The war is over.
The reconstruction of the Pantheon, the resettlement of the Arrancar, the future of the residents of the Steel Shell City, and a series of other issues.
None of this has anything to do with Shiraishi.
Those were things that Kisuke Urahara, Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto, and others were thinking about how to deal with. He just wanted to get a good night's sleep. He was too tired from fighting Aizen, and despite his exhaustion, he persuaded Tier Harribel and used his power to Arrancar the Arrancar and Yhwach.
So much so that he didn't even return to the Pantheon; instead, he asked Sora Inoue to help him find a house, covered himself with a blanket, and fell fast asleep.
Nothing replenishes your energy better than a good night's sleep.
While still fast asleep, someone came to his bedside, and Shiraishi's consciousness was awakened. His overly powerful senses made him feel a little irritated at this moment.
However, upon learning who it was, he didn't get angry. Instead, he pretended to know nothing, rolled over to the edge of the bed, and quickly grabbed and pulled outwards.
The person standing by the bed was pulled directly into his arms, as if he were an unbreakable hot water balloon, soft and squishy.
Shiraishi followed her black hair upwards, pressing his face close to hers to inhale her faint fragrance. "Long time no see, Kūkaku."
"Hmm, so you still remember me."
In the darkness of the room, her voice trembled slightly as she slapped away the restless "hand."
"Stop fooling around, you'll get your yukata dirty."
"Since we're here, it doesn't matter whether we wear a yukata or not."
Shiraishi Shidu muttered, the slight displeasure he felt upon waking had vanished, and the scent of the fragrance stirred a stronger impulse within him.
*Slap! Kūkaku Shiba slapped his hand away again, slipped off the bed, and said, "You and that little brat had a date in the World of the Living, didn't you?"
"Well"
Shiraishi paused for a moment before realizing who the little one she was referring to was, "Um, back then it was..."
"Forget it, I don't want to know the reasons."
Kūkaku Shiba, hands on her hips, said, "There's a fireworks festival tonight, so you'd better do your best. Here's a yukata for you."
"No problem"
Shiraishi readily agreed, took off his Great Spirit Book Library's uniform, and quickly changed into a yukata, which was similar to Shihakushō, in light blue with a dark blue sash.
Kūkaku Shiba pressed the light switch, and the light dispelled the darkness.
He narrowed his eyes slightly, and after his vision adjusted, he looked ahead.
Instead of the bold and revealing style of the past, she wore a beautiful yukata, its color transitioning from light purple at the shoulders to vibrant purple at the feet, adorned with pink, white, and black flowers.
Her black hair was neatly combed, with a long braid draped over her left shoulder. Her expression was slightly flushed. "What are you looking at? Is it wrong for me to dress like this?"
"No, it's so beautiful, I don't want anyone else to see it."
Shiraishi smiled slightly, not holding back her praise, but she couldn't understand why she was shy when wearing formal attire, but could be so open and at ease when dressed in such a revealing outfit.
Generally speaking, it should be the opposite.
"You're always saying nice things. Come on, the fireworks show is at nine o'clock tonight. Before that, let's wander around a bit."
As Kūkaku Shiba finished speaking, her eyes crinkled with a smile, she said, "It's all thanks to you defeating Aizen that we have today's fireworks festival."
"Without you protecting this place, there wouldn't be a fireworks festival even if we defeated him."
Shiraishi didn't take all the credit; he did what he was supposed to do, and everyone else did what they were supposed to do. Only in this way could the current situation be achieved.
To claim all the credit for oneself is simply too arrogant.
Aizen's failure lay in the fact that he always believed he had obtained everything through his own efforts, and never considered the consequences.
There are plenty of people who work harder than him, but fate has been exceptionally kind to him, allowing his efforts to turn into astonishing achievements.
As the saying goes, when fortune smiles, even heaven and earth lend a hand; when luck turns, even heroes are powerless.
"If we keep bragging like this, we won't even be able to leave the house. Let's go!"
Kūkaku Shiba spoke, he turned to leave.
Shiraishi grabbed her hand and said with a smile, "How can you go on a date without sitting close together? Get closer!"
"Hey, wait a minute."
Kūkaku Shiba ran her fingers through her braids. Even though she was the one who suggested the date, the thought of hugging and kissing in front of so many people made her feel a little uncomfortable.
Shiraishi put his arm around her shoulder and whispered in her ear, " Kūkaku, you're so cute, can I eat you up?"
"It depends on your performance,"
Kūkaku Shiba blushed even more, her heart pounding. She thought of Isshin and Masaki, whom she always complained about for their indiscriminate displays of affection.
When it was her turn, all she could say was, "It's not so bad to be pampered and hugged like this sometimes. It's nice to be able to act coquettishly like a little girl."
No wonder she thought Aunt Masaki was too childish; it must be so comfortable being a little girl.
The two stayed close together as they left the dormitory building of the Zuellni City Government.
The streets were quiet, with streetlights casting a bright white glow.
The protective barrier that was originally used to conceal Reiatsu disappeared, allowing people to see the night sky more clearly. Countless stars hung in the sky, making the moonlight appear somewhat dim.
The two did not approach the streets in the city center, but the noisy voices of people drifted from afar.
