For all the wild ideas that came out of Urahara Kisuke's head, even Shimo had to admit that there were few in all three realms who could match his intelligence.
On the surface, his oversized Concealment Cloak was simply ten times larger.
But in truth, its restructured reishi framework, spirit-flow circuits, and compression lattice had to be redesigned from scratch.
Its difficulty didn't increase by just ten times.
Of course, something like that was useless to Shimo himself.
"Alright, stop showing off," Shimo said lazily. "Just keep that thing for yourself."
"Oh…"
Urahara's enthusiasm instantly deflated as he folded the massive Concealment Cloak away.
"In that case, I can only wish you good luck."
Shimo nodded and lifted Nel into his arms.
The black cat leapt back onto his shoulder and waved her paw.
"See you, Kisuke!"
Urahara nodded, watching as Shimo's group prepared to depart.
Shimo raised a finger and tapped the air—
A simple, unadorned gate split open.
Ever since he mastered spatial severance, he no longer needed his Zanpakutō to perform basic spatial techniques.
The effect was nearly identical.
A Hell Butterfly appeared. Shimo held Nel close and stepped into the gate.
As the portal shut, Urahara's gaze turned complicated.
"Soul Society finally managed to stabilize… and now trouble is coming again."
"I just hope they'll be alright."
Shimo had only vaguely described the recent state of Soul Society, so Urahara had no idea how enormous Shimo's current influence actually was—Nor how chaotic this decision might become.
---
At Soul Society's gate, the moment the portal opened, the guards stiffened to attention, ready to register incoming personnel.
"C-Captain Shimo?!"
There were few Shinigami who didn't recognize Shimo's face.
Even before officially becoming the Third Division Captain, his reputation had already spread throughout Seireitei.
Shimo stepped out calmly.
Nel clung to him like a koala, wide-eyed and curious at everything she saw.
"So this is the return roster," Shimo said calmly as he approached the gatekeeper.
"Captain Kyōraku Shimo of the Third Division.
Additionally, two Adjuchas-class Hollows…
And one Vasto Lorde."
Gulp.
The gatekeeper's swallow echoed clearly.
What… did I just hear?!
I must be hallucinating from overwork!
There's no way Captain Shimo brought Adjuchas—and a Vasto Lorde—back into Soul Society!
"Hey there, little guy!"
Pesche suddenly leaned forward, pushing the Hollow hole on his face right up to the trembling guard.
"See? Hollow. Hole. Look!"
"A-AAAAHHH!!"
Realizing he was staring at an actual Adjuchas, the guard reflexively drew his Zanpakutō.
"Pesche, behave."
Shimo gave him a stern glance before addressing the guard.
"No need for weapons. Just report this directly to First Division."
The guard stammered:
"Th-Then, Captain Sh-Shimo…
H-How should I… r-report this?"
Shimo frowned and shot Pesche another glare.
"Report it truthfully.
I'll explain everything to the Head Captain myself."
The guard nodded frantically.
Shimo then led his group away from the gate openly, without hiding Nel or the others in the slightest.
Before long—
Every corner of Seireitei was buzzing.
The Third Division Captain, Kyōraku Shimo, returned from the Human World with three Arrancar!
Naturally, Second Division, the intelligence division, heard it first.
Soifon arrived almost immediately.
"Haa… haa…"
After chaining together countless high-speed shunpo, she was slightly out of breath.
"I crossed the entire Court Guard District to find you.
So it's true—you really brought back th—"
Tap.
Soi Fon froze when she felt a paw land on her shoulder.
"Well well, Little Bee.
Didn't expect you to be this concerned about Shimo."
That familiar voice made her entire body stiffen.
"L-Lady Yoruichi?!"
She looked wide-eyed at the black cat on Shimo's shoulder.
"W-Weren't you in the Human World?!"
The cat shook her fur lazily.
"What's so great about the Human World? I just followed Shimo while he handled his duties."
Soi Fon's eyes brightened.
"T-Then… Lady Yoruichi, does this mean you won't be leaving again?"
Yoruichi nodded.
"Naturally. But you still haven't answered my question—Why are you so concerned about Shimo?"
Soi Fon's face went scarlet in an instant, blush spreading all the way to her ears.
"T-T-That… I…
Actually… I…"
She couldn't get a full sentence out.
