Chapter 267 – 267 ⥤ Senjumaru’s Terrifying Suspicion

BOOM—

With an earth-shattering roar, the Tenchūren (Heavenly Pillar-Palanquin) landed.

As the gates opened, a scene entirely unlike the Seireitei unfolded before them.

At the edge of their vision floated a massive cylindrical building — the heart of the Soul King Palace. Its mere presence exuded an overwhelming divine pressure. Below it sprawled disk-shaped buildings as vast as towns.

As Akira took in the magnificent view, a long-awaited notification appeared.

〈 Location Check-in: Soul King Palace! 〉

〈 Obtained Reiatsu Level +5! 〉

〈 Reiatsu Level increased! Currently at Level 111! 〉

〈 Obtained Zanjutsu Level +5! 〉

〈 Zanjutsu Level increased! Currently at Level 105! 〉

〈 Obtained Hakuda Level +5! 〉

〈 Hakuda Level increased! Currently at Level 105! 〉

〈 Obtained Kidō Level +5! 〉

〈 Kidō Level increased! Currently at Level 105! 〉

〈 Obtained Hohō Level +5! 〉

〈 Hohō Level increased! Currently at Level 105! 〉

〈 Obtained Exclusive Trait: I Am Destiny! 〉

〈 I Am Destiny: Being destiny itself, you are the one and only! Immune to damage from rule-based abilities! 〉

A satisfied smile crossed Akira’s face as he beheld the magnificent status panel, feeling infinite power and Reiatsu surge through his body.

This was perfect. Those rule-based abilities he’d worried about? No longer a threat!

Nothing in this world could stand in his way now!

Suddenly, an eerie ancient melody filled the air — drums, flutes, shamisen, and horns weaving together in haunting harmony.

“Are you moved?” An elegant woman with pale skin parted her crimson lips, her eyes gleaming with expectation, “When I heard of your arrival, I set aside my sewing to welcome you personally.”

Akira shook his head decisively, “Not moved — but my desire for revenge burns fiercer than ever.”

The humiliation Senjumaru had inflicted upon him remained fresh in his memory.

Everyone knew the 11th Division Captain was petty and vindictive. And for this perverted old woman who’d lusted after his body? She’d get a taste of her own medicine!

“Shutara, do you have a grudge against this guy?” A new voice cut through their standoff.

A golden flash materialized beside Senjumaru.

The newcomer wielded an oar-shaped sword and sported a thin face with a hooked pompadour hairstyle. A grass stem dangled from his lips, and he wore an open short-sleeved haori with casual indifference.

He appeared before Akira in an instant, tilting his head to study him carefully.

“Very ordinary, very average. Not even as handsome as me. Why would His Majesty the Soul King choose such an unremarkable fellow? He doesn’t hold a candle to… Kuruyashiki.”

Before Akira could retort, an overwhelming Reiatsu crashed down. The air grew leaden, and an unimaginable pressure blanketed the palace approach.

“Kirinji!”

Senjumaru’s brows knitted together. She moved to intervene but froze in shock — Yueming stood completely unfazed before this ocean of Reiatsu.

How was this possible?!

How had this Shinigami brat — the same one she’d tormented — grown so powerful since she’d joined the Zero Division? Could this be Shigekuni Yamamoto in disguise?

Before she could ponder further, Tenjirō Kirinji — seeing Akira’s immunity to his Reiatsu — leaned forward with intrigue.

“Good, very good. Now that’s more like it. No wonder His Majesty the Soul King chose you. You’re worth getting serious about, kid!” His oar-like sword flashed as he transformed into light and charged.

CLANG!!

The sound of clashing metal echoed across the empty approach.

Looking at the blade pressed against his Zanpakutō, Tenjirō’s expression grew excited. He had thought the Zero Division invincible, yet here stood someone even more formidable.

Such an intense clash awakened his long-dormant fighting spirit!

His arm muscles bulged as he gripped his Zanpakutō tightly. The sword handle bent under his tremendous power, unleashing surging energy in an instant.

