"Grandpa?"
Hearing Tsukishima Shūkurō address him like that, Yoriichi was momentarily taken aback. His thoughts seemed to be gently tugged, and he stood frozen for a full two seconds.
Only at this moment did he suddenly realize what identity Rin Shirō had assumed while accompanying Shukuro all this time.
No wonder Rin Shirō was unwilling to return to Soul Society before. Could it be that he had revealed everything about himself to Shukuro?
Seeing Shukuro looking around, searching for his grandpa's figure, the guess in Yoriichi's heart grew firmer.
He bent down slightly, gently patted Shukuro's head, then revealed himself from his concealed state and spoke softly:
"I'm sorry, I am not your grandpa."
"Let me introduce myself. I am your grandpa's superior. Shukuro, do you know what your grandpa's identity is?"
Upon hearing this, the excited expression on Tsukishima Shūkurō's face vanished like clouds scattered by the wind.
Though Yoriichi Tsugikuni's large hand was warm, it still stirred a sense of loss within him.
He lowered his head, his fine hair falling down to cover his eyes, muttering to himself:
"Not grandpa?"
"Grandpa's superior... do you know where grandpa went?"
He looked up at Yoriichi. The sunlight was a bit dazzling.
"I couldn't find him no matter how hard I looked. Did he... abandon me?"
"Identity... what identity?"
Yoriichi nodded, understanding that Rin Shirō hadn't disclosed everything, which showed he still had some professional ethics.
If he had revealed his identity as a Shinigami, and then disappeared without a trace for a long time, while this child continued to be bullied, he might later resort to taking his own life.
Parents? If parents were reliable, there wouldn't be so many tragedies in the world.
Yoriichi let out a soft sigh and said:
"He didn't abandon you. He just has some matters he needs to handle."
"This matter is very important. It might take a few days at the shortest, or a hundred years at the longest, to resolve."
"I came here this time specifically to inform you. After all, you are his most beloved grandson, aren't you?"
"It wouldn't be good if a misunderstanding arose because of work difficulties."
"A few days... a hundred years?" Tsukishima Shūkurō's face was filled with astonishment.
He never imagined things would unfold in this manner.
But after exchanging a few more words with Yoriichi, he realized this was actually normal.
A mere hundred years is only about two or three years in the Shinigami worldview.
A business trip lasting two or three years is very common.
However, Shukuro felt increasingly disheartened by this.
Because he understood that the two or three years in their eyes corresponded to an entire, long human lifetime.
He might never see his grandpa again before he died.
But then, thinking that grandpa might return in as little as a few days, he perked up a bit again.
"Excuse me, did grandpa ask you to bring me a message?"
Tsukishima Shūkurō looked up again, his eyes full of expectation.
Yoriichi nodded, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly into a gentle smile. "Of course he did."
After a moment, he put himself in Rin Shirō's shoes, carefully choosing his words to say a few comforting things, lest he hurt the child's sensitive heart.
After all, having something to hope for prevents despair.
After finishing, he gently patted Shukuro's shoulder again and earnestly admonished him.
For example, not to fear those bullies, to bravely stand up and resist them.
If that really doesn't work, he could go to the karate training class run by the Shinigami, where professionals could provide guidance.
It could quickly increase Shukuro's strength and change his timid nature in a short time.
Shukuro fell silent. He didn't like fighting, but constantly getting beaten up was certainly not acceptable either.
After thinking for a moment, he nodded and said firmly:
"Mm, I understand. I'll go. If that's what grandpa wants."
"I will definitely become a strong man."
After saying that, he glanced down at the book in his hand, hesitated for two seconds, and added:
"Big brother, since you are my grandpa's superior, you must know some special skills too, right?"
"Do you know about X-cution?"
"Grandpa once told me I am a Fullbringer, but I don't know what that means."
It was normal not to know. After all, he was only ten. He might have just begun to uncover the initial abilities of his X-cution.
Yoriichi glanced at his pocket watch and saw the time for his meeting with Kurosaki Masaki was approaching.
Not wanting to keep a lady waiting, he bent down, looked Shukuro in the eye, and suggested:
"Let's discuss these questions after I return. Of course, you also have the choice to come with me."
