Watching the training firsthand would be beneficial to Shirou as well. If something unexpected happened, he might be able to step in.
"I see..." He nodded his head in understanding. "I will come tomorrow then. If something happen to Ichigo when I am not here, then-"
"Yeah yeah, no need to worry." Shinji waved his hand casually, "He will not stay here, though. Only today. So you are free to go home, kid."
No need to stay?
Shirou was about to question him, but he kept silent. Wasn't it better for him if Ichigo return home after the training?
And there was no need to worry about Ichigo that much. He knew his brother was strong and capable of protecting himself.
He didn't need to stay. He just had to be here tomorrow.
Shinji, meanwhile, seemed pleased by Shirou's reaction.
"Alright." The Visored said with a satisfied tone. "It seems you have made your decision. Now you can go home. I can't stand being around that girl anymore, anyway."
Ninny growled at his remark and gave him a death glare. The man was unfazed and even smirked. "Hm?"
"You...!"
"Now now, little girl. You don't need to get so worked up." He shrugged. "It was just a little prank, don't you know?"
Ninny's face twisted in anger as her hands balled into fists. Her knuckles were white as she tried to control her anger, but it was hard when someone was being such a jerk to her.
Veins popped on her head as she glared at the man with eyes full of hatred. She put her hand into her pocket and took something out, throwing it at him.
Shinji barely dodged the object. It hit the ground with a loud sound and rolled on the floor before stopping.
It was a stone.
"Oi oi, little lady! Be careful!" He exclaimed.
The man looked at her angrily, but Ninny ignored him.
Instead, she stomped her foot and pointed her staff toward Shinji, casting her magic.
"Do you want to play? Fine! I will destroy this whole warehouse!" She roared in rage.
Magic began to form in front of her staff. Her face turned into one of determination, and her eyes burned with fire. A bright light started to gather at her fingertips.
Before she could finish, Shirou stepped in front of her. "That's enough." He said in a stern voice.
Ninny didn't listen. "Heh! Let me pass, Shirou!"
"You are too riled up. This guy likes to mess with your mind. If you get worked up, you will only make him happy. Besides, what's the point in destroying this warehouse?"
"But...!"
"He is right, you know. Don't fall for my bait. I was just joking, little girl." Shinji smirked. "You can try, though. I will gladly dodge and show you who's boss."
"Argh!" She was so mad that her face flushed red. Her anger reached a point where she was about to explode.
She ruffled her hair roughly, trying to calm herself.
Chuckle rang out from Shinji's mouth as he laughed mockingly. He had gotten her again and enjoyed every second of it. This was too fun for him, and he loved messing with people.
No longer wanting to be close with Shinji, Ninny clicked her tongue and turned around.
"Hm? You don't wanna play with me anymore?" He asked with a playful tone. He sounded like he was teasing her even more, and it annoyed the Witch.
"You..." She growled, gritting her teeth. "Shut up."
Shirou sighed tiredly at these two's interactions. "Ninny, we are going."
"..."
He walked away, not bothering to say anything to Shinji.
When he was out of the warehouse, he let out another sigh and shook his head. His mind raced back to what had happened earlier. To be honest, he was worried about Ichigo.
'I can only trust him.'
The boy walked home, leaving behind an unconscious Ichigo who would be taken care of by the Visored.
***
Meanwhile, Ninny flew in the sky with a dejected look on her face. She grumbled as she walked on the roof of the tall building.
"That bastard...! Just wait until I get my hands on him..." She muttered angrily under her breath.
Her anger was still boiling, but she knew it wouldn't do any good to let it show. She needed to stay calm if she wanted to beat him next time.
From the look of it, Shirou knew the guy and he needed his help.
But she still didn't like it. Not one bit.
She had her own reason why she disliked the guy.
"He's so cheeky!"
No one ever looked down on her, not in normal life or Witch life. She was always at the top and never had anyone who dared to challenge her like that.
Yes, no one dared to challenge her except for Noel. So having someone looking down at her so clearly vexed her. And worse, he managed to make her angry with his words. It was as if he had complete control over her emotions and made her act according to his will.
She hated it. She really hated it. It made her feel like a fool. It was humiliating and frustrating at the same time.
