The endless white desert shimmered with an eerie silver glow under the moonlight.
Hasumi Ren's figure wove through the sand dunes.
Occasionally, the distant roars of Hollows could be heard.
This area seemed quite remote; few Hollows were willing to linger here.
Behind a nearby dune lay a depression scattered with the remains of several Hollows.
Shattered bone masks were strewn about, and their half-eaten, mangled bodies were already partially buried in the sand, gradually weathering away to become part of the desert.
Ren looked up, gazing into the distance.
There, he could faintly make out several figures moving about.
They were a few ordinary Hollows, tearing and biting at each other.
Ren's eyes lit up.
He lowered his body and silently approached their direction.
Soon, Ren closed in on the Hollows.
They were a group of the lowest-level Hollows—not even Gillians, just ordinary lesser Hollows.
They were small in stature, possessed low intelligence, and acted purely on instinct.
Ren lurked behind a rock, observing them.
There were five in total, and all of them were already injured.
Without further hesitation, Ren leaped out from behind the rock.
The Hollows were startled by Ren's sudden appearance, but they quickly reacted, roaring as they lunged at him.
Ren sidestepped the first Hollow's pounce, his claws smoothly slicing across its abdomen.
The Hollow let out a miserable shriek as its stomach was ripped open, black blood spurting out.
Ren didn't stop, spinning around to meet the second one.
Before the second Hollow could even react, Ren smashed its mask to pieces with a single swipe of his claw.
The remaining few suffered the exact same fate.
In the blink of an eye, all five Hollows had fallen.
Ren stood amidst the corpses, his body covered in black blood, but his eyes were strikingly bright.
Looking down, Ren noticed that the remains of the Hollows were gradually turning into fragments and being absorbed into his body.
Reishi surged into him, converting into power.
Ren could feel himself growing just a bit stronger, and the corners of his mouth curled up slightly.
He raised his head and continued forward.
Ahead, even more Hollows were waiting for him.
Meanwhile, in the Soul Society.
Ren walked along a small path through the woods, his pace unhurried.
On the surface, he appeared to be taking a leisurely stroll.
In reality, his attention was split in two.
Half remained with his main body, keeping an eye on his surroundings.
The other half was in Hueco Mundo, controlling his clone as it approached those Hollows.
It was a bizarre sensation.
It was like watching two screens at the same time, both images presenting themselves clearly in his mind.
He could process the situations on both sides simultaneously without them interfering with one another.
Things were progressing smoothly in Hueco Mundo. At this rate, it wouldn't be long before this clone accumulated enough fragments to evolve into an Adjuchas.
But for now, he had other matters to attend to.
Not far ahead stood a grand, imposing mansion.
Ren stopped in his tracks, a long-lost sense of familiarity welling up in his heart.
The Shiba clan estate.
Ever since joining the Gotei 13, he rarely visited this place.
Just as he was about to step forward and knock, the main gates suddenly opened from the inside.
"Oh my, if it isn't Young Master Ren."
The two brothers, Koganehiko and Shiroganehiko, came out to greet him with faces full of surprise.
"It has been a while, Koganehiko, Shiroganehiko. Is anyone home?"
"Yes," Koganehiko nodded repeatedly. "The Second Miss is in the backyard making fireworks. I'll go inform her right away. Shiroganehiko, please entertain Young Master Ren."
Ren sat on a soft cushion on the tatami mats in the drawing room, picked up a teacup, and took a gentle sip.
Before long, hurried footsteps echoed from outside the door.
The door slid open, and Shiba Kukaku marched in amidst Koganehiko's flustered attempts to stop her.
"Ren?!"
Seeing Kukaku, Ren smiled and nodded.
"Long time no see, Kukaku..."
Ren then took a good look at Kukaku's current appearance and paused slightly in surprise.
Noticing Ren's expression, Kukaku also looked down at herself.
Her kimono was covered in dust and gunpowder, her cuffs were filthy, and her face was likely smudged black and white with soot.
Her face instantly flushed bright red.
"Ah!"
She let out a shriek and spun around to run away, leaving Koganehiko sighing with his face in his hands.
A short while later, Kukaku returned.
She had changed into clean clothes and combed her hair.
"Sorry you had to see that..."
