"Urahara, the three you created—do they have anything to do with this incident?"
Yoruichi's voice carried a faint purr, her golden eyes narrowing as she licked her paw, curiosity glinting beneath her lazy exterior.
"Ah, Yoruichi-chan is still as sharp as ever. Yes, they're connected," Urahara Kisuke replied, opening his fan with an amused flick. He waved it lightly, the movement deliberate and teasing, a breeze stirring the quiet courtyard.
As he reached out to pat her head, Yoruichi swiftly sidestepped his hand, her tail flicking in irritation. In the same motion, her paws flashed with a gleam of cold light.
Pfft!
"Urahara, you bastard! How many times have I told you not to touch me!"
Her claws raked across his hands, leaving several thin, bleeding scratches.
"Y-Yoruichi-chan, that hurts!" Kisuke yelped, wearing an exaggerated look of pain.
Nearby, Jinta leaned close to Ururu, whispering in awe, "Xiao Yu, the manager's really taking a beating."
Ururu nodded timidly. "Mr. Yoruichi is so scary."
"Alright, alright, Miss Yoruichi, stop making a scene," a calm voice interjected.
Before Yoruichi could strike again, Shiraha reached out and gently pinched her ear between his fingers, a faint smile curving his lips.
In an instant, the fierce feline melted into submission, curling lazily into Shiraha's arms with a low, contented purr.
"Yoruichi-chan, that's unfair treatment," Kisuke muttered under his breath, feigning a sulk.
"Mr. Urahara, your guests are here," Shiraha said evenly.
Through his perception—an ability not unlike Observation Haki—Shiraha sensed the familiar spiritual pressures approaching. Kurosaki Ichigo and the others had already entered the Urahara Shop.
Kisuke's fan snapped shut. "Ah, right on time. As expected of you, Shiraha, your senses never miss a thing."
Moments later, the door slid open.
Ichigo, Ishida Uryū, Inoue Orihime, Sado Yasutora, and Renji Abarai, who had left earlier, all stepped inside.
"Mr. Urahara, what's so urgent that you had us come here?" Ichigo asked, his tone edged with confusion.
After returning home from school, each of them had been summoned personally by Zhiba, following Urahara's instructions.
"Mr. Kurosaki, you're all quite fast. Have you eaten yet? Shall we share a meal first?" Kisuke asked with a smile.
Then his gaze flicked toward Renji, who was visibly agitated. "Ah, Mr. Rice, back so soon? Still hungry? Should I have Tessai get you another bowl?"
Renji's fists clenched, veins bulging on his temple. "No. I'm full already," he said tightly, forcing down his irritation.
He had barely left the shop before running into Ichigo and the others—and now, here he was again.
"Mr. Shiraha, you're here too?" Orihime asked, tilting her head slightly.
"Yes," Shiraha replied with his usual calm, gently stroking Yoruichi's fur. "I'm staying here for the time being."
Ichigo frowned. "Hey, Urahara, mind explaining what's going on already?"
Kisuke lifted his fan again, tone light. "Mr. Kurosaki, everyone, please sit. I'll explain in a moment."
Zhiba silently laid out five futons on the floor. Ichigo and the others sat down without hesitation, their gazes shifting toward the three unfamiliar figures—Lilin, Nova, and Claude.
Urahara's smile widened slightly as he began his introduction. "Allow me to introduce these three: modified souls I created."
"Modified souls?" Ichigo muttered, scratching his head. "Aren't they the same as that 'soul guy'?"
"Idiot!" Lilin snapped, crossing her arms proudly. "Don't compare us to that defective product."
Unlike them, the simple soul inhabiting Ichigo's substitute body had no special abilities—it was a mere artificial spirit pill.
"Well now, Lilin, don't be so harsh," Kisuke said, half-laughing. "That soul was just… an early experiment. A small accident."
Yoruichi, now perched comfortably in Shiraha's arms, raised an eyebrow. "Urahara, can you finally explain what you made them for?"
Kisuke chuckled. "Still impatient as ever, Yoruichi-chan. Originally, I created the three of them to test Mr. Kurosaki and his friends."
"Test us?" Ichigo frowned. "Why?"
Shiraha's lips curved faintly. "I suppose Mr. Urahara wanted you to master your Bankai again."
The words hung heavy in the air.
After returning to Karakura Town, Ichigo's Bankai had been left unused—and truthfully, unusable. He had achieved Bankai in the Soul Society only because of the high concentration of spirit particles and the aid of the Tenshintai. In the Human World, where spirit energy was thin, that power could no longer be invoked.
Kisuke's expression softened into amusement. "Well, Shiraha's right, though I eventually abandoned that plan after discovering something… interesting when you returned."
Ichigo blinked. "Wait—what do you mean? I can't use my Bankai anymore?"
Renji's eyes widened. "What?"
Orihime leaned forward, concern in her tone. "Kurosaki-san, is that true?"
Uryū and Chad exchanged a glance, equally shocked.
Shiraha smiled faintly. "If you don't believe it, try it yourself."
Ichigo hesitated for a moment before his hand moved to the Substitute Shinigami badge hanging at his waist. A surge of spirit energy erupted, his human body collapsing as his soul stepped free in full Shinigami form.
"Mr. Urahara," he said, glancing up, "is it really okay to use Bankai here?"
"Of course, Mr. Kurosaki," Kisuke said lightly, waving his fan. "Go ahead. Use your Bankai as you please. Tessai has already placed a barrier—it won't cause any trouble."
Ichigo nodded, gripping the hilt of Zangetsu behind him.
"Z—Bankai!"
Reiatsu roared to life, swirling violently. For a moment, the air trembled with power—then, just as suddenly, it dissipated. The surge of energy collapsed in on itself, vanishing completely. Ichigo dropped to one knee, panting heavily.
"What… what's happening? My Bankai—" His eyes widened in disbelief, staring at the still form of Zangetsu in his hand.
Kisuke adjusted his hat, his tone calm but edged with irony. "Well then, Mr. Kurosaki… looks like your Bankai really can't be used anymore."
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