(Y/N) and Ichigo made their landing in the Royal Palace. The nature of their transportation, however, made the landing unpleasant to say the least. The Bald Shinigami, who (Y/N) perceived as the leader of the Squad Zero Shinigami, spoke up.

Bald Shinigami: Come on out, you two! We've arrived! This is the Royal Palace!

Ichigo: This is the place?

Bald Shinigami: That's right! Feel free to brag about it! Ordinary Shinigamis typically aren't allowed here! Though, I'm not sure if I can call you two "ordinary" Shinigamis...

Ichigo: So this is the place Aizen so desperately wanted to come to...

(Y/N): Hold on a second! I thought you couldn't get into the Royal Palace without the Ouken!

Bald Shinigami: Yeah, this is it.

The Leader of Squad Zero flexed his forearm.

Bald Shinigami: The Ouken refers to our bones, which were transformed by the power of the Soul King when we were selected to join Squad Zero. Therefore, there are two ways to enter the Royal Palace... We either choose to allow you in or you come in with us... Sosuke Aizen was trying to make an Ouken. In other words, he was trying to create us using his own spiritual powers. He schemed to take the place of a god by creating life and killing the king...

(Y/N): I still get chills knowing that Aizen knew so much about this place...

Senjumaru: Sosuke Aizen... He truly is evil personified. But take this to heart. The Quincies that showed up this time are an even greater evil...

Bald Shinigami: Alright, let's stop the chit-chat. Tenjiro, they're all yours!

The Shinigami with the Pompadour then led Ichigo and (Y/N) to a platform.

Tenjiro: All right. Stand right there! Ready? I'm about to blast you now. Don't move, or you'll die! Okay, here goes...!

(Y/N): *thinking* I'm already on my last leg! What do you mean die?!

Ichigo: H-Hold on a second!

Tenjiro: What is it?

Ichigo: Where are we heading to?! Are we going to meet the Soul King?!

Tenjiro: Huh? Are you talking in your sleep or something?! There's no way you'd be allowed to meet the Soul King!

Out of nowhere, Kirio slapped Tenjiro in the back of the head.

Tenjiro: That hurts, damn it!

Kirio: Explain it to him properly!

Kirio then took over and explained the structure of the Royal Palace.

Kirio: Listen closely. Right now, we're at the main entrance. And over there is the main shrine, the Reio Greater Palace. That's where the Soul King resides. And those five tray-like structures floating around it. And those five tray-like structures floating around it are the Squad Zero Riden. Those are our castles.

Tenjiro: Out of those... you'll be first going to my Kirinden—all of you!

(Timeskip)

Ichigo, (Y/N), Tenjiro were all relaxing in a hot spring.

Ichigo: What the hell is this?!

Tenjiro: We're soaking in a hot spring, of course.

While (Y/N) and Ichigo were still conscious, Byakuya, Rukia and Renji weren't. They simply floated to the bottom of the hotsprings. However, Byakuya's body somehow floated back to the surface.

Tenjiro: Whoops, look who floated to the surface.

Tenjiro then proceeded to drown Byakuya.

Ichigo: Why are you drowning them?! You're going to kill them! Wait! He's bleeding!

(Y/N): This seems to be the same hot springs that were in Mr. Urahara's hideout in Soul Society, so they should have healing properties. But won't drowning them defeat the purpose of them being here to heal? The water will just enter their lungs and they'll die to the lack of oxygen.

Tenjiro: Quit your yapping, both of you. But you're right. I'm soaking them in this hot water to squeeze out their damaged Spiritual Pressure along with their blood.

Ichigo: Damaged Spiritual Pressure?

Tenjiro: You see that red hot spring over there?

Ichigo: The sign says, "Blood Pond Hell"...

(Y/N): *sarcastic* That isn't ominous whatsoever...

Tenjiro: So that Blood Pond Hell... We're going to take Byakuya, who's completely squeezed out-

Tenjiro then threw Byakuya's body into the Blood Pond Hell.

Tenjiro: -and toss him in there!

Ichigo: Hey! He's on the verge of death!

(Y/N): *thinking* What kind of doctor is he?!

Tenjiro: I told you to shut up! I draw out their blood in White Bone Hell and replenish it in Blood Pond Hell. I'll repeat this several times, and in the end, every drop of bad blood and Spiritual Pressure in their bodies will be swapped with my hot water! That's the way I heal others!

Ichigo: Will doing this really work?

