Soi Fon slapped Shimo's hand away, glaring at him.
"You must have had your reasons for hiding your strength," she said coldly. "I don't care for excuses. I'm not the type to hold grudges unnecessarily. I'll keep this to myself."
As she spoke, Shimo gradually understood what was on her mind.
"Besides…" Her voice dipped to a quieter tone, and a faint blush dusted her cheeks. "You saved me. Twice. In one day."
"That's just what anyone should do," Shimo sighed with a helpless expression.
"But," he added, "have you thought about the consequences?"
Soi Fon blinked, confused.
"With that overwhelming reiatsu," Shimo explained, "don't you think the Gotei 13 will notice? There's bound to be another captains' meeting once we return."
To Shimo, hiding one's power wasn't such a big deal. The real issue was the Hollow — that strange, Vasto Lorde-like being. What kind of threat would provoke him into releasing such immense spiritual pressure?
Back in the Seireitei
The moment Shimo's spiritual pressure erupted, all of Soul Society seemed to pause. Heads turned toward North Rukongai.
Fourth Division Barracks
Unohana paused mid-arrangement of an ikebana. Her delicate brows knit together.
She was intimately familiar with the North Rukongai. She'd once battled Kenpachi Zaraki there. And she was just as familiar with Shimo's spiritual pressure. During his time in Fourth Division, he had sparred with her countless times, sometimes even clashing in full-power duels.
She stared northward, worry plain on her face.
"The reiatsu is massive... unfamiliar even. But no doubt, it's Shimo's."
"What sort of opponent could force him to unleash power on that caliber?"
Without realizing it, Unohana had crushed the flower in her hands.
Kyoraku Shunsui was lazily enjoying the afternoon sun, sipping sake on his roof. But when Shimo's spiritual pressure surged, his hand froze midair. The sake spilled over his pink-flowered haori.
"Nanao-chan," he called out, standing abruptly, "I'm heading out!"
And without further explanation, he vanished from Eight Division.
In the noble gardens of one of the Four Great Houses, Byakuya Kuchiki was enjoying a rare moment of peace, viewing flowers alongside Hisana Kuchiki.
Suddenly, his expression froze.
"Hisana," he said gently, "I need to go."
Hisana seemed to sense something, and her smile faded slightly. "I'll be waiting here," she replied softly.
North Rukongai — Zaraki District
Shimo and Soi Fon walked side by side through the most chaotic sector of the Rukongai.
Since the Hollow known as "White" had emerged from this direction, Shimo wondered if any clues remained.
They found none — only more chaos. The Zaraki District's brutality rivaled even the Wastelands, if not exceeded them.
"Hadō #31: Shakkahō!"
A crimson flame burst from Shimo's fingertips, instantly incinerating the charging souls ahead.
"How many waves is that now?" he asked grimly.
"This is the twenty-ninth ambush," Soi Fon replied. "Each attacker was at least the equivalent of a seated officer."
"The hatred toward the Gotei 13 here is off the charts," Shimo observed. "They charge us like rabid dogs."
They had originally rushed to the Zaraki District's border and hadn't lingered inside. But now that they were searching for clues, they were constantly under siege. The waves of attackers were relentless—not threatening, but frustrating.
"Kill those filthy, wretched Shinigami!"
"The rotting Seireitei must be destroyed — it's time for a new order!"
Yet another horde came charging, twisted faces and makeshift weapons in hand. Soi Fon glanced at Shimo.
"What now? Do we just eliminate all of them?"
Her legs were already wrapped in tightly coiled spiritual pressure, ready to strike.
Shimo frowned, not at the attackers, but at something behind them.
"Bakudō #62: Hyapporankan. (Hundred Steps Fence.)"
His voice was calm yet resolute. Blue pillars of light burst out from behind the horde and impaled them, pinning the rebels to the ground effortlessly.
Soi Fon's eyes widened. "Captain Unohana? Captain Kuchiki? Captain Kyoraku?!"
"Why are you all here?!"
The Kido user was none other than Unohana Retsu.
Initially shocked, Soi Fon quickly pieced things together after seeing Shimo's calm demeanor. All three captains shared deep bonds with him—naturally, they came for his safety.
"We're a bit late, it seems," Unohana said softly, smiling gently. "I never imagined you were hiding so much strength, Shimo-kun. I hope the next time we spar, you'll fight me seriously."
