Bleach: From the moment I was invited by Squad Zero

Deep within the Seireitei lies an area of ​​extremely solemn, towering architecture with cold, hard lines, seemingly constructed from massive stones and silence itself.

The light here seemed more condensed than elsewhere, the air heavy, permeated with an invisible, subconscious pressure that made one want to hold their breath.

This is the location of the Central 46 Chambers, the highest legislative and judicial body in Soul Society.

After passing through several heavily guarded sentry posts and corridors filled with spiritual pressure, and after identifying themselves, Yanagawa and Shiba Isshin were led to a council chamber.

There were no chairs, no tea. In the center of the empty hall, the two of them stood alone, and on the high platform in front of them, several figures were lined up like a judge's bench.

That wasn't all the members of Room 46, but rather a few "Sages" who represented the will of the Sages Council.

They looked down at the two who had stepped into the area, their gazes like cold probes, especially scrutinizing the glaring Zero Division haori worn by Yanagawa.

His eyes didn't show much of the awe one would expect from the Zero Division; instead, they held a scrutinizing, evaluative look, and a hint of barely concealed displeasure.

"Zero Division reserve member, Yanagawa; Tenth Division captain, Shiba Isshin."

An elderly sage in the center, with silver hair and a face as stern as a stone sculpture, slowly spoke. His voice was dry and carried a sense of detachment from someone who had long held a high position.

"What brings you here at this hour?"

The words seemed proper, but the coldness in the tone was unmistakable.

Clearly, these sages were quite impatient with Yanagawa, this young man who suddenly appeared and carried the title of Zero Squad, interfering in the events they had already taken control of.

Shiba Isshin raised an eyebrow, about to speak, when Yanagawa took half a step forward, slightly raising his head to meet the downward gazes.

His voice was calm and clear, echoing in the empty, oppressive hall:

"I will personally visit the two key parties involved, Hitsugaya Toshiro and Kusakabe Sojiro. May I ask where they are currently being held and what their situation is?"

His request was reasonable, hit the nail on the head, and was made in the dual capacity of the Zero Division and the Captain-Commander, so theoretically it could not be refused.

However, on the high platform, the sages exchanged a knowing glance.

A sage on the left, with a ruddy complexion, sharp eyes, and a goatee, snorted coldly and spoke first, his tone carrying an unquestionable authoritarianism:

"Meet with the person involved? Yanagawa... Your Excellency. You're new here, perhaps you don't know the details."

"This matter is unprecedented and has seriously violated the fundamental laws of Soul Society. It is a huge anomaly and a hidden danger. In order to maintain the stability of Seireitei and the purity of the Zanpakuto system, we have deliberated for several days and have formulated a prudent solution."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over Liu Chuan with an arrogant air of "I might as well tell you the truth," as if announcing a given fact:

"Toshiro Hitsugaya and Soujiro Kusakabe both possess the same 'Hyōrinmaru,' which is against the rules."

"The only feasible way to eliminate this anomaly is to have the two engage in a fair duel. The winner will prove that they are qualified to use Hyōrinmaru and will be allowed to live."

"The existence of the loser is itself a mistake, and he shall be annihilated."

Let the two fight to the death! The winner lives, the loser dies! Such a cold, simple and brutal solution, yet with a twisted logic, was uttered by this sage as if proclaiming a truth.

Clearly, before Yanagawa intervened, the 46th Chamber had already reached a private consensus and regarded it as the only "correct" way to handle the situation.

In their view, Liuchuan's arrival and demands were undoubtedly a challenge to their authority and an unexpected disruption to the established plan.

Upon hearing this, Shiba Isshin clenched his fists instantly, a flash of anger appearing in his eyes, but he forcibly suppressed it, though his expression turned extremely ugly.

He looked at Yanagawa with concern, wondering how the new Zero Division member would react.

Liu Chuan listened quietly, his face expressionless, as if he were hearing a trivial report.

Liu Chuan only spoke slowly after the goatee-bearded sage had finished speaking, his voice still steady:

"Was this decision made unilaterally by Room 46?"

"Of course!" the goatee-bearded sage declared proudly. "Our deliberation is the final judgment!"

"Has it been reported to the Captain-General and received permission from the Spirit King Palace?" Liu Chuan continued to ask, his tone indifferent.

"This..." The goatee-bearded sage hesitated for a moment, then said firmly,

"Handling anomalies is the responsibility of Room 46!"

Liu Chuan's lips twitched almost imperceptibly, as if in the form of a cold, mocking laugh.

