Kūkaku Shiba

Once the commotion settled, Aoto donned his Gigai and departed from Urahara Kisuke's place alongside Kaien.

Naturally, he didn't leave behind a single item of the supplies he had been gifted; he took everything with him.

They stepped outside to figure out how they would live in the Human World from here on out.

The Human World during this era had already emerged from the shadows of war, and various production indicators were recovering; it was a stage where the original, established rules were being broken. If Kaien wanted to start a business, this was the perfect time.

Of course, if he just wanted to live a normal life, then everything would be much simpler.

However, if he wanted to maintain any connection with Soul Society, things might become far more troublesome!

"Actually, Kaien, I think you'd be well-suited for the funeral industry!" Aoto said, eyeing the suit Kaien was wearing. "Cremation, specifically—it really suits your current attire!"

"Is that so?" Kaien was quite unaccustomed to wearing a suit, but after checking his reflection earlier, he felt he looked rather dashing.

"Yes, indeed!" Aoto laughed. "If everyone in the funeral business could perform Konso and send the deceased directly to Soul Society, the 13th Division's workload would be reduced significantly."

After all, once most people died, their souls would linger near their corpses.

Unless it was a lonely death, people would usually hire someone to handle the remains immediately.

The funeral industry was a sector where the Seireitei could easily intervene in the Human World...

Kaien looked thoughtful upon hearing this.

It was just a pity that he was no longer a Shinigami of the 13th Division!

Sigh...

Just as Aoto and Kaien were strolling through the Human World, Captain Ukitake and his party were returning to Soul Society via the Senkaimon.

Kotsubaki Sentaro and Kotetsu Kiyone had already learned of Shiba Kaien's death; they were both dazed, following Captain Ukitake forward mechanically.

Rukia had also regained consciousness, her footsteps equally unsteady as she trailed behind Captain Ukitake.

Furthermore, she glanced toward Aoto from time to time, her expression filled with profound sorrow.

Rukia did not resent Lord Hyakume; after all, she remembered that if Lord Hyakume hadn't arrived in time, it might have been she who killed Lord Kaien...

But even so, Rukia couldn't help but imagine—if Lord Hyakume had arrived just a little earlier, would things not have turned out this way?

At this moment, Blue Oni had perfectly disguised himself as Aoto, even wielding a genuine Zanpakuto capable of multiple Shikai forms.

He walked beside Captain Ukitake with a heavy, gloomy air... If Captain Ukitake hadn't witnessed his transformation with his own eyes, he would never have suspected he wasn't the real Aoto.

However, Captain Ukitake had no way of knowing whether Shiba Kaien had been saved or not, and the sorrow on his face was genuine.

He was blaming himself... If he had been firmer and hadn't agreed to Kaien's request, would the situation not have turned out so dire?

When they finally arrived in Soul Society and the Senkaimon on the other side opened, Captain Ukitake saw the 13th Division members waiting there one by one.

Before they returned, Captain Ukitake had instructed Kotsubaki Sentaro to send word of Kaien's death in the line of duty back to Soul Society.

Although it was the middle of the night, the members gathered here all hoped it was a false report, hoping to see their sunshine-like Vice-Captain return.

But as he was watched by the eager gazes of so many subordinates, Jushiro Ukitake felt a sweetness rise in his throat, and he spat out a mouthful of blood.

The splattering droplets landed on many of the members.

"Captain..." The members all rushed forward.

Blue Oni immediately steadied Captain Ukitake's body, while Kotsubaki Sentaro and Kotetsu Kiyone snapped out of their stupor, expertly producing a stretcher to place the Captain on before rushing toward the 4th Division.

The rest of the members followed behind.

Rukia did not follow, for she stood beside Lord Hyakume and saw Kūkaku Shiba standing opposite them.

"Lord Hyakume..."

Rukia's voice was faint, yet it seemed to trigger Aoto, who began walking toward Kūkaku.

Stopping before her, Aoto looked her straight in the eyes. "Kūkaku... Kaien is gone."

Having just seen the remains of Shiba Miyako, Kūkaku Shiba finally collapsed.

She covered her face and sank to her knees.

Aoto had never seen Kūkaku look so fragile.

"That Hollow possessed a fusion ability; it invaded Kaien's body, began devouring his spiritual body, and used it to grow stronger rapidly!"

"So..." Aoto lowered himself as well, meeting her gaze levelly. "I killed him."

At those words, Kūkaku Shiba suddenly raised her head.

Though tears remained, the only thing left in Kūkaku Shiba's large eyes was hatred.

"I'm going to kill you!"

Her spiritual pressure surged, and Kūkaku slammed a fist squarely into Aoto's face.

But even with that full-force blow, Aoto merely tilted his head, a faint red mark appearing on his cheek.

Beyond that, there was nothing.

The vast gap in their strength meant that even if Aoto let her strike him at will, it would be difficult for her to inflict any effective damage.

Kūkaku swung both of her fists forward.

An uppercut managed to force Aoto back onto his feet.

Seeing this, Rukia grew anxious. "Lady Kūkaku, Lord Hyakume, he..."

But Aoto held up a hand toward Rukia. "I am fine. It is good for her to vent a little..."

Another punch slammed into Aoto's face, yet he remained largely unaffected.

Seeing that Aoto was still completely unharmed, the red glow in Kūkaku's eyes intensified. She pulled back, retreated, and suddenly began chanting an incantation toward him: "Scatter, bones of the beast, sharp tower, red crystal..."

Rukia's expression changed drastically as she heard the incantation.

This was the chant for Way of Destruction #63, Thunder Roar Cannon. A destructive art of this level was more than enough for Kūkaku Shiba to injure Lord Hyakume!

But just as Rukia tried to intervene, six beams of light erupted around her, binding her tightly.

Way of Binding #61, Six Rods of Light Prison!

This binding art had not been cast by Kūkaku Shiba, but by Aoto.

To expend spiritual pressure to restrain her while facing such a powerful destructive art... even if he skipped the incantation, the amount of spiritual pressure required would not be trivial, would it?

Rukia could not fathom why Lord Hyakume would do such a thing.

Kūkaku Shiba had witnessed the entire sequence, yet she showed no mercy, finally finishing the incantation: "The sound of the clashing spears fills the empty city, Way of Destruction #63, Thunder Roar Cannon!"

A powerful, lightning-charged blast erupted from Kūkaku Shiba's hands, striking Aoto head-on while he remained completely undefended.

Bang!

This time, Aoto truly could not remain standing in place!

He... took a single step back.

Then, as his spiritual pressure surged, the Thunder Roar Cannon that Kūkaku Shiba had released with all her might was completely dissipated!

"Is this your full strength?" Aoto looked at Kūkaku. "This level of power cannot even harm me, let alone kill me."

"If you still wish to seek revenge against me, then continue to grow stronger!"

With that, Aoto turned and departed in the direction of the 11th Division.

He left behind Kūkaku Shiba, who had begun to sob softly once more.

Rukia, finally released from the Six Rods of Light Prison, was able to come over to comfort her.

Furthermore, Rukia needed to explain the true situation to Kūkaku.

That was all she could do now!