Chapter 46: Squad Zero

That's...

Tenchuren (Heavenly Palanquin). It's Squad Zero's transport vehicle. Every member of Squad Zero's inside it.

All of them?! They fit in that thing?

There are no soldiers in Squad Zero. All five members that make up the company are captains. And...

...the combined strength of those five is greater than the entire 13 Court Guard Squads.

Heyooooooo! They're here! They're here! They're finally here! Squad Zero's in da house!

Long time no see, you chickadees of the 13 Court Guard Squads! You guys eating right and getting enough sleep? Everyone doing well?

This, I was not expecting.

Oww! What the hell are you doing?!

It's been a long time, Shinji! Hiyori isn't with you? How rare!

A long time?! Who the hell are you?! Wait. If you know Hiyori, then--

What are you talking about? You've already forgotten? It's me, Kirio!

You... You're Lady Kirio?! You've changed... Wha?! No, this is more than change! You're a whole other person!

Oh, Shinji! I've barely changed at all. Oh my, is it lunch yet?

Yo! It's been a while, Retsu.

How's it going? You perfected the healing arts I taught you, right?

Of course.

Really?! Yet you guys just lost a bunch of men! So what's the story there?

Now, now! This is a happy reunion! Save the boring talk for later!

Tch!

Oh, my. You Squad Zero members are as unique as always, Osho.

So? What are you here for?

So you're Ichigo Kurosaki! On the Soul King's orders, we've come here to rebuild the 13 Court Guard Squads.

But first things first! Ichigo Kurosaki, we're taking you back to the Royal Palace!

Hm?

Don't be ridiculous! I don't care how great Squad Zero is!

You guys were relaxing above while we were under attack!

And now you come down to rebuild us?! Is this a joke?!

Moving ahead. So first we'll--

Hey!

Shut up.

(How did he move like that?!)

You wanna talk ridiculous? What are you guys? The Court Guards, right? Yeah?

Our job is to protect the Royal Palace. Your job is to protect the Seireitei.

What kind of Court Guard cries for help after they can't get the job done? Talk about an embarrassment.

Ugh.

Not the head! Ouch!

I said to save it for later. Let's do our job first.

No need. All the things on our list are already captured here.

All that is remaining is Ichigo Kurosaki.

You mustn't. Inside your spheres are Byakuya Kuchiki, Renji Abarai, and Rukia Kuchiki, correct?

They are in no condition to leave the Seireitei right now. I cannot allow this.

That's why we're taking them, duh! You must know this. These three will never fully recover under your care.

Most of all, Byakuya Kuchiki will definitely die if he stays here. You can't get it done. I'll heal them.

You know this to be true, Retsu. What you need to focus on right now isn't healing.

............

Is that Tensa Zangetsu in there? You snuck into my laboratory? You never did have much respect.

Oh! If it isn't Mayuri. As always, you exaggerate. I didn't need to sneak. I just touched the door with my hands and it swung wide open.

Though it is true that security was a lot softer than when I was in there.

Hey, hold on! If it's for healing them, why do you want to take me?!

I'm not as injured as the others. I'm sure I can heal up here. Plus there's something that I need to--

We know. We're taking you for a different reason.

A different--

Helloooooo! Yes! Perfect timing! Looks like everyone's assembled!