No matter how shocked the Shinigami were, the matter, at least on the surface, had passed.
The blood moon in the sky gradually faded, and the dark clouds slowly cleared away. However, since it was already seven or eight o'clock, Karakura Town remained in darkness even after the clouds were gone.
Only when the tremors and explosions ceased did the townspeople cautiously emerge from their shelters, one after another.
They looked at Karakura Town, which seemed unchanged from before, and felt as if everything had been a dream. On the surface, nothing had changed, but fear lingered in their hearts. The events earlier had left a deep mark in everyone's memory.
People took out their phones and began sharing their experiences online. In truth, they didn't need to say much—because the darkness had not been limited to Karakura Town, but had plunged the entire world into night.
Elsewhere, people only noticed that the sun had turned blood-red. Immediately after, the government issued a notice, claiming that the earlier tremors were caused by an earthquake.
Earthquakes were common here, and it wasn't impossible one could occur in Karakura Town. But not many truly believed it.
How could there be such a coincidence?
When the world went dark, an earthquake just happened to strike? Even a ghost wouldn't believe that.
In short, the people in Karakura Town remained anxious. Many felt their city was no longer safe, and some even wanted to move away.
But moving wasn't so easy.
Most people were ordinary civilians—without the financial means to simply leave. Even if they knew this place was a demon's den, as long as they could earn a living here, people would keep coming. No so-called doomsday could stop them.
Besides, scientists had "debunked" everything: there was no doomsday at all.
And even if there was—what did doomsday have to do with them now? There was no doomsday yet, and they still had to work themselves to the bone to make a living. They couldn't just stop living because the future might be uncertain.
As some left Karakura Town, others continued to move in. Although the rumors affected housing prices somewhat, the city remained stable.
After all, Brainleaf had an important branch here. Its presence alone was enough to ensure the city's continued development.
….
On TV, a reporter announced: "The Xcution Church is dedicated to helping people. During the previous earthquake, over two thousand members of the church assisted the government in maintaining order…"
When Ichigo returned home, exhausted, he saw his entire family sitting on the sofa, watching TV.
"Ichi-nii, you're back?" Yuzu called out when she saw him, noticing how tired he looked. "Where did you go? Why are you back so late?"
"...On the way home after school, there was an earthquake. I found a place to take shelter and just got back now. Are you all okay?"
"You brat! How dare you say that!" Kurosaki Isshin suddenly launched a flying kick, but Ichigo dodged it with ease.
Isshin fell to the floor, clutching his side and wailing dramatically: "You brat, you came back so late! Don't you know how worried Yuzu and Karin were?!"
"Don't listen to him," Karin said from the sofa, turning around. "We only got home not long ago ourselves—we haven't even eaten yet."
Originally, Kisuke Urahara had suggested that Ichigo and Orihime head straight to his place, but Ichigo couldn't help but worry about his family and decided to check on them first.
Seeing that everyone was safe, he finally relaxed.
"Xcution Church… what's that?" Ichigo asked, glancing at the TV.
"It's a new church, I think? They really helped a lot earlier," Karin replied. "But Ichi-nii, doesn't something feel off?"
"What do you mean?"
"During the evacuation, most people were sent to government-built air raid shelters."
"So, I was thinking… does doomsday really exist?"
"Eh?!" Yuzu exclaimed, startled. "There's really a doomsday? That's too scary!"
"I'm just guessing," Karin shrugged. "But think about it. If there's no doomsday, why would the government build so many underground shelters? Maybe they already know something, but keep it secret to avoid causing panic?"
"..." Ichigo fell silent.
He knew more than he could say. While it might not be "doomsday," there were indeed many 'aliens'—threats from outside the Earth—watching and waiting. If they ever invaded, it really could be the end.
But he couldn't explain this to his family, so he forced a smile. "Don't overthink it. There's no doomsday. That's just stuff religious groups say to scare people. Didn't that Xcution Church take advantage of the situation to grow?"
"Don't think too much."
"Okay…" Karin dropped the subject, and Ichigo added, "Oh, and I'll be staying at a friend's place tonight. School sent out a notice—we get a week off because of the earthquake. I'll take the chance to hang out."