"Which law of Soul Society stipulates that two Shinigami who possess the same Zanpakuto and are both innocent must decide their fate through a life-or-death duel?"

"You—!" The goatee sage choked on his words, his face turning even redder.

The so-called "resolution" is nothing more than an internal decision made by them based on their narrow understanding of the "rules" and the need to maintain their own authority. Where is there any explicit law?

Enraged, he took a sudden step forward, pointed at Liuchuan, and his voice rose sharply, filled with offended anger:

"Young man! How dare you question the decisions of the 46th Chamber! So what if you're a reserve member of the Zero Division? Don't think that just because you're from the Zero Division, you can boss people around here!"

"The stability of Soul Society and the purity of the Zanpakuto system are paramount! Retreat immediately and obey orders, or else..."

His words came to an abrupt end.

Because just as the last threatening word was about to be uttered—

hum!

A massive, pure spiritual pressure erupted without warning, centered on Yanagawa!

The spiritual pressure did not scatter and impact, but instead focused precisely on the arrogant goatee sage!

"Ugh—!"

All the shouts and rage of the goatee sage froze and twisted in an instant, turning into extreme terror and pain.

He groaned, then slid to the ground like mud, curled up, trembling violently, unable to stand up or even lift his head.

He could only gasp for breath, his face as pale as paper, and large beads of sweat instantly covered his forehead.

The entire pre-conference hall was deathly silent.

The arrogance and impatience on the faces of the other sages had vanished without a trace, replaced by unparalleled shock and horror.

They felt the spiritual pressure; although it was only the aftershock, its intensity was far beyond what an ordinary Shinigami could possess!

This is clearly... Captain-level spiritual pressure! No, it's not even ordinary Captain-level spiritual pressure!

This seemingly young Shinigami possesses such terrifying spiritual pressure?!

Shiba Isshin stood to the side and behind Yanagawa, his eyes wide open and his mouth slightly agape.

He knew, of course, that Yanagawa was no ordinary person, and there must be a reason why he was chosen by the Zero Division.

But to intimidate a sage of the Forty-Six Chambers so directly and domineeringly with spiritual pressure was a style of action that was completely different from the leisurely guy he imagined drinking on a deck chair in the Kido Sect!

But inexplicably, a feeling of almost unbridled joy surged up from the bottom of his heart, almost making him want to shout with delight.

He had long disliked these old fogies who were arrogant, treated human life like dirt, and constantly used "the big picture" and "rules" to intimidate people!

Unfortunately, due to his status as captain and the dignity of nobility, he had to endure it no matter how unhappy he was.

Seeing Liu Chuan so straightforwardly and directly reason with him, he felt a long-suppressed feeling in his chest finally released.

"As expected of someone chosen by Squad Zero..."

Shiba secretly praised him, and his gaze towards Yanagawa's back held not only his previous appreciation and willingness to cooperate, but also a hint of excitement. Working with someone like this would surely be more interesting.

Liu Chuan slowly withdrew the suffocating spiritual pressure, and the stagnant air in the hall seemed to begin to flow again.

He acted as if he had done something insignificant, without even his breathing becoming disordered.

He didn't even glance at the goatee-bearded sage who lay sprawled on the ground like a dead dog, his gaze calmly sweeping over the other sages on the stage, whose faces were pale and whose bodies were trembling slightly.

The voice remained steady, yet carried an undeniable coldness:

"Now, can you take me to see Hitsugaya Toshiro and Kusakabe Soujiro?"

"Or perhaps," he tilted his head slightly, his gaze falling on the slumped sage, his tone so calm it sent a chill down one's spine.

"Gentlemen, does anyone wish to discuss this further?"

The high platform was deathly silent.

The remaining sages looked at each other, seeing deep fear and helplessness in each other's eyes.

Their status as members of the Zero Division prevents them from using their power to oppress others.

This absolute dominance, along with the young man's decisive and even brutal style, completely shattered their tricks of relying on seniority and manipulating the rules.

"Lead...lead the way!" The oldest sage in the center shouted hoarsely at the guards in the corner who were already frozen in fear, then turned to Liuchuan, his posture finally lowering, even with a slight, almost imperceptible tremor.

"Lord Yanagawa, please...please follow me."

Liu Chuan said no more and strode forward.

Shiba Isshin quickly followed, and as he passed the collapsed sage, he deliberately "accidentally" gave him a light kick, eliciting a suppressed groan of pain from the man. Shiba Isshin felt even more pleased.