Chapter 2: Cultural Exchange Mission between East and West Branches

Yu Mikami chuckled softly, "Spending my own money versus public funds… ahem, what I mean is, since I'm representing our East Branch for official duties, it wouldn't be appropriate to use my own funds, right?"

Yamamoto Genryusai nodded, "You have a point. How about this: the expenses for your journey to the West Branch will be covered by Seireitei. Just make sure you represent Seireitei well and don't disgrace us."

Yu Mikami's spirits lifted, and he smiled, "Don't worry, Teacher. I might not be good at much, but I'm great at gaining face. By the way, where exactly is this West Branch?"

Yamamoto Genryusai paused, surprised, "Did I not mention it? I guess I'm getting old and forgetful. The West Branch is located on the British Isles in Europe, specifically in Inner London."

Hearing the city's name, Yu Mikami paused, suddenly feeling as though he were in another world.

So this world has the same cities as from his previous life? Having spent so much time in the Soul Society, mostly in Seireitei and Hueco Mundo, he had come to think that the Human World in this realm was just Karakura Town.

After exchanging a few more words with Yamamoto Genryusai about the mission's details, he left the 1st Division.

As soon as he stepped out, he was startled to see a figure standing at the gate.

"Sōsuke? What are you doing here?"

By the roadside stood Aizen, leaning against a wall.

Aizen approached him.

"I heard the Captain-Commander called you over, and since I was passing by, I thought I'd come to see what it's about. What's going on this time?"

Hearing this, Yu Mikami gave a silent smile, then explained about Yamamoto Genryusai's mission for him to lead a delegation to the West Branch.

Aizen became interested immediately, "West Branch? I've heard of them. Like Seireitei, they are a force that maintains the world's balance in the West. Unlike us, their members are known as Sorcerers and Witches, and their usual tasks involve slaying evil dragons. Their power system is vastly different from ours."

"?" Yu Mikami tilted his head, a question mark forming above it. How does Aizen know about the West Branch? Who's the real transmigrant here, me or him?

However, seeing Aizen interested, he was pleased and immediately invited him enthusiastically:

"If you're interested, it's perfect. There are ten slots in this delegation, and you can join me."

Aizen adjusted his glasses, showing some interest, but after a few seconds of thought, he slowly shook his head:

"I can't. I need to head to Hueco Mundo tomorrow. The research on the Hōgyoku is at a critical stage, and I can't leave."

"But the magic of the West Branch indeed holds research value. I have gone through ancient texts from a thousand years ago, and the Quincy led by Yhwach were originally from the West Branch. Perhaps their magic has some similarities with Quincy powers. It would be best to take someone skilled in research with you."

"Who should go?"

As he pondered, Yu Mikami also began to think.

A moment later, the two exchanged a glance and simultaneously said, "Kisuke Urahara."

They then shared a smile.

After that, Aizen and Yu Mikami headed towards the 11th Division.

On the way, Yu Mikami said, "According to Yama-ji, there are ten slots in the delegation. Since Sōsuke, you're not going, including Kisuke Urahara and me, we still have eight spots left. Everyone is busy right now, so I plan to take Gin and some team members from the 11th Division to broaden their horizons. What do you think?"

Aizen nodded: "Sounds good. Your trip to the West Branch shouldn't be too dangerous. It's mainly about understanding their situation and fostering exchange between us. Personally, I'm quite interested in their power system. You should try to bring back a dragon—I'd like to study it."

"Uh." Yu Mikami hesitated for a moment. Although he hadn't encountered one, based on existing intelligence, the so-called dragon must be quite treasured over there, and requesting one from them as an outsider might lead to some misunderstandings.

But since Sōsuke was interested.

He grinned: "Leave it to me. I'll make sure to bring back the strongest dragon for you."

Before long, the two returned to the 11th Division. The revelry was still ongoing; Zaraki Kenpachi had stepped down from the Arena, but two elite team members of the 11th Division were still battling fiercely on the platform.

As soon as Yu Mikami returned, the crowd gathered around excitedly, eager to know what was going on.

Yu Mikami returned to his seat of authority and announced Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni's mission with a hearty laugh.

The news caused a stir.

"West Branch? There's such a place? Big Brother is mighty; only you could know such a secret!"

"A West Branch! Wow, it's like unlocking a new map! Before conquering Seireitei, Big Brother is expanding territories elsewhere first!"

"Yeah, Big Brother is unstoppable. Charge into the West Branch and claim their territory!"

Listening to his subordinates' misguided chatter, Yu Mikami rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

Fortunately, the delegation only had ten spots. If he brought too many people, these team members might actually start a coup in the West Branch's territory.

Personally, he felt indifferent towards the West Branch, but if word got back, he knew Yama-ji wouldn't be pleased.

He coughed a couple of times and said, "Quiet down, everyone! We're going on a diplomatic mission, representing Seireitei's face. This is diplomacy, a serious matter. We all need to act with civility and speak courteously. Understood?"