Kūkaku Shiba said nervously, "Let's keep a little distance; it wouldn't look good if someone we know saw us."
Shiraishi provoked, "What a surprise! The fearless and invincible Kūkaku, is actually scared?"
Who's afraid!
I was worried you wouldn't be able to explain yourself. Humph, if Lie and the others see this, you're dead meat!
Kūkaku Shiba wrapped her right arm around his waist and leaned against him, as if her competitive spirit had been stirred up.
Shiraishi's heart skipped a beat, wondering if it was really such a coincidence. He remained defiant, saying, "No matter what you say, I will never let go of you again."
I love your stubbornness.
Kūkaku Shiba tiptoed and launched a sneak attack on his mouth, then pushed forward with all her might.
Whoever backs down is a dog.
The central street was bustling with activity, its colorful lights creating a continuous expanse, and the stalls were neatly arranged on both sides.
A sea of people.
A large electronic sign reads, "Tonight's consumption is on the city government's dime; citizens can simply eat and drink."
Wow, is it even possible to squeeze in?
Shiraishi's eyes widened in astonishment at the scene. Millions of people had gathered together, reveling in unrestrained joy—something he had rarely seen even before his transmigration.
Among the crowd were people wearing yukatas and others dressed in Halloween-like costumes; all sorts of outlandish outfits, from sexy to cute, created a beautiful scene.
Seeing this, Shiraishi felt a sense of accomplishment in saving the world. He left Hueco Mundo and lingered in the desolate world until he finally defeated Aizen.
That's exactly what I wanted to see.
"You actually took my teasing seriously? Lie and the others are different from you and me; they're still working overtime to do the necessary cleanup work."
Kūkaku Shiba thought he was looking for Retsu and the others in the crowd, so she spoke up to explain.
Shiraishi, Shindō, "I'm just a little moved. After so many years, it's the first time I've seen such a lively and joyous festival."
"Really? Haha, this is called the Shinigami Festival. Mayor Inoue said that after the establishment of the Human Alliance Nation, it will be held every year on this day to commemorate the contributions that the Shinigami has made to the world."
Kūkaku Shiba poked his waist again and laughed, "If we're talking about the Gregorian calendar, then we'll use your name. Between 'Shiro' and 'Ishi,' which do you think sounds better?"
Shiraishi asked in surprise, "Why use my name?"
"This is their way of expressing their gratitude for you killing Aizen."
"Really? Hehe, that's kind of embarrassing."
That's what he said, Shiraishi had a smile on his face. He never imagined that one day his name would be used as a calendar to record time. "Shiraishi, Stone Calendar, Shiraishi... uh, Stone Calendar definitely sounds better."
"Hey, hey, let's talk about that later, let's go get something to eat first."
Kūkaku Shiba pulled him inside. Her shyness was only temporary. Once she was actually in front of people, she felt relaxed and not shy at all. She just wanted to stroll around with Shiraishi.
Shiraishi could only act as a protector of the flowers, and he began to push people aside, especially the men, determined not to let them touch even a single hair on Kūkaku's head.
They didn't use Reiatsu to specifically disperse these people.
That would be such a disappointment.
Festivals are all about being crowded to experience that lively, bustling atmosphere.
The sound boomed in my ears, like thunder, or like a swarm of bees buzzing.
As the light and shadow shifted, the aroma of various delicacies filled the street, and people couldn't stop eating.
Mexican burritos, grilled lamb skewers, beef skewers, pancakes, spicy hot pot, milk tea... Shiraishi ate to his heart's content and was about to head to the next stall when he suddenly heard a familiar guitar sound. He stopped in his tracks and looked for the sound.
Kūkaku Shiba, clutching the enormous plush bear she'd won in the shooting game, bumped into his back, poking her head out from under the bear's head, and said, "Why aren't you moving?"
I saw Ichigo there.
Shiraishi smiled. At a stall on the left ahead, an orange-haired boy was playing guitar and singing broken English songs.
To be honest, she didn't play the Chad, and her singing was terrible.
" Ichigo- kun, you really have no talent for singing, why are you wasting your time here?"
" Karin, Onii-chan sings really well!"
"Hey, whatever you do, don't go and say hello."
Kūkaku Shiba quickly covered her face with a teddy bear, afraid that they would see what she looked like.
Then her carefully cultivated image as a boss lady is bound to crumble.
Shiraishi, not expecting such a strong reaction, smiled and said, "Beg me, or I'll have to say hello to Ichigo."
"You bastard..."
Kūkaku Shiba gritted her teeth, her eyes filled with both shame and anxiety, but she finally gave in, clinging to his arm and pleading, "Okay, please, I beg you, can we just leave here quickly?"
call.
" Ichigo- nii, what are you looking at?"
"No, I think I sensed Kūkaku's Reiatsu just now."
Ichigo Kurosaki glanced at the crowd, then stopped playing. He couldn't let his two younger sisters stay here with him forever. In memory of Chad, he said, "Let's go have some fun. This is a rare festival."
Many people fought bloody battles to achieve this peaceful life. We cannot wear long faces; we must laugh and celebrate the victory.
The three embarked on their journey to the festival.
It was not yet nine o'clock, and the fireworks had not yet lit up the sky.
Kūkaku Shiba has been taken to the grove.