The Tenpūrin.
A transportation device unique to Squad Zero, used for travel between the Soul King Palace and the Soul Society.
The massive doors swung open, revealing the silhouettes of Squad Zero members as they stepped out of the vehicle.
"Kirio, I have come for you. I shall take you to the Soul King Palace for your audience."
"Yours truly has descended as well. It really has been a long time since I've been to the Seireitei."
Two figures—a man and a woman—exited the Tenpūrin and stepped onto the soil of the Seireitei.
The man wore a short-sleeved haori over a short kimono. He had a long, protruding pompadour and a lean face, with a stalk of grass clamped between his teeth.
His gait was reckless and uninhibited, his face wearing a look of immense pride.
Beside him stood a woman draped in white silk, her hair styled with straight-cut bangs and adorned with intricate gold ornaments.
Her skin was fair, her features delicate, and her eyes narrow and elegant.
More startlingly, six skeletal arms under her control extended from her back.
Shutara Senjumaru!
And Kirinji Tenjirō!
Upon appearing, the two of them surveyed the gathered Soul Reapers, their gazes sweeping over each face.
Kirinji Tenjirō grinned. "I didn't expect so many people to come welcome us. It seems my popularity hasn't waned after all these years."
Shutara Senjumaru glanced at her colleague with an indifferent expression. "Let us take Kirio to the Soul King Palace quickly. We shouldn't keep the Monk and the others waiting in the heavens."
"True. There's a lot to do—building a detached palace for Hikifune, crafting a King's Key, and so on," Kirinji said.
Seeing the two Squad Zero members emerge, the captains of the Gotei 13 stepped forward to greet them.
Both had been promoted from the Gotei 13, and since their departure wasn't ancient history, they still had many close friends in the Seireitei.
Although it was Ren's first time meeting them, he recognized them instantly.
Shutara Senjumaru, Mayuri Kurotsuchi's former superior and colleague, the inventor of the Shihakushō—the creation that changed the nature of Soul Reapers.
Kirinji Tenjirō, whose healing abilities surpassed even Squad Four Captain Unohana Retsu. The grandmaster of Healing Kido and the inventor of healing hot springs.
Incidentally, the hot spring behind the Stealth Force headquarters was a degraded imitation researched by Yoruichi based on Kirinji Tenjirō's springs.
In his spare time, Ren would occasionally soak in those springs with his subordinates to build rapport.
Looking past the two Squad Zero members into the Tenpūrin, Ren saw it was empty. No one else was inside.
'It seems only these two descended this time. The Monk and the God of the Sword didn't come along.'
At that thought, Ren felt a sense of relief.
If all four members of Squad Zero had come down, Ren wouldn't have been sure if they intended to move against him.
But with only two, it indicated they had no immediate intention of taking action.
The Monk in the heavens likely hadn't seen his clandestine activities.
Or perhaps he had seen them but didn't care, letting it slide because he didn't consider Ren a threat.
Regardless, for now, it was to Ren's advantage.
If possible, Ren didn't want to clash with Squad Zero just yet.
His preparations were still incomplete.
While Ren was silently calculating, the two Squad Zero members had already finished brief pleasantries with the Gotei 13 captains.
Hikifune Kirio tugged on Senjumaru's skeletal arm and led Kirinji over.
"Little Ren, and Little Yoruichi, let me introduce you."
"These two are the Great Weaver of Squad Zero, Shutara Senjumaru, and the Hot Spring Demon, Kirinji Tenjirō."
As they approached, Ren calmly offered his greetings and introduced himself.
"Ho? So you are the current Commander-in-Chief of the Stealth Force?"
Shutara Senjumaru stared at Ren, a hint of dissatisfaction lurking in her expression.
Ren sensed the playfulness in her tone and was secretly startled, though he maintained his composure.
"To think the Great Weaver of Squad Zero would know of someone like Shihoin Ren?"
"Hmph, there is no need for such false modesty."
Senjumaru chuckled softly.
"I often hear Kirio mention you, and she has nothing but praise. In the Seireitei, your power is immense. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call you the second most influential person after Captain-Commander Yamamoto."
"The Great Weaver overestimates me. I am merely a humble person; I wouldn't dare compare myself to the Captain-Commander," Ren said modestly.
Senjumaru's gaze moved past Ren to the two Stealth Force agents behind him.
She looked them up and down, and the dissatisfaction on her elegant face became even more apparent.
"You requested quite a lot of fabric from me before. Was it all just to make uniforms like these?"
"They lack any sense of beauty—utterly plain and without character. Aside from being easy to move in, I see no merit in them. It's a complete waste of the fine fabrics I wove."
The material for the Shihakushō worn by every Soul Reaper in the Seireitei came from the hands of the Great Weaver.
Especially in recent years, with the expansion of the Stealth Force, her workload had increased significantly.
Not only had she exhausted the stockpiles in her palace, but she had also worked overtime to churn out a new batch just to meet the numbers.
Now that she had descended, she saw that the garments made from her hard-earned fabric were so unremarkable.
How could she be satisfied?
Hearing Senjumaru's words, Ren finally understood.
So the reason this woman was annoyed with him was this?
