Seiya and Aizen Sōsuke walked side by side, departing the World of the Living.
The "path" that normally required the Ōken to open had now been formed, seemingly by some unknown force.
Undoubtedly, this was the other party extending an invitation.
The two accepted it without hesitation and now calmly walked, threading through the clouds.
Their surroundings were cast in a gray haze, as though they were moving through a tunnel called "time," toward a place far beyond.
A rare and breathtaking sight.
Seiya couldn't help but glance around. With curiosity like that, it was only natural…
After all, the Soul King's Palace stood above all three realms.
In the original timeline, it had been described as a place so dense in reishi it could overwhelm even captain-level beings.
Though Aizen and Seiya had no issue with that density, they were still within enemy territory.
Caution couldn't hurt.
"We're almost there…"
Aizen's calm voice sounded at his side.
Seiya turned and looked up.
A slowly expanding circular void came into view.
As they passed through the clouds, the view before them opened wide.
Seiya squinted and shielded his eyes from the intense sunlight overhead.
"…It's so close."
The sky.
Much lower than he'd imagined.
Compared to the expanse of Soul Society, the modernity of the Human World, or the desolation of Hueco Mundo…
The Soul King's Palace gave an immediate impression of vastness—as if an ocean had been overturned and filled the sky itself.
Hearing Seiya's murmur, Aizen's expression softened, too.
"Yes, I never imagined I'd see this sky from so close…"
One step away from realizing his dream.
Aizen felt a rare surge of emotion—but not enough to dull his senses.
Because now, both of them clearly felt several spiritual pressures emerging nearby.
They were here.
No need for further warning. Seiya, too, sensed the shift.
He turned his head.
Four figures flickered into place, encircling the master and student pair.
A literal four-on-two.
But Aizen didn't seem the least bit perturbed. He simply raised his hand calmly in a downward motion—
Before the gesture was complete, a playful voice interrupted.
"Come on, it's not time to throw hands just yet! You sure are impatient, huh?!"
The speaker—
Thin face, giant pompadour, open shirt—a punk rocker type.
"I'm the Eastern Divine General, 'Hot Spring Demon,' and caretaker of the Kirin Palace!"
Kirinji Tenjirō pointed his thumb proudly at his face, a cocky grin plastered on.
"Ohoho~ My apologies, you two. This is just protocol for newcomers."
A full-figured woman with flowing purple hair smiled warmly, draped in a loose haori.
"I'm the Southern Divine General, 'Valley King,' and caretaker of the Swine Palace—Ōetsu Nimaiya."
She was Kirio Hikifune.
A former 12th Division captain, she was closest in era to Seiya's generation.
Yet, not even Aizen seemed to recall her clearly.
Thus, conversation was limited.
"We've been sent to escort Seiya to an audience with the Soul King."
A pale, elegant woman with six mechanical arms on her back spoke coldly, her tone aloof and direct.
"Northern Divine General, 'Great Loom Keeper,' and caretaker of the Shura Palace."
"I am Shutara Senjumaru."
Her eyes never wavered from their sense of nobility.
"If you comply peacefully, no battle is necessary—you may meet the Soul King safely."
Before Seiya could respond, Aizen spoke first.
"Only Seiya? Isn't that arrangement… laughably transparent?"
It did seem like an obvious attempt to divide their strength.
The Zero Division answered.
"The Soul King's will is immutable, but a little 'interpretation' isn't impossible~"
"You may accompany him… but you must stop at the entrance and go no farther."
"That's our final boundary."
Then, the last of the four approached.
Goggles, long flowing haori, a gleaming grin—his presence felt unusually relaxed.
"Ah~ this is our first meeting, right?"
"I've heard so much about you both, but seeing you in person is something else… Let me introduce myself."
"I'm the Western Divine General, 'God of the Sword,' and caretaker of the Phoenix Palace—Ōetsu Nimaiya! That's me~"
Striking a stylish pose, Nimaiya pushed up his glasses with a gleam.
"And if you don't remember my name, here's an easier way…"
"After all—"
"I'm the man who created every Zanpakutō you carry."