"No way, Ichi-nii! An earthquake just happened and you still want to play?" Yuzu pouted.
"Haha, don't worry. I'll still come home sometimes."
Ichigo's schedule for the coming days was packed. He'd be training with Rukia at the Visoreds' place during the day and undergoing tests with Inoue at Kisuke Urahara's place at night.
In short—he was extremely busy!
Fortunately, school had given them a week off, probably due to damage from the previous battle. Only with this break could he juggle all his training.
Thinking this, he waved goodbye to his family and hurried out toward the Black Cat Bookstore.
…
Meanwhile, inside the Black Cat Bookstore, Kisuke Urahara emerged from his lab.
"Done?" Yoruichi leaned against the wall, watching him.
Kisuke shook his head. "There's something in Inoue's body, but it's completely unresponsive to external stimuli. The energy is extremely inert. I can't figure it out quickly."
He paused, then added, "Your matter with Soi Fon is settled as well."
"Mm-hmm…" Yoruichi nodded. "Her strength has increased a lot. I almost died at her hands."
"But in the end, you still won."
"Of course. Who do you think I am?" Yoruichi grinned. "I'm the Flash Goddess Yoruichi!"
"I know, Miss Yoruichi. You're amazing." Kisuke smiled wryly.
Just then, a Garganta tore open between them.
Angra Mainyu walked out.
"…You're back," Kisuke said softly.
"With such a commotion here, how could I not?" Angra gazed at the sky. Though the red moon and black clouds had faded, he seemed to still see that earlier vision.
"I say, where have you been hiding in Hueco Mundo all this time?" Yoruichi asked, dissatisfied. "You should be able to control your reishi fluctuations by now, shouldn't you?"
When Angra first broke through, he'd said his transcendent-level spiritual pressure might harm the Human World, so he stayed in Hueco Mundo to master his power. A long time had passed, and he should have gained control by now.
"…Because I found something interesting in Hueco Mundo," Angra replied.
"What was the state of Hueco Mundo before?" Kisuke asked.
"Still the same, or rather… the moon's become a bit more vivid," Angra said. "It seems our conjecture was correct."
"…Riddlers, get out of Karakura." Yoruichi rolled her eyes. "Can you say something I can understand? Why do I feel like you two have been talking about a lot behind my back?"
"Mr. Angra means that, compared to the God of Death and the God of Light, the fell mother god poses the greatest threat," Kisuke explained.
"…Why?"
"Because her power exists throughout the Three Realms—it's everywhere." Angra's voice was deep. "The Primodial Moon is the title she acquired after reaching outside the Three Realms."
Yoruichi frowned, but she wasn't slow. She quickly grasped their meaning.
After coming to the Three Realms, the fell mother god couldn't enter directly due to the barrier, but she influenced the moon in Hueco Mundo, spreading her power throughout the realms. The moon in Hueco Mundo was the Primodial Moon—they'd just seen it over Karakura Town.
"Hollows are fallen souls. Maybe her power is stronger, or more compatible with Hollows, so she could infiltrate the moon and corrupt it," Angra continued. "Next, it'll spread from Hueco Mundo."
"The next… will be the Human World," Kisuke said quietly.
"That's right. Not just Hollows. Corruption is natural to any life. Are there few fallen souls in the Human World? Not necessarily. Fallen Hollows come from fallen people."
"The previous battle showed the fell mother god is trying to invade the Human World's moon. Her followers' mass suicide was likely an attempt to contaminate it," Kisuke added.
Yoruichi finally understood.
She sighed. "It truly is a time of trouble…"
They were already dealing with Aizen and Yoshio, and now the fell mother god was also trying to infiltrate. Did the Three Realms really face destruction? Was the end coming?
Once just rumors among humans, now even a Shinigami like her could believe it.
Yoruichi quickly shook her head. "Then isn't the Human World in grave danger?"
"Perhaps. But our main enemy is still Aizen Sōsuke," Kisuke replied. "Even if she wants to corrupt the Human World, it won't happen soon. Aizen remains the immediate threat."
