"387..."
Rangiku pondered the weight of this number, then looked at the Shishakushō Naraku Sora was wearing, combining it with the scene of him instantly killing several monsters with a single Hadō earlier.
Finally, she came to a conclusion: this young man, who didn't look much older than her, was terrifyingly strong. Staying by his side would definitely be very safe.
Just as she was thinking about how to freeload off him without taking any responsibility, Naraku Sora suddenly spoke up:
"Rangiku, you should become a Soul Reaper."
"A young girl with as much power as you must learn how to control it. I'll teach you. If you continue like this, it will be just like before—"
"While running around for food, you'll end up being targeted by all sorts of monsters."
Rangiku froze for a moment, looking up in bewilderment.
"There is a very strong power hidden within your soul. In the eyes of Hollows, a soul like yours is a supreme delicacy. As long as they eat you, they can satisfy their instinctive desire for evolution."
Naraku Sora spread his hands:
"By the same token, you have a stronger talent than ordinary Soul Reapers. I can only say that your future is promising."
Hearing this, Rangiku's eyes lit up:
"Then, will I be able to eat my fill?"
The vast majority of souls in the Rukongai did not need solid food; they could sustain their lives and not even feel hungry just by absorbing Reishi from the air and drinking water.
But for some souls with spiritual talent, it was the exact opposite.
Especially for someone like Rangiku, the first thing she thought about every day when she opened her eyes was where to find food.
Hearing this, Naraku Sora grinned:
"Of course, my Shino Prison doesn't let its soldiers go hungry!"
Rangiku's pupils trembled, and a look of astonishment appeared on her face.
*What is Shino Prison?*
*Shouldn't it be the Gotei 13?!*
Just as she was about to ask for details, a wicked large hand suddenly reached out and tucked Matsumoto Rangiku under his arm without any explanation.
"Wait, where are you taking me?"
Looking at the shrinking forests and valleys below, Rangiku's small face turned pale. This was her first time being so high up.
The wind howled ahead, and the cold air poured into her ears, making her subconsciously hug the person next to her tightly. In extreme fear, her small mouth could only chatter and repeat:
"Too fast, too fast, please, slow down..."
An unknown amount of time passed. When Naraku Sora returned to Shino Prison, he happened to run into Kakyo coming out of the office.
"Prison Warden, who is this?"
Kakyo looked curiously at the young girl hanging onto Naraku Sora like a koala, wondering where her lord had abducted someone from this time.
"Oh, her name is Matsumoto Rangiku. Due to some special reasons, she often encounters Hollow attacks in the wild. Seeing how pitiful she was, I simply brought her back."
"Perfect timing, you'll be in charge of taking care of her for a while."
"Get Rangiku familiar with life in the Seireitei as soon as possible, and then we'll enroll her in the Spiritual Arts Academy to study for a period of time."
Hearing this, Kakyo smiled gently. She casually took the hand of the bewildered Matsumoto Rangiku, who had not yet recovered from the thrill just now, and said softly:
"Leave it to me, Lord Naraku."
"I will take good care of Miss Matsumoto."
Ever since joining Shino Prison to atone for her sins, Kakyo had grown accustomed to life here. Although her colleagues were a bit more violent than those in the Gotei 13.
But under Lord Naraku's influence, everyone treated each other with sincerity. The atmosphere was actually much better, without so much scheming and infighting.
Rangiku, her small face slightly pale, observed her surroundings. The so-called prison was not as dirty and messy as she had imagined.
On the contrary, the interior of the squad barracks was surprisingly clean.
Even the buildings on both sides of the road looked exceptionally new, as if they had just been built.
Staying in such an environment was indeed much better than the Rukongai.
Watching the two chatting, the corners of Rangiku's mouth curled up imperceptibly. The trace of anxiety originally in her heart vanished completely at this moment.
*Sure enough, the purpose of living is to have peace of mind.*
If one had to choose the most reliable person in Shino Prison, it would definitely be Kakyo, who was known for her gentle personality.
Therefore, handing Rangiku over to her put Naraku Sora completely at ease.
Bidding the two farewell, he headed all the way west, arriving straight at the great underground prison.
Just now, Kakyo had reported to him about the situation of the others in the barracks. Urahara Kisuke and Kurotsuchi Mayuri were acting as shut-ins as always, immersed in their research and experiments, oblivious to the outside world.
Komamura Sajin and Tōsen Kaname were diligent and conscientious. Aside from their daily training tasks, they helped process squad documents and paperwork.
Occasionally, they would go to the underground prison to study punishments.
For them, as long as they could help Naraku Sora share the burden, they could calmly accept even the most bitter and tiring work.
In Komamura Sajin's heart, Lord Naraku was the greatest existence in the world.
It was he who ended the tragic fate of the werewolf clan, allowing the werewolves to live in the air of freedom.
And the same went for Tōsen Kaname.
In his view, no one had a broader mind than Lord Naraku. After all, other organizations were unwilling to accept a disabled person.
Not to mention, Naraku Sora had even specially designed a plan to restore his vision.
In short, the Prison Warden's kindness could never be fully repaid.
The only one with a problem was Kuchiki Kōga.
Walking all the way down the clean and bright corridor, he arrived at [Black Rope Hell], and a spacious environment came into view.
In the martial arts arena in the central area, two figures, one tall and one short, were engaged in close-quarters combat. Chaotic and viscous Reiatsu permeated the air recklessly, making the atmosphere seem somewhat oppressive.
Naraku Sora quietly stepped onto the high platform, naturally blending into the crowd of bloodthirsty spectators.
