In the end, under the persuasion of Yoruichi and the so-called compromise, Urahara Kisuke reluctantly agreed—or so it seemed. In truth, Kisuke had feigned resistance on purpose. He was testing Su Xiuyu's character.
As a former captain of Soul Society and the founder of the first Technology Development Bureau, Urahara Kisuke was no fool. He was not the harmless eccentric he often portrayed. Having once come face-to-face with Aizen himself, Kisuke knew better than most that people who seem overly kind often hide the sharpest knives.
Su Xiuyu had always carried himself with a calm demeanor and gentlemanly restraint, but Kisuke wasn't buying it completely. To him, Su Xiuyu might just be another good actor.
Yet so far, Su Xiuyu's behavior had aligned with Kisuke's expectations. No signs of hidden agendas—at least, not obvious ones.
If Su Xiuyu had known what Urahara was thinking, he would've scoffed. He didn't need to scheme. He had long surpassed the need for such games. He could've entered Soul Society through more direct methods—brute force or stealth—but it would've been too troublesome. It was far more convenient to ride along with the protagonists of this world.
As for Harribel, a Hollow of Vasto Lorde level, she had to remain in the human world. Her very presence in Soul Society would be like waving a red flag in front of a raging bull. Her arrival would only attract unnecessary attention.
After passing through the gate, they entered the space between the human world and Soul Society—the Dangai. Everyone began constructing paths beneath their feet with reishi as they sprinted forward, the space behind them collapsing like a monstrous black maw devouring the path ahead.
"Hurry up! If we delay even a second, we'll be swallowed whole!" Yoruichi shouted, leading the way with feline agility.
But luck had no intention of sparing them today.
"Damn it! We've run into a Kōtotsu!" Yoruichi yelled in alarm. "Run! If you're caught, no one can save you!"
The Kōtotsu—a massive, cylindrical entity like a rolling boulder—hurtled toward them with deafening speed. Kurosaki Ichigo instinctively raised his Zanpakutō to slash it in half.
"Idiot!" Yoruichi snapped. "Do not use spiritual attacks on it! You'll die!"
Before Ichigo could even process her words, Su Xiuyu and his companions at the rear unleashed a wind-cutting technique, instantly dispelling the reishi restraints on their path. In Yoruichi's astonished gaze, they surged forward with ease.
In truth, Su Xiuyu had deliberately lagged behind to guard Ichigo and the others. With their speed, he and his group could have exited the Dangai long ago.
"As I thought... they use powers beyond reishi," Yoruichi thought, her amber eyes narrowing. "Just who are these people?"
She made a mental note to investigate later. Right now, the priority was reaching Soul Society safely.
With the Kōtotsu gone, they exited the Dangai—only to find themselves suspended mid-air.
"Waaaah—!"
With a chorus of startled screams, everyone dropped like bricks. Only Su Xiuyu, Madara, and Izuna landed gracefully. Su Xiuyu even caught Inoue Orihime in a princess hold.
Among them, Orihime was the one Su Xiuyu truly admired. Her gentle nature and unique abilities had earned his attention. Her power wasn't just rare—it was practical and potent.
Meanwhile, nimble as ever, Yoruichi landed effortlessly... on Su Xiuyu's shoulder.
Below, the group drew the attention of the local residents.
"This is Rukongai—the outer district of the Seireitei," Yoruichi explained. "Just civilians here. Our goal lies ahead: infiltrate the Seireitei, and rescue Rukia."
She turned to Su Xiuyu. "And what about you three?"
"We'll tag along for now," Su Xiuyu replied calmly. "If we part ways, I'll let you know in advance."
"Xiu Yu… y-you can put me down now," Orihime mumbled, her cheeks flushed red. Su Xiuyu gently set her down.
Ichigo, Uryu, and Chad exchanged glances and gave Orihime pointed looks. Her face turned even redder.
"When did you two get so close?" Ichigo teased with a grin. "Orihime, you've been hiding something from us!"
