Urgency

In the World of the Living, in Karakura Town, in front of a building that has clearly only recently been completed.

The jet-black Zanpakutō was stuck in the ground, and the Shadow figure in his Shihakushō stretched his body with great spirit. The sky was already turning yellow, and the wind was getting stronger.

Not long after, about five or six minutes later, Yoruichi Shihōin slowly walked out, her wheat-colored face still faintly flushed. When she saw the Shadow figure moving around with its back to her, she was immediately furious.

"Lady Yoruichi, how are you!"

Hearing the sound behind her, Shadow turned around, rushed over, and helped Yoruichi Shihōin.

"What do you mean, 'how about'?!" Yoruichi Shihōin was furious, grabbing Shadow's ear and yanking it hard; "I told you to be gentle, be gentle! What are you doing! You're like an old ox, have you ever considered me! You bastard!"

"I..." Shadow's handsome face flushed red, he scratched his head, and chuckled dryly, "I couldn't help it, I just couldn't control myself in the end!"

"Fine, I can't be bothered with you!"

Looking at the man's current appearance, Yoruichi Shihōin sighed softly. In fact, she didn't harbor much resentment. As a woman, she was quite happy to be able to fascinate and satisfy her man.

"I'm tired, I'm going back to sleep!"

Yoruichi Shihōin waved her hand and walked forward.

"Is Kisuke Urahara there?" the Shadow asked.

"That's right!" Yoruichi Shihōin stopped, turned around, and gave the Shadow a soft smile; "Do you think you can let me go home?"

"Lady Yoruichi!" Shadow smiled helplessly.

"I already said I'm not going to care about you anymore!" Yoruichi Shihōin continued walking forward; "So, do whatever you want!"

"Hmm!" Shadow was slightly taken aback, then grinned; "I ran into Hirako during the day, I need to go there!"

"Why are you telling me this!" Yoruichi Shihōin said without turning his head; "I've already told you I don't care about you!"

"······" Shadow.

······

The sunset was beautiful. Come to think of it, this was the first time Shadow had such leisure time. Carrying his Zanpakutō, he walked down the street. By the time he arrived at the Visored Base, almost half an hour had passed.

Before even arriving at the location, his sharp eyesight allowed him to see a large group of people standing in front of Visored's base, but Shadow definitely didn't believe they were there to welcome him.

Upon closer inspection, they discovered that not only Kensei Muguruma and Shinji Hirako were there, but also Rukia Kuchiki and Ichigo Kurosaki, who was lying unconscious on the ground.

"Ichigo is badly injured!"

As Shadow spoke, he had actually seen the blue-haired Arrancar fighting Ichigo Kurosaki when he saw Shinji Hirako, but he hadn't paid much attention to it.

"Lord Shadow!"

Suddenly hearing a familiar voice, Rukia Kuchiki turned around and saw a black-haired man approaching with a sword on his shoulder. She exclaimed in surprise, never expecting that Shadow would appear here.

"Yo! Rukia!" Shadow grinned.

"Snort!"

Hiyori Sarugaki, with her pigtails, suddenly snorted and gripped her Zanpakutō tightly. But the burly figure beside her was faster, roaring as he darted out and slammed his fist down with a whooshing sound.

"Kensei!"

Hiyori Sarugaki grumbled unhappily, then said no more. With a light step, he unleashed his power, his red figure shooting down like a cannonball, his Zanpakutō down mercilessly.

"Hey!"

Shadow grinned, not at all surprised. He took his right foot back slightly, let out a low growl, clenched his right fist, and punched out hard.

"Bang!"

The fists clashed, and the Shadow, who was hit by the force, was knocked back three or four steps, while Kensei Muguruma, who was unleashing a powerful punch, was also knocked back.

Shaking his slightly numb right hand, Shadow nimbly turned and faced Hiyori Sarugaki she swung her sword.

"Add me to the fight!" said Risa Yadōmaru, drawing her sword and joining the fray.

"Me too!" Seeing that everyone else had made their moves, Mashiro Kuna couldn't resist and rushed forward as well.

Instantly, the five were locked in combat, the clash of blades ringing out incessantly. Shadow, fighting alone against the four, was holding his own, even though none of them were using their full strength.

"Hey! Lord Shadow!" Rukia Kuchiki suddenly realized what was happening and hurriedly shouted, "Wait! Stop fighting! They..."

"Quiet down!" Shinji Hirako interrupted seriously; "It's just venting, we won't fight!"

"What's the meaning!"

Rukia Kuchiki was taken aback, but Shinji Hirako ignored her.

"I still can't believe it!" Rōjūrō Ōtoribashi said, rubbing his forehead. "The changes over the past hundred years have been truly astonishing. I was already surprised enough that Urahara had become this cunning, but I never imagined that someone like Shadow would change so much!"

"To be honest, all I can still picture is the Shadow, always drawing his sword at the drop of a hat!" Love Aikawa sighed. "Yoruichi too... I wonder if Kukaku has changed too!"

