"Hey! Who are you people? Luffy is seriously injured, don't just touch him!"
A crisp shout rang out.
Nearby, Chopper, who had been treating the wounded, noticed Ren's presence and rushed over as fast as his short legs could carry him.
Ren let go of Luffy's cheek. It snapped back with a sharp smack against Luffy's face.
Seeing Chopper approach, Ren reached out, grabbed him, and held him up high.
"Doctor Chopper really is cute, and your medical skills are superb."
"Y-You called me cute? And said my medical skills are great!?"
Chopper, who had been struggling, immediately grew bashful upon hearing those words.
His eyes curved into crescents as a smile broke across his face, and he couldn't help but dance with joy.
"E-Even if you say that, it won't make me happy, you bastard! Ehehehe."
Seeing Chopper like this, a smile played on Ren's lips.
It was then that Chopper finally recognized Ren.
"Ah! Aren't you that guy we met back at the Sabaody Archipelago? You even called yourself our f-fan!"
"Chopper, I really am your fan."
"E-Even if you say that—"
Chopper was once again lost in his own happiness.
"You make it sound like we're celebrities or something. Hehe, stop it!"
"Chopper, I just came to check on Luffy. I won't hurt him."
Ren set Chopper back on the ground.
A constant grin plastered across his face, Chopper simply stepped aside and made an inviting gesture.
"Don't mention it! Luffy's body is mostly fine."
By the time the rest of the Straw Hat crew arrived, they saw the thick-browed man holding Zoro's Enma, examining it closely.
Noticing them approaching, Ren sheathed the blade and placed it gently beside Zoro.
"Our visit today had its friction, but overall, it was quite satisfactory."
"It's time for me to leave. How about you?" Ren looked toward Ace.
"I'll stay for a while longer," Ace replied. "I want to spend more time with Luffy."
The Straw Hats reached Ren, their hearts easing when they saw Luffy and Zoro lying there safely.
However, witnessing him seemingly talking to thin air left them bewildered and uncertain of the situation.
"Thank goodness. It looks like he didn't hurt Luffy."
"Who was he just talking to?"
"Could it be someone else with invisibility powers?"
Ren looked at the group before him, his expression softening significantly.
"Everyone, we'll end things here for today. We can talk more later."
"I have a place for each of you. I'll be waiting for the day you arrive."
Beside him, Shisui had already drawn his Zanpakuto, opening a Senkaimon leading to the Underworld.
"Goodbye."
As the words fell, under the astonished gazes of the crew, the two figures stepped into the empty air and vanished.
"Damn it, where did they go this time?"
"Who exactly are those two mysterious guys!?"
"Hey, did you hear what that red-eyed guy said? He called us humans... are they not?"
"He seemed to say something similar on the screen before—"
"Could they be... Celestial Dragons!?"
Out of sight, Ace listened to the discussion of Luffy's crew and sighed helplessly.
Suddenly noticing Brook's skull-like face staring in his direction, Ace waved and smiled.
Brook's soul nearly leaped out of his body. He shook his head frantically and hid behind the others.
"Hey, Brook. We don't know what you know or why you won't tell us," Sanji said, lighting a cigarette.
He took a drag and exhaled slowly before continuing, "But this secret is creating a rift between us."
"Once Luffy wakes up, I'll tell him everything and let him decide."
"Yes... I understand."
Passing through the Senkaimon, the two arrived directly at the City of the Underworld.
The architecture throughout the city was entirely in the style of the Seireitei, with white walls and yellow tiles, looking nearly indistinguishable at first glance.
To accommodate the massive statures from the pirate world, the buildings were constructed exceptionally tall, allowing even giants to reside comfortably.
A massive Kido barrier loomed overhead like an inverted bowl, covering the entire city and blocking the freezing winds from the outside.
When Ren arrived, Whitebeard was busy assigning the souls they had collected this time.
As the Senkaimon glowed and Ren stepped out, Amanai Riko immediately rushed toward him.
"Riko, stay in the City of the Underworld for now and keep a close eye on Ace's little brother."
"He's someone who stirs up trouble wherever he goes. Battles will inevitably follow him. Your job is to form soul contracts with the strong who fall."
Hearing Ren's command, Amanai Riko hurriedly agreed.
"Leave it to me! I won't let Lord Ren down!"
Ren looked at Whitebeard and instructed, "Newgate, I'm entrusting Riko's safety to you."
Whitebeard let out a confident laugh. "Gurararara! Don't you worry. As long as I'm here, no harm will come to this little girl."
Next, after spending some time planning the layout of the City of the Underworld, Ren led the Uchiha group back to the Soul Society.
Just as he opened the spatial tunnel, he spotted two white figures standing out sharply against a crowd dressed in dark clothing.
Ren frowned.
"I recall those two being CP0 agents of the World Government."
Uchiha Tekka quickly stepped forward and explained, "That's correct, My Lord. I saw that they were quite skilled, so I planned to recommend them for positions within the Stealth Force."
"CP0 elites... they do fit the style of the Stealth Force."
Ren nodded slightly and looked at Guernica and Maha.
"Then bring them along, though they'll still need to pass the evaluation."
"I am most grateful."
The large group moved through the spatial tunnel and returned to the Uchiha clan grounds within the Soul Society.
Just as they exited the Senkaimon Hall, Ren waved to the Uchiha clansmen behind him.
"You've all worked hard on this mission."
"We gained much from this trip. Performance bonuses will be doubled."
"Now, go and get some rest."
With that order, the Uchiha on the street all withdrew.
Uchiha Tekka gestured to the two CP0 members.
"You two, follow me. I'll take you to report to the Stealth Force first."
In an instant, only Ren and Shisui remained on the street.
"Shisui, you should go rest as well."
As he spoke, a soft, mewling sound caught Ren's attention.
He turned his head to see a beautiful calico kitten perched on the courtyard wall, staring at the two with bright, spirited eyes.
Ren looked at Shisui and asked curiously, "What's the deal with this cat?"
When he heard the cry, he had momentarily thought it was Yoruichi.
Shisui pulled a cat treat out of his pocket and handed it to Ren.
"The clansmen really like cats, so they've taken in the local strays."
"This calico is likely one of their kittens."
Ren recalled that the Uchiha clan did indeed have a fondness for cats.
He opened the treat and held it out to the calico.
The kitten sniffed it, took a lick, and then—her eyes lighting up—began to feast greedily.
After finishing the treat, the kitten meowed softly twice and stretched out its tongue to lick Ren's finger.
Ren's heart softened, and a look of gentleness appeared on his face.
[Reviews - Power St0nes - Comments are highly appreciated to keep me going.....(+50 chapters) patre0n.c0m/talecrafter]