While Kisuke was inspecting the [Black Rabbit], two more people came into the bar, "How rare. A quiet place like this actually still exists."
"The commercial district is slowly moving and expanding in the outer circle of the city and away from the production district so more and more places like this have popped up."
Although this was the first time he had seen them in years, they still looked exactly the same as they did when they disappeared from everyone's memories, "...Yoruichi Shihouin and Serafall Leviathan." Bell muttered their names out loud.
Yoruichi and Serafall stopped in disbelief and stared at him, "What the hell? You actually got out of that?", commented the former.
"That's really impressive.", commented Serafall as she approached and went around Bell, "There shouldn't be many loopholes you could take advantage of to get out of that. How did you do it?"
Bell scratched his head in embarrassment and said, "I don't really know. I just did it one day. Though I did have an idea that something was amiss so maybe it started that way?". Meanwhile, his innocent-looking eyes took a quick but meaningful glance at Yoruichi and Serafall and he could only sigh internally, 'As expected... They are the same as Kisuke Urahara and Riveria Ljos Alf. I can't estimate their strength.'
Normally, his eyes were pretty sharp and could actually approximately estimate someone's ability just by the movement of their Ki and Magic Power. That had been the case even against Ottar and Ais, however, Kisuke, Riveria, Yoruichi, and Serafall all have chaotic movements as if they had never trained and fought before. Naturally, he knew that it was impossible and the amount of energy they have further suggested against it. Moreover, there's an inexplicable danger that warned his instincts not to pry any further.
Needless to say, Kisuke, Riveria, Yoruichi, and Serafall all noticed his observing eyes but they just thought nothing of it. After all, that's what everyone does, on the other side, at least. In this world, Bell is a rarity as someone could just refer to others' 'Level' to estimate their strength and ability.
Which made them think. Bell probably isn't a Level 9 like how he claimed.
"Oh hi there, Loki-tan~! How long has it been~?" Serafall proceeded to greet Loki.
Loki stood up to receive Serafall, "It's been a few years, Sera-tan~! Just where did the lot of you go?"
At the arrival of more 'unknown' personalities, the three girls from the Loki Familia felt even more alone and didn't know what to do. If someone else were to see this, they'll be shocked that prominent figures like them are pushed to the side. It's as if they were invited to a party but no one would talk to them. Even Bell was feeling a bit of pity towards them and more curiosity and suspicion about what happened between them.
In the meantime, Kisuke waved Bell's dagger toward Yoruichi.
Yoruichi didn't know what she was looking at for a moment and approached him with curiosity. But after staring at it for a few moments, it finally hit her, "Soul Gear...? Whose?"
Kisuke pointed at Bell.
Yoruichi and Serafall's eyes widened, "Since when?" asked the latter.
"It is the very first working prototype. It's thanks to the valuable data that Cranel-san has provided that I was able to make the Soul Gears for Sona and others.", explained Kisuke while handing the dagger back to Bell.
"So it's called a Soul Gear." Bell received it back and stared at it for a moment before continuing, "It's all thanks to this that I've reached the place where I am now. Thank you for giving it to me. Or do I have to pay the price for it now?"
Kisuke chuckled, "Don't sell yourself short. Though it's really amazing compared to normal weapons, It's nothing without its user. It's really just a basic dagger that follows the growth of its user. If not for that, it'd just be a slightly sharper dagger. Everything was still based on your hard work. As for the price... Well, you already paid for it the moment you received and used it. I only gave it to you to confirm my designs are working the way they should and by chance, you were the most compatible with it."
Even though Kisuke essentially told him that he was just an experimental guinea pig, Bell was still grateful because this very dagger had saved his life multiple times thanks to its durability and auto-repair functions. It's arguably a lot better than other 'Durandal' weapons that he used since its blade never dies, "Hard work... is it? I don't think I did that much."
Kisuke then grinned at him and said, "Of course you did. And the fact that you're not a Level 9 is proof of that."
Bell's eyes widened in surprise but didn't refute it, 'As expected... He could easily see through me.'
At his reaction, the girls of the Loki Familia were startled, "Y-you're not a Level 9?" Tione asked with a nervous tone.
And her real question was asked by her sister, "...Could it be that you've already reached Level 10?"
Ais creases her brows. If this is true, then they will be truly left behind... And she might not be able to fulfill her long-sought revenge.
At their question, Bell immediately shook his head, "No. I didn't reach Level 10... And probably never will."
But his words only further confused them. If this goes on, they would really lose their minds sooner or later.
Thankfully, Kisuke doesn't really care about that, "Hmmm... If I were to guess, Level 7 or 6?"
Bell went silent for a moment before sighing, "This is supposed to be a secret as some group of people wouldn't like it if they were to know it, but you're right. I'm not a Level 9. I stopped updating my status when I reached Level 5."
The girls of the Loki Familia would not go home today without their worldviews breaking apart and being humbled down by a few notches.