Soul Society.
Department of Research and Development.
Shimo's battle records had already been transmitted to the spirit-tech monitoring screens.
"Oh my, oh my…"
Mayuri Kurotsuchi sat spinning in his chair, the wheels rattling noisily against the floor.
"This fellow has become even more terrifying."
"What a headache."
He tapped his middle finger repeatedly against his temple, producing a dull thud, thud.
"Does Kyōraku Shimo's potential really have no ceiling at all?"
Despite his words, there wasn't the slightest trace of seriousness on Mayuri's face.
"Nemu—do you have any suggestions on how to deal with him?"
His body remained perfectly still, yet his head twisted a full one hundred and eighty degrees to stare behind him.
Nemu Kurotsuchi stood expressionless, fully embodying her usual emotionless demeanor.
"Captain Kurotsuchi, I recommend that you refrain from provoking Kyōraku Shimo any further."
"Otherwise, there is a high probability that I will need to retrieve your remains."
Mayuri's tapping hand froze.
Then—he exploded.
"Bastard!"
"That's your advice?!"
"Useless scrap!"
Even as he hurled abuse at her, Nemu's expression did not change in the slightest.
She had witnessed this scene countless times before.
After venting his anger, Mayuri slumped back into his chair, eyes rolling thoughtfully in their sockets.
"Fine… there's nothing I can do about him for now."
"But time is on my side. I'll find an opening eventually."
"For now, forward everything that happened in the Human World to the First Division."
His fingers flew across the keyboard beneath the monitor, the clack-clack echoing through the laboratory.
Soon, the full report of the battle—
including the detailed account of Shimo killing Yammy Llargo—was transmitted to the First Division.
---
World of the Living...
At Karakura Town.
With the Espada dealt with, the Hollow disturbances in the Human World had finally subsided—at least for the time being.
Shimo returned to Urahara's shop and handed over samples taken from the Incomplete Hollows for further research.
Another round of experimentation began.
Urahara was completely absorbed in it, but Shimo found the routine stifling.
After briefly checking on Rukia, he decided to return to Soul Society.
Considering her safety, Shimo arranged for Rukia to remain stationed in Karakura Town.
With Aizen's surveillance gone, Karakura had ironically become the safest location in the human world.
Four captain-class combatants were stationed here long-term.
Even several Espada would have trouble breaking through in a short time.
Its security rivaled Seireitei itself.
Just as Shimo was about to depart, Tessai Tsukabishi approached him.
"Shimo-san."
Tessai maintained proper respect toward a superior—especially since Shimo was still a guest of Urahara's shop.
The Senkaimon had already been opened.
Shimo turned back slightly, surprised.
"Is something the matter, Tessai?"
Tessai lowered his head politely.
"The Visored wish to meet with you."
"Due to concealment concerns, they do not intend to leave their barrier."
"So this is their invitation."
He produced an envelope.
A skeletal white mask was emblazoned on it, grinning eerily—distinctly Visored in style.
Shimo opened the letter and read it.
Moments later, spiritual pressure flared in his hand, shredding both letter and envelope into fine fragments that scattered across the floor.
After a brief moment of thought—
"The wording's sincere. Seems like a straightforward invitation."
He made his decision.
"I've got nothing better to do anyway."
"I'm curious what they're after."
Tessai visibly relaxed.
"If you're willing to go, that's for the best."
He handed over another envelope.
"This contains the location."
Shimo raised an eyebrow.
"They're thorough."
Tessai fell silent.
Hard to say it's because they're cautious of you specifically…
After memorizing the address, Shimo suddenly remembered something.
"By the way—do you remember Shiba Seiji?"
Tessai stiffened.
Then—
"I don't know him. Never heard of him. Not familiar!"
"Goodbye!"
He turned and fled without a shred of his usual composure.
Watching his retreating figure, Shimo rubbed his chin.
"Is Shiba Seiji really that terrifying?"
"To scare a former Great Kidō Corps Commander like that?"
If Tessai could hear his thoughts, he'd turn back and argue immediately.
Shiba Seiji wasn't just terrifying—he was a fanatic.