"I'm about to have a face-to-face exchange with a Fullbringer. You can observe and listen from the side."
"What is the name of your X-cution?"
Shukuro thought for a few seconds, made his choice, and spoke hesitantly:
"The Book of the End. Can we be back before evening?"
...
Karakura Town, inside a café.
"And this child is?"
Kurosaki Masaki looked at the boy beside Yoriichi Tsugikuni, a flicker of surprise in her eyes.
Seeing his well-behaved appearance, she initially thought he might be a younger relative of Yoriichi Tsugikuni, but his hair color didn't match.
Only later did she realize with a start—this was actually a human?
Such a sensitive topic... was it really okay for a human to hear? Or was it...
"Miss Kurosaki, there's no need to worry. Like you, he is here because of X-cution."
Yoriichi walked up to Kurosaki Masaki, picked up a glass of ice water from the table, and rinsed his mouth.
Seeing the time was about right, he put down the glass, turned, and said:
"Follow me. And, Shiba Isshin, stop hiding outside the door."
"With your physique, you're completely unsuited for tailing. If you're worried about her, just say it openly."
"Stalking behavior in the Human World is very easily mistaken for that of a pervert."
As soon as these words were spoken, Shiba Isshin, who was outside the café reading a newspaper to hide his face, put down the paper, revealing a bitter smile.
He rubbed his temples, his voice full of helplessness:
"That's not fair, Captain-Commander. Where in the Human World would you find a pervert as handsome as me?"
"I'm just worried about that guy named Gremmy."
"What if he sees a Shinigami next to Masaki and doesn't show himself? Then I won't be able to catch him."
"Even if he shows himself, you wouldn't be able to catch him," Yoriichi glanced at Shiba Isshin.
"His clones are everywhere in the Human World. He can change his appearance at will. It's simply impossible to guard against."
"Maybe that passerby outside is him. Maybe the waiter who just served coffee was him. Don't forget your mission."
"Only by staying close to Miss Kurosaki at all times can she remain safe and sound."
"Because your spiritual pressure is the one thing he cannot mimic, and Miss Kurosaki can sense it."
Indeed, if Yoriichi hadn't mentioned it, Shiba Isshin would have almost overlooked this point.
He thought maintaining a certain distance for observation and protection was the mark of a gentleman.
He never imagined this 'certain distance' could become a death sentence at a critical moment.
Shiba Isshin put down the newspaper and spoke seriously:
"Yes, I understand, Captain-Commander."
"Until Gremmy's schemes are concluded, I will follow Miss Kurosaki without leaving her side."
"Will that suffice?"
The last sentence carried a hint of compromise. Yoriichi frowned slightly and turned to see Kurosaki Masaki's face slightly flushed.
Without leaving her side? What kind of talk was that?
It showed absolutely no sense of propriety. Although he knew it was just a polite remark Shiba Isshin made to placate him.
But clearly, it had caused Kurosaki Masaki to misunderstand, or rather, made the girl think too much.
Daily life was one thing, but eating, bathing, sleeping...
Forget it. Yoriichi felt interfering in their private lives was somewhat excessive. He believed Shiba Isshin wasn't that kind of Shinigami with no moral bottom line.
He waved his hand. "Just use your own judgment, but be mindful of appearances."
"If her parents end up lodging a complaint with Soul Society, I won't show you any favoritism."
"Let's go. Time to develop the X-cution, and by the way..."
"Miss Kurosaki, do you know Vollständig?"
...
Kurosaki Masaki was no ordinary Quincy.
Due to her nature, it was highly likely she would fight alongside Soul Society in the future.
Therefore, arming her as much as possible and enhancing her strength was also a top priority of this operation.
The group arrived at the training ground prepared in advance. Based on prior experience, Yoriichi began formulating a training plan for Kurosaki Masaki.
At the same time, he prepared to test the upper limits of her perceptive abilities to better tailor the teaching to her aptitude.
He asked Tsukishima Shūkurō to step back for a moment and explained to Kurosaki Masaki:
"Generally speaking, the awakening and advancement of X-cution require emotional stimulation. Take Tsukishima Shūkurō as an example."
"He awakened his X-cution, The Book of the End, during the process of being chased and fleeing from Hollows time and again."
