Setting up the new Kidō barrier didn't take too long.
That was thanks in no small part to Shimo's mastery of Kidō.
"Done."
The spiritual pressure flowing from Shimo's fingertips gradually dissipated. Overhead, Kidō incantations seeped into the underground chamber, spreading through every corner of the space.
"With this barrier, investigative soul tools won't be able to track us."
Urahara gave a grateful smile.
"Thank you, Shimo-kun."
Shimo waved it off.
"From now on, we're grasshoppers tied to the same rope. If Soul Society is watching you, I won't be able to run either. When the time comes, the one who ends up facing that terrifying old man might very well be me."
Urahara fell silent. Something about Shimo's words felt… off.
Wait, what terrifying old man?
Why would we have to fight him?!
What kind of dangerous thoughts do you come up with in your spare time?!
…It has to be him, right? Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni… who else could Shimo possibly mean?!
"Shimo-kun, I think you're overexaggerating—"
Before Urahara could finish, he noticed Shimoku already striding toward Isshin Shiba.
"…Hopefully, Shimo-kun was only joking."
Isshin saw him approach.
"Something else you need to tell me?"
Shimo nodded.
"What about the Tenth Division? You walk away so easily, but you've left them with a complete mess. Captain-Commander Yamamoto is already considering appointing me as the new captain of the Tenth."
Isshin froze, his expression twitching as if he were holding back laughter.
Shimo stared at him, face expressionless.
"Bwahahaha! Well, you've got to admit—the Captain-Commander does think big picture!"
Though they hadn't known each other long, Isshin Shiba was sharp enough to realize something important:
He and Shimo were alike.
Neither of them had the slightest desire to shoulder unnecessary responsibility.
Which meant there was no way Shimo would accept being captain.
Seeing Shimo's glare deepen, Isshin coughed and finally stifled his grin.
"Ahem. Actually, I think Hitsugaya would make a solid candidate. As for Rangiku…"
The thought of his lieutenant made Isshin frown.
"She's hopeless. Just like me. Not captain material."
Shimo gave him a sidelong look of disdain.
At least he had some self-awareness. Birds of a feather flock together—no wonder Isshin and Shunsui got along.
In truth, Eighth Division's work was mostly handled by Nanao Ise. Tenth Division's tasks often fell to Third Seat Tōshirō Hitsugaya, long before he was officially a lieutenant. The captains and lieutenants of these divisions had always been masters of passing responsibility back and forth.
Lazy, all of them.
Shimo sneered… conveniently forgetting that in Fourth Division, much of his own lieutenant duties were quietly picked up by Third Seat Isane Kotetsu.
"…I understand. I'll pay Tenth Division a visit."
Shimo nodded, then Isshin suddenly grew serious.
"One more thing. Please don't tell my family about my situation in the World of the Living. Kaien and Kūkaku might hold it together, but Ganju… I'm not so sure. He's too reckless and hotheaded. I'm afraid he'd run to the human world on his own."
Shimo understood his concern.
The Shiba clan was already in decline. With Isshin's disappearance, they'd fall even further. Were it not for Kaien's presence, they might already have been stripped of noble status.
After all, the Five Great Noble Houses weren't just about privilege. Each carried unique responsibilities:
The Tsunayashiro oversaw the Great Spirit Book Gallery and the Reio Records.
The Shihōin maintained sacred artifacts and tools.
The Kuchiki upheld Soul Society's laws.
The Shiba safeguarded secret Kidō arts and the massive Kakaku Cannon that reached the Royal Palace.
No wonder Isshin worried about his clan's future.
"Don't worry," Shimo reassured.
"I'll keep Kūkaku and the others safe. And truth be told, Soul Society is still far safer than the living world right now."
Once Isshin's concerns were settled, Shimo soothed the teary-eyed Nel and then opened a Senkaimon, returning to Soul Society.
He didn't really want to get involved… but since Isshin had entrusted him with it, he supposed he should at least put in the effort.
---
Soul Society, Tenth Division Barracks
After leaving the Kyōraku household, Shimo made straight for the Tenth Division.
As a senior, he felt it only right to test Tōshirō Hitsugaya's abilities.
…Well, mostly because he found the idea entertaining.
After Shimo, Hitsugaya was the next child prodigy of Shin'ō Academy—graduating at an unusually young age, and soon after becoming Third Seat of Tenth Division. Unfortunately for him, that meant he was relentlessly overworked by his lazy captain and lieutenant.
Poor kid. He didn't even realize he'd walked straight into a den of slackers.
Maybe once he became captain, he'd finally understand.
Tenth Division's barracks, built in a distinctly Western style, were easy to recognize. Shimo hadn't been here many times, but it wasn't hard to find the source of that sharp, freezing spiritual pressure.
Rangiku was nowhere in sight—no doubt at a tavern drinking herself silly.