She spoke softly, a hint of embarrassment in her voice.
Ren shook his head.
"Not at all."
Kukaku blinked, then rubbed the back of her neck.
"You... you've changed a lot."
Ren looked at her curiously.
"How so?"
Kukaku thought for a moment.
"I can't quite put my finger on it," she said. "It just feels like you're different from before."
She raised her head, studying Ren carefully.
They hadn't seen each other in half a year. His facial features seemed a bit more defined, and his gaze was much steadier.
But the biggest change wasn't his appearance; it was his aura.
Now, he carried an indescribable sense of... composure?
Kukaku shook her head, tossing those thoughts aside.
"Enough about that," she said with a smile. "Hurry up and tell me, how have you been doing in the Gotei 13?"
Ren set down his teacup and began recounting his experiences over the past six months.
Of course, he omitted the parts that couldn't be spoken of.
Kukaku listened intently, occasionally letting out gasps of amazement.
The two chatted back and forth, and before they knew it, a long time had passed.
Kukaku checked the time and suddenly stood up.
"Oh right, you haven't eaten yet, have you? I'll have the kitchen prepare something. Stay and have a meal with us."
Hearing this, Ren smiled helplessly and stood up.
"No, I should be heading back."
Kukaku was taken aback.
"You're leaving already?"
"Yeah," Ren nodded. "I still have squad duties to handle tomorrow."
"Besides, not everyone is here today. Next time, when Kaien and Ganju are both free, I'll host, and we can all get together."
Hearing this, Kukaku looked disappointed.
"Alright then, I'll walk you out."
The two walked out of the drawing room, passed through the corridor, and arrived at the main gates.
Koganehiko and Shiroganehiko followed behind but didn't step forward, merely watching from a distance.
Kukaku stood at the doorway, looking at Ren.
The setting sun cast its light down, making her face look exceptionally soft.
Ren took a few steps out before Kukaku's voice suddenly called out from behind him.
"Ren!"
He stopped in his tracks and looked back.
Kukaku stood at the gate, raising her hand and waving vigorously.
"Come visit more often when you have time! Next time, with my older brother and Ganju, we'll have a proper get-together!"
Looking at her, a warm current welled up in Ren's heart.
He also raised his hand and waved.
Then, he turned around and disappeared into the twilight.
Behind him, Kukaku remained standing at the door, gazing at his retreating figure.
She didn't lower her hand until he was completely out of sight.
Koganehiko and Shiroganehiko walked over.
"Eldest Miss, let's go back in and rest."
Kukaku nodded, turning around to walk back into the courtyard.
The main gates slowly closed behind her.
Night gradually fell.
Ren walked along the streets of the Seireitei, his pace unhurried.
Without realizing it, he had arrived at a familiar place.
The Shin'o Academy.
He stopped and looked up at the familiar gates.
For those still within the academy, half a year was neither too long nor too short.
Ren lifted his foot and walked inside.
The academy was very quiet.
Most of the students had already returned to their dormitories to rest; only occasionally could the hurried figures of late returnees be seen passing by.
Sensing spiritual pressure, Ren followed the familiar path toward the training grounds.
On the training grounds, a petite figure was sweating under the moonlight.
Ren stood in the shadows of a corner, quietly watching her.
After half a year apart, Nanao seemed to have grown a bit taller, her posture more upright than before.
Ren didn't make a sound, merely continuing to watch.
Finally, Nanao stopped her Kido training.
She wiped the sweat from her forehead, her mouth feeling a bit dry.
Just then, her water canteen was handed to her.
"Oh, thank..."
The next moment, Nanao froze.
She followed the canteen upward and saw a familiar face.
Under the moonlight, that person stood right in front of her, a faint smile on his face.
"What, don't you recognize me anymore?"
That voice, that tone—it was exactly the same as half a year ago.
Nanao was stunned. She just stared at him blankly, her eyes growing wider and wider.
Her eyes gradually grew moist.
The next moment, Ren felt a petite figure suddenly plunge into his embrace, the impact making him sway slightly.
He looked down at the figure holding him tightly, her shoulders trembling slightly.
Ren fell silent for a moment, then reached out and gently stroked her head.
"Sorry, I'm back."