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

Hisagi Shuhei pondered for a moment, then nodded:

“That makes sense. Instead of waiting passively, we should take the initiative to approach the source of information. The Ninth Division also has some routine documents that need to be submitted to the First Division. I can use this opportunity to go there.”

He gave a more formal reason, and the consensus was quickly reached.

So, with mixed feelings in their hearts, the group left the secluded courtyard and headed towards the First Battalion's barracks.

This is the main council chamber of the First Division at this moment.

The air was heavy, filled with the lingering weight of years of authority and the invisible pressure left by countless major decisions.

In the main seat of the council chamber, Captain-Commander Yamamoto sat upright, his hands folded on his ancient cane in front of him. Like a dormant volcano, his mere presence suppressed the aura of the entire space.

On either side, thirteen figures stood, each exuding a powerful sense of oppression.

Second Division Captain Soi Fon stood with her arms crossed, her cold gaze occasionally sweeping across the doorway.

With the vigilance and efficiency characteristic of a covert mobile commander, it was as if he was assessing every second of delay.

The third division captain, Gin Ichimaru, never lost his fox-like smile, but his narrowed eyes revealed no emotion whatsoever.

He was casually tapping the hilt of his spear at his waist, producing a very subtle, rhythmic sound, as if he were keeping time for a little tune he was humming.

"Oh dear, what a rare emergency call-up~" Gin Ichimaru said lazily, his voice carrying a unique sticky quality.

Retsu Unohana, the captain of the Fourth Division, did not seem to participate in the casual conversation. Her gaze occasionally swept gently over the captains present, lingering for a moment longer on Jushiro Ukitake, who was coughing.

The Fifth Division Captain, Aizen Sousuke, with a gentle and wise gaze behind his glasses, was talking with the two captains beside him.

His voice was not loud, but it was convincingly magnetic: "...Indeed, the uniqueness of a Zanpakuto is an ironclad rule, and this incident certainly needs to be taken seriously."

When he speaks, you can always feel that he is listening attentively and giving the most appropriate response.

Byakuya Kuchiki, the captain of the Sixth Division, exudes a cold and aloof aura that keeps strangers at bay.

He didn't participate in any conversation, as if all the noise around him was irrelevant to him; only the order of the Seireitei and the glory of the Kuchiki family were his focus.

The 7th Division Captain, Komamura Sajin, had a calm and loyal gaze behind his mask.

Eighth Division Captain Kyoraku Shunsui said lazily with a hint of teasing, "Well~ rules are meant to be broken, right, Captain Aizen? I'm quite curious to see what kind of expression the 46 members have right now~"

As he spoke, he glanced at Captain-Commander Yamamoto, who was sitting in the main seat with his eyes closed, and then quickly looked away.

Captain Kaname Tosen of the Ninth Division stood upright to the side. Although he was blind, his expression was solemn, conveying an absolute sense of adherence to "justice" and "rules".

He didn't speak, but remained focused on perceiving everything around him.

The captain of the 10th Division, Shiba Isshin, looked worried, as if it was related to the incident.

Captain Mayuri Kurotsuchi of the 12th Division let out a sharp, piercing laugh, his exaggerated gestures causing his strange attire to rustle.

A greedy glint flashed in his eyes beneath the mask. "If we could get research samples, they would be excellent material!"

Captain Jushiro Ukitake of the 13th Division coughed a few times, his face pale with illness.

He wore a gentle and tolerant smile as he watched the group converse, occasionally interjecting with a word or two to ease the atmosphere, his eyes filled with concern and worry for the younger generation.

Kenpachi Zaraki, the captain of the 11th Division, was the most impatient of them all. His one eye kept scanning the doorway, and his face was full of expressions of "boredom" and "hurry up and get down to business and finish this job."

"So, who are we waiting for, old man!" Kenpachi Zaraki finally couldn't hold back any longer and shouted gruffly towards the direction of the main seat, "Is everyone here? Did one of the captains oversleep?"

His shout brought the brief chatter in the hall to a moment's pause.

Several captains also showed some doubt. Indeed, all thirteen captains were already here, so what was the captain waiting for with his eyes closed?

Just then—

The heavy doors of the council chamber were pushed open from the outside by Chojiro Sasakibe.

All the team captains instinctively turned their gazes toward the door, and their casual conversation came to a complete halt.

Then, they saw the figure slowly walking in behind the vice-captain of the Sparrow Division.

A young Shinigami walked in with unhurried steps, facing the spiritual pressure emanating from the thirteen captains gathered in the hall—a pressure that even his lieutenant felt.

He seemed completely unaware, or rather, he accepted it with a remarkably calm demeanor.

Unfamiliar, completely unfamiliar.

Almost every team leader had the same question in their mind: Who is this?

At the signal of the vice captain of the saga, Liu Chuan stood in the center of the conference room.

Only then did Captain-Commander Yamamoto slowly open his eyes, which seemed to contain molten lava.

He offered no explanation for Liu Chuan's arrival, his gaze slowly sweeping across the entire arena, and every captain felt the heavy pressure emanating from that gaze.

"Now that everyone is here," Captain-Commander Yamamoto's aged yet deep voice rang out, silencing all the subtle noises in the hall. "Then, let's begin."

"First, I'd like to announce a personnel appointment." The captain's words startled everyone. A personnel appointment? At a time like this?

Captain-Commander Yamamoto's gaze fell upon Yanagawa, as if it were a tangible presence:

"Yanagawa, a member of the Kido Clan, has been approved for promotion to the Zero Division as a reserve member after review by the Spirit King Palace. The promotion ceremony will be held soon."

