"Thank you for saving us… Mei, Miss Utaha, and Jaeger-san!"
Despite the gaping wound in her chest left by Gungnir, Shihouin Yoruichi still managed a respectful bow to her rescuers. Her body trembled slightly, blood seeping from the hole, yet her tone remained sincere.
Jaeger glanced at her, his expression unreadable.
"Well… it might be a little early to thank me," he said casually, his voice carrying an odd weight. "You might come to regret it later."
Yoruichi blinked, puzzled, but before she could ask, Yamamoto Mei stepped forward with a gentle smile.
"It was nothing, really. And… we were actually a little late."
She turned her gaze to Urahara Kisuke, who had just regained consciousness—barely. Mei sighed softly. "This guy… he probably won't make it."
"Kisuke…"
Yoruichi's face fell, her heart sinking as she looked at her lifelong friend.
His body was broken beyond recognition. Eyes ruined, limbs crushed, flesh mangled. It was a miracle he was even breathing.
"Can't you… use Shikai to heal yourself?" she asked desperately, recalling how he'd recovered before.
"Useless…" Urahara rasped. "Too far gone… Forget Shikai… I can't even hold my Zanpakutō…"
Every word seemed to drain the last bit of strength from him. Still, his voice, though hoarse, remained calm.
"…Miss Mei."
"I'm here," Yamamoto Mei said softly, taking two steps forward. Her eyes met his, and though she'd never been close to him, seeing him in that state, she kinda felt sorry for him.
"I need to entrust something… to you."
Urahara's breath grew shallower. "I know who you are… The granddaughter of Captain-Commander Yamamoto… someone who'd never betray Soul Society like Aizen did. So… I want you to take the Hōgyoku. Promise me… don't let Aizen get his hands on it."
Mei hesitated. Her expression flickered with something unreadable.
Behind her, Jaeger—who had just sheathed his blade after claiming the black dragon's head—paused. The corners of his mouth twitched ever so slightly.
Of course, Mei wouldn't side with Aizen… but Urahara had no idea she was part of the chat group.
And in that group, Aizen was already a member. In some sense, entrusting the Hōgyoku to Mei might've been like tossing it straight into the lion's den.
Still… Urahara believed.
"The Hōgyoku…" he gasped. "It's hidden… in my heart… If you cut it out, you'll find it…"
"Kisuke…"
Yoruichi bit her lip, her voice quivering. She'd known him longer than anyone. To see him like this—helpless and dying—made her heart ache in ways she didn't have words for.
Yamamoto Mei knelt beside him and said solemnly, "Urahara Kisuke, I promise you… as long as I draw breath, I won't let Aizen take the Hōgyoku."
"Good… then I can rest easy…" Urahara smiled faintly, his broken face softening as he closed what was left of his eyes.
Meanwhile, in the Chat Group…
Aizen Sōsuke stared at the screen and let out a soft chuckle.
"…Really now? Even on the brink of death, you're still trying to keep the Hōgyoku away from me? How stubborn."
But he wasn't angry. Ever since joining the chat group, Aizen had glimpsed the truth of broader worlds and greater powers. The Hōgyoku, once a key to godhood, now seemed trivial.
Still, there was a certain amusement in watching Urahara's final act of defiance.
Back at the Scene…
Urahara could have been saved—if someone had bothered to ask Jibril for a senzu bean. That miraculous little thing could've healed every injury in an instant.
But… no one did.
Jaeger was more interested in what kind of Noble Phantasm he might obtain from Urahara's death. The man was, after all, a scientific genius, and his Zanpakutō was infamous for its unpredictable abilities.
Kocho Shinobu and Kasumigaoka Utaha had no emotional investment. They barely knew Urahara. Jaeger's intentions were clear to them, and they quietly supported him.
As for Yamamoto Mei… her thoughts were more complex.
She didn't suggest the senzu bean either—not out of cruelty, but out of foresight. She could see where this was heading.
Jaeger would inevitably claim Yoruichi, and if Kisuke survived, it would only cause friction.
Even with Aizen in the chat group, it was best to eliminate any potential variables.
