Same Day — Kurosaki Residence, Kuon
"You two idiots!" Ryu roared, glaring at the Kurosaki twins. "What in the world were you thinking? You could have died!"
"We're sorry," Yuzu and Karin said in unison, hanging their heads.
"'We're sorry, we're sorry' my ass!" Ryu shouted, gesturing wildly. His spiritual pressure leaked from his Gigai, sharp and suffocating. "I should pack you both up and send you home so your father can properly discipline you… How about you aren't allowed to leave the house until you're forty?"
"No, please don't!" Yuzu and Karin burst into tears. "Dad would actually lock us up! He'd never let us go out ever again!"
"Ryu, calm down." Nel placed a hand on his shoulder and gave him a soft, gentle smile. "They're fine. Sung Sun looked after them, and that Arrancar was weak—just like she said. They had no idea they'd get dragged into a fight with those strange creatures."
Ryu let out a long breath and looked at Nel, his gaze still hard.
"Even so… they went along with Sung Sun's permission." He turned to the girl standing quietly in the corner of the room. "And to save them, that Arrancar got away."
"There is no need for concern, Ryujin-sama," Sung Sun replied, hiding half her face behind the sleeve of her dress. "The lives of the young ladies are far more important than a mere Gillian."
Ryu sighed, then looked down at his two younger sisters, who were huddled together, shaken by his outburst.
"Go to your rooms," he told them firmly. "You're both grounded. School, home—home, school. That's it. Understood? And hand over your phones."
"Yes, Ryu-ni." They handed over their phones without a word and trundled off to their room, heads bowed.
"Do you think they'll actually stick to the punishment?" Nel asked, a tiny, fond smile playing on her lips.
"Of course they won't." Ryu groaned and rubbed his face with one hand. "They're teenagers. They'll find some way around it." His expression sobered. "But the real problem… is that they were the targets."
Sung Sun's voice turned cold, sharp and serious. "That Arrancar knew they would come looking for me. It joined forces with that winged creature to try to kill them—and that thing was no weakling. It was at least at the level of a mid-ranked Espada." She narrowed her eyes, still hiding behind her sleeve. She had ventured out of Hueco Mundo into the human world many times, yet she had never seen anything like it.
Ryu sank onto the sofa and let his head hang.
"I miss when this world made sense," he muttered.
Nel sat down on his lap, brushing his hair back. "When did it ever make sense?"
"Never. But it used to make more sense than this." He lifted his head to look at Sung Sun. "Could you stay here in the human world for a while? To watch over Yuzu and Karin at school? I can't be by their side every minute—I have classes to teach. And Nel can't just walk into their school as a teacher… We can't risk them being targeted again."
"Of course, Ryujin-sama. I will speak with Harribel-sama and ask for permission to remain here."
Azazel's Home — Japan
"Are you certain about this, Vali?" Azazel leaned forward on the sofa, his expression one of clear disbelief. "Kokabiel really had control over those Masked creatures?"
"Yes—this is what I heard," the white-haired boy, Vali, replied. "Apparently, the giant, mindless Masked beings everyone knows are just the lowest class. According to what I learned, the ones Kokabiel commanded are called… Hollow." He frowned. "And I saw proof. One of them—human-shaped—fought Kokabiel as an equal. Neither of them was going all-out, not until I stepped in and caught Kokabiel off-guard."
"This changes everything." Azazel was fascinated, his eyes gleaming. "Who would have thought… What else did you hear?"
"Seems some high-ranked Hollow gave the weaker ones to Kokabiel, with orders to kill the sisters of someone named Kurosaki," Vali said thoughtfully. "But then another Hollow—definitely upper-tier, far stronger than the ones helping Kokabiel—saved the girls. And she spoke to them like they were royalty. Called them sama."
"Then it's likely an internal matter among them," Azazel mused, resting his chin in his hand. "Wait—you really don't remember the name? Whoever this Kurosaki is, he must be incredibly important to the Hollow for one of their own—someone strong enough to stand against Kokabiel—to address his sisters with such respect."
"One thing stood out," Vali said. "She didn't seem to care about Rias Gremory or her group at all. She even offered to get the two girls out safely and said she wouldn't interfere with Kokabiel's plans. But he refused—said if he killed them, he could drag the Hollow into their war."
