Kūkaku Shiba

Several days later, in the morning, on the outskirts of the Seireitei, there was an open stretch of land enclosed by high walls and a simple warning barrier.

Liu Chuan stood in the middle of the clearing, his Zero Division haori fluttering lightly in the morning breeze.

Beside him stood Isshin Shiba, now dressed in neat, dark combat clothes with a short jacket embroidered with the Shiba Clan's flame crest over them.

This meant he was not taking part in the operation as a captain, but as a member of the Shiba Clan.

"So, the way to reach the Soul King Palace is actually connected to Captain Isshin's family?"

Liu Chuan looked around the somewhat desolate site, which was empty apart from its sheer size, and voiced his doubts. This place really did not look like any important transportation hub.

Isshin Shiba grinned, flashing a row of white teeth, his smile faintly mysterious. "Heh heh, didn't expect that, did you? You'll understand soon enough. I guarantee it'll open your eyes."

He rubbed his hands together, looking eager and clearly anticipating what came next.

Just as Liu Chuan was about to ask another question—

Wooooom—!

An incredibly deep, muffled roar shook the air without warning!

It was immediately followed by a sharp, piercing shriek through the air, rushing closer in an instant!

Liu Chuan and Isshin Shiba looked up at the same time.

High in the vast sky, a barely visible black dot suddenly appeared!

It was a gigantic metal pillar, more than ten meters in diameter and nearly a hundred meters long!

It was falling straight toward the clearing!

BOOOOM—!!!!

The bottom of the enormous metal pillar smashed viciously into the center of the clearing. The site had clearly been specially reinforced and cushioned, yet the impact still blasted out a massive crater dozens of meters wide.

The hard, specially made stone cracked apart layer by layer like brittle biscuits!

Thick gray dust, mixed with violent, chaotic Spirit Particle currents and blistering waves of heat, swept wildly in every direction!

Isshin Shiba had prepared for this. Crimson Spiritual Pressure erupted around him, forming a solid wall of flames that blocked the oncoming shockwave, flying stones, and heat.

"Cough, cough... Every time it's like this. Can't that guy from Zero Division pick a gentler way to land?"

Isshin Shiba waved away the dust before him and complained out of habit, but there was little surprise or displeasure on his face. Instead, he wore the knowing look of someone who had expected exactly this.

A door silently slid open at the base of the giant pillar.

A figure with dark prayer beads around his neck emerged leisurely from within, stepping steadily onto the cracked, dust-covered ground.

It was Ichibē Hyōsube.

His face bore that gentle, tolerant smile that seemed unchanged for millennia. His grand voice sounded through the settling smoke, carrying just the right touch of apology.

"Oh my, the Shiba boy and young Liu Chuan. We meet again. This landing seems to have been a little too dramatic again. Didn't scare you, did it?"

"Cut it out. This Heavenly Pillar Carriage comes down like a meteor strike every time. We're used to it!"

Isshin Shiba retorted irritably. He walked forward and patted the cold, hard pillar, producing a dull thud, then turned to Liu Chuan and formally introduced it.

"Liu Chuan, take a good look. This is the method of getting to the Soul King Palace—the Heavenly Pillar Carriage!"

Liu Chuan looked at the massive pillar that had nearly destroyed this specially constructed site just by "landing." He fell silent for a moment before slowly nodding.

"...I can see that. It's certainly... unusual."

Ichibē Hyōsube chuckled and added an explanation.

"The Heavenly Pillar Carriage is one of the main means of travel between the Soul King Palace and Soul Society. It is sturdy and durable, but it does have one small problem." He pointed at the pillar embedded at an angle in the ground.

"This big fellow can't fly by itself."

"It can't fly?" Liu Chuan looked at Isshin Shiba, a guess beginning to form in his mind.

"That's right." Isshin Shiba took over, his expression becoming more serious, with a hint of pride belonging to an inheritor of his clan's legacy.

"The Heavenly Pillar Carriage needs a special and powerful driving force to break free of Soul Society's restraints and follow the fixed Heavenly Route up to the Soul King Palace. That driving force comes from the secret art passed down through the Shiba Clan for generations—Spirit Particle Reconstruction."

