"Okay," Kanbaru nodded calmly.
"Although it may be a little dangerous, I really can't help it, so bye... huh?"
Shiba Isshin blinked in surprise. Did he just agree before I finished speaking?
"But there's one question—what do I get out of it?"
Kanbaru glanced at him and replied evenly, "You don't think I'm going to help you deal with a Vasto Lorde-level Arrancar just because I'm a Quincy, do you?"
Even without Isshin's request, Kanbaru was already planning to kill White—Xubai.
Not just because he wanted to feed Nilu.
But because Aizen's real target had always been Kurosaki Masaki. He intended for the Hollowfication agent—White—to merge into her, birthing a hybrid being with Hollow, Quincy, and Shinigami attributes.
And Shiba Isshin?
He was the perfect test subject—ready-made high-level cannon fodder.
As for helping?
It was optional.
Soul Society already knew from the Soul Burial Training Incident that Kanbaru possessed captain-class Reiatsu—having slain an Adjuchas-class Arrancar singlehandedly.
So long as details were limited, his position remained strategically protected.
Everything was still within his control.
Isshin understood clearly, nodding with gravity. "What do you want?"
As head of the Shiba clan—though fallen—he wasn't some naive youth.
You want something? You give something. That was the law of all dealings. It made sense that Kanbaru would have terms.
"I want a piece of identification," Kanbaru said, raising a finger.
"Identification?" Isshin looked confused. "Like… a personal ID?"
"What kind of request is that?" he added.
But Matsumoto Rangiku's eyes sparkled with realization.
Nilu? Could it be that the reason he agreed to help with the Vasto Lorde-class Hollow… was for that child?
"I adopted an Arrancar. A well-behaved one."
It really is Nilu.
Rangiku's expression softened as she glanced meaningfully at Kanbaru.
Kanbaru, meanwhile, continued without pause.
"But if Seireitei finds out, they'll likely send a squad to kill or detain her. That would be annoying."
"So I want official documentation."
"A permit that lets her stay by my side without interference from Shinigami."
"I can personally guarantee—she won't harm humans or Soul Society."
"That's the condition I'm setting."
Kanbaru looked steadily at Isshin, waiting for a response.
"You're a Quincy… and you adopted an Arrancar," Isshin muttered, exhaling smoke. "Now you want the Gotei 13 to issue her ID?"
"You're a real mess, kid."
He frowned thoughtfully. Matsumoto, however, had latched onto a particular word—troublesome.
Not afraid, not surrendering, not abandoning Nilu. Just… troublesome.
It was clear.
If the Gotei 13 came for her, Kanbaru would probably slaughter them without hesitation.
But what gave him that kind of confidence?
Could he really challenge Soul Society… for her?
"…It'll be difficult," Isshin said after a few seconds.
"But not impossible."
The Shiba Clan, though disgraced, still belonged to the Four Noble Houses.
And Isshin was once a Gotei 13 captain—he still held weight in the upper echelons.
Worst case, he could throw himself at the mercy of Yamamoto-Genryūsai. Cry, beg, bluff—whatever it took to secure her right to exist.
That's what real men did.
If you make a promise—you fulfill it. Even if it kills you.
"Alright. It's a deal."
---
"Kanbaru, Kanbaru! Wanna go to the movies later? I heard that new 'Hachishaku-sama' horror flick is out!"
At a food stall, Kurosaki Masaki clung to Kanbaru's arm with puppy eyes, completely unaware she was being targeted for Hollow fusion.
"No thanks," he said flatly. "Sounds mid."
Across the table, Rangiku pouted, chewing on a grilled skewer. "We didn't invite you, Vice-Captain Rangiku."
"I was talking to Kanbaru," Masaki grumbled, glancing at Rangiku's ridiculously oversized bust resting on the table.
Unfair. No matter how many times she saw them, they were absurdly huge.
She wanted to be an "overwhelming woman" too!
"Didn't he tell you about our relationship?" Rangiku replied slyly, propping up her chin.
Kanbaru: "???"
Masaki: "???"
"Stop teasing Masaki," Kanbaru rolled his eyes. "But seriously… you two being here this long—won't that cause problems back in the Gotei?"
Rangiku shrugged with a grin. "Not really. The squad can handle itself."
Kanbaru: "…"
Typical Matsumoto Rangiku logic.
"Boss! One jug of sake over here!"
Rangiku waved enthusiastically, tugging at her collar. "Ugh. These gigai are the worst. I feel like I can't breathe."
The gigai—artificial human bodies used by Shinigami to operate in the World of the Living—were always a little uncomfortable.
She had reluctantly put one on to join the drinking party.
"…Seriously?"
Masaki puffed out her cheeks, envious.
Breathing problems because of your boobs? Get out of here!
"Wait… we're not just sitting around until that thing shows up, are we?" Rangiku asked, taking another shot and leaning against Kanbaru's shoulder.
"You do have a plan, right?"
Kanbaru nodded. "Half of one."
"I knew it," Rangiku grinned. "Let me guess—it's attracted to high spiritual pressure, so…"
"We can use bait," Kanbaru continued, "to lure it out. Then trap it."
"But there's one problem." Masaki narrowed her eyes. "Who's the bait?"
Silence.
She turned—and locked eyes with Kanbaru.
Masaki: "???"
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