Under night's cover, Satoru slipped out of the academy and headed to the Shihōin estate.
Servants gaped at his unexpected visit, exchanging bewildered glances before one hurried to inform Yoruichi.
Moments later, the servant returned and gestured for Satoru to enter.
Guided through the mansion, he arrived at Yoruichi's study.
She wore a yukata, her damp purple hair clinging slightly as she raised a hand in greeting.
"What brings you here at this hour?"
"Come, sit here... Haruna! Bring us some tea!"
At Yoruichi's invitation, Satoru took the opposite seat.
Soon, a servant delivered tea and sweets.
After the servant left, Satoru raised his hand and snapped his fingers.
A Kidō barrier unfolded, completely isolating the sounds inside and outside the room.
"Yoruichi, do you know if there are any other skills in Seireitei similar to the Cat Transformation Technique—ones that require adjusting one's own spiritual particle state?" Satoru asked eagerly as soon as the barrier was fully deployed.
Yoruichi blinked in surprise.
Skills requiring the manipulation of spiritual particles were indeed rare in Seireitei. After all, very few in the entire Soul Society could achieve such a feat.
After a moment's thought, she shook her head. "Nothing comes to mind right now."
Satoru wasn't particularly surprised by her answer.
He pressed on, "Then, do you know how to fuse one's spiritual pressure with other objects?"
Yoruichi's eyes widened.
What kind of bizarre question was this?
Although everything in the Soul Society was composed of spiritual particles, their microscopic structures varied greatly. If one merely wanted to fuse their spiritual pressure with a specific object, it might be possible through research or by consulting historical records. But attempting to fuse spiritual pressure with all kinds of objects indiscriminately? That was pure fantasy.
She retorted irritably, "Such an ability doesn't exist! Not even Captain Ōetsu or Captain-Commander Yamamoto could do something like that! What's gotten into you today? Why are you suddenly asking such strange questions?"
Under Yoruichi's puzzled gaze, Satoru recounted his discovery from the previous day. He trusted her integrity—after all, she was someone who had willingly abandoned her noble family's leadership for the sake of a friend. If it were him, such wealth and status wouldn't be so easily discarded.
As the head of the Shihōin family, even if Yoruichi didn't currently possess relevant information, she could certainly find it if she wanted to. It was better to be upfront with her now rather than keep secrets.
Yoruichi listened quietly to Satoru's explanation. Gradually, her brows furrowed.
When she heard Satoru's inference that his spiritual pressure could control other objects once fused with them, Yoruichi abruptly stood up. She practically lunged at Satoru, clamping a hand over his mouth.
Even knowing about the soundproofing Kidō, she couldn't help but release her sensing spiritual pressure to check for eavesdroppers.
Under Satoru's startled gaze, Yoruichi whispered urgently, "Satoru, remember this—from now on, you must never tell anyone about this ability! Do you understand? Never, ever, tell anyone!!"
Satoru removed her hand from his mouth. "I know how powerful this ability is—that's why I set up the soundproofing Kidō first."
Yoruichi shook her head. "No, it's not about strength or weakness."
Her expression turned serious. "The problem is, Satoru, your ability resembles someone's."
"Who?" Satoru asked curiously.
Yoruichi lowered her voice. "The former 11th Division Captain, Kenpachi Azashiro!"
Satoru frowned slightly, searching his memory for that name.
Then he realized he'd never heard of this person in the entire Bleach anime.
Before he could ask, Yoruichi explained:
"Kenpachi Azashiro's ability was to merge his spiritual pressure with various objects, gaining control over them."
"At his peak, the entire Seireitei was within his control. One could say that within Seireitei, he was invincible!"
"But soon after, a plan he spearheaded angered the Central 46... He lost his captain position and was imprisoned in Muken."
"Do you understand now, Satoru? If the Central 46 learns you share Kenpachi Azashiro's ability, they'll suspect some connection between you!"
"You'd find no place in Seireitei then, maybe even get thrown into the Maggot's Nest on fabricated charges!"
Hearing this, Satoru felt like he'd been screwed over by a cat.
Great. After finally getting an ability not reliant on Aizen, it gets banned for such a ridiculous reason?
Seeing Satoru's frustration, Yoruichi couldn't help but chuckle.
"Don't look so wronged. I'm just telling you not to flaunt it publicly."
"If you train secretly, even the Central 46 can't predict the future to specifically hunt you down, right?"
Satoru's eyes lit up at this.
Yoruichi added, "Yesterday I found a good spot in Rukongai."
"I plan to set it up as a special hot spring."
"You can train your new ability there, and I'll keep watch!"
Seeing Yoruichi's bright smile, Satoru couldn't help but admire her.
No wonder Soi Fon liked Yoruichi so much.
She really did give off a reliable vibe sometimes.
....
....
Leaving the Shihōin residence, Satoru vaulted onto a wall, heading toward the dormitory.
Moonlight reflected softly off Seireitei's smooth roads.
Occasionally, night patrol Shinigami responsible for inner court security passed by.
As he walked, Satoru gradually slowed his pace.
Frowning at two lantern-carrying Shinigami ahead, he recalled countless encounters with their kind.
Especially before becoming Yamamoto's official disciple, he'd often sneak into Seireitei.
Over time, he'd memorized the night patrol routes and habits.
While they changed paths often, the overall security pattern remained consistent.
At minimum, all main roads were always guarded.
But tonight felt... off.
Some areas had excessive patrols.
Others lacked coverage entirely, creating blind spots.
Perched on a rooftop, Satoru stroked his chin.
After some thought, he pulled out the pass Yamamoto had given him, intending to ask a patroller about tonight's duty assignments.
But just as he was about to set off, a piercing bell toll suddenly echoed from the distance—
Dong!!
Dong!!
Dong!!
Following the bell, a voice abruptly rang out across the sky.
"This is the 7th Division barracks! We're under attack! The assailants... aargh!!"
Hearing this, Satoru's eyes flashed with surprise.
That voice had been the work of Tenteikūra.
As the 77th Kidō spell, Tenteikūra was inherently difficult to master. Combined with its rare usage scenarios, most ordinary Soul Reapers rarely practiced it.
To be able to cast this Kidō spell under attack required at least vice-captain level skill.
A vice-captain level Soul Reaper couldn't stop the attackers?
Instinctively, Satoru wanted to rush to the 7th Division barracks.
But just as he was about to move, a sudden realization flashed through his mind.
A terrifying thought emerged...
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