The moment Shimo appeared, the seed of fear buried deep within Kurosaki Ichigo's heart began to sprout again.
He recalled that night—the suffocating pressure, the battle he couldn't win—and unconsciously tightened his grip on his Zanpakutō.
For the first time, he realized he couldn't even summon the will to fight.
"Kyōraku Shimo…"
Shimo smiled, that same calm and unreadable smile as always, then looked past Ichigo toward the group behind him.
A black cat's face twisted into a helpless grimace as she saw him—Yoruichi could only sigh at his fondness for mischief.
"Ichigo, let's go," said Ishida Uryū quietly, his tone grim.
He too remembered that overwhelming spiritual pressure.
He had been rendered unconscious by it before even raising a hand—no battle, no resistance, just pure, crushing power.
In more than ten years of training, Uryū had never encountered a being so utterly beyond comprehension.
"With him guarding this place, we're not getting through," Uryū muttered. "And there's also the captain of the Third Division beside him."
Ichigo's face hardened. Without a word, he turned and began walking away.
Even after his rapid growth, even after obtaining newfound strength—when facing Shimo, he still felt small.
That oppressive aura, like an abyss, loomed before him once more.
Watching the Ryoka retreat, Gin's grin widened.
"My, my… never thought Shimo-kun would let the Ryoka leave."
He tilted his head playfully. "If I reported that to Head Captain Yamamoto… what do you think would happen?"
Shimo gave him a cold glance. "Worry about yourself. I simply don't want to create more work for my division."
Without another word, he walked past Jidanbō, the massive gatekeeper.
"Eh? Shimo-kun, where are you off to?" Gin called, curious.
"Official business," Shimo said, waving a hand dismissively as he vanished through the Shirodō Gate.
Gin's smile only deepened as he watched him go.
"What a puzzling man… truly beyond prediction."
As Aizen's subordinate, Gin had seen plenty of reports on Shimo—but every new piece of intelligence only deepened the mystery.
He wasn't just strong. He was unpredictable.
Perhaps, Gin mused, he's the real wild card in all this.
"Well," Gin said with a soft chuckle, "my job's done. Time to enjoy the show."
His half-lidded eyes flashed with an icy blue glint.
---
Outside the gate, Shimo looked up at Jidanbō.
"Lower the Hakutōmon Gate."
"Yes, Lieutenant Shimo!"
The giant bowed deeply, lowering the gate with both hands until it thudded into place like a fortress wall.
"Thank you, sir," Jidanbō said earnestly. "If not for you—"
"No need to thank me." Shimo's tone was calm. "Just remember your duty. That's enough."
The gatekeeper watched as Shimo's figure receded into the distance, heading westward toward the outskirts of Rukongai.
---
Western Rukongai – Shiba Residence
By the time Shimo arrived, the once-quiet estate had transformed overnight.
The distinct Shiba architectural flair had returned—open courtyards, reinforced walls, and a hidden underground space large enough to house a small fortress.
From afar, the structure resembled two colossal arms bursting from the ground.
A sculpture bearing Shiba Kaien's name stood proudly at the entrance—symbol of the current clan head.
As Shimo approached, two familiar figures dropped down from above—Ginpaku and Kinpaku, the Shiba household servants.
"Lieutenant Shimo!" both said in unison, faces lighting up with recognition.
"Our apologies—we were repairing the roof and failed to sense your reiatsu!"
"No problem," Shimo said, waving it off. "Is Kūkaku home?"
The brothers exchanged a glance and nodded.
"She's been in her room since you left yesterday," they said.
Shimo sighed, half amused.
"All that just because I said no to marriage? I told her—it's too soon."
The brothers chuckled sheepishly and stepped aside.
"Please, this way, Shimo-dono."
Inside, Shimo found Shiba Kūkaku waiting—not sulking as expected, but sipping tea casually.
"Hey, Shimo-kun!" she greeted cheerfully, not a trace of resentment in sight.
"You're taking it better than I thought," Shimo admitted. "Still, give it a few more years before you start planning anything, alright?"
Kūkaku grinned. "Relax. I wasn't bringing it up again."
Shimo sighed, then changed topics. "I came for another reason today. We're expecting… visitors."
