Asuka pulled Shinobu Kocho to his side, looking at the assembled Soul Reaper captains he was meeting for the first time.
"My original goal was just to find her and take her away from this broken place."
"Whether it's the One King and Five Dukes or the Rebellion of the Eight Kings, that's entirely your own Soul Reaper business."
Saying this, Asuka sighed. "Although running into Aizen and fighting him was unexpected... letting that bastard get away was just his good luck."
"Once I get Shinobu settled, I will naturally go find him and settle the score."
"As for who becomes the boss of your Seireitei, who takes charge, or who wants to rebel..."
He shrugged, curling his lip at Kaien beside him. "Why should I care?"
"What kind of nonsense are you spouting?!"
Renji, having just been roused from unconsciousness with Captain Kuchiki's help, was already fraught with anxiety over the impending dark era. Hearing Asuka speak so indifferently, he voiced his displeasure. "Do you not realize that if the Soul Society falls into chaos, the World of the Living will be affected too?!"
"Abarai! Shut up!" Kaien grabbed the impulsive Renji and shook his head at him.
Having spent time with Asuka, he clearly understood the grievances between the boy and the Soul Reapers. The fact that Asuka was only directing his hostility at Aizen without extending it to the entire system was already a sign of immense restraint.
"He does indeed have the right to say that." Yoruichi also stepped forward, blocking Renji. "He owes the Soul Society nothing. This is indeed our own problem."
Asuka nodded at Yoruichi, acknowledging her support. "Anyway, once the mess here is somewhat wrapped up, I will take her and leave."
He looked down at Shinobu Kocho. "Are you willing to come with me?"
Shinobu nodded without hesitation. "Wherever you go, I will go."
"Whether it is the World of the Living or another world... I never want to be separated from you again."
But her eyes suddenly dimmed.
'...'
If she left, what would happen to Hinaki? What about Oyakata-sama and the others?
Asuka saw through her concerns and gently rubbed her head. "Do not worry. If Kagaya and his family are willing, I will bring them back to the World of the Living as well."
"We can stay at that shady merchant's place for a while, and then I will figure something out. It will definitely be better than staying here."
His promise acted as a profound reassurance, settling the anxiety in Shinobu's heart.
Watching the two of them plan their 'elopement' as if no one else was around, the present captains looked at each other in dismay, momentarily at a loss for words.
Even the most experienced among them, Shunsui Kyoraku, shook his head helplessly. Although he desperately wanted to keep this mysterious combatant to deal with the upcoming turmoil, he truly had no standing to force an unofficial Soul Reaper to stay.
Right in the midst of this awkward atmosphere, a faint sound echoed.
It was the subtle sound of wings beating against the air.
A butterfly, flying in from an unknown location, circled above everyone's heads.
It was not an ordinary butterfly, nor was it a Hell Butterfly used by Soul Reapers for communication.
It was a spiritual butterfly, entirely golden-white, radiating a sacred aura with every flap of its wings.
"What is that?" Ichigo stared curiously at the golden-white butterfly.
But the moment he spoke, he was surprised to find that the expressions of the battle-hardened captains around him had all changed simultaneously.
"This is..." Jushiro Ukitake muttered subconsciously.
Shunsui Kyoraku dropped all his usual laxity, standing up straight and watching the butterfly dance with a solemn expression.
Yoruichi's golden cat-like eyes stared at the butterfly in astonishment. "...It actually alarmed them?"
After circling in the air a few times, the golden-white spiritual butterfly seemed to confirm its target.
It slowly lowered its altitude and, under everyone's watchful eyes, gently landed on Asuka's shoulder.
Asuka frowned.
He looked at this blindingly bright bug resting on his shoulder and reached out, wanting to flick it away.
"Do not move! Asuka!"
Kaien roared, his voice cracking.
"Why are you making such a fuss?" Asuka paused his movement, looking at Kaien in confusion.
"Absolutely do not move! That is... a decree from the Soul King Palace!"
Ukitake explained. He looked at the golden-white butterfly, his usually gentle eyes filled with awe.
"That is a messenger butterfly that can only be commanded by the Royal Guard stationed at the highest point of the Soul Society... Squad Zero, the unit that directly serves the Soul King!"
"Squad Zero?!" Asuka was baffled.
'Aren't there only thirteen squads in your Seireitei?'
For ordinary Soul Reapers and wandering souls, the Gotei 13 was indeed the highest military organization in the Soul Society. The name 'Squad Zero' only existed in the discussions of captain-class Soul Reapers and ancient records.
It was a mysterious unit with no fixed headquarters, one that did not participate in the daily affairs of the Seireitei and answered only to the Soul King. Their total number was only five, but the combat power of each individual was enough to rival the entire Gotei 13.
"Why would a Squad Zero butterfly land on his shoulder?" Byakuya Kuchiki frowned as he asked the question that was on every captain's mind.
Asuka did not care if it was Squad Zero or Squad One Hundred. Frowning, he only wanted to shoo away this pretentious butterfly.
Right at that moment, the golden-white spiritual butterfly suddenly transformed into a cloud of golden light.
The glowing mist quickly condensed beside Asuka's ear, turning into a gruff, hearty, and deep voice.
The voice was not concealed; it echoed directly across the ruins of Sokyoku Hill.
"Yo, kid! That strike of yours just now was truly excellent! It even made me want to draw a massive circle of approval over your name!"
The voice sounded like a cheerful middle-aged man, carrying an affability that made it impossible to harbor any hostility.
"However, you cannot leave just yet."
Although the voice still carried a hint of laughter, it invisibly gained the imposing authority of a superior, making Asuka feel a sudden surge of pressure.
"That little guy named Aizen caused a bit too much of a ruckus. Even Yamamoto got locked up in a box, and now the situation down here... is simply too chaotic to look at."
"So, to prevent those restless folks from taking advantage of the situation and completely wrecking the balance of the Three Realms..."
"In three days."
"Gather all surviving captains at the First Division barracks."
"We, Squad Zero, will send someone down to personally take charge of the situation!"
The golden-white mist began to slowly dissipate, and the hearty voice gradually weakened.
But the final sentence rang crystal clear in Asuka's ear.
"As for you, the kid named Asuka, you must also be present."
"This is a major matter that concerns whether you can safely take your little girlfriend back to your hometown! Hahahaha!"
"What girlfriend, you bastard..." Asuka's cheeks burned, and he was just about to retort.
Accompanied by deafening laughter, the golden-white mist completely vanished into the air.
It was as if it had never appeared.
However, the shock in everyone's eyes solidly proved that everything just now had indeed happened.
"Squad Zero... is actually going to directly intervene in the Seireitei's affairs?" Shunsui Kyoraku felt it was somewhat unbelievable.
In his understanding, even if the entire Seireitei were destroyed, Squad Zero might not care.
The only things they cared about were the safety of the Soul King and the stability of the Three Realms.
'Has the situation really deteriorated to the point where it threatens the Three Realms...'