Alien: I might have spent a bit too much making this chapter as immersive as possible. All the GIFs in this chapter were created by me using clips from the anime.
Hey, guys! Happy New Year in advance! With this, Volume 2 is finished. Updates for Volume 3 will start next weekend, as I have a POC presentation on Monday. I'll be working on that for the rest of the weekend.
Wish me luck—it could become my first big achievement in the tech field.
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The underground area of Urahara's store is a huge space, nearly as large as the underground training area beneath the Visored hideout.
[Are underneath the Urahara Shop] -img
When Yamahiko arrived, the main four individuals—Ichigo Kurosaki, Uryū Ishida, Yasutora Sado, and Orihime Inoue—had already gathered there.
After entering the shop's underground, Yamahiko pulled the hood of his cloak over his head, gradually blending into the surroundings.
He had used the black cloak many times and found it to be quite a remarkable artifact. Originally invented by Kisuke Urahara as the Reiatsu Concealing Cloak, Aizen later enhanced it with Kidō, allowing the wearer to become invisible.
[Kisuke Urahara as the Reiatsu Concealing Cloak] - img
As long as he didn't make a sound, he wouldn't be noticed by others.
Remaining in his formless state to avoid detection, Yamahiko planned to execute his own plan after Ichigo Kurosaki attracted the attention of Soul Society.
Once near the gathering area, Yamahiko walked up behind Kisuke Urahara and lightly tapped his shoulder.
Urahara nodded and said, "Alright, it's getting late. Let's go."
With a snap of his fingers, three large rectangular stones appeared in the surrounding space, falling to the ground and forming a stone door. This was a Reishi Henkan-Ki, a variation of Senkaimon, the gateway to the Soul Society.
[A Gif and An illustration of the purpose of the Reishi Henkan-Ki.]
The Reishi Henkan-Ki is a device that converts kishi into Reishi - in other words, it converts physical material or physical beings into Souls or Reishi. Since physical objects couldn't pass through to the Soul Society, they needed to be converted into Reishi.
Ichigo grew impatient and said, "Then let's get going."
Urahara's expression turned serious as he explained the crucial point. "After the Senkaimon opens, you'll only have four minutes. Once that time is up, you'll be trapped in the Dangai forever. Additionally, there are Dangai currents (Kōryū). If you get caught in them, it'll be difficult to leave the Dangai within the specified time. Furthermore, there's a Dangai cleaner (Kōtotsu) that occurs every seven days. If you encounter it and it catches up to you, there's no way out—only death."
[Kōtotsu] - img
"After entering the Senkaimon, you must stay close to me," said Yoruichi, who had transformed into a black cat. She added from the side, "Are you ready? This time, entering the Seireitei, there's a high chance you might die."
"Of course, we will definitely save Rukia," said Ichigo firmly.
"Then let's begin," Urahara said.
Urahara and Tessai stood on either side of the Senkaimon, each using Kido and pressing their hands onto the nearby ground. - [img]
boom
The Senkaimon lit up with white light. Yoruichi urged, "Hurry up, go in."
Yoruichi was the first to rush into the Senkaimon, disappearing. Ichigo and the others followed suit.
Finally, Yamahiko entered. He found himself in a long corridor with currents of spirit particles flowing and pressing on both sides.
"Run quickly!" Yoruichi shouted loudly as she led the way, with Yamahiko easily keeping pace beside her.
[Ichigo and his friends run through the Dangai.] - img
The danger from the spirit currents wasn't significant; as long as they ran at full speed, they could avoid being caught by them.
However, Uryu Ishida's cloak was too long and quickly became entangled in the spirit currents.
[The Kōryū snags Uryū's cape.] - img
When Ichigo Kurosaki attempted to rescue him with his Zanpakuto, Yoruichi stopped him. "Don't use your Zanpakuto. Using spiritual energy will accelerate the entanglement by the spirit currents."
Just as the spirit currents were about to engulf more of Uryu Ishida's cloak, Yasutora Sado came over, tore off his cloak, and carried him forward.
[Sado frees Uryū from the Kōryū.] - img
***
As the six of them ran wildly, a warning signal was being issued in the Seireitei.
[GIF]
"Irregularities detected along the western perimeter. Security alert in Area 3 through 8!"
"I repeat!"
"Irregularities detected along the western perimeter. Security alert in Area 3 through 8!"
This was because the Senkaimon was not officially requested by the Seireitei. Once a spatial change occurred, it was detected by the Seireitei, which then issued a warning.
The Shinigami began to move, heading towards the west Rukongai.
***
In the Dangai, everyone continued running. Suddenly, a distant rumbling sound echoed, and a huge object charged toward them, blocking the entire passage.
[GIF]
"What is that?" Uryū Ishida shouted.
[The Kōtotsu chases Sado and his friends.] - img
"Damn it, it's a Kōtotsu!" Yoruichi shouted back. "Run, don't let it touch you!"
As the Kōtotsu slowly advanced toward them, Yamahiko watched it with curiosity, feeling the immense pressure it emitted.
He couldn't help but think about how Aizen would be able to destroy the Kōtotsu in the future. Yamahiko was surprised by the Kōtotsu's power, as Shinigami are not supposed to be able to harm it.
As everyone ran as fast as they could, the Kōtotsu drew closer and closer. Just as it was about to reach them, Orihime Inoue activated her SantenKesshun, momentarily blocking the Kōtotsu. Then, they all rushed out of the passage.
[GIF Orihime protects Uryū and the others with Santen Kesshun.] - img
"We've finally arrived," everyone breathed a sigh of relief as they sat down on the ground.
Orihime Inoue received a scolding from Yoruichi for acting rashly.
