[Soul Society Arc] Part 75: Yūgen

Renji: "I'm surprised. You even remember my name." - He smiled challengingly at Ichigo. - "Great."

As the lieutenant advanced, Ganju and Hanataro watched him with expressions of confusion and growing concern. The tension in the air was palpable, their faces reflecting the uncertainty of the situation.

Ganju: "Wh-who is that guy?" - He asked, his voice quivering with unease. Beads of sweat formed on his forehead as he took in the aura of power emanating from Renji. - "He's different from the others. His reiatsu is much stronger!"

Hanataro: "Tha…tha…tha…tha…that…that's…" - Hanataro's words trembled as he recognized the approaching figure. His eyes widened with fear and realization. - "...Renji Abarai... lieutenant of the 6th Division!!" - Hanataro's voice was laden with apprehension, and he involuntarily took a step back, overwhelmed by the imposing presence of the esteemed lieutenant.

Ganju: "A lieutenant?!!" - He stood there, dumbfounded by the revelation. His eyes widened as he tried to process the significance of their encounter with a high-ranking officer.

Yato: "Big deal..." -Yato commented casually, feigning indifference. In truth, his mind was racing with thoughts, considering the various options before them. His gaze was distant, as if he was lost in contemplation. - 'Well... I could take down Renji and let Ichigo move forward... but then Ichigo will have to face Zaraki early...' - He weighed the potential outcomes carefully, the weight of their decisions pressing on his shoulders.

Ichigo: "Hey, Yato. Let me handle this." - Ichigo's voice was resolute as he confidently strode toward Renji.

Yato: "Go for it..." - Yato responded casually, but beneath his nonchalant exterior, he was lost in deep thought. - '...Or I could let Ichigo take on Renji and move ahead... but then I'd have to deal with Zaraki... and frankly, I'm not in the mood for that... it'll eat up time I'm not willing to spare... not to mention, anyone who crosses paths with Zaraki will ultimately have to confront Byakuya at the entrance to Rukia's cell...'

Meanwhile, Ichigo and Renji unsheathed their zanpakuto and simultaneously launched into an intense clash of blades. The sounds of their collision echoed through the area, their faces etched with determination.

Ganju, still overwhelmed by the presence of the 6th Division lieutenant, placed a trembling hand on Yato's shoulder.

Ganju: "We need to come up with a plan to deal with that lieutenant, or we've got to get out of here!!"

Yato: "Relax... it's going to be fine..." - Yato's voice conveyed an unwavering calmness.

Ganju: "How can you stay so calm with a lieutenant on our tail?!" - Ganju's desperation was evident, as he grappled with the perilous situation they were in.

Yato: "Well... I'm calm because this Renji has been to the world of the living before and got his butt kicked by Ichigo... Even though he no longer has that restriction seal, Ichigo is a lot stronger now than before... not to mention, a friend of ours has defeated a lieutenant... and so have I." - Yato's tone was a mix of reassurance and a hint of pride.

Ganju: "You... defeated a lieutenant?" - He stared at Yato in sheer astonishment, his eyes wide with disbelief.

Yato, with a faint smile, met Ganju's incredulous gaze before shifting his attention to Hanatarō.

Yato: "I think you two should stick with Ichigo. He might fight recklessly and end up getting hurt."

Hanatarō: "And what are you going to do, Yato-san?" - Hanataro's voice was tinged with a mixture of concern and curiosity.

Yato: "I intend to return to the underground canals. There's something I want to check..." - Yato's expression was enigmatic, hinting at a hidden agenda.

After those words, Hanatarō and Ganju found themselves in shock as Ichigo was sent hurtling through the air, crashing into one of the nearby structures. The source of this forceful impact was none other than Renji's zanpakuto, which had already assumed its shikai form, extending and snaking toward Ichigo with incredible speed and precision.

Renji, standing confidently, maintained a fierce, unwavering gaze on Ichigo.

Renji: "Did you really think you knew everything about me just because you fought me once? Well, I'll tell you a secret—"

Before Renji could finish his sentence for Ichigo, Yato, who had been observing the exchange with a hint of disdain, interrupted him.

Yato: "Lieutenant and captain-level Shinigami get a seal when they go to the world of the living to limit their reiatsu... big deal. Your two lieutenant friends didn't have that seal when Tatsuki and I handed them a beating, either."

Renji's face was a mix of frustration and surprise at being interrupted. His eyes locked with Yato's, and there was a palpable tension in the air as their standoff continued.

Yato: "Now, let me tell you of something you might not be aware of..." - He continued, his intention clear - to provoke the lieutenant further. His voice held an undercurrent of confidence, adding an element of challenge to the situation. - "Based on your current reiatsu level, I can say with certainty that you're weaker than the lieutenant with the '69' tattoo on his face. And I easily took down that guy."

Renji's face contorted with a mixture of emotions. His eyes narrowed in response to Yato's words, anger and irritation flashing across his features.

As Yato spoke, Ichigo emerged from the wreckage, a minor head injury not fazing him in the slightest. Despite the physical toll, Ichigo's face bore a determined and unwavering expression.

