Shiraha slid the Zanpakutō back into its sheath with deliberate calm, lifted Yoruichi gently into his arms, and walked toward Urahara Kisuke.
"Brother Shiraha, does what happened with the Soul Hunters just now mean Kariya Jin has already gone to the Soul Society?" Yoruichi asked, her voice tinged with curiosity and caution.
Shiraha smiled faintly. "Yes, that's correct."
Through his Observation Haki, he could see everything clearly. Kariya Jin and Ichinose Maki, after creating the world-transmitting gate, had positioned Ishida Uryu to fire the Spirit Arrow. The portal to the Soul Society had opened completely.
"Then why not go there yourself now?" Yoruichi asked, her golden eyes narrowing slightly.
"Don't be so hasty, Miss Yoruichi. You haven't forgotten the walls surrounding the Jingling Court are made of murderous stones, have you? Kariya Jin will need time to prepare before entering the Court," Shiraha replied with a calm smile, his tone measured, unhurried.
Urahara Kisuke, fanning the small white fan in his hand, tilted his head and chuckled. "Ah, Shiraha, even in your current form you still display such strength. It's impressive."
Shiraha's expression turned apologetic. "Sorry, Mr. Urahara, for making a mess of your yard."
"It's fine," Kisuke replied without judgment. "Xiao Yu, Jinda, come clean this up."
"Yes, manager!" came the chorus of voices from the shop as Xiao Yu and Jinda emerged with buckets and mops, bending to scrub the streaks of Bloodline from the floor.
"Xiao Yu, I will become as strong as Mr. Shiraha one day," Jinda said firmly, her hands clenched around the mop handle, eyes locked on Shiraha as if drawing strength from his presence.
Xiao Yu gave a timid nod. "Come on, Jinda."
At that moment, Kurosaki Ichigo, Renji, and several others came running toward them, their breaths harsh and uneven. "Mr. Shiraha! Just as you predicted! Ten minutes ago, that Shinigami in the death costume captured Ishida!" Ichigo panted, arriving at Shiraha's side.
Shiraha nodded calmly. Last night, he had explained everything to them. The Soul Hunting Clan's primary target was Ishida Uryu, the Quincy Master. As long as Ishida remained alone, the hunters would inevitably strike.
"Mr. Shiraha, how is Ishida-san?" Orihime asked softly, her concern clear in her tone.
"Don't worry. Ishida is unharmed. If you want, we can go see him," Shiraha replied, his smile gentle yet reassuring. Ishida had not entered the world-transmitting gate with Kariya Jin, and Kariya had not harmed him.
"Is that really okay?" Orihime asked, still hesitant.
"It's fine. Kariya Jin has already opened the gate to the Soul Society, so it's my turn to follow," Shiraha said lightly.
Renji's eyes swept the area. "Captain Shiraha, why are there so many abnormal Reiatsu readings? Are there Soul Hunters still nearby?"
"Idiot," Lilin said sharply from Ichigo's shoulder, pointing to the dark stains on the ground. "Those Soul Hunters are already dead."
"Dead?" Ichigo and Renji exchanged surprised glances.
Shiraha's lips curved into a faint smile. "The entire Soul Hunting Clan has been neutralized. Only Kariya Jin, the leader, remains alive. Even if I do nothing, once they enter the Jingling Court, other captains will handle them."
"Miss Yoruichi, are you staying here or coming with me?" Shiraha asked.
"I'm staying here, Little Shiraha. Soul Society is your path," Yoruichi said lazily, lowering herself to the floor as Shiraha set her down gently. She closed her eyes, stretching out with the ease of one confident in her safety.
After leaving Yoruichi, Shiraha set the scorpion aside. "Here, take my scorpion," he said with a faint smile.
"Understood, Brother Shiraha," Yoruichi replied, a note of affection in her voice.
"I'll take you to see Ishida," Shiraha added, and with the spell Cang, he whisked Ichigo, Renji, and the others away, disappearing in an instant.
"Ah… Yoruichi-chan, it seems there will be no more Soul Hunters after this," Urahara Kisuke muttered, observing the remnants of Goga Koga and his team, now reduced to empty suits, hats pressed low over their heads.
"They preyed on human souls, so there's nothing to regret," Yoruichi replied calmly, licking her paw before settling back.
Kisuke sighed, shaking his head. "Still… I can't help feeling some pity. A living Soul Hunter, nearly extinct… and I never had a chance to study them."
He glanced toward Shiraha's absence. "There's something between you two, isn't there?" he teased, reaching toward Yoruichi's head.
"Pfft!" Yoruichi's claws shot out, raking across his face. "Who asked you to touch me?" she snapped, her feline eyes glinting dangerously.
"Ouch! Yoruichi-chan!" Kisuke yelped, retreating hastily.
Outside the Jingling Court, at Baidao Gate, Kariya Jin and Ichinose Maki led hundreds of Rukongai refugees after defeating the gate guards. Using rudimentary wooden tools, they forced the Baidao Gate open.
As the team members arrived, Zanpakutō drawn and poised, they shouted, "Hoo!!" A gust of wind from Kariya Jin's hand sent them flying meters away, his body seamlessly merged with his puppet, an intimidating fusion of man and instrument.
"You are useless," Kariya said lightly, turning toward the surviving refugees with a faint, cold smile.
"You bastard! Are you using us?" the leader of the refugees shouted, rage and fear in equal measure.
"Hoo hoo!" Kariya ignored them, a second gust of wind scattering those who dared resist.
"Ichinose, let's go," Kariya commanded, placing a hand on his Kabuto as they advanced.
"Where are you going?"
Shiraha appeared before Kariya Jin in a flash, his presence calm, eyes glinting. After days of careful planning, he had ensured that Kariya would enter the Jingling Court alone, unguarded. He had opened the portal for Ichigo and the others to reach Ishida, leaving Kariya unaware of the trap.
"Kuchiki Shiraha?" Kariya and Ichinose Maki's pupils constricted, shock evident as they processed his sudden arrival.
"Master Kariya, retreat. I'll handle Kuchiki Shiraha," Ichinose said, drawing her Zanpakutō with precise respect.
Kariya inclined his head, moving quickly to leave the area. Shiraha did not pursue him. Instead, he fixed Ichinose Maki with a steady gaze and smiled faintly. "You alone? Trying to stop me? You take yourself far too seriously."