Bleach: From the moment I was invited by Squad Zero.

Bleach: From the moment I was invited by Squad Zero

Author: Angry Popsicle

Summary:

In the era of the end of magic, the genius mage Liu Chuan accidentally falls into the world of death while researching super magic.

Now that he has been given a second chance at life, the naturally low-key man only wants to live a peaceful life and, incidentally, reach the supreme realm that he was unable to reach in his previous life due to the limitations of his environment.

—Until one ordinary day, a bald monk who called himself "Hyōshube Ichibei" appeared before him...

Afterwards, a series of titles followed, such as "the nemesis of the 46th Chamber" and "the founder of the Super 100 Ghost Path".

Main text

Chapter 1 Unexpected Visitor

Inside the Ghost Path Clan, Yanagawa, having finished his work for the day, comfortably reclined in a deck chair.

He casually picked up a sake bottle from the side, poured himself a cup of sake unique to the Soul Society, and began to savor it slowly.

Indeed, this is what life should be like.

The duties of the Kido Clan are inherently geared towards the rear and support roles, specializing in various non-combat Kido operations.

For example, opening interdimensional gates connecting different realms, maintaining the protective barrier inside and outside the Seireitei, or sealing specific items or areas.

Although the work is detailed, the pace is far less intense and urgent than that of combat troops.

Since the departure of the Great Demon Master, Tetsuzai Wakami, and the Vice Demon Master, Hachigen Ushōda, many years ago, no one of great strength has emerged from the Demon Path Sect.

To this day, those two highest positions remain vacant.

For this reason, the Kido Sect gradually became known as a "leisurely" place within the Seireitei.

Every student who showed any talent upon graduating from the Shinigami Academy aimed to join the Gotei 13; almost no one wanted to "bury" their talent there.

However, ten years ago, when Yanagawa graduated from the Shinigami Academy with outstanding grades, he unexpectedly chose to join the Kido-shu.

The reasons behind this choice remain unknown.

They didn't know that Liuchuan was not the original soul of this world.

In his previous life, he was a genius mage in the age of declining magic. At a crucial moment in his research on a super magic, an accident occurred, and space suddenly tore apart.

When he came to his senses, his spirit was already drifting in this unfamiliar place called "Soul Society".

At first, he had no idea what kind of world this was.

But as a mage who was extremely sensitive to energy, he immediately noticed the difference. The air here was filled with an energy far more concentrated than that of the end times.

Later he learned that in this world they were called "spirits," life forms in Soul Society that breathe.

This allows one to absorb spiritual particles from the air and transform them into "spiritual power" that drives their power, thus embarking on a path of continuous growth and strength.

For Liuchuan, this is like a paradise.

With his exceptional comprehension and profound knowledge accumulated from his previous life, he quickly adapted and entered the True Central Spiritual Arts Academy with astonishing talent.

As for why he chose the Kidoshu instead of the prestigious Gotei 13 after graduation, the reason is simple: this place is quieter.

Since he has been given a second chance at life, he should follow his heart. Besides, he has plenty of free time to immerse himself in the study of the unique "Ghost Path" system of this world.

It was a wondrous technique that used spiritual power in a regulated manner through words and gestures, and it had similarities to the magic he possessed.

Liuchuan vaguely sensed that the supreme realm he couldn't reach in his previous life due to his environment might be within reach here, along this entirely new path.

Just then, a figure suddenly appeared, blocking some of the sunlight that was slanting into the room.

The newcomer was dressed in a black shihachi uniform, with an overcoat embroidered with the "First Division" logo, and sported a meticulously groomed mustache.

Standing there, he exuded a rigor and restraint that had been cultivated over the years, which was completely out of place with the relaxed and carefree atmosphere of the Ghost Path Sect.

It was none other than Sasakibe Nagajiro, the vice-captain of the First Division of the Gotei 13.

"The Yanagawa Oni-do Clan." The Sparrow's voice was steady and clear, devoid of emotion, yet naturally carrying a businesslike solemnity.

"Excuse me for disturbing you, but the Captain-Commander has ordered that you come to the First Division barracks immediately for an audience."

In Soul Society, being referred to as "meeting" rather than "summoning" by Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni is itself an extremely unusual signal.

Moreover, the one who conveyed this signal was his closest adjutant.

Liu Chuan sat up straight, but his posture remained relaxed, showing no signs of being flattered or flustered.

"The Commander-in-Chief summoned me?" He asked in a gentle tone, with just the right amount of surprise.

"What is the matter? Would the vice captain of the Sparrow Division be so kind as to reveal a few details?"

Chojiro Sasaki's gaze rested calmly on Yanagawa's face, as if he were assessing something, or perhaps simply conveying a message.

He shook his head slightly, his beard twitching slightly: "The commander-in-chief did not give any specific instructions; the order was merely to take you there."

He took a half-step to the side, his movements as precise as if measured with a ruler and compass. Liu Chuan brushed off non-existent dust from his sleeves and stood up from the recliner.

"In that case, please lead the way, Vice Captain."

Sparrow didn't say much, turned around and led the way, the two figures one after the other, walking out of the Ghost Path Clan.

Following behind Chojiro Sasakibe, Yanagawa's pace remained unhurried, subtly paralleling the precise, measured steps of the vice-captain ahead.

The buildings within the Seireitei slowly receded beside him, but his thoughts did not linger on the scenery along the way.

