His heart was filled with unresolvable indignation.
But he no longer had the strength to resist, and could only watch as Yoriichi Tsugikuni bound him, and then, he was taken back to Japan.
Thus, the leader of the cult was captured.
His capture caused thousands of followers to lose their backbone.
In less than a month, they were all purged by the Shinigami, leaving no hidden dangers.
The Human World… returned to peace.
...
Soul Society.
Eighth Division.
"Oh my, that was truly thrilling!"
"I didn't expect that guy's ability was to grant wishes; no wonder we spent so much effort these past few years but couldn't find a trace of him."
Kyōraku Shunsui narrowed his eyes slightly, a lingering fear evident on his face.
"This ability is simply unsolvable."
He gently shook his head again, picked up the sake bowl on the table, and took a big gulp.
The spicy liquid flowed down his throat, as if only that could dispel the trace of lingering fear in his heart.
Hearing this, Lisa Yadōmaru, who was standing not far away, pushed up her glasses:
"Indeed, according to Shuji Yagami's confession, our successful capture of him this time was entirely Captain Tsugikuni's Merit."
"If it were any other captain executing this mission, if they were even a little bit slower and he detected danger, he would certainly have fled."
"Currently, the Ninth Division has transferred him to a prison in the Human World."
"Human World?" Kyōraku Shunsui looked up, "Why wasn't he imprisoned in Soul Society?"
After speaking, he slapped his forehead, realizing his foolishness.
He is a living person.
Even if he committed a crime considered greatly disrespectful in the eyes of the Shinigami, the rules of the Three Realms must still be followed.
Soul Society is the world of the dead; if a spirit stays here for too long, their physical body in the Human World will gradually decay until death.
Although Shuji Yagami had previously spiritualized his physical body in a special way, successfully infiltrating Soul Society.
Logically speaking, the above situation should not occur.
But this undoubtedly requires the use of X-cution's ability.
Now that his ability has been sealed, the situation is naturally very different.
Thinking of this, Kyōraku Shunsui looked up and added:
"I understand, but for his subsequent handling, it shouldn't just be a simple punishment like imprisonment, right?"
"If his crime were in Soul Society, he should be sentenced to death, but I remember there's no death penalty in the Human World…"
"How many years will he be imprisoned?"
"Unclear." Lisa Yadōmaru shook her head helplessly,
"But according to Captain Tsugikuni, he must be kept locked up until he loses all his power."
"Because if he's given about ten seconds, he can disappear from the prison and go anywhere in the world."
"At that time, finding him will be as difficult as ascending to heaven."
"So, it's life imprisonment then?" Kyōraku Shunsui's lips curved slightly, revealing a faint smile.
This is good too; while granting wishes is powerful, the Shinigami do not need such an overly heaven-defying and uncontrollable power.
For instance, he previously wished not to be discovered by the Shinigami for five years.
Since five years was a relatively short period, he only teleported to various places in the Human World.
But once he wished not to be discovered for ten years, given the situation of exposure in the sixth year, the wish notebook would then transport him to places outside the Human World.
Hell, Hueco Mundo, all are possible.
Teleporting to Hueco Mundo would still be acceptable.
Teleporting to Hell…
Then he can only pray that his luck isn't too bad and that he isn't marked by Hell.
This was also the reason why Shuji Yagami had been quite resistant to some wishes before.
One careless mistake could lead him to eternal damnation.
Gulp~
Kyōraku Shunsui took another sip of sake.
At this moment, Lisa Yadōmaru finished reporting the news and turned to leave.
His gaze followed her retreating back, Kyōraku Shunsui still held the sake bowl in his hand, and he couldn't help but sigh softly in his heart.
He urgently hoped for peaceful days to arrive soon, so he could retire early and hand over the position of Eighth Division Captain to someone else.
Thinking about it, he had been in the captain's position long enough...
...
At the same time, Ninth Division.
"Go and become a Shinigami, Rinshiro Tsukishima."
Yoriichi Tsugikuni's low voice echoed in the dimly lit prison cell.
