Chapter 168 - Renji: I'm just acting; Urahara, want a fried pancake?
"Lieutenant Renji, please take care of me during this mission."
Kuchiki Rukia bowed solemnly as they gathered to depart for the Human World with Renji.
Though she had never seen him fight, rumors about Renji circulated throughout the Soul Society. Even if some claimed his combat strength was lacking, she did not dare underestimate him.
Especially since Renji was leading the team this time, and his gentle manner made him well liked. She silently scorned whoever spread those slanders. The Fourth Division did not specialize in combat; even if Renji were weak in battle, there was no need to harp on it.
"Rukia, long time no see."
As the medical corps, the Fourth Division interacted with nearly every Shinigami. Even captains were occasionally injured, some coming for treatment, others just for medicine.
Since graduating, Rukia had carried out many missions and suffered injuries more than once. Renji had treated her several times, so they knew each other.
"Yes, I didn't expect to be on a mission with you this time, Lieutenant Renji."
"Just call me by my name. No need to be formal. Let's go, Rukia, Isane."
Since the three were acquainted, there was no need for distance. After a brief exchange, Renji led them to the Human World.
"Our task is to eliminate several Hollows. I'll leave the rest to you two."
"Eh?!"
Rukia stared, stunned.
What did he mean, leave it to them? Wasn't Renji the one leading? This team felt unusual.
"Ahem, the lieutenant likely wants us to go all out. He's very cautious," Kotetsu Isane whispered in Rukia's ear.
Understanding flashed in Rukia's eyes. She nodded. "Don't worry, Renji. I will give it my all."
She had always taken missions seriously, ever since the incident with Shiba Kaien.
She had tried to save him, yet in the end pierced him with her own blade. Though he thanked her upon regaining his senses, the ordeal left a deep shadow in her heart.
Even now, the memory tormented her, and she had never again relaxed her vigilance on missions.
"Let's find the Hollows. These Menos will be easy to locate."
Upon arriving, Renji intended to finish the task quickly.
Most likely Aizen was monitoring him. Hiding was useless; this time he would have to act.
If he refused, Kotetsu Isane and Rukia, who came with him, might die here.
"Found them."
Renji closed his eyes and sensed the surroundings. As expected, it was not only three Gillians but also one Adjuchas.
The four Hollows seemed controlled by some power. The instant Renji's group arrived, they converged on them.
"Careful!"
Renji raised his zanpakutō and blocked a swift strike that lunged for Rukia.
The sudden ferocity shocked her. She had barely perceived the enemy before it was upon her. Without Renji, she would not have evaded in time.
"An Adjuchas… that's troublesome."
Kotetsu Isane frowned, already thinking of calling for support.
Three Gillians plus one Adjuchas were beyond what the three of them could handle.
"You two each take one Gillian. I'll handle the Adjuchas."
Renji paused, eyeing the Adjuchas. In early arcs it symbolized captain-class strength, yet later such foes fell without even requiring bankai.
Still, this one seemed specially modified by Aizen—perhaps a Hollow-Shinigami hybrid experiment.
"Are you sure?"
Kotetsu Isane suddenly realized Renji had been right about bringing Unohana along.
There was no time to dwell on it. Retreat was impossible, and to think of fleeing before fighting was too disgraceful.
"It's fine. I can do it."
Renji reassured her, drew his zanpakutō, and activated his lightning ability, clashing with the Adjuchas.
Kotetsu Isane and Rukia exchanged a look, then each engaged a Gillian.
"Lord Aizen, shall the remaining Gillian still hold?"
Tōsen Kaname asked curiously.
From Aizen's look, he seemed intent on watching only the Adjuchas fight Renji.
"Why is he struggling so much against an Adjuchas?"
A glint of surprise crossed Ichimaru Gin's eyes. He saw Renji fighting hard, relying on elementization to avoid injury, yet seemingly unable to defeat the Adjuchas.
"Is he still pretending?"
Aizen refused to believe that the genius upon whom he had once placed such hopes had turned into this.
When Renji's spiritual pressure had once flared across the Soul Society, Aizen thought he had found another prodigy—one worthy to be his opponent.
Yet Renji lingered in the Fourth Division for years, seemingly uninterested in combat. Even so, Aizen occasionally heard that he trained.
Thus he nurtured a sliver of expectation, hoping Renji might one day astonish everyone, himself included.
But the greater the hope, the greater the disappointment.
After waiting so long, he grew impatient and decided to forge a new opponent—thus Kurosaki Ichigo appeared.
"This Hollow is custom-made, with some additions. Even for a captain, it is not so easily handled."
For the first time, Aizen could not see through someone.
"Shall we send in the other Gillian? It might draw out his potential," Ichimaru Gin said with a smile.
Aizen said nothing, tapping his finger as he calculated. Perhaps it was worth a try.
If Renji was merely acting, then dying here would be fitting. He had already cultivated Kurosaki Ichigo as a new opponent.
He dispatched the idle Gillian, not at Renji, but at Kotetsu Isane.
