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Chapter 35 - [35] Kirio Hikifune

The voice seemed to materialize directly in everyone's ears.

Its gentle, melodic tone suggested a beautiful woman.

Yet Rennosuke turned ashen, as though hearing a curse from the abyss. He whirled around wildly.

"Impossible! Why are you here?!"

"You were supposed to be at the Soul King's Palace!"

The voice laughed brightly. "Changed my mind at the last minute~"

A figure descended gracefully beside Satoru, landing with featherlight steps.

The newcomer drew an admiring gaze from Satoru.

Pink cascading hair, statuesque figure, exquisite features—

—and most strikingly, the prodigious "assets" barely contained by her loosely fastened shihakushō (similar to Rangiku Matsumoto's revealing style).

The plunging neckline offered such an eyeful that Satoru only noticed the white haori half a second later.

Another Captain?

Judging by Rennosuke's reaction, this wasn't an ally of the rebels.

Combined with her "my place" comment, Satoru deduced her identity:

Squad 12 Captain. Creator of Artificial Souls.

Kirio Hikifune!

Seeing Yoruichi Shihōin, Rennosuke Kamikawa recoiled as if burned, swiftly putting distance between them.

His eyes widened, fixed unblinkingly on her.

The hand gripping his Zanpakutō trembled slightly.

Watching Rennosuke's reaction, Satoru found it odd.

Logically, both were captains—even if there was a gap in strength, there was no reason to panic this much.

Sajin Komamura, despite his lackluster power, never cowered before others, always maintaining his dignity.

Yet this Captain Kamikawa seemed even less composed than a dog.

Unlike Satoru, who acted as if facing a mortal threat, Kirio appeared completely at ease.

She tilted her head, studying Satoru with curiosity.

"You're quite impressive, kid—holding your own against Rennosuke."

"Did you two fight over some loot?"

Hearing this, Yoruichi tensed.

If Kirio thought they were enemies, things could turn disastrous.

Better to be upfront and admit they were here to steal.

After all, the hot spring records were rightfully theirs—they were just retrieving them ahead of schedule. It shouldn't be a big deal.

Probably.

Before she could speak, Satoru raised a hand and pulled down his mask.

"Good evening, Captain Hikifune."

"I'm Satoru Mikami, a student of Shin'ō Academy."

"And this is the head of the Shihōin family, Yoruichi Shihōin."

With that, he pulled her forward and tugged down her mask as well.

Seeing Yoruichi's appearance, Kirio Hikifune's eyes lit up.

"Little Yoruichi, long time no see! Did you miss me?"

She smiled and opened her arms, giving Yoruichi a hug.

Yoruichi let out a muffled "Guh."

Kirio's ample bosom exerted quite some pressure on her.

Fortunately, Kirio only held her for a moment before letting go.

She then turned her gaze to Satoru.

"So... you must be that Satoru Mikami."

"No wonder Old Man Yamamoto took a liking to you. When I was your age, forget about fighting a captain, I wasn't even sure I could defeat a high-ranking officer."

A somewhat regretful expression crossed her face.

Yoruichi: "..."

Kirio Hikifune was already challenging officer-level Shinigami during her academy days?

Another monster.

Satoru smiled. "All thanks to Yamamoto-sensei's guidance."

Hearing this, Kirio nodded.

She then looked curiously at the two before her. "The prodigy of the academy and the young lady of the Shihōin family—why are you two here together tonight?"

As if struck by a thought, she narrowed her eyes at Yoruichi with a dangerous glint and smiled. "Don't tell me you came to steal something, Yoruichi?"

Yoruichi silently averted her gaze.

Satoru coughed and said, "Reporting to Captain Hikifune, I plan to join the Second Division after graduation, so I asked Yoruichi to teach me stealth techniques."

"While practicing in the Seireitei, we happened to pass near the Twelfth Division and heard the alarm bell, so we rushed over."

"Upon arrival, we noticed intruders causing trouble. Knowing our duty as Shinigami, we intervened despite the odds."

"Little did we know this was actually a trap set by you, Captain Hikifune, to catch the culprits. We only ended up getting in the way."

He bowed slightly to Kirio Hikifune. "Our deepest apologies!"

Yoruichi silently stared at the sky.

She bit her lip hard to keep from bursting into laughter on the spot.

This guy Satoru, despite being a commoner from Rukongai, how could he spew such shameless bureaucratic drivel so effortlessly?

Amused as she was, she also realized how perfectly Satoru's words fit the situation.

His explanation not only saved face for the Twelfth Division but also completely absolved them of any suspicion.

Even if Kirio later discovered something missing, she'd have no choice but to accept it.

Could she really storm the Shihōin estate to demand it back?

Kirio looked surprised.

She studied Satoru with interest. "I see... As expected of Old Man Yama's prized pupil. Truly righteous at heart."

"Too kind, too kind," Satoru clasped his hands in mock humility.

Watching the three chat so casually, Rennosuke Kamikawa finally snapped.

Even if Kirio Hikifune was strong and renowned, he was still a captain!

How dare they act so relaxed in his presence? If they were going to underestimate him, they had only themselves to blame for what came next.

His eyes turned icy as he suddenly Shunpo'd behind Kirio at top speed.

His Zanpakutō, moving faster than the eye could follow, slashed viciously at her neck!

Clang!!!

The sound of metal clashing rang out as Rennosuke Kamikawa's face twisted in shock.

Kirio Hikifune, who had been mid-conversation with Satoru, had somehow drawn her blade and casually blocked his strike right in its path!

With her back turned to him, Kirio casually held her sword with one hand, resting the blade horizontally behind her neck, effortlessly blocking his full-powered strike!

If hearing about Kirio Hikifune's legendary feats had only instilled fear in him before, now, Rennosuke truly felt terror.

He couldn't win…

No matter how desperately he fought, there was no way he could defeat this woman!

Trembling to his core, Rennosuke lost all will to fight and turned to flee.

"Hmph, sneaking into my 12th Division at night and still thinking of running?"

Facing Rennosuke's retreating figure, Kirio raised her hand—

"Bakudō #61: Rikujōkōrō!"

Bam! Bam! Bam!

Several massive golden light fragments instantly materialized, converging from six directions and locking Rennosuke in place!

"A mere Bakudō, you think—Gahh!!"

Under the watchful eyes of Satoru and Yoruichi, Kirio flashed forward, appearing beside Rennosuke.

Before he could break free, she swung her palm and smacked him square in the head.

Rennosuke shot through the night sky like an arrow, crashing headfirst into the ground of the Seireitei.

BOOM!!!

The deafening explosion echoed through the night.

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