The only player in the world of Bleach

He followed Shutara Senjumaru out of the Fourth Division's temporary base, watching the other man fiddling with some tools. Then... a transparent light shield descended from the sky and enveloped the two of them.

Having finished all the arrangements, Shutara Senjumaru seemed to be in a very good mood. At this moment, the corners of his mouth were turned up, and his tone of voice was noticeably frivolous.

"No need to worry, this just opens the passage to the Spirit King's Palace... After all, normally, going from Seireitei to the Spirit King's Palace is not allowed."

This statement is not difficult to understand.

In the original story, if Yamamoto hadn't died in battle, the Zero Division would never have made an appearance.

Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni was the key to suppressing the Seireitei, and only after this last line of defense collapsed could subsequent resistance forces emerge.

As for the method to ascend to the Spirit King's Palace...

After a brief moment of thought, Matsushita Yusuke could only vaguely recall Shiba Kukaku's sky-piercing cannon from Rukongai.

In this respect, Shutara Senjumaru has no room for deception.

As his thoughts surged, Yusuke Matsushita felt himself rise from the ground, soaring straight into the clouds... At the same time, a group of Grim Reapers arrived one after another, watching from afar.

Yusuke Matsushita also recognized a familiar figure among them.

Aizen Sousuke was among them, and at that moment he cast a subtle yet slightly tense glance.

This is an expression that's rarely seen... I never expected to witness it at a time like this. The reason behind it is truly poignant and thought-provoking.

It's hard to say whether it's out of worry or simply for some other reason...

As the altitude continued to rise until the figure disappeared completely, Matsushita Yusuke naturally focused his gaze.

"I'm very nervous, Captain Matsushita."

She stood to the side and said in a teasing tone.

"Is it because we're about to meet the Spirit King? I can feel that your breathing and heartbeat have quickened considerably."

Before Matsushita Yusuke could respond, Shutara Senjumaru gently swung his right arm, covering his mouth as he let out a series of short, subtle laughs.

"After all, the so-called Shinigami Armor is something I invented. As long as you wear it, I can roughly sense some subtle outlines of your breathing and movements. And then..."

She stepped closer, lowering her voice as if whispering something.

"At this distance, I can even sense Captain Matsushita's changing emotions. That tension, trepidation, a sense of awe mixed with a subtle hostility..."

"...!"

Yusuke Matsushita subconsciously increased the distance between them.

He already knew the role and origin of the Zero Division... As royal agents in the literal sense, and also the Soul King's personal guard, this team itself possessed a pivotal position and strength.

According to more orthodox accounts, the five members of the Zero Division are stronger than the entire Gotei 13.

at the same time.

All members of Squad Zero hold immense significance for the Soul Society itself.

Judging from the content of his memories alone, Yusuke Matsushita was able to recall a great deal of relevant information.

For example, the monk who named everything in Soul Society, and Ohetsu who created the Zanpakuto...

Among them, the creation of Shutara Senjumaru is the uniform attire of the Shinigami, the Shinigami uniform.

These things, which are absolutely secret to the natives of Soul Society, are now information that Yusuke Matsushita already knows.

but……

The act of 'knowing' itself is meaningless.

Unable to transform his abilities into strength, Yusuke Matsushita felt utterly powerless about the current situation.

Moreover, he hadn't expected that such an unexpected thing could happen...

The Death Knight's Gear can even have monitoring capabilities?!

Seemingly sensing the sudden wariness that Matsushita Yusuke had displayed, Shutara Senjumaru chuckled.

Her eyes curved slightly, revealing a playful smile, and her tone was even more teasing.

"You're nervous, aren't you? That's a normal reaction. After all, you're about to have an audience with the Spirit King. Any normal person would react like this, right? Especially..."

Her tone softened, her gaze lowered, and naturally settled on the object in Matsushita Yusuke's arms.

"I still have to bring my newborn daughter... Well, even I would be so nervous that I'd be sweating buckets."

To play with, to tease.

Apart from these two adjectives, Yusuke Matsushita could not find any other fitting description.

Just before Matsushita Yusuke 'exploded', Shutara Senjumaru had already consciously retreated and widened the distance again.

"Hehe, just kidding... I just thought that being too serious would put unnecessary pressure on you. How are you feeling now?"

—She is unlike any other woman I have ever met.

The composure that Shutara Senjumaru displays is essentially a manifestation of strength and confidence.

Perhaps it was because she had foreseen what she was about to encounter, or perhaps it was simply because she was influenced by the child in her arms, that her emotions were now being led by the other person...

Matsushita Yusuke did indeed behave quite 'out of control', and was far less composed than usual.

Inhale and open your mouth.

I originally wanted to say something.

But before he could speak...

"Waaah..."

After a short, low moan, the child in her arms stirred slightly, brought her hands to her face, and rubbed them... letting out a low sob.

I'm about to wake up.

Matsushita Yusuke almost instinctively tensed his muscles, preparing to withstand the impact.

But this reaction seemed to only make the little one in her arms more disgusted. After a brief moment of reaction, she let out a sharp scream.