He stared at Rinshiro Tsukishima in front of him:
"That god has been captured by us, having committed numerous serious crimes such as incitement, intentional injury, and murder, and will therefore be imprisoned for life in the Human World."
"You are different; whether judged by the laws of the Human World or the laws of Soul Society, you have at most only committed the crime of incitement, which is not punishable by death."
"What awaits you should be fifty years of imprisonment."
"However, given your good behavior, such as surrendering, you are now given a choice."
"You can choose to continue being imprisoned for twenty years, or become a Shinigami and atone for those twenty years."
"What will you choose?"
Before Rinshiro Tsukishima could answer, Yoriichi Tsugikuni suddenly took a step forward, a hint of inquiry in his eyes:
"I've always had a question, Tsukishima, why are you so obsessed with resurrection?"
Rinshiro Tsukishima's spirit was somewhat weary at this time; after all, he had been imprisoned for six years, and even his demeanor was a bit listless.
Hearing Yoriichi Tsugikuni's question, he sat on a bed in the corner of the room, raised his disheveled head, revealing somewhat dim eyes.
Then, he smiled:
"What kind of question is that? Does wanting to be resurrected even need some grand reason?"
"Because I don't want to die, because I am human."
"I still have family in the Human World."
"I know that the age of you Shinigami cannot be measured by appearance, but I think you should have family too, right?"
"So you should also be able to understand this feeling."
"Wanting to see them again with all my might, but unfortunately, the plan had just begun, and you captured me…"
As soon as Rinshiro Tsukishima finished speaking, Yoriichi Tsugikuni's voice, carrying a hint of deeper meaning, sounded again:
"I can understand your feelings, but I do not believe that the opportunity for resurrection obtained at the cost of harming others is your only choice."
"You should know that the dead cannot be brought back to life, however, they can return to the Human World in another way."
"What way?" Rinshiro Tsukishima asked with a casual attitude.
He knew very little about the world of the Shinigami.
Although he knew that the so-called god was not a good person, constantly spouting about the world's filth.
But in his heart, the Shinigami were not necessarily the embodiment of justice either.
Yoriichi Tsugikuni pondered for a moment, then decided to inform Rinshiro Tsukishima about the existence of the Gigai.
Hearing that the Gigai could replace the physical body, Rinshiro Tsukishima's pupils trembled slightly.
His voice was a bit agitated:
"Are you serious? After becoming a Shinigami, can I really be resurrected, can I really return to the Human World and see my child?"
"Damn it… if resurrection was this easy, what have I been doing all this time?"
Rinshiro Tsukishima tightly covered his forehead with both hands, filled with regret, feeling that his six years of experience had simply been a nightmare.
If only he hadn't met that so-called god six years ago.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have ended up in this situation today.
"No need to regret. The reason I believe you can become a Shinigami is mainly because of the reishi seed he left in your body back then."
Yoriichi Tsugikuni looked at Rinshiro Tsukishima with a calm gaze,
"If there were no reishi seed, even if you hadn't met him six years ago, you wouldn't be able to become a Shinigami."
"I have to admit his starting point was good. In a sense, he was still a benefactor who changed your life…"
"Unfortunately, his eyes were blinded by ambition, and he embarked on a path of no return."
Yoriichi sighed, and these words brought Rinshiro Tsukishima back to his senses.
He slowly raised his eyes, still with a hint of uncertainty, and tentatively asked:
"If I accept your condition and become a Shinigami, how many years will it take before I can return to the Human World?"
"Will that reishi seed cause harm to me?"
"It used to, but not anymore. He is restrained; as long as he cannot use his ability, he cannot absorb your reishi."
Yoriichi Tsugikuni patiently explained, and then, as if suddenly thinking of a possibility, he changed the subject,
"Of course, it's hard to say after he dies, but if that day truly comes, we will never let him escape control."
"Furthermore, he previously sent out so many reishi seeds; there are thousands of people in the Human World and Soul Society, and you might not be chosen."
"Maybe you'll even get to see your grandchildren born."
"Judging by human age, your child should be in their teens now, right?"
"Fourteen." Rinshiro Tsukishima affirmed, he clearly remembered his son was eight when he died.
Grandchildren?
