Kiba fled that day, leaving the Occult Research Club behind—and vanishing from the world.
Or so everyone thought. In truth, the boy ran straight to Ryu's house as fast as he could. But when he arrived, he found a strange barrier blocking his way in. He couldn't get past it. So he curled up on the porch and slept there through the night.
(—)
Nel woke the next morning, stretching comfortably in Ryu's arms. She sighed, reluctant to leave the warmth of his embrace—but she had dinner to prepare and a clinic to run. Working at the hospital hadn't worked out; instead, she'd decided to open a home clinic, just like her father-in-law. Uryū had given his approval, saying it was for the best, and had even taught her how to organize it properly. She specialized in symptoms with spiritual origins—like Hollow attacks. This city didn't see nearly as many Hollows as Karakura Town, so there wasn't even a Shinigami assigned here—but they still appeared from time to time.
She finished cooking and stepped outside to open the clinic. Right there on the porch lay a young blond man, curled up on the ground, looking a little banged up.
"Aww," Nel smiled down at him. "A lost kitten."
She hoisted him onto her shoulders, carried him inside, and laid him on the exam table. "Well… your anatomy's definitely different from a human's—same organs, but something's off." She examined his wounds, running her hand over him to assess his condition. "Don't worry. We'll patch you up."
She treated Kiba's injuries and let him rest, then went back to her husband to tell him his student was sleeping it off in the clinic.
(—)
Deep in Kokabiel's lair, the fallen angel sat upon a throne, surrounded by others of his kind. They discussed battle strategies and the coming war. He'd heard the exorcists had recovered the Excalibur swords in Japan—and his plan to steal them was nearly complete. The Gremory and Sitri heirs were in grave danger and didn't even know it. He would strike, kill them, and their brothers—the current Satans—would declare war on the Grigori. Maybe even Heaven itself would be drawn in, since exorcists and traitors stood on his side. Other divine factions already at odds would be pulled into the fire, and the world would return to its natural, glorious state: a battlefield.
Then a fallen angel with four pairs of wings burst in.
"Kokabiel-sama!"
Kokabiel signaled him to speak. "Someone asks an audience with you."
"Who is it?" Kokabiel asked, interested. "I do hope it's worth my time. Send him in."
In walked a man dressed entirely in white—blond hair, half a mask covering his face, and a hole straight through his chest. Kokabiel's eyes widened as he felt the man's spiritual pressure. It was identical to the Masked Ones.
"You're one of them… but you have a human form?" Kokabiel stared. Every Masked One he'd ever seen was a towering, monstrous beast—the strongest capable of slaughtering high-ranking fallen angels. He'd killed many, but they always filled him with a primal dread, as if his very soul were at risk.
"Hahaha!" The man laughed as if told a joke. "Please—do not lump me in with the rabble."
"Oh? I thought your kind grew stronger the bigger you got. Yet you're so… small." Kokabiel laughed darkly. "Why call them rabble?"
"You have it backwards, my friend," the Hollow replied with a grin. "The more powerful we Hollows become, the smaller and more cunning we grow. Think of those beasts you fought as… animals."
"Hollows? That is what you call yourselves?" Kokabiel leaned forward. "If the ones who look human are the strongest… why have we seen so few?"
The man's expression hardened.
"Because the truly powerful do not need to hunt for sport," he said sharply. "But let us get to business. Be useful to me, and I shall be useful to you."
"Tell me—what can you offer?" Kokabiel asked, curious.
The man touched a finger to the air. A black void tore open, and massive masked figures stepped through. At least twenty of them—fifteen standard Hollows, and five towering, monstrous forms of every shape. Gillians.
As they arranged themselves in formation, Kokabiel realized he spoke the truth.
"Very well. What is it you need, my friend?" Kokabiel asked, a greedy smile spreading across his face.
(—)
After being treated and finding some peace with the Kurosaki family, Kiba set out again—chasing his vengeance. Ryu had told him he wouldn't fight his battles for him; this was Kiba's own path. Kiba understood, and thanked him for the lessons that might help him survive.
Not long after, a Garganta opened right in the middle of the Kurosaki living room.
"Ugh—seriously? Right here?" Karin groaned, annoyed. She gripped the cross around her neck, ready to fight—but Nel rested a hand on her shoulder.
"Ah—Sun-Sun! It's been so long!" Nel greeted warmly. "What have you been up to?"
A young woman stepped through, looking around the room.
"Nelliel-sama, Kurosaki-sama," she bowed politely, holding her sleeve before her mouth as always.
"Man… she just keeps getting prettier," Karin muttered. Sun-Sun was as elegant and lovely as a princess.
"Is Ryujin-sama present?" she asked, scanning the room.
"Ryu's asleep—today's his day off," Nel teased. "Being a teacher is exhausting work."
"Why are you really here?" Karin asked, grumpy as always. "You're not here to see us—you're looking for my brother."
"There is an Arrancar among us," Sun-Sun said, her expression turning to distaste. "One who worships Aizen and rejects the peace accord. A crude, repulsive creature. He has been causing trouble in the Human World, and the Shinigami have asked us to intervene."
"You take orders from Shinigami now?" Karin asked, confused.
"Not orders—merely… protocol," Sun-Sun sighed, regal as ever. "Since he is not a wild Hollow but an Arrancar, the matter falls to Las Noches. Why must Hollows be so troublesome?"
Now she insults her own kind, Karin and Nel thought in unison.
"So some idiot wants to start another war?" Ryu grumbled, descending the stairs. "Why do these fools always track me down?"
Sun-Sun bowed low. "Ryujin-sama."
"Hey—where's my respectful tone?" Nel pouted, though she was smiling.
Ryu ignored her and looked at Sun-Sun. "How strong is this Arrancar?" He grew serious. If he was Vasto Lorde-level, even he and Nel would struggle while confined to their Gigai. He studied her closely. "You've achieved Segunda Etapa."
"Yes, Ryujin-sama. As have those three… unrefined women," she replied calmly, though her eyes lit up. "I am the new Octava Espada." She pulled back her sleeve, revealing the number 8 tattooed on her right arm.
"Congratulations!" Nel clapped happily. Karin was also genuinely pleased for her. Since their family was close to Harribel, Karin had grown friendly with her faction.
"This Arrancar is weak," Sun-Sun said with a dismissive laugh. "A Gilian who thinks he's a Vasto Lorde. Always making trouble."
"The loudest ones are always the weakest," Karin muttered. "But… if you can handle him, why come here?"
"I was hunting him when I felt your spiritual pressures and decided to say hello," Sun-Sun smiled. "And you've grown stronger too, Karin-sama."
"Thanks," Karin replied.
"Since you're here, I made snacks—stay and eat with us!" Nel beamed.
Yuzu wandered in, rubbing her eyes. "Morning… Sun-Sun-chan!" She brightened and ran over to hug her.
"Yuzu-sama. It is good to see you." Sun-Sun hugged her back. They all sat down to eat, catching up on everything that had happened.