Kurotsuki Renya's pace wasn't particularly fast. After leaving the warehouse, he avoided using any noticeable Reiatsu, relying purely on physical strength to move.
He sprinted toward Mount Midoriyama on foot. It took him nearly half an hour to reach the base — yet there was no sign of Kannonji.
"His speed… not bad for a human."
Renya paused and extended his senses, filtering the faint traces of Reiryoku in the area. Two distinct spiritual pressures flickered faintly on the mountainside — one was moving, the other still. The moving one surged toward the stationary signature.
If that Hollow really came here, then Kannonji would be right in its path.
He clenched his fist. "I have to move now."
With that thought, Renya began scaling the rocky slope, using both hands and feet. His breathing remained steady, his movements swift and quiet.
By the time Renya neared the halfway mark, Kannonji had already confronted the spiritual presence.
"Damn it…" Renya muttered, quickening his pace. He channeled faint Reishi beneath his feet, forming short bursts of propulsion — like miniature flash steps — boosting his speed dramatically.
Just a few seconds more…
Within seven or eight seconds, he arrived within sight of the scene. Ahead, Kannonji stood near a shallow cave entrance, clutching a broken wooden stick. In front of him loomed a winged Hollow — grotesque and twisted, its claws dripping with blackened Reishi residue. Behind it lay a battered woman — weak, but still breathing.
"Still alive," Renya exhaled softly.
The Hollow let out a rasping cackle. "Keh keh keh… you can see me, human? Foolish. You'll make fine prey for my meal."
"Let her go!" Kannonji shouted, gripping his makeshift weapon with trembling hands.
"Let her go?" The Hollow sneered, spreading its jagged wings. "You'll stay with her — as food."
With a screech, it lunged.
The creature's movements were slow — from its pressure, Renya judged it a low-tier Hollow, one even an Academy student could handle.
Kannonji ducked aside at the last second, swinging his stick in a desperate arc.
Thwack!
The makeshift weapon connected with the Hollow's mask — but not even a crack appeared.
With a violent flap, the Hollow's wing struck Kannonji's chest, sending him sprawling across the ground.
"Futile," the Hollow hissed. "Just die."
Kannonji coughed, forcing himself to his feet, both arms shaking uncontrollably. He staggered toward the nearby forest line.
If I can just get under cover… it can't fly through the trees.
Smart — but desperate.
Renya stayed hidden, watching as Kannonji sprinted into the trees. The Hollow roared in frustration and began smashing through the forest, felling tree after tree in pursuit.
Branches cracked and splintered. One after another, seven, eight trees fell before the creature cornered him at the cliff's edge.
Kannonji stumbled backward, the wind from the cliff brushing against his back. Cold sweat drenched his face.
"Human…" the Hollow rasped, its voice echoing with hunger. "Your spiritual energy is quite strong for your kind. Surrender and become my sustenance."
Then it lunged.
"No… I don't want to die!"
Kannonji thrust out his hand instinctively. A small orb of light flickered into existence — and in the next instant, exploded with a deafening boom!
Smoke and debris scattered through the clearing. When it settled, only half of the Hollow's body remained, sizzling and motionless.
"Wh-what…?" Kannonji blinked, lowering his arm. "Did… did I do that?"
Hidden among the trees, Renya let out a quiet sigh. Hadō #31: Shakkahō — the Red Fire Cannon.
He'd fired it at the last moment, reducing the Hollow to ash.
Its power was modest — ineffective against Gillian-class Menos — but more than enough to obliterate a low-class Hollow.
"Brother Kannonji, are you alright?" Renya stepped from the shadows, feigning concern.
Kannonji's eyes widened, then puffed up his chest proudly. "Of course! You didn't see that? I just blasted that monster to pieces! Hahaha! I actually exorcised a demon!"
Renya smiled faintly. He didn't correct him. "You're incredible, Brother Kannonji."
"Of course I am," the man boasted, trying to lift his limp arm. "Maybe I've got a gift. Perhaps I can become… a spirit eliminator!"
"An exorcist?" Renya repeated, amused.
"Yeah! I mean, if I can slay monsters, I can deal with evil spirits too!" Kannonji rubbed his chin in thought. "But I'll need a good name… hmm… how about… Don Kannonji! Sounds powerful, doesn't it?"
Renya blinked, realization dawning. Don Kannonji…? He's really him? The same ridiculous but kind-hearted spirit medium from the future…?
He couldn't help but smile. "It's a great name. Very heroic."
"Then it's settled!" Kannonji grinned through his exhaustion. "Now come on — the woman's still alive. Let's get her out of here!"
He stumbled toward the cave, and Renya followed close behind. Seeing the man's condition, Renya discreetly slipped a healing Kido pill between his fingers, letting its faint reishi pulse accelerate the woman's recovery.
For a human, Kannonji's injuries weren't life-threatening, but he'd need medical treatment soon.
Kannonji carried the unconscious woman on his back while Renya walked beside him, keeping watch.
Two hours later, they returned to the meeting point. Yoruichi and the others were already waiting, their expressions shifting from impatience to relief as they spotted them.
Yoruichi raised an eyebrow. "You found her?"
Kannonji puffed out his chest. "Of course! Don Kannonji never fails!"
At that, the little girl ran forward, tears streaming. "Mom!"
Her mother stirred, the healing effects taking hold. She opened her eyes weakly. "I thought… I'd never see you again."
The two embraced, sobbing.
The woman looked up and said softly, "Zhenhui, shouldn't you thank the people who saved me?"
The girl turned, bowing deeply. "Thank you, big brother! Thank you, big sister!"
Yoruichi smiled and ruffled her hair. "You're welcome."
Kannonji chuckled awkwardly. "Ah, just doing my job."
Renya glanced sideways, suppressing a smirk. Without me, you'd be dead twice over.
Still… he couldn't deny the man's heart. Kannonji had risked everything to help a stranger.
He remembered the future — the foolish, loud "Don Kannonji" who stood against Aizen despite having no power to resist.
He really is a hero, Renya thought. Just as he said.
When the mother and daughter departed, Kannonji waved dramatically. "Goodbye! May your spirits find peace!"
Then he turned to Yoruichi and the others. "You all stay righteous too! Become Buddhas someday!"
With a final laugh, he strode off down the sunlit road.
Renya watched in silence. The man's figure, bathed in golden light, shimmered with warmth and sincerity.
In that fleeting moment, Kurotsuki Renya realized — he had just witnessed the birth of a legend.
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