Even Yoruichi couldn't help but join in. "My, my~ It seems someone's got a secret admirer."
Su Xiuyu smirked. "Yoruichi, you don't remember the first time we met, do you?"
Without warning, he picked her up and grabbed one of her hind legs.
In an instant, the black cat's entire body stiffened.
"Stop that!" Yoruichi yowled. Even as a cat, her voice conveyed pure indignation.
"You pervert!" she hissed, swiping at his face with her claws. Su Xiuyu easily caught the attack mid-air, grinning.
The distraction gave Orihime a moment of relief, though her cheeks were still burning. Su Xiuyu's antics had diverted all attention from her.
Soon, under Yoruichi's guidance, the group approached the Seireitei's main gate.
Ichigo charged forward, easily defeating the guards—only to be ambushed by a squinty-eyed Shinigami wielding a hidden blade. If not for his fast reflexes, the sword would have pierced through his side.
"Damn it!" Ichigo shouted, frustration boiling over. "I can't get through this wall!"
He slashed at the towering barrier with his Zanpakutō, only for sparks to bounce off harmlessly. The wall, forged from murderous stone, nullified reishi completely. Not even his full strength left a scratch.
"If I can't break this wall, how the hell do I rescue Rukia?!"
Watching Ichigo rage, Uchiha Madara's patience finally ran out. He raised a hand, chakra flaring—ready to obliterate the wall with a single jutsu.
But before he could act, Su Xiuyu placed a firm hand on Madara's arm.
"Not yet."
Madara glanced at him with a questioning frown.
"We're here to let events unfold as they should. If we interfere too early, it'll make acquiring the Hōgyoku far more difficult," Su Xiuyu said quietly. "Let Ichigo play his part. Timing is everything."
Even Su Xiuyu—who had traversed countless worlds—acknowledged Aizen as a formidable foe. A rival not just in power, but in intellect and vision.
As for the old man—Yamamoto—if the time ever came to face him, Su Xiuyu would gladly hand that honor to Madara. After all, Madara had long desired a battle worth remembering… and there was no doubt that the most powerful Shinigami of all time would deliver exactly that.
----------------
"If we can't break in head-on, then we'll find another way."
Yoruichi's calm confidence was unmistakable. Despite being wanted by Soul Society, she still held influence thanks to her status as a former noble of the Shihoin Clan.
It didn't take long before she tracked down an old ally—Shiba Kūkaku.
"So, you're the ones trying to bust in and rescue your friend?" Kūkaku crossed her arms, looking unimpressed. "Tch. Childish. But… since it's for Yoruichi, I'll consider it."
Her blunt, big-sister attitude made Ichigo and the others shift uncomfortably. Not helping matters was the fact that Kūkaku didn't exactly dress conservatively, and her bold presence left the boys more than a little flustered.
But her sharp gaze quickly locked onto Su Xiuyu, Madara, and Izuna. Despite their attempts to suppress their spiritual pressure, their presence was still overwhelming compared to Ichigo's group.
"And who the hell are you three supposed to be?"
"Uchiha Xiuyu, Uchiha Madara, and Uchiha Izuna," Su Xiuyu replied smoothly. "We're brothers."
"You need help getting into Seireitei too?" she asked, sizing them up.
"No," Xiuyu answered flatly. "We've got our own methods."
Yoruichi had planned to use Kūkaku's signature method—launching Ichigo and the others like cannonballs straight over the Seireitei's walls. It was loud, risky, and completely ridiculous in Su Xiuyu's eyes.
Why blast yourself in like fireworks when you had much better options?
But then, Kūkaku's attention shifted. "Izuna, was it?"
Izuna blinked. Something told him trouble was coming.
"Yes… can I help you?"
Su Xiuyu and Madara stepped aside, curious to see what this woman was planning.
"I like you. Go out with me," Kūkaku declared with zero hesitation.
The entire group froze.
"You're confessing now?! Out of nowhere?!"
Izuna was stunned speechless. In all his years, he'd never experienced a direct confession—especially not from someone like this.
