Chapter 45: The Central 46 Chambers' Stance - Bleach: Starting with an Invitation from the Zero Division

After Liu Chuan left the Thirteenth Division barracks, his conversation with Jushiro Ukitake, which had touched upon secrets at the very root of the world, weighed heavily on his mind.

The Soul King's right arm's power of "Stagnation," Ukitake's state of coexistence that was both fate and shackles, the uncertainty of the future and the sacrifices it might demand...

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Liu Chuan walked back toward the Kido Corps' headquarters, his thoughts churning.

With his current abilities, he still couldn't find a way to safely help Ukitake.

That power of "Stagnation" had long since become deeply entwined with Ukitake's life. Forcing an intervention would be extremely risky.

Perhaps only once his control over Magic Power reached a higher level would he be able to find a safe point of intervention.

"The road ahead is still long," Liu Chuan murmured.

When he returned to the Kido Corps' headquarters in a relatively secluded area of the Seireitei, the familiar buildings and atmosphere of Spirit Particles eased his mood slightly.

He pushed open the great door etched with Kido runes and stepped into the dimly lit yet familiar corridor.

"Liu Chuan? Is Liu Chuan back?!"

"It really is him!"

"Liu Chuan! You're back?!"

Several Kido Corps members who had been organizing files or calibrating experimental equipment looked up at the sound. When they saw Liu Chuan entering, they froze for a moment before surprise and curiosity spread across their faces.

They had all been Liu Chuan's colleagues for the past ten years. Though he was reserved by nature and didn't interact with them often,

his solid foundation in Kido and the ingenious improvement ideas he occasionally offered had still earned him considerable respect and goodwill.

"Everyone, it's been a long time." Liu Chuan nodded slightly to several familiar faces.

Returning to a familiar place and seeing familiar people always brought a certain sense of reassurance.

"Liu Chuan, you came back this time to...?"

An older Kido Corps member, someone who had worked with Liu Chuan before, set down what he was doing and approached. There was inquiry in his tone, but even more concern.

They all knew that Liu Chuan had been chosen by the Zero Division and that he had gone to the Soul King Palace, but his return so soon was truly unexpected.

"I may be stationed in the Seireitei from now on," Liu Chuan explained simply, without revealing further details.

"Stationed here? That's wonderful!" Several of his colleagues smiled even more brightly at that.

Although Liu Chuan now held a different status, having a Zero Division member who had risen from the Kido Corps stationed in the Seireitei was undoubtedly a good thing for the Kido Corps.

After all, the Kido Corps had previously fallen into decline, with only a handful of people left. They had effectively been at the very bottom among the Soul Reapers of the Seireitei.

Now that Liu Chuan, a member of the Zero Division, was here to support them, it was time for the Kido Corps members to finally hold their heads high.

They tactfully refrained from asking about the Zero Division or the Soul King Palace, merely exchanging a few enthusiastic pleasantries with him.

Liu Chuan declined any further arrangements, saying he would handle things himself, then returned to his own quarters.

The room was unchanged, though a thin layer of dust had settled over everything. He cleaned it up briefly, then stood by the window and looked out at the Seireitei as night gradually enveloped it.

What Liu Chuan didn't know was that news of his return to the Seireitei was spreading at a speed far beyond his imagination, eventually gathering in the very heart—and darkest corner—of Soul Society's power...

The Central 46 Chambers.

A vast, empty underground council hall.

Forty figures clad in splendid robes, the "Sages" and "judges" representing Soul Society's highest wisdom and authority, sat solemnly around a circular council table.

The air was thick with oppression, along with a faint, barely perceptible... anger.

At the center of the discussion was none other than Liu Chuan, who had just returned to the Seireitei, and his special identity—a member of the Zero Division.

Bang!

A Sage slammed his palm heavily against the jade table before him, producing a dull boom.

He was the very Sage who had been forced to the ground by Liu Chuan's Zero Division status and overwhelming Spiritual Pressure during the Twin Hyorinmaru incident, losing all face.

His face was livid, humiliation and fury blazing in his eyes. His voice was sharp with agitation.

"What does the Zero Division mean by this?! As the Royal Guard, their duty is to protect the Soul King Palace and serve Lord Soul King!

Since ancient times, unless they had a special mission, members of the Zero Division had rarely ever set foot in Soul Society!

And now, this Liu Chuan had only just been promoted, yet he swaggered back here and even spoke of being 'stationed' here?!

Where does that leave the authority of the Central 46 Chambers?! Where does that leave the order of Soul Society?!"

He had suffered a tremendous loss at Liu Chuan's hands last time. Not only had his prestige been utterly ruined, but he had also been secretly mocked by his colleagues afterward. He had long since come to hate Liu Chuan to the bone.

Now that he had seized an opportunity, he was the first to launch an attack.

"Indeed! Well said!" A judge who was likewise dissatisfied with Liu Chuan's disregard for Central 46's orders immediately echoed him, his tone cold and sinister.

"During the Hyōrinmaru incident last time, he relied on his Zero Division status to forcibly interfere and compel us to alter our ruling. It was utterly outrageous!

And now he has returned without even notifying us, intending to remain here long-term! Even if the Zero Division stands above others, they must still follow basic rules and etiquette!

Such behavior is the greatest provocation and contempt toward our Central 46!"

"Exactly! Soul Society has its own laws and rules! The Zero Division exists to protect the Soul King and maintain the balance of the Three Worlds, not to interfere with our governance and disrupt the established order!"

Complaints, doubts, and angry voices rose one after another, echoing through the empty hall.

Clearly, during the Twin Hyorinmaru incident, Liu Chuan had virtually slapped Central 46 across the face through his overbearing methods. He had forcibly saved Toshiro Hitsugaya and Sojiro Kusaka, eventually exposing the truth behind the incident.

That had long since dealt a severe blow to the authority of these Sages and judges, who were accustomed to standing above all others and issuing commands.

Now, Liu Chuan's return in violation of precedent had further ignited the anger and unease they had kept bottled up.

The Central 46 Chambers they represented was nominally Soul Society's highest judicial and decision-making body. Even Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto, Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13, had to obey their orders in the vast majority of matters.

Over the countless centuries, when had there ever been someone who so blatantly disregarded them, or who could even suppress them in return?

Liu Chuan's appearance was like a thorn driven deep into their inviolable authority and sense of superiority.

Though they knew full well in their hearts that the Zero Division stood above them, and that directly moving against one of its members carried enormous risks,

Liu Chuan's "youth," "lack of seniority," "unconventional nature," and his "unprecedented" return gave them the perfect excuse to vent their dissatisfaction and attempt to reestablish their "authority."

Amid countless complaints and suspicions, the meeting's focus gradually shifted toward one central point—

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The Central 46 Chambers' Stance