"Although you are an exception, with your X-cution originating from someone else's bestowal, the principle for advancement is likely the same."
"Miss Kurosaki, are you ready to experience fear?"
"Only in extreme environments can your strength reach the next level."
Saying this, Yoriichi thoughtfully added a reminder:
"Of course, you can also change your mind and choose the simplest training plan."
"After all, you are a Quincy. There's no need to deliberately learn the techniques of Shinigami and Fullbringers."
"No, I won't change my mind. Ever since I was being followed, I knew I had to become stronger. Only then can I properly protect the Kurosaki clan."
Kurosaki Masaki took a deep breath, her chest rising and falling slightly as she replied.
"It's just emotional stimulation, not facing real danger. I can do it."
"Even a child as young as Shukuro managed it."
As if to bolster her own courage, Kurosaki Masaki glanced at Shukuro.
Then she began to ponder: if she awakened her X-cution, what ability would it be?
She heard you need to pour your love into the item you cherish most...
The item she cherished most was naturally her weapon, the Quincy short bow she had used since childhood.
She gently touched the short bow, her gaze deepening as she prepared herself.
Seeing this, Yoriichi nodded in satisfaction. "Good. Let's begin. Shiba Isshin, you step back too."
"What comes next will be very brutal. You are not to intervene or assist."
"This will also allow Miss Kurosaki to experience the combat style of the Wandenreich Quincy in advance."
"So she won't be flustered when the time comes."
After speaking, Yoriichi opened a Senkaimon.
Bambietta Basterbine walked out from within.
Among everyone, she was the most obedient, and her abilities were comprehensive, capable in both close and long-range combat.
Yoriichi ordered, "Bambietta, your next task is to fight her."
"You may use all your abilities. This space has been sealed. The Wandenreich Quincy cannot enter or sense what happens here."
"If you can win, I will personally grant you one not-too-excessive wish."
"Go."
...
Bambietta trembled slightly with excitement, unable to suppress it.
This wasn't because of the wish that could fulfill her desires, but because she could finally fight with all her might.
Seeing her opponent was actually a Quincy from the Wandenreich, Kurosaki Masaki immediately held her breath, tensed her mind, and her muscles tightened like a drawn bowstring.
No wonder Yoriichi Tsugikuni asked her earlier if she could use Vollständig.
So, the deadly situation she was about to face was her?
Kurosaki Masaki was quite uneasy.
Not far away, Yoriichi Tsugikuni heard her ragged breathing and nodded slightly, thinking to himself that this was the reaction a young girl should have.
"Do you want to pause?" Yoriichi asked.
Kurosaki Masaki shook her head; the arrow was on the string and had to be released, so no matter how strong the opponent was, she would simply give it her all.
With these thoughts in mind, the battle between Bambietta and Kurosaki Masaki immediately began.
...
In the center of the arena, reishi transformed into arrows and cannonballs flying everywhere, blue light curtains surged like a tide, and the sound of explosions almost completely enveloped everything in front of them.
Yoriichi Tsugikuni retreated calmly to the edge of the arena and stood side by side with Shiba Isshin.
Shiba Isshin stared at the two fighting, filled with worry.
He knew Kurosaki Masaki could not be Bambietta's opponent.
But how badly she would be hurt was truly unpredictable.
He hoped it wouldn't be too serious.
He sighed deeply.
Yoriichi, standing to the side, heard his sigh and said, "There is no need to worry; if one wants to become stronger, this is the only and fastest path."
"X-cution and Quincy powers do not repel each other. In the Wandenreich, there is a heart of the Soul King and a left hand of the Soul King."
"As fragments of the Soul King, what they can do, Kurosaki, Miss can naturally do as well."
Yoriichi's arrangements were, of course, based on careful, realistic considerations.
If Shinigami and Hollow powers could smoothly help Kurosaki Masaki become stronger, he would not need to go to such great lengths.
Shiba Isshin had heard of such events and understood these principles in his heart, but he just couldn't calm down no matter what.
At this moment, he could only force himself to shift his attention, looking at Tsukishima Shūkurō, who was standing beside him with his eyes closed, afraid to watch the battle, and asked, "Is this child a Quincy as well? He is so young, is it not good for him to see these things?"
