"Joining the Zero Squad is both difficult and easy," Tenjirō Kirinji said, raising two fingers from the hot spring water towards Ling Qing.
"First, you must create something that did not previously exist in the Soul Society and can profoundly change its history or future. Second, you must be acknowledged by the Soul King. If you want to become a member of the Zero Squad, you'll have to work hard. Just learning what already exists won't be enough…"
Although, in a way, you've probably already been acknowledged by the Soul King…
Tenjirō did not say this last part out loud. Without confirmation from Ichibē Hyōsube, even he couldn't be sure if it was true. But even so, the implication in his words was quite clear.
Unfortunately, Ling Qing, who was pondering the half-truths and 'lies' that filled the Seireitei, did not notice this.
Thinking about it carefully, those half-truths and lies didn't really mean much. For example, the conditions for joining the Zero Squad. Putting aside the rather vague concept of the Soul King's acknowledgement, creating an unprecedented invention sounds difficult, but looking back at human history, how many things were unprecedented, groundbreaking creations? Wouldn't making the conditions public stimulate more talented people to explore in a targeted direction?
There were many similar situations. These somewhat superfluous lies always gave Ling Qing the feeling that they were casting a fog over the Soul Society... no, it seemed to be over something invisible and intangible.
Ling Qing did not voice his thoughts to ask Tenjirō. Coming back to his senses, his focus shifted to their inventions.
"So, your invention is this," Ling Qing said, tilting his chin, clearly referring to the healing hot springs they were currently soaking in. Tenjirō's Shunpo was also exceptional, but Ling Qing didn't think he had invented it.
"Ahem," Tenjirō raised his eyebrows proudly.
"What about the others? Mr. Nimaiya seems to be related to Zanpakutō?"
"Ōetsu forged all the Asauchi from ancient times to the present, creating the concept of the Zanpakutō. The Monk named everything in the early days of the Soul Society. The names you are familiar with now, like Zanpakutō, Shikai, and Bankai, were all given by him. The two of them were the first members of the Zero Squad."
This was, to some extent, a secret of the Zero Squad, but Tenjirō nonchalantly revealed it all to Ling Qing as if it were just idle chatter. But one look at his expression and you would know that what was a secret to the Gotei 13 members was nothing to them.
"Amazing," Ling Qing couldn't help but exclaim.
He had already guessed that Ōetsu had created the concept of the Zanpakutō, so he wasn't too surprised. But the 'Monk', whom he had only heard of but never seen, truly impressed him. As someone with a fear of naming things, coming up with just one name was enough to kill him. To name everything in the Soul Society, even just the early Soul Society, was a monumental task. For that, Ling Qing could only give a thumbs-up and say, "Awesome." People who are good at naming things are truly amazing.
"So, in that case, the Zero Squad has only three members so far? An elite strategy, huh."
It's unknown if it was because Ling Qing had called them elites, but the smile on Tenjirō's face grew even wider. However, he denied the number Ling Qing stated.
"No, there are four. As for whether it will become five or six later, that's not certain for now."
"There's another one?"
The four Tenjirō mentioned clearly referred to the present. The later numbers, five and six, referred to the future.
Ling Qing thought of Kenpachi Kuruyashiki and Kirio Hikifune, whom Tenjirō had mentioned at the beginning.
Ling Qing wasn't very familiar with Kuruyashiki, but not as unfamiliar as he was with Hikifune. Recalling their brief past encounters, Ling Qing really couldn't think of what unprecedented thing Kuruyashiki had created. But he didn't look down on him for that. After all, true masters often don't look the part.
"Shutara Senjumaru. The woman who created the Shihakushō. The current alert system in the Soul Society, the 'Shutara Scale,' is named after her."
"A tailor, huh."
"Cough. Cough cough cough cough—!"
Tenjirō was about to say more, but Ling Qing's comment made him lose his composure and cough uncontrollably.
