Six years

(sorry if the chapters are short, I will try to lengthen them. I have too many books and not enough hours to do it all.)

Sophia looked at the system screen and muttered, "I wonder when she'll come back." She saw that it recorded her progress and said that she had plenty of souls and rewards for various missions that Grunt had made before she disappeared. However, she couldn't claim them or access most features.

Byakuya and Kenpachi sat at the table before Kenpachi asked, "Why are you so anxious? Your guide maybe stuck in her lab. You did say that she was researching something."

She said, "She said that she was researching if she could make an avatar like people from a cultivation world could. She had also said that this would be an on and off project like, this was something on her off time. As for the lab, she doesn't have one. I remember her saying that she only had access to her bedroom and bathroom. That, she would have more access to her home the stronger I am and the more inheritance I gain. At least, that was what she was told from the god of time and fate or who she calls 'the annoying one.' Which from her description of him, it's kind of apt."

Byakuya said as he sensed a few people coming towards them, "Master, I think it's time to get ready for our trip to Sandyin." He got up holding the hilt of his Zampakto.

Kenpachi smiled, "let me fight them, Master; I like picking on those masked idiots. It's my favorite hobby." He put his sword on his shoulder while, looking at the door.

Sophia picked up the two Zampakto that belonged to her and held the sheath as they were two long for her to put on her waist. She said, "This is why you are single and people call you a crazy beast. You know this right?"

Kenpachi said, "I have only killed those who threatened you. Besides, it's fun to fight." He looked at the door while, they heard a knock.

Byakuya said, "I can handle this, Master if you don't want him to blood shed." He bowed his head to her before they decided that she'd stay to listen and that Byakuya would do the talking.

A bandaged man came in with two men in animal masks. Sophia frowned knowing he wasn't a good guy. She moved to tug on Byakuya's sleeve and whispered something into his ear which, he nodded and raised his gaurd.

The man looked at the two and noticed both of the men regarded the girl as a higher than him. He said, "I'm not here to fight, just convince you to join the Root."

Kenpachi said, "You and that Hokage of yours knows our answer. So leave before I make you and I really want to make you leave." He tapped his Zampakto on his shoulder showing he was getting excited and impatient.

Byakuya said, "We agreed that I would talk Captain Kenpachi and that you would be our muscle." He had turned to Kenpachi who just gave a 'tch' as he clicked his tongue.

Kenpachi muttered, "This is why I dislike dealing with you nobles...always a stick in the mud."

Byakuya just ignored him and said, "He is right on one thing, we will not join your root or any force. Our duty is dealing with the spiritual world; not the human world."

She thought of something and sent a small burst of Rieki that gave a the message of, 'play along'. She then tilted her head and said, "Uncle Byakuya, Uncle Kenpachi, I see black smokey faces behind him." She moved to hide behind Byakuya like a kid would do and added, "They're scary, Uncle Byakuya."

He moved to put a hand on Sophia's head and said gently, "It's ok, we'll protect you from the black smoke...but, can you tell me exactly what you see?" He could sense that there wasn't anything there but, remembered Grunts information.

She said, "They don't have any eyes, they keep yelling at him, 'Return my eyes' I think, the mister did something very bad to them. Why can't he hear them? They're very loud and are yelling bad words." Her eyes looked at Danzo's arm and said, "It looks like they're coming from there." She pointed to his bandaged arm.

Danzo said, "That's quite the imagination she has. There is no black smoke around me."

She looked up at Byakuya and gave a slight wave of her Reiki, "I'm not just acting, I do sense something weird about that arm. There's multiple spiritual signals coming from it. They're weak but, they are there and when I was exploring with some friends, I did sense many angry spirits near his house."

Kenpachi said, "That's where your wrong, you may not be open to the spirit world but, that doesn't mean we aren't. Especially when our princess has the spirit king's eyes and kids are usually open to that world until, they learn it isn't real from adults which, closes the door to that world."

Byakuya scolded, "Kenpachi!" He looked angry at him 'revealing' a secret.

Kenpachi said, "What? It isn't going to harm anything. You know the legend, anyone other than those whom the Spirit King acknowledges as his heir obtains it or tries to kill the heir will be cursed for eternity; Becoming a Dragur. Now that's not what I want, becoming an undead that is forced to protect some crypt or follow the heir's orders and not allowed to rest."

Byakuya said, "That's in one legend, there's also a legend that says that he will bless warriors as well. However, if what our princess says is true...your going to be in trouble. The black smoke must be some vengeful spirits or your victims and if they get more powerful." He shook his head and had a look of pity in his eyes.

The anbu with a monkey mask said, "Are you cursing Danzo-sama?" He was not happy at their words.

Byakuya said, "Not at all, it's just a warning. If he doesn't appease the spirits anger, he will bring disaster to himself and possibly Konoha. Once the spirits go crazy and loose themselves, they will cause a lot of damage. We can perform Konso to help the spirits move on or kill them when they become crazy(become Hallow) but, we are going to Sandyin soon for a job."

Danzo was calm and nodded before they left. Byakuya said after they left, "They left and didn't leave any mice around."

Kenpachi asked, "Master, why am I not allowed to kill him? It's easier than this play."

Sophia said, "Because of the info Grunt had given us and it's fun. Plus, it will explain the Hallow's existence to them. I don't have access to Soul society until, Grunt gives it to me and she disappeared. So, we can't train new Shinigami, at least, I don't know if we can and you can't expect that the two of you can go all over the world to purify ghosts and hallows while, protecting me."

Byakuya said, "I understand master," then they saw time stop and both went to gaurd Sophia as a man in a black suit with gold and silver pocket watch walked out of the front door.