After Sora, Kirio Hikifune, and Shutara Senjumaru entered the Tenchūren, the Shiba clan head's hands lit up with fire.
This was the Shiba clan's unique firework-launching technique. Besides setting off fireworks, it also powered the Tenchūren.
The clan head slammed his burning hands on the ground. Two flames wrapped around the firework cannon and exploded.
BOOM—!
"Th-that's how rough it is? I thought the Zero Squad's transport would be more refined!"
Kensei Muguruma's jaw dropped as he watched the Tenchūren shoot off like a cannonball.
...
The Tenchūren traveled fast. In just a few minutes, it passed through the 72 barriers between the Soul King Palace and the Seireitei.
Finally, the Tenchūren smashed onto the main road of the Soul King Palace.
"This is the main road of the Soul King Palace. The palace streets are on both sides."
"See those islands floating in the sky? Those five round islands are the Zero Squad's separate palaces, where we live."
"The pillar floating in the middle is the Soul King's main palace, where Lord Soul King resides!"
Kirio Hikifune enthusiastically introduced the Soul King Palace to Sora.
"The Reishi concentration is high. Even higher than in the Wandenreich," Sora noted, observing his surroundings.
"Of course. This is the core of the three worlds. The residence of Lord Soul King and the Zero Squad," Shutara Senjumaru said.
At the end of the main road, three others were waiting for them: Ichibē Hyōsube, Ōetsu Nimaiya, and Tenjirō Kirinji, whom Sora had met once.
"Yo! Long time no see, kid!" Tenjirō Kirinji waved. "Oh~ I should call you Captain Katori now, right!"
"It's been a long time, Kirinji-senpai," Sora smiled. "You left in such a hurry last time, I didn't get to thank you for your help!"
He took some of the Katori Dojo's specialty from his Reishi pocket—Deer Antler Spirit Wine.
"This is a gift to thank you, and a meeting gift for Hyōsube-senpai and Nimaiya-senpai."
Sora had prepared a jar of Deer Antler Spirit Wine for all five Zero Squad members.
After Batsu'unsai Katori recovered, she had nothing to do, so she raised some spirit deer on the back mountain.
These deer had higher Spiritual Pressure than normal spiritual animals. The wine made from their antlers was much richer.
If a Shinigami below seated officer rank drank a jar, it was good for their spiritual body and could even increase their Spiritual Pressure.
"This is good stuff!" Tenjirō Kirinji opened the seal, twitched his nose, and instantly smelled the tempting aroma. "This would be perfect for drinking in the hot springs!"
"You got some for us, too? Thanks!"
Ichibē Hyōsube stared with his large eyes, showing no emotion.
"'Tenzui Shinkotsu' seems a bit resentful. You don't use her much, do you!"
"And the other blade... is it called 'Kagehime'? It's rare to see a Zanpakutō I didn't make!"
Ōetsu Nimaiya walked up to Sora, bending over to inspect the two swords at his waist.
Sora's 'Kagehime' was actually the embodiment of his Shinigami power, not a Zanpakutō forged by Ōetsu Nimaiya.
Sora's situation wasn't unique. Before Nimaiya mass-produced Asauchi, some souls with Shinigami talent could forge their own souls into Zanpakutō.
Many of the first-generation captains were like that.
But Nimaiya's Asauchi were a great contribution, lowering the bar for becoming a Shinigami.
"'Tenzui Shinkotsu' is amazing. I just rarely meet an enemy that requires her," Sora shrugged.
From the way Nimaiya was familiar with 'Tenzui Shinkotsu', Sora was sure he was the one who forged it.
"Don't let a good sword go to waste." Ōetsu Nimaiya stood up and patted Sora's shoulder. "Thanks for the wine! Come by the Hōōden (Phoenix Palace) later, I got something for you!"
Ichibē Hyōsube took over. "You were called to the Soul King Palace on Lord Soul King's orders."
"Although we can hear Lord Soul King's voice, you are the first Shinigami who is not a Zero Squad member or candidate to be summoned."
Ichibē was talking about the Soul King after he became the Linchpin of the three worlds, but he didn't explain further.
"Before you see Lord Soul King, you need to prepare. You'll need to visit all five of our palaces!"
"Then I'll be in your care, senpais!" Sora nodded.
"Alright, then first you'll come with me to the Kirinden to get cleaned up!"
Tenjirō Kirinji picked up his long-handled mallet and pointed to a round platform in front of Sora. "Stand over here. Let me send you to the Kirinden!"
Senkaimon (World-Crossing Gates) can't be used in the Soul King Palace. In this environment, Shinigami can't even create Reishi footholds.
They have to rely on their spiritual body's power to move between the floating islands.
After Sora stood on the platform, Tenjirō Kirinji raised his mallet and slammed it down on the piston mechanism underneath.
Dong—
Sora was instantly launched into the air by the platform.
Tenjirō Kirinji's power was precise. Sora landed perfectly on the Kirinden's floating island.
There were many buildings on the island. While in the air, Sora saw this island had many hot springs.
Hot springs were the Kirinden's specialty!
Tenjirō Kirinji was a master of Kaidō and medical arts. No one in Soul Society could match him, not even Retsu Unohana, who had learned from him.
"I heard you healed Batsu'unsai Katori. The Reigai technology in Soul Society has developed well!"
Tenjirō Kirinji, carrying his wine jar, also landed on the island.
"It was all thanks to your help, Kirinji-senpai. Batsu'unsai couldn't have lasted that long otherwise."
"And the Reigai tech wasn't my work alone. The notes left by Kirio-san and Shutara-senpai were a big help," Sora said thankfully.
"No need to be modest! Based on our calculations, given Batsu'unsai's condition, she shouldn't have lasted until the technology was ready. You healed her. That's your skill!"
Tenjirō Kirinji patted Sora's shoulder and laughed.
"Come with me. The Kirinden has nothing else, just lots of hot springs." Kirinji shook his wine jar. "Let's enjoy this spirit wine in the springs!"
A moment later, the two arrived at the hot springs.
The springs were split into two parts: one white, one red.
There were signs in front of both, which read "White Bone Hell" and "Blood Pond Hell."
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