Due to the nature of their work, the squad members of Shino Prison endured pressure far exceeding that of the Gotei 13 members all year round, so appropriate venting was beneficial to their physical and mental health.
Ever since a brand-new martial arts arena was built on every floor, coupled with changes in the rules.
The frustration originally pent up in their hearts was completely vented out. The faces of the squad members were no longer just gloomy and bleak.
In the arena, two sturdy bodies were constantly colliding.
Although Kuchiki Kōga had a tall and straight figure, compared to his opponent, he was still more than a little lacking.
That body, which was like a mountain of meat, could stir up a dull howling sound with even a simple punching motion, making one's heart palpitate.
Fortunately, the opponent only looked terrifying in size; his true strength was still far inferior to Kuchiki Kōga's.
Therefore, even without using his Zanpakutō, Muramasa, he still easily defeated his opponent.
Following the delivery of an unpretentious Single Bone, the massive figure crashed to the ground, kicking up a layer of dust that was particularly eye-catching under the illumination of the lights.
The squad members offered enthusiastic cheers for Kuchiki Kōga's wonderful performance, rising higher and higher like a surging tide.
Naraku Sora, however, crossed his arms over his chest and frowned.
There was a big problem.
Kōga's path had gone crooked.
Just as Kōga raised his hands to respond to the crowd's cheers, he happened to see his best friend in the audience, and couldn't help but grin, revealing a genuine smile.
The first thing he did upon returning to Shino Prison was to find this place.
*As expected of my best friend!*
Kōga disappeared from his spot with a Flash Step and arrived beside Naraku Sora. Just as he was about to open his mouth to catch up, he was interrupted by someone raising a hand:
"Kōga, come with me. I have something I want to talk to you about."
Kuchiki Kōga couldn't help but freeze.
Before long, the two arrived at a vacant, brand-new dojo.
This was a building meticulously constructed by Urahara Kisuke. Both the inside and outside were reinforced with Kidō, capable of withstanding battles between Soul Reapers of Captain class and above.
It was perfect for their use.
"Sora, when did you get back?"
"I've been here since you were crushing that weakling."
Naraku Sora stretched his arms and slightly lowered his body, freeing his suppressed muscles.
The joints all over his body rubbed together, emitting a sharp screech like snapping bowstrings. His perfect muscles bulged slightly, causing his face to heat up. Bloodshot veins appeared in his eyes, and the corners of his mouth curled up slightly:
"Kōga, I heard from Kakyo that you are often troubled by the lack of suitable opponents."
"It just so happens that you and I haven't fought seriously in a long time. How about I act as your opponent?"
Hearing this, Kuchiki Kōga's eyes lit up, and he immediately assumed a fighting stance.
Boom!
A loud noise tore through the air.
The figure in the distance whizzed over, leaping across a distance of several meters without any warning whatsoever. By the time the sound rang out, Naraku Sora was already standing in front of Kuchiki Kōga.
His bulging muscles rippled like water. As Naraku Sora raised his arm, scorching Reiatsu wrapped in a burning wind suddenly descended.
Kuchiki Kōga's pupils shrank sharply.
He instinctively retreated. While dodging this thrusting punch, he lowered his body. Like a hunting beast, the muscles all over his body let out a tightening sound.
From the bottom up.
A pure Single Bone was thrown out without holding anything back.
This was the strongest attack technique Kuchiki Kōga could use without utilizing his Zanpakutō. Its power was very impressive, not the slightest bit weaker than those flashy Zanjutsu techniques.
It was even stronger.
Bang!
Naraku Sora casually threw out a left punch, instantly colliding with that Single Bone, erupting with a heart-palpitating roar and a loud bang.
Immediately, the shockwaves spread, causing the floorboards beneath their feet to let out creaking groans.
The next moment, Kuchiki Kōga's expression changed drastically.
The power surging on Naraku Sora's arm poured entirely into his body at the moment their fists collided, applying an invincible force to every inch of his flesh and blood.
In just an instant, Kuchiki Kōga flew backward like a cannonball, smashing solidly into the wall and revealing countless Kidō patterns.
An instant kill without any suspense.
Kuchiki Kōga leaned against the dented wall and struggled to get up, memories flashing before his eyes.
If he remembered correctly, when he first met Naraku Sora in Shino Prison, it was the exact same scene.
Even though he had completely mastered the Genryū taught by the other party and was much stronger than before, he was still no match for this monster of a best friend.
At this moment, Naraku Sora slowly walked up to Kuchiki Kōga, reached out to pull him up, and said with a serious face:
"Kōga, you've gone down the wrong path."
Kuchiki Kōga: "?"
Hearing these familiar words again suddenly gave him the illusion of traveling back in time.
"Haven't I always been doing exactly as you said?"
Naraku Sora shook his head helplessly:
"You, your head is full of nothing but yourself."
"I've told you, a Zanpakutō is not such an inconvenient thing."
"If I remember correctly, when you were bonding with Muramasa before, you should have taught him some of the Genryū techniques, right?"
Hearing this, Kuchiki Kōga became a bit anxious: "Sora, listen to my explanation..."
"What I mean is, not only should you do this in your daily training, but you should also carry forward the content of your training."
Naraku Sora shook his head, showing an expression of disappointment:
"It's better to guide than to suppress. Rather than letting Muramasa stay in your inner world all the time, it's better to fight side by side together."
"Anyway, in his materialized state, his combat power is no worse than yours. I've even thought of a name for it. It's called a Stand User."
Kuchiki Kōga: "?"