"Damn it, Kokabiel…" Azazel cursed, crossing his legs, irritated. "Not only did he try to murder the Satans' sisters—he tried to drag an entirely new race into attacking us too… But if killing those girls would bring the Hollow into the war… that means their brother holds a position of great authority among them. We might be able to make contact."
Las Noches — Hueco Mundo
Arrancar flew to and fro across the vast white expanse. Some walked together, even with children in tow. Under Harribel's rule, and with Urahara's help, Las Noches was changing—no more the hunger, the cruelty, the lawless chaos. Hueco Mundo was growing.
In the throne room, Harribel sat upon her throne, looking out at her new Espada. At the center of the room, Sung Sun knelt before her.
"I see… Winged creatures… and Devils…?" Harribel frowned. "And the one you fought was as strong as you, or stronger—and it was easily defeated by another?"
"Yes, Harribel-sama," Sung Sun answered, her tone soft yet icy. "The targets were Ryujin-sama's sisters."
The room grew tense. Even though Ryujin had long since returned power to Harribel after the war, he was still the one who had united all of Hueco Mundo. He had driven the Quincys out. He had fought in the battle that ended the Quincy King himself.
"I understand." Harribel bit her lip, her eyes flashing with anger. "So?"
"Ryujin-sama has asked that I remain in the human world for a time… to ensure his sisters' safety," Sung Sun said, a quiet pride in her voice. "I have come to ask for your permission."
Jealousy pricked at the other Espada. It wasn't every day someone received a direct mission from the greatest king Hueco Mundo had ever known. But unease lingered too—what if he was building power to take the throne back?
"So be it," Harribel declared, her voice carrying the weight of a ruler. "You will stay in the human world and protect Ryujin's sisters."
"As you command, Harribel-sama."
Kuon — Kuoh Academy
Tensions were high in Kuon. The great powers of the three factions had gathered for a conference. Vali the White Dragon had already threatened Issei, leaving him painfully aware of how far he still had to go.
On the bright side, Rias Gremory had gained a new servant: Xenovia Quarta, the exorcist who had helped with Kokabiel and renounced the Church after the truth of God's death came to light.
Rias gave Asia and Issei a mission: to approach Karin and Yuzu and learn more about the "Masked" beings. The two were nervous—they could feel it immediately: these girls were far stronger than they were.
"Careful, partner," Ddraig warned. "They're not on the same level as Kokabiel or that Masked girl, but they're plenty strong enough to tear through those giant Masked things like they were nothing."
"I know," Issei muttered. "But what can I do? Buchou wants us to talk to them… and we're in their class."
The teacher walked in—and beside him stood a girl who looked like a fairytale princess, wearing the school uniform, one sleeve far too long, covering her hand completely.
"You!" Issei shouted, stunned.
His cry was drowned out by Karin and Yuzu.
"What are you doing here?!" Karin yelled, pointing straight at her. "Sung Sun!"
"You know each other?" the teacher asked—the question on everyone's mind.
"Yes, sir. I'm related to their brother's wife," Sung Sun said smoothly, thinking of Nel. "And Ryu-sensei is very important to my family." She bit back the name Ryujin.
"I see… Well, since you already know them, take the empty seat beside them."
Student Council Room
Sona stared at the new student file, eyes wide.
"How the hell was she admitted without my approval?" she demanded. "How did this happen?!"
Learning that humanoid Masked beings existed—and that the monsters Devils had feared for centuries, the ones humans confused with soul-eaters, were just the lowest rank—had shaken her.
"The Headmistress approved her," Tsubaki said.
"Is it really that bad?" Momo asked innocently.
"It's terrible, Momo." Sona sank back in her chair. "We have a potential enemy inside our territory… and we have no authority to remove her."
"But… couldn't we use this to learn more about them?" Momo suggested.
Sona froze. Then she stared at Momo, struck silent.
Her phone buzzed. She read the message—and her eyes went huge.
"What…?" She grabbed her head in disbelief. "That can't be."
Her older sister was coming to Kuon.
Back at the Kurosaki Home
"RYUUUUU!"
