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Karakura Town, Sakura Natural Park.
Accompanying the distortion of the void, a figure slowly emerged from it.
"Tsk, I've been in Soul Society for so long, smelling this air full of waste sources actually makes me a little nostalgic."
Ishikawa Katori muttered, extending his hand to let the Hell Butterfly, which the Golden Seal Association had lent him, land on his fingertip, carefully examining the little creature perched on his finger.
The last time he came to the Human World, Ishikawa Katori was following behind Ōmaeda and others, who carried the Hell Butterfly, so he didn't have a chance to observe it up close.
Now holding it in his hand, Ishikawa Katori could clearly feel... the Hell Butterfly perched on his index finger was feeding on his Reishi. From a distance, it gave off an incredibly dark feeling, but when brought closer to the eyes, one would find that the Hell Butterfly had a pair of eerie blue wings, looking both beautiful and bizarre.
After it consumed his Reishi, Ishikawa Katori subtly felt a strange connection with it, able to use it to transmit messages; and what was most bizarre was that in the Dangai, no matter how fast Ishikawa Katori ran, this butterfly would fly in front of him like a guide.
If Ishikawa Katori was fast, it was fast; if Ishikawa Katori was slow, it was slow.
The two seemed to be one, no matter where Ishikawa Katori went, this butterfly would circle around him.
Looking at the exquisitely beautiful butterfly on his index finger, Ishikawa Katori's eyes were full of curiosity: "Suddenly, I want to dissect it and see what its internal structure is like."
"I advise you not to do that." A voice suddenly entered Ishikawa Katori's ears.
"Hmm?"
Ishikawa Katori's pupils contracted. He turned and back-stepped in one fluid motion!
Completely unnoticed...
The moment he appeared in this area, Ishikawa Katori had already scouted the surroundings and found no one present, otherwise he wouldn't have calmly stood there examining the Hell Butterfly.
However, the moment he saw who had arrived, Ishikawa Katori was no longer so surprised.
Because with the other party's strength, it was not difficult to evade his detection.
This was a scruffy-looking man, appearing to be around thirty years old, with a slight stubble on his chin. He wore a dark green short haori and light green clothing, with a green and white striped hat perched on his slightly upturned, light yellow short hair. He held a cane in his hand.
—Urahara Kisuke.
Former Captain of the Twelfth Squad, and founder of the Technology Development Bureau!
One of the people Ishikawa Katori least wanted to see in the Human World.
"Now, now, don't be so nervous."
Urahara Kisuke laughed heartily, fanning himself with his fan: "However, your reaction suggests you know me. Is it because of Soi Fon? Or…?" Urahara Kisuke paused, looking directly into Ishikawa Katori's eyes: "Are you, like me, more interested in me personally?"
Ishikawa Katori didn't speak, but instead looked into Urahara Kisuke's eyes, trying to discern something, but it was destined to be futile.
The other party's demeanor made him appear completely like an ordinary person; only a hint of curiosity, as if about himself, could be vaguely seen in those deep green pupils.
But Ishikawa Katori didn't think there was anything about him that could pique the other party's curiosity.
"How could I not be nervous?"
Ishikawa Katori didn't relax his guard. Although if the other party intended to harm him, it would be difficult to escape no matter how vigilant he was, it was always better to be more prepared.
After all...
Strictly speaking, this was his first face-to-face encounter with the other party!
For someone who constantly schemes in the dark, it's best to avoid contact if possible; even though he clearly remembered that the other party was unlikely to harm him, in Ishikawa Katori's mind, he drew an '=' sign between the other party and Aizen.
"I was in the Dangai for only five minutes, but you were able to use those five minutes to determine my precise location and wait for me here in advance." Ishikawa Katori narrowed his eyes, speaking with a hint of helplessness: "Having gone to such lengths, you can't possibly be here just to say hello, can you?"
"No, no, I really just came to say hello."
"...Do you think I'd believe that?"
Urahara Kisuke fanned himself, smiling: "Sir Ishikawa is really vigilant. To be honest, we two should be considered colleagues. I also run a small shop and have helped Shinigami who came to the Human World with some minor issues. In this regard, I think we should have a lot in common."
Ishikawa Katori recalled what the other party had done after coming to the Human World, and the corner of his mouth twitched slightly.
Minor issues??
"Oh, and also."
Urahara Kisuke glanced at the Hell Butterfly flying around Ishikawa Katori, and said: "You can't just dissect this thing. It will directly dissipate into Reishi upon death, leaving no trace whatsoever."
Ishikawa Katori chuckled, implying, 'So you've done it before, huh?'
"Because I also found it very interesting."
Urahara Kisuke seemed to have seen through Ishikawa Katori's thoughts and chuckled softly: "The meaning of butterflies is both good and bad. They can symbolize freedom and beauty; but apart from freedom, or rather, closely linked to freedom, are death and the soul."
"The appearance of a butterfly's larva and its adult form are vastly different; no one can tell from their appearance that they are the same life, just like the Human World and Soul Society."