He explained in detail, "Simply put, our clan's Spirit Particle Reconstruction can interfere with and temporarily reconstruct the fundamental properties and spatial arrangement of Spirit Particles on a large scale and with great precision within a certain range. It creates something similar to a 'recoil force at the level of natural laws' and a 'directed Spirit Particle tide.'"

"The material and runes of the Heavenly Pillar Carriage are perfectly compatible with our technique."

Ichibē Hyōsube nodded. "Precisely. The power for ascent and the opening of the route depend entirely on the Shiba Clan's unique art. It is an ancient agreement between the Soul King Palace and the Shiba Clan."

"So that's how it is." Liu Chuan understood. That explained everything.

No wonder Isshin Shiba had to be present. No wonder the Shiba Clan, though fallen, still held a special position and controlled such crucial "transportation technology."

"Alright, enough greetings and explanations." Ichibē Hyōsube clapped his hands and looked at Isshin Shiba. "Isshin, we'll have to trouble you to lead the way now."

"Of course! Follow me!" Isshin Shiba answered readily, turning toward the edge of the clearing and signaling Liu Chuan and Ichibē Hyōsube to follow.

West Rukongai—this was where the Shiba Clan resided now.

The estate's main building was a large Japanese-style house with considerable age to it, though it had been maintained quite well. Its roof was covered in dark tiles, and its eaves extended broadly outward.

Several smaller houses, warehouses, and what appeared to be a workshop were scattered beside the main building. A thin stream of bluish smoke drifted from its chimney.

A large open area surrounded the estate, seemingly serving as a testing ground. The earth was blackened, and strange objects resembling fireworks or wreckage from Spirit Particle devices lay scattered around.

"We're here." Isshin Shiba pushed open the half-closed wooden gate carved with the Shiba Clan's flame crest and shouted loudly inside.

"Hey! Kūkaku! Ganju! We've got guests! Get out here and greet them!"

The moment his voice fell, the sliding door of the main house was yanked open with a sharp swish.

A tall woman strode out.

She had long, glossy black hair split neatly into two tails behind her head, tied with dark crimson cords.

Her brows carried a boldness and sharpness no less than a man's, even bordering on fierceness.

She wore a striking red short top, with the Shiba Clan's flame crest prominently embroidered in the center of her chest. Dark trousers suited for movement covered her lower body, and wooden sandals clacked beneath her feet as she moved with vigorous energy.

She was Kūkaku Shiba, younger sister of Kaien Shiba, the current head of the Shiba Clan.

"You're so damn noisy, Uncle! What are you yelling for in broad daylight?!"

Kūkaku Shiba planted her hands on her hips and immediately barked at Isshin Shiba without any politeness. Yet there was little genuine dissatisfaction in her eyes—rather, there was a trace of happiness at seeing family.

Her gaze then swept past Isshin Shiba to Liu Chuan and Ichibē Hyōsube. It paused briefly on their Zero Division haori, surprise flashing through her eyes before she quickly concealed it. She offered them a frank bow.

"So, distinguished guests from Zero Division... and this would be?" She looked at Liu Chuan, clearly curious about the unfamiliar young man dressed in Zero Division attire.

"This is Liu Chuan, a newly appointed Zero Division member. He's heading to the Soul King Palace today to report in, and our family is responsible for giving him a lift."

Isshin Shiba introduced him simply, then said to Liu Chuan and Ichibē Hyōsube,

"This is my niece, Kūkaku. Whenever Kaien isn't home, she runs the household. Her temper's a little explosive, but she's highly capable—especially with those explosive gadgets and Spirit Particle mechanisms."

"Uncle!" Kūkaku Shiba glared at Isshin Shiba, seemingly dissatisfied with his description of her work as "explosive gadgets," but she still bowed once more to Liu Chuan and Ichibē Hyōsube.

"Lord Liu Chuan, Lord Ichibē, welcome to the Shiba Clan. Our humble home is simple, so please forgive any shortcomings. My brother has been busy with squad duties and is not home. I will attend to you in his stead."

