Under the curtain of heavy rain
Ishida Ryūken and Shiba Isshin stood face to face for the first time.
A Quincy.
A Shinigami.
By all logic, their meeting should have ended in conflict.
But it didn't.
Because between them
Was Kurosaki Masaki.
Through Ryūken's explanation, Isshin finally understood what had happened.
Masaki's body had been infected
Not merely wounded
But contaminated by Hollow Reiatsu.
What Ryūken had described as a "hole" was not a literal Hollow hole like that of a Hollow's body, but rather a core of Hollowfication, forming within her soul itself.
The source was clear.
That abnormal Hollow Isshin had fought
The one that should not have existed
Had left behind more than just injuries.
For a Quincy, this was fatal.
Hollow power was fundamentally incompatible with Quincy spiritual composition. It acted as a toxin that disrupted and destroyed their very existence.
Ryūken, despite his mastery, could not remove it.
And Isshin
As a Shinigami
Also had no means to resolve it.
Shinigami purified Hollows from the outside.
They did not extract Hollow corruption from within a living soul.
Thus
Both men stood powerless.
Helpless.
And yet
The one closest to death
Masaki herself
Was the calmest among them.
"…Don't make such faces," she said weakly, offering a faint smile.
"It'll be alright."
Her voice was gentle.
As if she were the one comforting them.
The rain only grew heavier.
The weight of despair pressed down on all three of them.
Then
A new Reiatsu approached.
Unfamiliar.
Yet controlled.
Isshin and Ryūken both turned sharply.
A figure emerged through the rain.
Clad in a dark green coat, light-colored pants, wooden geta, and a striped bucket hat.
A cane rested lightly in his hand.
His presence was relaxed
Almost casual.
But unmistakably
Powerful.
"You all look like you're in trouble," the man said lightly.
Then, with a faint smile:
"Need some help? I can save her."
Those simple words
Were like a spark in darkness.
Hope.
Ishida Estate Outer Manor
The group quickly relocated.
Though Quincy possessed strong spiritual resistance, Masaki was still in a human body. Remaining exposed to the rain would only worsen her condition.
They moved to a secluded estate owned by the Ishida family, located on the outskirts of Karakura Town.
The manor was rarely used
Perfectly isolated.
After settling Masaki inside, Ryūken turned sharply toward the newcomer.
Isshin did the same.
"Who are you?" Ryūken demanded.
"And on what basis do you claim you can save her?"
He narrowed his eyes.
"…You're a Shinigami."
The man did not deny it.
Instead, he answered plainly:
"That's right."
He tapped his cane lightly.
"My name is Urahara Kisuke."
"Currently… just a humble shopkeeper."
Then, with a slightly playful tone:
"As for why I can save her let's just say I've done a bit of research on Hollows."
Ryūken had never heard that name before.
But Isshin
Froze.
Urahara Kisuke.
That name still existed within Soul Society's records.
A former Captain of the Twelfth Division.
A genius.
And a criminal.
He had been accused of conducting forbidden experiments involving Hollowfication, resulting in the exile of himself, Shihōin Yoruichi, and others.
Whether the truth had been distorted or not
One fact remained:
If anyone understood Hollowfication
It would be him.
But that also meant
He was dangerous.
Isshin's gaze hardened slightly.
"Urahara Kisuke…"
He spoke slowly.
"I don't know whether you're trustworthy."
"But if you really have a way to save her "
"Then explain it."
Ryūken remained silent
But his stance made his intentions clear.
He would hear this out.
Even if the speaker was a Shinigami.
Even if he was suspicious.
Because Masaki's life came first.
Urahara adjusted his hat slightly.
Instead of answering directly, he began with an explanation:
"The world maintains balance."
"Shinigami, Quincy, and Hollows each exist in opposition."
"Quincy eradicate Hollows completely."
"Shinigami purify them."
"And Hollow power… is toxic to Quincy."
He glanced at Masaki.
"In her current state, the Hollow Reiatsu inside her is clashing with her Quincy nature."
"That conflict is what's destroying her."
He paused briefly.
Then continued:
"But if a third factor is introduced…"
"One that can stabilize the interaction between those opposing forces…"
"The process can be halted."
Isshin's eyes narrowed.
"…A third factor?"
Urahara looked directly at him.
"Yes."
"Shinigami power."
Silence.
Then
Urahara spoke the truth plainly:
"The only one who can save her…"
"Is you, Shiba Isshin."
The room fell completely still.
Then
Urahara added, calmly:
"But understand this."
"If you choose to do this "
"You will lose your Shinigami powers."
"Permanently."
"You will no longer be able to return to Soul Society."
Ryūken's eyes widened slightly.
That was no small cost.
Isshin, however
Did not hesitate.
"My life was saved by her."
His voice was steady.
"If giving up my power saves her then that's enough."
He shrugged lightly.
"As for Soul Society… I'll manage."
Ryūken stared at him.
For the first time
He truly looked at this man.
And understood
This wasn't recklessness.
It was resolve.
Urahara sighed softly, almost amused.
"As expected of the Shiba Clan…"
He muttered.
Then straightened.
"This location isn't suitable."
"We'll need proper equipment."
"Come with me to my shop."
Urahara Shop Karakura Town
It didn't take long.
With Shunpo and Hirenkyaku, Isshin and Ryūken carried Masaki across the distance swiftly.
Soon
They arrived.
A small, unassuming candy shop.
Urahara Shop.
But the moment Isshin stepped inside
His eyes shifted.
Two familiar presences.
One
A black cat perched nearby.
Golden eyes watching him.
Then
The cat leapt down.
Transforming mid-motion into a woman.
Shihōin Yoruichi.
Isshin recognized her immediately.
He had seen her long ago, during his time within the noble circles of Seireitei.
That alone wasn't surprising.
But then
His gaze shifted again.
And stopped.
"…You?"
Standing there
Was someone he did not expect to see.
Shigure Sōsuke.
A man who should have remained within Soul Society.
And yet
Here he was.
In Urahara's shop.
In the World of the Living.
Isshin's expression changed subtly.
Because at that moment
He realized something.
This situation
Was far more complicated than he had initially believed.
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