"Death in the Human World is not an end, but a 'metamorphosis' like a butterfly breaking out of its cocoon. The death of the body may indeed be the liberation and freedom of the soul, but contrary to the life of a butterfly, what changes in human 'metamorphosis' is not the appearance, but the essence."
After Urahara Kisuke finished speaking, he scrutinized Ishikawa Katori from head to toe with a gaze that made Ishikawa Katori frown: "However… there are often exceptions in this world, where one has already undergone metamorphosis, but has not completely metamorphosed. In short… the metamorphosis was not thorough enough."
"…" Ishikawa Katori.
He sounds like he's giving me a biology lesson, but also like he's insulting me…
"Excuse me, if you only came to tell me this, then I'm afraid I'll have to take my leave."
Ishikawa Katori's mouth twitched slightly: "Besides, since you know me so well, you should be aware, shouldn't you? I'm currently a temporary employee of the Onmitsukidō, and you, a wanted man, are appearing so brazenly in front of me. Aren't you afraid I'll report you?"
Ishikawa Katori was not lying about this.
Because before coming, when he received the tracking mark from the Onmitsukidō, Captain Soi Fon had assigned him a long-term commission with incredibly generous remuneration. The content of the commission was to coincidentally search for Yoruichi and Urahara Kisuke's whereabouts when he went to the Human World.
Ishikawa Katori naturally agreed readily, but in reality, he had no intention of doing it at all.
The reason was simple...
Because whether it was Urahara Kisuke in front of him, Aizen in Seireitei, or Kurotsuchi Mayuri of the Twelfth Squad.
These three people were the ones Ishikawa Katori least wanted to interact with.
Compared to the first two, Kurotsuchi Mayuri's own strength wasn't particularly strong, but this guy was similar to a certain vigilante in Gotham. Aside from unprepared battles, he could always produce something to counter his opponent during a fight.
Even if he lost the first unprepared battle, as long as he wasn't dead and dared to fight you a second time, he would definitely have the absolute certainty of victory...
"Hahahaha— Please don't report me. Besides greeting you, I also have a newly made product that you might be interested in."
"Hmm?"
Meeting Ishikawa Katori's puzzled gaze, Urahara Kisuke pulled a bag from somewhere on his person and took out a set of clothes identical to what Ishikawa Katori was wearing, accompanying it with a funny 'cha-ching' sound effect for his grand entrance:
"This set of clothes is one I've made, modeled after your work uniform. It's extremely durable and even has a self-cleaning function. Now on clearance sale, only…"
Ishikawa Katori interrupted him, somewhat speechless: "Only 998?"
"How could that be? 998 wouldn't even buy a single thread." Urahara Kisuke chuckled: "Five million Kan per set, clearly priced, no credit!"
What the hell?!
Ishikawa Katori's face darkened. Even though he rarely swore, he couldn't help but curse in his heart. This scoundrel was relying on his superior strength to rob him, wasn't he?
He knew that his own clothes, from head to toe, were all self-made, and the total material cost was less than 1000 Kan.
"Heh heh, if I don't buy it, does that mean I can't leave?" Ishikawa Katori said with a forced smile, contemplating whether he had any chance of escaping from the other party's grasp…
Hmm, extremely low probability…
"How could that be?"
Urahara Kisuke shook his head: "I just thought you might buy this set of clothes, so I brought it to promote to you. You can leave whenever you want."
"Sorry, then I won't buy it."
Ishikawa Katori said, then immediately used Shunpo to leave the spot.
However, his attention remained on Urahara Kisuke. When he confirmed that the other party hadn't pursued him, he frowned slightly.
"Sir Ishikawa, my shop is in Karakura Town. If you want to buy it, you can come find me anytime."
Ignored!
The voice from behind him was directly ignored by Ishikawa Katori. At this moment, his mind was filled with confusion.
He simply couldn't understand why the other party had come to find him.
Going to all that trouble to find him, just to play a prank?
Selling a set of clothes that could be made in half an hour for five million Kan—even robbery wasn't this outrageous!
"Only a fool would buy it!"
...
Leaving Sakura Natural Park, Ishikawa Katori appeared under a bridge and pulled out a Denreishinki from his pocket.
This was also provided to him by the Golden Seal Association before his mission, but unlike the Hell Butterfly, the Denreishinki was directly given to him by Kikkawa; this way, as long as Kikkawa's son in the Human World encountered danger, Ishikawa Katori would receive the news immediately, no matter where he was.
One could say...
He truly worried himself sick for his son's safety.
Ishikawa Katori took out the Denreishinki, not to contact Soul Society, but to open the map.
"I don't know whether to say it's outdated or advanced."
Looking at the incredibly precise map positioning on the screen, Ishikawa Katori couldn't help but shake his head.
If you say it's advanced, it only has calling and texting functions;
But if you say it's outdated, its map positioning is more accurate than any navigation in the Human World, and once a Hollow appears, its location is immediately marked on the map by the Technology Development Bureau.
And the control interface was touchscreen...
Although there had been a small interlude, Ishikawa Katori had not forgotten his purpose in coming to the Human World.