Yato: "I'd say Ichigo and I are more or less on the same level... actually, Ichigo is a bit stronger than me..." - Yato's words were delivered with a casual confidence that belied the intensity of the situation. His eyes met those of Ganju, Hanatarō, and Renji, each of them processing the implications of his statement.

Ichigo: "You never lose the habit of provoking others."

Yato: "I only do it when I know it'll work."

Yato's smirk widened as he met Ichigo's eyes, his expression playful and confident. He was well aware of the impact his provocations had on others, especially during intense situations like this one. Ichigo, who couldn't help but wear a sullen expression as he recalled those past moments when Yato had subjected him to similar teasing during their training, couldn't help but crack a reluctant smile.

Subsequently, Yato turned his back on the group and began to make his way back to the location where Hanatarō had revealed the secret passage to the underground. As he took his first few steps, Renji's voice rang out, echoing through the tense atmosphere.

Renji: "Where do you think you're going?!" - he shouted, his voice filled with defiance.

Renji swiftly launched a fierce attack at Yato, determined not to let him escape. The blade of Renji's zanpakutō extended rapidly toward Yato, creating a menacing arc in the air.

Yato turned slightly, glancing over his shoulder at the approaching threat. A sense of smug confidence danced in his eyes as he assessed the situation. But before Renji's zanpakutō could reach its target, Ichigo surged into action. With lightning-fast reflexes, Ichigo intercepted Renji's blade, expertly blocking the strike with his own zanpakutō.

Ichigo: "Your fight is with me," - he declared with unwavering resolve, his voice firm and resolute.

To further rub salt in the wound, when Yato opened the passage and began descending the stairs into the underground, only his face was visible to everyone. He couldn't resist one more jab at the lieutenant.

Yato: "Just so you know, I'm going to prepare some things to save my fiancée, Rukia."

Renji gritted his teeth, seething with anger in response to Yato's provocation. The defiant smirk on Yato's face had clearly struck a nerve, but before Renji could plot his next move, Ichigo sprang into action. With a resounding clash of blades, Ichigo attacked the lieutenant with his massive zanpakutō, forcing Renji to rapidly bring up his own zanpakutō to defend himself.

Renji's voice boomed, echoing with frustration and a touch of desperation, his words cutting through the charged air.

Renji: "All you guys can do is talk big! I'll finish you off first and then go after your annoying friend!"

With a primal roar, Renji leaped into the air, and swung Zabimaru down with devastating force. The ground trembled as the zanpakutō struck, obliterating structures around them, but Ichigo moved with lightning speed, narrowly evading the lethal arc of Renji's blade.

As Ichigo and Renji clashed in a fierce battle, Yato made a calculated exit, stealthily retreating to the underground. His footsteps echoed through the labyrinthine passageways, leaving Ganju and Hanatarō in a state of bewildered confusion.

Ganju: "Th-that guy... said fiancée?!" - He stammered, his eyes wide with disbelief after hearing Yato's cryptic words. - "But I thought he was just a regular human..."

Hanatarō: "Bu-but he is human... Rukia-san once told me that she disguised herself as Yato-san's fiancée while she was in the world of the living, but... Yato-san's feelings for Rukia-san appear to run deeper than we imagined..."

**

Izuru Kira strolled along the pathways of the 3rd Division's barracks, a hint of unease lingering from his recent defeat at the hands of one of the Ryoka. As he wandered lost in thought, Momo Hinamori's voice suddenly pierced through his contemplations.

The 5th Division's lieutenant was sprinting towards him, her features etched with deep concern. In her hands, she cradled an object carefully wrapped, her worry etched on her face. She rapidly approached Izuru, her urgent tone drawing him from his reverie and urgently informed him about Renji's disappearance.

Izuru: "Renji disappeared?!"

Momo: "He vanished during the meeting, and..." - With a sense of dread, Momo unwrapped the object she held, revealing Renji's 6th Division lieutenant badge. - "When I searched for him in the 6th Division, I found this in his room..."

Izuru: "His lieutenant badge...! Have you... informed his captain about this?" - Izuru's eyes widened with worry as he processed the gravity of the situation.

Momo: "Not yet... I thought about reporting it to Captain Aizen, but I didn't want Renji to get in trouble..." - She spoke with a mix of fear for her friend's safety and respect for Captain Aizen's sense of justice. Her voice quickened as she added, - "Not that Captain Aizen would be unfair to him!"

Izuru: "I know, but since we don't know why he disappeared... maybe your decision was a wise one." - Izuru's features grew pensive. "But why would he vanish like this? It must have been something urgent for him to leave his lieutenant badge behind when we are under orders to wear it...Anyway, I'll look for him too and make sure my captain doesn't find out."

Momo: "Thanks, Kira-kun."

**

In the underground passages, Yato strode purposefully through the dimly lit tunnels, his zanpakutō clutched firmly in his right hand. The emerald aura emanating from the blade created an eerie, ethereal glow that painted the surroundings in a haunting hue. As he delved deeper into the labyrinthine underground, Cheshire, the red feline, materialized on his shoulder. The cat's tail, composed of red threads, extended as it left distinctive marks on the tunnel walls, signifying their passage.

