Chapter 118: Zero Squad Descends

Two days later, Seireitei’s western plaza hummed with the Gotei 13’s elite. Captains, Vice-Captains, and nobles, including Sasakibe Chōjirō and Tsunayashiro Fuka, stood ready.

Tsunayashiro Fuka, head of a Great Noble Clan, buzzed with excitement and nerves. Despite his status, he’d never seen The Royal Guards. They resided in the Soul King Palace, descending only for critical matters, answering solely to the Soul King, not the Five Great Noble Clans.

“Chihiro, ever met The Royal Guards?” Fuka whispered to Shihōin Chihiro.

Chihiro shook his head. Even nobles lacked sway over Zero Division.

“Silence!” Yamamoto Genryūsai’s voice commanded. The crowd fell still, awaiting The Royal Guards.

Saitō Furofushi scanned the sky. “How do they arrive? Where’s the Soul King Palace?” A black dot appeared, growing swiftly.

“Something’s falling!” Saitō exclaimed.

A cylindrical vessel plummeted, crashing before them in a dust cloud. Alert Captains gripped their Zanpakutō, poised for battle.

“Troublesome,” Shijima Chigiri muttered, apathetic.

The dust settled, revealing the vessel’s door. Two figures emerged: Ichibei Hyōsube, a bearded monk with prayer beads, and Nimaiya Ōetsu, the Sword God.

Ichibei grinned at Yamamoto. “Long time, Yamamoto! You’ve grown!”

The Captains, unaware of their past, stared. Ichibei spoke like a mentor watching a student rise.

“Time spares no one,” Yamamoto replied calmly. “You’re unchanged. Is this visit for a mission? Need our support?”

Ichibei shook his head. “No mission. We’re here to bring someone back.”

Yamabuki Haruto’s stomach knotted. Kirinji Tenjirō, for his healing hot springs, right? Tenjirō’s springs, a historic creation, marked him for Zero Division, alongside Ōetsu’s Zanpakutō, Shutara Senjumaru’s shihakushō, and Kirio Hikifune’s Gikon.

Nimaiya, inspecting the Captains’ Zanpakutō with nods and shakes, spoke up. “Which one’s Yamabuki? Come with us.”

Eyes snapped to Haruto. Me? Not Tenjirō?

Yamamoto tensed, surprised. Haruto’s mind raced. Why me? His Shinigami-Hollow-Quincy hybrid powers—via Reversal, Silver Angel’s Shikai and Vollständig: Silver Angel—made him a Soul King candidate. If Ichibei or the Soul King knows, I’m done for.

“I refuse,” Haruto said sharply.

No way. The Soul King’s Omniscience and Omnipotence sees all. Legends claimed the Soul King foresaw a million years of prosperity, allowing the Five Great Noble Clans to dismember him. Ichibei, a million-year-old schemer, knew the lower realms’ secrets. Haruto’s hybrid nature wouldn’t escape them.

Yamamoto’s hand tightened on Ryūjin Jakka. If Zero Division pressed, he’d fight. The Gotei 13 braced, blades ready.

Ichibei laughed loudly. “Haruto, I know your concerns. They won’t happen. It’s not my request—His Majesty the Soul King wants you.”

Haruto frowned. The Soul King? Conscious? Despite dismemberment, the Soul King’s will endured—Ichigo’s uncontrolled strike in the Thousand-Year Blood War proved it. Retirement after a million years? Plausible.

Yamamoto eyed Haruto, doubting Ichibei’s claim.

Haruto hesitated. Refusal could spark a Gotei-Zero Division conflict. Ichibei, who’d sacrifice Ichigo for balance, saw the Soul King as a tool. Yet curiosity burned—why me?

“I’ll ensure your safety,” Ichibei said. “No harm will come.”

Haruto smirked inwardly. Sly monk. But hiding was pointless. “Fine. I’ll go to the Soul King Palace.”

Blessing or disaster, I’ll face it.