Chapter 61: Yuan Liuzhai: Want My Authority? Then Defeat Me

Before long, Mao Zhi Hua Lie's report was submitted; its content was written exactly according to Araki's requirements, and every word inside matched precisely what Araki had just said.

"Approved!"

Araki glanced over it and approved the report outright.

According to the rules of Gotei 13, as captain of Squad 11 Araki should hand the subordinate's report to the commander, who would then contact Zero Squad personally, and finally Zero Squad would review the report to decide whether to dispatch troops to the lower realm for investigation. But since Araki is here, those steps can be skipped…

"Approved!"

Indeed, after approving Mao Zhi Hua Lie's report in his capacity as captain of Squad 11, Araki re‑approved the same report in the guise of a Zero Squad member and a Royal Special Agent, and finally issued the following decision: "Considering that Zero Squad member 'Eye Monk' Benshi Bu Ichibei is currently serving His Majesty the Spirit King inside the Spirit King's Great Inner Palace, and that 'Blade God' Ermei Wu Wang Yue is responsible for forging the Zanpakutō of all Death God troops of the Jingling Court and cannot leave the Phoenix Hall (Wang Yue's detached palace), we Zero Squad hereby decide to dispatch our newly inducted member Araki to the Jingling Court to investigate the Great Void's intrusion into Central Room 46."

To ensure no one could find fault, Araki wrote a 'Letter of Appointment' to himself, appointing himself to investigate the mass death incident in Central Room 46, and immediately thereafter Araki presented his conclusion on that incident.

"Zero Squad's newly inducted member Araki, after investigating the Central Room 46 mass‑death incident, reached the following conclusion: all members of Central Room 46 perished at the mouth of the Great Void; the suspect appears to be the one who once repelled the current Gotei 13 commander Yamamoto Motoyanagi Shigekuni, and successfully breached the Great Void 'Yiji Siji Ba' in 'Heaven'!"

"After fleeing the Spirit King's Palace, the adversary retaliated against the Soul Society by slaughtering the Jingling Court's highest law‑enforcement body, Central Room 46. Fortunately, Zero Squad member Araki discovered this in time and, after a brief clash, reduced the situation to the utmost minimal…"

"The Great Void 'Yiji Siji Ba' is immensely powerful and has an extreme desire to escape! After withstanding attacks from Araki's troops, it fled the Jingling Court, and witnesses claim that after leaving the Jingling Court it used black resonance to escape the Soul Society and entered the Void Circle!"

"Now Zero Squad member Araki has decided to pursue it, to uphold His Majesty the Spirit King and the authority of our Jingling Court's judicial institution! Therefore Araki resolves to form a Void Circle Expedition Force, dispatching Gotei 13 troops to the Void Circle to deliver a fatal blow to the Great Void!"

"Seeing this, the Zero Squad troops decided, in the name of the Royal Special Agent, to forcibly conscript all members of Gotei 11, as well as Squad 2 captain Si Fengyuan Qianri, Squad 3 captain Yan Yuan Jinle, Squad 5 captain Wei Hua Dan'er Lang, Squad 8 captain Lu Qu Ba Yun Zhai, Squad 10 captain Wang Tu Chuan Yu Xu Ji—five captains in total—along with Gotei 11's deputy captain Mao Zhi Hua Lie and the three‑seat officer Zaitou Bulaosi, to march against the Great Void, surely restoring a bright order to the Soul Society…"

In the First Squad quarters, after deputy captain Que Bu Chang Cilang finished reading the report Araki submitted, setting aside the commander Yamamoto's feelings, he alone felt his head was about to explode…

Nevertheless, Que Bu genuinely admired Araki at this moment; Araki had accomplished effortlessly what he himself dared not even imagine. Lord Yuan Liuzhai wishes to act, but his status absolutely forbids it.

"Lord Yuan Liuzhai, that concludes Araki's official report!"

After finishing the report Araki submitted, Que Bu whispered his briefing to Yuan Liuzhai.

"Huh…"

Yuan Liuzhai let out a long, guttural sigh; although he had already received a secret letter informing him of Araki's actions and was somewhat prepared, hearing the report still made his heart race.

"Has this kid become bold enough to invoke the title 'Royal Special Agent' to command me?"

Yuan Liuzhai stared at the report, his teeth itching with anger; he must admit Araki's report is flawless, but all this hinges on Araki truly being, as the report claims, a genuine Zero Squad member and Royal Special Agent.

"Lord Yuan Liuzhai, how should we handle this? Falsely assuming the title of Royal Special Agent is a grave crime!"

Que Bu took out a handkerchief he carried, wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, and sincerely expressed his worry for Araki.

"Cilang, you're putting it oddly—what does it mean to falsely claim the title of Royal Special Agent?"

Yuan Liuzhai corrected the mistake in Que Bu's wording.

"Hm?!"

Que Bu's expression flickered slightly.

"Araki did indeed come from the Spirit King's Palace, right?"

Yuan Liuzhai asked back, looking at Que Bu.

"That part is indeed…"

Que Bu nodded lightly; Araki indeed returned from the Spirit King's Palace, which isn't a secret within Gotei 13, and it even sparked a wave of discussion at the time.

"Since Araki returned from the Spirit King's Palace, and while wearing the Zero Squad uniform he claimed to be a Royal Special Agent, and His Majesty the Spirit King did not deny it, then Araki is indeed a Zero Squad member…"

Yuan Liuzhai watched Que Bu teach earnestly.

