Death's Hidden Mobile

Xia Yan, unsure whether Soi Fon knew or not, said, "The deaths of the 13th Division members were not caused by me."

"nonsense."

Soi Fon said irritably, "How could you have done it? I was just asking why you were investigating her?"

Xia Yan looked at Soi Fon and asked, "Captain Soi Fon, didn't you ask the inspectors?"

Soi Fon frowned and said, "The inspection team is the squad you are in charge of. I will not overstep my authority, but this matter is of great importance, and I still want to ask you about it."

Hearing this, Xia Yan felt relieved. As long as Soi Fon didn't know, it was fine. It seemed that Soi Fon trusted him a lot.

However, he decided to brush the matter aside for now, saying, "I'm not investigating Shiba Toru, I'm only investigating the 13th Division."

"Investigate the Thirteenth Division?"

Soi Fon looked at Natsuhiko with a curious expression.

Xia Yan said, "It's mainly because of this Hollow. A few days ago, I received a report that a Hollow appeared in Rukongai that could nullify Zanpakuto, attacked many people, and even killed Shinigami. This kind of ability has never appeared before, and I'm very interested in it, but I don't want to get involved. The 13th Division is the Purification Squad, so I had someone monitor the 13th Division and tell me whenever a large-scale force leaves. Today, I happened to monitor Shiba-senpai leaving, so I rushed over."

Upon hearing this, Soi Fon nodded and said, "I see. Hollows that can nullify Zanpakuto are difficult for ordinary Shinigami to deal with. If they appear in large numbers, they will pose a great threat to the Seireitei."

Xia Yan scratched his head and said, "However, I told the members of Team Thirteen that I was just passing by when I went to check out the Xu Diao District. I didn't dare let them know that I discovered it through my investigation."

Soi Fon nodded and said, "That's not important. You did a good job this time, saving Shiba Miyako and killing a Hollow."

Xia Yan said with a smile, "As long as you don't hold me accountable for using the inspection team."

Soi Fon looked at Natsuhiko and said, "As long as there is danger to Seireitei, even Hollows are fine. You did a good job. You can continue in the future."

When Xia Yan heard Soi Fon praise him, he smiled and said, "I will continue to work hard."

Then she leaned back, looked at Xia Yan, and asked, "Are you alright?"

"No."

Xia Yan said smugly, "Dealing with a mere Void is a piece of cake."

"I just praised you and you don't know how to take things seriously."

Soi Fon scolded irritably, "Don't be careless. If a Hollow can render a Zanpakuto powerless, then other types of Hollows might appear. You need to be careful."

Xia Yan immediately lowered his head and said, "I understand."

Soi Fon waved her hand and said, "Alright, you can go now."

Xia Yan turned and left. After walking out of the room, he breathed a sigh of relief, finally managing to get away with it this time.

Natsuhiko couldn't tell the truth. Even though their relationship had become increasingly intimate, in Soi Fon's heart, Yoruichi was the most important person, and her duty was the second most important.

She can trust as many people as possible within the scope of her duties, but she will never put others above her duties.

Even if Xia Yan could replace Yoruichi and become the person in her heart, he would not tell the truth. These things are too heavy for him to bear alone.

Xia Yan returned to his room, pondering whether the operation had aroused Aizen's suspicion. Only after ensuring there were no major oversights did he feel at ease.

Aizen is too powerful, but his strength is not limited to his Zanpakuto.

The Zanpakuto's ability can hypnotize others, making it extremely powerful. However, Natsuhiko never looked into his Zanpakuto's abilities, and the Second Division was special because it was located in a forbidden area.

Even if Aizen wanted to demonstrate his Zanpakuto abilities to others, he couldn't inform himself in advance.

However, Aizen's strength in spiritual pressure and Kido is still formidable. He blocked Ichigo Kurosaki's Bankai attack with a single finger, instantly killed the giant dog with his Black Coffin without chanting, and finally fought against all the captains alone. His strength is so great that it inspires despair.

