"What do you mean by that?"
Shimo blinked, genuinely surprised.
"The Fon Clan has that many rules?"
The black cat—Yoruichi—sighed deeply.
"Oh, come on, little Shimo. The Fon Clan may be a lower noble house, but they've served the Shihōin family for generations."
"By the time it reached Soi Fon's generation, she's already the ninth successor."
Hearing that, Shimo recalled what he knew about Soi Fon.
As the youngest daughter of the ninth generation, her five older brothers had all died on missions.
How many members of the Fon Clan were even left was… uncertain.
Yoruichi glanced at Shimo, clearly reading the thoughts in his head.
"Only a handful of Fon Clan members remain."
"Far fewer than other noble families."
"Most of the survivors are no longer able to serve on missions."
"Although Soi Fon inherited the title from her mother, she has not yet become head of the clan."
Yoruichi's whiskers brushed against Shimo's cheek as she leaned in.
"Before I left Soul Society, her grandmother was still the clan head. So yes—some traditions must still be followed."
Shimo let out an unimpressed huff.
"Oh, the rotten aristocratic system."
Yoruichi froze for a moment, then narrowed her eyes.
"Hey, hey—coming from you, a high-ranking noble? That's pretty rich."
Shimo scooped the black cat off his shoulder and held her lightly in his arms.
"I've run into those same problems when I was preparing to inherit the Kyōraku Household."
He briefly recounted those memories to Yoruichi.
"The elders—half of them already half-asleep in their graves—doubted my strength."
"They opposed my succession to the Kyōraku family."
Shimo curled his lip.
"If I weren't strong enough, the family would've been drowning in political waves."
Yoruichi fell silent.
She understood all too well.
In the Shihōin family, strength and talent were everything.
"Enough about that."
Shimo shook off the topic.
"Let's get back to Fourth Division. I need to prepare."
"It's almost time to head to Sōkyoku Hill."
"Execution's in just a few hours."
"Today's show is going to be the best part. I can't miss it."
Yoruichi meowed approvingly from his arms.
And then—Shimo vanished.
---
Fourth Division Barracks — General Relief Ward
Ishida Uryū stared in terror at the massive figure before him—towering, scarred, menacing to the point of inducing panic.
"Excuse me—"
CRACK.
Zaraki Kenpachi rested his Zanpakutō on his shoulder, a cruel grin stretching across his face.
"You kids are Kurosaki Ichigo's friends, right?"
Ishida and the others exchanged startled looks.
"Well… yes!"
There was no point hiding it.
Ryōka were comrades by default.
"In that case," Kenpachi said, excitement in his eyes, "following you will definitely lead me to Ichigo!"
His mind moved surprisingly fast—but his methods were utterly incomprehensible.
"Let's go. We're leaving Fourth Division."
His voice trembled with anticipation.
"I'm going to fight that kid!"
Yachiru Kusajishi popped her head over Kenpachi's shoulder.
"Hey! If you're leaving Fourth Division, at least say bye to the Lieutenant!"
A voice came from the doorway.
"Oh? You again."
Kenpachi scowled at Shimo, clearly harboring grudges.
He looked away like a sulking child.
"We're leaving Fourth Division. Satisfied now?"
He sounded like someone being forced to study kidō.
Shimo nodded, smiling.
"Of course."
"Safe travels."
Ishida and the others stared blankly.
We're Ryōka!
We're invading Seireitei!
You're just… letting us go?!
Kenpachi's expression darkened as he stomped out.
"Thanks, Shimo!"
Yachiru waved politely as she followed.
Shimo turned to the still-frozen Ryōka.
"Well? Planning to stay for dinner?
Or are you going?"
They panicked and scrambled after Kenpachi.
"We'll meet at Sōkyoku Hill, Shimo!"
Shimo nodded and watched them leave.
Yoruichi lazily rested on his shoulder.
"Letting them go like that… Seireitei's going to explode again."
Shimo chuckled.
"A chaotic Seireitei makes things easier."
At that moment—
"Shimo-kun."
Unohana lifted the door curtain and entered.
Her gaze immediately chilled at the sight of the black cat on Shimo's shoulder.
"…Yoruichi Shihōin."
Clearly, she knew exactly who this was.
Shimo coughed, trying to hide his embarrassment.
"Ahem—she's a friend."
Yoruichi's golden eyes narrowed, a dangerous gleam flashing.
"Captain Unohana… you seem hostile toward me."
Women's intuition was sharper than any blade.
Sometimes, sharper than Sherlock Holmes.
"Of course."
Unohana's voice remained gentle—yet carried an unmistakable, chilling dominance.
