Soul Reaper, My Zanpakuto Is a Bit Trendy

Two "green-clad Soul Reapers " stood beside Baishin.

"Baishin, how about we retreat for now?"

"..."

Baishin glared at Haruto one last time from afar.

"Snort."

Amidst some displeasure, the three figures silently disappeared into the darkness behind them—undoubtedly a spatial ability, and most likely achieved through a magical artifact.

"..."

Things are getting more and more complicated.

After confirming there was no danger, Haruto lowered her left hand from the knife handle.

Baishin didn't have Bankai, he naturally couldn't be the first to unleash Seisen —he still couldn't fully grasp the opponent's Zanpakuto abilities, but the super-strong defensive power it brought to his body meant that Haruto would find it difficult to finish the battle quickly with a sneak attack.

"Those two guys were at least at the Vice-Captain-level."

"This is just one area in Naruki City..."

With one captain and two vice-captains, such a formidable team combination would not be easily dispatched even by the Soul Society.

What exactly is happening in the World of the Living?

Just then...

"Beep."

Before Haruto's furrowed brows could relax, the jet-black Hell Butterfly had already landed on his slowly raised knuckles.

"A-Qing! Can you hear me?"

Ayaka's voice came from within the Hell Butterfly.

The communication method they used was the ultra-long-range Kakushitsuijaku, which had been modified back in the Shin'ō Academy.

"... Is something wrong with Lieutenant Lisa?"

Ayaka wouldn't use the Hell Butterfly lightly; at this point in time, it's more likely that Lisa Yadōmaru needs to speak with him.

"..."

After a brief silence.

"I am Lisa Yadōmaru, the Fourth Seat Haruto."

"... I'm listening."

Judging from Lisa Yadōmaru's serious voice, things are most likely heading in a bad direction.

"I just tried to contact the Soul Society and all the divisions that came to the World of the Living, but apart from you, only the Second Division and the Ninth Division sent back messages."

"Others..."

"Something must have happened."

Volume 1: 121, focusing solely on the biological aspects of human nature seems rather mundane in this century.

"..."

Haruto knew things wouldn't get better, but he didn't expect them to be this bad.

He had personally experienced the situation of the Dangai, and without the help of Captain-level, there was no possibility of escaping; and when there was no way to replenish Reiatsu, it was not easy to survive for even ten minutes in the Dangai.

"Mashiro Kuna of the Ninth Division is indeed very strong."

The captain is Kensei Muguruma, a rare time-type Zanpakuto, and it's not unacceptable that the vice-captain is slightly stronger, perhaps even possessing the strength of Kyuguruma.

"As for the Second Division..."

"Yoruichi isn't on the mission list, and Soi Fon isn't capable right now. Is Vice-Captain Ōmaeda really that strong?"

As Haruto left the hot spring inn, he noticed the departing Soul Reaper.

No wonder the bartender Marechiyo Ōmaeda stronger than his son. Marechiyo was able to Shunpo to get rid of Baraggan's rule-based aging body, so it's only natural that this guy is Captain-level.

While Haruto was still thinking...

"Fourth Seat Haruto."

Lisa Yadōmaru continued.

"We plan to rendezvous with the other two divisions as soon as possible. The situation in the World of the Living has exceeded Soul Society's predictions. For now, it's best to establish contact immediately. I'm sure Captain Hikifune is also constantly trying."

What suggestions do you have?

There's a problem with the Dangai.

This clearly shows they don't want Soul Society to send reinforcements, or even to interfere in World of the Living Soul Society world; the enemy's plan is so meticulous, it can't be so easily deciphered... Even with Captain Hikifune's abilities, it will probably take some time before they have any hope.

It doesn't matter whether we contact each other or not.

Haruto was somewhat relieved that he had let Isane rest a bit more at the inn, otherwise he would definitely be in a complete mess by now.

"Lieutenant Lisa."

Haruto wasn't trying to build rapport; it's just that the name "Yayuumaru" sounds a bit awkward. Fortunately, Lisa seems to have long been used to the more affectionate way her teammates address her.

