Shiba Kūkaku reached out, gently removing the black cat from Kyōraku Callum's shoulder, and cradled it close to her chest. She then pressed
Shiba Kūkaku reached out, gently removing the black cat from Kyōraku Callum's shoulder, and cradled it close to her chest.
She then pressed her face against the cat's, nuzzling it affectionately.
"You always try to steal all the good things from me!" she chided the cat.
"Meow! Stop it!" the cat protested, its voice strained. "I'm suffocating!"
Shiba Kūkaku felt a surge of powerful resistance as the cat's claws dug into her collarbone, forcing her arms open.
"Huff… huff…" The cat gasped for air. "Damn it, Kūkaku! This is the one hundred and thirty-second time you've nearly suffocated me!"
Shiba Kūkaku smiled mischievously. "Alright, alright, let's get down to business. I hear you're planning to enter the Seireitei?"
Kurosaki Ichigo nodded repeatedly. While somewhat bewildered by their relationship dynamics, they seemed to be in no immediate danger.
The formidable Kyōraku Callum was currently engrossed in petting the cat, seemingly oblivious to their presence.
"The outer wall of the Seireitei, known as the Sereitei Barrier, is constructed from the rare Sekkiseki stone," Shiba Kūkaku explained thoroughly.
"Sekkiseki emits spiritual-dispersing waves from its cut surfaces. In other words, the Seireitei, from the sky to its depths, is protected by a barrier formed by these waves."
"If you intend to enter the Seireitei through unconventional means," she continued, "you'll need the assistance of this pyrotechnics expert—me! As for the method, just follow me!"
She stood, gesturing towards a hidden passage within the room.
Kurosaki Ichigo and the others exchanged bewildered glances before following her.
Kyōraku Callum, naturally, joined the group.
While Kurosaki Ichigo and Ishida Uryū instinctively tensed up in his presence—a purely biological, instinctive reaction, akin to a rabbit's muscles tensing in the presence of a predator—they followed.
After navigating several corridors, they finally reached a massive black iron pillar deep underground.
"This… this is…" Kurosaki Ichigo and the others exclaimed in awe.
Even Kyōraku Callum felt a surge of slight astonishment.
A towering black cannon, dozens of meters tall, stretched from the platform to the ceiling. Simply standing before it instilled a profound sense of insignificance.
Shiba Kūkaku pointed to the massive black cannon on the platform, a smile playing on her lips.
"The correct method of entering the Seireitei is right here!" she declared.
"Koganehiko and Shiroganehiko, raise it!" Shiba Kūkaku shouted, and the ground began to tremble.
With the whirring of gears and the clanking of chains emanating from below, the ceiling directly above them began to split open. The circular platform beneath their feet steadily rose, ascending into view.
Even though the Shiba family had only recently relocated, the construction here was seamless and indistinguishable from their previous residence.
With the aid of Kidō, such feats were easily accomplished.
A Kidō prodigy like Shiba Kūkaku wouldn't be hindered by such a minor obstacle.
Before anyone could fully comprehend what was happening, Shiba Kūkaku produced several orbs and tossed them towards the group.
Kurosaki Ichigo and the others caught the orbs, their expressions puzzled.
"What are these?" Kurosaki Ichigo asked.
Shiba Kūkaku explained, "Reishi Cores. Simply input your spiritual pressure into them."
Kurosaki Ichigo looked utterly bewildered. "How do I input spiritual pressure?"
Shiba Kūkaku's expression registered surprise.
"You don't know how to use Kidō?" she asked incredulously.
The black cat perched on Kyōraku Callum's shoulder sighed wearily. "This kid has… minimal Kidō aptitude."
Shiba Kūkaku slapped her forehead, letting out a frustrated sigh.
"Ganju, demonstrate," she said.
Shiba Ganju picked up a Reishi Core and channeled his spiritual pressure into it.
Instantly, a spiritual pressure barrier formed around him.
"Considering the need to traverse the reiatsu barrier," Shiba Kūkaku explained, "this barrier will allow you to become projectiles, launched via the Kakaku Taihō cannon, directly into the Seireitei from above! I call this invention the 'Special Hardened Reishi Wall Generation Device!'"
She punctuated her explanation by forcefully striking the spiritual pressure wall Shiba Ganju had created, producing a series of loud bangs. "Got it?"
For the first time, Shiba Kūkaku's normally boisterous personality was fully unleashed.
Kurosaki Ichigo and the others nodded blankly.
"Koganehiko and Shiroganehiko, take them to the underground training grounds to learn how to construct a Reishi wall," Shiba Kūkaku commanded, her expression fierce.
"Anyone who doesn't learn will be stuffed into the Kakaku Taihō cannon and launched into the heavens!"
Koganehiko and Shiroganehiko suddenly appeared behind Kurosaki Ichigo and the others, scooped them up in their massive arms, and sprinted towards the underground training grounds.
Once they were gone, Shiba Kūkaku let out a long sigh, a hint of melancholy in her eyes.
"Kyōraku Callum," she began, her voice soft. "Is that boy really of our Shiba bloodline?"
Kyōraku Callum, holding a flask of Rukongai sake, took a sip. "Why do you ask that?"
Shiba Kūkaku frowned, her voice tinged with concern. "Our Shiba clan, one of the five noble families, not only possesses various Kidō techniques but also abundant spiritual pressure. Furthermore, both main and branch family members demonstrate exceptional Kidō aptitude, far surpassing ordinary Shinigami."
Her expression grew even more pensive. "I now suspect my poor uncle might have been… betrayed."
Kyōraku Callum nearly choked on his sake.
"Where did that come from?" he asked, slightly sputtering.
"Doesn't his appearance alone confirm it?" Shiba Kūkaku said with a playful smile. "It's just a joke."
Kyōraku Callum put away his sake. "While that boy lacks Kidō aptitude, his other talents are quite remarkable. As for whether he can become a qualified projectile… I estimate a day's training should suffice."
Shiba Kūkaku looked surprised. "From zero to completion? I didn't expect you to have so much faith in that boy."
Kyōraku Callum shook his head with a smile, offering no further explanation.
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