned by Zero after Yeruashi's departure.
The world they had initially created was simple and exceptionally stable; naturally, the addition of new dimensions and the increasing complexity of the system weakened that stability. Thus, the creation of Hell, the Dangai, and other auxiliary realms required the construction of a very delicate and sophisticated structure.
After a brief inspection of the dimensions the Soul King had created in his absence, Yeruashi turned toward the courtyard entrance as the mesmerizing golden light in his pupils faded away.
"How dare you not greet your own captain after returning from such a dangerous place?!"
Yoruichi stormed into the courtyard with a loud shout, followed closely by Soi-Fon.
Soi-Fon now wore a form-fitting and rather revealing Shinigami uniform that perfectly accentuated her graceful physique, while her form subtly exuded a powerful and intense spiritual pressure.
Yeruashi gave a carefree smile. "Congratulations, you've finally achieved Bankai, little Soi-Fon."
Soi-Fon lowered her head bashfully. "Stop calling me that, but... thank you for the guidance. Without your help, I would never have achieved Bankai so quickly."
She initially wanted to argue that she was much older than Yeruashi, but then thought better of it and changed the subject at the last second.
Yeruashi wouldn't have cared even if she had said it; after all, his true age was comparable to that of the Soul King. In the current world, no one could truly challenge him in terms of seniority. Furthermore, regardless of age, he saw nothing wrong with calling her 'little Soi-Fon.'
"You're welcome."
Yeruashi replied with a friendly smile.
Yoruichi sat down and leaned an elbow on Yeruashi's shoulder, casting a patronizing look his way. "I've already heard that you've brought another woman into your residence. Honestly, are the girls of the Second Division no longer enough to satisfy your animalistic appetite?"
"Is the captain ordering me to throw the poor girls out onto the street? Oh..."
Yeruashi rolled his eyes. "Rukia and Hisana have been following me for a long time; how can I just abandon them? Captain Yoruichi, you are being unnecessarily cruel and heartless..."
Yoruichi sighed helplessly. "Just show her to me already."
Yeruashi smirked. "Nelliel!"
"I am here, Lord Yeruashi."
Nelliel immediately stepped out from the hallway into the backyard and bowed respectfully to Yeruashi.
Yoruichi frowned as she looked at Nelliel, then jumped to her feet and gestured toward her own chest. "How could this happen... aren't you..."
"Why didn't you bring back another little sister this time?!"
"...those are just your baseless delusions!"
Yeruashi shot an irritated glance at his captain.
Why, in Yoruichi's mind, was he supposedly obligated to bring back a so-called little sister?
Yoruichi whispered thoughtfully, "But aren't you a lolicon and a pervert? This is the first time I've seen you interested in a mature woman!"
Yeruashi sighed helplessly. "Stop viewing my preferences through the lens of your own dirty and depraved thoughts."
Throughout their bickering, Soi-Fon had been watching Nelliel intently, instinctively sensing an invisible and intangible threat from her.
When Soi-Fon displayed clear hostility and wariness toward Nelliel, the other woman simply looked back at her.
"!"
A mere glance from Nelliel, showing no signs of aggression, caused Soi-Fon's entire body to shudder.
'This woman is dangerous... very dangerous!'
'She clearly has more to boast about than just her bust!'
'She is definitely not a simple soul one might stumble upon in the streets of Rukongai!'
Gradually, Soi-Fon realized with shock and confusion that she couldn't properly track this strange woman's spiritual pressure!
Which meant...
She was unable to discern Nelliel's level of spiritual pressure even after having achieved Bankai!
Yoruichi narrowed her eyes and smiled at Yeruashi when she noticed the tension between Soi-Fon and Nelliel. "We need to talk. Could you ask your new acquaintance to leave us for a moment?"
Yeruashi nodded to Nelliel.
She bowed politely in return and retreated into the house.
Once Nelliel was gone, the smile vanished from Yoruichi's face. "She... is far from an ordinary soul, isn't she? A Hollow or a monster?"
"Nelliel was once a Hollow, but not anymore."
Yeruashi waved his hand dismissively, paying no mind to Yoruichi's sudden shift in mood.
Yoruichi frowned. "That explains why her spiritual pressure felt so strange and unusual."
"It vaguely resembles the spiritual pressure of a very powerful Hollow, mixed with that of a Shinigami and the power of a monster... There could be huge problems if I don't report to the Captain-Commander about you bringing such a creature into the squad's barracks."
If a Shinigami of the Gotei 13 wished to bring a monster or an unusual soul—such as a member of the Wolf Clan—into the Seireitei, they were strictly required to obtain permission from the Captain-Commander.
In reality, this was an extremely serious matter that would warrant the attention of the Central 46.
Yeruashi had brought a highly unusual and mysterious entity onto the grounds of the Second Division without obtaining clearance from the Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13.
Yoruichi knew well that her lieutenant wasn't someone prone to such reckless and impulsive actions, but that didn't change the fact that this was a blatant violation of the laws of the Gotei 13.
