Unexpected Visitor

Inside the Kido Corps, Liu Chuan had finished the day's work and reclined comfortably in a lounge chair.

He casually picked up the sake flask beside him, poured himself a cup of Soul Society's distinctive sake, raised it to his lips, and sipped at an unhurried pace.

The rich fragrance spread across his tongue, and he narrowed his eyes in satisfaction.

Sure enough, this was what life was meant to be.

The Kido Corps' duties had always leaned toward the rear and support roles, specializing in all kinds of non-combat Kido operations.

For example, opening World-Crossing Gates connecting different realms, maintaining protective barriers within and beyond the Seireitei, or sealing specific objects and areas.

Though the work required precision, its pace was nowhere near as tense or hurried as that of the combat divisions.

Ever since the former Chief of the Kido Corps, Tessai Tsukabishi, and Deputy Chief Hachigen Ushōda had departed years ago, the Kido Corps had produced no truly formidable figures.

Even today, those two highest positions remained vacant.

Because of this, the Kido Corps had gradually become widely recognized within the Seireitei as an "easygoing" place.

Any student of Shin'ō Academy who showed even a hint of brilliance upon graduation set their sights on joining the Gotei 13. Hardly anyone was willing to "bury" their talent here.

Yet ten years ago, when Liu Chuan graduated from Shin'ō Academy with outstanding results that drew countless looks, he surprised everyone by turning on his heel and walking straight through the doors of the Kido Corps.

No one knew the reason behind that choice.

They did not know that Liu Chuan was not a soul native to this world.

In his previous life, he had been a genius mage in an age where magic had faded. At a critical moment while researching a transcendent spell, an accident occurred, and space suddenly tore apart.

By the time he regained his senses, his spirit body was already drifting through this unfamiliar place known as "Soul Society."

At first, he had no idea what kind of world this was.

But as a mage exceptionally sensitive to energy, he immediately sensed the difference. The air here was permeated with energy far denser than anything found in the age where magic had faded.

Later, he learned that this world called it "Spirit Particles." By breathing, the lifeforms of Soul Society could draw the Spirit Particles in the air into their bodies and convert them into "Spiritual Power," the force that set them upon the path of becoming stronger.

To Liu Chuan, this was nothing less than a paradise for cultivation.

With his exceptional insight and the vast knowledge accumulated in his previous life, he adapted quickly and entered Shin'ō Academy with astonishing talent.

As for why he chose the Kido Corps rather than the illustrious Gotei 13 after graduation, the reason was simple: this place was quieter.

Since he had been given another life, he ought to follow his heart. Besides, he had plenty of spare time to devote himself to studying this world's unique system of "Kido."

It was a wondrous technique that regulated the use of Spiritual Power through incantations and gestures, bearing certain similarities to the magic he had mastered.

Liu Chuan vaguely felt that the supreme realm he had been unable to reach in his previous life due to environmental limitations might be attainable here, along this entirely new path.

The sake slid down his throat, its faint warmth spreading through his limbs. Liu Chuan gazed at the tranquil light beneath the Kido Corps' vaulted ceiling, a faint smile appearing on his lips that others would have found hard to understand.

Just then, a figure as straight as a spear silently appeared beneath the courtyard eaves, blocking part of the slanting sunlight spilling into the room.

Liu Chuan's lashes paused almost imperceptibly behind his cup. He slowly set it down and looked up.

The newcomer wore a black shihakusho beneath a white haori embroidered with the emblem of the First Division. Two meticulously groomed mustaches rested above his lips.

Simply standing there, he exuded the rigor and restraint accumulated over countless years, wholly at odds with the Kido Corps' loose and relaxed atmosphere.

It was none other than the Gotei 13's Head Captain's aide and the First Division's vice-captain—Chōjirō Sasakibe.

"Liu Chuan of the Kido Corps." Sasakibe's voice was even and clear, devoid of emotion yet naturally solemn in its official tone. "Pardon the intrusion. The Head Captain has ordered that you proceed to the First Division barracks immediately to meet with him."

