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

The light here seemed more condensed than elsewhere, the air heavy, and an invisible pressure permeated the air.

This is the location of the Central 46 Chambers, the highest legislative and judicial body in Soul Society.

After passing through several heavily guarded sentry posts filled with spiritual pressure, and after identifying themselves, Yanagawa and Shiba Isshin were led to a council chamber.

There were no chairs, no tea, only the two of them standing alone in the center of the empty hall, and several figures lined up like a judge's bench on the high platform in front of them.

That wasn't all the members of Room 46, but rather several "sages" representing the will of the Sages Council.

They looked down at the two who had entered, their gazes cold and intense, especially scrutinizing the conspicuous Zero Division haori worn by Yanagawa.

His eyes didn't show much of the awe one would expect from the Zero Division; instead, they held a scrutinizing, evaluative look, and a hint of barely concealed displeasure.

"Zero Division reserve member, Yanagawa; Tenth Division captain, Shiba Isshin."

An elderly sage with silver hair and a stern face spoke slowly from the center. His voice was dry and carried a sense of detachment from someone who had long held a high position.

"What brings you here at this hour?"

The words seemed proper, but the coldness in the tone was unmistakable.

Clearly, these sages were quite impatient with Yanagawa, this young man who suddenly appeared and carried the title of Zero Squad, interfering in the events they had already taken control of.

Shiba Isshin raised an eyebrow, about to speak, when Yanagawa took half a step forward, slightly raising his head to meet the downward gazes.

His voice was calm and clear, echoing in the empty, oppressive hall:

"I will personally visit the two key parties involved, Hitsugaya Toshiro and Kusakabe Sojiro. May I ask where they are currently being held and what their situation is?"

His request was reasonable, hit the nail on the head, and was made in the dual capacity of the Zero Division and the Captain-Commander, so theoretically it could not be refused.

However, on the high platform, the sages exchanged a knowing glance.

A ruddy-faced sage on the left snorted coldly and spoke first, his tone carrying an unquestionable authoritarianism:

"Meet with the person in question? Yanagawa... Your Excellency. You are new here and may not be aware of the situation."

"This is unprecedented and has seriously violated the fundamental laws of Soul Society. It is a huge anomaly and a hidden danger."

To maintain the stability of the Seireitei and the purity of the Zanpakuto system, we have, after several days of deliberation, formulated a prudent solution.

He paused, his gaze sweeping over Liu Chuan with an arrogant air of "I might as well tell you the truth," as if announcing an established fact:

"Toshiro Hitsugaya and Soujiro Kusakabe both possess the same 'Hyōrinmaru,' which is against the rules."

"The only feasible way to eliminate this anomaly is to have the two engage in a fair duel. The winner will prove that he or she is qualified to use Hyōrinmaru and will be allowed to live."

"The existence of the loser is itself a mistake, and he shall be annihilated."

Let the two fight to the death! The winner lives, the loser dies! Such a cold, simple and brutal solution, yet with a twisted logic, was uttered by this sage as if proclaiming a truth.

Clearly, before Liu Chuan intervened, the 46th Chamber had already reached a private consensus and regarded it as the only "correct" way to handle the situation.

In their view, Liuchuan's arrival and demands were undoubtedly a challenge to their authority and an unexpected disruption to the established plan.

Upon hearing this, Shiba Isshin clenched his fists instantly, a flash of anger appearing in his eyes, but he forcibly suppressed it, though his expression turned extremely ugly.

He looked at Yanagawa with concern, wondering how the new Zero Division member would react.

Liu Chuan listened quietly, his face expressionless, as if he were hearing a trivial report.

Liu Chuan only spoke slowly after the goatee-bearded sage finished speaking, his voice still steady:

"Was this final plan decided unilaterally by Room 46?"

“Of course!” the goatee-bearded sage said proudly, “Our deliberation is the final judgment!”

"Handling anomalies is the responsibility of the 46th Division!"

Liu Chuan's lips twitched almost imperceptibly, as if in the form of a cold, mocking laugh.

"Which law of Soul Society stipulates that two Shinigami who possess the same Zanpakuto and are both innocent must decide their fate through a life-or-death duel?"

"You—!" The goatee-bearded sage choked, his face turning even redder.

The so-called "resolution" is nothing more than an internal decision made by them based on their narrow understanding of the "rules" and the need to maintain their own authority. Where is there any explicit law?

Enraged, he took a sudden step forward, pointed at Liuchuan, and his voice rose sharply, filled with offended anger:

"Young man! How dare you question the decisions of the 46th Chamber! So what if you're a reserve member of the Zero Division? Don't think that just because you're from the Zero Division, you can boss people around here!"

"The stability of the Soul Society and the purity of the Zanpakuto system are paramount! Retreat immediately and obey orders, or else..."

His words came to an abrupt end.

Because just as the last threatening word was about to be uttered—

hum!

An immense spiritual pressure emanated from Liu Chuan!

The spiritual pressure did not scatter and impact, but instead focused precisely on the arrogant goatee-bearded sage!

"Ugh—!"

All the shouts and anger of the goatee sage froze and twisted in an instant, turning into extreme terror and pain.