If he were discovered, he would face certain death.

Therefore, I must be careful. This time, I have already alerted Aizen, and I must remain silent for a while.

. . .

The next day at noon, Xia Yan looked at the figure that appeared in front of him and asked, "Are you inviting me to your home?"

Chapter 62: The Shiba Family

"Senior Haiyan, Sister Shiba, I've come to visit you."

Xia Yan arrived at the Shiba family's door. A few days ago, he had been invited by Shiba Kaien to host him at his home, specifically to thank Xia Yan for saving Shiba Miyako.

Although Xia Yan felt there was no need to thank him specifically, he still readily agreed.

Today I arrived at the Shiba family home. After knocking on the door, Shiba Kaien and Shiba both came out to greet me.

The Shiba family has now left Seireitei and lives in Rukongai.

Although he and Shiba Tomo could have settled in Seireitei, it is said that the Shiba family moved out of Soul Society a long time ago, and Shiba Kaien had no intention of moving back after becoming a Shinigami.

Of course, the two usually live in the barracks of the 13th Division and do not easily leave Seireitei, but their hometown is here.

The Shiba family home was quite large, and unlike later ones, it wasn't built underground. It had two courtyards with long corridors in the front and back, and the iconic chimney still stood tall in the distance.

This is the Shiba family's cannon, manufactured using technology inherited from the Shiba family, and is also the main equipment for launching the Heavenly Pillar Carriage.

"Little brother Xia Yan, come in quickly," Shiba Kaien said with a smile.

Xia Yan followed the two men into Zhi Bo's house. Inside the gate stood two tall figures, nearly three meters tall.

Shiba Kaien introduced them: "These are Kanehiko and Ginhiko, retainers of the Shiba family."

"Greetings, Lord Xia Yan." The two bowed to Xia Yan in unison.

"The sound is too loud."

Shiba Kaien pushed the two aside and led Natsuhiko to the living room. Natsuhiko took off his shoes and got onto the tatami mat. Shiba went to pour tea, while Shiba Kaien said, "Please sit down."

The two knelt beside the tatami mat. Shiba poured tea and served food such as senbei and konpeito, and also knelt beside Shiba Kaien.

"Xia Yan, the main reason I invited you here today is to thank you for saving Shiba Miyako's life a few days ago. Without you, she would have died there. Thank you, Xia Yan."

As Shiba Kaien spoke, he placed his hands on his knees, leaned his upper body slightly forward, and lowered his head.

"Xia Yan, thank you very much."

Shiba Toshiro looked at Natsuhiko with a smile on his face.

Seeing their manner, Xia Yan quickly said, "Senior Haiyan, Sister Shiba, there's no need to be so polite. You're being too formal."

Shiba Kaien looked up at Natsuhiko and said with a smile, "Why do you call Shiba Miyabi 'older sister' and me 'senpai'? Isn't that too formal?"

Xia Yan looked at Shiba Kaien and replied, "Because Shiba-neechan is beautiful and young, but Kaien-senpai, you..."

Shiba Kaien's forehead veins bulged as he said, "Are you saying I'm ugly and old?"

Shiba covered his mouth and chuckled softly beside him.

Xia Yan said with a smile, "Senior Haiyan, I didn't say that."

Shiba Kaien said angrily, "But that's exactly what you mean..."

Shiba couldn't hold back any longer and burst into laughter.

After a pause, Shiba Kaien said, "By the way, Natsuhiko, how many years have you been in the 13th Division?"

Xia Yan said, "It's been eight years now."

Shiba Kaien shook his head and said, "You've already reached captain-level strength in just eight years, Natsuhiko, you're really amazing."

Xia Yan said with a smile, "I still have shortcomings and need to work harder."

Xia Yan's weakness is that his spiritual pressure is relatively low, not reaching the level of the captain's seventh-rank spiritual pressure. Even Shiba Kaien has a level of seventh-rank spiritual pressure, so he is somewhat inferior to Shiba Kaien.

