In the Soul Society, ninety-nine percent of people were not qualified to enter the Spirit King Palace, much less stride in openly as they did now, harboring less-than-friendly intentions.
Uchiha Hiko was the first to enter the Spirit King Palace. Looking at the five Spirit King outlying palaces floating in midair ahead, a strange smile appeared on his face!
"Stop! Who are you? Why have you trespassed into the Spirit King Palace without authorization?" A furious roar came from a burly bald man wearing enormous brown prayer beads.
Uchiha Hiko frowned. At that moment, Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto emerged from the passage behind him.
The burly man immediately changed his expression upon seeing Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto. "So it's Captain Yamamoto!"
"What brings you to the Spirit King Palace at this time?"
Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto smiled faintly. "We've come to see the Spirit King. Please show us the way."
The burly man frowned, only to see Kisuke Urahara and Ichigo Kurosaki emerge from behind Uchiha Hiko as well!
"Captain Yamamoto, who are these people?" the burly man asked lightly, vigilance showing on his face.
Meanwhile, Uchiha Hiko turned his head and surveyed the surroundings. The so-called Spirit King Palace was merely a new space created through technology.
This space was not very large, only about half the size of the Seireitei. At the entrance stood rows of enormous white pillars, each so thick that even twelve people joining arms might not be able to encircle it.
Beyond the white pillars was an immense staircase slanting upward at a forty-five-degree angle, leading straight to the Spirit King's enormous cylindrical palace. Its two sides, however, strangely tapered into cones!
Just as Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto was about to answer, an overwhelming voice descended from the air. It was gentle, without the slightest trace of hostility.