"I have decided that you will be my owner."
Yoruichi stretched out her cat paw and placed it on the back of Yuta's hand, her eyes unwavering.
"Owner?"
"Just provide me with meals, and I'll listen to you in everything."
Yoruichi looked up at Yuta with unwavering dark eyes. There seemed to be some inexplicable seriousness in her expression.
There was no deeper reason beyond one thing-Yuta's cooking was extraordinary.
Compared to his meals, everything she ate before seemed unworthy of mention. After experiencing his food, anything else felt bland by comparison.
She liked Yuta quite a bit. If that affection came with the bonus of being his cat and eating delicious meals daily, it didn't seem like much of a loss.
"Alright." Yuta picked up Yoruichi and held her in his arms. With her current appearance, who wouldn't enjoy the company of a black cat?
And, of course, there were additional perks that came with her transformation abilities.
Later, after speaking with Urahara Kisuke, Yuta learned about the method to extract matter connected to the soul.
At that moment, Yuta sensed unfamiliar spiritual pressure nearby.
"Let's go check it out."
…
Soul Society.
Following the return of Aizen Sosuke, Ichimaru Gin, and Tosen Kaname-
Ichimaru Gin seemed preoccupied by lingering thoughts of Yuta. "Oops. If Yuta's around, aren't we at a serious disadvantage?"
"There's no problem," Aizen Sosuke answered calmly, "In fact, I'm quite interested in seeing Yuta's limits."
Meeting someone with ability far beyond conventional boundaries didn't intimidate Aizen. It intrigued him. He had spent too long standing unmatched in Soul Society. No one had been able to rival him.
Now he was genuinely looking forward to the battle ahead-but not before completing the Hōgyoku and reaching his greatest potential.
At that moment, Tosen Kaname interjected, "Lord Aizen, recently several nobles have committed crimes. I've arrested them. They're awaiting trial to determine whether they should be executed."
In the past, the Central 46 had protected noble families from justice. With their deaths and complete control now in Aizen's hands, that protection no longer applied.
"You're too extreme, Tosen," Aizen replied with practiced calm. "I've said it before-killing nobles alone won't bring about change. What we require is actual reform."
"The day of true change draws near."
"When I retrieve the missing piece of the Hōgyoku from Urahara Kisuke, we'll leave Soul Society and head to Hueco Mundo."
"I've already located the jewel fragment hidden within the corridors of the Great Spirit Book-and I've mastered how to extract it from the soul."
"It's inside Kuchiki Rukia."
Tosen's expression shifted slightly. "Kuchiki Rukia? From the 13th Division? The young lady of the Kuchiki clan?"
"Yes," Aizen confirmed. He turned to both companions. "Let's go have a look. If possible, we'll capture her now."
They arrived at the 13th Division. Since Captain Ukitake Jushiro had been chronically ill, the division was based in one of Soul Society's outskirts-an area of peaceful vegetation and flowing rivers.
There was even a separate resting area built for Ukitake: Yukando, a modest structure beside the water, shaded by bamboo and flowering trees. The curtains on the entry were woven reeds, and the dwelling resembled a garden retreat.
Members of the 13th Division noticed the visitors immediately.
"Captain Aizen!"
"Are you here to see Captain Ukitake? I'll take you to him right away."
"Thanks," Aizen replied with polite ease.
Soon they stood before Yukando. The team member knocked once, then left after reporting their arrival.
Inside, Ukitake Jushiro lay beneath the covers-his white hair spread across the pillow, complexion pale and distant.
As they entered, Ichimaru Gin spoke first. "Looks like you're in bad shape, Ukitake. You should really rest properly."
Thunder rumbled distantly outside. The wind had picked up as dark clouds rolled in.
Ukitake coughed lightly into his fist. "Thanks for your concern, Captain Ichimaru. Unfortunately, my health doesn't allow much else. I'm sorry I couldn't greet you properly."
Sosuke Aizen stepped further into the room and faced him. Lightning briefly illuminated his profile behind the curtain. "Ukitake, you isolate yourself too often."
"Perhaps so," Ukitake replied with faint humor.
"I'll be direct. Where is Kuchiki Rukia?"
Ukitake took only moments to respond. "It's unfortunate, but she left recently. I believe she heard about some issue during the soul burial internship… she felt worried and headed to the World of the Living."
"Unfortunate indeed," Aizen said with no visible change in expression. He adjusted his glasses. "We won't trouble you further."
With that, the three captains exited the room silently.
After they left, Ichimaru Gin scratched his head lightly. "Captain Aizen, I think I'll return to the 3rd Division now. Can't be gone too long or people might start asking questions."
Once Gin departed, Tosen looked toward Aizen. "Lord Aizen, if you already know his intentions are questionable… shouldn't we eliminate him?"
"There's no hurry," Aizen said, his tone unbothered. "I'm rather curious to see how he intends to kill me."
…
Inoue Orihime's home.
"Ah…"
Orihime's lips parted slightly. Her tongue flicked out to moisten them, followed by the faintest exhale of breath.
After holding the same posture upright for too long, she stretched slightly, arching her arms behind her and lifting her chest forward. The motion traced the curve of her figure under the light fabric of her clothes.
Even Arisawa Tatsuki-who was decidedly uninterested in girls-couldn't help but look.
Compared to her own frame, Orihime's was remarkably full. Even she couldn't quite hold back the thought.
"Orihime, if you get pregnant someday and have kids when you're older, you won't even have to worry about milk formula costs."
"Unlike me. I'd have to buy tons of it."
Orihime's face flushed. "Tatsuki, don't say weird things like that… it's not that dramatic…"
"Have some faith in yourself. Just eat some papaya-you'll bulk up eventually."