"The Ryoka, right?" she said instantly. "You told me yesterday to prepare the Flower Crane Cannon to send them into Seireitei."
"Correct," Shimo replied. "Though there's one more thing I forgot to mention."
Her playful demeanor softened. Around him, Kūkaku always grew more composed—an instinctive respect.
"There's a boy among the Ryoka. Kurosaki Ichigo. He's the son of Kurosaki Isshin."
Her brows furrowed. "Isshin…?"
"Formerly Shiba Isshin," Shimo clarified.
Kūkaku's eyes widened in disbelief. "Impossible! Uncle Isshin—he's—"
"He fell in love with a human," Shimo said gently, turning his teacup. "They had a child. That child is now one of the intruders."
Kūkaku fell silent, tracing idle circles on the table with her finger. Then she nodded slowly.
"I see. You want me to act as if I don't know, right?"
A small smile curved Shimo's lips. "Still sharp as ever. He looks a lot like Kaien. I'd rather not risk an emotional slip."
"Understood," Kūkaku said simply.
Just then, the clock in the room chimed nine times.
Shimo glanced at it and chuckled. "Someone's about to have a rough morning."
A thunderous crash echoed from above.
"Pony! Brake! BRAKE!"
A shriek, a boom, and the unmistakable sound of impact.
Sighing, Kūkaku rubbed her temples.
Even if you painted "four-wheel drive" on that boar, it was still a boar.
Moments later, she stormed upstairs—Shiba Ganju was rubbing a bruise on his head while trying not to cry.
"Honestly," she scolded, punching him squarely on the top of the head, "I might not be the head of the family, but as your sister, I still have authority to punish you! You're late again—consider this strike one!"
Ganju sniffled quietly under Shimo's amused gaze.
"Don't hold it in," Shimo said kindly. "If it hurts, cry."
"No! A man doesn't cry!" Ganju declared bravely, tears already welling up.
---
Outside, Yoruichi led Ichigo's group to the Shiba estate.
After climbing the long staircase, they were greeted by the sight of chaotic architecture—and by Shimo, sipping tea in the courtyard as if he owned the place.
"You—!" Ichigo stammered, nearly dropping his sword.
Shimo raised his cup serenely. "Calm yourself before you speak."
After a few deep breaths, Ichigo managed to ask, "Why are you here?"
"This," Shimo said, setting his cup down with a faint smile, "is my fiancée's home. Why wouldn't I be?"
All eyes turned to the black cat on the floor.
Yoruichi sighed, tail flicking. "…He's not lying."
The cat leapt onto Shimo's shoulder, brushing against his cheek with a resigned look.
"Not that I'm happy about it—but Kūkaku beat me to it."
The Ryoka collectively froze, overwhelmed by the absurdity of what they were hearing.
"Yoruichi! You're still the same as ever!" Kūkaku laughed, scooping the cat off Shimo's shoulder and hugging her tightly.
"You always try to steal the good stuff from me!"
"Meow—stop! I can't breathe!" Yoruichi gasped, pawing frantically at her.
"That's the hundred and thirty-second time you've nearly smothered me!"
"Alright, alright," Kūkaku laughed, setting her down. "Let's talk business. You're trying to enter Seireitei, right?"
Ichigo nodded quickly.
At least now, with Shimo distracted by cat-petting, he didn't seem like a threat.
"The walls surrounding Seireitei," Kūkaku began, "are made of a special stone called Sekkiseki. It cancels reiryoku upon contact—meaning no spiritual energy can pass through from sky to ground."
She gestured proudly toward the back of the compound.
"To get in without authorization, you'll need the help of a fireworks master—me."
"Come on. I'll show you the correct way."
The group followed her down a long corridor into the underground chamber.
Even Shimo joined them, though Ichigo and Uryū instinctively stiffened at his presence—it was an animal response, prey before a predator.
When they reached the end, the sight before them took their breath away.
A massive black cannon—towering tens of meters high—stood embedded in the rock, aimed straight at the sky.
"This is…" Ichigo whispered.
Shimo, even with all his composure, looked slightly impressed.
Kūkaku spread her arms dramatically and grinned.
"The correct way to enter the Seireitei… is with this!"
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