Floor 4 was different.
Instead of tests and arenas, they arrived in what looked like a city. Actual buildings, streets, people going about their lives like this was normal. The sky above was artificial—Yamamoto could feel the Shinsu holding it together—but it looked real enough.
"Rest floor," Yuri explained as they walked through the streets. People stared at them, or more specifically at Yuri. Being a Princess meant you got recognized. "Every few floors, they give climbers a break. Time to recover, train, figure out their next move."
"How long do people usually stay?" Yamamoto asked.
"Weeks, sometimes months. The climb is exhausting for normal Regulars." She glanced at him. "But you're not tired, are you?"
"No."
"Didn't think so." She gestured ahead. "There's a strategy center up ahead—public briefing space for climbers. Let me show you the route for the next floors. I've got intel on what's coming."
They walked through the city streets toward a large building marked with Tower insignia. Inside was what looked like a war room—tables with maps, other Regulars discussing strategies, administrative staff providing information.
Yuri led him to an empty table in the corner and pulled out a map of the Tower's middle floors.
"This is better than figuring it out as we go," she said, spreading the map. "Let me brief you on the upper tests."
Yamamoto sat across from her, studying the map. "What should I expect?"
"More scrutiny. Word about you is spreading fast." Yuri pointed to several marked floors. "These are controlled by different Ranker factions. Some will want to recruit you. Others will see you as a threat."
"Let them."
Yuri nodded. "That's what I figured you'd say. But you should know what you're walking into. Floor 10 has a teamwork test—they'll try to make you rely on Regulars. Floor 15 is a trap maze designed to separate groups. Floor 20 is where things get serious—Workshop territory."
"Workshop?"
"Weapon makers, inventors. They create the Tower's best gear. They're also politically powerful and neutral. Don't piss them off."
Yamamoto studied the map. "And after that?"
"After Floor 20, you're in the mid-section. Tests get harder, politics get messier, and more Rankers will take notice." She leaned back. "You'll need to decide what kind of reputation you want. Destroyer? Lone warrior? Something else?"
"I'm not here to build a reputation."
"Too late. You already have one." Yuri looked at him seriously. "The old man who beat Evankhell without breaking a sweat. The Irregular who might be stronger than High Rankers. People are watching."
Yamamoto was quiet for a moment. "In Soul Society, I had a clear role. Protect the balance, command the Gotei 13, enforce the law. Here..." He gestured at the map. "I don't know what I'm doing."
"Join the club." Yuri rolled up the map. "I've been a Princess for three centuries. Born into power, told I was special. And I've spent most of it wondering what the point is."
"The point is what you make it," Yamamoto said.
"Exactly." She stood. "Which is why I'm climbing with you. To find out what that is."
They talked strategy for another hour—discussing Tower politics, Ranker factions, and potential obstacles ahead. It was tactical, professional, the kind of briefing Yamamoto had done countless times with his officers.
"Can I ask you something?" Yuri said eventually.
"You're going to anyway."
She smiled. "When you fought Evankhell, you weren't even trying, were you? Not really."
"No."
"So what would happen if you did try? If you went all out?"
Yamamoto's expression darkened. "The floor would burn. Maybe multiple floors." He met her eyes. "My full release... I don't know what it would do to this Tower."
Yuri studied him. "That dangerous?"
"Yes."
"And you just... hold it back?"
"Always." Yamamoto's hand clenched. "Too much collateral damage. Too many innocent people would die."
"So you're holding back."
"Always."
"That's a heavy burden," Yuri said. "Being that strong and never being able to use your full power."
Yamamoto nodded. "It's a tactical problem. One I've dealt with for centuries."
"I'm a Princess. I've been holding back my whole life too." She leaned back in her chair. "Can't go all out in training—might hurt someone. Can't fight seriously against Regulars—wouldn't be fair. Everyone either runs away or tries to manipulate me." She paused. "It's different from your situation, but I understand the burden."
Two warriors acknowledging the shared problem of overwhelming power.
"Tell me about Soul Society," Yuri said. "Your old world. What was the command structure like?"
Yamamoto briefed her on the Gotei 13, the division system, and the wars he'd fought. It was tactical information, the kind of strategic discussion he'd had with his officers countless times.
Yuri listened, asking questions about tactics and organization.
"Sounds like the Tower," she said when he finished. "Different structure, but same idea. Powerful beings, constant conflict, hierarchical system."
"Most worlds follow similar patterns," Yamamoto said. "The strong rise, the weak fall. Only the details change."
"True enough."
They continued discussing strategy—Tower politics, Ranker factions, the best approach for the next several floors. It was professional, tactical, useful.
"That covers the next twenty floors," Yuri said eventually, rolling up the map. "We should have a solid approach now."
"Agreed."
She stood. "I'm going to check on Evan, make sure he's not worrying himself into an early grave. Meet back here tomorrow morning before we head to Floor 5?"
"Sounds efficient," Yamamoto said.
"Strategic partnership," Yuri said with a slight smile. "I can work with that."
She left to find Evan.
Yamamoto remained at the table for a moment, studying the map layout she'd shown him. The strategic discussion had been productive. Yuri was a capable ally—experienced, powerful, knowledgeable about the Tower's systems.
A valuable asset for the climb ahead.
He'd commanded subordinates for a long time. Worked with allies. This was familiar ground—professional respect between warriors.
Around them, other Regulars continued their own strategic planning. The Tower loomed above, waiting.
Tomorrow they'd climb again. The plan was clear, the strategy sound.