Tenjiro: Seems like the (L/N) kid was the only one paying attention. I thought you were an apprentice to Kisuke Urahara too? If you've experienced the hot springs at his and Yoruichi's little "playground" you'll know how effective these hot springs are. So shut up and soak. With the kind of injuries you have, one night is enough to make you feel twice as good as normal! That goes double for you (L/N). It's a miracle you're even alive right now so you'll need to soak twice as much. Your spiritual pressure is out of whack, so don't be surprised when I throw you into the Blood Pond Hell.

(Y/N): Understood...

(Y/N): *thinking* I am not looking forward to getting thrown around like a ragdoll.

Somewhere in the Soul Society.

Nanao, Kyoraku's lieutenant, was currently knocking on her Captain's door

Nanao: Captain?

...

...

No response. Without warning, Nano opened the door.

Nanao: I'm coming in, Captain.

Upon entering, Nanao saw Kyoraku reading a note.

Nanao: Captain! If you're in here, the least you can do is respond when I-

Kyoraku: Nanao. We might have to say goodbye.



Nanao: Huh?

In Kyoraku's hand was a note that read:

"APPOINTING SHUNSUI JIRO SAKURANOSUKE KYORAKU AS HEAD CAPTAIN AND SQUAD 1 CAPTAIN"

Kyoraku: You've gotta be kidding me...

(Timeskip) (Y/N) and Ichgio's POV.

"91...92...93... 94-"

Ichigo, who was being drowned by one of Tenjiro's assistants, forcefully broke out of his grip and emerged out of the water.

Tenjiro: You failed, you moron! Didn't your parents teach you as a kid? You're not supposed to get out of a bath until you've finished counting up to 100!

Ichigo: What kind of parent makes their kid count to 100 while their head's underwater?!

Tenjiro: Quit your whining! Look at your friend over there! He's still underwater.

(Y/N) has been underwater well over 100 seconds already.

Ichigo: Don't play that card with me! (Y/N)'s been under there for more than 100 seconds! He's drowning!

Tenjiro: Huh? What are you talking about?

Tenjiro looked over to (Y/N)'s last known location.

...

...

...

Tenjiro: You might be right.

Ichigo: Don't just sit there! Do something!

Tenjiro picked up (Y/N)'s body from the body of the White Bone Hell and hit him in the back hard enough to force (Y/N) to cough up any water that got into his lungs.

(Y/N): *cough* *cough* I thought I died again...

Tenjiro: You both failed. Again! One hundred seconds underwater! Kazuo! Kazuhiro!

Kazuo: Yessir!

Kazuhiro: Nothing personal.

(Y/N): I am not going to allow you two to drown me again!

Ichigo and (Y/N) were on the same page for once and decided to defend themselves so that they wouldn't drown again.

However, Tenjiro realized something as he watched the two boys move around.

Tenjiro: Wait.

Tenjiro walked to Ichigo and punched him in the face.

Ichigo: What the hell was that for?!

(Y/N): What is with these bizarre healing methods of yours?!

Tenjiro: You're healed. If you weren't, that would have killed you. Look. Your wounds are gone.

Ichigo then checked his body and noticed that Tenjiro was right.

Tenjiro then turned to (Y/N).

Tenjiro: You want to take your chances?

(Y/N): Sure, I've already had multiple near death experiences in the last day or so. What's one more...

Tenjiro then threw a punch at (Y/N)'s face which he recoiled slightly from.

Tenjiro: You really are a weird kid. Looks like that head of yours is there to stay.

(Y/N): Yeah, thanks for trying to remove my head again...

Tenjiro: You two finished what you came here to do. I'll prepare for you two to go to the next place.

Ichigo: The next place?

(Y/N): I wonder what place that is...

"Wait up...! I'm coming with you guys."



Emerging from the water was Renji.

Ichigo: Renji! Don't be silly. You're still...

Tenjiro wasted no time punching Renji in the stomach, however Renji stood firm, not moving a muscle.

Renji: Well? You didn't send me flying.

(Y/N): *thinking* What kind of steroids did he take to withstand that?

Tenjiro: Fine. If you can withstand my punch, you're probably all right. Go.

Renji: Thanks!

And with that, (Y/N), Ichigo and Renji were sent to the next Riden.

Tenjiro: Kazuo! Kazuhiro! Thanks for the hard work. You can take those off now.

Both: Yes, sir!

The two assistants took off their body suits to reveal massive burn marks on their bodies.

