Kai pointed upward as he said the last part, causing Kukaku’s eyes to widen in shock. She grasped the gravity of his words immediately, her mind racing as she processed the information. That place wasn't known to many, and even fewer knew she had the ability to send someone there. She scrutinized Kai, her expression a mix of surprise and curiosity, "I don't have the Tenchūren."

Kai chuckled lightly, his demeanor calm and collected as he reassured her, "That won't be a problem. But they might cause you trouble later on, so come with me and I'll convince them." He spoke with confidence, a glint of determination in his eyes.

Kukaku, intrigued, tilted her head slightly, "Why? Why would you do that?"

Kai sighed, his gaze turning serious as he looked directly into her eyes, "You felt it too, right? The Quincies are here."

Kukaku’s eyes narrowed, her warrior instincts kicking in as she processed his words. The Quincies were a threat not to be taken lightly, and Kai’s willingness to help sparked a blend of gratitude and curiosity within her. She crossed her arms, contemplating his offer, “And what’s in it for you?”

Kai leaned back, a smirk playing on his lips, “Let’s just say, I prefer to keep my friends close and my enemies… well, not anywhere near me or mine.” His eyes held a mischievous glint, but the seriousness of his tone conveyed the gravity of the situation.

Kukaku studied him for a moment, her instincts telling her she could trust this man. “Alright,” she said finally, determination lacing her voice. “Let’s do it.”

Kai’s smirk widened, “That’s the spirit.” He stood up, stretching lazily, “Lead the way, Kukaku.”

As they exited the house, Kai couldn’t help but glance back, appreciating the unique architecture once more. Kukaku noticed his gaze and chuckled, “Never seen a house like mine, huh?”

Kai grinned, “Can’t say that I have. It’s… fascinating.”

Kukaku smirked, “I know.”

Walking towards the giant cannon stationed outside of the house, Kukaku eyed Kai skeptically, her mind working overtime as she tried to piece together his plan. The absence of Tenchūren raised a multitude of questions, and she couldn’t help but wonder how he planned to resist the cannon’s powerful blast and make it to the Soul Palace.

Kai, seeming to sense her inner turmoil, started to levitate, and with a casual wave of his hand, Kukaku found herself being drawn towards him, her feet leaving the ground as she floated in his direction. His arms encircled her waist, pulling her close, their bodies pressed together, faces inches apart. “I will protect you, don't worry,” he whispered, his breath fanning her ear. In that moment, Kukaku felt an unexpected flutter in her heart. ‘This bastard...’ she thought, ‘Yoruichi was right.’

Then, with a deafening roar, the cannon exploded, propelling them forward at an astonishing speed. Covered by Kai’s reiatsu, they soared through the sky like a firework, a spectacle of light and power. Kukaku, despite the initial shock, couldn’t help but marvel at the sensation, the feeling of weightlessness and the rush of wind against her skin.

“You alright?” Kai asked, his voice steady despite the chaos around them.

Kukaku nodded, finding her voice as she replied, “Yeah, just wasn’t expecting… this.”

Kai chuckled, the sound vibrating through his chest and into her. “Life’s full of surprises.”

Kukaku rolled her eyes, though a smirk played on her lips. “You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?”

“Oh, you have no idea,” Kai responded, his tone laced with amusement.

They continued to soar through the sky, the Soul Society growing smaller beneath them. Kukaku, never one to be left in the dark, decided to push for answers. “So, Kai, mind telling me how you plan to pull this off?”

Kai raised an eyebrow, a playful glint in his eyes. “What? Floating?”

“No, genius. Getting us to the Soul King Palace without Tenchūren.”

Kai smirked, “Trade secrets.”

Kukaku narrowed her eyes, “Don’t play games with me.”

Kai just laughed, the sound resonating in the space between them. “I promise, it’s nothing too complicated. Just a bit of reiatsu manipulation and…”

“And?”

Kai chuckled, leaning further into her ears, "Let's just say I have Oken too."

Kukaku's heart skipped a beat, her mind racing with confusion and disbelief. How? How could Kai possibly possess the Oken? She recalled how Aizen, with all his power and cunning, was prepared to annihilate an entire town to fabricate an artificial Oken. The realization hit her like a ton of bricks – was Kai a member of the Royal Guard? That couldn’t be; they were bound to remain in the Soul King’s Palace. Yet, here he was, seemingly defying all rules and logic. Her mind whirled with questions – could he have crafted it artificially like Aizen intended? It seemed far-fetched and yet, in this moment, suspended between the realms, nothing felt impossible.

Before Kukaku could wrap her head around the revelation, their surroundings shifted dramatically. The dense reiatsu in the air, the blinding lights, they had arrived – the Soul King's Palace.

The Royal Guards, Division 0, stood before them, a commanding presence. Each of them was a spectacle in their own right; a large and broad man with a bald head, red eyes, bushy eyebrows and a long black beard, adorned in a white, long-sleeved haori decorated with the Royal Guard's emblem, his red prayer beads around his neck resonating with an ancient aura. Beside him stood a lean-built and very tall man with an outlandishly large pompadour hairstyle, his casual attire hiding a fierce combatant known for his healing prowess and swift movements.

Next was a tall woman of fair complexion with green eyes and long, smooth purple hair, her elegance and grace juxtaposing her mighty ability to nourish and strengthen others, her white haori bearing the emblem of their noble division. Accompanying them was a dark-skinned man with a green-dyed hair, his attire a mix of traditional and contemporary, radiating raw power and craftsmanship with a sword that told tales of ancient forges and modern battles.

And then there was the slender and youthful woman, her long, black hair adorned with a golden crescent ornament, her multiple golden skeletal artificial arms a spectacle of awe and mystery, her white robe symbolizing purity and authority. Her height, the shortest among them, was compensated by her thick-soled okobo, her presence emanated wisdom and intricacy, her gaze piercing through the veil of uncertainty as they stood guard, the protectors of the royal realm, their aura shrouded in valor and duty.