Return to Soul Society
The Hirenkyaku—a Quincy technique for high-speed movement—relies on manipulating reishi underfoot.
Perhaps it was instinct, but Kurosaki Masaki had already made significant progress with it.
By the time she arrived outside Karakura First Bank, she encountered a problem.
She couldn't get in.
The street was flooded with police cars and barricades. Officers crowded the area, helicopters circled above, and sharpshooters lined the rooftops. The building was sealed tight.
More troubling—Masaki felt a faint, unmistakable reiatsu inside.
A Shinigami.
Her aunt's warnings echoed in her mind: Never approach them. Shinigami are dangerous. Quincies must stay apart.
The thought doused her determination like cold water.
She sighed softly. "Eh… I'm not as bold as Shiraishi after all."
Turning to retreat, she bumped into someone. She bowed quickly. "Ah—sorry, I wasn't paying attention."
When she glanced up, she froze.
The man wore a striped bucket hat, green haori over dark clothes, and wooden clogs that clicked softly against the pavement. His blond hair curled slightly under the brim, stubble shadowed his jaw, and his eyes—calm yet sharp—hid a trace of amusement.
"It's quite alright," Urahara Kisuke replied, tilting his hat lower before slipping into the crowd.
At the police line, he discreetly released a rat-shaped Gigai from his sleeve, then ducked into a nearby alley.
From the shadows, a black cat emerged, her steps silent under the moonlight. She didn't bother with disguise.
"Kisuke, what's so urgent?" Yoruichi's golden eyes narrowed.
"Yoruichi—you nearly gave me a heart attack," Kisuke said, feigning exasperation.
She flicked her tail. "Please. With my Zanpakutō, Suì-Fēng could never discover who I am. That little girl's heart is already tangled enough."
Kisuke's expression turned serious. "It's worse than that. Shiraishi is Soul Society's most wanted criminal right now. Head-Captain Yamamoto himself ordered the Second, Eighth, Eleventh, and Twelfth Divisions to hunt him down. And… he's also caught Aizen's eye."
"Tch. Suì-Fēng sure knows how to fall for trouble," Yoruichi muttered, leaping onto Kisuke's shoulder. Being noticed by Aizen was never good news. It meant shadows, schemes, and sudden death.
After all, Aizen's manipulations had already forced her into exile.
"Kisuke… you've been away for years. How do you still know all this?"
"When I built the Research & Development Bureau, I installed a few… contingencies." Kisuke shrugged, as if it were obvious. "Backdoors are a habit."
Yoruichi's ears perked. "Then does that mean I could return?"
He shook his head. "Not through official means. The Reishō Gate is monitored. Mayuri isn't incompetent. If I tampered with it, he'd notice—and trace it back to me. That risk isn't worth it."
She clicked her tongue. "Boring. Still… I want to see Suì-Fēng again."
"No." Kisuke's voice cut sharper than usual. "Shiraishi is marked. If you get near, Aizen will connect the dots. And if he ever learns your Zanpakutō's true ability—"
Yoruichi fell silent. Few knew her blade's secret. But one name stood out. "Byakuya…"
Kisuke nodded. "Divisions Five and Six are in the area too."
Yoruichi winced, recalling Byakuya's mortified reaction the first time she revealed her true form. It would have been funny—if the situation weren't so grave.
Her eyes narrowed. "Kisuke… Aizen isn't just babysitting Shiraishi, is he?"
He adjusted his hat, tone heavy. "You're right. Shiraishi is incidental. Aizen's been moving pieces across Tokyo, pushing Hollowfication experiments. He's targeting Hirako and the others."
Yoruichi's tail stilled. "How?"
"By weaponizing souls—turning Shinigami into Hollow hybrids. If they fail, their very being collapses."
Kisuke's gaze darkened. He had intercepted early signs, diverting Hirako and the Visored into 'training' under the pretense of safety. In truth, he had pulled them away to keep them from seeing comrades slaughtered.
Because Hirako and the others… they would never stand by. Not even against Aizen.
And Kisuke couldn't bear to watch them sacrifice themselves.
"You always shoulder everything alone," Yoruichi whispered.
He didn't answer. In truth, he doubted himself more than anyone. Without Yoruichi's steadiness, he feared he would have followed Aizen's path of isolation long ago.
"Sorry, Yoruichi."
"Don't be. If you need help, you know I'll give it."
His lips curled into a faint smile. "Of course."
Their banter softened, shifting into idle chatter, until a sudden crack split the night sky.
Fireworks erupted overhead, blossoms of red and gold scattering against the dark.
Both lifted their gaze.
Across the city, atop the Ferris wheel, Shiraishi and Suì-Fēng watched the same spectacle.
"What do you think?" Shiraishi asked.
"…Not bad," Suì-Fēng replied, eyes refusing to leave the sky, voice tight with stubborn pride.
Shiraishi smirked, swinging open the Ferris wheel door. "Then it's time. This little detour in the human world ends here."