The Zero Division's Decision

In Hueco Mundo, Ichigo Kurosaki received a message from Liu Ziyun. He was conducting his daily training with Nelliel —no, the Nel in her girl form who had regained some of her powers. Upon hearing Liu Ziyun's message, he stopped what he was doing, his brows furrowing slightly.

"To prevent the Quincy from invading Hueco Mundo?" His voice held a hint of confusion. "Why would the Quincy want to invade Hueco Mundo?"

Nelliel stood beside him, a hint of seriousness flashing in her green eyes. Her voice was calm yet firm. "Because Hueco Mundo is part of the Three Worlds. If the Quincy want to overturn the balance of the Three Worlds, Hueco Mundo will certainly be one of their targets."

Ichigo Kurosaki was silent for a moment, then nodded. "I understand. I will inform Nel —no, I will inform Nelliel."

He turned and walked deeper into Hueco Mundo. Nelliel watched his retreating figure, a complex light flashing in her eyes. She knew that this orange-haired boy was walking step by step toward his destiny—a destiny filled with battle, pain, but also hope.

In Soul Society, a list was delivered to Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryūsai's desk. The list contained six names: Ichigo Kurosaki, Rukia Kuchiki, Byakuya Kuchiki, Renji Abarai Ikkaku Madarame, Yumichika Ayasegawa.

Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryūsai stared at the list in silence for a long time. His fingers lightly traced the names on the list; each name represented a young, promising Soul Reaper. What they needed was higher-level training, guidance from the Zero Division.

"Report to the Zero Division," his voice was deep and powerful, "And request their assistance in training these Soul Reaper."

The message was transmitted via the Tenchūren to the Soul King Palace —that mysterious realm suspended above the Soul Society, a place inhabited only by the Zero Division.

The five members of Zero Division — Tenjirō Kirinji, Senjumaru Shutara, Kirio Hikifune, Ōetsu Nimaiya, and Ichibē Hyōsube —gathered together to discuss the request from the Gotei 13.

Tenjirō Kirinji, legs crossed and a toothpick dangling from his mouth, said dismissively, "Training Soul Reaper? Let them do that themselves. We don't have that much free time."

Senjumaru Shutara was sewing a new Shihakusho, his needle and thread flying rapidly in his hands. Without looking up, he said, "However, there are a few interesting names on their list. Ichigo Kurosaki —that boy with the mixed powers of Soul Reaper, Hollow, and Quincy. Byakuya Kuchiki —the current head of the Kuchiki Clan, the head of the Four Great Noble Clans. And that Liu Ziyun— "

Kirio Hikifune was eating a huge bowl of ramen when she heard the name "Liu Ziyun." She stopped what she was doing, looked up, and a hint of interest flashed in her eyes. "Liu Ziyun? Is that the man who's supposedly able to change fate?"

Ōetsu Nimaiya was polishing a Zanpakuto when he heard the topic. He sneered, "Change fate? That kind of ability is nothing but self-deception."

Ichibē Hyōsube —the leader of the Zero Division, the old man known as "Monk of the Eye"—had remained silent. His eyes were closed, as if he were deep in thought. After the other four finished speaking, he finally opened his eyes, a resolute glint in his deep gaze.

"The Gotei 13's training request is rejected." His voice was calm and deep, yet carried an undeniable power.

The other four all looked at him, their eyes filled with varying degrees of surprise. Tenjirō Kirinji raised an eyebrow, Senjumaru Shutara stopped his needlework, Kirio Hikifune put down his ramen bowl, and Ōetsu Nimaiya gripped his Zanpakuto.

"At the same time," Ichibē Hyōsube continued, his voice now more solemn, "Issue the order to the Gotei 13 —promote Liu Ziyun to the Zero Division."

This news was like a bomb, causing a huge uproar among the members of Zero Division. Tenjirō Kirinji suddenly stood up, knocking over his chair with a loud crash.

Senjumaru Shutara dropped her needle and thread, her eyes wide with disbelief. Kirio Hikifune's ramen bowl slipped from his hand and crashed to the ground, splattering soup everywhere. Ōetsu Nimaiya nearly dropped his Zanpakuto; his lips twitched, his expression incredibly complex.

"Let that guy, who's not even Seated Officer, join the Zero Division?" Tenjirō Kirinji's voice was laced with anger and disdain. "Monk, are you out of your mind?"

Ichibē Hyōsube looked at him, his deep eyes devoid of any emotion. "My mind is clearer than yours."

Tenjirō Kirinji opened his mouth as if to say something, but ultimately kept it closed. He knew that when Ichibē Hyōsube spoke in this tone, any rebuttal would be futile.

On that day, a Tenchūren descended from the Soul King Palace and landed in the central plaza of the Seireitei. The envoy of the Zero Division —a man dressed in a white robe and wearing a tall hat—emerged from the light, holding a document bound with gold thread in his hand.

Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryūsai personally greeted the envoy. His expression was calm as still water, but a subtle hint of solemnity flashed in his aged eyes. He took the document, opened it, and scanned it with his gaze.

When he saw the words "Promoted Liu Ziyun to Zero Division Member", his fingers trembled slightly.

An uncontrollable anger surged within him—not because Liu Ziyun had been promoted, but because the Zero Division had rejected the Gotei 13's training request. What they needed was not to transfer Liu Ziyun, but to give those young Soul Reaper higher-level training.

But he didn't show it. His expression remained calm, and his voice remained steady and powerful. "I understand. I will pass it on to Liu Ziyun."

The messenger nodded, turned and walked back to the Tenchūren. Golden light engulfed him, and then—he disappeared.

Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryūsai stood in the central square, holding the document in his hand, and remained silent for a long time. His gaze went over the roof of the Seireitei, over the towering barracks, and towards the entrance to the Muken hidden in the shadows in the distance.

Then, he strode towards the Muken.

The gate to the Muken slowly opened before him, and the downward-reaching staircase stretched out beneath his feet. The sealing patterns on both sides of the staircase gleamed faintly in the eerie blue light. His footsteps echoed in the silent passage, each step heavy as if pounding on his heart.