"Honestly, dragging things out is such a waste of time! Isn't it just about not being a Shinigami and protecting her for a lifetime?! Of course I'll do that!" Isshin declared matter-of-factly.
"No regrets?" Kisuke asked, somewhat incredulously.
"How could there be none?! There are plenty! But so what?!" Isshin suddenly raised his voice emotionally.
"If I let regrets hold me back and watch my savior die, I'd definitely be laughed at by myself tomorrow!"
To save Masaki, giving up Shinigami powers, leaving the Soul Society, and parting with family and friends… of course, Isshin felt reluctant and attached.
Yet, he still chose to agree. This wasn't solely due to his fondness for Masaki but also because of his character: repaying kindness without fail.
So, despite his attachments, Isshin resolutely agreed.
Hearing Isshin's words, apart from Toshiro who understood him, both Kisuke and Ryuken were deeply moved.
Then, Kisuke spoke, "Understood. Come over here."
Isshin and Kisuke walked over to the unconscious Masaki.
"Let the ritual begin!" Kisuke said solemnly.
"Wait!" Isshin suddenly spoke.
"What is it, Mr. Shiba? Are you having second thoughts?" Kisuke asked.
"As if! I, Shiba Isshin, always mean what I say!" Isshin retorted unhappily.
Then, Isshin turned to Toshiro.
"Sorry, Toshiro. Please forgive me for making such a selfish decision. As for the 10th Division... I leave it to you!" Isshin said, looking at Toshiro expectantly.
For abandoning the 10th Division, his family and friends in Soul Society to stay by Masaki's side, Isshin felt too ashamed to face Toshiro and others.
"Hmph, I'd be glad if you do. That way, the Captain's seat will be mine," Toshiro pretended nonchalance.
"Toshiro..." Isshin said guiltily.
"Go on, go on. Hurry up and save your Ms. Kurosaki," Toshiro urged.
Under Toshiro's urging, Isshin reluctantly turned and began assisting Kisuke in saving Masaki.
As Isshin turned away, a trace of melancholy surfaced on Toshiro's face. After all, they were close friends of many years. Thinking Isshin would now leave the Soul Society forever, staying in the Living World, even if Toshiro could immediately become the 10th Division's Captain, he felt no excitement or joy.
Following Kisuke's assistance, Isshin and Masaki successfully underwent soul bonding, suppressing Masaki's Hollowfication.
"Whew!" Kisuke sighed in relief, then grinned, making a V-sign with his hands. "Congratulations, Mr. Shiba. You and Ms. Kurosaki have successfully established a soul connection. Ms. Kurosaki will be fine now."
"So it's all done," Isshin remarked. "That's great... really great."
Then, Isshin looked down at his body. His Shihakusho and Captain's Haori were gone, replaced by ordinary clothes.
"Am I no longer a Shinigami?" Isshin murmured to himself.
During the procedure, Isshin had entered the special Gigai prepared by Kisuke, losing his Shinigami powers and becoming a near-human existence.
Seeing Kisuke and Isshin finish aiding Masaki, Toshiro walked over. "Captain, how are you?"
However, Isshin seemed not to hear Toshiro, ignoring him completely.
"Captain, why aren't you answering?" Toshiro asked, puzzled.
Yet, Isshin remained unresponsive.
At this moment, Kisuke spoke, "It's no use, Mr. Hitsugaya. Mr. Shiba has now lost his Shinigami powers, so he can no longer see you, a Shinigami."
"Not just Shinigami, but also 'Hollows' and all other non-human existences," Kisuke added.
"I see," Toshiro frowned.
Non-human entities like Shinigami and Hollows are invisible to ordinary humans without Reiryoku. Having lost his Shinigami powers, Isshin was now little different from a regular human.
"I'd like to chat with the Captain a bit more. Could you assist, Shop Manager Urahara?" Toshiro requested.
Kisuke agreed without hesitation. "Of course, no problem."
Saying so, Kisuke took out another Gigai and handed it to Toshiro.
Toshiro then entered the Gigai.
Unlike the special Gigai given to Isshin, Kisuke provided Toshiro with an ordinary one. After entering, Isshin, now without Shinigami powers, could see Toshiro.
"Captain," Toshiro addressed Isshin again inside the Gigai.
This time, Isshin clearly saw Toshiro.
"Yare yare, how embarrassing. I, a Captain of the Gotei 13, can no longer even see Shinigami," Isshin said self-deprecatingly.
"Hmph, your captaincy is over. From now on, I'm the 10th Division's Captain," Toshiro teased.
"Haha, true enough," Isshin laughed, unbothered.
Then, Isshin turned serious. "Toshiro, after you return, don't reveal that I stayed in the Living World. If the Soul Society asks about my whereabouts, just say you don't know. After all, we came here secretly this time. Besides Rangiku, no one else knows we came together."
If the Soul Society learned a 10th Division's Captain gave up Shinigami powers to save a Quincy and stayed in the Living World, who knew what uproar would ensue? Both Isshin and Masaki would face severe punishment.
"In short, just treat me as missing. As for the 10th Division... after I leave, you'll surely succeed me as Captain. You've been managing division affairs all along anyway, so even if I suddenly disappear, you taking over won't cause issues," Isshin said.
"Rest assured, Captain. I'll manage the 10th Division well. You just live happily with Ms. Kurosaki in the Living World," Toshiro nodded.
"Oh, and when you and Ms. Kurosaki get married and have kids, find a way to let me know. I'll come personally to bless you," Toshiro joked.
"You... what nonsense are you saying, Toshiro?! Ms. Kurosaki and I aren't like that!" Isshin denied, his face bright red.
"Oh? Not like that? Haven't you thought about marrying Ms. Kurosaki?" Toshiro teased.
"Well... that..." Isshin stammered, unable to reply.
"Alright, Captain, take care. It's getting late. I should head back," Toshiro suddenly sounded somewhat sad.
"Yeah, you take care too," Isshin said reluctantly.
Then, after returning the Gigai to Kisuke, Toshiro took one last look at Isshin.
"Goodbye, Captain!"
With that, Toshiro turned and left.
As for Isshin, after Toshiro left the Gigai, he could no longer see Toshiro's figure or hear his voice. He just kept staring at the spot where Toshiro vanished.