"Wow!!!"

The azure-blue liquid rippled outwards in layers, just as predicted... The spiritual energy, a mixture of three forces, spread out in waves at this moment.

Matsushita Yusuke, who was already prepared, easily suppressed it. The spiritual power emanating from his body clashed with it, creating a situation of mutual destruction and elimination.

Even so, uncontrolled turbulence still rippled outwards.

Shutara Senjumaru took a half step back, watching these things burst out of the cover and soar into the sky, scattering the surrounding floating clouds and forming a visible 'vacuum zone'.

Having witnessed such power firsthand, Shutara Senjumaru sighed softly and spoke in a rather sentimental tone.

"This is really interesting..."

As for the other side...

Although he had suppressed the overflowing spiritual energy, Matsushita Yusuke felt somewhat helpless when it came to the baby itself.

As a first-time father, Matsushita Yusuke clearly lacked relevant experience.

"Captain Matsushita, if you don't mind, would you like me to give it a try?"

Following the sound, Matsushita Yusuke saw that Shutara Senjumaru had moved to his side.

She tilted her head, looking at the child in Matsushita Yusuke's arms. Six golden, skull-like arms were held out in front of her, and her tone was somewhat helpless.

"When the child is uncomfortable, you can also try other ways of holding them... By the way, is this your first time becoming a father?"

When these less-than-confident topics were brought up, Matsushita Yusuke's confidence noticeably diminished.

After nodding silently, Shutara Senjumaru visibly sighed.

"There's really no other way... then let me give it a try."

She took a half step forward, squeezing herself next to Matsushita Yusuke. The movement was gentle, yet left no room for negotiation…

Six arms wrapped around the baby from both sides and took the swaddled child into their arms.

"Like this, place one hand on the child's chin and chest, and the other hand on the back of the neck and the groin. Then let her face outwards and lie on your arm... Make sure her head is higher than her hips."

What what and what?

Yusuke Matsushita felt like several question marks had popped up in his head.

He watched as Shutara Senjumaru cheerfully manipulated his arm, cradling his daughter in his palm, and in just a short while she had calmed down...

Is it really useful?!

"Goodness~ Hmm, this child seems to have a good personality. She should be easy to please when she grows up... Oh right, is she a girl? Haha, then the father should be careful and not let her get tricked."

I was inexplicably lectured.

But I had no room for rebuttal.

"I learned this way of holding a baby from someone else... Although newborns are structurally similar to us, they are like small animals, and only have instinctive reactions to many things."

Therefore.

"When conditions permit, just let the children stretch out their limbs and feel comfortable. So... you didn't even know that?"

"..."

Yusuke Matsushita scratched the corner of his mouth and subtly shifted his gaze away.

"Are all parents these days like you? Isn't that a bit too harsh on kids?"

Shutara Senjumaru rambled on and on, then looked at Matsushita Yusuke's expression and narrowed his eyes slightly as if he had suddenly remembered something.

"Let me make this clear first, have you prepared any food for her?"

"..."

"You didn't bring your wife with you. I thought you were prepared, but you came to the Spirit King's Palace without bringing anything at all?"

Yusuke Matsushita could only awkwardly accept the 'torture'.

"I really can't do anything with you. I'll contact Kiryu later... She should have some things that are suitable for babies to eat."

Kiryu?

Ghana Jinghai finally realized what was happening.

Considering the context, only Hikifune Kiryuki fits the other party's description at the moment.

As a fellow member of the Zero Squad, Matsushita Yusuke had a deep impression of this person... but this time, before he could even speak, the light and darkness outside suddenly switched.

Bright light pierced into the enclosure, forcing Matsushita Yusuke to squint his eyes slightly.

"..."

He shielded his forehead with his right hand, using the shadow to scan his surroundings and take in all the sights.

Matsushita Yusuke and his group... are currently standing on the clouds.

It felt as if I had broken through some kind of constraint and ascended straight into the stratosphere. The clouds below me were dense, forming a layer that seemed almost tangible.

"We're almost there."

Following the sound of Shutara Senjumaru, Matsushita Yusuke saw several enormous silhouettes floating in the air.

Outlying islands.

Of course... in the current context, perhaps 'palace' would be a more appropriate description.

“These places are usually not open to the public, but today is a little special… I guess it’s a special arrangement made for you and your daughter?”

With a soft laugh, Shutara Senjumaru handed the child back to Matsushita Yusuke.

The little one didn't seem satisfied with the result. She trembled and shrank back, then opened her mouth and started whimpering again.

Seeing that Matsushita Yusuke was about to imitate his previous actions, Shutara Senjumaru turned his head slightly and said in a slightly helpless tone.

“Stop... The child isn’t having trouble sleeping, he should be hungry. Also... well, it’s about time.”

Almost what?

puff……

A muffled thud followed.

Then came a series of crackling sounds.

Matsushita Yusuke's right hand, which had been supporting the child's thigh, now not only felt a heavy feedback, but also touched something warmer.