"Swish swish swish..."
Outside the hospital's obstetrics and gynecology ward, the raindrops pattered against the window. Several dark figures darted through the rain and arrived near the hospital.
"Boom!"
Outside the window, thunder rumbled, and the lightning that ripped across the sky illuminated the dark figures, revealing their resolute faces and the sharp blades tucked at their waists.
However, when faced with those gangsters with sharp knives at their waists, who clearly weren't good people and seemed to be seeking revenge, the passing patients and passersby seemed to turn a blind eye, or rather, it would be more accurate to say they couldn't see them at all.
"Hmph~ Hmph~ Hmph~"
Just as these thugs stood there, silently waiting for something, a handsome man with short black hair walked past them, humming a strange little tune and in a very cheerful mood.
"Confirmed, target located. Notify the patriarch immediately."
Several gangsters dressed in black samurai outfits finally smiled after seeing the handsome black-haired man's appearance, all looking relieved.
Within the Soul Society, Rukongai, Shiba Clan.
"Okay, okay, I understand."
Kaien Shiba, who had retired from the Thirteenth Division and was now focused on managing his family's fireworks business, revealed a cruel smile after receiving news from his retainer.
"My dear uncle, you'd better wait for me in this World of the Living."
Kaien Shiba stretched his limbs, ready to slap Isshin Shiba Isshin Shiba across the face the moment he saw him.
"Brother, you said you've found that idiot Uncle Isshin's whereabouts?"
After learning from his retainers that Kūkaku Shiba Kaien Shiba found Isshin Shiba, Shiba Kukaku rushed back to the Shiba Clan compound from Seireitei and excitedly asked Kaien Shiba about it.
"Um."
"That idiot has been in Karakura Town all along. That city is a place with heavy spiritual energy. Because the spiritual energy is so strong and the Reishi are so active, our idiots have never been able to detect Uncle Isshin's Spiritual Pressure. Until a few days ago, when those idiots passed through Karakura Town, they felt a huge Spiritual Pressure that was very close to Uncle Isshin's, so they went to take a look. Unexpectedly, they actually found that idiot Uncle Isshin."
Kaien Shiba crossed his arms over his chest and spoke with displeasure.
"What are we waiting for? Let's go right now! What if that idiot Uncle Isshin Yixin runs away again?"
Kūkaku Shiba spoke anxiously to Kaien Shiba.
"You little idiot, it's already ridiculous enough that you, as the captain of the Thirteenth Division, suddenly ran back to the Shiba Clan. If you also ran to the World of the Living, even a fool would know that we've found Uncle Isshin."
Kaien Shiba gently flicked Kūkaku Shiba's forehead and smiled indulgently.
"It hurts... What do you suggest we do?"
After being flicked on the forehead by Kaien Shiba, Kūkaku Shiba was not angry at all. Instead, she covered her forehead and asked with teary eyes.
If Kūkaku were to show this expression to the members of the Thirteenth Division right now, they would probably be shocked. The infamous female demon of the Gotei 13, is actually being cute, and so adorably at that. No one would believe it if they heard it.
"I can go by myself."
Kaien Shiba smiled slightly and ruffled Kūkaku Shiba's hair.
You're going alone?!
"I'm not trying to be mean, but if you go alone, Brother Kaien, you'll definitely get a beating from Uncle Isshin and end up crying when you return to Soul Society. If you really want to bring Uncle Isshin back from the World of the Living, the only way is for the two of us to team up against him... In a one-on-one fight, neither of us has any chance of winning."
Kūkaku Shiba an eyebrow, looking at Kaien Shiba with distrust. It wasn't that she looked down on her brother; after all, he was a genius on par with Gin Ichimaru of the Third Division and Tōshirō Hitsugaya of the Tenth Division. But... Uncle Isshin was also a genius of that level! And he had cultivated for hundreds of years longer than them... What did that mean? It meant that even if they worked hard for hundreds more years, they might still be able to reach the same level of strength as Uncle Isshin. Uncle Isshin was on a completely different level of power. In Kūkaku's eyes, there were only two people in the entire Gotei 13 who could reliably defeat Isshin Shiba: Captain-Commander Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryūsai and the irresponsible Captain-Commander Sōgo Shihoin.
Don't worry~
"If Uncle Isshin doesn't intend to come back, it won't make a difference if the two of us attack together. But since Uncle Isshin Uncle Isshin n't left after being discovered by our spies, it means he intends to have a proper talk with us."