Some team members looked hesitant, but others seemed to have a sudden realization and immediately nodded: "Understood, Big Brother! We need to be reasonable, dignified, and give the impression of a civilized exchange."

Yu Mikami was delighted, feeling they could be taught.

Then one team member added, "Once we've earned their trust and they're off guard, we'll make our move from behind and take them down in one fell swoop!"

Upon hearing this, the others expressed dawning comprehension:

"Indeed, Big Brother possesses such astonishing wisdom, making us feel inadequate!"

Yu Mikami: "?"

Afterward, he began selecting the members for this delegation.

In addition to Kisuke Urahara, whom he had already confirmed, he chose Gin Ichimaru, Ikkaku Madarame, and Ayasegawa Yumichika. For the remaining five spots, he selected five elite members from the 11th Division, all loyal team members with potential for promotion to Seated Officer positions.

After confirming the members, he didn't bother to find Kisuke Urahara himself and instead sent Gin Ichimaru to handle it, while he and Aizen prepared the necessary items for the journey.

...

The next day, the Seireitei Delegation led by Yu Mikami was officially formed.

They stood at some location outside Seireitei, with Kisuke Urahara beside him, looking rather disheartened.

He felt utterly frustrated, thinking he had been hiding well lately without even slacking off in his research, and yet he was still picked.

West Branch? He had never heard of it. Why on earth did he have to go to that wilderness? What had he done to deserve this?

Especially when recalling what Aizen had said to him the previous night.

Something about acquiring their Magic and Dragons—if they were caught doing that on foreign territory, they'd get killed, wouldn't they? He was just a weak and pitiable ordinary Shinigami, so why should he be involved in such dangerous tasks?

However, except for him, everyone else was brimming with anticipation, especially Ikkaku Madarame, who was already envisioning how he would engage in some "friendly" exchanges with the people from the West Branch.

Thinking of it made him grin widely, unable to suppress his excitement and joy.

In front of them stood Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni, Chōjirō Sasakibe, and some members of the 1st Division.

The other captains and squads of Gotei 13 were not present for the send-off.

According to Yama-ji, this was just a first contact after a thousand years, and if it didn't prove valuable, perhaps there would be another long hiatus between interactions. Plus, the trip would only last a few days, so there was no need for a grand send-off.

As a result, he didn't notify the other squads at all.

After a brief send-off by Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni, Yu Mikami waved his hand, and a Senkaimon opened before them, leading to the Human World.

Everyone filed in one by one.

As for why they were heading to the Human World, the reason was simple: there was no direct connection between Seireitei and the West Branch.

They would first travel to the Human World, take a plane to London, and then access Inner London from Human World's London.

This geographical separation was why interactions between the two had been so infrequent over the past thousand years.

...

Meanwhile, the day after Yu Mikami led the Seireitei Delegation on their journey, on the other side of the globe, in the hidden area of London known as Inner London.

Within the West Branch's Piper Squad, Nini Spangle lay bored on her desk, fiddling with her magic flute instrument.

Beside her, another Piper Squad member, Noel Niihashi, sat on the couch flipping through a newspaper, occasionally glancing out the window.

Through the window, they could see many people from the West Branch setting up decorations, balloons, and welcome signs, as if preparing to greet some guests.

She pondered and then looked towards the middle-aged Mario, who was buried under documents at his desk:

"Bonx, what are they busy with? I don't remember any important guests coming?"

The middle-aged man looked up and said, "Little El, I am your superior, so at least add some respect when you call my name."

Noel Niihashi tilted her head:

"Does adding respect come with a pay raise?"

The middle-aged man, resembling a plumber, rolled his eyes: "You always have such wild dreams…"

"As for what they're doing, you'll find out soon enough. Technically, this falls under Piper Squad's duties."

"Hm?" Nini, lifting her head from the desk, showed interest.

The Uncle Plumber stood up, saying, "A delegation from the East Branch is coming, and if everything is on schedule, they should be arriving this afternoon. We'll probably be sent to greet them."

"What? The East Branch actually exists? I always thought it was a legend!" Nini exclaimed.

Noel Niihashi frowned slightly:

"But even if the East Branch's delegation is coming, what does that have to do with us? Why are we the ones greeting them?"

The Uncle Plumber smiled at her and said, "There's no helping it. We've had no contact with them for a thousand years and don't have a corresponding protocol team. At times like this, the Piper Squad has to step up."

Noel Niihashi pouted, "The upper management sure knows how to create trouble."

Uncle Plumber reassured them, "Don't worry, this reception counts as a mission, and it's a special one at that, with plenty of rewards."

Hearing about the rewards, Noel Niihashi's eyes lit up.

Nini added, "I hope the people from the East Branch are easygoing, not difficult like our captains."

Just then, the office door opened, and a staff member from the West Branch entered, announcing, "By order of the council, the delegation from the East Branch will arrive in Surface London in two hours, and the Piper Squad is tasked with their reception!"

The two young women exchanged glances and stood up...