Bleach: From the moment I was invited by Squad Zero

After a brief silence, Liu Chuan raised his head. His eyes showed neither the fear of being flattered nor the excitement of being full of ambition, but only a calm and clear mind that had settled down to the extreme.

"I can accept the invitation from Squad Zero," he said, his voice steady.

Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni raised his eyes slightly, while Hyosube Ichibei waited quietly for what was to come. Both of them could hear the shift in the otherwise calm tone.

As expected, Liu Chuan's words, like a stream flowing over rocks, naturally and firmly veered to another direction: "However, I have one request."

He paused for a barely perceptible moment, his gaze sweeping over the two pinnacle figures of Soul Society before him, before slowly uttering the following words:

"If that doesn't work, then I'll have to decline the invitation from Squad Zero."

"Oh?" For the first time, a hint of surprise was mixed in Hyosube Ichibei's booming voice.

He had never seen anyone so calmly offer "conditions" in response to the Zero Division's invitation.

Captain-Commander Yamamoto's hand, which was holding a cane, tightened slightly.

"Tell me about it," said Hyosube Ichibei. The speed at which the nebula swirled in his double pupils seemed to increase slightly, indicating that he was listening attentively and weighing his options.

Liu Chuan spoke each word with perfect clarity.

"I need to stay in Seireitei. Unless necessary, I hope to spend most of my time living here, rather than residing in the Soul King's Palace."

The reason was so direct it was almost frank.

Hyosube Ichibei fell silent. His massive body seemed to have solidified into an ancient stone statue, with only the dark prayer beads around his neck occasionally tapping against each other with the slightest movement, producing a deep, resonant sound.

After the initial surprise came deep reflection.

Such a requirement is truly unheard of. For members of the Zero Division, residing in the Spirit King's Palace is an honor, a status, and also an inevitable consequence of their duties and the internalization of the rules.

Is this person's view of this "honor" as a "constraint" a sign of arrogance and ignorance, or does it reflect an extraordinary clarity and commitment to their own path?

He recalled the vague will of the Spirit King, which did not specify the method or the form, but only pointed to "this person".

Rules... While the rules of the Spirit King Palace are important, the will of the Spirit King is the highest and most fundamental rule.

What Lord Lingwang wants is "this person," so perhaps there's room for flexibility in how to "possess" this person.

Time flowed slowly in silence, each breath seemingly stretched out.

Captain-Commander Yamamoto seemed to be in a meditative state, but the deep, calm spiritual pressure around him subtly revealed that his inner peace was not as serene as it appeared.

He was also waiting, waiting for an outcome that might overturn his millennia-old understanding.

Finally, Hyosube Ichibei slowly nodded.

"Can."

Two words, earth-shattering.

Hyosube Ichibei continued, his voice regaining its grandeur as he expounded the rules:

"You may remain in Seireitei, but your status, communication, and corresponding responsibilities as a Zero Division will not be reduced. If summoned by the Soul King Palace, or if it involves matters of great importance to the Three Realms, you must respond immediately. At other times, you need to maintain contact with the Soul King Palace through specific means."

Liu Chuan nodded in agreement, accepting the conditional terms, which meant he would also assume corresponding obligations, something he was already prepared for.

Hyobu Ichibei gave him one last look.

"Specific details will be arranged later. The induction ceremony will still be held at the Spirit King Palace. I will come to pick you up in a few days."

His figure began to fade, like ink spreading on paper, and his aura quickly dissipated.

Before the words were even finished, the imposing figure of the monk had completely merged into the void, as if he had never appeared.

Only his reply, and that unprecedented privilege, remained heavily in place.

Only after Hyosube Ichibei's aura completely disappeared did Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni slowly raise his eyelids, his gaze towards Yanagawa extremely complex.

Shock, scrutiny, and a hint of indescribable emotion all culminated in a barely audible sigh tinged with deep astonishment.

"He... he actually agreed." His deep voice rang out, as if he were talking to himself, yet also as if he were speaking to Liu Chuan.

"The fact that Lord Bingzhu would agree to such a request... It seems that Lord Lingwang values ​​you far more than I expected."

He paused, then took a step forward, leaning on his cane:

"In that case, until you complete the initiation ceremony, you will temporarily return to the Ghost Path Clan, and everything will proceed as usual."

Liu Chuan said no more and walked out of the barracks of this squad.

"Feed—! Yanagawa?!"

A slightly hoarse but powerful and surprised shout interrupted Liu Chuan's thoughts.

He looked in the direction of the sound and saw a tall man with a distinctive red spiky hairstyle and a brown tattoo under his right eye striding towards him. It was none other than Abarai Renji.

He was dressed in a Shinigami uniform, and his whole being exuded a wild and untamed vitality.

"Renji?" Yanagawa stopped in his tracks, a hint of surprise on his face, which quickly turned into a genuine smile.

At the Shinigami Academy, Renji was one of the few friends he had who shared his temperament and with whom he could have a few words.

Although one chose to join the Kido sect, which was considered a "retirement" path, and the other joined the Gotei 13 after graduation, their friendship as classmates was not completely erased.

"Haha, it really is you!" Renji strode forward and patted Yanagawa's shoulder forcefully with his large, fan-like hand, carrying the rough and bold style characteristic of the Eleventh Division.

"Coming out from the First Division? That's rare! The Captain-Commander summoned you? Did you get caught slacking off with the Kido Clan?"

