This Is the Path of the Uninvited

The Soul King Palace was far vaster than anyone could have imagined.

In the manga, such places were rarely depicted in detail. Only by witnessing it firsthand could one truly grasp its grandeur and scale.

Seiya hovered in midair, silently observing the most symbolic structure of the Three Realms.

It took several breaths before he collected himself.

Standing at his side, Ōetsu Nimaiya watched with a smirk, but said nothing to hurry him along.

"Sorry… I got a bit lost in it."

"No worries. Time is plentiful here. If you like, you can stare a while longer. But…"

It's best not to dawdle too long.

Because, at the entrance of the Soul King's Hall, someone was already waiting.

An exceptionally tall man.

Shaved head, wide nose, thick brows, and a beard that hung to his chest. His imposing frame was wrapped in the familiar white haori, arms folded.

Just standing there, he resembled a stone wall—unyielding and immovable.

Yet his appearance was the least of it. What struck Seiya most was the feeling the man exuded.

—Overwhelming strength.

Unlike the recently encountered Four Divine Generals, this monk radiated something different. Something more dangerous.

Seiya descended. Nimaiya followed behind, saying nothing as they approached the imposing man.

A hearty chuckle rang out as the monk opened his mouth in a broad smile.

"So you've finally come, Seiya!"

The booming, cheerful voice gave the impression of a long-lost friend overjoyed to reunite.

Unfortunately, Seiya didn't quite share the sentiment.

"This should be our first meeting, Hyōsube Ichibē."

Addressing him directly by name.

Yet the giant monk wasn't the slightest bit offended. He just laughed and slapped his shiny scalp.

"Ahaha! So it is! Old man's getting forgetful! Fancy that!"

With a voice like rolling thunder, he introduced himself again.

"The name's Hyōsube Ichibē! As you can see, I'm the head of the Royal Special Task Force—the Zero Division. I manage all affairs here in the Soul King's Palace. Got questions? Ask away!"

"Of course, whether I answer depends entirely on my mood, haha!"

His eccentric personality was apparent.

But Seiya couldn't shake a sense of unease.

"I assume it was you who tampered with my Zanpakutō before?"

Hyōsube nodded without hesitation.

"Sure was!"

He didn't see the need to hide it.

"I figured your ability was too dangerous. Might cause some unexpected mess. So I sealed it, unannounced."

Even though Seiya had guessed as much, hearing it aloud was irritating.

Aizen's expression remained unreadable—but internally, he felt a strong wariness toward this unpredictable monk.

"Then why did you lift the seal?"

"Because of the Soul King's will, of course."

Blunt honesty as a strategy.

It was clear neither Seiya nor Aizen were quite comfortable with how candid Hyōsube was.

"The Soul King's… will?" Seiya echoed.

"Exactly. That's why we let you come here in the first place."

Hyōsube's smile faded. Standing a full head taller, he stared down at Seiya, voice suddenly devoid of warmth.

"To be frank, when we learned of your betrayal, our first instinct was to contact the Gotei 13."

"We helped rebuild Seireitei. Naturally, your side didn't know."

"Our plan was to eliminate you. Erase the threat at the root."

Seiya fell silent, expression clouded.

It was… unexpected, yet not unreasonable.

Given how he'd destroyed Seireitei and how his Zanpakutō had drawn the monk's attention, it made sense the Zero Division would act.

And yet, something changed.

The twist in plans—the sudden shift in the Battle of Fake Karakura Town—it all pointed to one thing.

"The Soul King changed your minds?"

"He did."

Hyōsube looked over his shoulder, down a vast corridor.

"It's been a long time since I received a direct command from the Soul King. Yet he made one—for you."

"Seiya, your power is truly extraordinary."

"Given time, you could shake the Three Realms."

But… not yet.

"Come. Stand before the Soul King. Hear his voice. See with your own eyes."

Seiya paused, narrowed his gaze.

"And what if I refuse?"

"Ahahaha! That'd be… a little troublesome."

"It's rare that the Soul King gives me orders. If I fail him, I'd feel awfully ashamed."

"So…"

"Please, don't put me in that kind of position."

With a deep bow, Hyōsube straightened and smiled again.

"Now, shall we?"

With no hesitation, Hyōsube turned and strode off, not once glancing back as if unconcerned whether Seiya followed—or attacked.

That composure gave Seiya pause.

He glanced back toward Aizen, who stood atop the platform flanked by the Four Divine Generals.

Aizen gave a calm nod.

At this point, there was nothing more to say.

"Be careful, Seiya," Aizen called.

"I'll be back soon, Aizen-sensei."

The two figures moved deeper into the Soul King Palace.

Outside, the Four Generals and Aizen remained, silently awaiting the outcome.

The air grew tense.

Aizen surveyed them all with playful eyes.

"What's this? Surrounded like this—are you planning to make a move?"

Kirinji scoffed.

"As if I'd stoop to cheap shots against a guy like you."

Hikifune, all smiles, spoke coldly.

"Lisa-chan got pretty beat up thanks to you."

Shutara simply dismissed him, speaking with disdain.

"As a researcher, your methods are vulgar and crude."

Ōetsu flashed a grin and mimed a rap hand gesture.

"A guy who won't even face his own heart? Nah, I'm not wasting breath on you~"

They mocked him one after another.

Aizen, however, remained unbothered, replying with a faint smile:

"So this is the mighty Four Divine Generals—obsessed with petty details and distractions."

"I spent quite a bit of effort rehearsing possible confrontations with you."

"Seems that was a waste of time."

Kirinji's veins bulged with anger. He stepped forward, eyes ablaze.

"You saying we're not even worth your full strength?!"

Aizen's smile didn't fade.

"If all four of you came at me, maybe I'd feel a little pressure."

"Bastard…"

Before fists flew, Nimaiya stepped in and placed a hand on Kirinji's shoulder.

"We're in the Soul King's presence. Fight without permission and we'll be punished."

"But he's—!"

"Just wait."

Nimaiya repeated:

"Just wait a little longer."

Wait for Seiya's meeting to end.

Wait for judgment to fall.

Meanwhile, deep within the palace…

The light dimmed.

Instead, the path beneath Seiya's feet began to glow.

"Seiya," Hyōsube said, stepping aside, "before meeting the Soul King, you must first walk this path."

Before him stretched a narrow road.

Flanked by cobblestones, grass, and trees.

A gentle rain fell—when had it started?

His robes grew damp, the road muddy.

The wind stirred holy shimenawa ropes strung left and right—symmetrical and sacred.

Seiya paused.

"What is this…?"

Before he could finish, Hyōsube replied.

"This is the Path of the Uninvited."

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Powerstones?

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