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After finally shaking off the crazy black cat, Moyu sank back into the soft sofa, his mind already shifting to a more pressing concern. Shihouin Yoruichi had clearly sensed there was something off about Nilu, though she hadn't figured out her true identity. Aizen, however, was different—he knew the former No. 3 Espada intimately, and even her transformation into an Arrancar had involved the Hōgyoku's power. If Aizen caught wind of Nilu's survival, it wouldn't necessarily result in immediate danger, but it would become a deeply rooted threat. "Tch… there's no clean solution to this." After weighing the possibilities, Moyu had no choice but to shelve the problem; with his current power, he couldn't resolve such a risk.
As for whichever captain Seireitei had sent to the World of the Living—he wasn't too concerned. Unless it was Aizen himself, he could handle anyone else.
Zila, zila, zila— The piercing ring of the messenger device cut through his thoughts.
"Moshi moshi," Moyu answered lazily. "Saimu, did you screw something up again?"
"No, Master Moyu!" Mikami Saiki's voice came through tense and urgent. "Coordinates 2438, southeast of point 1236 in Karakura Town—there's a Gate activating. Shinigami from Seireitei are arriving!"
Moyu blinked; Seireitei was faster than expected. Barely any time had passed since the report, and now they were already here. He cut the line and turned toward the designated location, curiosity sparking in his heart. Who had Seireitei dispatched? If it was someone familiar, he could manage them easily, but if they sent some blockheaded warmonger like that mutt captain, things might get messy. Well… with a little luck.
Above Karakura Town, spiritual energy twisted. At coordinates 2438, southeast of 1236, Mikami Saiki stood frozen in front of the ancient-style Senkaimon, eyes wide with nervous awe. The air was thick with spiritual pressure, black butterflies fluttered outward from the opened gate, and then one after another, Shinigami began to step through in formation. But something was strange.
These Shinigami weren't wearing standard shihakushō; their bodies were wrapped tightly in black fabric, almost ninja-like, revealing only their eyes. Mikami's heart immediately sank. He knew what that uniform meant—the Second Division, the Stealth Force, experts in covert ops, silent kills, and missions best left unspoken. Their presence meant one thing: the situation was far more serious than expected.
"You—are you the stationed Shinigami in the World of the Living?" A cold, sharp voice cut through Mikami's fear as a petite figure stepped forward, eyes hard, tone even harder. "Where is Kuchiki Moyu? I have questions for him. Important ones."
Seeing her up close, Mikami felt as though he had plunged into a frozen lake; the sheer pressure from her aura made his limbs go stiff, cold intent radiating from her effortlessly. Just as he was about to reply, a familiar warmth spilled in from behind, dispersing the oppressive chill.
"I didn't expect the Captain Commander to send you," Moyu said in a relaxed tone, though his gaze held quiet frustration. A traditional hair bun, a slender snake braid draped behind her neck, that frosty poker face on her petite frame, and the insignia of Wengcao on her shoulder confirmed her identity beyond doubt—Sui-Feng, Captain of the Second Division, Commander-in-Chief of the Onmitsukidō, and Head of the Criminal Corps. Moyu had anticipated many possibilities, but not this one.
Normally, the Second Division handled black ops: assassinations, intel, and covert actions. They weren't dispatched for cleanup duty in the World of the Living, but perhaps this time, Karakura Town's situation had spiraled enough to warrant professionals. Still, Moyu was skeptical. Were these black-clad killers really equipped for this kind of work?
As if sensing his thoughts, Sui-Feng said coldly, "The other divisions have their own assignments. The Second Division was the only one available." Moyu raised an eyebrow and stared at her like she had sprouted horns. Did she really think he was that gullible? Anyone with even a passing familiarity with Soul Society would know the Second Division was the busiest of them all. He'd visited their barracks once with Byakuya on official business, and the place had been chaos—teams darting around at full speed, faces taut with urgency, the whole Division operating like a bowstring pulled to the edge of breaking. And yet she had the gall to claim hers was the only unit free?
