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

"So that's how it is... that genius from back then."

The Fourth Division Captain Retsu Unohana looked at Yanagawa with more understanding and appreciation in his eyes.

Aizen Sousuke maintained that gentle and wise smile throughout, like a tolerant elder looking at an outstanding junior.

At this moment, he pushed up his glasses, smiled, and said, "Yanagawa-kun, congratulations on your promotion. If you need any assistance from the Fifth Division during this investigation, please don't hesitate to ask."

Aizen did pay attention to Yanagawa back then, but unfortunately Yanagawa was too low-key, which is why he is still clueless about why Yanagawa was selected by the Zero Division.

His words were appropriate and tactful, expressing both congratulations and a cooperative attitude, perfectly in line with his usual image.

Liu Chuan nodded slightly to Aizen in response.

Regardless, his status as a "prospective member of the Zero Squad" and his explicit appointment as Captain-Commander have already provided him with an invisible, inviolable layer of protection in handling this incident.

"Then, this matter is settled." Captain-Commander Yamamoto concluded, his piercing gaze sweeping across the entire room.

After Captain-Commander Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni finished his announcement, he did not immediately adjourn the meeting.

His deep gaze fell on Liu Chuan, pausing for a moment, as if observing his reaction to such an honor and responsibility.

Liu Chuan calmly accepted the gaze, his posture impeccable, showing neither ecstasy nor fear, only a serene and focused concentration.

"The Sparrow Division," Captain-Commander Yamamoto said slowly.

"Yes." Chojiro Sasakibe, who had been standing by his side like a shadow, stepped forward in response.

He had somehow managed to place a neatly folded garment in his hand.

It was a... white haori.

Zero Squad's uniform!

The symbolic significance of this haori is even more direct and impactful than the verbal appointment made by Captain-Commander Yamamoto just now!

Chojiro Sasaki, carrying a lacquer tray, walked steadily to Yanagawa and stopped, handing him the haori.

Captain-Commander Yamamoto's aged yet deep voice rang out once more: "This is the uniform of the Zero Division, personally prepared by Lord Shutara Senjumaru, a member of the Zero Division, known as the 'Great Oriole Guardian'."

Originally, it was awarded when the initiation ceremony was officially completed at the Lingwang Palace.

However, the matter of the 'Twin Hyōrinmaru' is of great importance. Since you have been ordered to handle this matter and are acting on behalf of the Zero Division, you need a corresponding token and symbol.

Shutara Senjumaru! "Great Oriole Guardian," a member of the Zero Division, in charge of the creation and weaving of "Shihaka" and "Haori"!

Looking at the pure white haori, Liuchuan understood.

Captain-Commander Yamamoto's move was to clear potential institutional obstacles for his next actions.

This haori is not much different in style from the regular captain's haori, except that the symbol on the back has become the exclusive team emblem of the Zero Division.

However, he could sense that the feather robe contained an extremely complex and exquisite spiritual structure, and was by no means just a simple ornament.

Then, he slowly draped the Zero Division haori over his shihaka.

At this moment, Liu Chuan stood before all the captains of the Gotei 13, completely transformed.

He was no longer just a member of the Kido Cult, nor just a former genius graduate of the Shinigami Academy.

He is a reserve member of the Zero Division, and a special envoy under the watchful eye of the Spirit King Palace, holding the authority to investigate the "Twin Hyōrinmaru" incident.

“Then,” Captain-Commander Yamamoto finally spoke in a deep voice, breaking the heavy silence, “this matter is settled. Meeting adjourned.”

Chapter 12 The Shock of the Crowd

Outside the door, Hinamori Momo and the others were waiting patiently.

When they saw the captains walking out one after another, Hinamori Momo, Renji and the others' hearts jumped into their throats.

They held their breath, their eyes rapidly searching among the figures.

Then they saw it.

After the team leaders left in a bit of a hurry, a figure with steady steps stepped out of the threshold at a leisurely pace.

The sunlight fell on him, and the first thing that caught the eye was his pure white haori.

Beneath the haori was a face they knew well, yet now seemed somewhat unfamiliar.

Yanagawa.

A white... haori?

How could Yanagawa possibly wear the captain's haori?!

The first person to recover even a little bit of voice from this huge shock was Renji Abarai.

He pointed at Liuchuan and finally managed to squeeze out what he thought was a reasonable explanation:

"That guy Liuchuan! So he's getting a promotion! I sensed something was off when I met him yesterday!"

This...this is the Great Ghost Taoist Priest's clothes?! This guy actually decided to become the Great Ghost Taoist Priest without saying a word?!

His voice sounded particularly abrupt at the edge of the empty square, and even the captains (such as Kyoraku Shunsui and Ukitake Jushiro) who had not yet completely left and were talking in hushed tones involuntarily glanced at him.

He then gave a subtle smile, shook his head, and did not linger.

