The moment the words left her mouth, Hinamori immediately sensed something was wrong.
Impossible…
The Captain of Squad Two was Soifon. There was no way someone could just take that position without resistance. It would never convince anyone.
Yoruichi Shihōin smiled as she shook her head.
"I didn't go back to Squad Two."
She spun lightly on her heel, letting Hinamori see the emblem printed on the back of her haori.
"This is where I went."
Hinamori looked up and her eyes flew wide open.
The insignia had no numbers at all. Only four petals forming a fragrant olive blossom.
In the Soul Society, that symbol meant one thing.
Royal Special Task Force.
Zero Division.
"Congratulations, Lady Yoruichi!"
Hinamori sincerely bowed her head.
The Zero Division… their rank stood even above the entire Gotei 13.
The minimum requirement to enter Zero Division was having captain-level strength.
What?
You're saying Yoruichi wasn't considered among the strongest Captains, so she shouldn't qualify?
Heh.
Oguro would like to inform you… he is the Soul King.
His Zero Division.
He puts in whoever he wants.
Yoruichi let out a mischievous laugh, shooting Oguro a teasing look.
"Someone couldn't stand to see me being too relaxed, so he forced a job onto me."
Oguro didn't indulge her at all and replied with a flat voice.
"Do you still want your Zanpakutō repaired?"
"I'm sorry! I was wrong!"
Yoruichi instantly zipped to his side, massaging his shoulders with a fawning grin.
In the original story, Yoruichi never used her Zanpakutō.
So when Oguro summoned her, he checked her character panel.
It showed her Zanpakutō was in a damaged state.
After asking her personally, he learned that during a battle with a Menos-class Hollow, her Zanpakutō shattered while she was in Bankai.
If a Zanpakutō breaks in Shikai, it can recover with spiritual pressure over time.
But if it breaks in Bankai… the damage is irreversible.
That damage struck at the blade's very origin.
The only place it could be reforged… was the Royal Palace where the Zero Division resided, by Ōetsu Nimaiya himself.
A Zanpakutō was essentially half a Shinigami's life.
By giving Yoruichi a Zero Division title, Oguro gave her the chance to repair her blade.
There was no way she wouldn't treasure it.
Not to mention, fully inducted Zero Division members could have their bones reforged with the Soul King's power.
They could even consume spiritual essence meals to boost their spiritual pressure across dimensions.
Entering Zero Division meant your strength at least doubled.
No wonder a squad of only five people could overpower the entire Gotei 13.
Watching Yoruichi clinging to him with that overly-friendly expression, Oguro couldn't help but laugh.
After a bit of playful bickering, Oguro finally turned to Iceberg.
"How is it? You're not hurt, right?"
As the Soul King of his own divine nation, he couldn't favor some subordinates over others.
So Oguro immediately showed concern for Iceberg as well.
Iceberg was flustered and honored.
"No! Miss Hinamori was incredibly strong. The moment that CP0 agent revealed himself, she took him down!"
A Gotei 13 Lieutenant wasn't weaker than a Marine Headquarters elite Vice Admiral.
And CP0 wouldn't casually deploy someone of that level unless the situation demanded it.
Oguro nodded.
"Don't worry. I said I'd protect you and Water 7, and I meant it."
His voice then dropped, cold enough to frost over the room.
"This time, the World Government made the first move. I'll make sure they understand that certain agreements aren't so easily broken."
Iceberg felt a wave of emotion surge in his chest.
This was Oguro standing up for him.
This was Oguro declaring to the world…
Anyone I, Oguro, choose to protect—no one touches them.
Inside Iceberg's office, Oguro had the captured CP0 brought in.
Soon, a two-man CP0 unit was escorted forward.
Same old white suits.
Oguro couldn't help thinking…
You're a top-tier intelligence agency.
Why do you dress like you're attending a wedding?
Oguro settled into Iceberg's usual chair while everyone else stood on either side according to rank.
He asked calmly, "Did they reveal their objective?"
The Pluton blueprints were clearly at the top of their list, but that didn't rule out other missions.
Hinamori shook her head.
"These agents undergo strict mental conditioning. Standard interrogation doesn't work."
Of course.
They were the Celestial Dragons' most loyal hounds.
If commanded to commit suicide, they'd do it without hesitation.
A tough pair to crack.
But…
"Yoruichi. Soifon. They're yours. Get the intel as soon as possible."
Oguro waved a hand dismissively.
Hard bones?
Perfect.
He had two specialists for that.
The head of the Stealth Force and the former Commander…
Even gods would talk.
Once Yoruichi and Soifon left with the prisoners, Oguro turned back to Iceberg to ask about recent events in Water 7.
Iceberg replied respectfully, "Shipbuilding orders have dropped. Many clients want to observe the situation before placing orders."
With Water 7's situation uncertain, losing a deposit would be a massive problem.
But once Oguro gave the World Government "a little color to look at," things would stabilize.
Orders would return naturally.
"In that case," Oguro said, an idea forming in his mind, "since orders are lighter than usual, why don't we give Water 7 a complete makeover?"
He already had a plan.
"Water 7 is already famous. Why not expand it and turn it into the biggest vacation and resort island in the Grand Line?"
Water 7's waterways and fountains were unmatched anywhere in the world.
Add hot springs, amusement attractions, and luxury hotels…
Water 7's tourism would explode overnight.
"Iceberg, write this down. You'll need it."
Relying on memories from his past life, Oguro explained the entire Disney theme park system.
A fairy-tale castle.
Theatrical shows.
Fully immersive experiences.
And a full lineup of matching stories, novels, and movies.
By the time Oguro finished, Iceberg's head felt ready to burst.
But as a businessman, he could smell the overwhelming profit hidden in the details.
In this world with a barren entertainment industry, this would be the one and only goldmine.
After taking notes for ten full pages, Iceberg's face was flushed with excitement.
"Soul King-sama… if all this becomes reality, Water 7 will become the entertainment center of the entire world!"
Oguro waved casually.
"If you think it's good, then do it. Don't disappoint me."
Owning both physical industries and service industries meant more than income.
It meant reputation.
To build an invincible divine kingdom, Oguro needed people to understand this truth—
Only within his kingdom
would they find better lives…
and true safety.
***
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