Arthur wasted no words. He turned and led the way.
The streets of Reverse London were completely different from the Seireitei. There were no Japanese-style buildings, no courtyards with falling cherry blossoms.
Only Gothic spires, Victorian brick walls, and the ubiquitous thick fog that never seemed to dissipate.
Within the fog, figures could occasionally be seen, the 'witches' of the West, riding 'Dragons' as they swept across the sky.
Setsuna sensed that the Reiatsu of these Western Shinigami also seemed different from the East's.
Eastern Reiatsu was like a 'sword', sharp and pure, while Western Reiatsu had the character of 'magic'… complex and ever-changing.
Twenty minutes later, they arrived at the center of Reverse London.
It was a massive clock tower, as if constructed from crystallized Reishi.
The space around the clock tower twisted into a vortex. The air was filled with a nauseating odor, like the smell of rotting flesh.
"Where is the Dragon? Why has it disappeared?" Arthur's expression changed slightly.
Just then, a member hurried forward to report. "Lord Arthur, that Dragon has already gone to the Living World."
"What? Gone to the Living World?" Arthur's face changed dramatically. "Even the Directors of the Top of Horns are no match for that Dragon, let alone the fact that Directors entering the Living World have to suppress 80% of their Reiryoku!"
Setsuna raised an eyebrow slightly. It seemed the [Top of Horns] was probably an existence similar to the Gotei 13. He didn't expect that Captains here also had to suppress their Reiryoku when entering the Living World.
Setsuna's tone was indifferent. "No need to worry. Just lead us to that Dragon."
But Arthur warned solemnly, "Emissaries from the East, it would be best for you to be cautious. That Dragon, according to your Eastern classification, is a Menos Grande-level existence… specifically, an Adjuchas-class Menos Grande."
Arthur didn't notice the rather subtle expressions on the few people's faces. He continued, "I heard that in your East, even Menos Grande can only be dealt with by the Royal Guards of the Zero Division, let alone the rare second-level Menos Grande..."
Seeing Yoruichi and Aizen seemingly holding back laughter, Komamura had to introduce, "This is Captain Chiaki of the 11th Division. Even Vasto Lorde-class Menos Grande have been defeated by him. As for the Gillian-class and Adjuchas-class Menos Grande he has slain, they are countless."
The few of them awaited Arthur's shocked expression.
Arthur was indeed shocked… but shocked as he asked, "Your Eastern Soul Society is actually so dark, breeding so many terrifying Menos Grande?"
The four's mouths twitched slightly, 'You Western Soul Society dare to call others dark? The dark power here is almost materializing.'
Arthur said solemnly, "Since Captain Chiaki has experience dealing with Menos Grande, let us proceed to the Living World immediately."
His hands traced complex patterns in the air. A pentagram array emerged on the ground.
"Please enter, everyone. This is the door to the Living World."
Setsuna observed the magic circle with interest. Although the West's overall strength wasn't as good as the East's, these magical methods were quite ingenious.
The four stepped into the magic circle, and Arthur followed.
They felt their bodies lighten, as if falling into a bottomless abyss. But that falling sensation lasted less than a second. The next moment, they appeared on the streets of London.
"Ugh..." Komamura let out a low groan. The Reishi concentration in the Living World was too thin, causing him some slight discomfort.
At that moment, he noticed Yoruichi and Aizen's Reiatsu suddenly diminish.
'They are also actively suppressing their Reiatsu to avoid damaging the Living World?' Komamura felt somewhat incredulous, 'Only Captain and Lieutenant-level Shinigami needed to suppress their Reiatsu when entering the Living World. Had both of them reached 5th-class Reiryoku?'
Although Yoruichi was exceptionally promoted to Lieutenant, she was after all the princess of the Shihoin Clan. Reaching 5th-class Reiryoku upon graduation was somewhat understandable.
But Aizen, merely the 10th Seat of the 11th Division, also possessed Lieutenant-level Reiatsu?
While the few were sensing the differences of the Living World, Setsuna comfortably narrowed his eyes.
His soul entering a Gigai allowed him to feel the existence of a physical body for the first time in a long while.
For Setsuna, a physical body was his most familiar form.
Although he actively suppressed 80% of his Reiatsu, fighting in the Living World with a Gigai actually allowed him to exert most of his strength.
What was a pity was that the current Gigai was only a basic version, not as perfected as the one Kisuke would later develop.
Given the intensity of his battles, if he really fought, this Gigai probably wouldn't last long before being damaged.
At this moment, Arthur was holding a delicate compass. The compass's needle spun wildly, ultimately pointing east.
"That Dragon is not in London either." Arthur's expression was quite grave. "It seems to have gone to the European continent."
Setsuna nodded. "No time to lose. Let's pursue immediately."
Five figures, like ghosts sweeping across the sky, crossed the fog of the English Channel and flew toward the European continent.
…
France, Normandy region, a remote village.
As the five flew over this village, Komamura suddenly stopped.
"Captain Chiaki, may we wait a moment?"
Setsuna looked down and immediately understood.
In the village's central square, villagers were now gathered.
They wore coarse linen clothes, held torches in their hands, and had faces filled with fear and anger.
And in the center of the square were two wooden burning stakes.
Bound to the burning stakes were two 'people', two Wolfmen.
One was old, his fur already grayish-white, his bare torso covered in scars.
One was young, seemingly just a child, still just a boy.
Flames were already licking at their ankles. The smell of burning fur mixed with the stench of burning flesh permeated the air.
"Burn them! Burn these monsters!"
"God will purify their souls!"
"They stole my sheep! They must be killed!"
The old Wolfman remained silent. The young Wolfman had already cried himself hoarse. "Grandpa, Grandpa... it hurts so much..."
Just as the flames were about to consume them, Komamura couldn't help but act.
He swiftly rescued the two, then moved them away with teleportation. The entire process took less than 0.1 seconds.
Watching the two suddenly vanish from the burning stakes, the villagers looked at each other.
"Where did those two monsters go? Burned up that fast?"
"I understand! They must have been purified by God, that's why they disappeared so quickly."
In the sky, Komamura looked shamefaced. "Captain Chiaki, I apologize. I acted on my own."
Setsuna shook his head with a smile. "No matter. Investigating the origin of the curse was precisely your purpose for this journey. First, find a place to put them down."
Komamura nodded gratefully and descended into a nearby forest.
Arthur didn't urge them to pursue the Dragon. Instead, showing good judgment, he cast healing magic on the two Wolfmen.
New flesh buds began to grow. Wounds began to heal.
The young Wolfman stopped crying, staring in surprise at his legs.
The old Wolfman struggled to his feet and bowed to the group. "Thank you, kind strangers."
"No need for thanks. Because I am the same as you." Komamura slowly removed his hood.
Under the moonlight, that canine face was exposed to the air.
Similar to the Wolfmen, yet also slightly different.
The old Wolfman's face was closer to a 'wolf', while Komamura's face... was closer to a 'dog'.
The young Wolfman's eyes widened.
"Grandpa!" He pointed at Komamura, his voice filled with incredulous excitement. "We have distant relatives among the Dogmen?"