"Shinigami have limits," Shinji said slowly. "Just like those who can use Arrancar powers, breaking through their limits and mastering Shinigami abilities."
"Similarly, Shinigami can use Hollow powers to surpass their limits and gain access to those abilities."
"But this process is extremely dangerous. The mortality rate is incredibly high. If one fails, the Hollow transformation becomes irreversible, turning them into a complete monster."
"One hundred years ago, there was a Hollow incident involving captains in the Soul Society. In that incident, more than two captains and several vice-captain-level Shinigami lost control due to Hollowfication."
"As a result, any contact with Hollow powers has been strictly forbidden by the Soul Society."
Even captains struggle to resist the corruption of Hollowfication.
And now, the power invading Shiraki Yuki's body originates from a Vasto Lorde-level Arrancar, a king-level Menos Grande. This is entirely different from an Adjuchas or even an ordinary Vasto Lorde.
"This can't be..."
"Is there really no way to save Yuki...?"
Kurosaki Masaki muttered absentmindedly.
The white mucus continued to pour out, almost completely enveloping the girl.
On her face, a pale mask was slowly forming.
It was the same bull-headed mask as before!
"Is there a way..."
Shinji pondered.
Of course, there was a way.
By entering the "Fusion State," Shinji could use the power of the Hōgyoku to guide Shiraki Yuki through Hollowfication and help her control it.
But Shinji had no intention of doing that.
"Urahara-san, how long are you planning to watch?"
Shinji suddenly turned his gaze toward a nearby utility pole.
"What? There's someone else here?"
Hearing this, Shiba Isshin instantly raised Engetsu, standing protectively in front of Shiraki Yuki.
If there was an enemy still hiding, he absolutely would not allow them to harm her.
"Relax."
A middle-aged voice echoed in the air.
"Huh? Who is it?!"
Shiba Isshin tensed up, scanning the surroundings, but he saw no one.
"Where are you looking, idiot?"
A black cat leaped onto Shinji's shoulder, licking its paw nonchalantly.
"A c-cat?! A talking cat?! Did you all see that?! The cat is talking!!!"
Shiba Isshin nearly lost his mind, pointing at the feline in shock.
"Ah, Yoruichi-san, I think you just scared Captain Shiba."
From the transparent air, a man wearing a green-and-white striped fisherman's hat slowly appeared, as if being drawn into existence by an invisible brush.
Leaning on a cane, he stepped forward.
Behind him stood a tall man in a sleeveless shirt and jeans, his sharp gaze taking in the scene.
"You... you're Urahara Kisuke, the former captain of the 12th Division! And Tessai Tsukabishi, the former chief of the Kidō Corps?!"
Shiba Isshin's eyes widened in disbelief.
Why were two of Soul Society's most notorious fugitives here?
Wait…!
"Hold on! The ones who attacked Shinji earlier… The ones who caused Yuki to Hollowfy… was it you two?!"
Shiba Isshin's expression darkened with hostility.
"Calm down, Captain Isshin. They're here to help."
Shinji patted him on the shoulder, his tone unreadable.
Shiba Isshin hesitated.
Kuchiki Shinji… what was going on?
Why was he acting like he already knew Urahara Kisuke?
Just what the hell was happening here?
"Well, well, Shinji-kun, you continue to surprise me. To think you could defeat a Vasto Lorde-level Arrancar, a king-class Menos Grande like 'Void White', so effortlessly."
"Just what level is your Reiatsu now?"
Urahara Kisuke lowered the brim of his hat slightly, studying Shinji with keen eyes.
Right now, a storm was raging in Urahara's mind.
Just like Aizen, he had been observing the battle from the shadows, completely hidden by a black cloak.
He had witnessed everything.
Kuchiki Shinji had completely overwhelmed "White."
That was a Vasto Lorde-class Arrancar.
Could it be that Shinji had already surpassed captain level?
"Ah, I just got lucky."
Shinji replied calmly.
"Don't play dumb."
Urahara Kisuke gave him a meaningful look.
Had Shinji been acknowledged by the Hōgyoku?
Had he become its master?
Just how much was this man hiding?
There was a flicker of shock in Urahara Kisuke's eyes before he looked away.
"This young lady's situation seems dire. I assume you'd like my help?"
"Can you save her?!"
Shiba Isshin's eyes lit up with hope.
Even though Urahara Kisuke and Tessai Tsukabishi were fugitives from the Soul Society, and Isshin harbored some doubts about them, he chose to set those aside.
He trusted Shinji.
And right now, the priority was saving Shiraki Yuki.
After all, she had risked her life for him.
"Well, maybe you should have a little more faith in me?"
Urahara Kisuke snapped open his folding fan, half-covering his face with a teasing smile.
"Shopkeeper, stop wasting time."
Tessai Tsukabishi pushed up his glasses, cutting off Urahara's bad humor with a deadpan voice.
Want to show off?
Not on Tessai Tsukabishi's watch.
The barrier he set up wasn't for Urahara Kisuke to stand around being dramatic.
He better get to work!
"Sheesh, Tessai, you're such a killjoy."
Urahara Kisuke let out a sigh, rolling his eyes.
Then, his expression shifted.
The playful facade vanished.
A serious, competent aura surrounded him.
"So, Shiba Isshin, let me ask you."
"As the price for saving her..."
"Are you willing to give up all your powers as a Shinigami?"
---
"You still made that choice, huh?"
Beneath the dark clouds, Shinji stood amidst the ruins and spoke slowly.
A Few Minutes Earlier...
"Hey... Shinji, can I ask you something?"