Yamamoto Genryusai would find out sooner or later, and he would take immediate action, even if she chose to turn a blind eye now.
"Don't worry so much."
Yeruashi smiled carefree. "Everything will be fine, Captain."
Yoruichi crossed her arms and tilted her chin, staring at the nonchalant Yeruashi. "I have no objection to you bringing your strange women to the squad—everyone has their own tastes—but our Captain-Commander is different. He holds strict, old-fashioned views. This could end very badly for you!"
Yeruashi reached out and took the teapot from the small stone table, carefully pouring himself a cup of tea. "I'll speak with Captain-Commander Yamamoto. For now, you should just have some tea."
"I suppose I can rest easy if you have it under control."
Yoruichi sighed in relief and took the cup from Yeruashi, taking a sip of the fragrant brew.
She had initially feared that Yeruashi was either unaware of the Gotei 13's rules or simply ignoring them, which could lead to disaster.
But judging by his demeanor, he was not only fully aware of the implications but also possessed complete confidence in securing the Captain-Commander's support.
Since that was the case, there was no need to worry; Yoruichi still trusted her lieutenant's judgment.
"By the way."
Yeruashi took a sip of tea and said calmly, "I intend to begin a period of closed-door training, so it would be best if Soi-Fon temporarily takes over the duties of the Second Division's lieutenant. Soi-Fon, it's time for you to take on more serious responsibilities and tasks; after all, you are now a Shinigami who has achieved Bankai."
Soi-Fon visibly tensed, but she quickly composed herself and nodded resolutely. "I am ready!"
In truth, she was deeply gratified to receive Yeruashi's approval at that moment.
Yoruichi narrowed her eyes and grumbled irritably at the relaxed Yeruashi. "Tch, you dumped your duties onto my poor Soi-Fon so eloquently and gracefully that I almost bought it myself... Just say you're being lazy!"
Yeruashi simply smiled, his expression making it clear he had no intention of responding to her accusation.
"It's time to go, Soi-Fon!"
Yoruichi waved her hand and quickly left the Second Division lieutenant's residence.
Soi-Fon turned and gave Yeruashi a reserved nod before following after Yoruichi.
Yeruashi stretched and settled into a more comfortable position, watching Yoruichi and Soi-Fon depart before fixing his gaze on the sky above the Seireitei.
"The time has come."
Following those words, Yeruashi's figure blurred and vanished, reappearing amidst the clouds above the Seireitei. He then shot upward, disappearing into the vast blue sky.
The numerous layers of space situated above the Seireitei parted obediently one after another, unable to hinder Yeruashi's advance, yielding like a girl seeking fulfillment.
The Soul King Palace.
Beyond a massive semicircular stone plaza suspended in the clear sky lay a long stone path leading into the inner reaches of the palace, where the members of the Zero Division and the Soul King himself resided.
Five figures sat quietly on this stone platform, their eyes closed.
These were the members of the Royal Guard, responsible for protecting both the Soul King Palace and the Soul King himself.
The Zero Division!
A privileged unit that not only outranked the entirety of the Gotei 13 but was in no way subordinate to the Central 46.
Only the Soul King held the right to issue orders to the Zero Division, which consisted of only five members.
It could be said that the Zero Division possessed the highest status in the world, eclipsed only by the two true kings.
While Ichibei Hyosube held the nominal position of head of the Zero Division by virtue of seniority, the unit technically lacked a clear leader or captain in the same sense as the Gotei 13 squads.
For each member of the Zero Division was a natural leader and a captain in their own right, possessing unsurpassed abilities in their respective fields.
The combined combat power of the five members of the Zero Division exceeded that of the entire Gotei 13.
As Yeruashi began to break through the numerous folds of space with exaggerated ease, moving like a fish through water, the central figure suddenly opened his eyes.
"He is here."
Following the words of Ichibei Hyosube, the nearby Oetsu Nimaiya, Senjumaru Shutara, Tenjiro Kirinji, and Kirio Hikifune also opened their eyes.
Ichibei, the head of the Zero Division, was the first to stand, followed by Oetsu and the others. They then lined up in the center of the semicircular stone plaza.
"Everyone, prepare yourselves."
Ichibei, staring intently forward, whispered with unmistakable tension.
Oetsu and the other members of the Zero Division remained silent, but each watched the space ahead with the same grim and solemn intensity as Ichibei.
By this point, numerous distortions were appearing in the space before the stone plaza hanging in the air.
The Soul King Palace was separated from the Seireitei by seventy-two barriers, which were practically impossible to breach without the King's Key.
However, this did not mean that entering the Soul King Palace without the King's Key was entirely impossible; certain beings were capable of forcibly tearing through every one of those barriers.
Finally...
A blurred human silhouette emerged amidst the distortions, quickly becoming distinct as it stepped through the final fold of space and slowly set foot on the edge of the semicircular stone platform.