"I see! Lesson learned!"

Que Bu's eyes widened; he never imagined it could be played like this.

"What about that report?!"

Que Bu looked at Yuan Liuzhai and asked.

"Naturally it was approved…"

"According to Araki's instructions, dispatch Squad 4 captain Zhidao Zhiwu, Squad 7 captain Zhixing Nai Wugang, Squad 9 captain Jiu Mian Yan Jing Tie, Squad 12 captain Shan Ding Si Youpin, and Squad 13 captain Ni Gu Cai Cang—five captains in total—along with all members of Gotei 11, to fully cooperate with Zero Squad member Araki's operation in the Void Circle…"

After a brief contemplation, Yuan Liuzhai reached a decision.

"Um…"

"Lord Yuan Liuzhai, it seems the captains who applied with Araki to go to the Void Circle to subdue the Great Void 'Yiji Siji Ba' are the captains of Squad 2, Squad 3, Squad 5, Squad 8, and Squad 10…"

Que Bu reminded after hearing Yuan Liuzhai's words.

"Is that so? Cilang, I advise you to think it over carefully…"

Yuan Liuzhai gave Que Bu a faint smile after hearing him, a smile that seemed to hide a murderous intent.

"…"

Que Bu fell silent at that.

"Ah! Lord Yuan Liuzhai, I'm embarrassed! My eyes were a bit blurry just now and I couldn't read the report in my hand clearly; as you said, the captains applying to go with Araki to the Void Circle are indeed the captains of Squads 4, 7, 9, 12, and 13! Sigh, my eyesight really… isn't good…"

After a brief silence, Que Bu rubbed his eyes and then showed a hint of realization.

"Ha ha, Cilang, it seems you really need more rest!" Yuan Liuzhai said after hearing Que Bu, first showing a somewhat paternal expression, then continued: "I recall when Araki last returned to our squad, he mentioned a little imp named Chong Ya something; they say that imp is quite talented! You might assign some of your duties to that kid and test his abilities."

"It's Chong Ya Yuan Zhi Lang!" Que Bu first reminded Yuan Liuzhai of Chong Ya's full name, then nodded lightly, agreeing with what Yuan Liuzhai said: "He truly is a gifted and capable youngster; I have already promoted him from ordinary troop to a Seat Officer, and given enough time he should become a talent capable of easing Lord Yuan Liuzhai's worries and solving problems."

"Just see to it that it's arranged…"

Yuan Liuzhai nodded reassuringly at those words.

"Alright, you may go now!" Yuan Liuzhai first waved Que Bu away, but as Que Bu turned he called out, "Oh, right! Don't forget to bring a message to Araki, that 'foolish disciple'…"

Que Bu halted, turned to Yuan Liuzhai and respectfully said, "Your word!"

"Tell him! The Gotei 13 is still under my command! Personnel matters are not for him to meddle with! If he objects, he should get stronger quickly, become stronger than anyone in this world, and then drive me out of the commander's seat!"

Yuan Liuzhai said, then turned his back without looking.

"Um, obeyed!"

Que Bu broke into a cold sweat; he suddenly thought Lord Yuan Liuzhai could be rather childish at times, but since it was the commander's order, he naturally had to convey it.

And so…

In front of the massive interdimensional gate from the Jingling Court to the Void Circle, the first‑generation Void Circle Expeditionary Force of the Jingling Court's Gotei 13 gathered here after Youhabah's invasion of the Soul Society.

Ah, how annoying! I'm already like this? Why do I still have to work?

Former Fourth Squad Captain, now the First Squad Captain of the Void Circle Expeditionary Force, Zhimo Chiru, looked at the blazing sun overhead with a slightly weary expression; his whole body was filled with 'no fighting spirit' and 'dejection'.

Hahaha, I didn't expect Captain Araki to actually call me for something like this; you're surprisingly nice~

Former Seventh Squad Captain, now the Second Squad Captain of the Void Circle Expeditionary Force, Zhixing Naiwu Gang, hefted his own Zanpo Blade and laughed maniacally at Araki.

Hehehe, I can't wait to crush those Great Void heads~

These words were spoken by the Fourth Squad Captain, former Twelfth Squad Captain Shan Dingsi Youpin.

I didn't expect this old geezer, even at my age, to still have a place to be useful; not bad, not bad, really…

Fifth Squad Captain, former Thirteenth Squad Captain Ni Gu Cai Cang, smiled faintly as he looked at Araki's way.

The weather is really nice today; I wonder when we'll set out?

Third Squad Captain, former Ninth Squad Captain Jiu Mian Jing Yan Tie, at this moment was already eager to try.

Hmm……

Araki stood before the ranks of the Eleventh Squad soldiers; he watched the assembled captains who had gathered by his orders and gradually fell into contemplation.

Who are the ones you're riding horses with?!

At this, Araki had a 'mmp' in his mind, unsure whether to say it.

Que Bu, come over…

Araki, helpless, called Que Bu Chang Jirou over.

Tell me now, where have the people I need gone? Why did only these few scraps show up?

Araki dragged Que Bu to a shady spot, glanced at the demons and monsters he had summoned, his eyelids fluttered wildly, and he asked Que Bu.

Lord Yuan Liuzhai asked me to give you a message… Que Bu didn't answer Araki's question; instead he took a deep breath and summarized Yuan Liuzhai's words for Araki: "Lord Yuan Liuzhai said, if you want his authority, go defeat him! He has placed everything you desire there!"

(End of Chapter)