Shuren opened the Sanzu River and personally sent a new soul into Hell.
Then he looked at the contribution points displayed on his wooden nameplate, which had just increased again, a look of satisfaction crossing his face.
If this kept up, maybe a promotion and raise were just around the corner.
Suddenly, Shuren raised an eyebrow and turned to look ahead.
A spiritual pressure was moving rapidly in his direction.
He narrowed his eyes slightly and muttered, "After so many days, I finally ran into one…"
A Shinigami? Or a Quincy?
With this doubt in mind, Shuren stood quietly in place.
He didn't have to wait long.
A figure in a black kimono soon came into view.
When Shuren saw the attire, a flash of understanding passed through his eyes.
"Oh, a Shinigami…"
But…
Just some nobodies.
Not seeing a captain's haori, Shuren curled his lip in disinterest.
"Murakumo, I'll leave this to you."
He waved his hand lazily.
On the other side.
When Kuchiki Rukia and Ise Nanao spotted Shuren and the others in the distance, their expressions grew serious.
Ise Nanao said solemnly, "It's confirmed. The entire aura has disappeared in this area."
"It seems…"
"This must be related to them."
Rukia paused, then said, "Vice-Captain Ise, let's try negotiating first."
Ise Nanao nodded. "It's our best option for now."
Her gaze passed over Taikon and the others and landed on Shuren.
This man…
He gave her a very dangerous feeling.
Someone at captain level?
Ise Nanao frowned slightly, realizing the situation was more complicated than expected.
She quietly pulled out a Hell Butterfly and sent it flying toward Soul Society.
Before long, Rukia and Nanao arrived before Taikon and the others.
Ise Nanao looked around and asked bluntly, "The souls and Hollows that have disappeared in Karakura Town recently—are you responsible?"
Adjusting her glasses, her tone left no room for doubt, despite phrasing it as a question.
After all…
This group looked suspicious no matter how you viewed them.
"Mind telling us what you've been doing?"
Murakumo and the others exchanged glances, then replied flatly, "Just doing our jobs. Isn't that something the Shinigami wouldn't be bothered by?"
As expected.
A glint flashed behind Ise Nanao's glasses.
The fact they could identify her as a Shinigami meant these people weren't ignorant.
But…
"Your job?"
Ise Nanao frowned. "You mean destroying both souls and Hollows?"
"What exactly are you purifying?"
Taikon shot back, "The same thing you Shinigami do."
"?"
Ise Nanao was momentarily puzzled.
What did the Shinigami do?
Rukia furrowed her brows. Was this really the job of a Shinigami?
In reality…
She was stunned. "Soul Burial."
"Congratulations, you got it right. Unfortunately, there's no reward."
Shuren crossed his arms, calm and composed.
As for Hell, there had been no orders to conceal anything.
So, Shuren's actions were fully aboveboard.
Now that he had an official position, he felt more confident.
After all, he was now a regular soldier of Hell, with Hell backing him. He didn't need to fear Soul Society alone.
Hearing Shuren's confirmation, Rukia and Nanao exchanged surprised glances.
It really was Soul Burial?
But no!
If they were doing the job of the Shinigami, what was left for the Shinigami to do?
Also…
Where were the souls and Hollows being buried?
Rukia was about to argue, but Ise Nanao stopped her.
Rukia: "?"
Ise Nanao shook her head. They were here to investigate, not engage in battle.
Besides…
As a vice-captain, she wasn't confident in facing a captain-level opponent.
Ise Nanao committed the faces of Shuren and the others to memory, then pulled Rukia back with her.
Shuren: "?"
He watched the retreating figures of the Shinigami and fell into silence.
Seriously…
They're leaving already?
Weren't they supposed to clash with the Shinigami?
He had even braced for a life-and-death battle.
But…
That's it?
Shuren narrowed his eyes slightly, thinking about the bespectacled woman's repeated glances at him, then muttered, "She's sharp…"
After realizing the gap in power and understanding the situation, they chose to withdraw.
A very smart move.
Beside him, Murakumo hesitated and asked, "Master Shuren, should we pursue them?"
Shuren paused for a moment, then frowned and said, "Report it to Hell first."
Right now, it was unclear how Hell viewed the Shinigami, so…
Better to file a report first.
On the other side.
As Rukia was pulled away by Ise Nanao, she looked puzzled. "Vice-Captain Ise?"
Ise Nanao explained, "That tall man is very strong. I'm not sure I could handle him."
"!"
Rukia's eyes widened.
