"So this is another world!"
Yoruichi stepped onto the brick-and-stone ground, looking at the crescent-shaped harbor before her and the endless, surging sea ahead.
The sun hung high, casting an incredibly bright light across the heavens and earth. However, a lingering sea mist drifted over the water, obscuring her vision.
Yoruichi turned around. Behind her was a massive plaza, and beyond that stood a colossal military fortress. Its architectural style was somewhat similar to the Seireitei. On the front of the building, a seagull emblem was painted alongside the text: [G-1].
Soldiers were patrolling the plaza on duty.
Yoruichi had just descended from a Senkaimon high in the sky, and this island was the first thing she saw.
Ren walked to Yoruichi's side, following her gaze. He explained softly, "This island is called Marineford. It was originally the Navy Headquarters. This is where Whitebeard fought the Navy and died before I brought him back to the Soul Society."
He had a set of coordinates for this island, so he had brought Yoruichi here through the Senkaimon.
"Navy... Pirates..."
Yoruichi's amber eyes shook slightly as she murmured Ren's words. Earlier, while in the spatial tunnel, she had heard Ren mention a series of things regarding alternate worlds and Whitebeard. Now that she was on this island, seeing everything for herself, it all confirmed that what her husband said was the truth.
She had secretly traveled to the World of the Living before, and she had certainly never seen a sight like this there. Recalling the four Senkaimon she saw before coming here, Yoruichi turned her head to look at her husband, who was shrouded in mystery.
"So, do the other three Senkaimon lead to different worlds as well?"
"That is right," Ren nodded. "The gate marked with the character [FIRE] leads to the original world of the Uchiha clan. [CURSE] leads to the world of Toji and Riko. As for the last one—"
"We do not fully understand that new world yet, but it should not be very dangerous. I have left its exploration to Riko and the others."
After surveying her surroundings, Yoruichi's eyes flickered as if she had realized something. She looked at Ren.
"Does this mean... besides these four worlds, you can find even more new ones?"
Ren nodded and drew the Zanpakuto from his waist.
"Yoruichi, you know the ability of my Zanpakuto, right?"
Yoruichi said in a low voice, "Of course. Kiritsugu has two abilities: one is Connecting, and the other is Cutting."
Ren's Zanpakuto possessed two almost diametrically opposed powers. Yoruichi had only been told about this when Ren signed the contract with Kisuke Urahara and the others.
"Ren, are you saying you used your Zanpakuto's power to cut a path to other worlds?"
"But... how is that possible?"
"No matter how exceptional a Zanpakuto's ability is, something like this clearly transcends the limits of the world... How could you achieve such a thing?"
Cutting through two different worlds—the very idea was too shocking to even contemplate.
No!
Yoruichi's eyes suddenly widened. While Ren's cutting ability was heaven-defying, that was not the main point! She stared blankly at Ren, the husband who had been by her side for two years. Her amber eyes betrayed a hint of inexplicable terror.
"Ren, tell me... why..."
"Why would you even think of using Kiritsugu's power to break through the spatial barrier between two worlds?"
Even if an ordinary person possessed such an ability, the most they would think of is how it could provide a massive boost in combat, or perhaps allow them to move freely between the Three Worlds. Breaking into an entirely different world—would a normal person really have such an absurd thought?
Ren looked at his wife. Even in her cat form, the various emotions she felt were visible on her feline face. He watched her silently. After a moment of silence, the serious expression on Ren's face gave way to a sense of relief.
"Yoruichi, it seems you have realized it."
Ren had to admit that it was surprising Yoruichi had thought of this layer, yet it was also logical. The Uchiha clan, Whitebeard, and the others all viewed him through a specific lens. Combined with his title as a Soul Reaper, they perceived him as a god-like entity. Naturally, they would not think in this direction.
Isn't it natural for a god to be able to do such things? It was a difference in perspective. Yoruichi did not share that perspective. Having lived with him day and night, she saw him as an equal, so it was perfectly normal for her to make this connection.
"It is indeed as you say. A sentient being born and raised in this world would find it difficult to have such a thought—"
As Ren spoke, the strange sense of dread in Yoruichi's heart intensified. Amidst her growing tension, Ren's voice continued.
"—However, Yoruichi, I never said I was a soul born within the Three Worlds."
Her husband's words were like a bolt of lightning, crashing through Yoruichi's thoughts. The suspicion that had just sprouted in her mind was now fully confirmed, leaving her standing there in a daze.
"Ren... you..."
Yoruichi stammered for a long time, finding herself unable to even form a coherent sentence. Even though she had speculated, the truth coming from her husband's mouth was so explosive that it left her mind in chaos. She could only stare blankly at the husband who was both incredibly familiar and incredibly strange.
Ren had anticipated Yoruichi's reaction. He reached out, pulled her into his arms, and continued stroking her fur.
"Yoruichi, there is no need to be so surprised."
"While it sounds significant, in reality, it isn't that shocking."
Ren's voice was gentle, as if he had shed some heavy burden.
"If this were written as a novel, it probably wouldn't be very original. A lost soul arrived in the Three Worlds for unknown reasons and managed to survive. Then, after experiencing a few things, he eventually enrolled in the Shino Academy, married into a noble family, wed a beautiful woman, and reached the pinnacle of life—it is a clichéd story."
Hearing Ren's words, Yoruichi gradually recovered from her shock. She leaned back in Ren's arms, looking up at his face, which held a somber expression she had never seen before. A soft spot deep in her heart was touched, as if she finally understood something.
"So, was your goal in opening paths to these alternate worlds to find a way back to your original world?"
"That is just your guess. I never said that," Ren said in a low voice.
Yoruichi looked up. Limited by the angle, she could only see Ren's chin and nose, unable to see his full expression. However, the emotions hidden in those words reached her ears perfectly.
"Ren, has anyone ever told you that you are terrible at lying?"
"Is that so?"
Ren lowered his head to look at Yoruichi. His expression was the same as always, still that stern mask. Yet, in Yoruichi's eyes, it felt as though she were seeing a lonely and lost soul.
She nodded and sighed, "You fake-serious man, you really are bad at lying. Whenever it comes to the important parts, you either speak vaguely or intentionally avoid the subject."
Ren fell silent. He thought for a moment before nodding, then shook his head again.
"Half of it, I suppose."
He sighed. Yoruichi understood somewhat, but she still asked, "And the other half?"
"Yoruichi, do you know? These alternate worlds contain many magical things beyond imagination, and many existences known as powerhouses."
Ren paused before continuing, "Like the Devil Fruits Whitebeard and the others mentioned. They exist on this sea; one only needs to eat one to gain miraculous abilities. And those powerhouses—like Whitebeard, the Uchiha, or Toji—after they died, I brought their souls back to the Soul Society to become powerful assets."
Yoruichi nodded slightly. She suddenly stood up, climbed onto Ren's shoulder, and licked her husband's cheek with her tongue.
"Ren, tell me about it. What was your original world really like?"
[Reviews - Power St0nes - Comments are highly appreciated to keep me going.....(+50 chapters) patre0n.c0m/talecrafter]