After a while, he recovered and said, half-admonishingly, half-remindingly, "Don't be fooled by how easygoing Senjumaru seems on the surface. If you say that in front of her, just you try it."
"Got it. No wonder for someone who plays with needles and thread, it's normal for their heart to be smaller than the eye of a needle."
He made an even more outrageous comment, but as he spoke, Ling Qing raised his hand and made a zipping motion over his mouth, indicating that if he ever met this Shutara Senjumaru, he would be sure to be careful with his words.
"Anyway, we've already extended an invitation to Kenpachi Kuruyashiki, but that kid doesn't seem to be very interested in the Zero Squad. He hasn't given us a direct answer."
"What about Captain Hikifune?"
"Kirio Hikifune... her research is only halfway done. It's still unclear whether she will succeed in the end. If she succeeds, she can become a member of the Zero Squad. If not, then we'll have to give up."
Tenjirō crossed his arms.
Before, it was Ling Qing talking and him listening. Now, it was his turn to talk, and he suddenly felt a sense of satisfaction, the kind that comes from being a teacher.
"Although we in the Zero Squad can't leave the Soul King Palace without reason, Kirio Hikifune is indeed worthy of our attention. As a fellow woman, that Senjumaru has been spending most of her time in Squad 12 in the Seireitei recently. She'll probably stay there until Kirio succeeds or fails. When you go back, you can go find her if you want, if you really want to find her."
"..."
Ling Qing instantly understood. To put it simply, it was like being an undercover agent. The Zero Squad members were undoubtedly important figures, but how many people could recognize them?
From Tenjirō's description, it was clear that they valued Kirio Hikifune greatly. Her half-finished research was mentioned repeatedly by him. In such a situation, dispatching one of the Zero Squad members to observe, protect, and even monitor her up close, though a bit absurd, was not out of the question.
After all, Ling Qing had been in the Soul King Palace for some time now and was quite aware of how uneventful and mind-numbingly boring life there was. Ling Qing figured that the personalities of these few people in the Zero Squad had become...
"Hmm?"
Suddenly, Tenjirō looked at Ling Qing suspiciously.
The distinct, unrestrained personalities of these few Zero Squad members were all a result of being cooped up.
Tenjirō narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing Ling Qing, as if trying to read something from his face.
"Speaking of Miss Shutara... by the way, is it alright for me to call her that?"
"Actually, you can relax. You can just call us by our last names, or even our first names. We're not the type to care about such small details."
Of course, the premise is that you have to be acknowledged by the Soul King first.
"I'd better be polite. Miss Shutara created the Shihakushō, so what is she specifically responsible for?"
Tenjirō Kirinji created healing techniques, and the healing effects of his two hot spring baths were exceptional. He had mentioned more than once that the Captain of Squad 4 wasn't even worthy of carrying his shoes. Nimaiya Ōetsu created the Zanpakutō, and he was a master at adjusting and modifying them. Ling Qing really couldn't think of what function one could serve after creating the Shihakushō. And the Monk who named everything, what was he responsible for? It was also a bit conceptual and hard to grasp.
"Oh. Senjumaru, you Gotei 13... oh wait, I forgot you're not a member of the Gotei 13 yet. To put it simply, it's personalized customization. The Shihakushō are basically all the same style, and each squad only makes minor modifications to the basic version. If you need a special Shihakushō customized due to the nature of your power or ability requirements, you must have Senjumaru re-customize it."
At this point, Tenjirō paused. He didn't know what he was thinking, but a strange curve appeared on his lips. He turned to Ling Qing and said, somewhat enticingly, "By the way, Senjumaru just returned to the Soul King Palace not long ago. If you have any requests, I can recommend you to her. That Senjumaru won't refuse a rare customer. Hehehe, hehehe."
"..."
"Mr. Kirinji…"
"Oh, don't be so formal. You can just call me Lord Tenjirō."
"...Has anyone ever told you that your smile right now is really... um... creepy?"
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