Nelliel looked up at Kyōraku Callum, her eyes still glistening with tears, a smile slowly spreading across her face. In her simple world, Ky
Nelliel looked up at Kyōraku Callum, her eyes still glistening with tears, a smile slowly spreading across her face. In her simple world, Kyōraku Callum's presence was the greatest joy.
Yoruichi Shihōin, regaining her composure, looked at Kyōraku Callum seriously.
"Why are you in the World of the Living?"
Kyōraku Callum sat cross-legged on a white cloth, turning to Urahara Kisuke, who was seated similarly beside him.
"Kisuke, don't look at me like that!" Urahara Kisuke said, his voice oddly cheerful. "I'll explain everything."
Yoruichi Shihōin frequently traveled between Soul Society and the World of the Living, sometimes missing crucial information unless specifically gathering intelligence.
"A while ago—shortly after your last visit to the World of the Living," Urahara Kisuke said, stroking his chin, "I discovered a woman in Karakura Town imbued with Hollow energy.
She's named Masaki Kurosaki, a pure-blooded Quincy! The Hollow energy is from a recent battle with a strange Hollow.
Masaki's soul is merging with the Hollow's, causing her to partially "Hollowfy."
Kyōraku Callum immediately understood. After the first Menos Grande's death, Aizen had clearly created a second.
His plan continued in the World of the Living. Kyōraku Callum's interference had seemingly caused some changes, yet it felt as though nothing had changed at all. Masaki Kurosaki became a test subject for Aizen, and she met Shiba Isshin.
"Masaki fought the Hollow to save a Shinigami," Urahara Kisuke continued, his expression growing serious.
"That Shinigami was Captain Shiba Isshin of the Tenth Division. To save Masaki, Shiba Isshin relinquished his Shinigami powers, infusing his own energy into her soul."
Kyōraku Callum and Yoruichi Shihōin listened silently, even though the latter already knew the story.
"You probably know what happened after that," Urahara Kisuke said. "Shiba Isshin resigned as Captain of the Tenth Division and went into hiding in the World of the Living.
Oh, and he mentioned something about opening a private clinic?"
Urahara Kisuke suddenly looked enlightened. "Oh my! Today's his grand opening! We should go show our support!"
At Urahara Kisuke's urging, the four of them went to Shiba Isshin's new clinic.
It wasn't a grand opening; only a handful of people were present.
"Hey! Kyōraku!" Shiba Isshin exclaimed, surprised to see Kyōraku Callum.
Clearly, Urahara Kisuke hadn't informed him beforehand. "How did you…"
Urahara Kisuke popped up from behind him, laughing. "I told Kyōraku-kun. Because of Yoruichi and Nelliel, he frequently visits the World of the Living. You couldn't hide from him."
Shiba Isshin had completely lost his spiritual pressure. While stronger than an ordinary human, he was far weaker than Kyōraku Callum and the others. Masaki Kurosaki wasn't present at the clinic.
"Was it worth it?" Kyōraku Callum asked calmly, finally voicing his question.
Shiba Isshin paused, then laughed heartily. "Haha, what's worth it or not?
Kid, let me ask you this," Shiba Isshin said, putting an arm around Kyōraku Callum, just as he always did.
"If Nelliel, Yoruichi, Rukia, or Kūkaku were in Masaki's situation, and the choice was yours… who would you choose?"
Kyōraku Callum was silent for a moment. "I understand."
"I'll keep your secret in Soul Society," Kyōraku Callum added.
The mood shifted from somber to light. Shiba Isshin didn't seem to mind, despite losing his Shinigami powers.
But Kyōraku Callum felt uneasy; Yoruichi Shihōin and Nelliel were clinging to his arms.
"Who are Rukia and Kūkaku? Are they also trying to steal Kyōraku from me?" Nelliel asked.
"Kyōraku-kun, so you're also involved with Kūkaku? You're quite the player!" Yoruichi Shihōin teased.
"Ahem," Kyōraku Callum coughed, attempting to deflect the awkwardness.
He answered Nelliel's question. "Rukia and Kūkaku, like Nelliel, are precious to me."
He gently stroked Nelliel's head. "I won't abandon any of them."
Nelliel's face lit up with a happy smile.
She was easily pleased; a simple affirmation could make her happy for a long time.
Yoruichi Shihōin, however, wasn't so easily satisfied.
"Kyōraku-kun, tell me everything," Yoruichi Shihōin said excitedly. "How did you and Kūkaku get together?"
Kyōraku Callum glared at the gossiping woman, ruffling her purple hair. "Shiba Kūkaku was arranged by that stupid old man of mine. Don't get too excited; you might end up being the 'little one' someday…"
Yoruichi Shihōin's smile widened. "Oh? Kyōraku-kun, you're already thinking about the hierarchy?"
Damn it! Completely outmaneuvered by this woman!
After leaving the clinic, Shiba Isshin joined Kyōraku Callum and the others in the Urahara Shop's underground space.
"That's my story, Kyōraku," Shiba Isshin said, his usual cheerful demeanor unchanged, showing no sign of despair over losing his powers. "Don't worry about me."
He gave a thumbs-up, his smile bright. "But your situation with Kūkaku… that concerns me."
"Ahem!" Kyōraku Callum coughed violently. "Let's move on. I have other things to discuss."
Shiba Isshin looked puzzled. "Didn't you come to the World of the Living specifically for my sake?"
____________________
for more advance chapters visit my p@treon
[email protected]/kane45
Casual Reader - 20 Advance Chapters
Intermediate Reader - 40 Advance Chapters
Expert Reader - 60 Advance Chapters