"Yo~ You've finally arrived!"
The waiter opened the sliding door to the Shinji Hirako and her entourage walked in. Kuruyashiki and Oka were already drinking.
I thought we'd be eating at a mobile table outside.
"I did consider it, but outsiders would probably think our topic is childish and embarrassing."
"Haha, indeed. This is..."
"Oka, Orcinus Orca, it's a pleasure to see all the former captains and Soul Reaper."
"Hello"
The group gave an opening speech, and then the restaurant owner began setting out the dishes. In no time, the table was covered with food, leaving the six Soul Reapers completely bewildered.
"Haha, sorry everyone, I've been eating a bit too much, hahaha," Oka chuckled. "Here, have something to eat first. We can talk things out after we eat and drink together."
The others started moving as well, but Shinji Hirako didn't. Instead, he asked, "I'm curious, between Oka and Kuruyashiki- san, who is stronger?"
"Hmm, you, right?" Kuruyashiki hesitated for a moment. "It's still you. Apart from you and Starrk, I'm pretty much the same."
"I think so too, but Biersen might surpass you soon."
"Tsk~ There's nothing I can do about it, that guy's still not skilled enough. Oh dear, he accidentally became fifth, what a pity."
Shinji Hirako felt a stomachache listening to this. "There are four more stronger than you? So Oka, who exactly are you guys?"
"Oh, you really have to bring this up?" Oka slammed a glass of draft beer down in front of Hirako. "Our rule here is, whatever information you want, you exchange it for something we don't know. Ha~ You tell me first, and I guarantee I'll be honest and fair."
"Well"
"Our boss doesn't allow credit. If you don't have any information worth trading with, I can't tell you anything."
Oka had made his point clear, and there was no point in looking at Kuruyashiki. He shrugged, ate his food, and drank his wine. The Soul Reaper exchanged helpless glances, and Shinji Hirako asked...
"Who does Jun Shimizu think he is among you guys?"
"This is also a piece of information; what are you exchanging it for?"
The group exchanged glances again, Mashiro Kuna, who had been engrossed in eating, raised his hand and asked, "Does my Shikai count? Back in Soul Society, I only Shikai."
"Well, if it's about problem-solving abilities, it depends on what type of ability you have. We have a categorized and quantified system here, and you can exchange several pieces of information based on your quantification level."
"Oh~", Mashiro Kuna looked surprised, but this girl was actually very cunning. "My solution is called Heart Crossing, which can perfectly unleash my imagination."
"Perfect? How perfect? In terms of imagination? Is it the release of energy, or can you kill whoever you want?"
"Huh? Is it that secure?"
"Of course, otherwise how would we calculate it?"
"Emmm, it means things like Kidō and Blade Pressure, I can release them at will, whenever I want."
"Have you tested it to its maximum limits? For example, how many times can the Spiritual Flow be enhanced?"
"Emmm, no."
Oka rested his chin on his hand and pondered for a moment. "From what you've said, it sounds like a combination of Enhancement and Emission types. If possible, contact our liaison office here. You can go to Hueco Mundo for a perfect test. The perfect test itself is worth two pieces of information, and what you've said is also worth two pieces of information. Go ask them."
Mashiro Kuna glanced at Hirako, then continued to devour his food. Hirako asked, "The first question has already been asked."
"He's my master, our sage, our leader."
Hirako gasped, "How many people are in your organization?"
"Has it reached 500 yet?"
"How would I know, you're asking me?"
"Wait a minute," Oka, pulling out his phone amidst a group of bewildered faces, and dialed Mingmo. "Mingmo, how many people are in our organization now?"
"As of yesterday, 483 people."
"OK, I'll give you the information when I get back."
Okay, I hope you have a great time.
As soon as he closed his phone, Oka raised his glass to Hirako, "Perfect deal. Please continue if you'd like."
The group clinked glasses, then the Visored exchanged glances. Qianlimu was about to offer his explanation when Hirako stopped him, saying, "That's enough for now. Let's eat, thank you."
They enjoyed the meal very much, and Oka and Kuruyashiki left to go to the next place to eat, drink, and have fun, while the remaining Visored...
"Let's go find Urahara."
"Oh my, oh my~ What a rare guest!"
"You should know about that newly emerged force, right?"
You mean the one that Undead?
"Undead?" Shinji Hirako frowned. "What is that? Is it a designation for certain people within that faction?"
Urahara could tell at a glance that Hirako's side hadn't received enough information. "Was it a woman named Mingmo who found you?"
"Yes, it seems you know more than I do. It was definitely the right decision to come to you."
"I probably don't know much more than you, after all, I have to trade my inventions for it, I'm almost completely drained, come in and talk."
Hirako and the others followed them into the living room. Since they were all acquaintances, they sat down casually. The Shopkeeper went straight to the point, "Whatever news you have, please speak first."
"Their leader is Jun Shimizu, and the organization currently has 483 members. Kuruyashiki Kenpachi ranks fifth in combat strength among them, currently fourth."
"As expected, it's pure~ Although we figured it out, hearing the truth still feels unbelievable," the Shopkeeper tapped his palm with his fan, "What we know so far is that that organization has five different origins of abilities."
"The first type is the Undead, and they are the most numerous. The cause is the biggest incident in Soul Society nine hundred years ago during the research institute era. How many of you know about it?"
Love Aikawa raised his hand. "Are they those living people who can't control their powers at all? I was even sent to kill a few of them back then, and it made me very uncomfortable."
The other five could only look at each other, completely clueless. The Shopkeeper nodded, "It's that one. I don't know when Chun did it, but it might be the longest World of the Living mission he ever did. Chun did a mission that lasted for three consecutive years, you guys remember?"