BOOM!

The violent impact rippled outward, sending a figure flying backward, carving a long trail along the approach.

Tenjirō stabbed his Zanpakutō into the ground to halt his retreat. When he raised his head, his expression was one of disbelief.

In that collision, he — a member of the Zero Division — had been overwhelmed?! Who was truly the Zero Division member here?

Indeed, those chosen by His Majesty the Soul King were never ordinary.

He grinned, straightening up while raising his sword overhead. As he spun it, surging waters rushed forth from the viscous Reishi.

“Taste my anger!” The water formed a massive sphere that, with a swing of his sword, howled toward Akira and swallowed him whole.

Then, Tenjirō raised his blade as his Reiatsu surged, releasing brilliant golden light. A pillar of radiance shot skyward, trailing long streamers in the gusting wind — becoming the sole axis on the approach.

“Experience the sunbath of an open-air hot spring.”

“Flash from Illuminating Heavens…”

⤫ Shikai: Kinpika ⥤ Initial Release: Gilded Splendor! ⤬

As his words fell, floods of light descended from all directions, rushing into the water sphere and obliterating all obstacles with overwhelming force.

Akira felt the impact surrounding him and clicked his tongue.

As expected of a Zero Division member — even the weakest among them surpassed 99% of the Shinigami Captains. An attack of this level could slay Kensei with just a stray wave.

And considering they were usually sealed by the Blood Oath, their true power was even more terrifying.

Tenjirō, wielding Kinpika, arrived in an instant. His razor-sharp blade created countless afterimages as it engulfed his adversary.

The savage attack resembled rushing rivers and overturning seas. The naked eye could no longer track their forms as endless golden light and water burst forth, interweaving and striking relentlessly.

Opposite him, Akira held his Zanpakutō wrapped in black and red flames, methodically blocking each strike.

Amid thunderous roars, the ground trembled and groaned. Golden light and flames intertwined, illuminating their faces — both wearing identical excited grins.

Tenjirō took a deep breath as his Reiatsu surged. It surrounded Kinpika as he unleashed all his power, extinguishing the falling flames.

Then, with lightning speed, he raised his blade and struck fiercely!

Akira adopted the same stance, raising his Zanpakutō and slashing straight ahead.

They passed each other, and in an instant, the scattered golden light and flames vanished completely.

Tenjirō’s body leaned slightly forward, Kinpika hanging behind him in a sword-sheathing pose.

A confident smile appeared on his face. He was certain that last strike had landed squarely on his opponent.

He turned around, laughing, “Lower realm deity, you fought well. However—”

Before he could finish speaking, his eyes widened in disbelief.

When Akira turned around, his body — though struck by Kinpika — remained completely unharmed. Only a single gash marked his Shihakushō, running diagonally from his left shoulder to the right side of his chest.

How was this possible?!

In his moment of shock, Akira spread his hands, “You’re not bad.”

As he spoke, his lips curled into an eerie smile, and black and red flames erupted violently. He raised his right hand toward his opponent, fingers clenched. With a thunderous crack of bone and sinew, his blazing fist surged forward.

Tenjirō raised Kinpika to block the attack, but as the scorching wind descended, the punch shattered both his defense and his body like brittle twigs.

Complete destruction!

The golden figure was sent flying, disappearing into the horizon.

Just as he was about to plummet into the lower realm, a giant hand appeared and caught him firmly.

“Defeating the Divine General of the East of the Soul King Palace immediately upon arrival. As expected of the man chosen by His Majesty the Soul King!”

A deep, resonant voice echoed across the plaza.

Looking toward its source, they saw a monk-like figure with thick eyebrows, a broad nose, and a full beard. His presence exuded grandeur and boldness.

Supporting the injured Tenjirō, he approached Akira with a kind smile.

“Welcome to the Soul King Palace, Lord Kisaragi. I am Ichibē Hyōsube. This is our first meeting.”

“The honor is mine.” Akira gave a slight bow.

No matter what, this corpulent monk was still the leader of Zero Division — it was wise to show respect.

