The next day, the Tenchūren launched from the Shiba Clan's grounds like a cannonball, hurtling skyward along an invisible track.
Kensei could clearly sense the Reishi concentration outside increasing with altitude—far higher than what he'd experienced in Hueco Mundo.
"The atmospheric Reishi concentration at the Soul King's Palace far exceeds that of the Seireitei." Senjumaru glanced at Kensei. "Unfortunately, it's negligible for a Shinigami of your level."
If Kensei were still Lieutenant-class, arriving here for the first time might have restricted his movements due to insufficient spiritual pressure.
The Tenchūren gave a slight shudder, landing smoothly on the Soul King's Palace grounds.
"We've arrived. Try not to be overwhelmed by the Royal Guard's presence."
One of Senjumaru's bone hands smoothed the wrinkles in her robes as she led the way toward the exit.
Kensei was unimpressed. Who did he think he was? He'd bested Old Man Yama from above and subdued Baraggan below—the Royal Guard's presence couldn't intimidate him.
The moment he stepped outside, Kensei saw the Royal Guard members arranged in some bizarre formation on the main approach, performing a welcome ceremony.
Senjumaru, who had just exited ahead of him, now stood toward the back of the group. Beside her stood Kirio Hikifune, forcibly dragged along and looking utterly bewildered.
Since Hikifune was a reserve Royal Guard member, she was both qualified and obligated to participate in this... presentation.
Senjumaru's bone arms produced several musical instruments from somewhere—trumpets, small drums, a guqin—and began playing a strangely rhythmic tune.
Tenjirō Kirinji, a straw stalk clenched between his teeth, waved a white flag emblazoned with the Royal Guard emblem back and forth. His exaggeratedly prominent pompadour bobbed with each movement.
Ōetsu Nimaiya performed with exaggerated gestures to the rhythm, occasionally interjecting awkward hip-hop phrases in broken English.
Kirio Hikifune, forcibly dragged into this, stood rooted in awkward embarrassment, utterly at a loss. She hadn't expected the Royal Guard to have such strange rituals. Was it too late to refuse joining?
The Monk, his bald head gleaming, stood dead center, arms crossed before his massive frame, booming with laughter: "Zehahaha! Well? Kensei Kenzuru, young man! Isn't our Royal Guard welcome ceremony shocking enough?"
Kensei's mouth twitched. So this was what Senjumaru meant by "Royal Guard presence." No wonder they got thrashed by the Quincies in the manga—had to wait for the anime to salvage their reputation.
Like some third-rate idol group. Did such a Royal Guard even need to exist?
Kensei briefly considered jumping off right here. Had these people been here so long their brains overheated?
Fortunately, the performance didn't last long. Though for Hikifune, it might have felt like an eternity before Senjumaru's music finally ceased.
Senjumaru stowed all her instruments, instantly resuming her elegant bearing as if nothing had happened.
Kirinji tossed aside his flag, his sharp gaze sweeping over Kensei. He snorted. "Didn't expect they'd send a brat."
"Hey now, Kirinji! Be more welcoming to guests!" Nimaiya bounded over, slinging an arm around Kensei's shoulder with the familiarity of an old friend. "So? Wasn't our ceremony cool? I designed it specially—poses to increase the Royal Guard's popularity!"
Kensei briefly considered, then wagged his finger at Nimaiya. "No, no, no. Your design completely lacks aesthetic sense. It utterly destroys the Royal Guard's mystique."
Nimaiya blinked, then burst out laughing. "Hahaha! Didn't expect you to be so direct, kid!"
The Monk observed Kensei with interest. "Young Kensei, since you're here, accompany Nimaiya to his Phoenix Palace. He's been eagerly awaiting this."
"Tch. Stand still, brat. Try not to cry for your mommy."
Kirinji hefted a hammer. At his feet sat a large, black button-like switch.
SMACK!
The Monk's massive palm smacked the back of Kirinji's head, sending him stumbling—nearly sprawling onto the ground.
"Don't mind him. He's always like this."
Having escaped her awkward situation, Kirio Hikifune scurried over to Kensei, still flushed with embarrassment.
"Sis Hikifune? How do you feel now?"
"Regret. I never imagined the Royal Guard had such... unique aspects."
Hikifune gazed up at the Soul King's Inner Palace, surrounded by the five satellite palaces. She wondered if the Soul King could hear her prayers—could make these people forget she'd agreed to join?
"I'm curious what kind of pose you'll end up with, Sis Hikifune."
Kensei grinned teasingly. Kirinji swung his hammer—and Kensei launched from the mechanism beneath his feet, catapulted toward Nimaiya's Phoenix Palace.
"Satellite palace" was a modest term. From above, it looked like a small city. But with only five Royal Guard members living here, why so many buildings?
Were they so bored they needed this to consume excess energy?
"So." Kensei landed and followed Nimaiya, walking and talking. "How long to forge Baraggan into a Zanpakutō?"
The already energetic Nimaiya grew even more animated at this topic, gesticulating wildly as he explained. "Never tried this before, so can't say for sure. But I am the creator of the Asauchi, so it won't take that long."
"Whew! Never expected you to score such rare material—not just a Vasto Lorde, but one with time-based abilities."
"My creative passion is completely ignited!"
Mid-sentence, Nimaiya stopped and struck a pose, one hand forming a hip-hop gesture pointing skyward.
Nimaiya led Kensei to a dilapidated wooden hut. Above the entrance hung a sign reading "Phoenix Palace"—barely clinging on, about to fall off.
"We're here!"
Nimaiya yanked aside the grass curtain covering the doorway with such force Kensei instinctively worried the whole shack would collapse.
"Welcome to my domain! Now show me the materials!"
Kensei entered. Inside was a spacious forge, the central furnace radiating astonishing heat.
He produced Baraggan's corpse from his spatial storage and laid it on the ground. Though lifeless, the moment he released the restraints, the black mist coating it began spreading outward.
Unfortunately, its aging ability proved useless against Royal Guard members, whose spiritual pressure far exceeded Baraggan's.
"Ooh! Rare material!"
Nimaiya looked like he'd found treasure, barely restraining himself from pouncing on it for closer examination.
"So, young Kensei—what's your plan? Fuse its abilities into your current Zanpakutō? Or forge a new one?"
"Forge a new one. My Zanpakutō probably wouldn't appreciate Baraggan's abilities."
Kensei shrugged. Kūkon's confidence bordered on believing herself the greatest in all worlds. She wouldn't spare Baraggan a glance—let alone Yhwach.
"Whew~ Sounds like you and your Zanpakutō have a good relationship."
As creator of all Asauchi, Nimaiya could perceive the feelings of the souls within blades. Kensei's Zanpakutō showed no opposition.
"In that case—let the forging begin! Witness the craftsmanship of the Royal Guard's most popular member, Ōetsu Nimaiya!"