Chapter 214

It's obvious.

This is Lisa Yadōmaru's self-created Kidō.

"No."

Lisa shook her head.

"I'm just basking in the glory; you can't escape the credit no matter what."

She knew exactly what Haruto wanted to refuse, but the Eighth Division would definitely report every detail of what happened in Valley of Screams to the Captain-Commander.

"... All right."

From the moment he decided to launch this joint operation with so many people, Haruto knew that his strength would most likely be impossible to hide.

"Whoosh."

At this time.

The Soul Reapers, having finished their battles on several other battlefields, also gathered here.

Seeing Haruto's miserable state, Ayaka, though the last to arrive, was the first to rush over and help him up.

How did it get like this?

Although his tone was full of complaints, anyone could hear the concern in it.

"It's nothing serious, just need some rest."

Haruto didn't argue with her.

"Little Haruharu is amazing!"

Apart from Ayaka, everyone else had different expressions:

After letting out Mashiro Kuna rushed over and patted Haruto's shoulder hard, praising him without any regard for the severity of Haruto's injuries.

"Captain Kuna is fast too, isn't he?"

"This is so boring! It's so uninspiring to play! I have absolutely no feel for it!"

Faced with Heavenly Bestowed Armaments capable of absorbing Reiatsu, it's hard to say who would win if a different vice-captain were in charge... In the Ninth Division, it's the Ninth who truly carries the weight of words, not the Sixth.

"..."

Soi Fon Zanpakuto, looked at Haruto with a complex expression and remained silent: Putting everything else aside, in terms of strength alone, this man certainly met her expectations... Perhaps only in this way could she stand by Lady Yoruichi's side.

"Ayaka."

Haruto patted Ayaka's hand.

"Um?"

"Help me to Anhe... to the Shinenju."

"Only half a day, and you've already managed to start flirting?!"

Ayaka's eyes were practically popping out of their sockets.

"Serious business!"

"... real?"

The doubt in Ayaka's eyes did not dissipate in the slightest.

"You'll find out if you go with them."

Volume 1: 129, We Are Not a Fairy Tale

"Agata."

Haruto looked up at Agata, who was hanging up.

"Soul Reaper..."

"Gentlemen?"

Because there were quite a few people dressed in the same clothes, Agata manage to turn around quickly.

"It's me."

Haruto nodded.

You look badly injured.

"Habit..."

Haruto tried raising his arm.

As a result, the part of the shoulder that had just been sewn on almost broke off again... If it weren't for the immense Reiatsu exerted on him, Haruto wouldn't have sewn it so flimsly.

"... right?"

"Puff."

Haruto's appearance was so much like a character from a zombie movie that Agata couldn't help but burst out laughing.

"..."

"Is it because you saved me, Mr. Soul Reaper?"

A hazy light flickered in Agata's eyes.

Before Ayaka could deliver a surprise elbow strike, Haruto immediately followed up with:

"No, it's for the future of the World of the Living and Soul Society."

"..."

Agata's eyes dimmed for a moment, but he quickly mustered his courage again and said:

"I'm one of them, aren't I?"

"... It's not that you can't say it that way."

Haruto didn't refute her this time... Seeing that there was nothing between them, Ayaka stopped using the force between her two fingers and quietly supported Haruto.

"Very good."

"What's so great about it?"

"There are still people in this world who remember me, and even do things for me... isn't that the happiest thing?"

Traces of life.

If true death is not the passing of life, but rather the disappearance of all people in the world who remember you—then for the Shinenju, Agata had never had any proof of being alive from the very beginning.

"So you already know your identity?"

"Um."

In response to Haruto's question, Agata simply nodded slightly.

Can you stop them?

Haruto looked around.

With the death of Ryudoji and the awakening of the Shinenju, the edge of the Valley of Screams Space has begun to crumble, and the waves formed by the Blanks are slowly but steadily moving towards the Shinenju.

When the two merge—

Boom~

The rest doesn't even need further explanation.

"No."

Agata first shook his head, then looked intently straight at Haruto.

"But if we're together..."

"Can."

Agata absolute certainty.

"... You should have been asleep by then, right?"

Haruto sighed softly.

This was indeed Haruto's chosen goal for breaking into the Valley of Screams, but it should never have come out of Agata's mouth—although with her cooperation, Haruto's plan would have been much smoother... but that was a last resort, an action to be taken only after Agata had completely transformed back into the Shinenju.

"Girls are very good at pretending to be asleep."

Agata made a mischievous face and said.

"You're a lady now."

Haruto corrected him immediately.

Shouldn't married women be even more attractive?

"... That seems to make sense too."

"..."

The two fell silent.

Ten minutes left.

Soi Fon couldn't help but interject—neither the composed Lisa nor the carefree Mashiro Kuna spoke up at this moment.

She's still too young.

"Thank you, I understand."

Haruto turned his head and thanked Soi Fon.

Are you ready?

Can you remember my name?

"... certainly."

"Then I have no problem either."

Haruto turned around and said to Lisa and the others:

"Gentlemen."

"Please go back through Mr. Urahara's Senkaimon first."

"But--"

Just as Soi Fon was about to speak, Mashiro Kuna jumped behind her and covered her mouth, interrupting her.

Don't worry.

"If there are any further problems, I can directly unlock the Kaijō and return to the World of the Living."

"... Take care of yourself."

Secret?

As long as Haruto can solve Valley of Screams's problem, they must help him keep the secret, no matter what it may be.

This is a momentous event concerning the existence of hundreds of millions of souls.

Not to mention...

Haruto simply asked them to leave for the time being.

"I will."

"Whoosh!"

Lisa's figure disappeared quickly with the sound of Shunpo, and Soi Fon and the remaining few Stealth Force were also taken away by Mashiro Kuna.

"Ayaka, you too."

"... Alright, time is running out, not enough for you to mess around!"

Even at this moment, Ayaka knew to use jokes to help him relax, Haruto naturally wouldn't let this small gesture go to waste:

"Clear."