After hearing the young man's plea, Yoruichi crouched down beside the frightened little girl, her tone soft yet steady.
"Hey there, little one. What happened? What kind of trouble are you in?"
The girl looked no older than eight — small, round-faced, with tear-streaked cheeks and cropped hair that framed her frightened expression.
She sobbed. "M-My mom… she was taken away… by a monster!"
"Monster?" Yoruichi's brows furrowed. "What kind of monster, exactly?"
The girl hiccuped between tears. "It was big… it had wings… and it could fly!"
Everyone — Yoruichi, Lisa Yadōmaru, Mashiro Kuna, and Kurotsuki Renya — exchanged silent glances.
That description wasn't good. In this world, there was only one kind of "monster" that fit: a Hollow.
The young man straightened and spoke firmly. "She said she lost consciousness right after it happened. She didn't see where the monster went. But we can split up and search! There are four directions — I'll take the east, you can take the others."
Mashiro tilted her head. "You don't know how to count? There are four of us here."
The young man glanced at Renya and frowned. "He's just a kid. You can't expect a child to face something that dangerous."
Yoruichi grinned playfully. "And what will you do if you run into the monster? It can fly, remember?"
He scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "I… can't just do nothing. Someone's in trouble — I have to try."
Renya's eyes softened slightly. So he's that kind of person.
Yoruichi glanced at her companions. "What do you think? Should we help?"
Lisa adjusted her glasses. "If it's really a Hollow, whoever it took is already gone."
Mashiro nodded. "Yeah. No point chasing a meal that's been eaten."
Renya silently agreed. Even if they found the Hollow, it would likely turn on them next.
But the young man barked in frustration, "Don't say that! Even if there's only a small chance, you can't give up!"
Yoruichi sighed, then smiled. "Fine. I'll take east. Mashiro, west. Lisa, north. Renya—"
The man interrupted quickly, thumping his chest. "Leave the kid to me! I'll keep him safe!"
Renya blinked but smiled faintly. "Alright. I'll follow big brother here."
Yoruichi nodded in approval. With Renya around, she wasn't worried — if they encountered a Hollow, the human would live to tell the tale.
"I'll take the little girl," Yoruichi said, scooping the child into her arms before leaping away in a flash of movement. Mashiro and Lisa split off in opposite directions.
Renya turned toward the young man, who gave a confident smile. "So, your name's Kurotsuki Renya, right?"
Renya nodded.
"I'm Don Kanonji! First time in Karakura Town!"
Renya blinked. Don Kanonji…? He had heard that name before — a loud-mouthed, self-proclaimed spiritual medium famous on human TV. It's really him, huh?
"Alright, kid," Kanonji said proudly, "let's head south!"
Renya followed alongside him, asking, "So, how do you plan to find this monster, Brother Kanonji?"
"First off," Kanonji said with mock indignation, "don't call me just 'Kanonji' like we're classmates! I'm older than you! Show some respect!"
Renya sighed lightly. "I'm actually at least ten years older than you."
Kanonji laughed, waving his hand. "Ha! Good one, kid. Now then — we'll ask around! Some soul must've seen something."
He jogged up to an elderly Plus soul leaning against a wall. "Hey, Grandpa, seen any monsters around here?"
The old soul frowned, shaking his head. "No, not that I can recall."
"Alright then! Thanks anyway!" Kanonji said cheerfully.
Renya followed him through the alleys as they continued to question spirits, but every answer was the same — nothing. Finally, Kanonji approached a middle-aged woman's spirit standing by the roadside.
"Ma'am, sorry to bother you — have you seen anything strange? Maybe a monster?"
The woman hesitated, then nodded slowly. "Now that you mention it… I did see something flying overhead earlier. It had wings, and it was carrying someone in its claws."
Renya's eyes sharpened. "Where?"
"Toward the south," she said, pointing. "Near Midori Hill."
"Thank you!" Kanonji said, his voice filled with relief. "Did you hear that, kid? Midori Hill! You know where that is?"
Renya pointed toward a ridge on the horizon. "Of course. It's that way."
Before they could move, two girls on the nearby sidewalk pointed and laughed quietly.
"Creepy… that guy's talking to himself."
"Yeah, probably a lunatic. Look how serious he looks!"
Renya turned to see them staring directly at Kanonji — humans, of course. They couldn't see spirits or him. To them, Kanonji looked insane, speaking to empty air.
Watching them sneer made something in Renya tighten. Despite how ridiculous Kanonji could be, he was genuinely trying to help.
Kanonji noticed Renya's expression and chuckled weakly. "It's fine, kid. I'm used to it. People don't understand what they can't see. Comes with the job."
His voice was light, but Renya could sense the sadness buried beneath it.
"…Let's keep going," Renya said quietly.
But Kanonji shook his head suddenly, eyes turning serious. "No. You shouldn't follow me from here."
Renya raised a brow. "Why not?"
"That thing can fly. If it attacks again, you'll be the first target. You're just a kid, Renya. Stay here."
Renya tilted his head slightly. "And what about you? Aren't you afraid?"
Kanonji laughed loudly, his trademark grin returning. "Of course I'm afraid! But a hero doesn't run when someone needs help!"
With that, he sprinted toward Midori Hill, cape fluttering behind him as he disappeared around the corner.
Renya watched him go, expression softening. "You're reckless… but you're a good man."
Behind him, the two human girls still whispered and giggled.
"Did you hear that? He's calling himself a hero!"
"Probably delusional. Totally nuts."
Renya sighed. Then, with a faint smile, he raised one finger.
A small spark of Reiryoku flared at the tip, blossoming into a faint blue flame — visible even to normal humans.
The girls froze. "Wh-what the hell? A will-o'-the-wisp? In daylight?!"
"There's something inside it — it's a skull! G-Ghost!"
The two screamed and bolted down the street.
Renya lowered his hand, dusting off his fingers. "That should shut them up."
He turned back toward the distant hill where Kanonji had vanished.
"I can't let you die out there," he murmured.
Then he stepped forward, disappearing in a shimmer of spiritual light as he followed after the self-proclaimed hero.
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