Help! I am bound to Aizen!-Chapter 291

Chapter 291

2-in-1 chapter:

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Come morning, Kaelith cleaned himself up, dressed sharply, and headed to Nimaiya Ōetsu’s domain. He was determined to apprentice himself today and learn the ultimate forging secrets, then bring them back to Hueco Mundo and set up his Kaelith’s Paradise. Just imagining it made his heart race.

But a few steps in, he paused, falling into deep thought. Those sword-women he’d seen with Nimaiya yesterday were indeed lovely, but maybe they were already the most beautiful in his Phoenix Palace. It wasn’t easy forging Zanpakutō, and it wasn’t guaranteed they’d all turn out as fine as those. He’d do best to lower his expectations so he wouldn’t be disappointed if the rest turned out to be mediocre.

Following Nimaiya’s directions from the previous day, Kaelith arrived at the gate of Phoenix Palace. Two Divine Soldiers verified his identity, then stepped aside to open the door. Kaelith tugged at his collar and walked in.

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!!

The moment the doors opened, lights flared inside and dozens of handheld party poppers exploded in unison, raining confetti all around.

“Welcome, Captain Kaelith!!”

In the midst of the cheers, Kaelith stood there, eyes wide, stunned. Before him stretched paradise: golden hair, black hair, pink hair; long hair, short hair, wavy hair, silky-straight hair. A dazzling array of beautiful women formed a stunning feast of the senses, offering him the loveliest sights in the world.

“Heeey, bro! I prepared this whole welcome party for ya—”

“How’s this welcome party? Satisfied?”

Nimaiya Ōetsu stepped out from the side, looking proud of himself.

Kaelith cast him a serious look.

“Sorry, but I have something important to do. Phoenix Hall is closed today—please come back next time.”

“...?”

“Ahem, I mean—would you like some water?”

Realizing his slip, Kaelith cleared his throat and smiled.

Ōetsu shook his head in amusement. With a wave of his hand, the gathered Zanpakutō spirits all bowed and withdrew. Then he turned back to Kaelith.

“Bro, first I want to answer your question from yesterday.”

“Sorry! You can’t learn how to forge Zanpakutō!”

“What makes you say that?” Kaelith asked, genuinely surprised.

Ōetsu gestured for him to follow, leading him to a cliff overlooking the sea. Towering waves crashed against the rocks below, sending white spray high into the air. Near the edge stood a small wooden hut, solitary and silent, like a watchman awaiting the return of sailors.

“Bro, look at the sign on that hut. What does it say?”

Kaelith stepped forward. It read “Phoenix Hall.”

He narrowed his eyes.

“Phoenix Hall? But I was just in a place with the same name. Was that a new site while this is the old one?”

Ōetsu shook his head. “I wish that were the case. Unfortunately—pity!—it’s not.

“This little hut before you is the real Phoenix Hall. The grand place you just visited, full of sweethearts, is only an imitation. It doesn’t have the true function of forging Zanpakutō.”

Kaelith raised an eyebrow.

“So if you want to forge a Zanpakutō, you have to do it here?”

“Exactly,” Ōetsu said with a nod. “Only here can an Asauchi gain a soul. Without a soul, an Asauchi can never become a proper Zanpakutō. That’s been a fact since the moment Phoenix Hall was named.

“That’s why I said you have no way of learning how to forge Zanpakutō—because you haven’t been given the title ‘God of the Sword,’ and you don’t have a place like this, one that can grant souls to Asauchi. You get it now, bro?”

Kaelith thought for a few seconds. “You need a bestowed name to have that power? If so, then where did the monk get his Zanpakutō? If you invented Zanpakutō, presumably you forged his as well. But if he was the one who gave you your name, allowing you to create Zanpakutō, and then you forged one for him—that seems contradictory.”

Ōetsu grinned oddly.

“You’re off the mark. His blade wasn’t made by me. Even before Zanpakutō existed, Ichibē Hyōsube already had one. In truth, everything I created was just an imitation of his sword.

“Saying I ‘invented’ Zanpakutō is really about expanding an ability that only a select few once had, making it available to almost everyone.

“Apart from the Soul King himself, everything in existence is subject to Ichibē, the most fundamental being. If he acknowledges it, it’s correct. If he doesn’t, it’s wrong.