"There's nothing we can do, even we've changed!" Shinji Hirako grinned widely and shouted, "Hey! Haven't you guys had enough? If you want to fight, go inside and fight!"

Upon hearing Shinji Hirako's voice, all five stopped fighting. After all, it wasn't a real life-or-death struggle. Just as Shinji Hirako had said before, they were just venting their frustrations. Although they hadn't seen each other for a hundred years, the feelings they shared remained unchanged.

Shadow Zanpakutō into his waistband, looked up and sized up the four people in front of him. Although they hadn't seen each other for a hundred years, how could he not remember them?

"Kensei is still the same as ever! Lisa has become even prettier; if Kyōraku saw her, his eyes would be drooling! Shiro, why haven't you won over Kensei yet!" Shadow grinned and laughed loudly; "And Hiyori, how come you haven't changed at all in a hundred years? You haven't grown up at all!"

"Shut up!" His face turned pale and then red, Hiyori Sarugaki the Roar angrily.

"Ha ha······"

"Hiyori is so easily provoked!"

Shinji Hirako covered her face helplessly. Although what she said was true, they all knew that she only acted this way when she was with familiar people, and they did the same thing sometimes!

Staring dumbfounded at the Shadow frolicking with the group, Rukia Kuchiki's mind was completely blank. Kisuke Urahara, Kūkaku Shiba, Yoruichi Shihōin, and Shunsui Kyōraku —who exactly were they?!

······

Having spent a long time at the Visored Base, it was already late at night when Shadow emerged. Without even a thought of returning to Dark Night Residence, Shadow turned and headed towards Urahara Shop.

At Shadow's speed, even at full power, it only took two or three minutes to arrive. Urahara Shop was completely dark, which was also the time for sleeping.

He sneaked in Shadow open Yoruichi Shihōin's door. The room was pitch black, but with his Shadow eyesight, he could see that Yoruichi Shihōin was sleeping soundly on the large bed. She must be tired!

Gently placing the Zanpakutō aside, the Shadow tiptoed over, removed his outer garment, lifted the blanket, and slowly lay down, pulling Yoruichi Shihōin into his arms.

"Hmm!"

Even with the slightest movement, Yoruichi Shihōin woke up. She didn't think there was any danger, and more importantly, the familiar feeling made her feel at ease.

"Shadow, what brings you here!"

"I don't want to go back!" Shadow whispered, hugging Yoruichi Shihōin.

"Sleep well, do you hear me!"

"Um!"

······

However, when Yoruichi Shihōin and the Shadow woke up the next morning, they heard Kisuke Urahara talk about what had happened in the early hours of the morning: Orihime Inoue had been captured and taken to Hueco Mundo, and the Advance Team led by Toshiro Hitsugaya had been recalled to Soul Society. Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto had forbidden anyone from rescuing Orihime Inoue.

However, Kisuke Urahara at all that the Shadow came out of Yoruichi Shihōin's room. Well, it would be strange if he didn't know!

Without staying for breakfast, Shadow told Yoruichi Shihōin and immediately returned to Dark Night Residence. Orihime Inoue had been captured and taken to Soul Society; it seemed the situation had changed.

In the backyard, Ran'Tao was resting his chin on his hand, lost in thought, while Eroding Wolf and Kaien Shiba continued their training as usual, stopping when they saw Shadow return.

"What happens!"

Eroding Wolf was the one who sensed Shadow's emotional changes most deeply; he immediately noticed the difference in Shadow.

"Orihime Inoue has been captured and taken to Hueco Mundo!" the Shadow announced.

"How could that be!" The Eroding Wolf's mind raced, and he immediately understood; "You mean, her power..."

"Hmm!" Shadow nodded.

"This is troublesome!" Eroding Wolf sighed.

"What's going on!" Kaien Shiba looked completely bewildered, and Ran'Tao was equally confused.

"Orihime Inoue's power can awaken the Hōgyoku ahead of schedule. Originally, it was estimated that there would be two months left, but now it seems that the great battle is really not far away. Moreover, I have a feeling that Aizen's capture of Orihime Inoue was probably not for just this purpose!"

"But whatever the reason, time is running out!" Shadow said in a deep voice. "Ran'Tao, go pack your things, I'll take you to Soi Fon's place!"

"But..." Ran'Tao opened her mouth, but finally replied, "I understand!"

"As for Kaien, you..."

"I'll hurry!" Kaien Shiba nodded.

"Tch! What a joke!" Eroding Wolf scoffed. "Shadow, don't forget, you still need to set aside time to train your Bankai!"

"I know that!"

"Three days! I only need three days!" Kaien Shiba gritted his teeth and said fiercely, "Shadow, please, I will use every means to recover my strength in these three days. But if I fail, you must kill me!"

"Kaien..."

"I'll do it!" the Eroding Wolf said coldly. "This is your own choice, don't regret it. I won't show any mercy!"

"I will never regret it!"

His bluish-green eyes gleamed with unwavering resolve, Kaien Shiba's hands turned white from the force of his grip.

Isn't this just common sense? If I can't do it, I'm just a burden, so what's the point of living...?