Bleach: From the moment I was invited by Squad Zero

As the surging spiritual energy within him gradually subsided, Yanagawa leaned back in his comfortable chair, savoring this unprecedented feeling of "fullness." However, his thoughts drifted back to Seireitei, back to the Technology Development Bureau, a place filled with strange instruments and the atmosphere of dangerous experiments.

He recalled the deal he made with the mad scientist captain before his departure, and the other man's awkward yet clear instructions.

Liu Chuan put down the fragrant, sweet-smelling spirit tea, looked up at the now slender and sexy figure opposite him, and said,

"Speaking of which, before I came to the Spirit King's Palace, a captain of the Seireitei learned that I was coming and specifically asked me to give you my regards."

"Oh?" Kiryuu put down his teacup, his slender fingers tapping the table lightly, a perfectly measured look of curiosity on his face.

"The captain of Seireitei? He specifically asked you to deliver a message to me? Who is he? I've been away from the underworld for quite some time now, and I probably don't recognize most of the current captains."

"He is the captain of the 12th Division and the director of the Technology Development Bureau," Yanagawa clearly stated the name, "Mayuri Kurotsuchi."

"Mayuri?" Kiryu's bright eyes widened instantly, and the lazy and relaxed expression on his face was replaced by a clear look of surprise and reminiscence.

She paused for a moment, then a complex and nostalgic smile slowly curved her full lips, and her voice softened considerably:

"It's him... that weird kid who's a headache, but you have to admit he's a genius."

Her gaze seemed to pierce through the warm air of the Sleeping Pig Palace, landing on a distant past filled with the clatter of test tubes and the hum of instruments.

"I remember, back in the 12th Division, he was my subordinate."

Kiryuki said slowly, his tone filled with emotion, "He locks himself in the lab all day, tinkering with things that are incomprehensible and terrifying. Few of the other team members are not afraid of him, and few can keep up with his bizarre and unpredictable research ideas."

She shook her head, but there was little blame in her eyes; instead, there was a hint of helpless smile.

"I argued with him a lot, and even slammed my fist on the table, in order to restrain his experimental ideas that were too dangerous or contrary to common sense."

"The way he looked at me back then was like he was looking at an 'old fogey' who was hindering scientific progress. Although he didn't say it, he must have been thinking a lot about it."

"However," Kiryuu's tone shifted, his expression becoming serious and certain, "hereafter."

"Undeniably, he is indeed an extraordinary genius."

"His talent is among the best I've ever seen in my long years in Soul Society."

"Many seemingly crazy or even absurd ideas are often realized by him in some unexpected way, or at least open up completely new research directions, which sometimes amazes even me."

She picked up her teacup and took another sip, seemingly trying to calm her slightly agitated emotions.

"When I left the 12th Division and entered the Spirit King Palace, the person I was most worried about was actually him."

I feared that without restraint, he might go to extremes and do something irreversible. I also feared he was too aloof and would be out of place in the Seireitei. Now it seems…”

Kiryu looked at Yanagawa, his smile softening once more:

"He not only took over as captain, but also took charge of the Technology Development Bureau."

Then, Kiryu warmly escorted Yanagawa to the entrance of the Wabuton-don, which was filled with the aroma of food, and thoughtfully told him, "You can come anytime if you get hungry."

Faced with this overly enthusiastic colleague, Liu Chuan could only thank him again.

As soon as he stepped out the door, Liu Chuan paused slightly after taking only a few steps.

In front of the main gate of the Sleeping Pig Hall, next to a thick pillar connecting the corridor, a tall and slender figure was leaning lazily.

The person who arrived seemed to have been waiting for a long time, his posture relaxed, even with a hint of boredom.

He had a well-defined, slightly thin face with a neatly trimmed short beard on his chin.

What's most striking is his unique hairstyle—his hair is combed back, forming an exaggerated "airplane head" shape with the ends slightly hooked upwards on top of his head.

He casually held a thin, long blade of grass, which he had picked from somewhere, in his mouth, and the grass swayed slightly with the movement of his cheek.

She was wearing a dark-colored, loose-fitting outfit similar to a yukata but more streamlined, with a belt casually tied around her waist, revealing her well-defined collarbones and part of her muscular chest, and a pair of wooden clogs on her feet.

He exudes a unique aura that blends arrogance and laziness.

It is completely different from the outward warmth and enthusiasm of Hikifune Kiryu.