"This is our first meeting," he stammered. "Don't you think it's a little… early?"
Kūkaku grinned. "So what? That just means we've got time to get to know each other. I don't know why, but I just like you. Call it a hunch."
Even Yoruichi was caught off guard. She could tell Kūkaku wasn't joking around—this wasn't one of her usual antics.
"If you say no," Kūkaku continued, drawing a short sword, "then we fight. Your spiritual pressure's impressive, but mine's not too shabby either. The Shiba clan may be down, but we've still got our pride."
She pointed the blade at him.
"So what'll it be, Uchiha Izuna? Increase our compatibility here and now, or go flying into Seireitei with that orange-haired idiot? Choose wisely!"
Everyone stared in disbelief. Kūkaku was dead serious—making a bold confession purely based on instinct.
And poor Izuna? His face was redder than a ripe tomato.
Then, without warning, Kūkaku stepped forward and looped her arm through his. Izuna tensed as her chest pressed against his arm—he'd never experienced anything so… soft.
This was Kūkaku's first time doing something this forward, but she believed in going after what she wanted. Izuna seemed like the shy type, so she doubled down on her approach.
"Alright, Izuna, spend some time with Miss Kūkaku. Ichigo and the others, get moving," Su Xiuyu said, casually brushing the matter aside. "Inoue, you're coming with me. It's safer."
"Okay." Orihime nodded shyly. She wasn't used to making these decisions, but when Su Xiuyu was involved, she trusted his judgment.
"Come on, Kūkaku," Yoruichi interrupted. "Romance is nice and all, but maybe save it for later? We've got a war to crash."
Thankfully, Kūkaku hadn't completely lost her head. With a sigh, she turned back to business and launched Kurosaki Ichigo, Ishida Uryu, Chad Yasutora, and her own younger brother, Shiba Ganju, into the sky toward Seireitei.
Ganju, forced to operate the cannon's controls, had no choice but to follow the others mid-launch.
Watching the scene unfold, Madara and Izuna exchanged glances.
"Well," Madara muttered, "glad we didn't join the clown parade."
"Hey, Yoruichi," Su Xiuyu called out, noticing the black cat perched on a nearby rock. "Aren't you supposed to be following those guys?"
"Nah," she said, stretching lazily. "You three are heading in too, right? I'll come with you. I know the layout better than anyone. I'll find them when the time's right."
Su Xiuyu shrugged. One more person wouldn't make a difference.
"Izuna, stay behind," Madara added casually. "You should get to know Miss Shiba better. Our clan could use some… expansion."
Izuna's face twitched. "Brother, please… I want to go to Seireitei too."
"Nope. If you don't want to talk to her, you can stay here." Su Xiuyu smirked, then bolted off with Madara and Orihime in tow.
Izuna stood there, helpless.
Kūkaku smiled triumphantly.
The trio returned to the main gate of Seireitei—the very one Ichigo had failed to breach earlier.
Yoruichi's fur bristled. "You're not thinking of…?"
Su Xiuyu cracked his knuckles. "What else? We're walking in."
Before she could protest, Madara stepped forward, forming a colossal chakra arm. With a single motion, he slammed it into the gate—shattering it like paper.
"Y-You lunatics!" Yoruichi's jaw dropped. She knew these three possessed powers beyond normal Shinigami, but even she didn't expect Su Xiuyu's group to be this… direct.
The towering gate now had a massive hole, letting in moonlight and shadows.
Without pause, Su Xiuyu and Orihime strode in.
"You're really not coming?" Su Xiuyu asked, glancing back.
Yoruichi sighed. "Fine, fine… But don't blame me when the whole Gotei 13 comes down on your heads."
With a flick of her tail, she followed them inside.
<><><><><><>
Read Advanced Chapters on:
~ [email protected]/FanficLord03
~ Every 100 Power Stones = Bonus Chapter!
~ Push the story in the rankings using your
[Power Stones]
~ https://discord.gg/MntqcdpRZ9