Grrr…
It seemed that due to the astonishing scale in front of her, it consumed a lot of energy. Inoue Orihime soon became hungry, and her stomach made a small rumble.
"Ah ha ha…" Inoue Orihime covered her belly in embarrassment. "I'm just a little hungry. It's okay, don't worry about me."
Arizawa Ryuki glanced at Inoue Orihime's expression; it was clear she was hungry. Yet she told him not to worry.
It was exactly this kind of thing that made him want to take care of her…
Arizawa Ryuki scratched his head. "Speaking of which, I'm hungry too. Why don't we go to that 24-hour store and grab some papaya or anything to eat?"
"Ah? Ryuki, you're hungry too?"
"Let's go quickly and buy some snacks then!"
Inoue Orihime immediately stood up with a smile, her arms swaying happily at her sides as she moved with light steps.
They turned off the lights, closed the door, and walked down the stairs attached to the wall. Under the moonlight and street lamps, they headed toward the convenience store.
At the store, they each bought one large papaya and picked out some snacks before starting the walk back.
Unexpectedly, on the way home, they witnessed a shocking scene.
There was a loud crash, and part of Kurosaki Ichigo's house was suddenly blown open by some invisible force.
"Hey, what's happening?"
Inoue Orihime and Arizawa Ryuki looked at each other. It was clear that this wasn't just some random accident.
-
In another place, Rukia Kuchiki stood atop a high telephone pole as two hell butterflies passed in the night air beside her.
Below her, unaware humans walked beneath the glow of streetlights.
She remembered the words used to describe the Shinigami: "We have no reason to fear."
It was that very ignorance-of not being able to see or understand-that made humans even easier to frighten.
Originally, she hadn't planned to patrol this world tonight. However, she'd heard there had been an accident during the soul burial internship-one involving Yuta. Since he hadn't returned to Soul Society and was stationed here, she had come to confirm everything on her own.
I hope nothing happened to him…
At that moment, Rukia saw Yuta approaching her through the streets below.
There was a black cat perched on his shoulder. He was no longer wearing the Shino Academy uniform; instead, he wore clean white robes that made him stand out even from afar.
He leapt down from the rooftop with practiced ease.
"Yuta, are you alright?"
Yuta wasn't surprised. He had sensed Rukia's spiritual pressure the moment she entered the area.
He nodded at her. "There's a Hollow nearby. Let's go see what happened."
"Got it," Rukia replied and followed without hesitation.
-
Inoue Orihime and Arizawa Ryuki had entered Ichigo Kurosaki's home through the hole in the wall. The scene inside was chaos.
Furniture was in disarray. Ichigo's father had already been thrown to one corner of the room where he now lay unconscious or worse.
Up above, Kurosaki Yuzu had been lifted into the air by some invisible force-floating without support.
It was Yuzu's first time seeing anything like this. She couldn't stop the tears as panic overtook her.
Whatever had grabbed her hurt her. She tried to break free but couldn't. The pressure around her grew tighter and tighter, as though she might burst at any moment.
"Ah! Ahhh!"
Kurosaki Yuzu screamed.
Inoue Orihime rushed forward to try and help her.
"Orihime!" Arizawa Ryuki reached out, trying to pull her back. She was too fast; he only managed to grab the edge of her sleeve before she slipped through his grasp.
"Ah!!"
Inoue Orihime collided with some invisible force but couldn't budge it at her current strength. She felt power slam into her body, and with one heavy impact, blood spilled from her mouth as she crashed into the wall nearby.
"Inoue!" Arizawa Ryuki shouted, filled with panic.
What's happening? Who was attacking them?
Why couldn't he even see the enemy?
Even though he questioned it in his mind, he rushed to check on her-but was struck in the abdomen by another force he couldn't see. He was flung several meters and slammed hard to the floor, sliding some distance before stopping.
"No matter what kind of monster you are, die!"
Kurosaki Karin picked up the nearest chair and ran toward the threat.
She wanted to save Yuzu-but she was quickly thrown aside as well.
Despair overtook her expression.
Was this really the end for their family?
"Ichigo-nī… run away…"
She tried to call out to her brother one last time.
Ichigo Kurosaki had rushed downstairs during the commotion and, seeing the situation, lost his composure. He lunged toward Yuzu but was blown backward in the same way-his body hitting the floor hard.
Seeing that, Kurosaki Yuzu's spirit broke further.
She had hoped that Ichigo might escape…but with him down too, it felt certain that none of them would make it out alive.
Tears streamed down her cheeks, mixing fear and resignation.
Inoue Orihime struggled to rise and crawled toward Ryuki's direction, pushing past the pain in her body.
It was her fault Ryuki had gotten hurt.
Had she not rushed forward recklessly, Ryuki wouldn't be lying there now-his condition unknown.
Will everyone die here like this?
Orihime's tears welled up again as the thought struck her.
At that moment-a white figure appeared inside the room.
Perched on his shoulder was the same black cat as before.
There was no warning-only the sound of his sword being drawn.
Fast.
Too fast.
There was no visible sword light. Only movement.
Yuta hadn't come to talk or delay it further. He wasn't planning to send this Hollow to Soul Society.
He cut it down in one motion-as if striking through empty air.
What couldn't be handled by anyone here was dealt with in that instant.
Kurosaki Yuzu dropped from the air.
Yuta stepped forward and caught the light-bodied girl with both arms.
Tears stained her cheeks as she looked up at him in confusion.
It was this man… who had saved her.
Everyone inside the house stared at Yuta in silence-speechless.
What none of them could defeat together… what they couldn't even touch… Yuta had handled with one effortless strike.
They watched him, wondering-
Who is this person…?
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