That would probably be ten years from now.
Sighing in his heart, he lowered his head.
—Hope…
It's not too late.
...
As the matter of the cult completely came to an end, the deployment of various captains in the Human World was also gradually and orderly withdrawn.
Shiba Isshin gazed at the gate of the Kurosaki not far away, recalling the bits and pieces of his six years in the Human World…
He couldn't help but let out a long sigh.
Thankfully, everything went smoothly, without any unexpected incidents.
This Kurosaki family really seems to love peace.
Originally, he was full of worry, thinking that his appearance would cause their annoyance and disgust.
He even prepared himself mentally for being rolled his eyes at and insulted.
Unexpectedly, they were surprisingly friendly.
Creak—
Shiba Isshin gently closed the Shiba Family's gate, but before he could leave.
Not far away, a girl came running.
The girl was not old, looking about thirteen or fourteen, with wavy orange long hair bouncing up and down as she ran.
She was holding something wrapped in cloth in her hands.
It was the only daughter of the neighboring Kurosaki, Kurosaki Masaki.
The moment he saw Kurosaki Masaki, Shiba Isshin imperceptibly frowned—what was she doing here at this time…
Through these years of interaction, Shiba Isshin had not only been in contact with the Kurosaki couple.
Their daughter also often came to visit him here… Of course, it was more out of curiosity about his identity.
Although he had some doubts in his heart, the next second, Shiba Isshin's expression returned to normal, and he looked at her with a gentle smile:
"Ah, Masaki, is there something you need me for?"
"If you've come to visit me… I'm sorry, but I'll be leaving starting today."
Kurosaki Masaki was a bit out of breath; at thirteen or fourteen, her body functions had not yet fully matured.
Listening to Shiba Isshin's words, she quickly waved her hand in refutation:
"It's not because of that, no; it's precisely because I heard from my parents that you were leaving that I rushed here in such a hurry."
"Thank you, Shiba-sensei, for taking care of me all these years."
"My parents didn't want me to interact with you, but I know you are a good person; otherwise, you wouldn't have taught me combat techniques without reservation."
Kurosaki Masaki took a deep breath, calmed her rapid breathing, and solemnly handed over the item in her hands,
"This is a farewell gift for you, I hope you like it."
"And I hope that in the future, we will have a day to meet again."
Looking at the farewell gift in front of him, Shiba Isshin was silent for a long time.
The girl's gentle smile came into his eyes, and his heart was filled with emotion.
A warmth welled up in his heart.
This is youth.
He didn't expect that as a Shinigami, who was hundreds of years old, he would actually receive a gift from a girl.
Thinking about it carefully, the last time was forty years ago.
Although at the moment, the one giving the gift was not a Shinigami, but a Quincy.
But in his heart, there was not much difference between Shinigami and Quincy.
Especially after these past few years of interaction, he had seen the Kurosaki's gentle policy with his own eyes…
It was a pity that the mission ended suddenly.
Otherwise, he might have stayed here for more than ten years.
By then… with Kurosaki Masaki's personality, she would probably cry out of reluctance.
He didn't know when, but he had become half of her teacher.
Sighing in his heart, complex thoughts emerged in Shiba Isshin's mind.
He received Kurosaki Masaki's thanks, so he took the gift and nodded:
"There will be a chance, Masaki, from now on, you must work hard. Work hard to live, work hard to grow.
"Maybe in the future, we can see the day when Quincy and Shinigami live in peace."
"I know your parents are a bit resistant to my existence, but that doesn't matter."
"They are them, you are you, keep up the good work."
Kurosaki Masaki's eyes lit up when she heard Shiba Isshin's words, and she nodded excitedly, her tone full of confidence:
"I understand, please don't worry about me, Shiba-sensei, I will definitely catch up with you!"
Shiba Isshin knew the reason for her confidence all too well.
As expected, it was influenced by that genius Quincy in the neighboring city.
Years ago, at the age of twenty, he already possessed strength comparable to a Captain.
And Kurosaki Masaki and Ishida Ryūken's performance in their childhood was almost identical.
Both started cultivating at four years old and became official Quincy before the age of six.