All that heavy thinking had been for nothing.
"Please forgive me, Great Weaver. We are the Stealth Force, after all. Everything must prioritize practicality and discretion."
Ren adopted an apologetic look and explained, "If our attire were too flashy, it would contradict the mission of the Stealth Force and might even lead to mission failure, putting my subordinates at greater risk."
Upon hearing this, Senjumaru nodded slightly.
"If that was your reasoning, then I shall forgive you."
When she first invented the Shihakushō, it was to reduce Soul Reaper casualties.
Although it looked like simple clothing, for a Soul Reaper, it was akin to human iron armor.
When infused with spiritual pressure, the Shihakushō possessed significant defensive power.
If the spiritual pressure was strong enough, it could even rival the Hierro of a Menos.
It might not mean much to the truly powerful, but for ordinary members, the invention of the Shihakushō was like gaining a second life.
Beside Senjumaru, Kirinji Tenjirō spread his hands, the grass stalk in his mouth wobbling.
"Anyway, the kid has his practical reasons. Senjumaru, you're a big shot in Squad Zero. You should show some grace and let it go. Forgive him."
"Tenjirō, are you deaf? Didn't I just say I forgave him?"
"Oh, right. You did say that."
Realization dawned on Kirinji, and he tapped his palm.
He scratched his head, his face flushing slightly with embarrassment, which he quickly suppressed.
He had wanted to show off his responsibility as a senior, but he hadn't expected Senjumaru to beat him to it.
Dammit, now he had no chance to look good.
Kirinji glanced sideways, his eyes scanning the group.
"I didn't expect the Kido Corps and the Stealth Force to show up alongside the juniors from the Gotei 13."
"As expected of a visit from us Squad Zero members. Quite a grand reception!"
Having said that, he grinned and nodded repeatedly, his tall pompadour swaying up and down.
Just as he was about to brag some more, Hikifune Kirio delivered a hand-chop to the top of his head, flattening his pompadour.
"Tenjirō, speak to them properly."
"Ow, ow, ow! Kirio, give me some face in front of all these juniors!" Kirinji grumbled, clutching his head.
Seeing Hikifune Kirio's casual attitude toward Kirinji and her familiarity with Senjumaru, Ren fell into thought.
Kirinji and Senjumaru were relatively recent promotions to Squad Zero, and since Hikifune Kirio was a veteran captain, it was natural they knew each other.
While fixing his hair, Kirinji looked at Ren.
"Hmm?"
Suddenly, his brow furrowed as if he had noticed something. He quickly stepped to Ren's side and peered behind him.
Behind Ren, Yoruichi wore an awkward expression.
Sensing Kirinji's approach, she hurriedly circled to Ren's other side, avoiding Kirinji's gaze.
Kirinji's eyes were fixed as he stepped around Ren, while Yoruichi nimbly avoided him on the opposite side.
The two of them played a game of hide-and-seek with Ren as the center.
A look of confusion crossed Ren's face.
"Kid from the Shihoin family, stop hiding! I see you!"
Feeling Yoruichi clutching his back, Ren called out to the Kirinji who had appeared in front of him.
"Senior, are you calling me?"
"Oh, right. Technically, you're a member of the Shihoin family too."
Kirinji realized and shook his head.
"But I'm not talking about you. I mean that brat, Shihoin Yoruichi!"
"What, are you so scared of me? How long do you plan to hide?!"
Hearing this, Yoruichi knew she couldn't hide today, so she stopped trying.
She gripped Ren's arm and poked her head out.
"Pompadour monster, I've never been afraid of you!"
"Then why were you hiding?!" Kirinji snapped, biting through the grass stalk.
Seeing the confrontation, Ren realized the two of them had known each other for a long time.
And given Kirinji's behavior... considering Yoruichi's past track record, she must have done something outrageous.
So much so that Kirinji was still this angry after all these years!
"Senior, please calm down. I don't know what Yoruichi did to make you so indignant."
Kirinji's gaze fell on Ren, and he suddenly remembered something.
He pointed at Ren, his eyes filled with a trace of sympathy.
"I heard you're the son-in-law of the Shihoin family?"
"Yes."
"To that brat Yoruichi?"
"That's right."
Upon hearing Ren's confirmation, the pity on Kirinji's face deepened.
He reached out and patted Ren's shoulder, sighing helplessly.
"You've really been wronged. These past years must have been very difficult for you."
"..."
Ren paused, recalling his experiences since joining the Shihoin family.
While his life had improved in recent years, back when the former head first adopted him, he had been targeted by Yoruichi quite a bit.
Fortunately, he had overcome it all and left a good impression on the late head of the family.
Even Yoruichi herself had been successfully bewitched by his looks in recent years.
Ren's perception of himself was very clear: if Yoruichi was the monarch of the Shihoin family, he was the seductive consort who brought chaos to the court.
Like Daji to King Zhou or Bao Si to King You.
He had used every means to keep Yoruichi distracted by pleasure and debauchery, gradually making her neglect her duties so that power would fall into his hands.
However, thinking back to his early days in the family, Ren was about to nod when he felt Yoruichi's grip on his arm tighten painfully. He immediately changed his tune.