What makes him stronger than Shiba Kaien is his Zanpakuto ability and Shunpo technique.

However, it shouldn't be long before Shiba Kaien masters Bankai; a prime example is Ichimaru Gin.

One of the basic requirements to become a captain is to master Bankai, and then be recommended by the original captain, have the original captain's officer present, and be tested by the Captain-Commander and the three captains before one can become a captain.

Gin Ichimaru is a genius after Kaien Shiba; both graduated from the first year with sixth-level spiritual pressure, so they're not that far apart.

Three geniuses: Gin Ichimaru took sixty years to master Bankai after graduating, and Toshiro Hitsugaya took less than thirty years after graduating.

Hisagi Shuhei mastered Bankai in less than sixty years after graduating, while Abarai Renji and Rukia mastered it in about fifty years.

As for Shiba Kaien, it should be around this time as well.

However, it probably hasn't happened yet, because after Metastacia devoured Shiba Kaien, he was absorbed and imitated by the Nine-Edged Aronello Erurueri, and could only perform Shikai.

Therefore, Shiba Kaien may not have mastered Shikai yet, but given time, he should be able to master it in about 10 or 20 years.

At that time, if Shiba Kaien were to use his Bankai against Natsuhiko's Shikai, Natsuhiko might not be able to defeat him.

"You're just too modest, kid."

Shiba Kaien said with a smile. He wanted to say something more, but at that moment, a figure rushed into the room and shouted, "Sorry I'm late. I'm so thirsty. I'll have some water first."

As the words were spoken, a figure came to the table, picked up the teacup on the table and drank it all in one gulp. After finishing the tea, he looked at the teacup in front of Xia Yan with a lingering sense of satisfaction.

Xia Yan noticed her gaze, raised his teacup, and said, "If you don't mind that I've drunk from it..."

Before Xia Yan could finish speaking, the other party snatched the teacup away, put it to his lips, and drank it all in one gulp.

While the other person was drinking tea, Xia Yan sized her up.

The woman was tall, her hair was wrapped in a headscarf, and two black braids hung down her back from both sides.

Her eyebrows were like those of a sculptor, her eyes sparkled with a bright light, her nose was upturned, and her lips were sensual, but her facial features were straight, giving her a more androgynous look.

What's most striking is her figure. She has a sexy figure, wearing a red sleeveless top with the character "空" (empty) embroidered on her left arm. The red top also features a swirling pattern reminiscent of a collapsing sky. Her figure is stunning; her full breasts seem about to burst out of her clothes, and her slender, smooth waist is clearly visible.

She wore a white skirt, but the side was slit wide, revealing her sexy, rounded thighs with her movements. Bandages were wrapped around her slender calves, and she wore wooden clogs. A smell of gunpowder emanated from her.

This is Shiba Kukaku, Shiba Kaien's younger sister.

Unlike in history, Shiba Kukaku is not yet missing her hand. If she were to lose it, there are many ways to heal it while living in Seireitei, such as by contacting the Fourth Division or using flesh-repairing agents.

As Shiba Kaien, he is capable of helping Shiba Kukaku with his treatment.

However, since Shiba Kukaku has not yet entered the history book and hates the Grim Reaper because of her brother's death, she would not refuse treatment if she really lost an arm.

Therefore, Shiba Kukaku has not yet reached the point where he needs to lose his arm, and it seems unlikely that such a situation will occur in the future.

Shiba Kukaku downed his teacup in one gulp, plopped down next to Natsuhiko, looked at him, and asked, "Is this the brat who saved my sister-in-law?"

Shiba Kaien said irritably, "Didn't I tell you that Xia Yan would arrive at three o'clock this afternoon? Why are you back so late?"

Shiba Kukaku said with a smile, "The family that asked me to set off the fireworks had some things to do and had to postpone it a little, so it's not my fault."

Xia Yan suddenly remembered Shiba Kukaku's identity and asked, "Is this lady a pyrotechnician?"