Ishin Kurosaki came flying through the air, riding a flying broom, straight at his son.
Ryu simply stepped aside. As his father sailed past, Ryu twisted and delivered a spinning kick right to his stomach.
"Ghuuaa!" Ishin doubled over from the impact and went crashing back the way he'd come.
Nel walked into the kitchen and found her father-in-law sprawled on the floor, groaning.
"Oohhh, Father-in-law!" she clapped her hands delightedly. "What are you doing here?"
Coughing, wheezing—
"I came… for Parent Day at my beloved daughters' school!" Isshin beamed.
"Darling…" A cold, commanding voice rang out. "Why are you bothering our son?"
Misaki Kurosaki walked through the door. Isshin scrambled over and clung to her.
"Darling, Ryu was so mean!" He rubbed his face against her stomach like a child. "He hit his own father!"
"There, there…" Misaki stroked his hair, soothing him.
"Mom, you spoil him too much," Ryu grumbled, though his tone was respectful. "This old goat has no sense of limits."
"Let your father be, Ryu-chan." Misaki smiled at him, still stroking Issei's head. "He does everything he can for you all. He deserves to be spoiled a little." She looked around. "Where are Karin and Yuzu?"
"At school," Ryu said with a sigh. "And when they get back, they go straight to their room. They're grounded."
Misaki looked at him, serious now. "I heard. And you did the right thing. Your father was already plotting to go pick them up, take them home, and lock them away forever. And I wouldn't have stopped him. I never want to go through that fear again."
The sadness in her laugh made Ryu lower his head. He remembered—dying and becoming a Hollow as a child, just to protect her. It had nearly broken her. She was lucky he had become a Vasto Lorde instead of being devoured and losing himself entirely. His heritage had awakened his Shinigami side too—making him something entirely new.
Ryu looked at Nel, who was suddenly very interested in the wall.
"Nel…" he sighed. "Why did you tell them? I already had it handled."
"Ryu, they're their parents—and yours too," she said with surprising maturity. Then she grinned. "Though… I did kind of let it slip when I was talking to my mother-in-law on the phone."
Ryu nearly face-planted.
Dinner Table
Misaki and Nel cooked and chatted in the kitchen. Issei and Ryu sat across from each other at the table.
"Urahara's been researching these… new creatures," Ishin said, sighing. "It seems… when you defeated Yhwach… he had already destroyed reality itself. And then the world was remade."
Ryu narrowed his eyes. "What does that mean?"
"It means the world we knew was destroyed—and born again," Isshin said, weaving his fingers together. "The Soul Society, Hueco Mundo, the Shadow Dimension—they survived. The people connected to them survived too. But the human world was rewritten. History… started over."
"Wait—so we're not in the past?" Ryu asked, stunned.
"No. According to Urahara, the spiritual races and their bloodlines are fixed points—like memories of the old universe," Ishin continued. "It's as if billions of years passed in seconds, until we arrived at… now."
Ryu stared. "So… all these new races came into being because Yhwach died? It's like the Quincy King died… in the distant past?"
"Exactly." Ishin spoke softly, then a grin spread across his face. "Congratulations, son. You, your brother, and your friends created a whole new universe. Should I start calling you gods?"
"Don't be ridiculous," Ryu scoffed. Then he frowned. "But according to Sung Sun, the Devils call Hollow Masked. And I haven't seen many around lately."
"The threads of fate unraveled when the Soul King fell," Ishin said, sounding both melancholy and awed. "And Urahara's found dozens of dimensions like the Soul Society out there. This new universe… has its own branches of Shinigami, its own Soul Kings."
Ryu's eyes widened. "Wait—aren't Hollow born from human souls anymore?"
"No," Ishin said. "Though… Urahara's research says your people are thriving, son." He winked. "Maybe it's time you and Nel gave your mother and me a grandchild?"
"Not yet," Ryu said—and just then the door burst open.
"Ryu-ni! We're home!" Karin marched in, followed by Yuzu and Sung Sun.
"Daughters!" Isshin shouted and lunged to hug them. Karin kicked him, sending him tumbling back to the floor.
"Mom, you spoil this old goat way too much!" Karin yelled toward the kitchen. "That's exactly why he's like this!"