Codename "Demon King"

After the two left Soul King's Hall.

At that moment, Ichibē Hyōsube, who was walking ahead, suddenly stopped and turned to face Liu Chuan.

His rugged face, which always wore a gentle smile, was serious now, his gaze carrying a formal scrutiny and inquiry.

"Liu Chuan, lad," he began. His voice returned to its usual grand steadiness, though it now held an extra solemnity, as if handling official business.

"You have officially passed the Path of No Entry. Your strength has been recognized, and you now know the deepest secrets of the Soul King Palace and Zero Division.

"By custom, every member of Zero Division possesses a unique codename in addition to their real name and duties.

"This codename is not only a symbol of identity. To some degree, it also represents the domain they govern, the nature of their power, or their unique place within Zero Division."

He listed examples as though reciting treasured knowledge.

"Kirio Hikifune's codename is 'Grain King.' Ōetsu Nimaiya governs the forging of Zanpakuto in all their forms, and his codename is 'Sword God.'"

After a pause, he pointed at himself. "This old man governs 'names' and 'eyes,' observing, recording, and guarding the gates. My codename is 'Eye Monk,' also known as the Monk Who Calls the True Name."

Having finished the introductions, Ichibē Hyōsube looked at Liu Chuan with an inquiring gaze.

"Then, Liu Chuan, now that you have become an official member of Zero Division, have you considered what sort of codename you wish to choose? This codename will accompany you throughout your years in Zero Division, so you must consider it carefully."

A codename?

Liu Chuan paused slightly. This was something he had never given much thought to.

Naturally, he knew of Zero Division's codenames. Every one of them was distinctive and pointed directly to its bearer's essence. But what about his own?

What was he? A soul from another world, an outsider who possessed the power of a Soul Reaper and his own unique magic.

Then, a word struck his mind like lightning through the darkness.

"Demon King." Liu Chuan barely hesitated before meeting Ichibē Hyōsube's questioning gaze and clearly speaking those two words.

"..."

A puzzled expression appeared on Ichibē Hyōsube's face. Clearly, this answer was wholly beyond his expectations.

"Demon... King?" Ichibē Hyōsube repeated, his tone filled with undisguised confusion and incomprehension.

"This name... I have heard of it. It seems to be a fictional title from certain popular tales and legends in the lower realm, referring to the leader of the side of evil and chaos?

"Usually... it appears as a villainous figure who must be defeated by heroes.

"Liu Chuan, why would you wish to use that as your codename? This name... does not seem to suit you."

His confusion was sincere. Within Soul Society's orthodox culture and understanding, the term "Demon King" indeed carried strong connotations of lowbrow fiction and negativity.

Using it as the codename of a member of Zero Division—the highest military force that guarded the balance of the Three Worlds and represented the Soul King's will—felt rather strange.

Liu Chuan understood the moment he saw Ichibē Hyōsube's unconcealed confusion.

He merely shook his head calmly, his tone carrying a quiet finality.

"It's not because I want to be some kind of villain, nor am I pursuing evil. I simply feel that the words 'Demon King' can represent my own path.

"As for the impression it carries in those tales and legends, others may interpret it however they please. A codename is merely a form of address."

Ichibē Hyōsube silently watched Liu Chuan. From Liu Chuan's calm words, he heard an unquestionable resolve, as well as a unique understanding and declaration of his own existence and path.

He recalled their first meeting, when Liu Chuan had openly set conditions in response to Zero Division's invitation, and how he later resolved the Hyōrinmaru incident in an unexpected manner.

Then there had been his confidence when refusing the Soul King's Power, followed by the unusual aura surrounding him when he emerged from the Path of No Entry.

Perhaps this seemingly bizarre codename was one of the truest portrayals of Liu Chuan, this anomaly.

He had always been different from others. His path and his power were destined to defy conventional measure.

After pondering for a moment, the confusion on Ichibē Hyōsube's face gradually faded. His all-embracing gentle smile returned, though it now carried a trace of profound understanding.

"I see. Since it is your own choice and carries such meaning, this old man shall ask no further."

"Zero Division members choose their own codenames. So long as it does not violate the foundations of the Soul King Palace or profane one's duties, it is acceptable. 'Demon King'... then Demon King it shall be."