“So…you might as well give up on forging Zanpakutō. At least until I die, nobody else can inherit that ability. And who knows when I’ll die? I’ve been altered by the Soul King’s power—maybe I’ll never die at all.”

Ōetsu shook his head to a lively rhythm, as though this was all in good fun.

Kaelith stood in silence, deep in thought.

All things in this world were named by Ichibē Hyōsube. A name signified power and authority.

Ōetsu might be credited with inventing Zanpakutō, yet he wasn’t the first to own one. The Royal Guard’s so-called “creation of history” was merely them making a splash in the timeline Ichibē had already shaped.

If that was enough to set them apart, didn’t that mean Ichibē was practically a “god” himself?

No…Ōetsu said Ichibē is the most basic existence beneath the Soul King. That implies if someone could become the Soul King, or wield equal power and authority, they’d surpass Ichibē’s control and become an entity on par with—or even above—him.

So how would one take that step?

Just thinking about it gave Kaelith a headache, as if his brain was going to expand.

This sort of challenge was best left for Aizen Sōsuke or Kisuke Urahara to figure out back in the Soul Society. In a monotheistic world, researching how to attain divine power—let alone surpass it—was as tough as solving a grand unified theory in the scientific world.

No matter how he looked at it, that job wasn’t something he himself should handle.

Ōetsu, meanwhile, quietly watched Kaelith. Since explaining Ichibē’s power, he had said nothing further. Behind the shades, his eyes were as deep and cold as a bottomless well.

At length, Kaelith seemed to snap out of his reverie, stretching his arms.

“Got any good liquor?”

“Huh?”

“Liquor—a tasty drink. A specialty of the Soul Society. None of that bitter and spicy stuff from the World of the Living.”

“You serious?”

Seeing that Kaelith wasn’t joking, Ōetsu scratched his head, then grinned.

“Liquor! Heck yeah, we’ve got loads! C’mon, let’s head back and have the sweethearts bring us drinks and put on a show. We’ll party all night—let’s go!”

Laughing loudly, he slung an arm around Kaelith’s shoulder and headed back the way they came.

A breeze swept past the cliff’s edge, dispersing a presence that had been silently watching.

…

Later, Kaelith marched along, singing some random tune under his breath, until he arrived at Kirio Hikifune’s domain. Over the course of a single day, Kirio had commanded her personal guards to remodel the place to Kaelith’s specifications. Only the basic framework was done so far, but it was apparently one of the few forms of leisure the Royal Guard members enjoyed.

Kirio’s palace was called "Gatonden" or "Lying Pig Palace.” A “pig” reference—something Kaelith found quite bizarre. Who names their residence “Lying Pig Palace”? But Kirio seemed fond of it. In Soul Society (or Japanese) culture, pigs weren’t always negative. Similar to the Ino-Shika-Chō motif, they could be considered refined in some contexts. (see Note:)

From a distance, Kaelith already picked up an irresistible aroma. As he stepped inside, the scent intensified.

In one corner of the room sat Shinji Hirako, arms folded behind his head, leaning against the wall with a distant look in his eyes.

“Hey, Samara Morgan—thinking about crawling out of a TV screen again?”

The sudden voice startled Shinji, who jerked upright. Kaelith noticed that Shinji must have been too deep in thought to hear him approaching—unusual, given how sharp Shinji generally was.

He turned and frowned at Kaelith. “What ‘Samara’? I’m Shinji Hirako, you dolt. Your nicknames are nonsense.”

Hearing Shinji’s all-too-familiar sniping, Kaelith nodded.

“Good. It’s really you. If you’d suddenly started mulling things over, I might’ve assumed someone was impersonating you.”

“...?”

Shinji felt his blood pressure rising—getting ridiculed by the guy who least liked to think seriously was a new low.

He watched Kaelith head toward the kitchen, then called out, “Hey, Kaelith.”

“Ho? Did I hit a sore spot, and now you want payback?” Kaelith abruptly jumped back, dropping into a fighting stance.

Shinji almost laughed at the overdramatic reaction. Then, he took a deep breath, letting his face grow serious. Bringing his hands together, he formed a small soundproof barrier.

