Within the Kido Corps, Yanagawa finished his duties for the day and leaned back comfortably in his reclining chair.
He casually reached for a nearby flask, poured himself a cup of Soul Society’s distinctive sake, and raised it to his lips, sipping unhurriedly.
The mellow fragrance spread across his tongue, and he narrowed his eyes in quiet satisfaction.
Yes… this is what life should feel like.
The responsibilities of the Kido Corps were, by nature, oriented toward support and rear-line operations—specializing in non-combat applications of Kidō.
Opening Senkaimon gates that connected different realms, maintaining the protective barriers in and around the Seireitei, sealing specific objects or locations…
Though the work required precision, its pace was far from the intensity and urgency of the combat divisions.
Ever since former Kido Corps Chief Tessai Tsukabishi and Vice Chief Hachigen Ushōda departed years ago, the Corps had failed to produce anyone of comparable caliber.
To this day, those two highest positions remained vacant.
Because of this, the Kido Corps had gradually come to be regarded throughout the Seireitei as a “quiet post.”
Students who showed even a hint of brilliance upon graduating from the Shin’ō Academy almost universally set their sights on joining the Gotei 13—few were willing to “bury” their talents here.
And yet, ten years ago, when Yanagawa graduated from the Shin’ō Academy with results that drew widespread attention, he made a decision that shocked everyone.
Without hesitation, he turned and stepped straight into the Kido Corps.
No one knew why.
They didn’t know that Yanagawa was not a soul of this world.
In his previous life, he had been a prodigious mage in an era where magic had nearly vanished.
At a critical moment while researching an ultimate spell, an accident occurred—space itself tore apart.
When he regained awareness, his spirit had already drifted into this unfamiliar realm known as Soul Society.
At first, he had no idea what kind of world it was.
But as a mage highly sensitive to energy, he immediately noticed something different.
The air here was saturated with a form of energy far denser than anything in his previous world.
Later, he learned its name: Reishi.
In Soul Society, beings could absorb Reishi simply by breathing, converting it into Reiryoku—spiritual power—and thereby walk the path of continuous growth.
To Yanagawa, this place was nothing short of a paradise.
With exceptional insight and the accumulated knowledge from his previous life, he adapted quickly and entered the Shin’ō Academy with astonishing talent.
As for why he chose the Kido Corps instead of the prestigious Gotei 13 after graduation, the reason was simple:
This place was quiet.
Given a second life, he intended to follow his own nature.
And more importantly, he had ample time to devote himself to studying this world’s unique system of Kidō.
It was a fascinating discipline, one that structured spiritual power through incantations and gestures.
In many ways, it resembled the magic he once wielded.
Yanagawa had a faint intuition:
The ultimate realm he had failed to reach in his previous life… might be attainable here, by walking this entirely new path.
The sake slid down his throat, warmth spreading through his limbs.
Gazing at the tranquil light filtering through the Kido Corps’ vaulted ceiling, a faint, inscrutable smile curved at his lips.
At that moment—
A tall figure, straight as a spear, stood silently beneath the corridor outside, blocking part of the sunlight streaming into the room.
Yanagawa’s eyelashes stilled ever so slightly behind his cup.
He set it down slowly and looked up.
The visitor wore a black shihakushō, over which draped a white haori embroidered with the insignia of the First Division.
A meticulously groomed mustache adorned his upper lip.
Even standing still, he carried an air of discipline and restraint forged over countless years—utterly at odds with the Kido Corps’ relaxed atmosphere.
It was none other than the First Division’s lieutenant, aide to the Captain-Commander—Chōjirō Sasakibe.
“Yanagawa of the Kido Corps,” Sasakibe spoke in a steady, clear voice.
His tone revealed no emotion, yet carried the unmistakable weight of official duty.
“Forgive the intrusion.
By order of the Captain-Commander, you are to proceed immediately to the First Division headquarters… for an audience.”
In Soul Society, being granted an “audience” rather than simply “summoned” by Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto was, in itself, highly unusual.
And the one delivering that message was his closest aide.
Yanagawa straightened slightly, though his posture remained relaxed—there was no trace of fluster or awe.
His gaze flicked briefly to the cup of sake on the low table, barely touched.
“The Captain-Commander wishes to see me?” he asked gently, his tone carrying just the right hint of surprise.
“May I ask the reason, Lieutenant Sasakibe?”
Sasakibe’s calm eyes rested on him, as if assessing—or perhaps simply relaying.
He gave a slight shake of his head, his mustache shifting faintly.
“The Captain-Commander did not elaborate.
My instructions are only to bring you there.”
He stepped aside half a pace, his movement precise as if measured by a ruler—a silent yet unquestionable gesture of invitation.
The meaning was clear:
The order had been delivered.
The reason was not to be asked.
Departure was immediate.
Yanagawa brushed at nonexistent dust on his sleeve and rose from his chair.
“In that case,” he said, stepping forward with unhurried ease—no different from attending a routine Senkaimon inspection, “I’ll trouble you to lead the way, Lieutenant.”
Sasakibe said nothing more and turned to guide him.
The two figures moved one after the other through the long corridors of the Kido Corps.
Following behind Sasakibe, Yanagawa’s pace remained steady and unhurried, forming a subtle contrast to the vice-captain’s measured, almost mechanical stride.
As the buildings of the Seireitei slowly receded around them, his thoughts turned inward.
An audience with Yamamoto Genryūsai…
That, indeed, was intriguing.
Yanagawa reviewed his limited interactions with the Captain-Commander.
During his time at the Shin’ō Academy, Yamamoto, who also served as its head instructor—would occasionally appear at important ceremonies or examinations.
Back then, Yanagawa had been just one of many students below the stage.
At most, their eyes had briefly met when he received his graduation certificate.
Beyond that, there had been no further contact.
After choosing the Kido Corps ten years ago, he had all but removed himself from the mainstream attention of the Gotei 13.
The Kido Corps operated independently.
Though it cooperated with the combat divisions, its role was largely technical support—rarely requiring direct interaction with someone at the very peak of authority like the Captain-Commander.
All these years, he had been like a drop of water blending into a calm lake—without ripple or disturbance.
So why now?
A Kido Corps member who has long remained outside the combat ranks… why would he suddenly draw the Captain-Commander’s attention?
Possibilities formed and dissolved rapidly in his mind.
It wasn’t routine duty, that would never warrant Sasakibe’s personal involvement.
Nor did it feel like a simple commendation or inquiry.
The atmosphere didn’t match.
Could it be that his decision at graduation was being re-evaluated after ten years?
Or perhaps…
His private experiments in Kidō, unknown to others—had attracted attention?
Soul Society appeared orderly on the surface, but fluctuations in Reishi, anomalies in Kidō structures… to truly powerful beings, such disturbances might not go unnoticed.
He recalled the occasional surges of Reishi he had caused deep within the Kido Corps’ barrier testing grounds, while reconstructing Kidō incantations using his previous life’s magical theories.
Could it be…
No.
It was too early to speculate.
Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni was a being who had lived for over a thousand years—one who ruled the Gotei 13 through absolute power and will.
His intentions were not something an ordinary Shinigami could easily fathom.
Yanagawa took a slow breath.
Dense, active Reishi flowed into his body with each inhale.
Whatever goes around, comes around.
Ahead of them, the imposing gates of the First Division headquarters came into view.
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