Shinobu Kocho spoke rather cautiously, as she truly did not understand much about this field of knowledge.
She had only come here today as a member of the 14th Advanced Relief Squad, preparing to follow the Tenth Division to the World of the Living.
But even she could sense that something was wrong over there.
"According to the report from the Department of Research and Development, the Spiritual Pressure fluctuation curve in Fuyuki City has completely turned into gibberish." Toshiro handed a chart he was holding to Kaien, his brows tightly furrowed.
"The fluctuation frequency has surged from six times an hour three days ago to once every five minutes now."
"Is a Jureichi about to be born..." Kaien reached out, his fingertips gently tracing the words Fuyuki City on the report.
As a member of the main Shiba family, he knew a few secrets regarding the Jureichi.
These were special areas with intense spiritual power reactions, their locations shifting with the changing eras.
A Jureichi would unknowingly attract the gathering of spiritual bodies such as Hollows, Soul Reapers, and Quincies, making it a high-frequency zone for spiritual activity.
To deal with this sudden incident, the Seireitei decided to dispatch the Tenth Division as the main force to stabilize the situation in the World of the Living.
"What is the status of the advance team sent by the Second Division?" Kaien asked in a deep voice.
"Lost contact," Toshiro replied. "Not only have their Denreishinki lost signal, but even the Spiritual Pressure monitoring posts they set up in the World of the Living were forcibly uprooted by some kind of power..."
"The current Spiritual Pressure field in Fuyuki City is like an ever-expanding, unknown black hole. No one knows what it will ultimately turn into."
Just then, a brisk voice rang out.
"Oh my, such a gloomy atmosphere isn't suitable for a new captain's first major operation."
Rangiku Matsumoto walked in with a swaying gait, her Zanpakuto, Haineko, hanging at her waist.
Although she looked somewhat languid and still had that unreliable air about her, Kaien could sense the sharpness in her eyes.
"You are our commander, you know. You need to be confident."
As the Vice Captain, she knew better than anyone that this was the Tenth Division's chance to prove to the Seireitei that they were still a core combat force.
Kaien smiled at her, then looked at Toshiro. "Toshiro, for this mission, you will hold the fort."
Toshiro froze for a moment, instinctively wanting to retort. "Captain Shiba, with my strength..."
"I know your combat power is strong." Kaien interrupted him, stepping forward to pat his shoulder. "But precisely because the situation in Fuyuki City is unclear, I need to leave the rear to you."
"In case we encounter intelligence on the front lines that cannot be transmitted back through the Senkaimon, or even..." He paused, his expression turning serious. "I need someone who can prop up the Tenth Division again in the worst-case scenario."
"Huh? Captain, I'm the Vice Captain, you know?" Rangiku looked at Kaien with feigned anger, prompting him to quickly beg for mercy.
Kaien looked at Toshiro again, his gaze full of trust. "No one but you can do this."
Toshiro remained silent for a long time before finally bowing his head solemnly.
"I understand, Captain. I wish you fortune in battle."
On the Tenth Division's training grounds, fifty carefully selected soldiers from the combat squads were geared up and ready to go.
Their Spiritual Pressure resonated faintly in the air, revealing a trace of unease.
After all, news of the disappearance of the Second Division's elites had already spread privately within the Seireitei.
Kaien Shiba stepped onto the high platform, the wind billowing his haori.
He did not take out the official documents issued by the First Division, nor did he deliver a rigid speech.
He simply looked around at his subordinates, then suddenly burst into loud laughter.
"Everyone! Looking at me dressed like this, does it feel a bit unusual?"
Kaien pointed to his Captain's haori. "It's inevitably a bit strange that a brother you were just drinking with in the tavern a few days ago has suddenly become your superior today."
His words tore an opening in the originally solemn atmosphere, and many people began to whisper among themselves.
"To be honest, I also feel like this haori is heavy as hell! I wasn't mentally prepared for this at all!"
"But that doesn't matter. What matters is that I've put it on now, and I'm going to represent the Tenth Division on a mission!"
Kaien's bright eyes swept over those familiar faces, acknowledging them one by one. "What kind of place is the Tenth Division? We are the vanguard dedicated to executing patrol and guard missions, protecting our brothers in the other divisions!"
"And right now, some kind of disaster we don't yet understand is happening in Fuyuki City. Our brothers from the Second Division have stumbled there!"
"We have to get payback for them! We will uncover the truth of the matter and utterly crush those scumbags who dare to interfere with the cycle of souls!"
"Do not worry, for standing in front of you is me, Kaien Shiba!"
Kaien abruptly drew his Zanpakuto. Water-elemental spiritual power surged at the tip of his blade, and an extremely formidable and pure Spiritual Pressure swept across the entire training ground like a tidal wave.
This was Kaien displaying his strength, using this method to put everyone at ease.
'Second-class...' Toshiro was slightly moved.
'Kaien really isn't at the level of an ordinary Vice Captain...'
Kaien Shiba's hearty smile indeed calmed many of the uneasy squad members.
And his strength gave the squad members, who had lost their pillar of support, a renewed sense of hope.
"For the glory of the Tenth Division, follow behind me—move out!!"
"Yeah!!!"
An overwhelming roar echoed through the clouds.
The initial trace of fear toward the unknown was transformed into high-spirited fighting intent under Kaien's infectious will.
Rangiku Matsumoto stood below the platform, looking at the man's broad back, the corners of her mouth turning up slightly.
"What a man who loves to mess around. But in this regard, he really is a lot like Captain Shiba," she whispered softly.
"Kaien is also Captain Shiba, Rangiku," Shinobu Kocho reminded her with a light chuckle.
During her time in the Demon Slayer Corps, she had seen similar scenes; the Hashira would also boost morale like this before setting out on a campaign.
But here, in the world of Soul Reapers, this materialized display of power was even better at igniting people's fighting spirit.
A short while later.
The Senkaimon leading to Fuyuki City had been opened.
On the other side of the Japanese-style sliding doors, a black vortex swirled within the doorframe, emitting an unsettling fluctuation of spiritual power.
This sight was clearly somewhat abnormal.
"Everyone, check your Hell Butterflies!"
Rangiku skillfully directed the squad members to enter one by one.
Kaien stood before the gate, watching the last squad member step into the Senkaimon before turning to look at Shinobu Kocho beside him.
"Miss Kocho, after we enter Fuyuki City later, please make absolutely sure not to leave the range of my Spiritual Pressure perception," Kaien instructed earnestly. "Your support abilities are crucial to us, so try your best not to engage in direct combat."
"I understand, Captain Shiba." Shinobu Kocho interrupted him gently, a hint of slyness flashing in her eyes. "Although my combat abilities are just average, I'm quite confident when it comes to escaping and hiding my presence. Please just focus entirely on the battle!"
Kaien let out a hearty laugh and said no more.
"Rangiku, let's go!"
"Yes, Captain."
---------------
Want more chapters? 50+ extra chapters are available on my Patreon:
patreon.com/Hard_Worker