Bleach: From the moment I was invited by Squad Zero

"The statements of the two parties involved are insufficient to determine the root cause of the phenomenon."

Liu Chuan spoke slowly, his voice exceptionally clear in the silence.

"We need more information."

He paused, then looked at Isshin Shiba beside him: "Captain Isshin, I remember there's a place in Seireitei that contains almost all the history and events of Soul Society since its birth."

Upon hearing this, Shiba Isshin slowed his pace slightly, a knowing look of "I knew it" appearing on his face, which then turned serious. He lowered his voice and confirmed:

"You mean the Great Spiritual Library?"

"Exactly." Liu Chuan nodded.

"That's an incredible place..."

Shiba clicked his tongue and began to explain to Yanagawa in detail, his tone filled with awe for that mysterious place and a hint of complex emotions.

"The Great Spirit Book Corridor is located at the deepest part of the underground council chamber in the Central 46th Room. It can be said to be the final gathering place and repository of information in the entire Soul Society."

"It is managed by the Tsunayo family, one of the five noble families. That family is notorious for being old-fashioned and control freaks, with an alarmingly strong desire to monopolize knowledge and secrets."

As he walked, he recounted the details with great familiarity: "That place records all the history, secrets, and major events of the Soul Society from ancient times to the present."

"The entry requirements are extremely stringent," Shiba Isshin continued, his expression serious.

"The use of spiritual power is strictly prohibited inside. Anyone who enters must hand over their Zanpakuto, which will be kept by a special guard."

"Outside, there is a composite protective barrier and warning barrier known as the 'Thirteen Layers,' and its defense system is jointly constructed and maintained by the three forces of Captain-Commander Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni, the Kido-shu, and the covert mobile force under the Second Division."

"It is said that even captains are absolutely not allowed to trespass without official permission."

He glanced at the white haori Liu Chuan was wearing, his tone becoming more relaxed, tinged with anticipation and a hint of mockery:

"However, Yanagawa, you are now a member of the Zero Division. Although you are only a reserve member, the three words 'Zero Division' are one of the highest-level passes in Soul Society."

"In theory, under the pretext of investigating the incident involving anomalies in the fundamental rules of Zanpakuto, you have every right to request access to the Great Book of Spirits corridor to consult relevant information."

"No matter how old-fashioned the Tsunayo family is, or how unhappy those stubborn old fogies in the 46 Chambers are, they'll have to think twice before the will of the Soul King Palace. That's much more effective than my reputation as the captain of the 10th Division!"

Liuchuan listened quietly to Shiba Isshin's introduction, gaining a clearer understanding of the Great Spiritual Book Corridor.

This is undoubtedly a treasure trove full of taboos and opportunities. His purpose in going there was not merely to find clues about the "Twin Hyōrinmaru".

The Great Spiritual Library's collection of "a series of historical records, secrets, and major events in the Soul Society from ancient times to the present" was an irresistible temptation for him.

Since this investigation into the "Twin Hyōrinmaru" incident has given him a legitimate and irresistible reason to enter that forbidden area that ordinary people cannot set foot in, he will naturally not let this opportunity pass.

We must not only search for records directly related to the current events, but also broaden our horizons as much as possible to understand the buried past, the concealed truths, and the core rules that form the foundation of this world.

This is crucial to his future path.

"In that case," Liu Chuan stopped and turned back to face the direction he had come from, his gaze seemingly piercing through the thick stone walls, reaching into the deeper depths beneath the Central Forty-Six Chambers.

"Captain Yixin, I'll have to trouble you to come with me."

"Haha! I couldn't be happier!" Shiba Isshin slapped Yanagawa's shoulder hard, his face full of eager smiles.

"I've been incredibly curious about that awful place for ages! It's a shame I never had the chance to go in before. Thanks to you, I'll finally get to see for myself! Let's see just how many unspeakable secrets the Tsunayo family is hiding! Let's go!"

Without further hesitation, the two retraced their steps and headed back towards the core area of ​​Central Room 46.

This time, their target was no longer the cell where the person in question was being held, but the true memory center of Soul Society hidden beneath all power and secrets.

The interior of the Great Spiritual Library is not the ordinary library filled with bookshelves that one might imagine.

Before you is a wide, slightly sloping passageway that seems to have no end, flanked by towering walls that appear to be made of some kind of luminous jade.

The walls were not simply bookshelves, but rather square compartments of varying sizes, each containing a scroll or jade slip that emitted a faint glow and was carried by a special spiritual material.

The air was still, thick with the scent of dust and ancient information.

"Wow..." Shiba Isshin couldn't help but exclaim in a low voice, though he tried his best to keep the volume down, it still sounded abrupt in the absolutely quiet environment.

He looked around at the endless, glowing bookshelves that stretched upwards, downwards, left, and right, and clicked his tongue in amazement:

"This place is bigger than I imagined."

Liu Chuan did not respond immediately; he was also observing.

