"So this is the other world... Truly surprising." Tenjirou marveled at the view of the Human world that was a bit different from what he knew.
"I'm sorry but this is as far as I can escort you." Gabriel, who escorted the group out of Heaven, slightly lowered her head, "Me leaving Heaven right now could cause unwanted complications. As much as I want to lead you all the way and show you around, I don't have that luxury these days."
"No need to apologize, Gabriel-neechan. You were already a big help. Thank you for your hard work. We can take it from here." Claire expressed her gratitude. She looked up at her with a big smile, "I also haven't thanked you for saving me that one time. If things are convenient, I'll be sure to return the favor."
Gabriel also returned a smile, "You don't have to worry about that. I'm just happy that you're alright." She then turned to everyone else and slightly nodded her head, "Everyone, let's meet again next time."
As soon as she finished her words, she disappeared, returning back to her post.
The group first looked at each other before coming into a silent agreement and moved to another location. The group soon reached the southern coast of Japan and before they moved further, Claire, Kunou, Tanis, Tenjirou, and Retsu looked towards the man who secretly followed them, "...Uhmmm... Uncle Aizen, is it alright for you to sneak out like that?"
Claire didn't really know what to say, especially when Lilith is riding on his shoulders and Ophis is riding on Lilith's shoulders. It's a ridiculous sight that even Gabriel didn't notice.
"Why not? I've fulfilled my responsibility so there's no reason for me to stay there." Aizen replied with a soft chuckle.
'So you're going to follow us around now!?' Claire wanted to retort. She didn't really want this nuke in Human form to be running around.
Of course, Aizen's sharp eyes easily noticed the minute change in Claire's expression and reassured her, "Don't worry. I don't want to make Urahara Kisuke my enemy unnecessarily. Not after what he had just done." As long as Kisuke doesn't step on his head and control him, he also won't touch his soft spots. In fact, Aizen will even defend and assist them if he benefits from the circumstances.
Claire held back the sigh she wanted to release and could only nod in agreement, 'I mean, what else could I do? And how did you even go through their mental defenses?'
Tenjirou and Retsu also looked at each other before shrugging their shoulders. If Claire can't do anything, then there's nothing much they can do themselves.
Tanis then curiously approached the three and looked up, "By the way, what are you doing, Lilith-chan, Ophis-chan?"
As if expecting that answer, Lilith and Ophis both made a proud expression while saying, ""Preemptive measure. He shall not fool us.""
Still, with the same smile, Aizen added, "You know you can just leave your snakes with me, right? You'll also know when I break them." While Aizen could adapt his hypnosis against mental defenses, contact through touch is a weakness that he won't be able to do anything.
Their pride instantly changed to that of a great realization. Lilith looked up and Ophis looked down. Without saying a word, both of them conjured a black snake each and those snakes wrapped themselves around Aizen's left and right wrist before transforming into a faded tattoo.
Only then they start to slowly climb down from his shoulders. And as they stood side by side, they declared as if nothing had happened, ""We know that.""
Even Claire who had been acting serious just now could not help but giggle a bit at their act and that's also the same for the other girls.
The two Shinigami, however, couldn't laugh. In fact, they find this scene terrifying.
Claire was intending to teleport the group but Kunou stopped her, "Claire, I'd like to visit my mother first."
"Should we come with you?"
Kunou shook her head, "It's fine. I just don't want my mother to think that I don't miss her."
"I see. Be careful out there."
Kunou nodded before disappearing through a Teleportation Magic.
.
.
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Claire's group reappeared on the platform that was designated for private use. This platform was located in a secluded area within the floating island of the Ouroboros Academy and the moment they arrived, multiple individuals were instantly made aware of their presence.
A few seconds later, the group could feel multiple individuals making their way towards them.
The first one to arrive was a flash of white light that accompanied a pure white armor with a blue accent, landing softly not far from them. The second one was a darkness that moved through the ground until it was beside the white armor. A woman with jet-black hair then peeked from the darkness, only showing her head.
The white armor caught the attention of the Shinigami group but their focus immediately turned when a woman with brown hair and golden eyes appeared using Flash Step. What piqued their curiosity was the fact that she was wearing something akin to a Shihakushou and the long blade slung behind her looked and felt almost like a Zanpakuto.
"Hoo... Urahara has been doing a lot of interesting things, I see." Aizen commented and Tenjirou and Retsu couldn't help but agree.
While Vali and Nyx were wary of the strangers, Aika immediately lit up upon spotting the girls, "You guys returned!?" While ignoring the others, she jumped towards them and grabbed them into a hug, "I missed you guys! Where's Kunou!? She's not in danger, is she?"
"Kunou said she'd like to visit her mother first so she went ahead of us," Claire answered while gladly returning her hug.
However, their happy reunion was instantly interrupted when an almost suffocating Spiritual Pressure descended into the vicinity.
Vali and Nyx were shocked and fell back to figure out what was happening while Aika was confused and looked up to Yoruichi who just arrived, "What's wrong?"
Yoruichi didn't answer and just looked down on the 'strangers', more specifically, the man with swept-back brown hair.
The moment Aika felt Yoruichi's killing intent, she held the girls tightly and hurriedly jumped back from the strangers.
Yoruichi was appreciative of Aika's quick actions and asked the 'strangers' while holding onto her Zanpakuto and putting up her mental defenses to the maximum, "Is it safe for me to assume that you're not holding them hostage?"
Aizen's smile grew deeper and he was very much tempted to provoke the black cat to see how much she had changed, 'If Urahara was able to change that much, how about her?' And that curiosity inadvertently made Aizen release his own Reiatsu, canceling Yoruichi's and sending it back to her.