In the open space, only two people remained.
Leaning against the wall, Shiba Isshin, nearly shirtless, exhaled a smoke ring before speaking through the haze.
"What? If it's troublesome or dangerous, I won't do it, even if I agree verbally now."
Shinji glanced at him and replied calmly.
Was this guy trying to trick him into becoming a captain again?
"Haha, that's just like you."
Shiba Isshin laughed heartily, stubbing out his cigarette. Then, his gaze turned serious as he stared into Shinji's eyes.
"If possible, could I ask you to take care of the 10th Division? And... my Shiba family juniors, even if they're useless?"
Losing their patriarch... the Shiba family would be devastated, wouldn't they?
And those kids, Shiba Kaien, Shiba Kūkaku...
"You've made up your mind?"
Instead of answering, Shinji asked a question.
"Yeah, I have."
Shiba Isshin nodded decisively. "She saved my life. A man can't be ungrateful."
His eyes held deep resolve. "Though this decision may be selfish... I'm entrusting everything to you, Shinji."
With that, Shiba Isshin turned around, waving his hand as he walked away.
And just like that, he was gone.
"Leaving such a mess behind... You're really a troublesome guy, Captain Isshin."
Shinji shook his head with a small smile.
Soul Society would likely punish him for this.
Among the Four Noble Houses, Shiba Isshin, the head of the Shiba Clan and the captain of the 10th Division, had "disappeared" in Karakura Town.
This would cause a huge commotion in Soul Society. The stationed Shinigami in Karakura Town would surely be held accountable.
But then...
A smirk tugged at Shinji's lips.
Punishment, huh?
If he got demoted, that would be great. If they assigned him to Hueco Mundo or some remote outpost, that would be even better.
For Shinji, that kind of punishment was like heaven.
But...
"Has my fusion progress increased again?"
Shinji looked down slightly, fingers pressing against his chest.
He had only recently entered the "Second Collapse Fusion State."
Yet, after being "squeezed" by Nelliel a few times and battling " White," he could clearly feel that his fusion progress had advanced significantly.
At this rate, if he kept paying Nelliel's "public rations" for a few more months, he might reach the "Third Collapse Fusion State."
"Collapse Three... If Collapse Two is already this strong, I can't wait to see it."
Shinji chuckled to himself.
Just then, his eyes turned sharp.
A blue light flashed in the darkness.
It pierced through Shinji's body, striking the ground behind him with a violent impact.
Boom!
Dust filled the air.
Shinji slowly stepped onto a pole, his gaze locked onto the dark alley.
A young man emerged from the shadows.
He had short black hair covering his forehead, wore glasses, and had dark blue eyes. His complexion was unnaturally pale.
In his hand, he held a gray-white shortbow.
A Quincy...
Shinji frowned slightly.
That attack method was unmistakably Quincy.
But why was a Quincy attacking him?
"Shinigami..."
The young Quincy stared at Shinji coldly for a few seconds before raising his hand. Another arrow shot toward him.
Swish!
The wind barely kept up with the speed of the Reishi arrow.
It was as fast as lightning, closing the 100-meter distance in an instant.
Shinji tilted his head slightly, dodging it with ease. Without even glancing at the explosion behind him, he asked in a bored tone:
"What's your deal?"
"As you can see, you're not welcome here."
The Quincy adjusted his glasses and spoke in a slow, deliberate tone.
"Allow me to introduce myself. I am Ishida Ryūto of the Quincy family. Kurosaki Masaki's cousin."
Shinji's gaze flickered slightly.
So this guy was Ishida Ryūto?
No wonder he seemed familiar, but Shinji couldn't place him at first.
Perhaps it was because Ishida Ryūto's hair would turn silver in his later years. Right now, his hair was still black, which threw Shinji off.
Then, Ishida Ryūto's eyes held a hint of mockery as he added:
"Additionally..."
"I am also Masaki's fiancé."
Shinji frowned.
"So you came all the way here just to tell me that?"
What was this, some childish display of dominance?
Did he feel threatened by Shinji's presence?
"Don't act so arrogant, Shinigami!"
Ishida Ryūto's expression turned cold. He raised his hand, and another spiritual arrow shot out.
But he didn't stop there.
A barrage of blue Reishi arrows formed in his hands, raining down like a storm.
"Shinigami, the sworn enemies of the Quincy!"
"The law of the Quincy has always been clear, never associate with a Shinigami!"
"Masaki has already broken that law!"
"Just look at what happened to Shiraki Yuki for defying that rule, her life is hanging by a thread!"
"If you don't want Masaki to suffer the same fate, you'd better stay away from her!"
"Whether it's from her standpoint... or from my standpoint as her fiancé... the answer is the same."
"Have I made myself clear?"
Ishida Ryūto's voice was ice-cold.
"If I find out that you see Masaki again... I will kill you."
Hearing this, Shinji's expression darkened.
"Who do you think you are, Quincy?"
"You think you can decide someone else's life for them?"
"If you want to kill me, go ahead and try."
Who gave this guy the right to dictate Masaki's choices?
Just because Masaki refused to acknowledge him as her fiancé, he came here to assert his dominance?
Shinji sneered.
A single shield formed in front of him, effortlessly blocking all the incoming Reishi arrows.
The storm-like attack didn't even leave a scratch.
"Then don't blame me, Shinigami."
Ishida Ryūto raised his hand.
A cross-shaped arrow materialized, pulsating with condensed Reishi.
This time, it was different.
This was no warning.
This time, he was serious.
Let the hunt begin.