Quiet.

A deathly silence.

Zero Squad? Reserve member? Yanagawa?!

These three words together were like three silent thunderclaps, exploding in the hearts of every team leader!

Even the most composed Byakuya Kuchiki's pupils contracted sharply.

Aizen Sousuke's gentle smile remained unchanged, but his gaze behind his glasses suddenly became deep and unfathomable.

Kenpachi Zaraki's single eye widened in surprise. This Kido disciple who defeated Abarai in their Eleventh Division yesterday was now rumored to be promoted to the Zero Division?

Zero Division! That supreme being, above the Gotei 13, directly subordinate to the Soul King, a mysterious and unpredictable being!

This unknown member of the Oni-do sect, who suddenly barged into the meeting, is about to become one of them?!

This was even more incredible to them than the "Twin Hyōrinmaru" itself!

Captain-Commander Yamamoto ignored (or rather, had already anticipated) the fascinating expressions on everyone's faces and continued:

"Therefore, this is a preliminary investigation, assessment, and summary of the situation regarding the Shinigami Academy's Toshiro Hitsugaya and Soujiro Kusakabe, and their twin Zanpakuto 'Hyōrinmaru'."

The task is now being handled entirely by Yanagawa, a reserve member of the Zero Squad.

He paused, glanced at each captain, especially those whose faces still held an expression of disbelief, and slowly added:

"This appointment was issued by the Lingwang Palace."

The appointment issued by the Spirit King's Palace!

This last sentence completely shut out any possible doubts and objections.

This is the will of the pinnacle of Soul Society, an order that transcends the jurisdiction of the Gotei 13.

Chapter 11 Sword God Ermeiya Wang Yue

Captain-Commander Yamamoto's earth-shattering announcement shocked everyone.

But the captains, being at the pinnacle of Soul Society, quickly gleaned deeper logic and clues from this incredible information after the initial shock.

"Zero Squad Reserve Member..."

The captain of the Eighth Division, Kyoraku Shunsui, repeated in a low voice, his gaze under his straw hat sweeping thoughtfully over Yanagawa, then glancing at Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni, who remained expressionless in the main seat.

"Investigating the twin Zanpakuto... it's indeed... plausible that the Zero Division should take over."

His whispers seemed to awaken some of the captains.

Fourth Division Captain Retsu Unohana gently set down her teacup, her warm, spring-like smile unchanged, but a knowing glint flashed in her eyes:

“Indeed, if it involves an anomaly in the fundamental rules of a Zanpakuto, it would be most appropriate for the Zero Division to intervene, after all…”

She paused slightly, her voice soft yet clear, reaching everyone's ears, "That 'Sword God' is also in the Spirit King Palace."

"Sword God," Nimaiya Oetsu! One of the members of the Zero Squad, the legendary creator and forger of all Zanpakuto!

This name was like a key, instantly unlocking the mystery in the minds of some captains: "Why would the Zero Division be interested in this matter?"

The unprecedented phenomenon of "twins" appearing in Zanpakuto has touched upon the very foundation of the Zanpakuto system.

Logically, it is entirely reasonable for the Zero Division, as the founder, to take over this matter; in fact, it could be said to be their duty.

Their reverence for the Zero Division and their understanding of its authority and responsibilities made them reluctantly accept the arrangement, even though the fact that the executor was an unknown Kido-shu still made them feel extremely uncomfortable.

However, it was precisely this "sense of incongruity" that shifted the attention of the captains from the question of "why the Zero Division intervened" to Yanagawa himself.

Who exactly is this young man who is about to enter the Spirit King's Palace and is given the power to investigate such a major event?

Just then, Gin Ichimaru, who had been silently observing with an unchanging foxy smile on his face, suddenly let out a "Ara" in his characteristic sticky tone, as if he had remembered something interesting.

“Liu Chuan…Liu Chuan…” He tapped his forehead lightly, as if deep in thought, his narrowed eyes curving into crescents.

"This name seems vaguely familiar... It seems that many years ago, a title like 'genius' came from the True Spirit Arts Academy?"

His grades are frighteningly good, and his talent in demonic arts is especially outstanding... Isn't that something like that?

He seemed to be talking to himself, yet also as if he were reminding everyone present.

After he mentioned it, the captains seemed to vaguely retrieve some information from the corners of their memories.

The best graduates of each year at the Shinigami Academy, especially those who are hailed as "geniuses".

They will all leave some impression on the captains of each squad, and become potential targets for recruitment or attention in the future.

"Yanagawa..." Captain Shiba Ichishin of the 10th Division stroked his chin, then exclaimed "Oh!" as if suddenly realizing something.

"I remember now! There was such a person! Their graduation grades were outstanding, almost a perfect score on the Ghost Path exam? But later..."

He frowned, trying to recall, "I don't think I joined the Gotei 13 later? Where did I go again?"

“Kido-shu.” A clear, cold voice replied; it was Byakuya Kuchiki, the captain of the Sixth Division.

His voice was flat and emotionless, as if stating a trivial fact. "After graduation, I joined the Ghost Path Clan, and since then, I've rarely heard from them."

Byakuya Kuchiki's words, like the final piece of a puzzle, outlined a rough contour of Yanagawa's hazy past:

A genius graduate of the Shinigami Academy, with exceptional talent in Kido, she unexpectedly chose to stay away from the core of combat and focus on support and research in the Kido sect.

And then almost disappeared without a trace, until today, when it has re-entered the vision of the highest levels of Seireitei in such a shocking way.