Yoruichi was silent for a while, then asked, "…Ichigo said he saw Yoshio on the Primodial Moon. What's going on?"
Kisuke gave a wry smile. "Do you take me for an Almighty God? Captain Ukitake and the others asked me that, now you too."
"It's strange," Yoruichi frowned. "Even if Yoshio's a Shinigami traitor, he shouldn't betray the Three Realms, right? Yet he's with Aizen's group and an external force. Shouldn't we consider the risk of Aizen allying with them?"
"He won't," Kisuke said firmly. "Mr. Aizen would never go that far."
"…You have so much faith in Aizen?"
"Yes."
Opponents understood each other best. Kisuke had little contact with Aizen, but felt he understood his thinking.
Aizen would never cooperate with Outer Gods. He was proud and had no intention of destroying the Three Realms—only of killing the Soul King and reshaping the world.
Destroying everything? That was too extreme.
And as for the fell mother god—just her name showed her power was dangerous for the world. Even if Aizen cooperated with an Outer God, it wouldn't be her.
"…I didn't expect you to trust Aizen so much," Yoruichi said sarcastically. "What, do you two have a mutual admiration society?"
"Not at all," Urahara sighed. "It's just a reasonable guess."
"Then how do you explain Yoshio's situation?"
"There's nothing to explain." Urahara's eyes grew deep. "Yoshio… perhaps he was never on the same path as Mr. Aizen."
"!!" Yoruichi was surprised. "What did you say?"
"It's just my guess." Kisuke didn't elaborate, only continued softly, "Or rather, Yoshio… is he really a Shinigami?"
"…I still don't get it. I investigated his background—birth certificate, school records, everything is in order."
"Evidence can be forged, memories altered, history changed," Angra Mainyu said coolly. "Past, present, and future are not immutable."
"Perhaps, compared to Aizen Sōsuke, Yoshio is our greatest enemy."
The three fell silent, saying nothing more.
And in that silence, someone walked in from outside.
"Mr. Urahara, I'm here!"
Kurosaki Ichigo entered, then noticed Angra. "Mr. Angra is here too? And this is…?"
He looked at Yoruichi—he had not met her in this world line.
"Shihōin Yoruichi," she said. "Actually, we've met several times."
"?" Ichigo was puzzled, but Yoruichi only said, "Alright, looks like you're busy again."
She addressed Kisuke, who smiled. "Alright, Kurosaki, I'll check your soul state."
…
"Now, this is impressive."
At that moment, Yoshio smiled as he looked at the "High-Dimensional Comments" under "Special Combat Force."
Previously, when he boosted Starrk's favorability, he'd glanced at some High-Dimensional Comments, but at the time, they weren't useful since the plot hadn't advanced.
So Yoshio kept pushing the plot, allowing Kurosaki Ichigo to observe events from a high-dimensional perspective. The results were pleasing. Now, there were many more comments.
For example—
["OMG, how did the art style suddenly change from urban combat anime to apocalyptic divine-demon anime?"]
This would turn the world into one overrun by gods and demons. Pass. Yoshio only wanted to become a god himself, not create a bunch he couldn't handle.
["So… who exactly is Yoshio? Why does it feel like he's everywhere?"]
This would connect Yoshio to everyone—a power he already had, or could arrange.
["This Yoshio must be a spy sent by an Outer God, or a collaborator? Why does he seem like a character who wants to bring Outer Gods in to destroy the world? But such characters are usually cannon fodder, trampled by the Outer Gods they bring in."]
Not friendly. This would make Yoshio get "killed by an Outer God" in the end. Since he himself was an Outer God, he didn't know how that would work, but it clearly wasn't good.
["I, however, think Yoshio might not be a bad person. He might just be a good person lurking beside the BOSS, waiting to betray him."]
This would make Yoshio a Gin-type character. Still useless; he didn't want to "whitewash" himself with this ability.
He searched for a long time and finally found a comment he liked.
["Does anyone feel that this Yoshio himself is an Outer God? Maybe he lost his memory, or used some other means to pass through the barrier and enter the Three Realms. Because he passed through the barrier, he lost most of his power, and now he's just recovering?"]
…