Bleach: From the moment I was invited by Squad Zero

The Soul King's Palace, suspended high in the sky beyond the reach of the Soul Society, is a sacred realm shrouded in eternal tranquility and a faint glow.

The spiritual energy here is rich and pure, as if the pulse of the world's fundamental rules is within reach.

A seemingly simple open-air platform.

The creator of the Zanpakuto, Zero Squad member, "Sword God" Nimaiya Oetsu, was sitting on the ground without any regard for his image, fiddling with several fragments that shimmered with a strange metallic luster.

He had dark skin, white hair tied in a high ponytail, wore sunglasses, and dressed in a uniquely styled short jacket, which seemed somewhat out of place with the sacred and solemn surroundings.

"Hey, monk." Nimaiya Oetsu didn't even look up, tapping the ground with the shard in his hand, making a crisp clanging sound, his tone filled with undisguised suspicion.

"Are you sure it's okay to let that brat named Yanagawa handle such a troublesome matter as 'Twin Hyōrinmaru'?"

His words echoed across the empty platform, yet strangely, they did not break the silence of the place.

Hyosube Ichibei's massive body twitched slightly, as if a mountain were stretching its limbs.

He slowly turned around, the large, dark rosary beads around his neck making a deep, resonant sound.

He didn't answer immediately. Instead, he looked with interest at the shimmering fragments in Wang Yue's hand with his eyes that seemed to hold the birth and death of nebulae. A hearty smile, which didn't quite match his dignified appearance, spread across his lips.

"Oh dear, Wang Yue, you're already worried about your own work?"

Hyosube Ichibei's voice was still loud, but his tone carried an almost leisurely ease, as if he were chatting with an old friend about what snacks to have for afternoon tea.

"Or are you actually more worried that if that kid actually figures out something, it will make you, the 'God of Blades,' seem less than perfect when you forged him?"

"Huh?!" Nimaiya Oetsu nearly jumped up like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, his eyes behind his sunglasses glaring at Hyosube Ichibei.

"What a joke! Every Zanpakuto crafted by my Nimaiya Oetsu is a unique work of art! It has nothing to do with being imperfect!"

Hyosube Ichibei burst into laughter, his deep, joyful laughter echoing across the platform.

"Just kidding."

He waved his large, fan-like hand, his tone still relaxed, but a subtle glint of wisdom flickered in the depths of his eyes.

He paused, his gaze sweeping down to the Seireitei below, obscured by clouds, as if he could see Yanagawa walking towards the Central Chamber of Forty-Six. His tone became somewhat meaningful, but the smile on his face remained unchanged:

"Besides, wouldn't it be good to let him try it out? First, to test its quality; second..."

He blinked, a gesture that looked somewhat comical on his massive face, yet also revealed a cunning and all-knowing shrewdness.

"That young man will be settling down here someday, so we need to let him get acquainted with the neighborhood and his neighbors, especially those... well, those old neighbors who have a lot of rules and are very arrogant."

"It'll be interesting to talk to him beforehand and see if he can get along well with the neighbors, or if he'll turn their carefully maintained yards into chaos."

"Neighbors? Central Room 46?" Wang Yue scoffed, rearranging the fragments once more.

"Those old fogies, if that kid Yanagawa goes there with the Zero Squad's identity, it will definitely work on the surface, but it's hard to say what will happen behind the scenes."

"So," Hyosube Ichibei chimed in, his tone light as if discussing an interesting play about to begin.

"Isn't this perfect? ​​Let's take a look at this rather special young man who has caught the eye of Lord Spirit King."

"How will we deal with those people who treat rules and power like their lifeblood? Will we be able to get things done smoothly and beautifully? Or will it cause a scene where even we old folks have to step in and mediate? Either way, won't it be quite interesting to watch?"

He stroked his smooth chin, his eyes sparkling with a joyful and profound light.

As Nimaiya Oetsu listened to Hyoninbe Ichibei's seemingly casual yet subtly witty remarks, he couldn't help but click his tongue and shake his head.

"Fine, fine, you just love making things worse." He picked up the fragments and stood up.

"Anyway, I made the knife, and I'm genuinely curious about what happened. If that kid can figure it out, then he'll be quite capable."

After saying that, he ignored Hyōjube Ichibei and swayed towards the Phoenix Palace, muttering to himself about his metals again.

Hyosube Ichibei watched his departing figure, the relaxed and cheerful smile on his face slowly fading, but the insightful and pleased glint in his eyes did not disappear.

"Well then, Yanagawa-kun..." The silent whisper carried a hint of anticipation and amusement.

"Let us see what's so special about the young man that Lord Spirit King is paying attention to."