A hardcore idol-level admirer who could meet his hero at any moment.
Tessai had once even requested reassignment away from the Kidō Corps because of him.
Yamamoto had refused.
Eventually, the Hollowfication incident forced Tessai and Hachigen Ushōda to flee to the human world alongside Urahara.
Still, having accepted the request, Shimo called out loudly:
"Tessai-san! Shiba Seiji asked me to tell you—"
"He's still holding the line in the Kidō Corps, waiting for you to return!"
THUD!
Tessai tripped headfirst into the ground.
Dust exploded upward.
"…Impressive."
Shimo stared in genuine amazement.
His understanding of Shiba Seiji's terror deepened.
Turning to Nel, he smiled softly.
"Let's go, Nel."
"Come with me to meet these hospitable Visored."
---
Mitsu Town.
For reasons unknown—perhaps related to the Hollow disturbances, or Kurosaki Isshin—
the Visored had not settled in Karakura Town.
Instead, they relocated to Mitsu Town, one city away, near the edge of a spiritually dense zone.
As in canon, they still chose an abandoned warehouse.
Judging by its condition, it had clearly served as their primary base for years.
Standing before it, Shimo and Nel could already sense faint spiritual pressure fluctuations.
"Hachigen's Twin Barrier…"
Starlight flickered faintly in Shimo's eyes.
He had activated his Shared Soul Barrier, analyzing the structure of Hachigen Ushōda's custom Kidō from the inside.
To Nel, the warehouse was wrapped in dense Kidō.
To Shimo, it was a transparent shell of black-lined patterns.
Within moments, he memorized its entire reiatsu framework.
Meaning—
Even without incantation, he could now reproduce Hachigen's barrier.
The power would be reduced, but the technique was primarily meant to block detection anyway.
And it couldn't hide anything from Shimo's ability.
Eight distinct spiritual pressure clusters lay within.
"Eight people. Looks like they're ready."
He pushed open the door and stepped inside.
Footsteps echoed slowly through the empty warehouse.
"Oh my, oh my~"
A Kansai accent rang out from the darkness.
A young man in a white shirt and black tie stepped forward.
"Welcome, welcome—"
Hirako Shinji froze mid-sentence.
His normally playful tone turned serious.
"You brought an Arrancar with you… what exactly are you planning?"
His gaze was locked onto Nel.
Shimo tugged lightly at her shihakushō sleeve.
"Didn't Urahara tell you?"
"She's part of the Third Division now."
"With the Head-Captain's approval."
Hirako's pupils shrank.
"…I see."
"Well then—please follow me."
The Visored's usual levity vanished.
After hearing Shimo's achievements, no one could stay relaxed.
They descended underground.
Another high-level barrier activated.
The moment Shimo stepped in—
Seven spiritual pressure surged forth.
Swords were drawn in an instant.
Shimo glanced at the swords calmly.
"So this is how the Visored treat guests?"
"H-Hey! Don't do anything stupid!"
Hirako hurriedly intervened.
"He's our guest!"
"And the Arrancar is a Third Division officer!"
The sight of Nel's uniform stunned them.
"…That breaks Soul Society law."
"…They finally learned flexibility, huh?"
Reluctantly, the swords were lowered.
The atmosphere eased.
Soon, mats and a low table were set.
Shimo and Hirako sat facing each other.
The others watched from a distance—
curious about this new Third Division captain who had slain Tōsen Kaname.
"So."
Shimo smiled.
"Hirako-san… why did you invite me?"
Hirako rested his cheek in his hand, slipping back into his usual tone.
"Well~ seems you still don't know us very well, Shimo-san!"
Shimo shuddered.
"Please speak normally. You're scaring me."
Laughter erupted nearby.
"HAHAHA!"
"Baldy, you got rejected!"
Sarugaki Hiyori's blunt mockery echoed.
Hirako coughed awkwardly.
"Fine. I'll get straight to the point."
"I want the Visored to cooperate with Seireitei."
------------------------------///
Advance Chapters on Patreon!
p(a)treon(.)com/HudaLin
-Remove the parenthesis to access patreon normally
Thanks for the Support!