Sure enough, Moyu glanced sideways and saw Mikami nodding in blind trust. No helping that fool. Sui-Feng caught Moyu's stare and felt her heart skip. She knew her excuse was thin, but it was the best she could come up with; to seize this mission, she'd reassigned her own squad's duties to members of the Feng family.
"Ahem," she coughed lightly, trying to deflect. "Kuchiki Moyu, for follow-up operations in Karakura Town, this team will now be in charge. In addition, I require a full report—time, place, cause, process, and opponent identity. No detail omitted." Her posture was stiff, voice severe—standard intimidation tactics. Anyone else might have folded under her pressure, but Moyu wasn't anyone. From the moment she appeared, he could tell this mission had been a front.
"Sure, I'll tell you everything," he said, narrowing his eyes. "But first, tell me—what's your real reason for coming?" Before Sui-Feng could flinch, a bright voice called out from the formation.
"Ahhh, give the girl a break."
To Moyu's surprise, a tall, curvy woman with orange hair sauntered forward and gave him a playful grin—Matsumoto Rangiku, Vice-Captain of the Tenth Division. One tall, one short. One blunt, one sharp. Extrovert and introvert. Two polar opposites—dispatched to Karakura Town together.
"The Vice-Captain mentioned in the notice… was you?" Moyu couldn't hide his confusion.
"Don't look so shocked," Rangiku said with mock offense, draping a hand over her brow. "I get the feeling you're biased against me!" Before he could reply, she winked. "Actually, it was supposed to be me and my Captain on this job, but then Sui-Feng insisted she take over and claimed the mission for her Division."
"Well, Hitsugaya isn't exactly against dodging work…" Her teasing tone held a sharp edge, and she clearly shared Moyu's suspicions—Sui-Feng wasn't the type to insert herself into trouble, yet here she was, commandeering an operation she had no business leading. When both of them turned toward her, Sui-Feng faltered.
"I… don't overthink it!" she said, her voice cracking mid-excuse. "I just…" She trailed off, visibly flustered, and Moyu's mind immediately connected the dots. No way… it's because of that stupid cat?! A cold sweat crept down his neck. No one understood Sui-Feng's obsession with Shihouin Yoruichi better than Moyu. Back when Yoruichi taught him Shunpo personally, Sui-Feng had watched him like he was a thief stealing sacred relics, and after Yoruichi's disappearance, she had cornered him more than once to demand answers. If not for his status as a Kuchiki, she might've dragged him back to Soul Society for interrogation. Her fixation on that woman was no secret; whenever they met, she always asked the same thing—Where is Shihouin Yoruichi?
"Enough chatter!" Sui-Feng suddenly barked, clearly trying to steer the conversation away. "Begin the operation immediately! All units, disperse!" She turned sharply, issuing commands to the squad, but Moyu caught a glimpse of her reddened ear as she walked away—classic Sui-Feng, prideful outside, panicking inside. "If possible, I'd love to know more…" Moyu muttered, watching her ears grow redder. "No reason!" she shouted back, face flaming.
Rangiku chuckled, nudging Moyu with her elbow. "You've got trouble, Kuchiki." He shot her a sideways glance, unsure what to make of her; ever since the Yuuken burial incident, Rangiku had taken a strange interest in him, even sending Shiba Isshin to try recruiting him into the Tenth Division. Every time they met, she acted like they were old friends. They weren't.
As Sui-Feng vanished into the wreckage of Karakura Town with her team, Rangiku seemed to relax. "So," she smiled, "take me to your place. There are things Sui-Feng shouldn't hear." Finally—getting to the point. Moyu nodded; her presence here was no coincidence.
Back at the Shinigami stronghold, he served tea at the low table and sat across from her. "Alright, Rangiku. I'm curious. What's this about?" Rangiku blinked in surprise, then smiled gently. "'Rangiku-san' is too formal. Just Rangiku is fine." Moyu didn't respond, his expression unreadable, so she sighed, her demeanor turning serious. "I've been investigating the events during the soul burial exercise that day. Quietly. Carefully." His eyes sharpened. "The Tenth Division was in charge of that mission. After the accident, most of the team—three officers included—were exiled to the Valley of Screams." Her voice dropped low. "As Vice-Captain, I owe them the truth. And I intend to find it."
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