Those Hollow abilities might not harm Renji—his elementization was impressive—but Kotetsu Isane had no such defense. If Renji wished to save her, he would have to show his true power.
"What a hassle."
Renji was troubled. He had been feigning ragged breath and barely coping.
Yet that crafty Aizen sent a Gillian to besiege Kotetsu Isane.
One, she could handle; two, and she truly could not.
Driven back step by step, she noticed Renji's gaze and hurriedly shouted, "Renji, don't worry about me. I can—"
Before Kotetsu Isane could finish speaking, she saw the Gillian's sharp claws about to pierce straight through her.
Her unease had reached the peak.
Was she really going to die here?
"Isane!!!" Renji's eyes widened, lightning sparking along his zanpakutō. "Bankai—Three Hundred Million Volts—Thunder God Slash!"
Behind him, a giant formed of lightning appeared, wielding a massive sword of thunder. As Renji swung his blade, the giant struck as well, cutting down the Hollows.
In just an instant, all four were annihilated.
The apocalyptic scene left Isane stunned. To see the Hollows obliterated in a single strike—was such a technique even possible?
"Holy—!? That powerful? Guess I'll faint first!"
Sensing the area clear, Renji shut his eyes and deliberately let himself fall from the sky.
Suddenly recalling something, he forced out a mouthful of blood. Finding it unconvincing, he broke the blood pack he had prepared earlier across his body.
"Renji!"
Isane rushed to catch him, holding him close. Seeing his bloodied form, her eyes filled with sorrow.
If not for saving her, he would never have been hurt like this.
"Are you alright, Renji?"
Rukia hurried over, looking at his unconscious, blood-soaked figure with dread.
Was this Bankai harming its own wielder?
"I'll heal him with Kidō!"
Isane pressed her hands to him, pouring out her strength.
But no matter how long she tried, she could not rouse him.
Impossible! Her Kidō was among the best in the Fourth Division.
"Stop already! If you keep healing me, I'll blow my cover!"
Renji nearly lost it.
He felt like a celebrity faking a scratch—if he went to the hospital any later, the wound would already be gone.
He wasn't hurt at all. This was just for show. Yet he had overacted, leaving Isane to believe he was gravely wounded. Now her tears fell endlessly on him.
At this moment, Isane felt useless.
Even with Kidō, she couldn't save him.
"Big side effects, but tremendous power," Ichimaru Gin remarked. "If I'd been hit, I'd likely be dead too."
That slash left nothing of the Hollows.
But the price was heavy. The technique even seemed to strike back at its wielder.
"Good power, though a pity. Hopefully he'll grow stronger still."
"Shall we kill him?" Tōsen Kaname asked.
"No. His ability is interesting. It would be wasteful without testing him in person. Let's go."
Aizen had enjoyed the display. Renji's ability intrigued him. Perhaps he should test it himself one day—would Kyōka Suigetsu work on him, or should he try a real fight?
He glanced at Renji one last time before leaving with Gin and Tōsen. He already had a sense of Renji's limits.
But did a zanpakutō really backfire so severely?
He had never heard of such a case.
Could Renji be faking?
A strange thought flickered, but he dismissed it.
Surely not. No one could be that sly.
"Yo, looks like little Renji isn't in great shape."
"Urahara Kisuke."
Isane spun, wary, as the exiled Shinigami appeared. For him to show up right after four Hollows fell—it was suspicious.
"Seems you're not very welcome."
After dropping her transformation, Shihōin Yoruichi stood beside him.
Their sudden appearance made Isane tense.
"No need to glare. I know Renji well. He's hurt badly—why not let me try? You couldn't save him anyway."
"If you dare try anything, I won't forgive you!"
Isane locked eyes with Urahara. She had no choice—Renji looked half-dead, and she couldn't risk losing him.
"Relax. I'm not that shameless."
Urahara waved it off. He knew well—this was Aizen's doing.
He had been watching from the shadows. If Renji hadn't unleashed his power, he might really have died.
Squatting down, Urahara examined him, frowning. Isane and Rukia both panicked. "What's wrong?"
He ignored them, muttering, "Strange. His life signs are perfectly normal, like a healthy man's."
If not for all the blood, he would have sworn Renji was fine.
"Fried pancake! Urahara Kisuke, are you the fried pancake?!"
Renji cursed inwardly. He had been planning to wake at the right moment, but Urahara's meddling ruined everything.
Wasn't this guy secretly colluding with Aizen?
Wherever Aizen was, Urahara always showed up too—were they in on it together?
Now Renji was stuck. Wake up, and Isane's grief would turn to fury. Stay down, and Urahara might expose him further.
All this trouble—entirely Urahara's fault!
(End of this chapter)
Hey readers! If you're eager to dive into advanced chapters, consider joining our Patreon. By joining, you'll get access to 20 chapters ahead and enjoy 8 new chapters per week. Plus, we have 8 more exciting fics with the same chapter release rate, giving you a total of 64 chapters per week! Join now and keep the adventure going!
Patreon: https://patreon.com/anish_44