Between comrades and acquaintances… the choice was obvious.
Jaeger was her trusted ally. Urahara was not.
"Give him a quick death," Yoruichi said quietly, watching Kisuke writhe in agony. Her voice broke with emotion. "Please…"
"…Understood."
Yamamoto Mei nodded and looked at Jaeger.
"Jaeger… If it's all right with you, would you do it? He was my colleague, so it should come from someone… neutral."
Jaeger raised an eyebrow, a flicker of surprise in his eyes.
To think Urahara Kisuke, of all people, would be left to him to execute. Still, he didn't argue. This was the path Urahara had chosen.
He stepped forward, raised his blade, and with one clean stroke—ended it.
The sword pierced Kisuke's chest, cutting through his heart and neatly extracting the glowing gem hidden within.
The Hōgyoku.
Jaeger held it up, watching the strange light pulse in the crystal. Something so beautiful… yet the cause of so much suffering.
"All this death… for a single stone."
Yoruichi didn't say a word. Her gaze remained on the corpse of her dearest friend, her fists clenched, blood still seeping from her own wounds.
She didn't protest when Jaeger pocketed the Hōgyoku.
She had seen his power firsthand. This man wasn't Aizen's pawn. That was enough. Whatever he chose to do with it… was beyond her now.
As Jaeger turned away, he felt something stir within him—a strange energy flowing from Urahara's body into his arm.
Hermes' Hand responded instantly.
A new Noble Phantasm was forming.
Jaeger stood still for a moment, waiting as the shape became clear in his mind. A small, satisfied smile touched his lips.
Then, without hesitation, he uploaded it to the chat group.
[Chat Group]
Jaeger: [Image attached] "Surprisingly, the new Noble Phantasm is kinda busted."
Thousand-Shiki Avalokitesvara
Level: 1
Type: Noble Phantasm
Description: Manifests as a Thousand-Armed Avalokitesvara statue. Each arm performs a unique mudra (hand gesture) and wields different weapons or powers. While its raw destructive power is about equal to a Noble Phantasm meant for large-scale warfare, its ability to use up to 1,000 abilities or Noble Phantasms simultaneously makes its actual strength hard to define.
Uchiha Miyuki: "H-Hold up! This is outrageous! Is this the ultimate upgraded version of Netero's final form?! You're telling me it can use two Noble Phantasms or more at the same time?!"
Esdeath: "...I'm not sure who this Netero person is, but it feels more like an evolved version of Luo Hao's Vajra technique—except hers summons the warrior, while this one becomes it."
Luo Hao: "Indeed. My Vajra summons a being who shares my martial prowess. But Jaeger's transformation into the Thousand-Armed Avalokitesvara… that's something else entirely."
Jibril: "So theoretically, Jaeger could summon a lightning storm capable of destroying stars with his left hand, call down a comet with his right, tear space apart with one gesture, and ignite a sun with another?"
Uchiha Miyuki: "You just called me weak in 1,000 different languages…"
Jibril: "…" (silence)
Sawamura Eriri: "So this is the path of the boss... As a newbie, I can only say 'Wow.'"
Jaeger: "Ahem... it's not that impressive. Think about it—how long would it even take to collect 1,000 usable Noble Phantasms? And let's be honest, most become obsolete as you grow stronger. It just sounds OP."
Uchiha Miyuki: "Uuuuugh… When will I be able to talk about god-tier abilities like it's no big deal?! I've got a system too, but my best moves are still just the Eight Gates and the Sharingan! Even Senpai is ahead of me!"
Yamamoto Mei: "...You're clearly stuck in a yamauchi-style growth route. With that system, it's gonna be rough just conquering the Naruto world. Give up on world domination. Stick to the chat group."
Uchiha Miyuki: "Damn it! Stop attacking me, you violent tomboy!"
Uchiha Miyuki: "By the way, Jaeger-sama, didn't you say you can extract abilities from defeated transmigrators? You just recycled that guy's head. What was the reward? Gungnir from Odin, right?"