"Yoruichi is lively and clever. Her personality is... naturally exquisite. She isn't as excessive as you say, Senior."
As soon as he said this, Ren noticed Yoruichi's grip loosen considerably.
Glancing sideways, he saw her pretty face nodding repeatedly, clearly enjoying the praise.
Kirinji Tenjirō put on an 'I understand' expression. "I get it, I get it. Marrying into a Great Noble house is already an awkward position. It's inevitable that you'd be ridiculed, especially since it's that brat Yoruichi. You've had it tough."
"Now that you're in front of the head of the Shihoin family, it's really inconvenient for you to tell the truth. I understand all of this. You don't need to say more."
"You don't understand squat!"
Yoruichi cursed.
"Pompadour, we're a loving couple. Who are you to come here and talk smack, you monster?"
At this, Kirinji Tenjirō looked at Ren with even more pity.
Ren didn't want to linger on this topic, so he changed it.
"Senior is so indignant with Yoruichi. Did she offend you in the past? If so, I apologize on her behalf."
"See? Finally, someone sensible in the Shihoin family!"
Kirinji Tenjirō's eyes lit up, and he nodded with satisfaction.
"Back then, this brat of yours was extremely mischievous, always causing trouble. She even stole my hot springs."
"And that old man from the Shihoin family defended her in every way. It just so happened I was promoted to Squad Zero around then, otherwise, I would've taught her a lesson sooner or later."
Saying that, he waved his hand at Ren.
"But since you're so sensible and didn't keep the springs for yourself but used them for public business instead, I'll forgive you both."
"After all, I am your senior. A senior should have some grace, right?"
"Keep up the good work, kid."
Hearing this, and knowing Yoruichi as he did, Ren felt... it was very likely Yoruichi actually did that.
He glanced at the Yoruichi beside him.
He saw her looking awkward but forcing herself to look righteous.
Ren couldn't help but facepalm.
Fine, it was confirmed. Kirinji was telling the truth.
No wonder Yoruichi had been hiding behind him and acting unusually quiet since Squad Zero arrived.
Ren had wondered why she wasn't acting like herself.
Turns out the victim had come to collect the debt.
Since the hot spring Yoruichi stole was now Stealth Force property, Ren found it hard to argue.
Senjumaru took the chance to say, "Tenjirō, this is when you should show the responsibility of Squad Zero. How about forgiving them?"
"Hey, didn't I just say I already forgave them?"
"I heard you. I'm just giving your own words back to you," Senjumaru said calmly.
"...Senjumaru, do you find this fun?"
"Yes, it's quite interesting."
Seeing the two about to bicker, Hikifune Kirio quickly stepped in to soothe them.
Looking at the two Squad Zero members, Ren suddenly realized that both of them seemed to have bones to pick with him this time.
Shutara Senjumaru had criticized him since she arrived, and Kirinji Tenjirō had targeted Yoruichi, leaving their family of two with nothing but apologies to make.
'...Is it a coincidence?'
Ren was secretly startled. He glanced at the Squad Zero emblem on the Tenpūrin's door, his gaze deepening.
'Or was this a deliberate arrangement by the Monk?'
The Monk possessed extraordinary foresight and wisdom, functioning almost like the system administrator of this world.
Expecting the worst, Ren felt it was highly likely the Monk already knew about his clandestine actions.
By sending these two down, he was sending Ren a warning.
Perhaps the Monk was in the heavens right now, watching his every move.
'He knows but hasn't stepped in to stop me. What is he thinking?'
Various thoughts flashed through Ren's mind, but he remained calm and serene on the outside, watching the peaceful scene between Squad Zero and the people of the Seireitei.
He watched as the two Squad Zero members led Hikifune Kirio to the Shiba family's estate in the Rukongai outside the Seireitei.
They would use the Shiba family's cannon to launch the three of them back into the heavens.
The Shiba family had been expelled from the Seireitei and had even lost their status as Great Nobles, so they lived in the Rukongai.
Normally, the captains wouldn't need to see them off all the way to the Rukongai, but Sarugaki Hiyori couldn't bear to let Hikifune Kirio go. Hirako Shinji and the others who were close to her also came along out of concern.
In the end, everyone, including Yamamoto Shigekuni, saw them off.
After saying goodbye to the captains, Hikifune Kirio was about to board the Tenpūrin when she stopped, turned, and looked at Yamamoto Shigekuni.
"Oh, by the way, Captain-Commander. For the Squad Twelve captain position after I leave, I recommend my third seat, Urahara Kisuke. He's quite talented."
"Considering the actual circumstances, you and the others can decide as you see fit."
With that, she followed the two Squad Zero members into the Tenpūrin.
With a shout from Shiba Kūkaku, flames ignited, sending the Tenpūrin soaring into the sky.
Ren stood among the crowd, watching as the Tenpūrin rapidly ascended until it finally vanished. His gaze was perfectly still.
Even if he had received a warning from the Monk, so what? He wouldn't back down now!
[Reviews - Power St0nes - Comments are highly appreciated to keep me going.....(+50 chapters) patre0n.c0m/talecrafter]