Of course, Urahara Kisuke didn't fully believe Gosuke Shigure's statement — it sounded far too far-fetched.
However, Shigure's question undeniably stirred his curiosity.
The Zanpakutō, born from the materialization of a Shinigami's soul, is essentially the truest reflection of that soul's power.
Generally, a Shinigami will only possess a single Zanpakutō throughout their existence.
But if, through some anomaly, a soul were to undergo a profound change — birthing a new Zanpakutō — then what becomes of the original?
If the nature of the owner's Reiatsu shifts, the bond with the original blade would fracture. Without its wielder's spiritual power to sustain it, that Zanpakutō would inevitably wither into silence.
Urahara's mind moved quickly, his thoughts sharp as always, and he soon reached a conclusion.
"According to what sensei has described, if such a phenomenon occurred, a Shinigami would be left with only two choices."
"What choices?" Gosuke Shigure asked, interest flashing in his eyes.
Urahara Kisuke explained calmly:
"The first option is to allow the original sword to fall silent. Since the soul has already changed, birthing a new Zanpakutō, that means the old one has effectively been eliminated."
"That's far too cruel," Gosuke frowned slightly. "Is there truly no method to preserve the original blade?"
Urahara paused, then spoke with measured excitement:
"I recall reading in one of the more obscure texts that Zanpakutō were not originally something naturally possessed by Shinigami. At the very beginning, Shinigami had no such weapons. Awakening the latent powers within one's soul was rare and extraordinarily difficult."
"It was only later, when a prodigious genius emerged, that this changed. He forged the first prototype Zanpakutō in its sealed form. Through this medium, Shinigami were able to pour Reiatsu into the blade and awaken their inner power, evolving the weapon into their unique, personal Zanpakutō."
"And that man…" Urahara's voice lowered almost reverently, "…was Ōetsu Nimaiya."
"The very creator of Zanpakutō themselves."
Although Urahara's tone was restrained, the weight of his words hung heavy in the air. "Curiously, his name is nowhere to be found in the official history of Soul Society. But if what those fragments of records suggest is true, then it implies something crucial: the original Zanpakutō doesn't necessarily have to be discarded. It may, perhaps, be reforged, recast into harmony alongside the new blade — becoming a vassal to it."
Even in this brief span of contemplation, Kisuke had crafted a startlingly creative solution. His brilliance shone through, as always.
But Shigure knew the truth: for such an idea to be realized, only Nimaiya himself could accomplish it.
If Gosuke could have sought out Ōetsu Nimaiya directly, he wouldn't have come to trouble Urahara with the question in the first place.
Even so, the young researcher's perspective carried value. It was enough to ease the weight of Shigure's doubts.
"Kisuke, I thank you. You've at least given form to the answer I sought."
Urahara, ever modest, shook his head. "Sensei, I hardly deserve thanks. Truthfully, I'm just as intrigued by this as you are. If this Nimaiya truly existed… to think every Zanpakutō we wield was forged, not natural…"
What Gosuke did not admit aloud, however, was that he was speaking from experience. He, after all, was the one whose soul had shifted, whose power birthed more than one Zanpakutō. That truth was too outrageous for even Kisuke's open mind to accept.
Outrageous enough that Urahara himself could only take Shigure's musings as wild imagination.
Still, even an "impossible" theory was enough to entertain the brilliant mind of a man growing bored of prison-guard duty.
Shigure's gaze sharpened. "Although the truth may sound unbelievable, I can at least confirm one part of it for you."
Kisuke leaned in, expectant.
Shigure said evenly: "Ōetsu Nimaiya exists. He is indeed the creator of the Zanpakutō."
Urahara's eyes widened. "Then why? Why is his name erased from all Soul Society's records?"
"That," Shigure replied without hesitation, "is because of his special identity. His role is far too important to be inscribed in ordinary history."
"Their existence is only whispered in fragments of ancient texts — which I imagine are the same books you've studied."
Kisuke nodded slowly, still trying to piece it together. His mind turned the implications over and over, curiosity growing stronger.
Gosuke did not hold back the next truth. "You've heard of the 'royal family's secret guards,' haven't you?"
At those words, Urahara's expression froze.
Within the Second Division, the Covert Ops (Onmitsukidō) functioned almost like spies. And within the Gotei 13, there were also specialized task units — most notably the Tenth Division of old. But above all of these… there was a whispered legend of "royal family guards." Their sole task: protecting the Spirit King.
But those were myths. Not once had Urahara seen the Spirit King, nor anyone claiming to be a royal guard. For his teacher to speak of them so directly startled him.
Gosuke continued: "What the public calls 'royal guards' are in fact the Zero Division."
"Zero… Division?" Kisuke repeated, the unfamiliar term heavy on his tongue. This was the first he had ever heard of such a unit. For all his knowledge of arcane texts, he was still young; there were vast truths he had yet to uncover.
Shigure's tone was calm but edged with weight. "The Zero Division predates even the Gotei 13. In fact, the Gotei 13 itself was formed after the existence of the Zero Division. Many of the institutions you know — even the Shihakushō you wear — were modeled after their systems."
"Their only duty: to protect the Spirit King."
"And Ōetsu Nimaiya… is among their ranks."
"Because their identities are of the utmost importance, every trace of their existence has been erased from Soul Society's history. That is why neither Nimaiya nor the Zero Division are mentioned in any official record."
"I… see." Kisuke exhaled slowly, the enormity of the revelation dawning on him. But curiosity gnawed at him still. "Sensei… how do you know all of this?"
Gosuke's reply was firm, as though self-evident: "Because I am a captain. Only captains of the Gotei 13 are granted the right to learn fragments of these truths. After all… the Zero Division is comprised of those who were once captains themselves — captains chosen under the harshest, most impossible of conditions, and promoted beyond."