The Sword God, Ōetsu Nimaiya

Captain-Commander Yamamoto's earth-shattering announcement sent a massive shock through the room.

But the captains were, after all, figures standing at the pinnacle of Soul Society. Once the initial shock passed, someone quickly picked up on the deeper logic and clues within this unbelievable information.

"Zero Division reserve member..."

Shunsui Kyoraku, captain of the 8th Division, repeated softly. His fingertips brushed the edge of a hanafuda card as his thoughtful gaze beneath his straw hat swept over Liu Chuan, then flicked toward Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto, whose expression remained unchanged at the head seat.

"Investigating the Twin Zanpakuto... having someone from Zero Division take over does... make sense."

His murmur seemed to enlighten some of the captains.

Retsu Unohana, captain of the 4th Division, gently set down her teacup. The warm, spring-breeze smile on her face did not change, but a trace of understanding flashed through her eyes.

"Indeed. If it concerns an anomaly in the fundamental laws of Zanpakuto, then Zero Division's intervention could not be more fitting. After all..."

She paused briefly. Her voice was soft, yet it carried clearly to everyone's ears. "That 'Sword God' is in the Soul King Palace as well."

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The Sword God, Ōetsu Nimaiya! One of Zero Division's members, the legendary creator and forger of all Zanpakuto!

That name was like a key, instantly unlocking some of the captains' doubts about why Zero Division would take an interest in this matter.

The unprecedented phenomenon of "twinned" Zanpakuto had already touched upon the very roots of the Zanpakuto system.

It was entirely logical for Zero Division, as its creators, to take over the matter. It could even be called part of their duty.

Having understood this, quite a few captains—such as Sajin Komamura, Jushiro Ukitake, and even the stern-faced Byakuya Kuchiki—quickly had the shock in their eyes replaced by the solemn realization of so that's how it is.

Their reverence for Zero Division and their understanding of its authority allowed them to barely accept the arrangement, though the fact that the executor was an obscure member of the Kido Corps still felt profoundly out of place.

Yet it was precisely this sense of incongruity that shifted the captains' attention away from why Zero Division had intervened and more toward Liu Chuan himself.

Just who was this young man, who was about to enter the Soul King Palace and be granted the authority to investigate such a momentous incident?

At that moment, Gin Ichimaru, who had been silently observing with his foxlike smile unchanged, suddenly let out an "Araa," in his uniquely slick tone, as though he had recalled something amusing.

"Liu Chuan... Liu Chuan..." He tapped his forehead with a fingertip, adopting a contemplative pose. His narrowed eyes curved into crescents.

"I feel like I've heard that name before~ Didn't Shin'ō Academy send word many years ago about some 'genius'? His grades were frighteningly good, and his Kido theory was especially outstanding... wasn't there someone like that?"

He seemed to be talking to himself, yet also reminding everyone present.

At his prompting, several captains seemed to dredge up some vague bits of information from the corners of their memories.

The standout graduates of each class at Shin'ō Academy, especially those bestowed with the title of "genius," would more or less leave an impression on the division captains as potential recruits or people worth watching in the future.

"Liu Chuan..." Isshin Shiba, captain of the Tenth Division, stroked his chin and suddenly exclaimed, "Oh!"

"I remember now! There was someone like that! His graduation results back then were supposedly exceptional, and he nearly got full marks on the Kido assessment? But later..."

He frowned, trying hard to remember. "Later, it seemed he didn't join the Gotei 13? Where did he go again?"

"The Kido Corps," a cool voice answered. It was Byakuya Kuchiki, captain of the Sixth Division.

His voice was calm and without ripples, as though he were stating an irrelevant fact. "After graduation, he joined the Kido Corps directly. Since then, there has been little news of him."

Byakuya's words were like the final piece of a puzzle, sketching out the rough outline of Liu Chuan's obscure past.

A genius graduate of Shin'ō Academy with extraordinary talent in Kido, yet he had unexpectedly chosen to stay away from the heart of combat and focus on the Kido Corps, which specialized in support and research.