Shimo watched with amusement and casually added:
"Her grandmother came to the Third Division yesterday. She asked me wh—mmph!"
Soi Fon slapped both hands over his mouth, face blazing.
Between the person she once admired most, and the person she currently liked—All composure evaporated instantly.
Yoruichi jumped back to Shimo's shoulder and kneaded Soifon's head with a paw.
"Alright, alright. Don't mind the small details."
The first half instantly soothed Soi Fon's heart.
But then—
"Besides, this isn't even a secret anymore.
Ever since her grandmother retired from the Onmitsukido, her gossiping addiction exploded.
She can't keep any secret. She's practically famous across Seireitei for it."
Soi Fon's soul emptied on the spot.
Her future… felt pitch black.
Shimo reached out and pinched her cheek lightly.
"Once everything settles, I'll visit the Fon Clan myself."
Soi Fon's world immediately lit back up.
"R-Really?!"
Shimo nodded.
Yoruichi sighed.
"Poor little Soi Fon… there's no escaping now."
Just then, a flare of strong spiritual pressure approached rapidly.
"Chōjirō Sasakibe is here," Yoruichi said, eyes narrowing.
As the Head Captain's lieutenant, his notoriety was almost equal to that of some captains.
Sasakibe halted before Shimo.
"Captain Shimo."
His expression was grave, almost accusatory.
"The Head Captain requests your presence.
And…"
His gaze drifted to Nel and the two Arrancar.
"You are to bring all three of them."
Shimo nodded.
"Understood."
---
First Division. Captain's office.
BANG!
The Head Captain's cane slammed against the floor.
"Captain Kyōraku Shimo! I demand a proper explanation!"
Compared to Yamamoto Genryūsai's fury, Shimo remained perfectly calm.
"I brought Nel back during my mission to Hueco Mundo last time.
First Division's Third Seat Ikkaku, Fourth Seat Asido, and Fifth Seat Yumichika all know her.
As for those two lying on the ground—they're her subordinates."
Under Yamamoto's crushing spiritual pressure, Pesche and Dondochakka couldn't even stand.
But Nel felt nothing at all beside Shimo.
At the word "subordinates," Yamamoto's eyes narrowed.
Shimo continued:
"Her full name is Neliel Tu Odelschwanck.
Former Third Espada of Las Noches.
Pesche and Dondochakka are her Fracción."
He gave a concise summary of Nel's past.
When he finished, Yamamoto sank into contemplation.
After a long silence:
"Captain Shimo… do you understand that bringing Hollows into Seireitei is a grave offense?"
Shimo nodded.
"But if Central 46 approves it, the problem disappears—doesn't it?"
Yamamoto's eyelid twitched.
Technically… yes.
He exhaled sharply.
"So that's why you invested all your votes into that Rukongai judge."
He sighed heavily.
"I will not pursue this matter further.
However—your actions come with responsibility."
His spiritual pressure surged.
"If there is even a single Hollow attack within Seireitei, they will be the first suspects!"
Shimo nodded.
He fully expected that.
Another strike of the cane.
"Now—Yoruichi Shihōin. Why have you returned to Seireitei?"
The cat stretched lazily on Shimo's shoulder, completely unfazed.
"No need to worry, old man.
My charges have been cleared—I'm innocent now.
Only two options remain:
Either I resume command of Second Division and the Onmitsukido… Or I join another division."
"And your choice?" Yamamoto asked coldly.
"I'm joining Third Division," Yoruichi declared without hesitation.
Yamamoto didn't even blink.
He clearly predicted this.
Shimo chimed in:
"If that's the case, I'd like Nel and the others to join Third Division as well.
Even the Fracción have seated-officer levels of combat power."
Yamamoto considered it.
"Place them in the reserve corps first. They will be monitored."
...
Leaving the office, Shimo finally let out a breath.
The meeting went far better than expected.
Whether due to his war achievements, or his rising influence—Or both—Yamamoto had chosen not to push further.
Most importantly…
Nel could stay by his side safely.
---
Back at the Third Division barracks—
The squad members stared, dumbfounded, as their captain stood before them with three Arrancar.
"From this day forward, they are members of Third Division."
The division exchanged glances—
But no one dared contradict him.
"Yes, Captain!!"
Their shout echoed far beyond the barracks.
And within hours—
The entire Seireitei learned that the Third Division had recruited three Arrancar.
------------------------------///
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