Soul King

Yuko stood at the edge of Sokyoku Hill, with the Seireitei below laid out in full view.

"Look. No matter where you look, there isn't a palace worthy of a king anywhere." Yuko suddenly pointed to one side. "Hey, there seems to be an exceptionally shabby building over there. Whose place is that? How can there be a stinking ditch like that in the Seireitei?"

Yoruichi didn't even need to look over to know what she was talking about. She immediately chuckled. "You lived in that exceptionally shabby building for several decades yourself."

"How does the beginning count as several?"

Yoruichi wore an exasperated expression. "You really have to get your money's worth whenever you suffer even the slightest loss."

Yuko snorted, the corners of her lips lifting slightly.

The corners of her lips had only just risen when they slowly fell again. A clear, shrewd look flashed through her eyes. Continuing the previous topic, she said, "But since the Seireitei was established here, there must be a reason."

"Oh? What reason?" Yoruichi crossed her arms and watched her with interest. "Maybe he isn't in Soul Society?"

That woman had never cared to learn about the Soul King's secrets. It would be a miracle if she guessed correctly.

Yuko shook her head. "He can't be in Hueco Mundo or the Human World, can he?"

"And as it happens, someone reminded me yesterday."

"Reminded you?"

"Yeah. I think the Soul King may exist neither in Hueco Mundo nor in the Human World, and perhaps not in Soul Society either."

"But rather in a spirit-particle space independent of the Three Realms—or, in other words, another dimension."

Yoruichi's pupils contracted slightly. "Hey, hey, who reminded you?"

"Could it have been Old Man Yama?"

She had spent last night searching for the Netherworld Seal