More than twenty years ago, when Kaien Shiba and Kukaku Shiba were practicing Kido at home, Ailin happened to pass by and entered the Shiba Clan.
At the time, Kaien Shiba possessed only the spiritual pressure of a Seat Officer, but without anyone to guide him, the only one of the four Shinigami arts he knew was the Kido passed down through his family.
Ailin had spoken with the Shiba siblings then, and under Ailin's guidance, Kaien Shiba ultimately went to the Seireitei and became a Shinigami.
"Captain Ailin, thank you."
"If you hadn't arrived in time..."
Kaien Shiba fell silent at that point.
Yes. If Captain Ailin had not arrived in time, even if he and Rukia could have dealt with those Death Warriors in the end, Kanehiko, Silverhiko, his sister, and his younger brother would likely have faced grave danger.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Just as Kaien Shiba was about to say something else, two immense spiritual pressures approached from afar.
Boom!
Kaien Shiba felt the wind around him explode. Instinctively, he swung Nigire in his hand, and a stream of blue water shielded him and his wife.
"Hm? Rukia, why are you here?"
As the gale dispersed, Soifon appeared in the air above the Shiba Clan.
The instant she stopped, Soifon glanced down. Houses lay destroyed everywhere, with broken walls and collapsed eaves still burning.
Dispelling the wind around her, Soifon looked at the Death Warriors bound by countless golden chains, a strange glint flashing through her eyes.
Before Rukia could greet Soifon, a black blur flashed past, and Shunsui Kyōraku appeared beside her as well.
"Oh my, it seems I really am getting old. I can't even keep up with two young people anymore..."
The moment he appeared, Shunsui Kyōraku sighed.
There was nothing wrong with what he