Watching the two exchange greetings, Senjumaru calmed her agitated emotions.

The sudden battle had indeed shocked her. She never imagined that the boy she once handled with ease had transformed into such a terrifying powerhouse.

Recalling his earlier talk of revenge, her face grew even paler. Could she win?

While she pondered this, Akira had already engaged in friendly conversation with Ichibē.

From the layout of the Soul King Palace to million-year-old Soul Society anecdotes to the current state of affairs — the monk answered all questions thoroughly and kindly, showing genuine warmth.

“By the way, you kept mentioning earlier—” Akira halted his wandering thoughts and steered the meandering conversation back on track, “What’s this about being chosen by His Majesty the Soul King?”

“Hoho, finally noticed, have you?” The monk grinned, “That’s right, not long ago His Majesty the Soul King conveyed His will to us. He wants you, Akira Kisaragi — the 11th Division Captain — to become the final member of the Zero Division.”

“Me? Are you sure there’s no mistake?”

Ichibē laughed heartily, “How could there be a mistake about something like this?”

Akira frowned, puzzled, “Wasn’t it said that joining the Zero Division required creating something of great significance to Soul Society? Though I possess astounding wisdom and supreme combat power, I haven’t created anything… Could it be that His Majesty has taken a fancy to my robust physique and wants to keep me as a star…”

Before he could finish, Ichibē’s rugged face showed alarm as he hastily cut in.

“Don’t speak such nonsense! His Majesty the Soul King is supreme and omnipotent — how could He care about your minor abilities?”

Akira crossed his arms and shook his head, “Hard to say.”

Based on his years of experience handling things, the Soul King was probably like Senjumaru, coveting his body.

Seeing his thoughts drift in increasingly inappropriate directions, Ichibē cleared his throat and explained:

“Your case isn’t the first of its kind. Before Senjumaru joined the Zero Division, we extended an invitation to the 11th Division Captain at the time, Kenpachi Kuruyashiki. He also hadn’t created anything of value, yet still qualified for promotion. However, due to unexpected circumstances, he didn’t end up joining our ranks.”

Akira nodded, remembering Gosuke’s words about this.

Back then, Kuruyashiki couldn’t endure the tedious guard duty, so he had politely declined the Zero Division’s recruitment.

Thinking of this, he snorted with a laugh — if even Kuruyashiki couldn’t stand it, did this monk think he could?

“There are many benefits to becoming a member of the Zero Division. For example, you can reconstruct your body with the Soul King’s power and have your own Zero Division Riden (city and residence)…”

“I refuse!”

While Ichibē was explaining these benefits, Akira’s resolute voice cut through.

The monk showed a bewildered expression, seeming somewhat incredulous. This was the second Shinigami to refuse promotion in two hundred years — was their Zero Division really that unbearable?

“Why?”

“Like Kuruyashiki, I don’t want to spend my life guarding this boring place.” Akira shook his head dismissively.

Though the Soul King Palace was impressive, it paled in comparison to Soul Society, Hueco Mundo, or the Wandenreich. Here, there were no friends, no family, no mentors.

Even getting scolded by Yama-jii daily in Soul Society would be a thousand times better than life in this palace.

He had expected Ichibē to be angry, but instead, the monk’s face broke into an unexpected smile.

“So that’s your concern. Rest assured — His Majesty the Soul King anticipated this. You need only agree to become a member of the Zero Division; there’s no requirement to guard His Majesty. Young Kisaragi, this is a special concession His Majesty has made solely for you. Surely you won’t refuse such kindness?”

At the side, Senjumaru listened with a troubled expression.

She remembered her own promotion to the Zero Division. Though Ichibē had been kind, he had remained absolutely rigid on matters of principle, never yielding an inch. Even leaving the Soul King Palace required advance permission — let alone being exempted from guard duty.

What made this situation so different? Why was His Majesty showing such unprecedented favor to Akira?

Could it be… Was this fellow His illegitimate child?!

⤫⤬⤫

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