It was Kirinji Tenjiro, a member of the Zero Division, known as "Izumi-yu Oni" (Spring Bath Demon).

Seeing Yanagawa walk out of the Wotun Hall, Kirinji Tenjiro's half-closed, seemingly listless eyes opened a crack, and a smile or something else curved at the corner of his mouth.

"Yo, you're out? How was the food, Kiryu? Judging from your radiant and energetic appearance, you must have eaten a lot!"

Yanagawa stopped and turned to Kirinji Tenjiro: "You are... Captain Kirinji Tenjiro?"

"Captain? That's not the proper way to address someone in the Spirit King's Palace. Just call me Tenjiro, or you can follow Kiryu's example and call me Big Brother Tenjiro, I don't mind either."

Kirinji Tenjiro waved his hand, finally moving his body off the pillar and standing up straight.

He was about the same height as Liu Chuan, but his sharp and unruly aura was extremely intimidating.

He looked Liu Chuan up and down, as if assessing an item that needed to be "dealt with".

"Kiryu has probably told you everything, right? Now it's my turn to 'entertain' you."

Kirinji Tenjiro pointed to himself with his thumb, then gestured with his chin toward the end of the corridor opposite the Reiton-dono (Reiton Hall).

"Come with me, I'll take you to my territory—the Qilin Palace."

"Thank you for your trouble, Senior Tenshiro."

Yanagawa already had a general idea of ​​what the "hot spring demon" would "invite"—it was probably related to treatment and stimulating potential.

Kirinji Tenjiro turned and strode away into the distance, his wooden clogs making a crisp, rhythmic "click" sound on the smooth floor, echoing in the quiet corridor.

Liu Chuan quickly followed. He could sense that the seemingly lazy and unrestrained figure in front of him had a peculiar rhythm with every step he took.

It seemed to subtly harmonize with the flow of spiritual energy in the surrounding Spirit King Palace, moving at an extremely fast speed, yet appearing unhurried.

Before long, they arrived at the Qilin Palace.

The Qilin Hall has a more rugged appearance, and is built entirely of a kind of dark blue-black boulder, with natural patterns on the surface that look like they were formed by flowing water.

As Kirinji Tenjiro walked to the front of the hall, without him making any special movements, the two heavy, warm jade doors slid open silently inward.

A richer, warmer, and more humid scent wafted over me.

"We've arrived, come in." Kirinji Tenjiro stepped in first, his voice echoing in the empty hall.

Liuchuan followed him in.

Several pools of varying sizes and shapes are scattered throughout the hall, with water of different colors. Some are crystal clear, shimmering with a faint milky white light; others are a deep crimson, steaming with heat, like magma.

Stone pillows, wooden spoons, and some other tools that Liuchuan didn't recognize, seemingly used for scraping, acupuncture, or massage, were casually placed on the platform around the pool.

The steam permeating the air, upon closer inspection, is not ordinary water vapor, but a highly concentrated spiritual mist with healing and nourishing effects.

This is the heart of Kirin-den—the "White Bone Hell" hot spring, or rather, Kirin-ji Tenjiro's "healing workshop."

"Stop standing there staring, take off your clothes and get down."

Kirinji Tenjiro casually walked to the edge of a white hot spring pool.

As he spoke, he deftly began to untie the sash of his loose yukata, revealing his strong, muscular upper body covered in tiny scars yet exuding power, before stepping into the white pool without a care in the world.

With only his head sticking out, he comfortably leaned against a warm, black stone by the pool, closed his eyes, and seemed to be there for a bath.

Liu Chuan paused for a moment, then slowly immersed himself in the hot spring.

The moment the warm pool water enveloped his entire body, Liu Chuan felt countless extremely pure, gentle yet penetrating streams of spiritual particles, like countless tiny needles, gently piercing into every pore of his skin, drilling deep into his body along his spiritual meridians.

Wherever it goes, it brings a refreshing feeling.

At the same time, the pool water seemed to contain some kind of strange power, making him feel as if his soul was being cleansed by the warm water, becoming exceptionally clear.

"How are you feeling? If you can hold on, soak a little longer. If you feel something's wrong, yell for help. Don't push yourself until you pass out, or I'll have to get you out of there."

Kirinji Tenjiro closed his eyes and spoke lazily, but Yanagawa could feel that the other's sharp spiritual sense was like the most precise scanner, firmly locking onto every change in his body.