In Hueco Mundo, Keiko was teleported directly over by Beltz. Erensig was waiting there for her. With the Hollow clone Erensig established, traveling between the three worlds would be much more convenient.
One had to admit, the Hollow race was naturally "broken." While Quincies and Shinigami had to train for their powers, Hollows were born with a suite of innate skills. Of course, this natural advantage often led to stagnation, which was why they were usually crushed by the other two races, until Aizen came along and buffed them with the Hogyoku.
Regardless of the era, the ability of Garganta remained an overpowered utility. Erensig opened a Garganta and sent Keiko to the Soul Society.
"Distorted Future: The Future where I am a Shinigami!"
Keiko activated the Age-Age Fruit's power once more, transforming herself into a Shinigami. Her clothes shifted into a Shihakusho, and Enrakyoten hung at her waist, looking like an ordinary Asauchi.
She walked boldly toward the Seireitei. Because Harald had attacked six months ago, the Seireitei's spirit walls were down, meaning entry was restricted to the four main gates. Appearing in the West Rukongai, she naturally approached the Hakudaomon.
The gatekeeper was Jidanbo. When he saw her Shihakusho and her unmistakable noble aura—something no Rukongai resident could possess, he didn't suspect her much. Still, he performed the standard check.
"Which squad are you from?"
Keiko flashed her insignia and said coolly, "Fifth Division."
Jidanbo couldn't possibly know every member of the Gotei 13. After verifying the badge, he let her pass. Entering the Seireitei normally was a change of pace for her; usually, she used Psychological Invisibility to stroll in undetected.
Once inside, she headed straight for the Tsunayashiro estate. She dared to enter alone because of her trump card: Garganta.
The Gotei 13 had to gather multiple Captains, the Visored, and a Reiatsu amplifier just to create a "gate" to the Soul King Palace. But for a Hollow, as long as a "wedge" is placed, they can tear open a Garganta to get there. Normally, the Shakonmaku created by the walls prevents Gargantas from opening inside the Seireitei.
But Keiko herself was a wedge! Just as Aizen summoned Menos Grande to drop Negación during his betrayal, Keiko and Erensig were essentially one entity. Her presence acted as a massive signal; Erensig could tear through space to reach her at any moment. Even if she were exposed, Beltz and Harald could arrive instantly or extract her via Erensig's connection.
Due to recent turmoils, the Seireitei was under heavy patrol. The First Division had issued standing orders to keep Zanpakuto equipped, a departure from peaceful times when blades were kept in storage. Keiko walked through the Sixth District—home to the most prominent noble houses—and arrived at the gates of the Tsunayashiro.
The Tsunayashiro and the Kuchiki family were the two giants of this district. However, the Tsunayashiro built their estate with such oppressive grandeur that it dwarfed everything else, asserting their status as the head of the Five Noble Families.
"Halt! Who goes there!" the guards demanded. Upon seeing Keiko's face and her piercing red eyes that seemed to strip away their secrets, they swallowed hard.
"Go tell your master," Keiko said with cold indifference, "that Keiko Tsunayashiro has come to take over the clan."
They had never heard the name, but the surname "Tsunayashiro" was not one people dared to forge. Her arrogant, high-born demeanor reinforced the claim.
"Who dares to impersonate a Tsunayashiro?" a man's voice rang out. Tsunayashiro Tokinada, a member of a branch house, stepped out. A flicker of amazement crossed his eyes at her beauty.
"Master Tokinada," the guards bowed. "This person claims—"
"I heard," Tokinada interrupted. "Interesting. In all these eons, you're the first to try such a bold lie."
Keiko didn't even look at him. "Whether I am an impostor is a question this blade will answer." She drew her sword. The guards panicked, thinking she was attacking, but Tokinada froze in shock.
"That... that is... Enrakyoten?!"
To a commoner, it looked like an Asauchi, but a Tsunayashiro could not mistake it. It was the ancestral relic that had vanished six months ago along with the Clan Head. Its loss had sent the family into a panic, though they kept it secret from the Gotei 13 to avoid appearing vulnerable.
Looking closely, Tokinada saw a resemblance to the previous head. "Hand the blade to me," he commanded.
"This blade has recognized me as its master," Keiko stated. "The previous head passed the leadership to me."
The Head of the Tsunayashiro is tasked with guarding "History" and the "Sacred Blade." To hold the blade is to be the Head. Keiko's demand was wildly arrogant, but she didn't care about the rest of the family. The only one with even a modicum of talent was the Tokinada before her, and even he was currently just a man with high Reiatsu and little else.
Tokinada, whose mind was already distorted, didn't scoff. Instead, he looked at her with fascination. "Then, follow me inside, future Master!" He didn't care who led, as long as it was interesting. And since Enrakyoten could only be wielded by a Tsunayashiro—much like the Shinken Hakkyoken was exclusive to the Ise clan—her ability to hold it proved her bloodline.
An hour later, Keiko was in the heart of the estate, surrounded by the clan elders.
"Are you the daughter of Shingo?" an ancient elder asked. Shingo was the previous head who disappeared with the blade. Keiko, possessing his lineage factors, claimed to be his daughter to satisfy the laws of succession.
"I am."
"Where is he? Why did he vanish?" the elder pressed. They knew the "giant attack" six months ago was a lure for someone to steal their Soul King fragments and the blade.
"It was for me," Keiko whispered. "To give birth to the strongest Tsunayashiro."
"Strongest?" someone mocked. "What makes you the strongest?"
"Can you release Enrakyoten?" the elder asked, ignoring the noise.
"Drink the four seas, coil around the ends of heaven... Enrakyoten!"
Keiko released the blade, manifesting fire, then ice, then cherry blossoms—multiple Shikai abilities at once. The elders were mesmerized. It was undeniable; the blade had accepted her.
"What if I told you I can use this power without limit?" Keiko added. "Tsunayashiro Shingo found a way to perfect the blade's use. At the cost of his life and the Soul King fragments collected over a million years, he created me. With the power of the Soul King... I will eventually obtain his full strength and lead this family to the empty throne!"
"Distorted Future: The Future where I am the Soul King!"
In an instant, Keiko's red eyes split. Double Pupils!
The elders gasped in terror and awe. The Tsunayashiro, as keepers of history, knew secrets even the Gotei 13 didn't. They knew exactly what those eyes represented.
That was the power of the Soul King. Did Keiko Tsunayashiro truly have the potential to become the next god of this world? Their eyes burned with a new, feverish heat.