Kauzo: That was close... If it weren't for these protective bathing robes made of super spiritual threads, the extreme recovery would have caused our bodies to erode and rupture. Yet those boys were able to soak in Master Tenjiro's White Bone Hell and Blood Pond Hell naked as if it was nothing...

Kazuhiro: Unbelievable...

Tenjiro: Yeah. I saw their potential, but they went beyond my expectations. Especially those Substitute Shinigamis. When that Ichigo punk took my strike, he reflexively struck my fist and fractured it. And then there's (Y/N). He didn't attempt to strike back. His body simply hardened on reaction. I can still feel my hand twitching from the punch.

Tenjiro soaked his hand in the White Bone Hell to heal the damage dealt to his hand by Ichigo and (Y/N).

Tenjiro: People used to call me "Lightning Fast Tenjiro" for my Hoho skills... Pretty sure I haven't lost my touch yet... Those kids are really something... I can see why the Soul King is so into them...

(Meanwhile) In Soul Society.

Central 46 Underground Assembly Hall.

"Two lieutenants?!"

Kyoraku was currently in a meeting with Central 46 in regards to his new position as Head Captain of the Court Guard Squad.

Kyoraku: Yes. Third Seat Okikiba knows how to manage Squad 1, while Lieutenant Ise knows how to handle me. They will both fulfill the duties of assisting me.

"No! This is unacceptable—"

Kyoraku: "The power to appoint someone to lieutenant lies with their squad captain." Your people decided that, remember?

Central 46 immediately went quiet after Kyoraku turned the conversation in his favor.

Kyoraku: Now then, may I proceed with my first task as head captain?

...

...

...

Kyoraku: I intend to teach Kenpachi Zaraki, Zanjutsu.



The entirety of Central 46 went into an uproar.

"What?!"

Kyoraku: Captain Kuchiki and the others went to the Royal Palace, but there's no guarantee they'll return safely. Captain Zaraki is an important asset in battle. We cannot leave him as he is now.

"No! If he becomes more powerful than he is now, we won't be able to stop him if he revolts!"

"Have you forgotten we urged Genryusai to stop teaching him Kendo after only a day?!"

Kyoraku: Then what do you suggest we do? In its current state, the Soul Society won't be able to withstand the next invasion. Will any of you be able to protect yourselves?

Once again, Kyoraku was able to shut down any protest that Central 46 attempted to throw at him.

Kyoraku: It seems like I've been given permission.

Kyoraku then turned around.

Kyoraku: Come on in. I'd like you to handle this matter concerning Captain Zaraki. Captain Unohana... Or should I say... The First Kenpachi... Yachiru Unohana.



(Meanwhile) With (Y/N), Ichigo, and Renji.

Once again, The trio were launched to their next destination by Squad Zero's unorthodox method of travel.

Renji: You go on the bottom!

Ichigo: My injuries were worse than yours! So you go!

Renji: You're all healed up! What are you, a wuss?

Ichigo: You're one to talk! You damn—

Both: Huh?



Kon was suddenly revealed to be in Ichigo's Shihakusho. Kon then grew in size, turning into a muscular form and cushioning Ichigo and Renji's fall.



Renji: Crashing from that height after my body just healed would have been awful.

Ichigo: It would only have been awful for you. I would have been able to land safely using a breakfall.

Renji: What was that?

Ichigo: I bet you can't do that, can you?

Renji: Screw you! Wait a minute, where's (Y/N)?

Meanwhile (Y/N) had already landed safely by summoning Panzer to break his fall.

(Y/N): I tried to get you guys' attention to tell you I could just summon someone to break everyone's individual fall, but you guys ignored me and began to bicker about who was going to use who to break their fall. So keep that in mind next time we travel.

Ichigo: Why didn't we think of that?

Renji: Because you're an idiot.

Ichigo: You didn't think of it either, you idiot!

While Renji and Ichigo were arguing, (Y/N) picked up Kon and did his best to keep his stuffing inside of his body.

(Y/N): Sorry about that Kon. Maybe we can have Calavera stitch you back together when we meet her again. It'll be a while before then. Even longer if we wait on Uryu.

Kon: I know I can count on you, (Y/N)!

(Y/N) then heard a voice.

"Welcome! I'm glad you all came! Welcome to my Gatonden! I'm gonna take good care of all of you!"

In front of the trio was Kirio Hikifune.

To be continued.

Writing these Royal Palace chapters felt like slice of life but at the same time I've dropped a little something rxtra from next chapter onwards.