"Lieutenant Shimo!"
The guards at the gate recognized him instantly, excitement flickering across their faces.
"I've come to see Third Seat Hitsugaya."
Shimo smiled politely.
"Please wait here! I'll report right away!"
The guard dashed off, only to return quickly—this time with a small figure following behind.
Silver hair. Turquoise eyes. A chilling aura that froze the air around him.
Third Seat of Tenth Division, Tōshirō Hitsugaya.
One of Soul Society's greatest prodigies.
"Lieutenant Shimo," Hitsugaya said coolly. "Do you have official business with the Tenth?"
His expression was calm, almost cold. Likely a reflection of his zanpakutō's influence on his personality. Shimo paid it no mind.
Compared to him, Hitsugaya was just a junior—later to join the Academy, later to enter a division.
"Third Seat Hitsugaya," Shimo greeted. Then he got straight to the point.
"Because of Captain Shiba's disappearance, Captain-Commander Yamamoto asked if I would accept command of the Tenth."
Hitsugaya's brows furrowed. "And what does that have to do with me?"
Shimo's smile widened.
"I refused the position. Instead, I recommended you."
Hitsugaya blinked, eyes widening in shock.
"…Why?"
"Because your captain thought highly of you," Shimo explained.
"In quieter moments, he and I discussed who might succeed him. He believed you were calm, responsible, and diligent. An excellent choice."
The praise, heavy-handed as it was, only left Hitsugaya more unsettled. His clenched fist betrayed the effort it took to keep his composure.
"But…" Shimo's tone shifted, his smile turning sharp.
Hitsugaya stiffened. "…But what?"
"I'll need to test your strength first. To see if you're truly worthy of the title of captain."
Hitsugaya's eyes lit with ambition. Despite his calm demeanor, the position was something he desired.
"Where will the test be?"
"Rukongai," Shimo replied smoothly.
"I know just the place."
---
West Rukongai, Third District – Kifuku Hill
The boy followed without question. This district wasn't far from his birthplace in Junrin'an, so he knew the area well.
Looking at the peaceful scenery, a trace of reluctance flickered across his face.
"It would be a shame to ruin a place like this."
Shimo glanced at him, then chuckled.
"Don't worry. With your strength, you won't be able to cause much damage to me."
The words hit like a slap. Hitsugaya's spiritual pressure flared, ice crystals forming in the air. He had heard the name Kyōraku Shimo since his very first days at the Academy. Always comparisons, always the shadow of a man he had never even met.
Was he really that much of a genius? Was he truly worth the constant comparisons?
A young man's pride couldn't help but bristle.
"Go ahead—don't hold back," Shimo said, not even reaching for his zanpakutō. "Give it everything you've got."
To Hitsugaya, his calm face reeked of arrogance.
"Hmph!"
With a flash of shunpo, Hitsugaya rushed in. His basic skills were solid—slashes and thrusts came sharp and precise, his blade a blur.
"You should release your zanpakutō," Shimo said lightly, dodging every strike without effort.
Grinding his teeth, Hitsugaya felt frustration rising. Shimo hadn't even drawn his sword. Mere footwork made his attacks meaningless.
"Sit upon the frozen heavens—Hyōrinmaru!"
The instant the words left his lips, the temperature plummeted. The sky darkened. Frost filled the air as the strongest ice-type zanpakutō revealed its power.
From the blade extended an iron chain, ending in a crescent-shaped blade like a dragon's tail.
"Guncho Tsurara!"
Ice projectiles shot forth like flocks of birds, filling the air with the crack of frozen missiles.
"Bakudō #39: Enkōsen."
Without moving, Shimo extended a finger. A round shield of spiritual energy formed before him, deflecting every shard with a ringing clash.
Hitsugaya's frustration mounted.
"Hyōryū Senbi!"
He swept Hyōrinmaru in a wide arc. A massive ice dragon roared to life, its blood-red eyes devoid of emotion as it lunged for Shimo, freezing everything in its path. Even a distant waterfall froze solid into jagged icicles.
"Now that's more like it."
Shimo's smile widened. His finger pointed again.
"Hadō #99: Goryūtenmetsu!"
The words struck Hitsugaya like a blow. His pupils shrank in shock.
"You cast the ninety-ninth Hadō without incantation?!"
Spiritual pressure surged skyward, suffocating and cataclysmic. To Hitsugaya's eyes, Shimo looked less like a man and more like the herald of the world's end.
The five colossal dragons of spiritual pressure towered above, each one dwarfing his own ice dragon like an adult to a child. Their roars shook the heavens.
Shimo pressed down lightly with one finger.
The spiritual pressure dragon swallowed Hyōrinmaru's ice construct whole.
BOOM—!
The explosion of power shattered the air, sending shards of ice scattering in every direction.
The outcome of the clash was already beyond doubt.
------------------------///
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