In other words.
If nothing unexpected happened, Kurosaki Masaki would be able to surpass an ordinary Captain at twenty years old.
Of course, this was an ideal situation, but even so, it made Shiba Isshin sigh with emotion.
He subconsciously touched his beard, but his hand stopped mid-air as he suddenly remembered that he didn't have a beard.
His palm froze there, and after a moment, he sighed helplessly: "As long as you have confidence, I'm leaving, see you another day."
After speaking.
Shiba Isshin waved his hand and truly bid farewell to Kurosaki Masaki, walking towards the end of the street with the gift.
He was currently in his gigai state, and to return to Soul Society, he would have to leave his gigai, but a gigai couldn't be left on the street.
The place he was heading to was Urahara Shop in Naruki City.
As the Captain of the Twelfth Division, Kisuke Urahara truly did as he told Yoriichi Tsugikuni decades ago.
He opened Urahara Shop, which was the after-sales department of the Twelfth Division, in various cities in Japan.
It greatly facilitated the Shinigami's movements.
When Shiba Isshin arrived at Urahara Shop, he saw two children playing outside the shop.
When the two children saw a customer coming, they instantly transformed into shop assistants.
Shiba Isshin squinted at them, a little confused by the strange reishi on their bodies.
Are they artificial humans?
—Clap.
Just as his thoughts were wandering, a crisp sound of a fan opening suddenly came from behind him.
Immediately after, unhurried footsteps entered his ears.
"What a rare guest."
Kisuke Urahara, who had come to the Human World to handle affairs, happened to appear behind Shiba Isshin.
His eyes, with a hint of deep meaning, looked at him:
"Captain Shiba, are you here to return your gigai?"
He walked next to Shiba Isshin, and without waiting for him to speak, he tapped the package in his hand with his fan, a teasing smile appearing on his face:
"I smelled the food from another street."
"How did you get along with those Quincy?"
As half of the person in charge of Human World missions, Kisuke Urahara was naturally well aware of Shiba Isshin's situation.
He actually wasn't against Shinigami interacting with Quincy.
However, this was the first time he had seen a situation like Shiba Isshin's, where the interaction lasted for six years.
Those who didn't know would have thought it was an infiltration mission.
Shiba Isshin turned his head, his tone helpless:
"Urahara, let's not make those sarcastic remarks at this time."
"I also didn't want to interact with those Quincy, but who knew I hadn't seen them before."
"Not to mention the Kurosaki moved here just a few years ago."
"So you became friends with them? No, to be precise, you became friends with an eleven-year-old Quincy girl?"
Kisuke Urahara clicked his tongue, saying half-jokingly and half-seriously:
"When it comes to making friends, I always feel that you are more talented than Yoriichi."
"It must have been hard on you to endure all these years."
"Not only do you have to guard against any possible tricks from those Quincy in the dark, but you also have to coax children…"
As he spoke, he seemed to suddenly think of something and asked with interest: "She shouldn't have cried and begged you not to leave, right?"
Shiba Isshin was immediately speechless.
What he said, he was only pretending to be a babysitter during surveillance, not a real babysitter.
If it weren't for the mission, why would he have interacted with Kurosaki Masaki so many times.
He merely wanted to indirectly inquire about her parents' actions from her.
In a sense, her parents' actions were not wrong.
Because as long as they had less contact with him, the risk of information leakage could be reduced.
Unfortunately, children are always innocent.
Shiba Isshin sighed, seemingly not wanting to discuss the topic anymore: "Let's not talk about this anymore, the mission is over, I have to go back."
"The gigai is stored here with you, it should still be the old price, right?"
"By the way, they are…"
Clap.
Seeing Shiba Isshin pointing at his two shop assistants, Kisuke Urahara quickly folded his fan and walked forward, explaining as he went:
"They are my 2.0 version of artificial Shinigami, modeled after Nemu Kurotsuchi."
"Although they are not as perfect as Nemu, they can at least repel some Hollow that frequently attack this place."
"The price is still the old price, but before you leave, are you sure you don't want to finish those snacks before you go?"
"After all, it's a girl's kind intention."
