"Then we're off."
At the entrance of the Visoreds' old warehouse hideout in Karakura Town, Lisa Yadōmaru, Mashiro Kuna, Yoruichi Shihōin, and Hachigen Ushōda stood by the door, calling inside.
It was Sunday — Kurotsuki Renya's rare day of rest. After weeks of relentless training and Hollow control exercises, Lisa decided he deserved a break. Yoruichi and Mashiro agreed to join, planning to visit the Soul Gathering District, a hidden spiritual settlement in the outskirts of Karakura.
"I heard there's a vendor selling kinako-coated peony cakes," Yoruichi said with a smirk, her cat tail flicking playfully.
The three women — and one mischievous black cat — walked down the bustling streets of Karakura Town. Humans passed by, unable to perceive their presence. To them, the group didn't exist; the spiritual energy surrounding them made them intangible to ordinary eyes.
But Renya could still see the lingering souls — wandering spirits lost between realms. Some drifted aimlessly through the alleys, others lingered near lampposts or intersections, their forms incomplete and faintly glowing.
Most had died from accidents; a few bore the scars of illness or violence.
Renya's hand instinctively brushed against the hilt of his Zanpakutō. His urge to perform Konsō (soul burial) burned deep — it was reflex, duty, and compassion all in one.
But Lisa noticed his movement and said quietly, "Not this time, Renya. You're not a regular Shinigami anymore."
Renya froze, realization sinking in.
He was no longer just a Soul Reaper. The mask hidden within his soul — that Hollow half — made him something else. A Visored.
Before Aizen's rebellion, Soul Society's decree on any Shinigami with Hollow traits was absolute — execution. The memory of the Central 46's corruption still burned in his mind.
He lowered his hand, forcing a small sigh. "You're right. This isn't my job anymore."
Just then, Yoruichi's golden eyes flashed. "Hide — a Shinigami's coming."
Renya felt it too: a faint pulse of reiryoku closing in. He followed Lisa and the others into the shadows as a lone female Soul Reaper with bright orange hair appeared, performing Konsō on the nearby souls.
When Renya saw her, his chest tightened.
Lisa noticed instantly. "You know her?"
Renya nodded slowly, voice low. "Yeah. That's Huche Qingyin. She was a friend from the Academy… I even applied for deployment near her before everything changed."
Silence fell. The air thickened with nostalgia. Watching a comrade continue the duty he could no longer perform was a quiet kind of pain.
When Qingyin finished her work and disappeared, Yoruichi leapt lightly onto Renya's shoulder in her cat form, her tail brushing his cheek. "Don't overthink it," she murmured. "Defeat Aizen. When that's over, you'll walk through Seireitei's gates again — as yourself."
Renya's expression softened, a faint smile tugging his lips. "Yeah. I'll make sure of it."
The group continued their walk, leaving the town behind and following a dirt path toward the hills that framed Karakura's outskirts.
After several minutes, Renya looked up at the slope. "We're heading up the mountain?"
Lisa shook her head. "Not the summit. The Soul Gathering District's on the far side — you'll see soon enough."
They climbed steadily. As they reached the forest edge, Renya sensed something subtle but foreign in the air — a barrier.
"Lisa… this reiryoku field — what is it?"
Lisa adjusted her glasses. "A low-level repulsion barrier. It's designed to keep normal humans out. Anyone without spiritual awareness will feel uneasy and turn back."
Mashiro added cheerfully, "Locals call it Ghost Hill! Humans freak out if they come too close!"
Renya smirked. "Makes sense. The barrier's weak, though — if you suppress your reiatsu, you can slip through easily."
The four passed the boundary, stepping into a clearing hidden between space and perception. The scenery warped — a shimmer of reishi particles — and suddenly, a small town appeared before them.
Humble houses lined the path. Shinigami, wandering souls, and spiritually aware humans moved through the streets in harmony. Vendors called out from stalls selling sweets and talismans.
Renya's eyes widened. "This is incredible… A place where souls and humans coexist."
Lisa smiled faintly. "Better than staring at concrete walls all day, right?"
Renya nodded, genuinely moved by the liveliness around him.
Then he glanced around. "Wait… where's Mashiro?"
"She went to buy those peony cakes she's obsessed with," Lisa replied. "Said they're better here than anywhere else."
Yoruichi, still in cat form, perked up. "And there's a clothing shop over there — I need something to wear that isn't fur."
Lisa and Renya followed her into a small boutique. The shopkeeper, a kind woman with faint reiryoku, greeted them warmly and began showing Yoruichi various outfits.
A few minutes later, the cat vanished into the fitting room — and a woman stepped out.
Tall. Dark-skinned. Violet hair cascading down her back. A white blouse barely buttoned over her chest and blue jeans hugging her athletic form. Barefoot, golden eyes gleaming with mischief.
Yoruichi grinned. "How's this?"
Renya froze, then nodded awkwardly. "S-Senior Yoruichi… you look… um, good. Really good."
Lisa squinted at her, arms folded. Her tone turned dangerously calm. "You mean too good."
The shopkeeper blinked between them, utterly lost as the two women locked eyes — one playful, the other radiating quiet jealousy.
"Come on, Lisa," Yoruichi teased. "Don't tell me you're comparing sizes."
Lisa's smile twitched. "Just thinking out loud. Some of us don't need to flaunt everything to make an impression."
Mashiro burst back through the door mid-standoff, holding a paper bag of sweets. "I got the kinako peony cakes! Oh, Yoruichi, that outfit looks awesome!"
Renya exhaled in relief at the distraction.
Yoruichi stretched her arms, muscles flexing beneath the tight shirt. "Perfect fit. We're done here. Lisa, you can pay."
Lisa groaned audibly but handed over the yen notes. "You're all going to bankrupt me before this war even starts."
The shopkeeper chuckled. "You have interesting friends, dear."
Renya smiled faintly. For the first time in weeks, the atmosphere felt light — peaceful even. No Hollow masks, no sparring wounds, no looming war.
Just laughter. For a brief moment, they were simply people — friends sharing a stolen day of normalcy before chaos would inevitably return.