As he claimed, every member of the Royal Guard had created something foundational. That's how they ascended to their divine titles.
This face-to-face meeting with all four was something Seiya and Aizen had anticipated—even prepared for battle beforehand.
Yet, surprisingly, no clash occurred.
Instead, it became… a diplomatic meeting?
Seiya was visibly taken aback, a trace of confusion in his gaze.
The Soul King…
Wants to see me?
It was hard to believe. In the original timeline, the "popsicle king" was basically a mutilated relic.
Wasn't he supposed to be sealed and mindless?
But here, now…
This King still had awareness?
Was Seiya part of his calculations?
The idea chilled him.
The Soul King was far above Yhwach in power—and perhaps had foreseen the entire story from the beginning.
(Four pupils instead of Yhwach's three…)
A true puppeteer.
Still…
Seiya was curious.
Even if it was a trap, he wanted to walk into it and see what awaited.
This being was unlike any other across the Three Realms. To meet him, even once…
Would be worth the risk.
So Seiya nodded.
"I'll go with you."
It was unwise, yes—but also precisely their goal.
To approach the Soul King without bloodshed—
Was that not a kind of success?
Aizen clearly didn't like it, but he wouldn't force his will on Seiya.
"…If it's your will, then I have no objection."
Seeing Aizen's resigned smile, Seiya looked sheepish.
"Sorry, Aizen-sensei."
Didn't mean to cause more trouble…
"No matter. Just be careful."
With the matter settled—
Seiya stepped forward, walking beside Nimaiya.
Aizen stayed behind, flanked by the other three.
It looked… awkward. Like he was under arrest.
But not quite.
As they traveled above the Soul King's Palace, they saw the towns below—thriving communities nestled within.
"Surprised, huh~ Seiya?"
Nimaiya struck up casual conversation.
Seiya nodded thoughtfully.
"I figured people lived here… but I didn't expect this scale."
Nimaiya grinned.
"Most of them are old nobles or ascetic weirdos. Technically under our care, but their loyalty lies with the Soul King."
"They've waited centuries for his word… and with this reishi density, their lives are long."
Makes sense.
This was lore never explored in the original story—Seiya appreciated the added depth.
"Say, Seiya… How's your Zanpakutō doing these days?"
That caught Seiya off guard.
He glanced over to see Nimaiya grinning as he stared at Seiya's waist.
"Like I said—every Zanpakutō was forged by me."
"Even that fire-crazed one of Yamamoto's. And yours too, of course."
"Of course, I only forged the base—what you call the 'Asauchi.' You all breathe life into them."
"But as the Sword God… I know every Zanpakutō's nature."
His goggles glinted, hiding his eyes.
Nimaiya raised his hand and pointed at Seiya.
"That kid was trouble even back when it was born. Violent, impatient, always acting on its own."
"I thought it was defective. Who likes a blade with a nasty personality?"
"But you, Seiya—you chose that child. You gave it a chance."
He paused.
"As its creator, nothing brings me more joy than seeing one of my children grow."
"We may not be allies… but for your care, your trust—I sincerely thank you…"
"Thank you… for choosing this child."
Seiya was stunned.
That choice had been long ago, back when Aizen helped him obtain an Asauchi.
He hadn't known it was seen as "defective."
He asked quietly:
"Do you retrieve unfit ones?"
"Yes. We can't afford to waste resources. But Asauchi aren't lifeless—they develop thoughts after formation."
"Even before they're colored by a soul, they yearn… for a Shinigami who resonates with them."
"That bond between souls…"
"That's the coolest thing there is, right?"
Seiya smiled softly.
"I agree with you."
"Haha~ Just like Hyōsube said—you're interesting."
As Seiya responded, he didn't notice…
A small figure appeared behind him.
The spirit of Sāgara Ryū.
She hugged Seiya's neck, puffed her cheeks, and made a silly face at Nimaiya.
—Some things never change!
But you've grown, you rascal.
As the peaceful air lingered, they pressed on…
Until finally.
A vast, towering structure appeared.
At last.
They had arrived at the Soul King's Palace.
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Powerstones?
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