All four captains nodded in agreement. The two younger ones continued listening intently. Urahara continued, "Jun must have laid the foundation for everything during those three years. More than five hundred years later, things have developed to this point. A plan spanning five hundred years... truly impressive. My defeat was not unjustified; it was expected."
"The second type is called Fullbringer. These are living people with Spiritual Power who have awakened it, like the Substitute Soul Reaper we just learned about."
"That kid in Nara?"
"Yes, the third type is the Materialized Zanpakuto. Mingmo is one of them, and it's been deactivated," Urahara, fearing the others wouldn't understand, and even took out Spiritual Power storage device. "They use this to maintain the Spiritual Power consumption after the Zanpakuto is materialized. The Spiritual Power storage capacity of one of these devices is one Gillian."
The Visored took it and felt it, then swallowed hard in unison.
"The fourth one is the same as yours, so it seems you've already seen him. But I didn't expect Kuruyashiki- san to be on the other side too. That's Kongbu. Thinking about it this way, Captain Azashiro is also a suspect. How scary."
"As for the fifth possibility, we were still doubting its possibility, but since you brought news that even Kuruyashiki- san can only rank fifth, then it's basically confirmed to be true."
Hirako clenched his fists to calm himself, but he still had some doubts, and his voice trembled slightly, "What exactly is the fifth one!?"
"They call it the Arrancar, a re-evolution of Vasto Lorde."
Shinji Hirako instantly lost all strength and slumped against the wall. The others, after a brief moment of stunned disbelief...
"Huh!?"
"The re-evolution of Vasto Lorde?"
Faced with Hirako's question, Urahara sighed, "I think it's true, otherwise there's no way to explain why the Hollowfication Kuruyashiki Kenpachi could be ranked fifth."
"Damn it!" Shinji Hirako cursed, looking up at the ceiling, his gaze unfocused. "What exactly does Jun Shimizu want?"
My current speculation is that Jun Shimizu wants to change Soul Society.
Shinji Hirako abruptly stood up, glaring fiercely at Urahara. "What does he want to change!? Is it worth it for him to make Hollows his power!? Does he want to annihilate Soul Reaper!?"
Kisuke Urahara smiled slightly, "He wants to make Soul Society as equal as the World of the Living, or even more equal. If all the Soul Reaper stood against him, he would kill Soul Reaper all, believe me."
Shinji Hirako froze instantly. After the others exchanged glances, Senrime Shintarō suddenly stood up and bowed deeply to them. "I'm so sorry! I want to join them! This is exactly what my mentor, Kakyō TACHIKAWA, wished for. Their pursuit is my pursuit! Their dream is my dream!"
Shinji Hirako slapped himself in the face, "It's all over! It's all over!"
Urahara looked at Qianlimu and gave a wry smile, "Sorry, I overlooked that."
Both of them discovered a huge problem: at least a third of the Visoreds were admirers and beneficiaries of Kakyō TACHIKAWA's Visored, meaning they would immediately lose a third of their fighting strength. And that's exactly what Senrime Shintarō did; he directly sent messages to the others.
"Don't look at me, I'll call them for you," Shinji Hirako said, unable to bear Qianlimu's gaze any longer, and dialed the number with a heavy heart.
Soon, the two cars arrived at Urahara Shop. Mingmo, still wearing a gentle smile, gave Qianlimu a big hug as he approached, saying, "Welcome home~"
"Are you truly the inheritors of Master Kakyō's will?" Senrime Shintarō wasn't stupid.
Mingmo laughed even more heartily, "That's fantastic! You have your own judgment. You'll only know what kind of organization we are after you join, but I can tell you something: Kakyō TACHIKAWA is a disciple of my master, Jun Shimizu. All her beliefs were taught by my master."
Senrime Shintarō's eyes instantly welled up with tears. "If he was Kakyō- sensei's teacher, why did he watch Kakyō- sensei die!?"
Mingmo stopped laughing and said solemnly, "Kakyō's death was for this day! You have inherited Kakyō's thoughts! You have carried on Kakyō's wishes! And now, join us, and let us use our lives to realize them!"
"Living is far more difficult than dying. The road ahead is long. It's not just Kakyō who will die; we are about to face the entire Soul Society, all the Soul Reaper, including those behind you."
Senrime Shintarō turned to look at the group of Visored, including Yoruichi Neko, six captains, one Kidō Chief, and one Vice-Captain. Senrime Shintarō nodded sharply.
"I understand! I now know how powerful the enemy is! For my dream and a better world, I can give up my life!"
Senrime Shintarō suddenly stood up straight and solemnly swore an oath.
"Senrime Shintarō! Return to the team!"
"Welcome home. We're building a home, not just a team."
"Yes! Senrime Shintarō, go home!"
"Hmm~ Welcome home."
Kuruyashiki watched this scene thoughtfully, then said to Oka, "This must be the power of thought and belief that Jun spoke of."
"That should be it. Our current belief is still focused on expanding our community; we don't see what you call 'greatness' in you."
"No, no, don't include me," Kuruyashiki quickly waved his hands, "I'm not as noble as them, I'm just a lazy bum, tsk tsk~ I'm envious."
On the other side, a group of people who cared deeply about Soul Society watched this scene, their hearts filled with mixed emotions. Mashiro Kuna bit her nails, "I'm so envious~"
Seeing the others staring at her, the young woman shrugged weakly, "I'm not from their area, I won't go over there, don't worry."
However, seeing Mashiro Kuna's listless and weak state, the group fell into deep thought.