The temperature in the Phoenix Palace forge had gradually risen.
Nimaiya crouched before the corpse, his hands occasionally stroking Baraggan's bones. Sometimes he leaned in close, observing how different materials corroded under the black mist at varying rates.
"To thank you, young Kensei, for letting me use such rare materials, you can tell me your requirements for the Zanpakutō's design."
Nimaiya stroked his chin. As the forger of every Asauchi in Soul Society, crafting a special Zanpakutō was no challenge for him. Even working with unfamiliar materials for the first time, failure wasn't an option.
Kensei considered. "As long as it's cool enough, nothing else matters."
Nimaiya blinked, wondering if he'd misheard. "What?"
"Cool." Kensei repeated. "Strength isn't important. Being cool lasts a lifetime. Otherwise, how embarrassing would it be to carry around?"
Nimaiya stared at Kensei for a few seconds, then burst out laughing. "Hahaha! Didn't expect you to be so interesting, young Kensei. Most people pursue power—you're the exception."
Nimaiya removed his sunglasses, using a hair tie to secure his punk-style curls behind his head, preventing them from interfering with his forging.
"Sweethearts! Time to work!"
At Nimaiya's call, the materialized Zanpakutō spirits he had personally created materialized around him, assisting with the forging process.
Kensei watched the permanently materialized sword spirits, stroking his chin thoughtfully.
He wondered if Nimaiya would share that technique. Surely Lady Kūkon would be delighted to materialize.
Then again, if Kūkon materialized, with her grudge against Aizen, peace would likely vanish from Kensei's life.
Never mind. Lady Kūkon could stay in her Zanpakutō for now.
As Nimaiya busied himself and Kensei idled, a deep voice resonated throughout the Phoenix Palace:
"Young Kensei, please come speak with me."
Ichibē Hyōsube—a figure with a consistently... mixed reputation.
Nimaiya paused at the voice, then waved at Kensei. "The Monk's calling you. Forging this blade will take considerable time. You're useless here anyway."
Kensei raised an eyebrow. So he'd have to face the Monk after all.
Sigh. If only Sōsuke were here—even if escape was impossible, at least they could be miserable together.
Though reluctant, he couldn't refuse.
Fortunately, he currently possessed only Shinigami and Hollow powers—not enough to become the Soul King. Otherwise, nothing could drag him to the Soul King's Palace.
Exiting the Phoenix Palace, the Monk awaited, his bald head reflecting blinding light. He stood there, towering like a bear.
"Haha! Young Kensei, you recovered our lost Ikomikidomoe for the Royal Guard. I must properly thank you."
The Monk rubbed his gleaming head with a massive palm. Before Kensei could respond, he led him into the Soul King's Inner Palace.
Kensei silently followed until they reached a room deep within.
"Heh heh heh. Young Kensei, what do you think of the Royal Guard? Any interest in joining?"
The Monk produced a small wooden table from somewhere, placing it between them as he sat.
"The Royal Guard... differs considerably from my expectations."
Recalling their disastrous welcome ceremony, Kensei's mouth twitched involuntarily.
"Oh dear. Nimaiya's poses really are that terrible? I thought they seemed quite approachable."
The Monk rubbed his bald head, seemingly distressed by Kensei's assessment.
"But I called you here today for something more important."
He raised his left hand, gesturing to his side. A gust of spiritual pressure swept aside the curtain covering the room's center, revealing what lay hidden: the Soul King, mutilated and sealed within amber like a human puppet.
"This is the Soul King."
The Monk gazed at the figure within the amber with something like nostalgia. He began recounting the history of the Three Realms—the world's original form, the crimes of the Five Noble Clans' progenitors, and the formation of the Three Realms.
Kensei nodded along. He already knew all this, but hearing it from an eyewitness might reveal secrets he didn't know—things to share with Sōsuke later.
"The Omniscient and Omnipotent Soul King once confided in me. He said a fascinating Shinigami would appear in the future."
"Initially, I thought he meant Yamamoto Shigekuni. He was certainly powerful enough—establishing new order in Soul Society single-handedly, defeating Yhwach with his Gotei 13."
The Monk sighed, his gaze settling on Kensei. "Unfortunately, observing Yamamoto confirmed he wasn't the one foretold."
"So you think I'm this prophesied person?"
Kensei pointed at himself, uncertain of the Monk's meaning. Was the Soul King's omniscience even greater than he'd imagined?
"Perhaps. Perhaps not."
The Monk suddenly burst into laughter, leaving Kensei bewildered.
"In any case, I bear you no ill will—rest assured. Lord Soul King didn't elaborate, and I'm not particularly concerned with specifics."
"For me, as long as a Soul King exists to maintain the Three Realms, the identity of that Soul King is irrelevant."
Kensei raised an eyebrow. Quite the Soul King loyalist.
"What's your point?"
"Simply this: though the Soul King remains securely sealed, unexpected incidents may occur. I need contingency measures. But searching the Three Realms for someone with Soul King qualifications is extraordinarily difficult."
The Monk sighed heavily. He had hoped Kensei might be the Soul King candidate he sought, but observation revealed he lacked the full complement of powers.
"Thus I concluded: rather than searching for a Soul King, better to create one."
Now Kensei understood. The old Monk considered the current Soul King insufficiently secure—if Yhwach returned and the Monk failed to stop him, the Three Realms risked collapse.
"So the Tsunayashiro obtaining Ikomikidomoe—you facilitated that?"
The Monk nodded. "The Tsunayashiro traded artificial Soul King research for my assistance."
Kensei slapped his forehead. Of course—the Tsunayashiro couldn't possibly steal Ikomikidomoe from the Royal Guard on their own. There had to be an inside man.
"Weren't you worried about accidents?"
"Setting aside my own abilities—do you think the Tsunayashiro could defeat Yamamoto?"
Kensei nodded. True—the entire Tsunayashiro clan combined couldn't withstand Old Man Yama alone.
"So telling me all this—you want my help creating an artificial Soul King?"
"Naturally." The Monk nodded matter-of-factly. "As compensation for the Tsunayashiro incident and payment for this commission, I'll teach you the principles of Ura Kidō."
Ura Kidō. A concept beyond standard Kidō—only Ura Hadō had ever appeared in canon.
He personally had no use for it, but Sōsuke might.
Besides, he wouldn't be doing the heavy lifting—that's what Urahara was for. Throw together something to satisfy the Monk, then capture Yhwach for the next Soul King.
"Old Man Yama always taught me to consider the Three Realms' welfare. How could I refuse such a responsibility?"
Kensei sealed the deal. Once he had Ura Kidō, Sōsuke would have no choice but to come begging.
"It seems Yamamoto truly has an excellent student."
The Monk resumed rubbing his smooth head. He could tell Kensei's agreement stemmed from other motives, but that didn't matter—only results counted.
"Here are the principles of Ura Kidō—an advance payment. Pleasure doing business."
"Pleasure doing business!"
The Monk watched Kensei's retreating back as he cheerfully departed with the record. Then his gaze returned to the motionless Soul King.
The Soul King's chosen one... reliable or not? Could he withstand Yhwach's vengeance when it came?