The power of the fire raged against Metastacia, its intense heat consuming the Hollow's body! Moments later, the spiritual pressure dissipat
The power of the fire raged against Metastacia, its intense heat consuming the Hollow's body!
Moments later, the spiritual pressure dissipated. Metastacia, devoid of life, dissolved into spiritual particles.
The battle ended. Shiba Kaien collapsed to his knees, his eyes filled with tears. Jūshirō Ukitake approached and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Don't be too hard on yourself."
From a distance, Kyōraku Callum watched the scene, filled with deep emotion. His intervention had saved Shiba Kaien's life.
"Kyōraku," Rukia said, standing beside him, their eyes meeting.
"What?" Kyōraku Callum asked, a hint of confusion on his face.
"Do you think something like this could happen to us?" Rukia asked, her expression somewhat downcast.
Kyōraku Callum paused, then gently pulled her into his embrace, whispering, "I promise you, it won't."
Silently, in his heart, he murmured, "By the name of time…"
Thanks to Kyōraku Callum's warning, Shiba Kaien successfully killed Metastacia, avenging his wife. Filled with gratitude, Shiba Kaien informed his family.
Therefore, at the Kyōraku residence… Kyōraku Callum stared in astonishment at the mountain of spherical objects before him.
"What… what are these things?"
Shiba Kaien scratched his head, a sheepish smile on his face.
"Well, my sister heard about what happened. To show her gratitude, she gave me these, her prized possessions, to give to you."
Initially, Kyōraku Callum felt nothing. But when Shiba Kaien mentioned they were his sister's prized possessions, his expression changed.
"Wait, you say these are your sister's prized possessions?"
Shiba Kaien laughed heartily, seeming to return to his former self, though a hint of sadness remained in his eyes.
"Yes, she's been collecting these for a long time."
Kyōraku Callum's mouth twitched. He remembered who Shiba Kaien's sister was: Shiba Kūkaku, Rukongai's foremost fireworks expert, and the only one who possessed the means to access the Soul King Palace legitimately.
Although the Shiba clan was declining, Shiba Kūkaku and Shiba Isshin kept them among the noble families. Shiba Kūkaku, however, lived in Rukongai due to her work, explaining the gifts.
Kyōraku Callum's mouth twitched. "These… are fireworks?"
"Yes!" Shiba Kaien confirmed. "Shiba Kūkaku made them especially. Beautiful fireworks with immense power!"
Immense power… Kyōraku Callum facepalmed.
While he understood Shiba Kaien's confidence in his sister's work, wasn't he worried about potential accidents?
The concentrated spiritual pressure in these fireworks alone… if they all exploded, the Kyōraku mansion, and perhaps several neighboring noble houses, would require extensive rebuilding.
Shiba Kaien and Shiba Kūkaku would then be pursued by the Central 46 for damaging noble properties.
"Thank you for your kindness," Kyōraku Callum said. Refusing such a gift would be insensitive. Besides, if they were special products, they'd probably be safe, right? Probably.
"Oh, Kyōraku-kun," Shiba Kaien said with a smile. "Because of this, my Uncle will be visiting you in a few days."
Kyōraku Callum raised an eyebrow. "Your Uncle? You mean Captain Isshin?"
Shiba Kaien nodded, his smile infectious.
Shiba Isshin, head of the Shiba family's branch and elder to both Shiba Kaien and Shiba Kūkaku, was the current Tenth Division Captain, responsible for Seireitei's security and patrols.
He was exceptionally strong, even among the Gotei 13.
Kyōraku Callum scratched his head, puzzled.
"It wasn't necessary to thank me so much. You killed the Hollow; I only offered a warning."
Shiba Kaien's expression turned serious.
"This isn't just about avenging Miyako; it's about the Shiba family's honor. Please don't say that!"
Kyōraku Callum sighed.
"Alright. If Captain Isshin wants to visit, let him."
Three days later, Shiba Isshin arrived.
"Captain Isshin,"
"Vice-Captain Kyōraku." Shiba Isshin was quite formal when discussing business.
However, upon noticing his gift, Kyōraku Callum facepalmed again.
The Shiba family was consistent in their eccentricities, regardless of branch or main family.
To Shiba Kūkaku, fireworks were the perfect gift; to Isshin, fine sake was clearly more appropriate.
This gift, however, was more to Kyōraku Callum's taste. The Shiba family, having lived in Rukongai for generations, brought a specialty sake from the district.
"I've come for two reasons," Shiba Isshin said, as they sat at the table, enjoying the sake. Shiba Isshin relaxed considerably upon discovering their shared appreciation for fine alcohol.
He'd heard of Kyōraku Callum before, but his busy schedule had prevented a meeting. This encounter left a favorable impression.
Kyōraku Callum looked puzzled. "Two reasons? Isn't Captain Isshin here because of Kaien?"
Taking a sip of the strong sake, Shiba Isshin smiled heartily. "That's only one of them."
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