He grinned, his tone playful.

Yanagawa subtly eased the pressure on his shoulder and smiled, "I have some things to attend to. As for you, Renji, you seem to be thriving in the Eleventh Division."

He sized up Renji. Compared to his time in Mao, his friend now exuded an even stronger aura, with a sharper edge honed by years of battles between his brows. Clearly, he had undergone considerable "forging" under the hands of Kenpachi Zaraki, that battle maniac.

"That's right!" Renji puffed out his chest, his tone filled with undisguised pride belonging to the Eleventh Division.

"Following Captain Zaraki, there are endless fights every day. It's much more exciting than chanting incantations from the Kido textbook at the academy!"

He changed the subject, looked at Liu Chuan, and asked with his usual directness:

"But seriously, Yanagawa, your grades weren't bad back then, so why did you decide to join the Kido Clan? All you do is fix up barriers and portals all day, it's so boring."

"Everyone has their own ambitions," Liu Chuan replied calmly, without offering any further explanation.

He knew Renji's personality; he was straightforward and would find it hard to understand his own interest in the quiet study of the principles of Kido and the essence of spiritual power.

Renji scratched his striking red hair, seemingly realizing he'd been a bit too blunt, chuckled twice, and changed the subject:

"Never mind, whatever makes you happy. By the way, you should know about Izuru and Hinamori, right?"

Yanagawa nodded. Kira Izuru and Hinamori Momo were also his classmates. Kira Izuru had joined the Third Division and was now a seat officer.

Hinamori Momo went to the Fifth Division and was also a seat officer.

"They all seem to be doing well and have established themselves within the team."

"Tch, just a seated official." Renji curled his lip, but there was no contempt in his eyes. Instead, there was a sense of empathy that "everyone has their own difficulties."

"That Izuru guy, he's quite well-behaved, so he'd be suitable for the Third Division. Hinamori, though..."

He paused, his tone unconsciously softening slightly.

"It's good that she's in the Fifth Division. Captain Aizen takes good care of her. It's just that she sometimes overthinks things and isn't as boisterous as she used to be in Rukongai."

The conversation naturally veered toward the person they both cared about, but who was now in a different world.

"...Rukia," Renji's voice lowered, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes—a mixture of nostalgia, and an indescribable sense of estrangement and melancholy.

"I think the Kuchiki family had some kind of internal ceremony a while ago. I saw her from afar once. She was wearing a Kuchiki family kimono and following quietly beside that icy Captain Kuchiki. She was completely different from before."

He was referring to Rukia Kuchiki, their childhood friend from Rukongai, and a classmate at the Shinigami Academy.

Now, she has been adopted by the Kuchiki family, one of the four noble families, and has become the adopted sister of Kuchiki Byakuya, the captain of the Sixth Division. Her status is now vastly different from what it used to be.

"Yes, as expected." Yanagawa's tone remained calm. He understood the rules and distance of the aristocratic world more deeply than Renji.

Rukia's choice, or rather, fate's arrangement, led her down a different path.

"The Kuchiki family has strict rules, and now that she's part of it, some changes are inevitable. At the very least, she should be able to live a worry-free life."

"Carefree..." Renji repeated the word, his expression complex, before finally letting out a heavy sigh.

"Yes, Captain Kuchiki may seem cold, but he probably won't mistreat her."

He shook his head, as if trying to shake off the inexplicable irritation, and then patted Liu Chuan hard.

"Enough of that! Come on, let's run into each other, let's grab a drink! I know a place in West Rukongai that has really strong shochu! You're a member of the Kido Clan, don't tell me you don't even drink anymore?"

Seeing Renji instantly regain his energy, Yanagawa smiled.

"Okay," he replied.

"Something special?" Renji raised a thick eyebrow, his curiosity piqued once again.

"Coming out of the First Division, and saying there's something special... Hey, Yanagawa, are you getting a promotion? The position of Grand Master of the Kidō Clan has been vacant for a long time, could it be that the Captain-Commander has taken a liking to you?"

He speculated wildly.

Liu Chuan chuckled and shook his head: "No, it's not convenient to say the specifics, but you should know in a few days."

"Still so mysterious..." Renji muttered, but didn't pay much attention.

There are plenty of strange and unusual missions in the Gotei 13, so it's normal for the Kido Clan to have some secrets.

"Alright, alright, you demon cultists are always causing trouble. Whatever, let's go drink! Today I'm going to show you that the Eleventh Division's drinking capacity is something the demon cultists can't match!"

Without saying a word, he put his arm around Liu Chuan's shoulder and started to drag him forward.

Yanagawa reluctantly followed him for a few steps, listening to Renji rambling on about which team member had challenged Captain Zaraki and gotten beaten to a pulp.

The sense of alienation and pressure I felt from the top of the world in the First Division seemed to have been diluted quite a bit.

"Rukia... the Kuchiki family..." Yanagawa took a sip of the rather strong shochu recommended by Renji, the spicy sensation burning from his throat all the way to his stomach.

He thought of that girl who always tried to appear strong but was actually soft-hearted, now bound by the complicated etiquette of the nobility and the cold aura of Kuchiki Byakuya.

"Hey, Yanagawa, what are you spacing out for! Drink up!" Renji's loud voice interrupted his thoughts, and a glass full of strong liquor was slammed heavily in front of him.