"Ayaka's Hell Butterfly is so late, it took so long to arrive..."

"You were also attacked?"

Convergence?

Each squad has its own mission area, and the orders issued by Soul Society did not mention anything about regrouping.

Unless something really serious happens.

"... also?"

Lisa's question confirmed Haruto's suspicions.

"I've run into Baishin. Does Lieutenant Lisa recognize that name?"

"... a notorious villain imprisoned in the World of the Living two hundred years ago?"

"Yes."

As expected of the deputy captain of the intelligence team, he has a high sensitivity to names.

"You repelled him?"

Lisa's voice held a hint of surprise.

Although he was someone I'd never seen before, the fact that he could take on six opponents and kill two in Captain-level battle meant that, even if the captains at that time weren't generally very skilled, he was a near-peak Soul Reaper among the Third-Class Reii.

"Barely, to be precise, he left voluntarily... He was accompanied by two Vice-Captain-level dressed in strange Shihakushō."

"..."

The fact that Haruto survived Baishin's attack shows that her strength has surpassed that of a newly promoted captain; at the very least, even if she used her hidden strength, she might not be a match for him.

"... We didn't encounter any oddly dressed individuals on the Eighth Division's side."

Lisa's brief silence made Haruto imagine a pose similar to Sōken Ishida's when he put his glasses on his head.

"But."

"We were indeed attacked just now."

Lisa's calm voice indicated that the Eighth Division was out of danger.

"Menos Grande?"

Haruto naturally thought of the abnormally large virtual group in the city.

"No... Fullbringer."

"??"

Fullbringer?

As the vice-captain of the Eighth Division, Lisa Yadōmaru certainly wouldn't mistake someone for someone else.

But why...

"Kūgo Ginjō?"

Haruto immediately thought of that name—as the Thirteenth Division Seated Officer, it wouldn't surprise Lisa that she knew of Kūgo Ginjō's existence.

To be honest.

If it weren't for Kūgo Ginjō's Captain-level strength, he wouldn't have been chosen as Substitute Soul Reaper... Haruto thinks the full title of the Substitute Soul Reaper should be "Substitute Soul Reaper Captain".

"No, the opponent's strength is below the Captain-level."

Lisa denied Haruto's guess.

"They are five Fullbringers I've never seen before... at the Vice-Captain-level."

"..."

Vice-Captain-level?

This is perfectly normal— Fullbringer has practiced a few times will generally be no weaker than Vice-Captain-level; after all, their very existence is related to the Soul King Fragments, and someone with weak talent wouldn't be attacked by a Hollow while still in their mother's womb.

But.

The organizations established by Fullbringers are not limited to Kūgo Ginjō's "XCUTION," and it cannot be concluded that there is a necessary connection between the two at present.

"Lieutenant Lisa is amazing."

Haruto casually offered a compliment.

"No."

"Their situation was the same as when you encountered Baishin; they also withdrew voluntarily halfway through the battle."

Lisa explained.

"Are they stalling for time?"

Haruto had obtained the information beforehand, but Lisa's thoughts were still easy to guess.

That's how I judged it.

"Are you planning to concentrate the power of the World of the Living for unforeseen circumstances?"

Haruto didn't even use honorifics at this moment.

"Right."

Lisa confirmed Haruto's guess.

"..."

"What if this is actually their goal?"

"Luring the tiger away from the mountain?"

Lisa quickly understood Haruto's thoughts.

"Yes, what if the enemy's subsequent plans inevitably involve the exposure of Reiatsu, so we conduct simulations in advance?"

"When I encountered Baishin, her Reiatsu pressure was completely concealed; she didn't seem like the type to actively reveal herself."

Multiple Captain-level intelligence.

This information is certainly important, but there's also a high probability that it's a trap deliberately leaked by the other party.

What are Fourth Seat Haruto?

"You all gather together to prevent being picked off one by one. I'll remain in Naruki City on standby."

"That would be very dangerous for you."

"The enemy has made such a big commotion, their target obviously can't just be a few of us, right?"

Haruto continued:

"And..."