Ripples in space spread outward through the glow of Kidō.
Shiba Seiji widened his eyes, forcing himself to observe every detail.
A forbidden Kidō technique he himself could not fully control—yet in Shimo's hands, it was executed with effortless ease.
"This is spatial displacement!"
Pushing his vision to the limit, Seiji refused to miss even the smallest fluctuation.
Shimo's long, slender fingers tapped lightly in midair, as if he were playing a piano—his movements fluid and elegant, fingers dancing gracefully through the void.
Vast quantities of spiritual pressure surged from his fingertips, spreading out and covering the underground council chamber.
The entire process lasted thirteen minutes and twenty-six seconds.
Standing to the side, Shiba Seiji meticulously recorded every piece of data, intending to study it later in detail.
Shimo's haori fluttered violently despite the absence of wind, and the loose strands of his black hair drifted freely in the air.
Only when he withdrew his spiritual pressure did everything finally return to normal.
"The spatial barrier is complete."
Shimo spoke calmly.
Shiba Seiji stared at the faintly visible barrier before him, lips parting as if he wanted to ask something—but after hesitating, he swallowed the question.
Noticing the odd expression on his face, Shimo explained:
"This spatial barrier utilizes the principles of the forbidden Kidō technique Spatial Displacement.
"It is reconstructed using the reishi structures of Bakudō No.39: Enkōsen, Bakudō No. 73: Tozanshō, and Bakudō No. 81: Dankū, among other binding techniques.
"The underground council chamber and our current location no longer exist within the same space."
As he spoke, Shimo extended a finger and said quietly:
"Hadō No. 4: Byakurai."
A brilliant blue-white bolt of lightning burst from his fingertip, crackling violently through the air.
To Shiba Seiji's shock, the Kidō vanished directly into empty space, disappearing without a trace.
Seiji's eyes shone brightly, as though he had glimpsed a fundamental truth.
"So this is how spatial displacement can be used…!"
"My understanding was far too shallow!"
After witnessing that demonstration, Shiba Seiji regarded Shimo almost as a transcendent being, filled with admiration and awe.
Soon after, Shimo explained the method of operating the spatial barrier to the Central 46 of the underground council chamber, then departed.
The atmosphere of that place was far too oppressive.
For him, it was anything but welcoming.
---
Seireitei
Back in Seireitei, Shimo walked alone through the streets.
When left alone, his thoughts inevitably began to drift.
Recalling the expressions worn by the members of Central 46, he couldn't help but shake his head with a quiet chuckle.
"In the end, it's nothing more than power they possess without the strength to match it."
"Clinging to authority out of fear, yet unwilling to let go—sooner or later, it will turn on them."
...
Third Division — Captain's Quarters
The moment Shimo stepped into the room, a sharp tearing sound split the air!
Ultra-Acceleration — Headbutt!
A flash of emerald green light flickered at the corner of Shimo's eye as he instinctively deployed a spiritual pressure barrier in front of himself.
BAM!
Crack—CRUNCH!
Shimo's expression shifted as he immediately released more spiritual pressure, layering multiple defensive barriers.
A single barrier was nowhere near enough to ensure safety.
"Shimo!"
A joyful shout rang out—Nel's voice, brimming with excitement.
The moment Shimo dispersed his spiritual pressure, he was pulled straight into an embrace.
Nel buried her head against his chest, rubbing against him in clear delight.
"I was only gone for half a day, you know?"
Shimo smiled wryly, feeling her arms tighten even more—and the pressure against his chest made breathing slightly difficult.
"But it felt like forever!"
Nel's muffled voice came from his shoulder.
"Every time Shimo leaves, it feels like such a long, long time!"
Only then did Shimo realize that Nel's attachment to him ran far deeper than he had imagined.
He raised a hand and gently stroked her cascading turquoise hair.
…The texture was just as pleasant as ever.
Nel, back in her normal form, was wonderful in every way—except that when she hugged him, it tended to make breathing a challenge.
"Thank you… for liking me so much, Nel."
Shimo spoke softly, his expression gentle.
Hearing that, Nel lifted her head from his chest, stunned for a moment—then her smile bloomed brilliantly.
"Mm!"
"Shimo—"
A voice suddenly called from outside the door… then stopped abruptly.
Kuchiki Byakuya stood at the entrance to the captain's quarters, his expression tinged with unmistakable awkwardness.
He clearly hadn't expected to walk in on this.
"Cough."
Nel obediently moved aside, while Shimo turned to face Byakuya.
"What brings you to the Third Division?"
For some reason, after saying that, Shimo noticed Byakuya's gaze take on a faintly resentful edge.
He shivered and hurriedly added:
"Let's talk properly—don't look at me like that!"
Byakuya's expression remained strange as he spoke:
"I heard from my subordinates that you just returned."
"I assume the Kidō barrier for Central 46 has already been completed."
"So I came to ask—when do we depart for the Human World?"
Shimo considered briefly before replying:
"If you're ready, we can leave right now."
Byakuya nodded calmly.
"In that case, we should report to Captain-Commander Yamamoto first."
As someone who upheld regulations as a family creed, Byakuya would never enter the Human World without authorization.
Shimo nodded and prepared to leave—only to realize his arm had been tightly wrapped around.
Turning his head, he saw Nel gazing up at him with pitiful, pleading eyes.
"Take Nel with you."
"I can fight too!"
After a moment's hesitation, Shimo smiled.