The last known location of the three who had secretly left for the Human World was already marked on the Denreishinki. Ishikawa Katori planned to start his search from there, using Kido.
This time was different from the last; his own Reishi was restricted, only able to exert one-fifth of its power. The modified Grab-and-Bind had a very limited range, so he could only search area by area.
"Last seen in Kita-Kawasero, Karakura Town?"
Ishikawa Katori tapped on Kita-Kawasero, which had a number marked by the Technology Development Bureau.
Number 6601-894 Area: Named Kita-Kawasero, located northwest of Karakura Town, sandwiched between Karakura Main Town and Gakuen Town. The area is filled with subway stations and various department stores, a bustling Commercial Street.
Warning: This area has dense crowds. Fighting is prohibited in this area. Reishi above Level 12 is prohibited from being released.
If fighting in this area cannot be avoided, Shinigami dispatched must first submit a spatial freezing application before engaging in combat. Otherwise, regardless of whether innocent bystanders are affected, the participating Shinigami will be punished!
"Heh heh~ These young masters and ladies, they actually have the leisure to run to the city center for shopping?"
Ishikawa Katori chuckled, memorized the route map, and walked out from under the bridge.
Clackety-clackety—
A train slowly passed over the bridge tracks, filled with passengers.
And by the window, a small boy, appearing to be about 8 or 9 years old, with bright orange spiky hair, was leaning against the window, gazing at the scenery outside the train.
As the train passed over the bridge, the little boy paused slightly.
"Wow, I think I just saw something?"
"There's someone walking naked under the bridge."
"Their skin is very fair, and their figure seems pretty good too."
"However… they're a pervert!"
The train flashed by. Many passengers, like the little boy, who were looking out the window, couldn't help but discuss.
The little boy tugged at his mother, who looked puzzled, and asked in a questioning tone: "Mom, why is everyone saying that big brother isn't wearing clothes?"
"Ichigo…"
The little boy's mother was silent for a while, as if considering how to answer, and after a moment, she said:
"…Maybe he really wasn't wearing any."
"Hmm?"
Ishikawa Katori turned around and looked at the distant train, a hint of confusion appearing between his eyebrows.
He didn't know why...
He had just suddenly felt many gazes, and also a reaction from Reishi, but it only appeared for an instant and was then artificially blocked.
Standing still and pondering for a moment, Ishikawa Katori did not rashly pursue to investigate. In any case, the Reishi that had only appeared for an instant was not his target.
Anyone capable of blocking his detection would certainly not be weak, and the fact that they blocked his detection indicated they did not wish to interact with him, so it was better not to delve deeper.
Shaking his head, Ishikawa Katori didn't pay it any mind, and instead directly used Shunpo, disappearing from his spot.
Everything in his vision blurred, and pedestrians on the road could only feel a gust of wind, completely unaware that someone had just passed by them.
Traveling from Sakura Park to Kita-Kawasero, the closer he got to Kita-Kawasero, the more crowded the streets became.
When Ishikawa Katori entered the Kita-Kawasero area, he could only jump onto buildings to avoid the crowds and continue towards the location marked on the Denreishinki.
Buzz~
A gentle breeze swept by, and Ishikawa Katori slowly descended from mid-air, landing in front of a department store next to a crossroads, looking down at the Denreishinki in his hand.
"Hmm, this is it."
Both sides of the crossroads were packed with pedestrians.
However, Ishikawa Katori didn't pay attention, as they couldn't see him anyway. After confirming the location, he was about to use Grab-and-Bind to begin his tracking.
However...
Drip—
The automatic doors of the department store in front of Ishikawa Katori slowly opened, and several beautiful high school girls walked out. Then…
"Ahhhhh~"
A scream interrupted Ishikawa Katori's thoughts, making him frown. He looked up towards the screaming girl.
"Hmm?"
Their gazes met?
A coincidence?
No…
Ishikawa Katori's expression changed. He realized that the several girls who had just walked out of the department store were all making eye contact with him.
Among the girls, some were screaming; some covered their eyes, peeking at him through their fingers; another had taken out her phone, seemingly recording him; and one was looking at him while dialing a number…
"Gulp—"
The gazes of the high school students made Ishikawa Katori vaguely realize something, and he swallowed.
Click, click, click…
The next second, he stiffly turned his neck to look at both sides of the crossroads, only then realizing how quiet the world was.
Both pedestrians and vehicles had all stopped in this bustling area, and without exception, their gazes were all focused on him.
"Streaking in a place like this?"
"This must be courage, right?"
"What do you know? This is called a true warrior, daring to face the gazes of idlers!!"
"He's quite handsome, but it's a shame he's a pervert."
"…"
The gazes and conversations of the crowd made a sentence surface in Ishikawa Katori's mind, repeating endlessly.
I just thought you might buy this set of clothes…
You might buy this set of clothes…
Might buy…
Buy!!
"You bastard!!"
join p atreon.com/KeyofStars and become a Sequence 9: Reader for dozens of advance chapters for over a dozen fics | Every 100 powerstones = 1 extra chapter