"Ara, Ara, if it isn't our silver-haired heartthrob. So, what kind of girl would you like to accompany you today?"
Upon his arrival at the establishment, the madam spotted Kaito. Though she was grumbling inwardly, she still wore a fawning, welcoming smile.
Kaito smiled and walked over. "Just like yesterday. Bring me Kana."
The madam's expression turned apologetic. "I'm so sorry, sir, but Kana isn't receiving guests today."
Oh? Kaito thought. How convenient. Is it that she doesn't want to see guests, or is she afraid to see me?
"May I ask why Miss Kana isn't seeing anyone today?" Kaito asked smoothly.
The madam sighed. "I'm not entirely sure. She was just staring out the window in one direction for a few minutes. When she turned away, she seemed to be in a terrible mood and announced she wouldn't be seeing any guests for the rest of the day."
I see, Kaito realized. Did she actually feel a pang of sympathy watching one of her own kind get eliminated?
To be honest, Hollows who developed a "heart" did exist, though they were incredibly rare. In the original story, Neliel was exactly that kind of Arrancar—someone who cared for her comrades and despised meaningless slaughter.
Kaito wanted to see how this would play out. Since she refused to meet, he didn't force the issue. He booked a private room for himself and ordered a small flask of sake.
Kaito leaned back on a plush couch, casually draping his black coat over a nearby chair.
The spacious room was filled with music and movement. Several dancers performed in unison, their flowing traditional garments swaying with each graceful step. Behind him, one attendant worked on easing the tension from his shoulders while another saw to his comfort.
Nearby, a young woman in an elegant kimono sat before a koto, her fingers gliding across the strings with practiced skill. Though she remained focused on the melody, her gaze occasionally drifted toward Kaito.
It was difficult not to notice him.
With his striking silver-white hair, vivid blue eyes, and relaxed confidence, he naturally drew attention wherever he went.
Maybe I should invite Shunsui Kyoraku to the World of the Living sometime, Kaito amused himself. He absolutely lives for this kind of atmosphere.
Kaito sipped his drink, his eyes drifting toward the right wing of the pavilion where Kana's quarters were located.
In that right wing, Kana sat quietly by herself, her bright eyes occasionally darting toward the left wing where Kaito was staying.
Kaito wondered, What is she thinking?
And Kana wondered, What is he thinking?
Two hours passed quickly. Upon receiving a notification from the system, Kaito bid farewell to the hostesses and left .
As Kana sensed his departure, the heavy pressure she had been feeling finally began to ease.
Soon. Just one more sign-in, or a few more Hollows, and I'll finally unlock the Reverse Cursed Technique.
Kaito walked down the street with his hands in his pockets, squinting up at the bright afternoon sun, his heart full of anticipation for his new ability.
"Kaito!"
A cold, sharp voice rang out behind him. He turned around to find Soi Fon standing there.
Seriously? She's still around?
Kaito's face fell, but he managed a casual greeting anyway. "Oh, Soi Fon taichou. What a coincidence."
"Coincidence my foot!"
Soi Fon closed the distance with a burst of Shunpo, her face tight with anger. "As a Shinigami stationed in the World of the Living, how dare you openly indulge in such pleasures in broad daylight? Do you think you're a captain?"
Looking at Soi Fon's expression, Kaito sighed inwardly. Why was she always so angry? Did she wake up every morning looking for someone to threaten?
He cleared his throat and explained, "Captain Soi Fon, there are no active missions right now. This is my personal downtime during our rotation, and I've never let my private life interfere with my duties."
It was a perfectly diplomatic answer. Having joined the massive organization that was the Gotei 13, Kaito knew exactly how to handle bureaucracy. First, establish that there is no current emergency. Second, note that it falls within approved downtime. Third, imply that his performance remains flawless regardless of how he spends his free time.
Soi Fon was already in a foul mood because of the mysterious Uchiha Madara from the night before. Watching Kaito casually talk his way out of trouble only made her even more irritated.
"That might be how the 13th Division operates, but right now, you are under the temporary jurisdiction of the 2nd Division," she snapped. She turned on her heel. "Come with me!"
She vanished using Shunpo. Resigned to his bad luck, Kaito sighed and followed, keeping a steady distance right behind her.
As Soi Fon sprinted ahead, she noticed Kaito keeping pace without breaking a sweat. Despite her intense dislike for his casual attitude, she had to grudgingly acknowledge his raw strength.
At the temporary barracks in Karakura Town, Soi Fon called a meeting with Kiyone and Shino.
The atmosphere in the room was suffocatingly tense. Kaito wore an expression that practically screamed, I know you're mad at me, but you can't actually do anything about it. Soi Fon, meanwhile, stared daggers at him.
When Kiyone walked in and saw the two of them, she froze. What happened between them now?
Shino, being a natural combat enthusiast much like her older brother Ikkaku, seemed completely oblivious to the heavy mood and walked right in without a care.
Once the three stationed Shinigami were gathered, Soi Fon crossed her arms and spoke sharply. "Although I am not your taichou, the Seireitei has trusted you with the safety of this sector. This assignment is not an excuse to evade discipline and indulge in pleasures."
Kiyone and Shino blinked in confusion. Where was this coming from?
Reviewing their own conduct since arriving in the World of the Living, neither felt they had done anything to warrant such a lecture. Which meant...
Both women slowly turned their gaze toward Kaito.
Kaito shot them a defensive look. Don't look at me. I'm innocent. She's just looking for an excuse to take her frustration out on someone.
Kiyone gave him a helpless, sympathetic shrug. Sorry, I can't help you here. She's a captain; I can't exactly talk back.
Shino simply stared at the ceiling, completely tuning the lecture out since it didn't involve her.
Soi Fon's throat was getting dry from talking, but seeing Kaito's utterly unbothered expression only made her blood boil further.
Beep! Beep! Beep!
Suddenly, everyone's Denreishinki vibrated violently in unison. They immediately pulled out their devices to check the alert.
"Emergency! Multiple Hollows appearing frequently across Sectors 5, 6, 8, and 11 in Karakura Town. All units, deploy and eliminate immediately!"
Kaito snapped his phone shut and looked directly at Soi Fon. "My apologies, Captain Soi Fon, but I don't have time for a lecture right now. If you have complaints regarding the conduct of the 13th Division, feel free to take it up with Captain Ukitake. Right now, I have a mission to complete."
Leaving her with that parting shot, Kaito vanished in a flash of Shunpo.
"We're sorry, Captain Soi Fon, we have to go too!" Kiyone apologized quickly before rushing out alongside Shino. Given the unusually high number of Hollows appearing at once, even logistics personnel like Kiyone had to deploy to the front lines.
Once he was safely out of Soi Fon's sensory range, Kaito activated the spatial compression of his "Blue" technique to cover ground instantly. Long before Kiyone and Shino could even reach the designated areas, he swept through Sectors 5, 6, 8, and 11, systematically obliterating every Hollow in his path.
Yet, after clearing out the entire wave, his progress toward unlocking the Reverse Cursed Technique had barely ticked up by a fraction.