"Converting matter into reishi is very expensive."
That's true, given that the mission was over and he could return anytime, Shiba Isshin walked into Urahara Shop, found a seat, and slowly sat down.
He gently opened the package, and what met his eyes were several heart-shaped rice balls.
The rice balls were exquisitely decorated with cute ornaments, exuding a strong girlish charm.
Shiba Isshin's hand, which had subconsciously reached out, suddenly froze in mid-air. He was stunned for a moment, thought about it, and then slowly put it down.
But then, he couldn't resist the slight emotion in his heart, picked one up, brought it to his mouth, and quietly savored it.
Beside him.
Seeing this, a subtle smile flashed across Kisuke Urahara's face, hidden by his fan.
—Interesting Quincy.
…
Soul Society.
Twelfth Division.
"Uhm ha ha ha ~!"
Mayuri Kurotsuchi's cold and sharp laughter suddenly echoed in a laboratory.
He raised his head, his slightly sinister eyes fixed on Mayuri Kurotsuchi in front of him.
An unprecedented sense of accomplishment almost filled his entire chest like a tide.
"Finally!"
His voice was undisguisedly high-pitched, as if to vent all the emotions in his heart,
"Seven years! It took a full seven years, and the combat modes of all thirteen Captains within the Thirteenth Division have been completely mastered by you!"
"Excluding the reishi that needs to be improved."
"Nemu, from now on, you will become the strongest Shinigami in Soul Society!"
"Go challenge them and prove your strength!"
"Damn Kisuke Urahara, he actually stole my achievements. I must show you what a true artificial Shinigami is!"
Mayuri Kurotsuchi gritted his teeth, his tone full of resentment.
Heaven knows how distorted his expression was when the 2.0 version of the artificial Shinigami came out.
It sounded like an evolved version, but in reality, it was a degraded version with reduced costs.
This was a blasphemy against science, and even more so, a blasphemy against artificial Shinigami!
Kisuke Urahara alone had lowered the standard of artificial Shinigami!
It would be strange if he could tolerate it.
"Yes, Mayuri-sama."
Nemu Kurotsuchi responded indifferently, seemingly uninterested in the matter.
She actually didn't like fighting at all; learning was what she was passionate about.
Unfortunately, this was her father's command, and she could only obey unconditionally.
At this moment, Nemu Kurotsuchi couldn't help but miss her godfather's attitude towards her.
His gentle tone was as warm as a spring breeze, and even when encountering incidents, he would ask for her opinion instead of making choices for her without permission.
Why couldn't her father be like this? It was completely different from what the books said, truly…
A wave of melancholy surged in Nemu Kurotsuchi's heart, and she wondered when her godfather would come over…
…
When Yoriichi Tsugikuni learned that Nemu Kurotsuchi was going to challenge the Captains of the Thirteenth Division, it was already half an hour later.
Although he knew that Nemu's growth rate was very fast, and she had mastered most of his skills years ago.
Techniques like swordsmanship had also reached an extremely high level.
But no matter how strong, in Yoriichi's eyes, she was still a child who hadn't grown up.
A child's task is to continue learning and constantly hone themselves, not to rashly challenge others after mastering some knowledge.
He didn't know what Mayuri Kurotsuchi was thinking.
Although he really wanted to stop this, Yoriichi knew he didn't have that right. For now, he could only observe from the sidelines.
If there was danger, it wouldn't be too late to act.
Of course, this thought indicated a lack of confidence in Nemu Kurotsuchi, which, as a godfather, he shouldn't have.
But Yoriichi understood that imitation was just imitation…
If one could defeat anyone just by imitating, then the strongest Zanpakuto shouldn't be elemental.
Still too impulsive…
His thoughts wandering, Yoriichi Tsugikuni sighed softly. He quickly arrived at the Thirteenth Division.
At this time, the Thirteenth Division, both inside and out, was surrounded by Shinigami, and the clamor rose and fell.
These were all Shinigami who had heard the news and came to watch the battle.
After all, according to the challenge order, the first person Nemu Kurotsuchi was to challenge was—Jūshirō Ukitake.