Still, that was not enough reason to dislike someone. It was just one thing, after all.
Maybe she would randomly shoot magic at him when he wasn't looking.
"Hmm..."
From what she heard earlier, Shirou would visit the warehouse again to see his brother's progress. And that would be tomorrow.
So, she would come along and help him again. After that, maybe they could find out what exactly was happening. Because if he needed her, then she'd be there for him.
Yes, she definitely would be there to help her friend and not seek revenge.
Laughing nervously, she scratched the back of her head and smiled wryly.
"I am not that petty."
She was not that petty.
She would be there for Shirou.
And play a prank. Yes, a prank.
When she was thinking about that, a house came into her view.
It was where she stayed when she was in Japan. Patting the dragon's neck gently, she directed the creature toward the house. As she landed, the door was opened and a girl with long black hair stepped out.
"Why did you return so late, Ninny?"
Noel, the girl who greeted her, looked at her with a raised brow. She didn't look worried, but she was still concerned. Her eyes were full of curiosity.
"A trouble happened so I was late. It's not late, it's already midnight, anyway. Why are you making a fuss?" Ninny asked as she hopped down from the dragon, letting it free.
Noel's eyes were narrowed suspiciously as she stared at the witch. Her arms were crossed in front of her chest, giving off the air that she knew what happened. "You didn't return on time."
The blonde girl rolled her eyes and scoffed, "It was only an hour or so late. It's not like I went missing for three days or something."
Sighing, Noel decided to brush it off as Ninny's usual shenanigans. After all, there was no way she'd be able to explain everything that happened, or would be willing to.
Instead of forcing her, Noel just shrugged and let her in.
***
Meanwhile, Shirou returned home and the first thing he did was to find Isshin. He entered the clinic and found his gorilla father sitting on a chair while scribbling something.
He turned around when noticing his presence, looking at him with a confused expression.
"What's wrong, Shirou?" Isshin asked when seeing Shirou's expression, which made him curious. "Why the frown?"
"Dad."
"Yes, son?"
"What do you know about hollowfication?"
Isshin froze when he heard the word. "What do you mean?" His voice was calm and his face showed nothing, but the way he looked at Shirou was enough to show his nervousness.
"Exactly what it sounds like." The teen answered with a serious look. "Dad, I know you know a lot more than what you let out. I know you're hiding something."
There was a long moment of silence.
"You can trust me. I am strong enough, you know that."
After a moment of silence, Isshin sighed deeply and rubbed his forehead. He looked like he had a lot on his mind, and his face showed a bit of sadness. "Shirou, it's complicated..."
Shirou sighed deeply, his father was definitely hiding something.
"Fine." He sighed and shook his head, "Just answer me, yes or no. Ichigo's problem right now... is hollowfication, isn't it?"
Isshin sighed in resignation. "Yes."
"Do you know about Visored or their group?"
"...Yes. Technically I know them."
"Fine."
That's all he could say at the moment. His father didn't elaborate and neither did he.
In the end, Shirou walked out without saying another word, leaving behind Isshin alone in his office.
"Damn, that boy is getting better and better." Isshin murmured, smiling wryly at his own words. He knew this would happen someday. When that time comes, he'd need to be prepared to answer questions like this. But it's better if the questions don't come up.
Isshin rubbed his face, feeling exhausted.
Having a good son like Shirou is not an easy job, especially if your name was Kurosaki Isshin.
Still, that doesn't mean he wouldn't try.
Because in his eyes, Shirou would always be the greatest son anyone could ever hope for, not that Ichigo was less than him.
He was a man and a father. His job was to protect his family from danger. To make sure that they are happy, safe and healthy.
He knew that very well. But that doesn't change anything. If anything, it just made things more complicated. He didn't have the power to help Shirou and Ichigo. He was a doctor and not some kind of superhero who could solve any problem.
And because of this, he felt useless and weak.
"Man, I am not suited for this." He ruffled his hair and leaned back in his seat, staring at the ceiling. "Well, trusting my sons is not a bad thing to do, isn't it? Hahahaha!"
His sons were both smart and talented. They could handle it. And if things went wrong, he would do what he could to protect them.
Even if it cost him his life.