Shimo heard the voice right at his ear — and realized, a moment too late, that releasing his Zanpakutō now wouldn't help.

He forced his eyes open wide, trying to capture the beautiful sight before him.

The bronzed woman across from him was still attempting to press her clawed fingers against his face.

"…Guess I'll just have to heal with Kaidō later."

That was Shimo's final thought before the strike landed.

He shut his eyes, waiting for the pain.

But after a moment… it never came.

Instead, the gentle touch of something cold and smooth brushed against his cheek.

"Little Shimo, this one's just interest for what you owe me!"

Yoruichi Shihōin's fingers lightly pressed against his face — just enough to leave the faintest, nearly invisible scratch.

By the time she released him, the mark had already vanished.

Shimo gave a bitter smile.

"Was that really necessary, Yoruichi-neesan?"

He brushed the spot with his hand. Not even a trace remained.

"You rogue. Long time no see. Finally done clinging to that pampered noble life?"

Yoruichi crossed her arms, completely unconcerned about her appearance being on full display.

Shimo sighed, then took off his haori and draped it over her.

"What do you mean, 'pampered noble life'?"

He countered, "If we're talking about decadence, the Shihōin clan puts the Kyōraku family to shame."

"Hmph. Upper nobles like you will never understand what it's like to be one of the Great Four."

At that, Yoruichi wrapped the haori tightly around herself, narrowed her golden feline eyes, and fixed them on Shimo.

"So that's why you've been hiding from me?"

"Cough cough!"

Shimo nearly choked on his own spit.

Yoruichi's wildly unpredictable train of thought was impossible to keep up with.

"That's got nothing to do with it," he said seriously. "I've just been focusing on my training."

Yoruichi leaned in, her golden cat-like eyes sweeping across his face.

"Hmph! I'll let you off the hook this time."

The haori hung loosely around her, far too big for her frame.

"So, what brings you to the Human World?"

Her tone shifted — now calm and serious.

"I brought back an Arrancar from Hueco Mundo. I need Urahara's help. I won't be staying long."

Shimo sighed.

Conversations with Yoruichi always left him slightly off balance, never sure where he stood.

"Haha, no worries!"

Yoruichi gave his shoulder a hearty smack and laughed boldly.

"We'll run into each other in Soul Society again soon, I'm sure."

"Watch the wardrobe malfunction!"

"You bastard!"

Shimo's quick glance almost made his blood boil.

He'd just barely managed to calm down, and now she was stirring him up again.

"Not like it's the first time you've seen it."

Yoruichi bumped her shoulder against his chest teasingly.

"Hey, you're not getting shy on me, are you?"

A flicker of awkwardness passed through Shimo's eyes. He grumbled:

"Damn it… Yoruichi-neesan, could you at least try to act like a proper lady?"

At that, Yoruichi burst out laughing.

"Haha! It's just the two of us—what's the point in acting all proper?"

"When you were petting me before, you weren't this shy, were you?"

Shimo had no interest in arguing.

Petting a cat was petting a cat—how could that even be compared?

Not to mention… back then, he had no idea that the black cat he'd found on the roadside was actually Yoruichi in disguise.

Sure, getting lucky was a standard perk for transmigrators.

But randomly picking up a stray cat on the street and it turning out to be Yoruichi?

That was beyond absurd.

In any case, the grudge between them wasn't something that could be untangled in one conversation.

After a bit more small talk, Shimo prepared to return to the Soul Society.

If he stayed away too long, it might arouse suspicion from certain people.

While his strength had grown considerably, it was still far from enough.

Even the likes of Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni, the Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13, had died a heroic death.

Compared to that level of power, Shimo still had a long way to go.

After checking in with Urahara Kisuke and soothing Nel's emotions…

Shimo opened a Senkaimon near the Urahara Shop and stepped back into Soul Society.

Rather than using a standard coordinate, he set the gate to open directly into his own home.

As an upper noble clan, the Kyōraku family still had some deep-rooted traditions.

When he opened the door, he found himself in a classical, elegant room.

To his surprise, Kyōraku Shunsui was already seated not far from the portal, calmly sipping sake.

"Back already?"

Shunsui raised an eyebrow and glanced at him.

Shimo nodded.

"Did something happen?"

Shunsui paused, then gave a relaxed smile.

"What makes you ask that?"

Shimo shrugged.

"Even if you're taking a break, you wouldn't normally be at home."

"Especially not during working hours."

Still smiling, Shunsui raised his cup and said:

"Naturally, I was waiting for you."

"I wanted to thank you — on behalf of Nest of Maggots."

"Thank you… for bringing Ashido back."

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