The summons of Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni... is indeed intriguing.

Liu Chuan mentally recounted his limited interactions with this captain.

At the Shinigami Academy, Yamamoto Genryusai, as the captain and dean, would occasionally make an appearance during important ceremonies or assessments.

At that time, Liu Chuan was just one of the many students in the audience who did not stand out. At most, because of his excellent grades, he had a brief eye contact with the dignified old man on the high platform when he graduated.

Apart from that, there was no further contact.

Since choosing to join the Kidoshu ten years ago, he has almost voluntarily placed himself on the periphery of the Gotei 13's mainstream attention.

The Ghost Path Clan is a self-contained system that operates independently. While they do collaborate with various combat units, it is mostly in the form of technical support, and they rarely need to directly confront the Commander-in-Chief, who is at the pinnacle of power.

Over the years, he has been like a drop of water merging into the relatively calm lake of the Ghost Path Sect, without causing any ripples.

Why would a Kido disciple, who has long been away from combat and focused on supportive Kido techniques, suddenly come to the Captain-Commander's attention?

The possibilities were rapidly deduced in Yanagawa's mind, not because of routine official business, which had its own set of procedures and did not require the Sparrow Department to come in person.

It wasn't a typical commendation or inquiry; the atmosphere was off.

Could it be that the choice I made when I graduated was being re-evaluated ten years later? Or has some unknown experiment I've been doing in my research on the path of the demons attracted some attention?

He recalled the spiritual fluctuations he occasionally experienced when he tried to reconstruct his past life's magical theories and demonic incantations in the experimental field deep within the Ghost Path sect.

Is it...

No, it's too early to speculate. Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni is a being who has lived for over a thousand years and commands the Gotei 13 with absolute strength and will. Yanagawa can't guess what he's thinking for the time being.

Chapter 2: An Invitation from Squad Zero?

Chojiro Suzaku stopped in front of the imposing gate of the First Squadron's barracks and gestured to the side.

Liuchuan stepped across the high threshold alone.

The interior was slightly different from the serious and oppressive atmosphere he had imagined; it was more profound. The light in the vast space was calm, and the air was filled with a solemnity that had been accumulated over the years.

Captain-Commander Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni did not sit in the high seat, but stood in the center of the spacious hall, which resembled a dojo, with his hands resting on his ancient-looking cane.

“They’ve arrived.” An old and deep voice rang out. Captain-Commander Yamamoto turned around, his face showing no unusual sternness, but rather as if he were looking at an old friend. “Yanagawa Kido Clan.”

"Commander-in-Chief," Liu Chuan greeted politely, his posture respectful yet not subservient.

He quickly scanned his surroundings. Apart from the two of them, there were no other figures in the hall, not even the vice captain of the Sparrow Division.

"No need for formalities." Captain-Commander Yamamoto took a few steps closer, his gaze, weathered by a thousand years of history, falling on Yanagawa, and unexpectedly began a casual conversation.

"How have things been going for you, Ghost Path members? Maintaining the interdimensional gate and stabilizing the barrier are the foundation of Seireitei's operation. Your responsibilities are very heavy."

Liu Chuan felt something was off, but outwardly he calmly replied, "Thank you for your concern, Captain. Everyone in the Ghost Path Clan is doing their job as usual."

His answer was standard and proper, but the doubt in his heart quietly grew.

Captain-Commander Yamamoto would never have the time or inclination to concern himself with the mundane affairs of a technical department.

Captain-Commander Yamamoto slowly took half a step, ceasing his questioning, and instead changed the subject.

"I have summoned you here today not because I have any urgent business to attend to."

Liu Chuan's heart skipped a beat; they had finally arrived.

Captain-Commander Yamamoto turned slightly to the side, his gaze falling on a corner of the hall shrouded in the shadows of massive beams, where light could barely reach. He said in a deep voice, "The one who wants to see you is this sir."

At this moment, the once empty, thick shadow suddenly rippled outwards like waves.

It's not that someone emerged from the darkness, but rather that the "darkness" itself was gathering and shaping.

A powerful aura, unlike any other Shinigami in Seireitei, more ancient, profound, and seemingly touching upon the very rules of the world, silently spread out and instantly filled the entire space.

The spiritual particles in the hall seemed to become viscous under this aura.

The shadows faded, revealing the figure dressed as a monk.

He was exceptionally tall and robust, dressed in simple clothes, with a huge Buddhist rosary hanging around his neck. His face was rugged, but his eyes seemed to contain wisdom and vicissitudes.

He stood there, seemingly in his own world. Even Captain-Commander Yamamoto's imposing presence seemed somewhat "ordinary" next to the natural aura he exuded.

"The Ghost Path of Liuchuan." The monk spoke, his voice strangely calm, directly calling out his name.

"And who are you?" Liu Chuan asked politely, but his mind was highly focused.

The fact that the other party could appear so quietly in the core of the First Division and elicit such a reaction from Captain-Commander Yamamoto speaks volumes about their status.

"I am Hyosuga Ichibei," the monk-dressed man said slowly, his gaze calmly fixed on Yanagawa, "from the Rei-o-gū Palace, Zero Division."

Zero Division! Soul King Palace!

Even though Liu Chuan didn't have a deep understanding of the high-level structure of this world, the transcendent status represented by these two terms was enough to make him feel that they were not simple.