"He's stronger than you, Vice-Captain?!"
Ise Nanao nodded with a serious expression. "He should be someone at captain level."
Hearing this, Rukia's pupils shrank sharply.
Captain level?!
Only now did Rukia realize the gravity of the situation.
In the shadows.
Kuchiki Byakuya stood quietly.
"This world…"
"It's becoming dangerous."
He was debating whether to pull Rukia from the mission.
Although only Shuren and his group had appeared so far…
The presence of someone at captain level implied far deeper forces behind them.
And…
Compared to Rukia and Nanao's investigation pace, Byakuya had already used Shunpo to scan the entire Karakura Town.
All he could say was…
A lot of unexpected individuals had shown up.
And most notably…
He couldn't sense any spiritual pressure from them.
But…
His intuition told him they were very powerful.
Also…
They really were doing the job of soul burial.
Just like the Shinigami.
But…
Their destination wasn't Soul Society.
This would undoubtedly disrupt the balance between the three realms.
After confirming Rukia had safely left…
Byakuya looked into the distance and locked his gaze onto a humanoid figure with a dog-like face.
If he wanted information, the easiest way would be to capture one of them and interrogate him.
But…
That would only alert the enemy.
Besides…
It wasn't his jurisdiction.
As a noble, Byakuya couldn't easily interfere with another squad's mission.
As for why he came to this world?
Well…
He just wanted to relax a little.
Running into Rukia was just a coincidence.
Yes, that was it.
Meanwhile.
Soul Society.
Kyoraku Shunsui raised his finger, and a pitch-black butterfly floated down.
The next second.
Ise Nanao's serious voice came through.
"Captain, after a preliminary investigation, it seems a captain-level figure is involved!"
Hearing this.
Kyoraku Shunsui, who had been lounging lazily, paused, deep in thought. "Captain-level…"
Looks like…
This is more troublesome than I expected.
Thinking that, he scratched his messy hair helplessly.
Now…
He had to go himself.
Since his adorable Nanao-chan said so, if he didn't go, he might end up collecting her body.
Still…
"If I had known, I would've taken that Hell mission last time…"
Kyoraku Shunsui felt a tinge of regret.
Soi Fon had returned from Hell in just one night and seemed in a great mood. The mission must have been a breeze.
He missed out…
But…
Kyoraku Shunsui stood up from the wooden floor, gripping his Zanpakutō, adjusted the brim of his hat, and said playfully, "Time to fulfill my duties as captain."
…
Hueco Mundo.
Lynn rested his chin on his hand, glancing over the intel Ai Enma had sent.
"They've met the Shinigami…"
Lynn wasn't surprised.
In fact…
The Shinigami's reaction was a bit slow.
It had been days, and they only now noticed something was off in this world?
After glancing over the report.
Lynn dismissed it.
"Have Yoruichi keep an eye on them. She's familiar with Shinigami matters."
"?"
When Yoruichi received the assignment, a question mark flickered across her face.
But…
It was just what she wanted.
At the same time.
Hueco Mundo.
"Woo woo~ Lady Nelliel!"
Pesche Guatiche was crying tears of joy.
"I finally found you!!"
Nelliel blinked awkwardly.
She'd been having so much fun, she completely forgot about them.
Pesche sobbed for a while, then glared at Midoriko and the others. "You dare hold Lady Nelliel hostage?!"
"Roar—!"
He let out a roar, gathering a black Cero in his mouth.
Damn it!!
I must rescue Lady Nelliel from these humans!
"Wait!"
Nelliel's eyes widened, and she quickly waved her hands to stop him.
But…
Bang!
Before Pesche could release the Cero, he was sent flying by Midoriko.
With a thud, he slammed into the ground.
The black flash dispersed before it could be released.
Pesche: "?"
What just happened?
Midoriko looked speechlessly at the strange creature that suddenly jumped out, then asked Nelliel, "Is this guy your friend?"
Nelliel nodded instinctively.
Midoriko understood and gave up the idea of killing him.
But…
He's an Arrancar too…
Why is there such a huge difference?
Nelliel's so cute.
Tsk…
Weaklings like this should be sent to Hell to do hard labor.
But…
Midoriko looked up at the sky and asked, "Is that guy your friend too?"
Nelliel: "?"
She turned her gaze from the flattened Pesche to the sky.
Suddenly.
A man with short, dark yellow hair and a black eyepatch appeared in her view.
He stared directly at Nelliel, the corners of his mouth curling into a wide grin.
"Found you..."
"!"
(To be continued.)