Once it was up, he said quietly, “Kaelith…before we go back to the Soul Society, be careful. Over there, you’ve got the Captain-Commander’s protection, the backing of both the Shihōin and Kuchiki families, and plenty of Captains and subordinates who support you. No matter what you say or do, there aren’t any big consequences.

“But it’s different here—this is the Royal Palace. If you say or do the wrong thing…”

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He didn’t finish the sentence, but the meaning was obvious.

Kaelith folded his arms, staring at Shinji a moment before flashing a grin.

“Don’t worry, Shinji. My greatest virtue is my honesty.”

“I’ll pretend I believe that…”

Rolling his eyes, Shinji dropped the barrier and waved dismissively.

Kaelith strolled into the kitchen, where Kirio Hikifune was busy with a spatula. Spotting him, her eyes lit up.

“Perfect timing, Master! I was just about to have the guards bring you over. Ever since I officially joined the Royal Guard, my body’s been modified by the Soul King’s power. They say it’s been strengthened from the bones outward.

“Thanks to that upgrade, I tried cooking again and realized my ability to fuse reishi into dishes got a massive boost! Ingredients that used to be hard to combine are suddenly a breeze now. Take a look—I’d love your feedback on the dishes I’ve made.”

Kaelith leaned in, studying the pans closely. Unlike his usual casual approach, he was meticulous today—taking small samples, checking color, aroma, and tasting each dish.

Finally, he set down his plate and said, “These smell amazing, the colors are mouthwatering, and the reishi infusion is rich.”

He clapped his hands in praise. “But there’s still something missing.”

“What?”

Kirio looked baffled. She’d prepared everything according to Kaelith’s methods, practicing each dish a hundred times at least. Even if they weren’t perfect, they shouldn’t have any glaring errors.

Under her anxious gaze, Kaelith smiled.

“They lack the final recognition and blessing of a top-class chef. Captain Hikifune, congratulations—you’ve officially graduated today. All your past efforts have come together in these dishes, which are nothing short of first-rate.

“I have nothing left to teach you. The food you’ve made is worthy of being called ‘top-tier cuisine’! I hope you continue down this path and become a true culinary god—one who shines even without anyone else bestowing names upon her.”

Kirio’s eyes went wide in surprise. “Master, you…”

“Heh. This is my sincere blessing, so store it in your memory and savor it,” Kaelith declared smugly, tilting his chin up.

Seeing how earnest he was beneath the playful front, Kirio grew serious. “I’ll keep it in mind, Master. It’s just…”

She hesitated, as if trying to decide how to phrase her thoughts. Meanwhile, Kaelith turned toward the entrance.

Slam!

The door swung open, and Senjumaru Shutara strode in.

“Kirio, I’ve arrived.”

Her voice wasn’t loud, but it carried effortlessly through the hall and into the kitchen. In the blink of an eye, she was there with them.

“I’ve only ever tasted your food remotely through my woven attire. I never got the full experience. Finally, I get to enjoy the real deal today. I’m quite looking forward to it!”

Then she caught sight of Kaelith.

“Tch. What’s this brash thug doing here?”

“Hello, Auntie,” Kaelith replied cheerfully.

“I’ll kill you!”

Senjumaru bristled with anger. Ever since Kaelith had shown up at the Royal Palace, she’d experienced more frustration in a short period than in centuries before. She almost regretted trying to advise him at all—maybe she should’ve let him dig his own grave.

Before long, Kirio brought out each dish, one by one. The other three Royal Guard members soon arrived as well.

“Ohh! Smells delicious!”

“Hikifune’s cooking is part of her training. We’re in for a treat from now on!”

Ichibē Hyōsube roared with laughter, plopping down at the table. Nimaiya Ōetsu and Kirinji Tenjirō took their seats too.

After the meal, Ichibē turned his gaze on Kaelith, adopting a friendly expression.

“Kaelith, how do you like the Royal Palace so far?”

Kaelith stroked his chin. “It’s not that different from the Soul Society.”

“Oh? Feels like home already? That’s wonderful!”

Ichibē beamed, scratching his head. Then he extended an invitation:

“Tomorrow, come visit my domain! As the eldest veteran here in the Royal Palace, I’ve got some rather interesting things. It’d be a pity if you didn’t see them!”