Kaien Shiba chuckled softly. He knew Isshin Shiba all too well. If their retainers could discover Isshin Shiba, then it must be that Isshin Shiba intended for their retainers to discover him. Otherwise, how could their retainers, with their mediocre skills, possibly find Isshin Shiba, whose strength far surpassed that of Captain-level? So the answer was simple: Isshin Shiba deliberately revealed his location to the Shiba Clan's retainers to lure the head of the Shiba Clan to the World of the Living for a proper talk. It would most likely be about why Isshin Shiba in the World of the Living, and it would probably involve various secrets of the Soul Society.
"I see. As expected of Uncle Isshin Yixin, his thinking is so profound."
After listening to Kūkaku Shiba 'Kaien Shiba speculation about Isshin Shiba, Shiba Kukaku's expression changed, and he spoke with a slight shock.
"Hmph, after all, he is our father's brother. Whether in terms of strength or wisdom, he far surpasses us."
" Kūkaku, as the captain of the Thirteenth Division, you must work hard in the future and learn more from Uncle Isshin."
Kaien Shiba chuckled softly, showering Isshin Shiba with compliments.
"I see."
Kūkaku Shiba nodded solemnly. From today onward, she would refrain from being spoiled and impatient, and strive to reach the level of Uncle Isshin as soon as possible.
"Well, since you're so reassured, I'm relieved. I might encounter some danger on my journey to Soul Society. If I don't return from the World of the Living, the future of the Thirteenth Division and the Shiba Clan will be in your hands."
Kaien Shiba patted Kūkaku Shiba on the shoulder and smiled slightly.
"Brother Kaien... I understand."
Kūkaku Shiba felt a pang of pain in her heart. She had originally intended to persuade Kaien to give up going to the World of the Living, but in the end she held back. She was an adult now and could not be willful, nor could she put her older brother and uncle in a difficult position.
"Yes! Don't worry, everything is under my and my uncle's control. Since my uncle sent me to the World of the Living, he must have his reasons."
Kaien Shiba had absolute confidence in her uncle. She believed that since he had invited her to the World of the Living, the time had come to explain everything.
"Ah... Achoo!"
Meanwhile, in the hospital room, Shiba... no, to be precise, Isshin Kurosaki, suddenly sneezed.
"Looks like someone praised me again."
Isshin Kurosaki rubbed his nose, a slight smile playing on his lips; he was a narcissistic person.
"Well? Has Isshin Ichishin spoken yet?"
Several retainers of the Shiba Clan squatted outside the hospital, tentatively exchanging glances.
They ignored us.
The retainers of the Shiba Clan were exchanging information.
"No, he still ignored me. I guess Isshin Yixin is waiting for Patriarch Kaien to come."
A retainer of the Shiba Clan speculated.
"I see."
Among them was the brilliant strategist from the Shiba Clan, who immediately realized what was happening.
"What do you know?"
All the retainers looked at Da Congming.
"Hmph! Don't you understand? Since Patriarch Isshin won't tell us, it means this matter is no small thing. We know there's danger to our lives, which is why he won't tell us the specifics. Everything is waiting for Patriarch Kaien to arrive. Right now, besides Patriarch Kaien, no one else knows the situation."
Da Congming casually adjusted his glasses perched on his nose, giving the impression that his intelligence surpassed that of these people.
"I see!"
"I see."
"Been taught a lesson."
Everyone then realized what was happening and admired this brilliant person's IQ of 250.
"Haha, you flatter me, you flatter me..."
Da Congming smiled slightly as he listened to everyone's praise. He was a man who had once been invited to serve in the Twelfth Division, so he still had that much intelligence.
" Masaki ~"
"I'm here~"
How was your day?
Inside the hospital room, Isshin Kurosaki was like Masaki's most loyal fan. He pressed close to Masaki, grabbed Masaki hand, and shook his hips.
Hahaha... Of course!
"I'm doing very well every day; there are so many people here with me."
" Mr. Tanaka often tells me stories..."
" Mr. Tanaka also said that when I mentioned other women who resembled his wife, he said he was planning to pursue me."
Masaki Kurosaki spoke, her face flushed slightly.
"What?"
"Which shameless bastard dares to chase after my wife? I'll beat him to death! Masaki, tell me where that Tanaka guy is?"
Upon hearing that someone had moved his beloved, his little angel, Isshin Kurosaki flew into a rage.
"Oh, Mr. Tanaka is right at your feet now."
Masaki Kurosaki pointed to the empty floor beneath Isshin Kurosaki's feet as she spoke.
"Forehead..."
Isshin Kurosaki instantly understood what was happening, a chill ran down his spine, and his scalp tingled.
"Waaaah... Don't tell me ghost stories!"