Afterward, he had nearly vanished from public view—until today, when he had once more forced his way into the sight of Seireitei's highest ranks in such a shocking manner.

"So that's it... the genius from back then."

Retsu Unohana nodded slightly, and her gaze toward Liu Chuan gained a measure of understanding and appreciation.

Sōsuke Aizen had maintained that gentle, wise smile from beginning to end, like a tolerant elder watching over an outstanding junior.

At this moment, he pushed up his glasses and spoke with a smile. "Liu Chuan, congratulations on your promotion. If you need any assistance from the Fifth Division during this investigation, please don't hesitate to ask."

Aizen had indeed paid attention to Liu Chuan back then. Unfortunately, Liu Chuan had kept too low a profile, leaving him completely in the dark as to why Zero Division had chosen him.

His words were proper and thorough. They conveyed congratulations while also expressing a willingness to cooperate, perfectly fitting his usual image.

Liu Chuan gave Aizen a slight nod in response.

No matter what, his status as a "Zero Division reserve member," along with the Captain-Commander's explicit appointment, had already draped an invisible armor over him for the handling of this incident—one not to be lightly challenged.

"Then this matter is settled." Captain-Commander Yamamoto concluded at last, his blazing gaze sweeping across the room.

After Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto finished his announcement, he did not immediately adjourn the meeting.

His deep gaze settled on Liu Chuan for a moment, as though observing his reaction to such an honor and burden.

Liu Chuan merely accepted the scrutiny calmly. His posture was flawless; there was neither wild joy nor fear, only a quiet, waterlike focus.

"Sasakibe," Captain-Commander Yamamoto said slowly.

"Yes." Chōjirō Sasakibe, who had been standing by like a shadow, stepped forward in response.

At some point, he had acquired a rectangular lacquer tray made of special spirit wood, its surface flowing with a mellow sheen. Resting neatly upon it was a carefully folded garment.

It was... a white haori.

Zero Division's uniform!

The appearance of that haori carried symbolism even more direct and impactful than Captain-Commander Yamamoto's verbal appointment moments earlier.

Holding the lacquer tray, Chōjirō Sasakibe walked steadily to Liu Chuan and stopped before him, offering the tray slightly forward.

Captain-Commander Yamamoto's aged yet resonant voice rang out again. "This is Zero Division's uniform, personally prepared by Lady Senjumaru Shutara, the 'Great Weave Guardian' of Zero Division.

"Originally, it was to be bestowed upon you when you formally completed the induction ceremony at the Soul King Palace. But the matter of Twin Hyorinmaru is of great importance. Since you have been ordered to handle it and exercise Zero Division's authority on its behalf, you must possess the corresponding token and insignia."

Senjumaru Shutara—the "Great Weave Guardian," one of Zero Division's members, responsible for the creation and weaving of Soul Reaper Robes and haori!

Liu Chuan looked at the pure white haori on the tray and understood.

Captain-Commander Yamamoto's move was meant to clear away any potential institutional obstacles for Liu Chuan's coming actions.

This haori did not differ much in design from an ordinary captain's haori, except that the emblem on its back had been replaced with Zero Division's exclusive insignia.

But Liu Chuan could sense the extremely intricate and exquisite Spirit Particle structure contained within it. It was far more than a mere decoration.

Then he slowly draped the Zero Division haori over his Soul Reaper Robes.

White haori, black Soul Reaper Robes, a tall and straight figure, and calm, unruffled eyes.

At this moment, standing before all the captains of the Gotei 13, Liu Chuan seemed utterly transformed.

He was no longer merely a member of the Kido Corps, nor merely the gifted graduate of Shin'ō Academy from years ago.

He was a Zero Division reserve member, a special envoy bearing the attention of the Soul King Palace and wielding the authority to investigate the Twin Hyorinmaru incident.

"Then," Captain-Commander Yamamoto said in a deep voice at last, breaking the solemn silence, "this matter is settled. Meeting adjourned."