Yato: "Thanks for marking a way back for me... I'll need to know how to get back, at least." - he said, expressing his appreciation.

Cheshire: "This whole journey's been rather dull... nothing interesting happening at all," the feline commented in a nonchalant manner.

Yato: "Sorry about that, but for now, I'm trying to change as little as possible about the anime events." - He dispelled the green aura that enveloped his zanpakutō. - "Plus, I'm working on mastering some new tricks. Hisagi might have shared with someone how I defeated him, so I want to be prepared..."

Cheshire: "Is that why you haven't attempted to use Shunpō or your Quincy abilities yet?"

Yato: "It's not that I don't want to use Shunpō, but I'm more accustomed to employing Bringer Light."

Cheshire: "You do realize that Bringer Light isn't exactly the name of the Fullbringers' speed technique; it's more about the manifestation of that green aura, right?"

Yato: "I'm aware, but that technique doesn't really have a name, and I'm just too lazy to come up with one..." - Yato's casual response showed his laid-back approach to naming conventions.

Cheshire: "Well, as long as it works for you." - The feline let out a subtle chuckle.

Yato: "As for my Quincy abilities... they're just a bit of a hassle to use." - He attempted to absorb reishi but managed to gather only a small amount. - "It's somewhat like having the skills for Fullbring, but with some differences... it's like knowing how to edit photos and then trying to do the same thing using a more complex software. It's not that I don't want to use them, but for now, I'll stick to what I'm comfortable with. Not to mention I didn't acquire Quincy abilities to start shooting reishi arrows all around. I did it because I wanted a way to quickly replenish the Reiryoku I spend."

After walking for a while, Yato suddenly sat down in a meditative position, placing his zanpakutō on his lap and closing his eyes. As he focused on his inner thoughts, his surroundings seemed to dissolve into a dream-like state.

In a matter of moments, Yato found himself in his Inner World, surrounded by a breathtaking sunset. The landscape stretched out before him, a serene blend of both familiar and foreign elements. Some houses resembled those he had seen in Karakura, while others seemed reminiscent of structures from his original world.

As he walked on the lush green lawn, a gentle melody filled the air, adding to the overall sense of serenity.

In the distance, Ōkagetsu, his zanpakutō spirit, approached gracefully and almost immediately, Yato's attention was drawn to Ōkagetsu's hand, where he noticed a slender red thread tied to her little finger. The last time he attempted to trace its end, it stretched endlessly into the distance, vanishing into the brilliant hues of a sunset he couldn't reach. However, this time, there was a stark contrast in the thread's path.

Rather than leading toward the horizon, it extended purposefully toward a distant door, situated against the backdrop of his tranquil inner world. The door was unlike anything else within this serene realm, resembling a small, ancient Shōji – a traditional Japanese architectural feature that consists of translucent sheets on a lattice frame.

Yato found himself drawn toward the mysterious door, and Ōkagetsu silently trailed behind him. As they approached, the ancient wooden door began to swing open of its own accord, as if beckoning them into the unknown. They stepped through, and suddenly found themselves in a winter wonderland situated in the heart of a snowy, mountainous landscape, overlooking a majestic frozen valley. The setting was serene and ethereal, conveying a sense of icy and enchanting beauty.

Yato: "Is this what I think it is...?" - he asked, gazing up at the clear night sky with a captivating full moon.

Without providing a verbal response, Ōkagetsu extended her hand, the red thread pointing towards what seemed to be a traditional Japanese shrine in the distance.

The entrance to the shrine was marked by a snow-covered torii gate, with blue and white decorations. As Yato and Ōkagetsu proceed, they followed a winding path that meanders through pine and winter cherry trees, their frozen leaves glistening.

The shrine itself was a traditional wooden structure, with thatched roofs covered in a thin layer of snow. Paper lanterns illuminated the path, creating a magical atmosphere.

Yato's eyes widened in amazement, his breath visible in the chilly air. Ōkagetsu watched him with a hint of amusement, clearly enjoying his reaction.

Yato and Ōkagetsu continued their approach towards the shrine. As they drew nearer, the shrine's door gracefully opened, revealing two figures.

One of them was a striking young woman with a fair complexion, reminiscent of the legendary yuki-onna. Her waist-length, pale lavender hair was elegantly tied up into a bun at the back, with a delicate strand gracefully framing her icy blue eyes. Her hair was neatly parted to the right and adorned with a star-shaped blue clip. She wore a white kimono with generously sized sleeves and a trailing hem, further enhanced by the pale yellow-green obi cinched at her waist. The obi led to a large, pale purple bow adorning her back, giving her attire a touch of elegance.

Yato's eyes widened as he recognized the woman as Rukia's zanpakutō, Sode no Shirayuki. He realized that the red thread connected to Ōkagetsu was linked to Sode no Shirayuki's finger. Slowly, he turned his gaze toward the second person who had emerged from the shrine, and it was none other than Rukia herself. She was dressed in a white robe, standing barefoot in this snowy landscape. Both of them looked at each other in disbelief, a frigid breeze brushing past them with an eerie chill.

Rukia: "This can't be real..."