Soul Society - North Rukongai, District 1
In the forest not far from the riverside, a young man, appearing around fourteen to fifteen years old, lay unconscious on the ground. He had neck-length blue hair, a sharp nose, and a strikingly handsome yet masculine face. Dressed in a pure white kimono and simple straw sandals, his pale white skin gave him an ethereal presence. (Note: Hao's features resemble his third reincarnation but with enhanced handsomeness, now with blue hair and eyes.)
This picturesque yet mysterious scene was discovered by an old man with piercing red eyes, a long white beard, and thick, drooping eyebrows. His head bore multiple scars, including a pair of long, perpendicular ones above his right eye.
This man was none other than the Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13, Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto. That night, he had been strolling beneath the starlit sky, lost in nostalgia, when an unknown and overwhelming reiatsu—nearly on par with his own—suddenly surged through the entire Soul Society, sending shockwaves that shook not only the captains but even him. Without hesitation, he used Shunpo and disappeared in the direction of the disturbance.
"Hmmm... just who is this child?" Yamamoto mused as he stroked his long beard, sensing the sheer power emanating from the boy. Before he could ponder further, multiple reiatsu signatures swiftly approached. Deciding to act first, he picked up the unconscious child and vanished into the night.
---
Seireitei - 1st Division Headquarters
Lieutenant Chōjirō Sasakibe stood outside the meeting room, observing the unrest among the Soul Reapers below. They were panicked, their confusion palpable. He was still wondering about the whereabouts of his captain when an old yet imposing figure suddenly appeared before him, carrying a child.
"Eijisai-dono!" Chōjirō bowed respectfully, then glanced at the unconscious boy. "That... that child—?"
"This is the source of all the commotion in Seireitei tonight," Yamamoto stated, his gaze briefly drifting toward the disoriented Shinigami below before he sighed.
"Eijisai-dono... You mean this child is the owner of that unknown reiatsu?"
"Yes," Yamamoto affirmed, his eyes shifting between Chōjirō and the enigmatic boy.
---
One Month Later - 1st Division Barracks
The tranquility of a traditional room was suddenly shattered by a sharp gasp.
"Where... where am I—AAAAAGGGGGHHH!"
The boy clutched his head as an excruciating pain surged through his entire body. A flood of fragmented memories invaded his mind—his interrupted reincarnation, the purification of his soul by Yoh Asakura, Yohmei Asakura, and the Patch Tribe. However, beyond that, much remained unclear.
"Aghh... ha... ha... ha... Purified, huh?" he muttered, his breath ragged as he surveyed his surroundings. Tatami mat flooring, sliding doors, wooden engawa verandas—everything unfamiliar, yet somehow serene. As he stood and approached the door, a sudden force pulled at his consciousness.
The room around him dissolved into a vast, breathtaking landscape—lush flowers, towering trees, and pristine rivers stretched endlessly. At the heart of this paradise stood an enormous, otherworldly tree, so colossal it could be deemed a world tree. Beneath its massive canopy rested three figures.
The Spirit of Fire, though no longer in its golden form, remained an imposing, muscular entity clad in black lava-rock armor. On its left and right, perched on thick branches, were Zenki and Goki—two powerful entities who had once served him.
Zenki, blue in color, had a large horn on its forehead, two downward-pointing tusks, and a muscular build. Its eye sockets resembled the Seven Star Tree of Renewal. Goki, in contrast, was red, with two horns, upward-pointing tusks, and a single, ominous eye at the center of a five-pointed star.
"Mmm... So, you three are the reason I'm here," Hao mused. "If I'm not mistaken, this is my consciousness."
"You are correct, Hao-sama," all three entities responded in unison, their telepathic voices startling him momentarily.
He questioned Zenki and Goki about their presence in his consciousness and the origin of the great tree.
"It's because when your reincarnation was interrupted, you summoned us," Zenki explained. "You bound us to your soul, making us spirit guardians like the Spirit of Fire. This was a precaution, as Yoh's purification would have greatly impacted your memories. If you forgot everything, we would still be here to protect you."
"Then what about this tree? And why can't I summon any of you outside?" Hao asked, shifting his attention to the Spirit of Fire, who had been with him the longest.
"I do not know, Hao-sama. The tree appeared when you arrived in this world, and as for why you cannot summon us... perhaps it is a law of this world," the Spirit of Fire speculated.
"A law of this world, huh?" Hao murmured, glancing at the magnificent inner world around him. A serene yet determined expression crossed his face. "The world should be like this—beautiful and pure." Memories of his past lives resurfaced—his mother's death, his hatred toward humanity, his defeat at the hands of Yoh.
"Yes... I was wrong to think exterminating all humans was the answer. The corruption of my soul by reishi twisted my views. But even so... I will never tolerate those who seek to destroy my world."
His musings were interrupted as the Spirit of Fire stirred.
"Hao-sama, two beings approach your location. One possesses immense reiatsu."
"I know," Hao responded calmly. He had sensed them moments ago.
As he left his inner world, the door to his room slid open, revealing two figures. One was an old man, whose presence commanded respect. The other, a middle-aged man with a sword at his side. Hao's sharp gaze flickered toward the elder's cane and the younger man's weapon.
Their eyes met, locking in silent scrutiny. Finally, Hao broke the silence.
"Can you tell me where I am?"
The old man remained silent, but the middle-aged one responded.
"You are in the Soul Society."
"Soul Society?"
"Yes, the afterlife where souls reside. You died, and now you are here." The man, Chōjirō Sasakibe, proceeded to explain the Soul Society's structure—Seireitei, the Shinigami, the Shin'ō Academy, and the Zanpakutō.
Hao listened intently. Zanpakutō... A world with its own power system? Interesting.
"Hao-sama, we feel a strange connection to that sword and cane," Zenki and Goki's voices echoed in his mind.
A small smirk played on Hao's lips. I see. Then, let's play along for now.
"Thank you for the information," Hao finally said, glancing at Yamamoto. "I will attend the Academy."
Yamamoto studied him. There was no fear in the boy's eyes—only arrogance and confidence. This child... is no ordinary soul.
"Chōjirō, handle the rest," the Captain-Commander ordered before disappearing, leaving Hao intrigued.