Chapter 116: The Royal Guards

The next morning, Yamabuki Haruto arrived at the First Division to pitch his Kidō Corps, a unit for Shinigami with potent Reiatsu but weak Zanjutsu. The Gotei 13 leaned heavily on swordplay, but some excelled only in Kidō. Captain-Commander Yamamoto approved instantly.

Haruto spotted Yamamoto holding a letter. “Captain-Commander, who’s that from?”

Yamamoto’s tone was heavy. “From the Soul King Palace. In three days, The Royal Guards will descend upon the Seireitei.”

Haruto’s heart skipped. The Royal Guards? Zero Division? Only two members were active: Ichibei Hyōsube, the cryptic Monk, and Nimaiya Ōetsu, the Sword God.

Ichibei, a million-year-old schemer, balanced the Three Realms from the shadows. His Shirafude Ichimonji erased names, stripping powers, and controlled all “black” in Soul Society. Yet, Haruto recalled the Thousand-Year Blood War—Ichibei’s wisdom, a Special War Power, crumbled against Yhwach’s Almighty. If Ichigo, Aizen, Uryū, and Haschwalth fell, Yhwach, having consumed the Soul King, could erase Ichibei’s name, nullifying his Soul King-tied immortality.

Nimaiya Ōetsu, Zanpakutō creator, was formidable but fell to Lille Barro’s sniper shot in the war. Haruto mused: Zero Division’s power? Ninety percent Ichibei, nine percent Ōetsu, one percent the rest.

Why would The Royal Guards visit now? Perhaps to recruit Kirio Hikifune for her healing hot springs, a historic feat like Ōetsu’s Zanpakutō, Shutara Senjumaru’s shihakushō, or Hikifune’s Gikon prototypes.

“Also, Shijima Chigiri has joined the Gotei 13,” Yamamoto said. “His strength merits Vice-Captain rank. Arrange it. Handle issues yourself.”

“Understood,” Haruto replied. Shijima’s promotion seemed trivial compared to The Royal Guards’ arrival.

His duties done, Haruto visited his Yamabuki Clothing Store to check for slackers. Hachiuma Chiyo, in a maid outfit with white stockings and twin pigtails, greeted customers diligently. Her dark cunning aside, her look was striking. Loli in white stockings… flawless.

Shutara Senjumaru approached. “Haruto, our clothing variety’s thin. Stockings sell fast, but only black and white? More colors could—”

“No!” Haruto’s face darkened. “Black and white stockings are sacred! Others—red, orange, yellow—are blasphemy! Color pollution! I’ll die defending this!” He muttered, a fanatic’s switch flipped.

Shutara’s eyebrow twitched. He’s the boss.

“But we can’t just target women,” Haruto added, offering black trench coat designs. “These fit spring and autumn. Stylish, cool—perfect for men.”

“Leave it to me,” Shutara said, taking the sketches.

Haruto studied her. “Ever considered the Gotei 13? Your skills could make you a Vice-Captain.”

Shutara pondered, then shook her head. “I’m content as a tailor. Combat’s not my path.”

Haruto didn’t push. Not the right time.

Chiyo, now in the store’s dormitory with Shutara, had fled Unohana’s chilling presence. Perverts draw perverts, she’d concluded.

“Chiyo, don’t miss this afternoon’s combat exercise,” Haruto called. “Be on time.”

Chiyo sighed. Work and study—grueling. But her Mist-Gazing Flower and noble Reiatsu, rivaling Sasakibe Chōjirō’s, outmatched Shin’ō Academy students. I’m a high noble. Reviving the Hachimayo Clan starts with allies here.