Her manner was brisk. Though she came from a fallen noble family, she possessed a natural dignity that was neither servile nor arrogant.

Ichibē Hyōsube gave a slight nod, his smile gentle. "No need for such formality. We have come today to trouble the Shiba Clan once again."

Liu Chuan also responded according to etiquette. "Miss Kūkaku, thank you for receiving us."

Just as they were exchanging pleasantries and Kūkaku Shiba was preparing to lead the guests inside—

"Boss! Boss! Look what I brought back! Ganju's Crew scored a huge victory in District Three today!"

"I shot the biggest boar king right in the butt with one arrow! It squealed and ran for dozens of miles, but in the end, the Crimson Bullet of West Rukongai still took it down! We're having whole roast boar tonight! Hahaha!"

A boastful shout full of pride came from the small path beside the estate, growing louder as it approached. It was accompanied by heavy hoofbeats and the rough breathing of some large animal.

Everyone turned toward the sound.

They saw a sturdily built young man with dark skin, nearly shaved hair, and a carefree grin on his face.

He was riding a massive mountain boar with exposed tusks, its snout huffing heavily, charging toward the main house like a victorious general returning from battle!

He wore only a sleeveless leather vest on his upper body, showing off his muscular arms. His loose trousers were caked with mud, and a rugged bow and quiver hung from his waist.

A crude rope had been tied around the boar's neck. It was clearly a mount that had been forcibly tamed.

The newcomer was Ganju Shiba, Kūkaku Shiba's younger brother.

"GANJU!!" Kūkaku Shiba's expression instantly darkened. Her brows shot up, and her voice rose sharply with fury.

"You little bastard! Where have you been running wild again?! And you came back riding that filthy beast?! We have honored guests here! Can't you see them?! Get your ass down here!"

As she shouted, she grabbed a broom leaning beside the porch, clearly ready to rush forward and enforce household discipline herself.

Only then did Ganju Shiba notice that, besides his sister and uncle, two strangers stood before the main house. One of them was a bald, imposing-looking monk.

The smug grin on his face stiffened, but he still refused to yield verbally.

"Big Sis, you're way too uptight! This is the freshest boar meat you could get! Hey, you guy in white, and you too, big monk, come eat with us later! I, Ganju, am treating! In West Rukongai, my name—the Crimson Bullet—gets things done!"

He tried to show off the bearing of some underworld boss, completely failing to notice the veins bulging on his sister's forehead or the helpless look on Uncle Isshin Shiba's face as he covered it.

"Eat your big head!" Kūkaku Shiba finally exploded, charging forward while swinging the broom.

"I'll teach you to neglect proper work! I'll teach you to spend every day fooling around with those good-for-nothing friends! 'Ganju's Crew'? 'Crimson Bullet'? You've disgraced the Shiba Clan enough! Get down here! Apologize to our guests!"

"Whoa! Mercy, Big Sis! Uncle, save me!" Seeing that things had gone bad, Ganju Shiba let out a strange cry and tried to make the boar turn and flee. But the boar seemed to have been terrified by Kūkaku Shiba's aura. Instead, it reared up and threw him straight off its back.

Thud! Ganju Shiba landed hard on his rear and cried out in pain.

The boar squealed, kicked off with all four hooves, and bolted blindly into the nearby training ground, knocking over several wooden posts.

For a moment, the entire scene was utter chaos.

Liu Chuan watched the scene somewhat speechlessly. Ichibē Hyōsube stroked his chin with interest, the smile on his face deepening as though he were enjoying an amusing family farce.

Isshin Shiba wore the expression of a man ashamed of his household. He gave Liu Chuan and Ichibē Hyōsube an awkward smile.

"Ahem... Please excuse the spectacle. That boy Ganju is just... a little lively."

In the end, under Kūkaku Shiba's "armed suppression," Ganju Shiba clutched the bump the broom had raised on his head, baring his teeth in pain as Kūkaku Shiba reluctantly dragged him away by the ear to "straighten up his appearance."

The troublesome boar was also subdued by several Shiba Clan servants who had rushed over after hearing the commotion, then dragged off to the animal pen in the backyard.

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