"Renji! No!" Hisagi Shuhei was also quite startled by the white haori, but his composure as a vice-captain allowed him to calm down more quickly and subconsciously refute Renji's outrageous guess.

"You have some common sense! Although the Great Demon Master is the leader of the Demon Path Clan, his uniform is different from the Captain's haori, and it's not this style or color! This...this looks more like..."

He paused, his voice filled with uncertainty and deeper surprise: "Could it be... that Liu Chuan has taken over the vacant captaincy of a squad? But..."

He quickly went through the names of the thirteen captains and recent rumors in his mind, becoming even more confused.

"I haven't heard of any captain stepping down or a vacancy arising... Besides, even if a new captain is appointed, there should be a formal ceremony and announcement. How could it be so sudden, right after the captains' meeting..."

His analysis was reasonable, but it also highlighted the strangeness and incredulity of the scene before him.

If he's neither a powerful Taoist priest nor an ordinary captain, then what exactly does this white haori represent?

Just then, a soft voice rang out, interrupting Hisagi Shuhei's contemplation.

It was Rukia Kuchiki who spoke.

She had taken a half-step forward without anyone noticing, staring intently at the pattern on the back of Yanagawa Haori. The pattern was neither any known team emblem nor family crest of the Seireitei.

Rukia Kuchiki held her breath for a moment.

She couldn't be mistaken, absolutely not, in the Kuchiki family's library, she had seen a rubbing or description of this pattern before.

That is a mark closely linked to the Soul King Palace and to the legends that surpass the Gotei 13.

"Zero...Zero Squad..."

Rukia Kuchiki's voice was very soft, filled with disbelief, as she squeezed out those few words from her throat.

"That pattern... is the emblem of Squad Zero."

Zero Squad!

These three words struck the hearts of everyone present like the final hammer of judgment.

Kira Izuru stumbled and almost lost his balance.

Zero Squad? Soul King Palace?

That being that circulates only among the highest levels of society and is like a myth to the vast majority of Grim Reapers.

That supreme realm, which transcends the Gotei 13 and protects the foundation of the world, is comprised of individuals who possess the merit of "irreplaceable creation."

Yanagawa... their classmate, the one who chose the Kido sect and seemed to be living a carefree life, actually became a member of the Zero Squad?!

Liu Chuan stopped in his tracks, and he naturally saw the people waiting outside.

"Hey! Yanagawa! What on earth is going on?! Zero Squad?! When did you become a member of Zero Squad?!"

"Such a big thing, and you didn't mention a single word to me?! Don't you even consider me a friend anymore?!"

Renji Abarai's questioning was very direct, and it didn't show much awe or estrangement towards the Zero Division's identity. Instead, it was more of an anger and surprise at his friend for hiding something important from him.

This familiar, unceremonious attitude acted like a key, slightly loosening the frozen atmosphere.

Yanagawa looked at the familiar faces before him, and at Renji's undisguised "interrogation".

He sighed softly to himself, knowing he had to give an explanation, even though it was destined to be unable to fully satisfy their curiosity.

"This matter is a long story, and involves some reasons that are inconvenient to elaborate on."

"What I can tell you is that, for some special reasons, which I cannot disclose, the Spirit King Palace has taken notice of me and given me the opportunity to be promoted to the Zero Division."

It wasn't that I intentionally concealed anything, but rather that the matter itself wasn't fully confirmed before today's meeting, and therefore required confidentiality.

After all, the Zero Division and the Soul King Palace contain too many secrets that cannot be told to outsiders.

He paused, then turned his gaze to Hinamori Momo: "As for the 'Twin Hyōrinmaru' matter, the Captain-Commander has officially ordered in the meeting that it be handed over to me for full handling."

"Hitsugaya is your childhood friend. For both public and private reasons, I will do my best to ensure his safety. You can rest assured about that."

“Yanagawa-kun…” Hinamori Momo nodded vigorously:

"Thank you, Yanagawa-kun! I...I believe you! I'm counting on you for Shiro!"

Trust in Yanagawa's abilities, coupled with the inexplicable confidence brought by her "Zero Squad" status, finally eased some of the anxiety she had been feeling.

Chapter 13 Shiba Isshin's Request

Just as Yanagawa had calmed Hinamori Momo down and was preparing to discuss the next steps with Renji, Hinamori Momo, and the others.

A hearty laugh, accompanied by the appearance of a tall figure, broke the somber atmosphere.

"Looks like I've arrived just in time!"

Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw that the captain of the 10th Division, Shiba Isshin, had silently circled around to their vicinity at some point.

He had that signature hearty smile on his face, but his movements were a bit "sneaky".

He first peeked around to make sure the other team leaders who had left earlier were far away before approaching Liu Chuan.

"Captain Shiba?" Yanagawa was slightly surprised, but his expression remained calm.

Renji Abarai, Momo Hinamori, and the others quickly bowed, wondering why their captain had returned.

"Don't be so formal, Brother Liuchuan."