“Testimony from the two individuals alone is not enough to determine the root of this phenomenon.”
Yanagawa spoke slowly, his voice especially clear in the silence.
“We need more information.”
He paused, then turned to Isshin Shiba.
“Captain Isshin, if I recall correctly, there is a place within the Seireitei that contains nearly all recorded history and events since the birth of Soul Society.”
Isshin’s steps slowed slightly.
A look of just as I thought crossed his face, followed by a trace of seriousness.
Lowering his voice, he confirmed:
“You mean… the Great Spirit Book Gallery?”
“Exactly.” Yanagawa nodded.
“That place is no joke…”
Isshin clicked his tongue, then began explaining in detail, his tone carrying both respect and a hint of unease.
“The Great Spirit Book Gallery lies beneath the Central 46 chambers.
You could say it’s the ultimate archive of all information in Soul Society.”
“It’s managed by the Tsunayashiro Clan, one of the Five Great Noble Houses.
That family is infamous—old-fashioned to the extreme, and obsessed with controlling knowledge and secrets.”
As they walked, he continued:
“It records everything.
History, classified information, major incidents, dating back to the very beginning of Soul Society.”
“Entry conditions are extremely strict,” Isshin added, his expression serious.
“No spiritual power is allowed inside.
You have to surrender your Zanpakutō at the entrance, where it’s held by designated guards.”
“Outside, there’s a so-called ‘thirteen-layer’ defense system, barriers and surveillance formations jointly constructed and maintained by Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto, the Kidō Corps, and the Onmitsukido under the Second Division.”
“It’s said that even a Captain couldn’t break in without proper authorization.”
He glanced at the white haori on Yanagawa’s shoulders, his tone lightening with a hint of anticipation.
“But you’re different now.
You’re with the Royal Guard—even as a provisional member, that title alone is one of the highest-level passes in Soul Society.”
“In theory, under the justification of investigating a ‘Zanpakutō anomaly affecting fundamental rules,’ you have full authority to request access.”
“No matter how stubborn the Tsunayashiro Clan is, or how much Central 46 resents it—they’ll have to think twice before going against the will of the Royal Palace.
That carries a lot more weight than me as a Captain.”
Yanagawa listened quietly, forming a clearer picture of the Great Spirit Book Gallery.
This was not merely an archive, it was a repository of forbidden knowledge and opportunity.
And for him, its value went far beyond the “Twin Hyōrinmaru” case.
The records of all history, secrets, and major events were, in themselves, an irresistible draw.
Since this investigation granted him a legitimate, and difficult to refuse—reason to enter such a restricted place, he had no intention of letting the opportunity slip by.
Not only would he search for clues related to the current case, but he would also broaden his understanding of buried truths and forgotten histories.
He might even learn the fundamental laws governing this world.
All of which would be crucial for his future. This chapter is updated first at g.com.
“Then,” Yanagawa said, stopping and turning back toward the deeper parts of Central 46, his gaze seeming to pierce through layers of stone,
“Captain Isshin, I’ll need you to accompany me.”
“Hah!
I was hoping you’d say that!” Isshin grinned, slapping Yanagawa’s shoulder.
“I’ve always been curious about that place, but never had the chance to get in.
Now I get to tag along and see what secrets the Tsunayashiro family’s been hoarding.
Let’s go!”
Without hesitation, the two retraced their steps toward the core of Central 46.
This time, their destination was not the detention cells, but the true memory core of Soul Society, hidden beneath layers of authority and secrecy.
Inside the Great Spirit Book Gallery.
The interior was nothing like an ordinary archive.
Before them stretched a vast corridor that seemed endless, sloping gently downward.
On both sides rose towering walls made of luminous stone, extending all the way to the ceiling.
Instead of shelves, the walls were divided into countless square compartments.
Within each floated scrolls and tablets, each emitting a faint glow—records preserved in specialized reishi materials.
The air was still, heavy with dust and the weight of ancient knowledge.
“Whoa…” Isshin muttered despite himself, his voice echoing slightly in the absolute silence.
“This place is even bigger than I imagined.”
Yanagawa didn’t respond immediately.
He was already observing.
He moved with purpose, scanning the labels written in ancient script:
“General History of Soul Society”
“Zanpakutō Lineage Records”
“Studies on Spiritual Power Evolution”
“Chronicles of Major Events”
The classification was meticulous.
He headed first to the section on Soul Society’s general history and began reviewing.
A thousand years ago, Yamamoto defeated the Quincy progenitor, Yhwach, then established the Gotei 13, shaping the modern structure and duties of the Shinigami.
These broad historical frameworks were familiar—but here, the details were far richer.
Descriptions of the brutal war… the chaos during the early formation of the Gotei… Yamamoto’s iron-handed unification through overwhelming power and will.
Then a familiar name appeared.
“The founding of the Gotei 13: First Captain of the Eleventh Division, Unohana Retsu.”
Yanagawa paused.
Unohana?
The gentle, ever-smiling Captain of the Fourth Division?
She had been the first Captain of the Eleventh Division, the division synonymous with battle and bloodshed?
The contrast was staggering.
“…You’d never guess,” Yanagawa thought, mildly surprised, but not shocked.
Still, Unohana’s shift was particularly striking.
He noted it and continued.
[The Legacy of the Kenpachi]
The Eleventh Division’s history proved… unusually intense.
His attention was drawn to a record:
Seventh Kenpachi – Kuruyashiki Kenpachi.
Achievements: Single-handedly slew a Vasto Lorde.
Zanpakutō: Gagaku Kairō (living type; manifests a giant entity that devours targets)
Notable: Refused recruitment into the Royal Guard.
Refused the Royal Guard?
Yanagawa raised an eyebrow.
Such an offer was considered the highest honor in Soul Society—and yet, someone had declined it.
Then came the next entry:
Eighth Kenpachi – Sōya Azashiro.
Zanpakutō: Urozakuro.
Ability: Merge one’s reishi with all surrounding matter and control it.
He had secretly conducted experiments—attempting to convert Rukongai souls into weapons for war against Hueco Mundo.
After the plan was exposed, he surrendered himself.
Verdict: Eternal imprisonment in the lowest level of the underground prison—Muken.
Yanagawa fell silent.
The ability itself was terrifying, perfect for large-scale warfare and infiltration.
More unsettling was the ambition behind it.
“…There’s definitely more to that story,” he thought.
Yanagawa glanced sideways at Isshin, who was also browsing—and whose expression had become rather colorful.
“The Captains of the Eleventh Division…” Yanagawa said quietly, “are… quite unconventional.”
“Unconventional?” Isshin whispered back, face twisted.
“They’re a damn asylum for lunatics!
At least the current guy, Kenpachi Zaraki—is… well… simple?”
Even he sounded unsure by the end.
Yanagawa shook his head, setting aside the shocking records of the Kenpachi lineage for now.
He shifted his attention to other sections—particularly those related to the Royal Guard and technological development.
Soon, another familiar name appeared:
Twelfth Division Captain – Kirio Hikifune.
Achievement: Established the foundational theory of Artificial Souls (Gikon) and pioneered the conceptual framework for Gigai.
Promoted to the Royal Guard for her groundbreaking contributions.
Yanagawa took note silently.
Soon enough, he might meet this predecessor in the Royal Palace himself.