[Yoruichi berates Orihime's reckless action.] - img
Yoruichi said, "This place is known as the Rukon District, the Drifting Spirit Town. It's where souls first live upon arriving in the Soul Society, on the perimeter of where the Shinigami live, Seireitei," giving them a general introduction about the area they were in.
"What's that? It looks so different on that side," asked Ichigo, pointing in a certain direction.
[img]
"Oh, that..."
"I got it! That's where the Shinigami live... the whatever-town... right?" Before Yoruichi could explain, Ichigo interrupted her.
"All right!"
Ichigo stood up and ran in that direction. Yoruichi tried to stop him, but he didn't listen.
The next moment, a door fell from the sky, blocking their path. A giant appeared before them; he was the guardian of the Western Gate, Jidanbō Ikkanzaka.
[Jidanbō Ikkanzaka] - img
What followed was Ichigo Kurosaki showcasing his skills. He defeated Jidanbō, who then assisted him in entering the White Way Gate.
However, as they were about to make their way, Gin Ichimaru appeared and injured Jidanbō easily. Seeing this, Ichigo charged at Gin, only to be sent flying by Gin's Shikai.
[Gin's Shikai, Shinsō, pushes Ichigo and Jidanbō out.] - img
Their attempt to enter through the main gate failed.
After Orihime Inoue healed Jidanbou Ikkanzaka, they were invited to the home of an elder to rest.
While they rested, Yoruichi approached Yamahiko and said, "Next, we are planning to head to the Shiba family's house. Shiba Kūkaku should be able to help us, but if her brother, Kaien Shiba, is at home..."
Yamahiko smiled and said, "Don't worry, he won't interfere."
In the plot, Jūshirō Ukitake decided to save Rukia because he considered what Shiba Kaien would do if he were alive. This led him to the decision to take action.
Shiba Kaien is the kind of person who would break the rules and do anything for his own people.
Therefore, Yamahiko is sure that Kaien is probably now running around trying to find a way to help Kuchiki Rukia, who is being held captive.
Yamahiko informed Yoruichi of Shiba Kūkaku's current residence. Kūkaku has not moved much from her original location, as Kaien is still alive and has remained in the same place near the Rukongai mountains where he trained, in the North 3rd District.
Urahara Kisuke's Senkaimon gate had opened near West Rukongai, indicating they still had a long journey ahead to reach the North 3rd District.
"You guys have rested enough. Let's go," Yoruichi called out to Ichigo and the others, prompting them to leave the elder's residence.
Due to the change in history, Ichigo did not encounter Shiba Ganju. Even if he had, Ganju wouldn't have fought Ichigo due to his hatred towards the Shinigami.
They walked towards the northern district until evening, finally arriving at the Shiba household.
"Is this the place?" Ichigo asked, curious.
"Yeah, go ahead and knock."
Ichigo knocked on the door of the Shiba house. Two sturdy figures opened the door. Upon seeing Ichigo, they paused slightly and asked, "Who are you?"\
[Koganehiko and Shiroganehiko.] - img
These figures were Koganehiko (Kon) and Shiroganehiko (Shiro), the Shiba family's retainers.
At that moment, Yoruichi appeared, and upon seeing her, Kon and Shiro immediately exclaimed, "It's Master Yoruichi, please come in."
[GIF]
They led the four humans and the cat inside. Yamahiko followed closely beside them as they made their way to the backyard and then entered a room.
In the room, Shiba Kūkaku sat cross-legged, holding a smoking pipe and puffing on it.
[Ichigo and his friends meet Kūkaku for the first time.] - img
At the sight of her, Yamahiko felt a surge of excitement. Seeing his older sister Kūkaku again after thirty years made him very happy.
Yoruichi smiled upon seeing Shiba Kūkaku and said, "It's been a while, Kūkaku."
Returning the smile, Kūkaku replied, "Yes, it has. So, what do you need help with?"
Yoruichi then slowly explained her purpose. When Kūkaku heard that their goal was to rescue the captured Rukia Kuchiki, she couldn't help but furrow her brow.
"Are you planning to break into the Seireitei?"
In this timeline, Shiba Kaien didn't die and has become a captain, so Shiba Kūkaku naturally doesn't hold a grudge against the Soul Reapers (Shinigami).
Helping the Ryoka is a violation of the Seireitei's rules.
Shiba Kūkaku's actions would undoubtedly affect both Shiba Kaien and the Shiba family, so she felt it was somewhat troublesome.
Just when Yamahiko thought Shiba Kūkaku wouldn't agree, she smiled and said, "Well, Rukia Kuchiki used to be my brother's subordinate, and my brother is also working hard to save her. More importantly, she saved the life of my other brother. Even though he's no longer with us, I believe he would also want to save Rukia Kuchiki if he were alive, right? So, I will help you."
Upon hearing this, Yamahiko's body trembled slightly. The savior of her other brother? Was she referring to him?
Yamahiko had visited the Shiba family several times, telling them about his life in the Rukongai district and introducing Rukia Kuchiki and Renji Abarai.
He never expected her to remember all this, which deeply moved him.
Yoruichi smiled upon hearing this and said, "I'm grateful for your agreement. Could you let them rest first? I have something I'd like to discuss with you."
"Kon, Shiro, take them downstairs to rest," Shiba Kūkaku called out, waiting until the two took Ichigo away.
Yoruichi looked at Shiba Kūkaku and said, "Kūkaku, whatever you see next, try not to be too surprised."
Shiba Kūkaku waved her hand, laughing. "Surprised? What could possibly surprise me?"
But in the next moment, Shiba Kūkaku's eyes widened in disbelief as she exclaimed, "Yamahiko?!!"
[Reaction Img]
~End of the chapter~
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