Ishida Ryūken fell into deep reflection. For now, he could not confirm whether the amount of "silver" within Amamiya Miyako's spiritual body was related to the state he had been in before dying. However, it was a lead worth recording; if he continued investigating other deaths, perhaps he could confirm what Miyako had said.
"On this trip, what I wanted was to investigate what was special about Amamiya Miyako, but I did not expect his soul to still remain here, while from the other dead there was not a trace. None of the Quincy I investigated before left their soul behind after death. Miyako must be hiding some secret that allowed him to continue existing as a spirit. But now perhaps I should deal with his soul first… if I don't send him to the afterlife, he could be attacked by a Hollow. Although, wouldn't it be troublesome to send someone who has witnessed my Quincy abilities to the Soul Society?" Ryūken thought.
While Ryūken pondered, Amamiya too sank into his own doubts.
"Why does Ishida Ryūken know my name? Could it be that the original me had some connection with him… or with the Quincy? But in the human world, most of the Quincy should have already been exterminated, except for the Ishida family." Miyako felt increasingly unsettled.
"No, wait… I don't know what era I'm in. If this is after Yhwach launched the Auswählen, then indeed no other Quincy would still exist apart from the Ishida. But… what if I died because of the Auswählen? Could it be that Ryūken's wife also died from it? Was it my peculiarity that drew him to investigate me? Could I have been a mixed-blood Quincy?"
Miyako did not know, but he had guessed much of his own origin. The real Amamiya Miyako had died from Yhwach's Auswählen, and he was the only half-blood Quincy whose spirit continued to exist after death.
"From now on, I'll have someone send you to the afterlife. Your soul will go to a place called the Soul Society, where you will begin a new life. Remaining in the human world in this state is too dangerous," said Ryūken.
"But you must promise me something: when you arrive in the Soul Society, you must not tell anyone what happened today. Not about me, nor about what happens afterward."
Finally, Ishida Ryūken decided to send Amamiya to the Soul Society. Although it involved some risk to his identity, there were no longer any Quincy in the human world worthy of attracting the Shinigami's attention. It was not such a serious problem. All that remained was to perform the soul funeral for Miyako.
Amamiya understood what he meant. If his suspicions were correct, what had happened must never be revealed in the Soul Society; otherwise, it could attract the attention of powerful leaders… and even cost him his life.
"I understand, Ishida-san. I won't tell anyone."
Ryūken thought that ever since Masaki had been saved, he would never again have to contact Urahara Kisuke. After all, being a Quincy, he already owed him enough from that occasion. And yet, now he had to ask for his help once more… but if he wanted to discover the truth about his wife's death, sooner or later he would have to deal with the Shinigami again. He took out his phone and dialed a number he had never called before.
"Urahara, it's me, Ishida. I need to ask you a favor. It's about…" Ryūken said.
As he suspected, it was Kisuke who took care of transferring Amamiya to the Soul Society. For a soul, that place was at least safer than remaining in the human world, where it could be devoured by a Hollow. Although it was also filled with conspiracies, surviving would depend entirely on him.
Before long, a man appeared at the window wearing a green-and-white striped hat, holding a wooden cane.
"Well, well… long time no see, Ryūken-san. I never expected you to be the one to call me, I'm truly honored. What brings me here? Whatever it is, I'll do my best," said Kisuke, hiding half his face behind his fan with a carefree air.
"Less talk, Urahara. This boy: I want you to send him to the Soul Society." Ryūken turned his head toward Miyako.
"Eh… so young, and already dead. What a pity," Kisuke remarked lightly, provoking a twitch at the corner of Miyako's lips.
"But if Ryūken called me expressly for him, doesn't that mean this boy is special?" Kisuke lowered his head and closed his eyes, observing him closely. Miyako chose to remain silent.
"Handling a soul funeral is a Shinigami's duty. Or has your memory rusted from spending so much time in the human world?" Ryūken replied coldly.
"Your tongue is as sharp as ever… yes, sending souls to the afterlife is a Shinigami's job, but I am no longer a recognized Shinigami. If they find out I was the one who performed the funeral, I could be in serious trouble," Kisuke answered.
"Stop talking nonsense and just do it," Ryūken cut him off.
"Alright, alright. Young man, it will be quick, don't be afraid," Kisuke said as he transformed his cane into a sword and pressed the hilt against Miyako's forehead.
"Remember to keep silent about me. If you speak, we'll both be in trouble," he warned seriously.
Miyako nodded and closed his eyes. His body began to fade: proof that he was being sent to the Soul Society.
When he disappeared completely, Kisuke looked at Ryūken.
"Ryūken-san, I can't afford for the Soul Society to discover what I do."
"Don't be a hypocrite, Urahara. You have your methods of avoiding detection."
"That's true, but as long as I'm not discovered, everything will be fine."
Kisuke then asked in a grave tone:
"That boy… is he related to the recent deaths?"
"That's none of your business."
"I heard from Kurosaki-san that on June 17th, both Masaki-san and your wife suffered accidents. I'm afraid that boy also died that same day. What happened then?"
"Shut your mouth, Urahara! Stay out of my affairs." Ryūken clenched his fists, darkened by grief.
Kisuke watched him in silence and then said his farewell, leaping out the window.
Ryūken remained there, frowning, until he remembered his original purpose: investigating Amamiya's room. In a corner he found a black box; inside lay a silver pendant in the shape of a cross, gleaming under the moonlight.
"So it was a Quincy Cross… even if he wasn't a pure Quincy, surely his parents or ancestors were. His blood betrays him. If he was a half-blood, the possibility is even greater. I must continue investigating the other dead."
He slipped the box into his pocket and left. The room returned to silence.
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