"He will have to experience it sooner or later. He is not a Quincy. I brought him here simply because his X-cution is very interesting."
Yoriichi said, "Shukuro, you can listen as well, but there is no need to open your eyes, lest you be frightened by the battle between those two."
"Everyone's X-cution exists in two states: awakening and advancement."
"Under normal circumstances, it will gradually change with age and the increase of reiatsu."
"If your X-cution can cut through everything in its initial stage, then what about after it is upgraded?"
"Clearly, The Book of the End is an X-cution with extreme development potential."
"This is perhaps one of the reasons why your grandfather has been protecting you; he was worried you would be exploited by bad people."
Tsukishima Shūkurō did not speak, but his mind was racing, contemplating the meaning of Yoriichi's words.
He was, by nature, a very intelligent child, otherwise he wouldn't be holding a book all day.
In just a few short sentences, he understood that there were enemies around him, and those people were also his grandfather's enemies.
His grandfather's disappearance might be related to them...
Taking a deep breath, he kept his eyes closed and followed his intuition, asking, "Big Brother, what should I do?"
"Should I tell Mom and Dad to be careful? Or should I ask them to move away quickly to stay away from the danger here?"
"You don't need to do anything." Yoriichi smiled, reached out, and gently patted his head, his tone gentle.
"I am telling you this just so you understand that we will protect you just as your grandfather did."
"As for your parents, just keep things as they are; there is no need to move."
"The most important thing right now is for you to work hard and grow."
"And in the process of your growth, we will help you verify the abilities of The Book of the End step by step."
"Remember, you were born extraordinary."
A genius who awakened X-cution at the age of ten must absolutely not be buried.
Only by becoming stronger can one have the power to protect oneself when a Hollow comes knocking, and no longer let those around oneself fall into danger.
Tsukishima Shūkurō nodded sensibly.
Clang—!
At this moment, he heard a loud bell toll, and the surrounding air seemed to solidify, making it difficult for him to breathe, as if he had sunk to the bottom of the water.
But immediately after, Yoriichi's gentle touch came again, making him feel much more comfortable.
It was as if the "suffocation" from just a moment ago was just an illusion, yet Shūkurō knew that all of this had actually happened.
He quietly opened his eyes and saw Bambietta's Vollständig form.
That form was beautiful, yet it also exuded danger; just one glance was enough to render one speechless.
"Will I be able to become this strong in the future?"
Shūkurō thought to himself, quickly closing his eyes, not daring to look again.
But that image was deeply branded into his mind, impossible to forget.
...
"Is this Vollständig?"
Witnessing the true final form of a Quincy, Kurosaki Masaki only felt an unprecedented pressure pressing down on her like Mount Tai, making her almost unable to breathe.
She had already sensed that the reishi around her was no longer under her control and was flying toward Bambietta's wings.
Clearly, this was absolute subordination of reishi.
Under this ability, any Shinigami or Quincy not in Vollständig form could no longer use any of the reishi in the air.
In other words, from this moment on, Kurosaki Masaki had been stripped of her qualification to fight and had lost her Quincy abilities.
What happened next confirmed this.
The arrows that had been gathered on the bowstring disappeared.
Immediately after, even the bowstring ceased to exist, and countless pale blue reishi disintegrated, merging into the wings.
Kurosaki Masaki's heart tightened, and without hesitation, she quickly drew her short blade.
This was a reishi weapon that attacked enemies with a vibration frequency of three million times per second.
It could cut through almost anything and was a close-combat weapon for a Quincy.
However, at this moment, when she grasped the short blade, she only touched the cold hilt...
"This is simply a dimensional strike; how am I supposed to fight? Can I only run away?"
"No, I cannot control the reishi; Hirenkyaku... has also failed."
Kurosaki Masaki took a deep breath, and after attempting to use Hirenkyaku to no avail, she immediately understood that the current situation was critical to the extreme.
Using the Sanrei Glove might allow her to hold on for a little longer, but that would be meaningless.
Her goal was to awaken her own X-cution... so she had to use X-cution to escape the desperate situation before her.
However, before she could calm down to think about how to use X-cution, Bambietta's arrogant laughter came without any concealment:
"Hahaha, this is my true strength!"