"Alright. Let's go together."
Byakuya hesitated slightly.
"This mission is critical. I only brought Renji to assist."
Shimo reassured him calmly.
"Don't worry. Nel is far stronger than Renji."
"Even if he has already mastered his Shikai."
Byakuya, seeing Shimo was firm, said no more—though he couldn't help but glance at Nel a few extra times.
A female Vasto Lorde…?
Her spiritual pressure didn't seem particularly overwhelming at first glance.
---
First Division — Captain-Commander's Quarters
Yamamoto Genryūsai quickly approved their mission to the Human World, granting permission to remove spiritual pressure restraints during combat—and, if necessary, to release their Zanpakutō.
This alone demonstrated just how highly Yamamoto valued Kuchiki Koga's case.
Whether it was Shimo or Kuchiki Byakuya—
The former had already displayed combat ability rivaling that of a captain, while the latter was among the strongest of the captains themselves.
Permission to release a Zanpakutō was no small matter.
"So this is the Vasto Lorde you brought back?"
A trace of surprise flickered in Yamamoto's half-lidded eyes.
Shimo nodded.
"Her name is Nel."
Nel was now dressed in the Third Division's shihakushō.
Though her expression was somewhat distant when facing others, she posed no danger.
Yamamoto did not dwell on the matter.
"Complete the mission swiftly."
---
At the Human World...
Passing through the Senkaimon, Shimo and the others arrived in the Human World.
Hell Butterflies scattered into the air and vanished.
Taking in the familiar surroundings, Shimo released his spiritual pressure to scan the area.
"I don't sense any unusual spiritual pressure."
Byakuya lowered his gaze, his expression cold and composed.
"Let's check the sealing site first. We may find clues there."
---
Meanwhile... At the General Relief Ward.
As the last of the injured were discharged, the once-bustling facility finally grew quiet.
Kotetsu Isane moved through the wards, performing routine examinations.
When she reached the second-floor corridor, loud voices echoed from the far end.
"A real man never admits defeat!"
"Damn it, Ikkaku—you're cheating!"
"Hmph! If you don't like it, fight me again!"
Isane sighed in distress.
"Those two again…"
"They've already made it to the medical facility—can't they behave for once?"
She quickened her pace toward the room at the end of the hall.
"This is a medical facility! No loud disturbances allowed!"
She was extremely familiar with the two inside.
After all, they were frequent visitors.
Pulling aside the curtain, the scene inside came into view.
Two muscular men, their upper bodies wrapped in bandages, were pressing sheathed Zanpakutō against each other.
One had messy black hair, narrow-framed sunglasses, and two distinctive mustaches.
The other was bald, his head gleaming brightly, red eyeliner stretching sharply from the corners of his eyes, giving him a fierce appearance.
"Ikkaku! This time, I'm the winner!"
"Hah! Don't think I'll admit defeat that easily, Tetsuzaemon!"
Eleventh Division's Third Seat Madarame Ikkaku, and Seventh Division Lieutenant Iba Tetsuzaemon.
Old acquaintances who frequently drank and fought together.
Sometimes they even gambled—the loser fetching the alcohol.
This time, neither held back, and both ended up here yet again.
Despite Isane's shouting, neither paid her any attention.
She could only stand aside helplessly.
Even restrained, their Zanpakutō still swung with terrifying force—yet somehow, not a single piece of equipment was damaged.
A miracle in itself.
BAM!
A dull impact struck Ikkaku's forehead.
"Hahaha!"
Loud laughter echoed through the ward.
"I win this time!" Iba exclaimed triumphantly.
Ikkaku scowled but showed no real resentment.
"I'll beat you next time."
Then—
Without warning, Ikkaku raised his Zanpakutō and brought it crashing down toward Iba's head.
BAM!
Blood immediately streamed down Iba's face.
"Ikkaku—you…?!"
Iba stared in shock.
In his mind, Ikkaku was a straightforward warrior—never someone who would strike from behind.
Isane froze, instinctively preparing to cast Kidō.
BOOM!
Ikkaku raised his Zanpakutō again and swung.
Iba barely dodged, the blade smashing into the floor instead.
The ground collapsed instantly, dust billowing upward.
"Bakudō No. 61: Rikujōkōrō!"
Isane acted decisively.
Six golden rods shot forth, binding Ikkaku's waist and pinning his arms.
"Ikkaku! What are you doing?!"
Iba roared, blood still pouring from his forehead.
To him, this was betrayal.
Unforgivable.
Ikkaku's face twisted in pain.
"Ho—Hōzukimaru… it's breaking free from my control!"
Both turned instinctively toward his right hand.
No—toward Hōzukimaru itself.
The Zanpakutō trembled violently, spiritual pressure gathering wildly around it.
Under Rikujōkōrō's restraint, Ikkaku had lost control.
Hōzukimaru slipped from his grasp.
The next instant, an even more violent surge of spiritual pressure erupted.
Before Ikkaku's stunned eyes—
Hōzukimaru initiated Shikai on its own.
"How is that possible?!"
A Zanpakutō… releasing without its master?
And the transformation didn't stop there.
Red light flared along the long shaft, blinding all three.
Then—
A figure slowly stepped out from the crimson glow.
Black-skinned, with markings similar to Ikkaku's eyeliner at the eyes, and bold black patterns etched across a powerful chest.
Hōzukimaru—materialized.
--------------------------------///
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