Jaeger: "...Haven't gotten it yet. I think it'll be bundled with the other mission rewards once we return to our worlds."
Uchiha Miyuki: "I see…"
Sawamura Eriri: "Wasn't there something about a new chat group member being tied to that transmigrator?"
Jaeger: "Yeah. High chance they're related to Saito Kenji. Probably from Norse mythology—a god, or someone from their underworld."
Esdeath: "A god? Sounds exciting. Been a while since a new member joined."
Luo Hao: "Hmph. I've seen and slain many heretic gods… but a true god? That'll be interesting."
Jaeger: "Should be a solid addition. Norse gods and their underworld types aren't pushovers. Definitely not weaker than a God Slayer. But you've grown too, Luo Hao—these so-called gods might not even outclass you anymore."
Jaeger: "Of course, anything's possible. Might even get someone from the Fate verse. There are plenty of Heroic Spirits tied to Norse mythology and Hades."
Luo Hao: "Heroic Spirits? Don't make me laugh."
Real World
Before a quiet grave in the human world, Shihouin Yoruichi stood silently. Despite her injuries, she remained upright, facing the modest headstone with a conflicted gaze.
"…To think Kisuke would go out like this."
She'd known that, as a "traitor," Kisuke Urahara would never be honored in Seireitei. So she chose to bury him here, in the human world, quietly.
Beside her stood Yamamoto Mei and Jaeger.
Kasumigaoka Utaha and Kocho Shinobu had already returned to their respective worlds—knowing what Jaeger intended to do next, they wisely avoided watching the inevitable unfold.
Yamamoto Mei broke the silence. "What now, Yoruichi? Any plans?"
"…No idea," Yoruichi murmured. Her gaze lifted skyward.
"Chase after Aizen? But he didn't kill Kisuke. That guy," she glanced at Jaeger, "already avenged him. Maybe I'll travel. Clear my head. I doubt I'll return to Soul Society... Huh?"
A sudden grip on her wrist made her freeze.
She looked down to find Jaeger holding her hand firmly.
"Since you haven't decided where to go," he said with a smirk, "how about you come back to Soul Society with me?"
Yoruichi blinked. "…Why? What are you up to?"
Jaeger chuckled. "Before I came to the human world, that shorty Soi Fon made me a deal—she offered her body as collateral, if I promised to bring you back."
"…Soi Fon? What kind of insane deal is that?!"
Yoruichi's expression turned complex. She was already bracing for something outrageous.
Jaeger continued nonchalantly, "The deal was: I bring you back, let her put you on a tight leash, and in exchange… she becomes mine."
"Yours?" Yoruichi nearly exploded. "Is that girl insane?! Mei! Aren't you going to say anything?!"
But Mei had already mentally checked out. She didn't even flinch.
She'd known what Jaeger planned. If she'd intended to interfere, she wouldn't have let Kisuke die.
"…That girl Soi Fon actually has this much pull?" Yoruichi growled, backing away. "Tch. No choice. Self-rescue it is!"
"Shunko: Utsusemi!"
In a blur, Yoruichi vanished, leaving behind only her cloak fluttering in Jaeger's hand.
Yoruichi (in the distance): "Haha! Did you think I wouldn't have a backup? I'm outta here!"
She took off at high speed, gliding through the air with practiced ease.
But she had forgotten something—Soi Fon had tried the exact same thing once.
Jaeger raised his hand and calmly whispered:
"Flight Lock – Eye of Horus."
Yoruichi: "W-What the—AAAAAH!"
Like a bird shot from the sky, her spiritual footing vanished mid-air. She flailed, lost control, and plummeted straight into Jaeger's waiting arms.
"Miss Yoruichi," he whispered smugly, "you're the key gift in my marriage contract with Soi Fon. I can't let you escape."
Flushed red, Yoruichi tried to squirm free but she was too weak.
"Fine! I get it!" she huffed. "Let's go back to see Soi Fon. It's not a big deal!"
...Soi Fon, huh?
I'll make sure you remember why I used to be your Captain. You dare to call yourself someone's 'wife'? We'll see who ends up on top.
•••
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