— — — — — —
Soi-fon's eyes went wide. The sharp sting of a nail digging into her neck froze her in place.
She'd die.
If that thing pierced her, she would absolutely die.
But how? How could anyone have a poison needle more lethal than her Suzumebachi?
A one-hit kill ability shouldn't exist—at least not above hers.
"It's not a one-hit kill."
A man's low voice brushed past her ear.
"Scarlet Needle is a torture-type technique. As long as you don't get hit by the fifteenth and final needle (Antares), the first fourteen shouldn't kill you."
He chuckled softly. "The only reason you think it'll kill you instantly is because…"
"You're too weak."
Crack.
Soi-fon's pupils rolled white. She collapsed with a thud.
At that moment, Orihime Inoue, who'd only just been attacked once, finally turned around.
Then she saw him—wearing a fitted white coat, a gentle smile on his face.
"Mr. Ryo…?" she called out, half surprised, half confused.
Harribel and Ulquiorra immediately dropped to one knee and bowed to Ryo.
"All right, stand."
Ryo glanced at them, then looked over at Ichigo Kurosaki beside him.
"Nice to meet you, Son of Darkness."
That tone, that delivery—Ichigo shivered. For a moment he thought he was staring at another Aizen.
No… not quite. This "Yagami" guy was supposedly working with Aizen. Rumor was, he planned to destroy Soul Society altogether. Ichigo instinctively grabbed his sword hilt—then hesitated.
"What just happened…? It felt like a bee stung me from behind."
Orihime reached back, confused when she couldn't even locate the spot.
"Huh? Isn't that Miss Soi-fon? Why is she suddenly on the ground?"
Ichigo and Ishida thought the same thing at the same time: 'She really is a bit clueless…'
"Maybe the heat got to her," Ryo said smoothly, playing along and choosing not to expose Orihime's attempt to cover for Soi-fon.
If Orihime wanted to spare her, that was her business. None of his.
Wearing an amused smile, he glanced at Orihime, then looked back at Ichigo. "No need to tense up. I'm not planning to kill any of you here."
Ichigo nearly triggered his Bankai right there. He couldn't help it—Ryo's tone, his confidence… it wasn't the same as Aizen's, but the vibe was unmistakable.
The absolute confidence of someone absolutely strong.
"We have no reason to fight."
Ryo's voice was calm, almost casual.
Ichigo opened his mouth, then suddenly realized—
Right. Soul Society viewed Ryo as a threat on par with Aizen—the most dangerous enemy alive.
But what did that have to do with him?
He wasn't even a Shinigami.
With that thought, he simply walked back toward Chad's massive, hulking Fullbring form, reverting to human.
Then he froze.
He had… trusted Ryo's words without thinking. He'd instinctively treated him as non-hostile.
"What did you do to me?" Ichigo demanded, horrified.
"I didn't do anything."
Ryo's smile softened. "Following a strong leader is instinctive for humans. No need to overthink it."
That only made Ichigo more terrified.
"Did you hypnotize Orihime too?!"
Ryo gave him an amused look.
"$15000 a month, nine-to-five, weekends off, paid vacation days, travel leave, fourteen-month salary, never sent to the frontline, safe medical support work only. Arcadia is in a growth phase, so raises are likely."
"That's how I 'hypnotized' her."
Ichigo and Ishida went blank.
Chad, ever the honest one, murmured, "15000 dollar, that's over two million yen a month, Ichigo. That's pretty rare. Really great pay."
He turned just in time to see Ichigo and Ishida staring at him like he'd committed a crime.
Chad added awkwardly, "…I don't even make that much in a whole year."
Ichigo twitched, then turned to Ryo.
Even he knew that was insane money. A top-tier job by normal standards.
"Mr. Yagami, are you hiring—No, no, no! What am I thinking?!"
Ichigo, a teenager, stared at Ryo, a fully grown working adult, and felt a thousand complaints pile up in his throat.