"Because Shimo is the only one who can please me."
"How could I possibly let you have him?"
The normally serene Unohana was now openly forceful.
Yoruichi smirked and rubbed her head against Shimo's cheek.
"Oh? That's not something you decide with words alone."
"Right, little Shimo?"
Despite knowing Unohana's true identity as the First Kenpachi, Yoruichi did not retreat even half a step.
Retreat now, and she would lose the advantage forever.
Unohana's smile remained serene—but her eyes glinted like a blade.
Under Shimo's stunned gaze, she stepped forward and—wrapped her arm around his free arm, pulling it into her embrace.
Soft warmth pressed against him.
Shimo froze, completely unprepared.
The woman and the cat locked eyes—neither backing down.
—
"C–Captain!"
Kotetsu Isane's voice echoed from outside.
"The execution is about to begin—!"
She lifted the curtain—
And her worldview shattered instantly.
"Th—this—!"
Though her combat skills were average, her survival instincts were top-tier.
"S-sorry!"
"I SAW NOTHING!"
She vanished with Shunpo before anyone could speak.
Shimo exhaled heavily.
"Should we… head to Sōkyoku Hill?"
Unohana hesitated, then gently released his arm.
"Every division must send someone to witness the execution."
"But Fourth Division is overwhelmed with patients. I cannot leave."
"So this task… falls to you, Shimo-kun."
She faced him directly, her expression softening.
Just as Shimo wondered whether Unohana might do something shocking—
She simply reached out and smoothed the wrinkles on his shihakushō.
Her voice was warm and quiet.
"I'll be waiting for your safe return."
For the first time—
Yoruichi visibly froze.
Danger.
A terrifying enemy.
Only now did she realize—her true rival was not Shiba Kūkaku.
It was the woman before her—
Captain Unohana Retsu.
...
Since Kotetsu Isane could barely speak to him without blushing now, Shimo decided to go alone to represent Fourth Division.
As he stepped outside, a familiar system chime sounded in his mind.
[New Check-In Mission Issued]
[Sign in at Sōkyoku Hill and kill Tōsen Kaname in the most spectacular, shocking way possible!]
[Reward: Supreme Spiritual Pressure]
Shimo's eyes lit up.
That reward was unmistakably tied to breaking through to the next stage of his time-based ability.
"This is going to be a big one."
No matter how strong Tōsen was—
Shimo was stronger.
---
Meanwhile — Sōkyoku Hill
Shimo felt two spiritual pressure signatures clashing.
"Hm?"
"From the direction of the Shishinro…"
"So those two finally started fighting."
He smiled—this would be entertaining.
---
On the High Ground — Repentance Cell
"I'll surpass you, Captain Kuchiki!"
Renji Abarai roared, releasing his reiatsu.
"Howl! Zabimaru!"
His shikai erupted, red light flaring as the segmented bone serpent wrapped around him, glaring at Kuchiki Byakuya.
Renji's shihakushō morphed—brown fur covering one shoulder and arm, mismatched on the other side.
"You've… mastered it?"
Byakuya's usually calm eyes flickered with surprise.
He knew Renji's abilities well.
This sudden growth was unexpected.
"Captain—this is my final request."
Renji's voice trembled with determination.
"Let me through! I have to save my friend!"
Byakuya's voice remained cool.
"Even if one who violated Soul Society's law is saved—what difference does it make?"
"No more pointless words."
Renji's fighting spirit surged.
His real goal wasn't just saving someone—
he wanted to defeat his captain.
Compared to the original story, Renji here was far less obsessed.
Hinamori was simply a friend.
"With your strength, you cannot lay a finger on me."
Byakuya's confidence never wavered.
Renji roared and swung Zabimaru—the bone serpent smashing through stone with explosive force.
"Scatter—Senbonzakura."
Byakuya flash-stepped into the air, avoiding the wild attacks as pink blades glittered around him.
Towers collapsed.
The earth split open.
Sixth Division's demolition crew was officially in action.
---
Meanwhile...
Shimo watched from afar.
"Only Sixth Division could afford to fight like this."
"Anyone else would be paying it off for decades."
Yoruichi tracked Byakuya's movements with her eyes.
"He's improving fast. His Shunpo is almost on my level."
Shimo nodded.
"Renji's good, but still lacking."
Just as he finished—
Renji was bound midair by Bakudō #61: Rikujōkōrō.
Byakuya's voice was calm.
"Bankai."
"Senbonzakura Kageyoshi."
Pink shadows spread.
A tidal wave of cherry blossoms blade roared forward.
----------------------------///
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