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[email protected]/Heroicverse
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The moment the words left her mouth, Momo Hinamori sensed something was wrong. It couldn't be!
The Captain of the Second Division was Soi Fan; no one would simply drive someone out of a Captain position without good reason—that wouldn't garner respect.
Yoruichi Shihōin smiled and shook her head.
"I haven't returned to the Second Division, no!"
She then spun dramatically, showing the crest on the back of her Captain's haori to Momo Hinamori.
"I went here!"
Momo Hinamori's eyes widened instantly. That crest bore no number, only the four petals of a Daphne flower. In the Soul Society, that symbolized only one thing:
The Royal Guard!
The Zero Division!
"Congratulations, Lady Yoruichi!"
Momo Hinamori offered her heartfelt blessings. The rank of the Zero Division was above the entire Gotei 13! The minimum requirement to join the Zero Division was to achieve Captain-level strength.
What? You think Yoruichi's strength wasn't top-tier among the Captains, making her unqualified for promotion to the Zero Division?
Heh heh! Auguro declared, "I am the Soul King. I decide who joins my direct Zero Division!"
Yoruichi chuckled, glancing at Auguro teasingly.
"It seems our Lord Soul King couldn't stand seeing me, a free agent, being too idle, so he insisted on giving me a job!"
Auguro didn't tolerate her teasing, responding plainly, "Do you still want to repair your Zanpakutō or not?"
"I'm sorry! I was wrong!"
Yoruichi instantly darted to Auguro's side, massaging his shoulders with a flattering expression.
In the original work, Yoruichi never used her Zanpakutō. So, when summoning her, Auguro specifically checked her character interface. The result showed Yoruichi's Zanpakutō was in a damaged state.
After asking her, he learned that during a fight with a Menos Grande (Greater Hollow), Yoruichi's Zanpakutō was destroyed after clashing with the enemy while in Bankai (Final Release).
For a Zanpakutō, if it is damaged in its Shikai (Initial Release) state, it will automatically recover over time with spiritual pressure nourishment. But if it is damaged during Bankai, the damage is irreversible. It means the very essence of the Zanpakutō is damaged.
The only chance to repair it is to go to the Soul King Palace (Reiōkyū), where the Zero Division resides, and find Ōetsu Nimaiya to reforge the Zanpakutō.
For a Soul Reaper, their Zanpakutō is their other half. Auguro granting Yoruichi the status of the Zero Division gave her the chance to repair her Zanpakutō, a chance she cherished deeply!
Not to mention, official Zero Division members can have their bones completely restructured using the Soul King's Power and undergo cross-dimensional spiritual pressure enhancement by consuming a Spiritual Essence meal. It is fair to say that entering the Zero Division increases a Soul Reaper's power by at least a factor of two! This is why the Zero Division, despite having only five members, is stronger than the entire Gotei 13 combined.
Watching Yoruichi's playful attempt to please him, Auguro smiled.
After a bit of playful banter, Auguro asked Iceberg, "How are things? Is anyone injured?"
As the Soul King of the Divine Nation, he could not show favoritism among his subordinates. Auguro immediately expressed concern for Iceberg.
Iceberg was somewhat flattered.
"No, sir! Miss Hinamori is incredibly powerful. The CP0 agents were captured the moment they exposed themselves!"
A Vice-Captain of the Gotei 13 is not weaker than an elite Vice Admiral of the Marine Headquarters. CP0 would not dispatch strong agents casually.
Auguro nodded.
"Don't worry! I said I would protect you and Water Seven, and I will!"
He then paused, his tone becoming cold.
"This time, the World Government made the first move. I will let them know that some agreements are not so easily broken!"
Iceberg was deeply moved. Auguro was going to fight for their honor! He was going to tell the whole world that no one touches the people Auguro protects!
Inside Iceberg's office, Auguro had the captured CP0 agents brought in. Soon, a two-person CP0 squad was escorted in. Again, the standard white suits.
Auguro was speechless. You're a secret intelligence organization. Why are you wearing such flamboyant clothes?
Auguro sat in Iceberg's former main chair, with the others standing by his sides according to rank.
Auguro asked, "Have they confessed their specific objective for this trip?"
The Pluton blueprints were undoubtedly their primary target, but there might be other missions.
Momo Hinamori shook her head.
"These individuals have undergone rigorous brainwashing. Standard interrogation methods are completely ineffective."
Of course! They were the Celestial Dragons' most loyal dogs; they wouldn't hesitate to kill themselves if ordered. They were indeed tough nuts to crack.
But...
"Yoruichi, Soi Fan! They are yours! Get the information out of them as quickly as possible!" Auguro waved his hand lightly.
Tough nuts, are they? I happen to have two experts right here!
The Second Division, as the cover organization for the Stealth Force (Onmitsukidō), considered torture and interrogation mandatory skills. With both the former and current commanders present, he was confident they would extract the information!
Yoruichi and Soi Fan took the prisoners away, while Auguro questioned Iceberg about the current situation in Water Seven.
Iceberg reported respectfully, "Shipbuilding orders have decreased recently. Many people are likely waiting to see how things develop before committing."
The situation in Water Seven was uncertain; placing an order and then not receiving the goods would be a massive headache. However, once Auguro gave the World Government a strong warning, the situation would stabilize, and orders would naturally return.
"Since the pressure from orders is low right now, why not give Water Seven a major makeover?"
Auguro had a plan.
"Water Seven is already quite famous. Why don't we expand its scale and turn it into the Grand Line's largest tourist and resort island?"
Water Seven's canals and fountains were unique sights on the Grand Line. If they added hot springs, amusement facilities, and luxury hotels, Water Seven's tourism industry would see explosive growth!
"Iceberg, I'm going to tell you some things; take notes. They will come in handy!"
Auguro, relying on his memories, described the entire model of a former-life Disneyland, including everything: fairy tale castles, theatrical performances, immersive experience services, and the accompanying fictional stories, novels, films, and so on.
The sheer volume of ideas made Iceberg's head spin. But as a businessman, he keenly sensed the immense business opportunities contained within! In this world, where the entertainment industry was severely lacking, this entire package would be absolutely unique!
After filling ten full pages, Iceberg's face was flushed with excitement. "Lord Soul King, if everything here is realized, Water Seven will become the world's entertainment center!"
Auguro waved him off.
"If you think it's good, then do it! Don't disappoint me!"
Controlling both the physical and service industries would bring in not only revenue but also immense prestige. Auguro's goal was to establish a supreme Divine Nation, and he needed to show more people that only within his nation could they achieve a better, safer life!