Surface Level

The sudden disruption of Hadō broke Tokikaze's attack rhythm.

"Bakudō #21: Sekienton!"

Taking advantage of the moment, Shihōin Yoruichi conjured a dense red smoke with her spiritual pressure, concealing her presence and blocking spiritual perception.

The next moment, a strong wind blew, causing thick clouds to roll in the sky.

As the smoke cleared, Tokikaze emerged with his Zanpakutō, over a meter long, striding forward with a menacing aura.

For a woman like Shihōin Yoruichi, who casually slandered him and almost hit his face, Tokikaze felt she needed to be captured and interrogated day and night in the dungeons.

Yoruichi had already escaped his spiritual perception range in just a blink.

The wind surged, the clouds above churned, and faint thunder rumbled within them, echoing loudly.

The weather in Naruki City changed multiple times within half a day, yet it never rained, worrying the people hiding in their homes.

Could it be the end of the world?

After a brief and fruitless search, Tokikaze withdrew his spiritual pressure.

Yoruichi's appearance wasn't coincidental. The previous rebellion in Naruki City and the subsequent arrival of Szayelaporro Granz in the human world had undoubtedly drawn Urahara Kisuke and others' attention.

Tokikaze's strong performance would naturally be noted by those interested.

When he reappeared in the human world, encountering Kurosaki Maki and Ishida Souken, and fighting the Adjuchas Balck, the spiritual pressure fluctuations were as conspicuous as a bright moon in the dark, drawing attention in a world with low spiritual particle density.

Avoiding detection by Urahara Kisuke and others was impossible.

From the brief exchange with Yoruichi, it was clear that the exiled former Second Division captain was worried about her incompetent brother being dragged into the noble family's disputes.

Whether the rebellion had anything to do with Yūshirō was unimportant.

What mattered was someone taking the blame. As the 23rd head of the Shihōin family, Yūshirō was a perfect scapegoat, even if he was otherwise useless.

However, Tokikaze had a hunch that the rebellion was more complicated than it seemed.

The wind swept through the city, turning into ears and eyes, sensing all anomalies.

But perhaps because his spiritual pressure was too dispersed, this method couldn't detect subtle anomalies.

Yoruichi's spiritual pressure had completely vanished from the city.

She might have escaped to Karakura Town or hidden somewhere to lick her wounds and wait for a chance.

"Captain..."

Ishikawa Naoto cautiously approached from the edge of the battlefield, his face a mix of fear and sycophancy.

"Was the one you fought just now a hidden Hollow?"

Because of the overwhelming spiritual pressure, he hadn't dared get close enough to see the battle.

"No, a wanted criminal from the Soul Society."

Tokikaze replied casually, "Be careful while stationed in Naruki City. Don't randomly mistreat any black cats you see."

Hearing this, Ishikawa Naoto was puzzled, not understanding the meaning.

But he remembered it firmly.

Not for any other reason than to live a little longer.

After all, the longer he lived, the more he could contribute to both the Soul Society and the human world.

Due to Tokikaze's fight with Yoruichi, collecting traces of Kūgo Ginjō and Tsukishima Shūkurō became even more troublesome for Ishikawa Naoto.

The charred remains were ground into the rubble, making the task painstakingly difficult.

Tokikaze looked in the direction of Karakura Town, hesitating whether to make a trip.

Considering his identity, he eventually decided against it.

If Urahara Kisuke and others suspected him of being associated with Aizen, it would be a huge problem.

Entering Karakura Town would make it hard to leave.

Tokikaze prided himself on his current strength, but against Urahara Kisuke, Tessai Tsukabishi, and Yoruichi combined, he would be at a disadvantage.

Especially on that cunning merchant's turf.

"The time isn't right," Tokikaze shook his head, "I'll catch that black cat and lock her in the Ninth Division's dungeon next time."

...

Meanwhile, on the outskirts of Naruki City, a black cat appeared on a tall building, a hint of lingering fear and relief in her golden eyes.

Though she dominated the fight, only she knew the true experience.

She had been completely exposed, and she couldn't afford to let her guard down even in battle.

That Kaname family brat was like a repressed volcano, ready to erupt if given the chance.

Yoruichi knew that if Tokikaze went all out, escaping would be much harder.

She didn't want to be taken back to the Soul Society.

Who knew what that so-called feather tea was?

"Damn Kaname family brat..."

Yoruichi cursed softly, the black cat once again hiding in the shadows.

Lessons learned, she suppressed her spiritual pressure to nearly nothing.

...

Soul Society, Seireitei, West Noble District.

In the northern courtyard of the Shihōin family estate.

Several figures gathered in a room, the atmosphere tense and heavy.

They wore outfits similar to the Onmitsukidō, entirely black, with white bandages wrapped around their wrists and ankles, making their wide sleeves and pant legs look neat and ready for action.

"I think this matter needs further discussion."

"The last dead soldier plan severely hurt the Kaname family, but they already suspect us."

"If another war breaks out, it could escalate and affect the entire Soul Society."

"..."

After a brief silence, everyone expressed their opinions on the meeting's topic.

The dark-skinned youth at the head of the table, with his fingers interlaced before him, looked pitiful and aggrieved.

The 23rd head of the Shihōin family, Yūshirō Shihōin.

After everyone spoke and fell silent, Yūshirō finally unclasped his fingers and spoke softly:

"But if it weren't for the Kaname family's interference, would my sister have been exiled to the human world?"

"The Kaname family should pay for this. One dead soldier plan is far from enough."

His pitiful expression couldn't hide the chilling words.

Just then.

A black-clad figure rushed in from outside, kneeling on one knee and speaking in a low, somber voice:

"Second Division stationed in the human world discovered Lady Yoruichi's spiritual pressure briefly appearing in Naruki City!"