"You over there, are you unable to use even a bit of reishi? Do you want me to be merciful and share some with you?"
The voice was extremely arrogant, but Kurosaki Masaki's expression was firm, unmoved.
She stared intently at the short bow, focused on driving the power of X-cution within her body.
Her rapid breathing, her heart beating rapidly like a drum, the high-pressure environment, and the imminent crisis of death seemed to form an invisible force.
It actually caused the "love" deep in her heart to faintly pour into the short bow in her hand.
Seeing this, Bambietta gave a disdainful "Tch."
She had finally managed to act cool, and she didn't expect this person to be so disrespectful; then she wouldn't blame herself!
First, she would fire four high-concentration reishi bombs to see if she would die!
Even if she didn't die, she would lose a layer of skin!
Anyway, with the Shinigami's technology, even if she was disfigured, she could be perfectly recovered!
Swish, swish, swish!
Several red light orbs flew rapidly toward Kurosaki Masaki, carrying the sound of breaking through the air.
Kurosaki Masaki saw them in her haste, but at this moment, she could not dodge.
The light orbs were getting closer and closer, her heartbeat instantly crossed the critical point, and the shadow of death was right before her eyes.
Of course, with Yoriichi watching from the side, Kurosaki Masaki would not be in mortal danger.
But the body's instinctive reaction was hard to suppress.
Just at this moment.
Perhaps it was the dual stimulation of spirit and body, or perhaps she was already on the verge of awakening.
A faint green light suddenly flashed from the soles of Kurosaki Masaki's feet, and immediately after.
Swish!
She disappeared from the spot like a gust of wind, perfectly dodging the attack!
—Light of X-cution.
This was a footwork technique exclusive to Fullbringers, which could be used even if there was no reishi around.
Bambietta was stunned, clearly not having expected the current situation to happen.
When she saw Kurosaki Masaki again, she saw that the Quincy short bow, which had been tightly gripped and had lost its light, was now brand new.
Where the bowstring used to be, it was now glowing with green light, and even the arrows were green.
It was obvious that this was her exclusive X-cution weapon.
"Hmph!"
Bambietta floated in the air, gave a disdainful snort, and without thinking, swung out four more bombs.
She didn't believe that this so-called X-cution was more powerful than Vollständig.
Even if the reishi concentration in the Human World wasn't very high, who was Kurosaki Masaki?
And who was she, Bambietta?
She had thought that faced with her attack, Kurosaki Masaki could only flee.
However, what happened next made Bambietta's jaw drop.
She saw that the bombs, which could originally cause anything to explode, were shot into pure reishi by Kurosaki Masaki in a few quick moves in mid-air.
Bambietta was bewildered.
She felt like she was seeing an illusion.
Where are my bombs?
Where did my huge bombs go?
When she came to her senses, gritting her teeth, a trace of madness appeared on her face as she fired four more bombs, but they disappeared again.
Until later, when she became angry from embarrassment, forty bombs were fired simultaneously like locusts, with a world-destroying momentum, wanting to blow everything in front into powder...
"Enough, Hado #90, Kurohitsugi."
Yoriichi's expression was cold, and with a wave of his hand, a powerful reiatsu instantly erupted.
Even though it had been restricted, it easily shattered Bambietta's wings, prematurely terminating her crazy behavior.
Bambietta screamed and fell to the ground.
Yoriichi ignored her.
After the black coffin slowly disappeared, he turned his gaze to Kurosaki Masaki, with a trace of appreciation in his eyes, and asked, "A quite outstanding ability. What is this X-cution, and what is its name?"
"Of course, if you cannot name it, that is fine, as you have only just mastered it; there is no need to rush."
"There is nothing that I cannot name."
Kurosaki Masaki used the Light of X-cution and appeared in front of Yoriichi.
Her gaze first swept over Shiba Isshin, who was standing beside Yoriichi and had been watching in a daze, nodded slightly to acknowledge him, and then explained methodically, "Bow of Truth-Breaking. As for its ability, it should be to shatter everything composed of foreign matter."
"At least that is what my bow 'told' me; I seem to be able to hear its inner voice, a very wonderful feeling."
"Captain-Commander, could you help me analyze what this foreign matter actually is?"