In Soul Society, being told by Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto to "meet with him" rather than being "summoned" was itself an extraordinarily unusual signal.

What was more, the one conveying that signal was his closest adjutant.

Liu Chuan sat up straight, though his posture remained relaxed and showed none of the flustered gratitude of one overwhelmed by favor. He glanced at the cup of sake on the low table, from which he had taken only one sip.

"The Head Captain wishes to see me?" His tone was mild, carrying just the right amount of surprise. "May I ask what this concerns? Would Vice-Captain Sasakibe be able to reveal a little?"

Chōjirō Sasakibe's calm gaze settled on Liu Chuan's face, as though assessing him—or perhaps merely delivering a message.

He shook his head slightly, his mustache stirring with the motion. "The Head Captain did not elaborate. His order was simply for you to go."

He shifted half a step to one side, every movement so precise it seemed measured by a ruler. It was a silent but indisputable gesture of invitation.

The meaning was clear: the order had been delivered, there was no need to ask why, and he was to leave immediately.

Liu Chuan brushed at nonexistent dust on his sleeve and rose from the lounge chair.

"In that case," he said as he walked toward Chōjirō Sasakibe, his pace as calm as if he were headed to handle an ordinary World-Crossing Gate inspection, "please lead the way, Vice-Captain."

Sasakibe said nothing more and turned to lead the way. The two figures passed through the Kido Corps' long, secluded corridors, one before the other.

Following behind Chōjirō Sasakibe, Liu Chuan's steps remained neither hurried nor slow, forming a subtle contrast with the vice-captain's precisely measured stride.

The Seireitei's buildings gradually slipped past at his sides, but his thoughts lingered not on the scenery along the way.

A summons from Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto... That was indeed intriguing.

Liu Chuan sorted through his limited interactions with the Head Captain in his mind.

Back at Shin'ō Academy, Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto, who served as both Head Captain and academy head, would occasionally appear at important ceremonies and examinations.

At the time, Liu Chuan had merely been one of many students below the stage, never deliberately conspicuous. At most, because of his outstanding grades, he had briefly exchanged glances with the imposing old man atop the platform when accepting his graduation certificate.

Other than that, they had never had any further contact.

Ever since choosing to join the Kido Corps ten years ago, he had practically placed himself at the edge of the Gotei 13's mainstream field of vision.

The Kido Corps operated as its own system, and its work was independent. Though it cooperated with the various combat divisions, it mostly provided technical support and rarely needed to face someone at the pinnacle of authority like the Head Captain.

Over the years, he had been like a drop of water blending into the Kido Corps' relatively tranquil lake, causing no ripples.

"Why would a member of the Kido Corps, someone long removed from the combat ranks and focused on supportive Kido operations, suddenly enter the Head Captain's sight?"

Possibilities rapidly unfolded in Liu Chuan's mind. It was not routine official business—there were procedures upon procedures for that, with no need for Sasakibe to come personally.

Nor was it an ordinary commendation or inquiry. The atmosphere was wrong.

Could it be that his choice at graduation was being reevaluated ten years later? Or had some of his private experiments in Kido research over the years drawn someone's attention?

Soul Society appeared orderly on the surface, but to those who stood at the true pinnacle, the flow of Spirit Particles and the slightest abnormalities in Kido patterns might not be impossible to trace.

He recalled the fluctuations in Spirit Particles caused by his occasional attempts to reconstruct Kido incantations with magical theory from his previous life at the barrier testing grounds deep within the Kido Corps.

Could it be...

No, it was too early to speculate. Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto had lived for over a thousand years, commanding the Gotei 13 through absolute strength and will. His thoughts were not something an ordinary Soul Reaper could fathom.

Liu Chuan drew a light breath, and Soul Society's dense, active Spirit Particles flowed into his body with it.

Since he was here, he would take things as they came.

The imposing, solemn gatehouse of the First Division barracks was already not far ahead.