He began to move purposefully, his gaze sweeping over the information labels written in ancient spiritual script on the outside of the cubicles.

"A General History of Soul Society", "Tracing the Origins of Zanpakuto Lineages", "An Examination of the Evolution of Spiritual Power", "A Summary of Major Events"... The categories are detailed.

He first went to the area marked as the general history of Soul Society and began to quickly filter and browse.

A thousand years ago, Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni defeated Yhwach, the founder of the Quincy, and subsequently established the Gotei 13, defining the basic structure and responsibilities of the Shinigami organization...

He had heard of the framework of these grand narratives before, but what he saw here was even more concrete in the details.

It even includes some descriptions of the horrors of that war, the chaos in the early days of the Thirteenth Division, and Captain-Commander Yamamoto's iron-fisted methods of uniting various forces with absolute force and will.

Suddenly, a familiar name popped up, causing him to pause slightly while browsing.

"The first captain of the 11th Division of the Gotei 13 was Retsu Unohana."

Retsu Unohana? The Fourth Division Captain who always has a gentle smile and a calm, serene demeanor?

She was actually the first captain of the 11th Division? The founder of that division that reveled in battle and slaughter?

The image of Captain Unohana, who was all smiles, instantly flashed through Liu Chuan's mind at the previous captain's meeting.

It's really hard to associate such a healer with the name of the first Kenpachi, which is full of bloodshed and battle.

The contrast is just too great.

"Really... I never would have guessed."

A hint of surprise crossed Liu Chuan's mind, but he wasn't too shocked.

In the long history of Soul Society, changes in identity and duties are not uncommon, but the contrast between Captain Unohana before and after is indeed peculiar. He noted this information down and continued browsing.

The historical records about the Eleventh Division seem particularly "colorful," or rather, full of bizarre occurrences. His attention was drawn to the records concerning the "Seventh Kenpachi."

"Kenpachi Kuruyashiki, the seventh Kenpachi, achievements: single-handedly killed a Vasto Lorde-class Hollow, Zanpakuto 'Gratakuro', a biological type, capable of materializing and summoning giant creatures to devour the field. He once refused the recruitment of the Zero Division."

Refusing the Zero Squad's recruitment? Liu Chuan raised an eyebrow slightly.

The invitation from the Zero Division is almost a symbol of the highest honor and recognition in Soul Society, so how could someone refuse?

Then Liu Chuan thought about himself and realized that if he were asked to live in the Spirit King Palace forever, he would probably refuse.

Moreover, this person is clearly extremely powerful, capable of single-handedly defeating a top-tier Vasto Lorde, and his Zanpakuto's ability is also quite unique. Such a character…

The record continues: "Later, during the captain's succession challenge, he was defeated by the eighth Kenpachi, Souya Azashiro, and died in battle."

Defeated? Yanagawa immediately searched for records about "Eighth Generation Kenpachi Souya".

Souya Azashiro, the eighth Kenpachi. His Zanpakuto, "Rain Dew Cress," has the ability to fuse and manipulate his own spiritual particles with all matter containing spiritual particles in the outside world.

They secretly carried out the "Rukousai Spirit Modification Project," intending to transform ordinary souls into weapons of war for use in conquering Hueco Mundo.

After the plan was exposed, he surrendered to Central Room 46. Sentence: Permanent imprisonment in the lowest level of the underground prison, the Avici Hell.

"..." Liu Chuan remained silent for a moment. To merge and control one's own spiritual energy with all things?

This capability is practically made for large-scale warfare and infiltration.

What's even more surprising is that he secretly conducted such horrifying modification experiments, with the goal of destroying Hueco Mundo? However, his eventual surrender was inexplicable, suggesting there must be some hidden story behind this.

"The captain of the 11th Division," Yanagawa couldn't help but mutter to Shiba Isshin, who was also browsing and whose expression had become quite interesting.

"It all seems a bit unusual."

From the first captain Retsu Unohana to Kenpachi Kuruyashiki, who refused to join the Zero Division, and Sōya Azumashiro, who attempted to reform the residents of Rukongai, the succession of the Eleventh Division captains is practically an encyclopedia of abnormally strong individuals.

"It's more than just unusual!" Shiba Isshin said in a low voice, his expression strange.

"It's practically a concentration camp of lunatics! Thankfully, while Kenpachi Zaraki is also a battle maniac, at least... uh, at least he's relatively simple-minded?"

He himself became a little unsure by the end.

Yanagawa shook his head, putting aside for the time being these shocking pieces of information about the past Kenpachi.

He continued to focus his attention on other historical records, especially those related to Squad Zero and technological development.

Soon, another familiar name came into view.

"Captain of the 12th Division, Kiryu Hikifune. Achievements: He pioneered the basic theory of 'Gi-soul' and based on it, he initially constructed the conceptual framework of 'Gi-hai'. Due to his pioneering contributions, he was promoted to a member of the Zero Division."

I will probably meet this senior in the Spirit King Palace soon, Liu Chuan silently noted.