He groaned, then slid to the ground like mud, curled up, trembling violently, unable to stand up or even lift his head.

The entire pre-conference hall was deathly silent.

The arrogance and impatience on the faces of the other sages had vanished without a trace, replaced by unparalleled shock and horror.

They felt the spiritual pressure; although it was only the aftershock, its intensity was far beyond what an ordinary Shinigami could possess!

This is clearly... Captain-level spiritual pressure! No, it's not even ordinary Captain-level spiritual pressure!

This seemingly young Shinigami possesses such terrifying spiritual pressure?!

Shiba Isshin stood to the side and behind Yanagawa, his eyes wide open and his mouth slightly agape.

He knew, of course, that Yanagawa was no ordinary person, and there must be a reason why he was chosen by the Zero Division.

But to use spiritual pressure to intimidate a sage of the Forty-Six Chambers so directly and domineeringly was a style of action that was different from what he had imagined!

But inexplicably, a feeling of almost unbridled joy surged up from the bottom of his heart, almost making him want to shout with delight.

He had long disliked these old fogies who were arrogant, treated human life like dirt, and constantly used "the big picture" and "rules" to intimidate people!

Unfortunately, due to his status as captain and the dignity of nobility, he had to endure it no matter how unhappy he was.

Seeing Liu Chuan so decisively and directly reason with him, he felt a long-suppressed anger finally released.

"As expected of the person Zero Division has their eye on..."

Shiba secretly praised him, and his gaze towards Yanagawa's back held not only his previous appreciation and willingness to cooperate, but also a hint of excitement. Working with someone like this would surely be more interesting.

Liu Chuan slowly withdrew the suffocating spiritual pressure, and the stagnant air in the hall seemed to begin to flow again.

He acted as if he had only done a trivial little thing.

He didn't even glance at the goatee-bearded sage who lay sprawled on the ground like a dead dog, but calmly swept his gaze over the other sages on the stage who were trembling slightly.

The voice remained steady, yet carried an undeniable coldness:

"Now, can you take me to see Hitsugaya Toshiro and Kusakabe Soujiro?"

"Or perhaps," he tilted his head slightly, his gaze falling on the slumped sage, his tone chillingly calm.

"Gentlemen, does anyone wish to discuss this further?"

The high platform was deathly silent.

The remaining sages looked at each other, seeing deep fear and helplessness in each other's eyes.

Their status as members of the Zero Division prevents them from using their power to oppress others.

This absolute dominance, along with the young man's decisive and even brutal style, completely shattered their tricks of relying on seniority and manipulating the rules.

"Lead...lead the way!" The oldest sage in the center shouted hoarsely at the guards in the corner who were already stunned.

Then, turning to Liuchuan, his posture finally lowered, even with a slight, almost imperceptible tremor.

"Lord Yanagawa, please...please come with me."

Liu Chuan said no more and strode forward.

Shiba Isshin quickly followed, and as he passed the collapsed sage, he deliberately "accidentally" gave him a light kick, eliciting a suppressed groan of pain from the man. Shiba Isshin felt even more pleased.

Chapter 16 Inquiry

Led by a guard, Yanagawa and Shiba Isshin passed through several heavy stone gates sealed by complex demonic barriers.

They finally arrived at a "secluded chamber" deep underground within the Central Forty-Six Chambers.

The walls here are made of a smooth, cold, special stone that is almost opaque. Only a few pale blue spiritual lamps embedded in the walls provide a dim light source, and the air is filled with a sense of oppression and loneliness.

At the door of one of the cells, the guard stepped back, revealing the small and simple interior space.

A short, stocky boy sat on the edge of the bed, hugging his knees, looking down at the cold ground. It was Toshiro Hitsugaya.

Hearing the door open, he didn't react at all, as if he had lost all awareness of the outside world, his whole being shrouded in a layer of despair and confusion.

Until a familiar, loud voice rang out, filled with undisguised concern:

"This isn't the Toshiro Hitsugaya I know!"

Hitsugaya Toshiro was startled and looked up.

When he saw Shiba Isshin appear at the door with a cheerful yet worried smile on his face.

His eyes flashed with disbelief for a moment, then quickly dimmed, but the deathly silence of his dejection was broken.

He opened his mouth, his voice hoarse: "Shiba... Captain? What's wrong..."

His gaze then fell on the calm-faced young man in a white haori standing next to Shiba Isshin.

Hitsugaya Toshiro has a good memory; he recognized the face. It was someone related to Hinamori Momo. He seemed to have seen her a few times before, and her name seemed to be... Yanagawa?

"Yanagawa...senpai?" Hitsugaya Toshiro murmured uncertainly.

"You still remember me, Hitsugaya-kun." Yanagawa's calm voice broke Hitsugaya's surprise and doubt. He didn't explain further, but simply showed his willpower, Isshin.

Shiba Isshin strode into the cell, completely ignoring the oppressive atmosphere, and plopped down on the bed board next to Hitsugaya Toshiro, the bed board creaking under the weight.

He vigorously ruffled Hitsugaya's soft white hair, grinning, "How's it going, kid? Is the food here alright? Has anyone been bullying you? Tell me, and I'll beat them up for you!"