He paused, as though binding that codename completely to the person before him, then spoke clearly once more. "Then, from this day onward, Liu Chuan, the sixth member of Zero Division, shall bear the codename—"

"Demon King."

At the same time that Liu Chuan and Ichibē Hyōsube finalized the codename "Demon King" in Eye Monk Hall.

Within the enormous blue crystal floating at the center of Soul King's Hall lay the incomplete figure that seemed to have slept eternally, stripped of his limbs and many organs—the Soul King, Adnyeus.

Those tightly closed eyes...

Trembled, ever so slightly.

Then, slowly, they opened.

Those eyes were like a deep starry sky containing the river of time, quietly "looking" ahead.

They pierced through the blue crystal's barrier, through the layers of barriers and dimensions within Soul King's Hall, and cast their gaze toward an incomparably distant future.

Several days later.

Beside the Heavenly Pillar Carriage, at the very entrance through which Liu Chuan had previously arrived at the Soul King Palace.

Liu Chuan wore the haori of Zero Division, with Heavenquake hanging at his waist, his aura restrained.

Kirio Hikifune, Tenjiro Kirinji, Ōetsu Nimaiya, Senjumaru Shutara, and Ichibē Hyōsube—the five members of Zero Division—had all come to see him off.

"Liu Chuan, keep this safe," Kirio Hikifune said.

"This is a special communication device made by the Soul King Palace. You can use it for emergency contact and to transmit brief messages."

"Although you'll mainly be living down below from now on, you're welcome to return anytime. It doesn't matter if you don't have a Royal Key. We'll just come down and pick you up when the time comes."

Liu Chuan accepted the device. It felt slightly heavy in his hand, and he could sense the intricate, complex Spirit Particle structure within it, along with a special fluctuation faintly connected to the Soul King Palace.

He nodded solemnly. "Thank you, Senior Hikifune. I'll keep in touch."

Tenjiro Kirinji stood off to the side with his arms crossed, still wearing that impatient expression as he spoke stiffly.

"Kid, behave yourself down there, but don't be too cowardly either. Remember, you're one of Zero Division now. Don't disgrace us!"

He paused, raising his chin slightly as a confidence unique to Zero Division members appeared on his face.

"Just so you know, don't let the way we usually loaf around fool you. When it comes to combat power, the five of us in Zero Division are stronger than the entire Gotei 13 combined! Don't go losing a fight, then come crawling back looking filthy and embarrassed, expecting us to go down there and clean up after you! Got it?"

Stronger than the Gotei 13 combined?

Liu Chuan found the claim astonishingly bold. The Gotei 13 was Soul Society's strongest military force. It had a Commander-General as unfathomable as Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto, along with numerous captains of formidable strength and vastly different abilities.

Every member of Zero Division was certainly a legend who had broken through the limits of Soul Reapers, but for five people to possess combat power greater than the combined total of thirteen divisions... Liu Chuan remained skeptical.

At the very least, he had seen records and heard legends of Commander-General Yamamoto's Ryūjin Jakka and its power to burn everything to ash.

However, he did not refute Tenjiro Kirinji's words. He merely nodded calmly.

Ōetsu Nimaiya squeezed forward, his eyes gleaming behind his sunglasses. Rubbing his hands together, he looked eagerly expectant.

"Once you're down there, if you find any strange or unusual materials, or if your Heavenquake undergoes any new changes, remember to tell me through that communicator! Maybe I can give you some advice!"

Finally, Ichibē Hyōsube stepped forward.

He spoke slowly, his tone solemn. "Liu Chuan, lad, the gates of the Soul King Palace will always be open to you. Your path lies below, but remember this: no matter where you go, the Soul King Palace will always stand behind you."

"Yes, Lord Hyōsube. Take care, everyone." Liu Chuan waved farewell to the five of them.

He did not hesitate again and stepped into the Heavenly Pillar Carriage.

After a brief silence, the Heavenly Pillar Carriage's massive pillar-like body began emitting a low, steady hum.

The enormous pillar tore through the sky and rapidly shrank, finally plunging into the clouds below and disappearing from sight.

The five members of Zero Division remained standing there, watching the direction in which the Heavenly Pillar Carriage had vanished.

"He's gone," Kirio Hikifune sighed softly.

"Hmph. Kid, don't disappoint us," Tenjiro Kirinji muttered.