Due to the timeline shift, Hisagi Shūhei hadn't yet become a Sixth-Year responsible for guiding soul burial trainees. This time, he was simply a beginner participating in his first field exercise, just like Rukia and the others. His presence only further confirmed Shimo's suspicion—something was bound to go wrong during this mission.

"Well now, looks like everyone's here."

A soft, lilting voice instantly drew all eyes to its source. Standing behind the group was a man in a black shihakushō, short pale lavender hair, and narrow eyes that remained nearly closed in a constant smile—Gin Ichimaru.

"Oh?" Gin's gaze landed on Shimo with mild surprise. "Didn't expect to see Lieutenant Shimo here."

"I heard Rukia and the others were being sent on a field assignment, so I came to give them a few precautions," Shimo replied with a gentle smile. "After all, even seated Shinigami have served extended periods in the World of the Living."

Gin's fox-like smile only deepened, his eyes narrowing further, concealing any emotion behind his expression. "The designated location was thoroughly investigated by the Academy staff. Don't worry, Shimo-kun. Nothing unexpected will happen."

The more reassurances Gin gave, the more certain Shimo became—something was going to happen.

"Good to hear," Shimo responded politely.

Their harmless exchange stirred caution in Gin's heart. Within Third Division, Aizen had repeatedly mentioned Kyōraku Shimo as a potential threat—a chess piece capable of jumping off the board entirely.

"Well then, does everyone have their Hell Butterflies ready?" Gin asked, turning back to the students. Murmured confirmations came from the group, though many students remained apprehensive in the presence of the fox-like lieutenant.

"In that case, let the soul burial training begin. Move out, everyone."

Gin opened a Senkaimon, watching silently as the students filed through. Soon, they were gone—leaving only Gin and Shimo behind.

"So, will Shimo-kun be waiting here too?" Gin asked, his smile unchanged. His tone made it impossible to tell if the question was genuine or laced with something else.

"I've got things to take care of at home," Shimo replied warmly. "I'll take my leave for now, Lieutenant Gin."

Waiting near the official Senkaimon would have been an option, but not with Gin watching. If anything went wrong, Gin could become a variable—one that might delay his intervention. That delay could cost lives. Just to be safe, Shimo would use the Kyōraku family's private gate.

At high speed, he returned home. With Shunsui absent, Shimo had full control of the household—and the family Senkaimon, located inside Shunsui's private chambers.

Without hesitation, Shimo drew his Zanpakutō and whispered, "Release."

The gate opened, casting a brilliant light of spiritual energy. Destination: Point 1026 in the World of the Living.

---

The gate shimmered in midair. Dozens of Shin'ō Academy students, guided by Hell Butterflies, poured out into the World of the Living. The modern city below appeared unusually still.

At the same time, in the city's northern suburbs, another, simpler gate opened. Shimo, clad in his black Shinigami uniform, stepped out slowly.

"This place is nothing like Karakura Town…" he muttered. The reishi density here was shockingly low—not just compared to Soul Society, but even compared to Karakura. "The students' spiritual pressure is about thirty kilometers south of here."

With that, Shimo vanished into the air. His Master-level Shunpo didn't just make short dashes faster—it turned long-distance travel into a trivial task. Even without pushing himself, he crossed the distance in just a few minutes.

By the time he arrived in the city center, the students had already split into small groups, each practicing soul burials under the prescribed training format. For this elite group, the process was simple. Even the occasional Hollow encounter was quickly handled through teamwork and coordination.

However, as night deepened, the air grew tense.

Spiritual pressure concealment...? Seated on a rooftop, Shimo's eyes narrowed. He sensed subtle shifts in the spirit particles in the air. But they can't mask their scent…

—

Elsewhere, Rukia tapped the forehead of a plus soul with the hilt of her Zanpakutō. A soft thud followed as the konso seal imprinted itself, transforming the soul into spirit particles that drifted peacefully toward the Soul Society.

"Performing a konso isn't as hard as I imagined," she muttered.

Before the words had left her mouth, a terrible shriek split the night.

"What was that?!"

"Did you hear that?!"

"Look—up in the northern sky!"

Everyone turned—and saw it.

A monstrous Hollow's twisted head loomed in the sky, mouth gaping wide in a feral roar.

"A... Gillian-class Hollow…" Rukia whispered, frozen in place.

Unfortunately, she was the closest one to the beast.

Its crimson eyes were void of any emotion. There was only one thing behind them—insatiable hunger for souls.

With a deafening roar, it raised a massive claw and slashed at her.

BOOM!

The building beneath Rukia crumbled like tofu beneath the monster's strike.

Combat had begun.

Rukia narrowly avoided the blow, her expression hardening. But the threat was far from over. More large Hollows began manifesting across the city. Their twisted masks were disturbing, but it was their sheer spiritual pressure that truly instilled fear.

"Requesting Soul Society backup! Point 1026, northwest quadrant, location 2128—we are under attack by multiple Gillian-class Hollows!"

The fight was escalating into a catastrophe.

Rukia continued dodging the beast's relentless strikes. She tried launching Kidō spells at it, but her efforts were completely ineffective.

"Hey, Rukia."

A calm voice came from behind her.

She turned quickly—eyes widening. "S-Shimo?!"

He stepped forward, smiling confidently.

"Leave this to me."

----------------------///

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