This was supposed to be a life-or-death clash between Soul Society and Aizen—so why did it suddenly feel like two companies poaching employees?
What happened to protecting the balance of the three realms?
Orihime looked equally stunned.
Was her salary… really that good?
The frugal girl suddenly felt like all her earlier hesitation had been pointless.
Wasn't the whole point of studying hard to get a good job and live better?
Joining the Yagami team basically skipped straight to the finish line.
"So," Ryo asked with a pleasant smile, "are you still planning to stop Orihime and me from leaving?"
Ichigo opened his mouth… and said nothing.
His friend was going to work. Sure, it seemed a little dangerous, but it was her choice. He didn't really have grounds to stop her.
But why did he feel this weird, awful discomfort?
Even he couldn't explain it.
Maybe only the guys on internet forums could truly feel this kind of pain.
"Let's go, Orihime."
Ryo patted her shoulder and reached down to lift Soi-fon.
Right then, a man with a waistline five times thicker than Ryo's suddenly lunged in and snatched Soi-fon up while crying, "We're gonna die we're gonna die we're gonna die!"
Marechiyo Ōmaeda!
Tears and snot streaming, he grabbed Soi-fon and scrambled backward.
Ryo instantly withdrew his hand and pulled Orihime aside.
Ōmaeda froze for a moment, then hauled Soi-fon behind Ichigo, forming a living mountain at his back.
Ryo, now safely distant, spoke in a deeply cautious tone:
"Ōmaeda... Marechiyo Ōmaeda. The Ultimate Right-Hand of Iris-Knights… I didn't expect Yamamoto to send you personally."
'What?!'
Ōmaeda nearly fainted.
Ultimate Right-Hand? Iris-Knights? What the fuck?
'What on earth is he talking about? Why am I suddenly terrifying?'
"Let's go quickly! He is Marechiyo Ōmaeda."
Ryo grabbed Orihime and dashed straight into the Garganta that Harribel and Ulquiorra had opened.
Ōmaeda watched Soi-fon lying in his arms, then stared at the now-empty alley.
His whole face was a giant question mark.
Ichigo whispered in awe, "Incredible… Ōmaeda, I had no idea you were that strong."
"I—I…" Ōmaeda's mouth opened helplessly.
"Ryo seems to be at Aizen's level. Even the captains fear him. I thought Soul Society would be powerless against their combined strength, but I guess they were still hiding a trump card like you," Ishida said thoughtfully.
He eyed Ōmaeda's round face, feeling something was wrong… but dismissed it as clever disguise.
"Truly, you can't judge people by appearances."
'Please stop praising me, I'm literally shaking,' Ōmaeda screamed internally.
---
At the Garganta's exit
Orihime blinked. In the next moment, she was standing in front of her high school.
Not Hueco Mundo—not anywhere dangerous.
"Mr. Ryo… Ōmaeda is actually someone even you're wary of? I thought he was just the comic relief character."
"Exactly," Ryo said with a bright smile. "He's exactly that."
"Huh?" Orihime tilted her head. "Then why did you…"
"Because it's fun."
He remembered some old memes he saw in his past life and he couldn't help but grin.
"Orihime, don't you think teasing them a bit is entertaining?"
"Oh! It seems fun... You're right!" Orihime said, enlightened.
She giggled, then looked around. "By the way, where did Miss Arrancar and Mister Arrancar go?"
"I sent them back to Hueco Mundo."
Ryo narrowed his eyes, smiling. "Because there's something I don't want them to see."
"Huh?" Orihime blinked.
That was when two figures stepped into view.
One had slicked-back hair, a black coat with a fur collar, and a thin chain necklace that had an X-shaped pendant attached to it.
The other wore shoulder-length wavy black hair, scholarly features, a long scar running vertically along the side of his left eye, and held a book in one hand.
Kugo Ginjo. Shukuro Tsukishima.
Both stared at Ryo like they were facing a monster, cold sweat sliding down their faces.
.
.
.