Chapter 242: Arrangement
"In other words, while we can deal with Aizen, doing so would contribute to a tremendous karmic deficit," explained Vahn. "We're willing to shoulder the burden due to our association with the Ascendees of your world, but I doubt your side would be comfortable with us seating someone from ours to rule Hueco Mundo in Aizen's stead."
"Hmm...I see..." responded Yamamoto, seated across from Vahn in a tea room with Kyoraku, Ukitake, Byakuya, and Unohana in attendance, lined up a short distance away in seiza.
"That said, the simplest solution would be to strengthen the members of the Gotei so they can contend against Aizen and future threats directly..." stated Vahn, appending, "The quickest way to achieve that is to become Ascendees, but additional Ascendees are generally chosen by those who already hold the title. The expenses associated with this vary depending on the strength and talent of the person becoming an Ascendee, so while ordinary humans can enter the Tower fairly cheaply, beings near the peak of their respective worlds require a gratuitous amount of a resource called Tower Coins to gain entry."
"And how much would it cost for someone like myself to enter this Tower of Ascension...?" asked Yamamoto.
"Enough to cover the admission of hundreds of thousands of humans, if not more," responded Vahn. "But, as long as you're willing to agree to a contract that sees you yield 50% of your earnings, interest-free, to the Dragon's Pavilion, we're generally willing to cover the preliminary costs. That also comes with an insurance policy that permits you to reincarnate in the Tower if you die in your original world, so it's not a bad deal."
Shifting his gaze to four observing Captains, Vahn added, "My suggestion is that you send someone you trust to corroborate the Tower's conditions and benefits. They would also be able to get a jump start on accumulating Tower Coins to expand the Soul Society's influence in the Tower. The only caveat is that the person chosen requires the endorsement of an existing Ascendee. The Tower typically chooses four suitable candidates to act as a world's representative, with all other Ascendees stemming from them to discourage intraworld conflicts."
"Four candidates..." repeated Yamamoto, his beady crimson eyes flashing as he asked, "Am I correct in assuming those four positions have already been filled?"
Nodding, Vahn affirmed, "That's right. I can't disclose their identities due to confidentiality, but the representative Ascendees from your world have already been decided. We have an agreement with an Ascendee besides Kukaku, but their request is personal, totally unrelated to the Soul Society and current events."
"If one of ours becomes an Ascendee, would they be able to ascertain the identities of these three people...?" asked Kyoraku, drawing Vahn's gaze.
"I don't see why not," responded Vahn, adding, "Though, you'd have to gather the intel yourself."
"And what if something happens to them?" asked Kyoraku, his singular brown eye flashing as he clarified, "Would another Ascendee be able to step in and fill their position?"