Previously, on Seeker's Codex —
The skyport towered like a second city above Chun.
Stone terraces climbed into the clouds, ringed with steady, glowing jade pylons.
Cargo cranes groaned under crates stamped with guild seals.
Incense smoke curled against the scent of oil and iron.
And then came the airship.
It didn't just sit on the dock—it dominated it.
Hull carved from skywood, steel-plated where the engines met the frame.
Four colossal engine rings glowed with pale fire, their hum rattling chests all the way down the pier.
The underbelly had gunports as wide as carriage doors.
A glass deck stretched from midship like a hanging garden, high above the crowd.
Kai's eyes went wide.
"It's... it's a floating fortress."
Aria elbowed him.
"Try not to faint before we board."
Lila slid her shades down to smirk.
"Fourth ride. Still makes me wanna shout yee-haw and see if anyone tries to kick me off."
Rin said nothing.
His gaze passed once over the engines, then lowered again, like the whole thing had already been measured and filed away.
They crossed the boarding bridge with the whole pier staring after them.
Strays packed the halls—winners from the other teams—but not one Iron among them.
Only Squad William carried the insignia.
Some of the looks were sharp.
Some jealous.
Some just curious.
Kai tugged his gi straight and tried very hard not to trip.
The entrance hall rose like a city.
Pillars of jade-veined steel lined the walls, etched with soul-sigils that pulsed faint white.
Hallways branched off toward barracks, kitchens, armories.
Overhead, glass panes opened onto a dizzying view of the shrinking capital.
Kai pressed to the window, breath fogging the glass.
"Wait—we're already flying?"
He laughed under his breath.
"I didn't even feel it."
Aria tugged him back by the collar.
"You're embarrassing us."
"I'm not—"
Kai pointed down, where the lantern-lit streets had shrunk into toy alleys.
Lila sprawled across a bench, boots up on the armrest.
"Five stars, Vinlan roasted fish with winter herbs."
Rin stood.
And without a word, walked out.
The other three blinked.
"...He just—"
Kai pointed at the empty space where Rin had been.
"Yep," Aria muttered.
Lila rolled onto her side.
"Cat-boy protocol pretend you didn't see him leave."
Kai smiled.
Rin's silence carried him straight into the heart of the ship—a cavernous aura chamber lined with chalk circles, sigils and weapon racks.
An arena in the sky.
Aura cracked in the air where Strays tested themselves.
Sparks leapt off a lightning arc.
Heat shimmered off a fire-born kata.
The noise dipped when he stepped through the door.
"That's him."
"Black Clan heir."
"The scroll team."
"Only Irons on the ship."
The whispers rippled around the ring.
Urahara was already there, leaning on a railing, hair half in shadow, that smile tilted like he'd been waiting all morning for something interesting to walk in.
He lifted two fingers in a lazy wave.
"Well, If it isn't the quiet one himself."
His voice came out lilting, more curious than sharp.
"Didn't think you'd wander into the lion's den this quick."
Sidney peeked over the top of her book, smirking faintly.
Vonn spun a coin and caught it with a click.
Si Lung just folded his arms, unreadable as ever.
Rin didn't answer.
He gave Urahara one flat look, then let his eyes half-close again.
Urahara chuckled, not unkindly.
"Figures. Man of few words."
The grin sharpened—but it wasn't a challenge.
It was real interest, like Rin had personally made his day less boring.
That was when another voice cut through the hush.
A broad-shouldered Seeker shoved his way past the crowd.
Scar on his cheek.
Aura already bristling hot.
He planted himself in the chalk circle across from Rin, fists taped, jaw tight.
"You think being Iron makes you untouchable?"
His aura flared, fire licking the air around his knuckles.
"Prove it."
The arena went still.
Dozens of eyes swung toward them.
Urahara's smile widened, lazy and gleaming.
"Oh. This should be good."
The challenge hung there, heavy as steel.
Rin's hand twitched at his side—
—and found nothing.
No Tetsuba.
Of course.
He'd left it in the barracks.
He sighed.
Somewhere on the inside he said.
"I came down here looking for the bathroom, why does this always happen to me."