White clouds drifted slowly with blue sky as background. The sun, as bright as ever, shone its rays toward Earth to make everything visible.
"Hmm~ Hm hmm~"
A man hummed slowly as he watered the plant in front of a candy shop. He held his striped hat and smiled at the tree he raised, clearly happy.
The sign in the shop read Urahara Shop. The owner, Urahara Kisuke, smiled happily to himself. It had been a while since everyone left, and nothing interesting had happened in his life.
Business wasn't exactly going well. In fact, the number of visitors decreased after Shirou didn't visit the store. He wasn't particularly worried about them, not at all.
However, he had a bad feeling about it.
"Oh?"
The water stopped flowing when the shop owner realized that there was something amiss. The trees in front of the shop suddenly swayed gently even though there was no wind.
"Wow, did something actually happen?" He mused to himself.
He remembered his conversation with an interesting boy a few days before they left.
Back then, he was surprised because the boy suddenly asked to fight him seriously. While the boy was strong, he wasn't a match to someone with vast experience and battle prowess.
The fight was interesting to say, something he hadn't experienced for a century. Getting injured by a mere teen that hadn't reached his limit yet? He felt happy that someone as talented as him would become a fine warrior in the future.
In the end, he had to stop his curiosity because the kid had an interesting power. A strange ability he had never seen before.
It was the first time in a long while since he got a headache trying to figure out a person's ability. He suspected something, related to western part of the world, but he didn't want to pry. The boy didn't feel comfortable about that.
Still, he shared a bit of his knowledge with him.
"Captain Kuchiki Byakuya hasn't used his full strength yet when fighting you." He told the boy as he got bandaged by Yoruichi.
"Hmm?"
"All Captains from Gotei 13 have to restrict their reiatsu to 20% when they visit the world of living. Using Bankai is also prohibited, but he broke that rule." The man shrugged. "That was truly surprising that I had to check it out myself."
Shirou only listened quietly, waiting for Urahara to continue.
"And what I wondered about was-" He looked at Shirou with a hint of curiosity flickered in his eyes, "-Why did you hold back and then use that strange technique of yours?"
The boy was silent. He looked away, staring into the space.
"I wonder why." He said in a low voice, "If I use something destructive, Rukia and the civilians won't be safe."
"You knew that you risked yourself by doing that." Urahara said flatly.
"Of course I knew." Shirou nodded. He looked up, staring into Urahara's grey eyes, "My technique used my reiryoku to create weapons. And then I use Reishi to keep them, minimizing the usage of reiryoku."
The blond man didn't react much. He had already researched that much after knowing him for years.
"You called it a strange technique, but you're not that surprised. Why is that?"
"... You know too much, kid. But you're not wrong." He sighed, shrugging. "Some Captains' Bankai allowed them to create barriers similar to yours. I don't know how yours works inside that barrier, but some Bankai could put a rule and change the reality inside that barrier."
"Ah..." Shirou exclaimed in understanding, nodding. "That means... My power is similar to Bankai?"
"You can say that but you also can't at the same time."
Urahara grinned widely, raising a finger to make a point.
"Unless the man you saw in the dream who taught you everything is a Zanpakutou spirit, that's not possible. You're Quincy, you inherited your mother's power more than your father's. I have no doubt about that."
Pausing slightly, Urahara looked at Shirou, studying the reaction of the boy. The boy looked interested and curious, yet he also had a mocking smile, so he continued with a serious face.
"If you create your weapon and hold it using Reishi, it will definitely be stronger when you're in Soul Society as the world is made of Reishi. And if you were ever visited, don't ever let the Shinigamis see your ability to copy Zanpakutou. Only use it when you're forced to."
Danger would always come to those who were different. If anyone ever saw his power, the news would spread like wildfire.
Even worse, he could be targeted for assassination if he ever fought against the wrong people.
"Also," He added, "I think you're strong enough to fight Captain-level Shinigami, especially with your unique skill. Just be careful, okay?"
"Okay, thank you for the advice, Urahara-san."
***
In a secret hideout under Sokyoku Hill, Shirou opened his eyes and looked around. He was alone in the dark space.
Usually, Ganju would talk with him when night arrived, but the man had somewhere to be right now. Ichigo and Renji trained in the underground area; they planned to do it until the last moment. Orihime was with them as well, healing them when they got injured.
"Ah... It's time to move."
The execution would be held in 6 hours at noon.
Morning had just arrived for the residents of Seireitei. Everyone had woken up and prepared to hold the execution in Sokyoku Hill.
With his senses, Shirou could feel many reiatsu moving around in the Shinigami compound. They seemed to belong to Captains, and somehow they were scattered everywhere.
Based on what Yoruichi said, all Captains should've attended the execution if they didn't have any pressing matters.
"It doesn't matter. I only have one job."
Grabbing his black haori, Shirou put it on his back. He walked to the door, ready to get out. His task was clear and straightforward. There was nothing that would hold him back now.
The time had arrived. The day to finish everything.
He would make sure Kuchiki Rukia returned home alive.
Using Hirenkyaku, he moved through the Soul Society. His presence was definitely known by many Captains and high-ranked seated officers now. However, he kept going.
In a few moments, he arrived at the Shinigami barrack, more specifically the 4th Division barrack where all the healers resided.
A white building towered over the surroundings. Many healers dressed in shihakusho moved back and forth, seemingly busy. But once they noticed his presence, they suddenly stopped.
Everyone looked at the direction he was coming from, some looking scared while the others drew their swords.
"Stop!"
In an instant, Shirou was surrounded by dozens of 4th Division's officers. Some were still afraid of him, but their fear had mostly faded. They pointed their zanpakutou at him, ready to attack if he moved an inch.
"Don't move! What's your goal here, Ryoka?!" A Shinigami shouted at him, pointing his sword to him. He was the only Shinigami among them that didn't show fear toward Shirou, the 3rd Seat of 4th Division, Iemura Yasochika.
"..."
Shirou stared at the officer without moving, not intimidated by the sword that could slice his head off at any time.
The Shinigami frowned at his lack of response.
"I'll repeat it again. What's your goal, Ryoka?!"
"I want to meet your captain."