" Masaki, you know these are my biggest fears."
Isshin Kurosaki hugged Masaki Kurosaki Masaki Kurosaki and rubbed his hands against her chest.
"Okay, okay, be good, don't be Isshin ~"
Masaki held Isshin Kurosaki's head and kept coaxing him.
"Hmm~ Masaki, you're so naughty."
Isshin Kurosaki greedily inhaled the scent emanating from Masaki, and even imitated Rangiku Matsumoto's mannerisms, acting cute towards Masaki.
"Hahaha... Isshin is so cute."
"Speaking of which, Little Isshin, why didn't you tell me you were bringing guests?"
Masaki held Isshin Kurosaki's head, gently hitting him while smiling sweetly.
"Guests? What guests?"
After hearing Masaki's words, Isshin Kurosaki reluctantly left Masaki's embrace and asked...
"It's this gentleman standing next to you~"
"Speaking of which, this gentleman looks just like you, Isshin ~"
Is it your Isshin? Or perhaps your brother?
Masaki, completely oblivious, asked Isshin Kurosaki.
"Brother? Impossible, my brother died a long time ago... He should be suffering in Hell now, right?"
After hearing Masaki's words, Isshin Kurosaki frowned, spoke frankly, and picked up his thermos from the bedside table, taking a big gulp of water.
"Oh... Little Isshin, this gentleman said his Kaien Shiba ~"
Masaki Kurosaki spoke to the air for a while, then turned to Isshin Kurosaki and spoke.
"Puff..."
"Cough cough cough..."
After hearing Masaki's words, Isshin Kurosaki vomited up all the tea he had just drunk and then suddenly stood up from his seat.
"Um, Masaki, I'm so sorry!"
"I really want to have a meeting in Afghanistan. My flight is tonight, and I'll try my best to be back before the baby is born."
As Isshin Kurosaki spoke, his body trembled. After finishing, he walked towards the door of the ward without looking back.
Have a safe trip!
Masaki Kurosaki waved to Isshin Kurosaki, who was preparing to run away.
Don't worry~
After hearing Masaki's words, Isshin Kurosaki instinctively turned around.
Then he floated up from the ground, as if something had grabbed his collar and pulled him back from the ward door to the seat next to Masaki's bed.
"Forehead..."
Just as Isshin Kurosaki sat down, he felt a weight on his shoulder and sweat pouring down his forehead, which startled him.
"Um, Masaki, I finished my meeting, so I came back."
After organizing his thoughts for a moment, Isshin Kurosaki spoke to Masaki Kurosaki.
"Hmm~"
Welcome back safely!
Masaki Kurosaki nodded slightly to Isshin Kurosaki and spoke with a smile.
"Oh, right, that guy named Kaien Shiba just said he'd kill you right away and send you back to Soul Society."
With a gentle smile, Masaki Kurosaki uttered incredibly terrifying words to Isshin Kurosaki.
"Gulp~"
Isshin Kurosaki swallowed hard, his body beginning to tremble.
"Okay, sure."
" Isshin, Kaien just said he's taken pictures of all the times you act cute, and he's going to compile them into a book and give it to Sōgo Shihoin..."
Masaki Kurosaki nodded to the air, then smiled at Isshin Kurosaki.
"Give it to Sōgo Shihoin? Sōgo finds out, doesn't that mean the entire Soul Society knows?"
Isshin Kurosaki's face was ashen. He, Shiba... Isshin Kurosaki, the former captain of the Tenth Division, the head of a branch family of the Shiba Clan, one of the Five Great Noble Clans families in Soul Society, was a figure who stood at the pinnacle of the entire Soul Society, and was about to die.
"I want to die, I want to kill myself... Wait... If I kill myself, won't I be sent to Soul Society? Then I'll see all those people who were laughing at me!"
Suicidal thoughts suddenly crossed Isshin Kurosaki's mind, but the next second he realized that if he committed suicide, he would be forced to go to Soul Society, where he would not be freed, but would be subjected to endless and never-ending ridicule. Just imagining that scene made Isshin Kurosaki feel incredibly terrified.
"Oh, right, Little Isshin, Kaien just asked me to tell you... he said... 'Let you live in a different world~' scumbag~"
Masaki Kurosaki mimicked Kaien Shiba's sinister expression, adding a throat-slitting gesture.
"Crack~ Crack crack~"
"Haha, hahaha, it seems like something broke."
Isshin Kurosaki suddenly felt a sharp pain in his chest. Oh, so his heart was broken. So this is what heartbreak feels like.
(End of this chapter)