Shunsui glanced at Shimo's unscathed appearance and exhaled in relief. "I haven't been this proactive in Eight Division for years, you little punk!"
Byakuya simply said, "I'm glad you're unharmed."
Shimo sighed. He hadn't expected this kind of response. But knowing they cared… was nice.
"Let me clarify a few things," Shimo began.
"First, I honestly don't know how much power I released earlier."
"Second, we did indeed encounter a Hollow likely of Vasto Lorde class—extremely powerful, on par with a captain."
"I was only able to defeat it by working together with Soi Fon."
He turned toward Shunsui. "And third, you lazy old man—can we not talk about embarrassing things in public?" The source of this content ɪs nοvelfire.net
"If you keep slacking off, maybe Nanao should take your seat as Eight Division's captain!"
Shunsui's eye twitched. "Who do you think you're talking to?! I know you've been dumping your Lieutenant duties onto Yamada Hanatarō!"
Their mutual teasing lightened the mood. None of the captains doubted Shimo's words. His consistent conduct had earned their trust.
Soi Fon noticed something strange.
"Where did all those rabid souls go? They vanished."
Shimo shrugged vaguely. "Probably ran off. Out of fear."
"Fear?" Soi Fon looked skeptical. "They didn't even fear death when they charged us earlier."
Shimo exchanged a look with Unohana. Upon seeing her slight nod, he continued.
"They're like rabbits," he said. "When faced with a predator, their only instinct is to flee. Even the will to resist is erased. It's a fear etched into their blood."
Soi Fon mulled it over. "So… the souls in the Zaraki District saw their natural predator?"
"To them," Shimo said seriously, "death isn't frightening. But the one who brings that death—is."
In the past, Unohana—once the First Kenpachi, had chosen her own subordinates from the Zaraki District.
Her clashes with Kenpachi Zaraki were legendary, but her legacy of terror in this region was no less powerful.
She was the apex predator in this territory. Her mere presence inspired more fear than wholesale slaughter ever could.
With the district finally quiet, their investigation could proceed smoothly. Unfortunately, Aizen had erased all traces. Not even a scrap of spiritual pressure from "White" remained.
Seireitei — First Division Barracks
Nestled against the mountainside like a temple suspended in the sky, First Division's barracks stood silent.
Upon returning to Seireitei, Shimo and Soi Fon immediately headed to the Captain Commander's office to report their mission.
Though Soi Fon had officially led the task, it was Shimo who had turned the tide.
When she asked how to report it, he had simply said: "Tell the truth."
The appearance of the original "White" Hollow had stirred up Soul Society once again. And perhaps it was time the Gotei 13 shouldered more responsibility for these emerging threats.
Inside the office, the two stood silently before Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni, waiting for his verdict.
Soi Fon had just finished her report.
Yamamoto stood with both hands on his staff, eyes closed in contemplation.
The emergence of White wasn't a minor event. The entire squad sent to investigate had been annihilated—except for Shimo and Soi Fon. Worse, the deaths were caused by a self-destruct Kido spell—something only Shinigami could cast.
Which meant one thing: there were unstable elements within the ranks.
And that mysterious Hollow was clearly tied to them.
Silence stretched long before the old man finally opened his mouth.
"This mission is now classified," Yamamoto declared gravely.
"No Shinigami below the rank of captain is permitted to view or inquire about the details."
His eyes snapped open, cold and authoritative.
"As for Lieutenant Kyōraku Shimo hiding his strength—no merit, no fault. No judgment rendered."
Shimo nodded slightly. That chapter, for now, was closed.
But anyone with a keen eye could tell: this was only the beginning.
Dark clouds loomed over the Seireitei.
With the mission complete, Shimo returned to Fourth Division, falling back into a lazy routine.
He sparred with Unohana from time to time, bullied Hanatarō occasionally, and enjoyed a rare moment of peace.
Except for one thing.
He was banned from Fourth Division's monthly ikebana contests.
After his first entry—a cataclysmic creation of unorthodox design. Unohana had barred him from participating ever again. A first in Fourth Division's history.
Shimo still wasn't sure whether to be proud or embarrassed.
"What a shame," he muttered. "I thought my floral sense was amazing…"
This peaceful rhythm lasted—until a letter arrived.
"Shimo-sama," said Rokushima Yusuke , handing him the envelope, "a formal visitation request. From one of the Four Great Noble Houses."
Shimo took the envelope, frowning. "Which one?"
Then his eyes fell on the seal.
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