From the corner of his eye, Shinji Hirako sipped water silently, hiding his face behind the cup. Kirinji and Senjumaru turned their gazes toward Kaelith, while Kirio Hikifune set down her utensils.

Under everyone’s watchful eyes, Kaelith nodded.

“All right. Tomorrow, I’ll pay you a visit.”

Grinning, Ichibē departed, bidding Kirio farewell. The other Royal Guard members also took their leave.

Kaelith stretched, left The Gatonden, and strolled along.

Partway down the path, a thread on his clothing drifted upward, and a faint voice sounded beside his ear—

“Kid, come find me,” it whispered.

“Hmm?”

Kaelith glanced at the loose thread on his shoulder.

“Need me for something, Auntie Shutara? Planning to devour some tender grass? I might be a man of principle, but I won’t just submit to your so-called unwritten rules that easily.”

“Go to hell!”

Senjumaru was already annoyed.

“Quit spouting nonsense. Listen—based on what I know of Ichibē, him showing this much interest in you is definitely bad news. For him, life’s sole purpose is to guard the Soul King and maintain the Three Worlds with the Soul King at its core.

“To an ordinary Shinigami—even someone as powerful as Yamamoto or with the prestige of the great noble houses—he’s never shown such personal concern. So whatever his reason might be, I’m telling you:

Leave the Royal Palace today and return to the Soul Society. I’ll open the barrier for you. Just jump down; you’ll reach the Soul Society in a few days.

“Even if he’s curious about you, I doubt he’d personally chase you down below. After that, don’t ever come back.”

Kaelith arched an eyebrow at her words, then smiled.

“Well, you’ve got a good heart after all, Captain Shutara.

“But don’t worry about me. I’m not in any danger. Let’s just say I can toy with the biggest bosses in this world in the palm of my hand. After all…I’m the ‘protagonist’ here!”

“Ha?”

Senjumaru almost laughed aloud. What was this about being a protagonist—some novel storyline?

Irritated, she snapped, “Enough of your delusions. Are you coming or not?”

“Not coming, Auntie. Not coming at all~”

“Get lost!”

The thread on his shoulder went limp, no longer making a sound. Kaelith chuckled and continued on his way.

Back at Kirinji’s domain, Kaelith spotted him scrubbing the hot spring pool. He couldn’t help feeling curious.

“Why not let the guards do that, old man?”

“Kid, the fact that you even ask means you’re still too young!” Kirinji said, stopping to wipe sweat from his forehead.

“Real labor’s only meaningful when you do it yourself—that’s how you find its true joy!

“Mark my words, you’ll live a long time if you don’t get yourself killed first. When that day comes, don’t forget what I’ve said here. Always keep a sense of reverence for this world. That’s how you hold on to your passion and live happily!”

Kaelith mulled over the advice for a few seconds.

“What if everything in this world exists at the whim of someone else’s will?”

At those words, Kirinji suddenly stomped forward, appearing right in front of Kaelith. Putting a hand on his shoulder, he stared at him with cold intensity.

“Kid, out of respect for your ties to the Shihōin family, I’m warning you—when you visit Ichibē tomorrow, don’t say a single thing like that. Otherwise, you won’t be making it back to the Soul Society.”

Kaelith simply grinned.

“Relax, old man. I’ve got plenty to do, and I’m not about to end up stuck here.”

Kirinji watched Kaelith closely for a moment to make sure he wasn’t talking recklessly, then let out a cold snort, returning to his scrubbing.

…

At dawn, Kaelith left Kirinji’s domain for the most unadorned one among the five. The round structure looked like a three-dimensional landscape painting—verdant hills, flowing waters, and an ancient wooden house. Even walking there felt refreshing, as though the fresh air cleared both heart and mind.

Through a bamboo grove, Kaelith came upon a dojo. Standing at its entrance was a rotund, jovial bald monk—Ichibē Hyōsube—arms folded across his chest and wearing a broad smile.

“Well, how about it, don’t you think my palace is nice?”

Kaelith studied the “big bald monk” for a moment, then shrugged.

“Honestly, it’s not quite on par with the First Division Barracks.”

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