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The moment the words left their mouths, a flicker of Reiatsu swept down like a descending blade. Shiraha's figure appeared before Urahara Kisuke and Yoruichi, his spiritual pressure calm but unmistakably heavy with resolve.
"It's been a while, Mr. Urahara, Ms. Yoruichi," he said with a relaxed smile.
Urahara's gaze shifted to the black haori Shiraha wore, eyes pausing at the kanji for "seven" emblazoned boldly across his back. He raised an eyebrow. "So you became the captain of the Seventh Division?"
It was hard to believe. Urahara Kisuke clearly rememberedâbarely over a month ago, Shiraha had only just concluded his internship. Even if he had applied for early graduation from the ShinĆ Academy, rising to captaincy within such a short time seemed absurd. News from the Seireitei didn't reach the Human World often, and what little did was often outdated. But the fact remained: the boy standing in front of him now bore the authority and presence of a captain.
"Brother Shiraha, is it true? You're really the captain now?" Yoruichi, still in her feline form, licked her paw and glanced up with wide eyes. "Fresh out of the academy and already captain... that only happens if there's a vacancy and you've achieved Bankaiâor if you're like Zaraki Kenpachi and defeat the standing captain in front of two hundred witnesses."
"That's right. I defeated Vice-Captain Komamura and became the Seventh Division's new captain," Shiraha said with a faint smile. He had no reason to hide the truth. Even if he hadn't said a word, someone with Urahara's intellect and sources would find out soon enough.
Urahara's smile faded slightly, replaced by curiosity. "So then... why are you here in the Human World? If I recall, the Seventh Division's duty is guarding Seireitei. The Thirteenth Division is in charge of missions in this realm."
Ordinarily, a captain-level Shinigami would only be dispatched to the Human World under exceptional circumstances, usually involving a powerful Hollow or Menos-class threat. Shiraha's appearance here made little sense.
"I was framed," Shiraha said calmly. "Banished from Seireitei by design. I've been ordered to remain in the Human World for ten years. I hope you'll look after me during that time."
Even without the details, Urahara could already guess the truth behind those words.
Shiraha sat cross-legged across from him on the futon and picked up Yoruichi without hesitation, placing her into his lap and patting her gently on the head. She didn't resist. It seemed she'd already forgotten about the last time Shiraha had flicked her forehead in jest.
Urahara raised an eyebrow at the scene. "You've tamed her, huh?" he muttered with a half-laugh.
But as soon as he reached out to touch Yoruichi's head, she opened her eyes, narrowed them, and in one swift motion slashed at his outstretched hand with her claws.
"Ah!" Urahara recoiled, holding his hand in pain as two fresh red lines formed across the back. "Yoruichi-chan! That's not fair! Why do you let Shiraha pet you but you scratch me like that?"
"I told you not to touch me," Yoruichi said evenly before curling back into Shiraha's lap and resting her head contentedly against his chest.
Urahara gave an exaggerated sigh and shook his head. "So cruel..."
Shiraha looked down at the cat in his lap, smiling faintly. "By the way, Captain Soi Fon asked me to pass a message to you. She said she will definitely capture you."
The moment he said her name, a complex flicker passed through Yoruichi's golden eyes. Her expression didn't change, but the weight in her silence spoke louder than words. To Yoruichi, Soi Fon was never just a subordinate. She was familyâmore like a little sister than a member of the OnmitsukidĆ. Their relationship, once deep and trusting, had become fractured with Yoruichi's sudden departure from Soul Society. The name brought with it a mix of guilt, regret, and unresolved tension.
Urahara's face darkened. He leaned forward, voice low. "It was Aizen, wasn't it?"
Though he phrased it like a question, his tone left little doubt. Since his last meeting with Shiraha, Urahara had already drawn his own conclusions. The last time he'd rescued Hirako Shinji and the other Visored, he'd felt itâsomething off, something wrong in the very fabric of their downfall. And after discovering Aizen's ZanpakutĆ's true abilityâKyĆka Suigetsu and its complete hypnotic illusionâUrahara had become almost certain.
To force out a Kuchiki and newly appointed captain in such a calculated way... it had to be Aizen's doing. Just like the ploy that led to Urahara's own exile.
"Perhaps," Shiraha said cryptically. He didn't confirm or deny it. Urahara would figure it out on his ownâhe always did.
Urahara exhaled slowly and reached for the teacup. "Then have some tea. It seems we're all fugitives here, one way or another."
Shiraha picked up the porcelain cup and took a sip, savoring the aroma as he continued to stroke Yoruichi's head. She let her eyes flutter closed, completely at ease. If Urahara had done the same, she probably would've drawn blood again.
As Urahara watched the two of them interact, he sighed. "So tell me, Shiraha. You didn't just come here to catch up. What do you want?"
With a soft smile, Shiraha answered plainly. "I'd like you to help arrange a place for me to stayâand tell me where the Visored are hiding."
Urahara's eyes narrowed slightly. "The Visored?" he echoed. He was tempted to ask how Shiraha even knew they were stationed in Karakura Town, but after a beat of silence, he let it go. Just like the time Shiraha told him about Aizen's ZanpakutĆ, he knew pressing the matter would get him nowhere.
Even if he asked more, Shiraha wouldn't answer.
"In exchange," Shiraha said calmly, "when the time comes to deal with that man... I'll help you."
The implication was clear. Both he and Urahara had been exiled by Aizen's hand. And when the time came, they would settle the score.
Urahara stared at him for a long moment before giving a small nod. "Understood. Yoruichi-chan will take you to Hirako and the others later."
He knew exactly whom Shiraha meant by "that man." And with Shiraha's strength and rising potential, he could be a valuable ally when the storm finally broke over Soul Society.
"As for your living arrangements..." Urahara's smile returned, light but sincere. "Mr. Tessai will prepare a room for you here in the shop. You'll be well looked after."
Urahara turned toward the large man standing silently at the edge of the courtyard. "Tessai, could I trouble you to clean and prepare one of the rooms?"
"Of course, shopkeeper. I'll ready Mr. Shiraha's quarters now," Tessai said with a respectful nod, then vanished into the building to make the preparations.
Yoruichi stretched in Shiraha's lap and hopped down. "Come on, Shiraha. Let's go," she said, disappearing in a burst of Shunpo.
Without hesitation, Shiraha followed, vanishing into the air.
They reappeared outside an old, seemingly abandoned building tucked deep within Karakura Town. It was plain, weather-worn, but heavily concealed with spiritual barriers.
"This is where Hirako and the others stay," Yoruichi said, lifting her cat paw to gesture toward the building. After a quick lick to the corner of her mouth, she looked back at him with a subtle gleam in her eyes. "Brother Shiraha, welcome to the fringes."
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