"Mr. Shiraha, what is this?"
Ichigo turned the wooden badge over in his hand, eyes narrowing in curiosity.
"Your Substitute Shinigami Combat License," Shiraha replied, his tone calm yet faintly amused. "If a human chosen as an agent Shinigami is deemed beneficial to Soul Society, this badge officially authorizes them to act as one. It's an ancient provision, rarely used, but it grants you the ability to transform into a Shinigami at will."
Ichigo's face brightened in amazement. "So that's what this is… that's incredible!"
Until now, becoming a Shinigami had required Rukia's help or the use of a Gikon pill. The thought of transforming freely—of standing between both worlds on his own power—was liberating.
"Mr. Shiraha," Ichigo asked, glancing around, "where's Captain Ukitake? He said he'd come to see us off."
"Captain Ukitake's illness flared up again," Shiraha answered gently. "He asked me to come in his place."
Ichigo's expression softened. "I see… well, when you next come to Karakura Town, you've got to visit my house, okay? You'll be my guest."
He still had no idea that his father, Kurosaki Isshin, was a former captain of the Gotei 13—nor that the same man quietly watching over him once commanded the Tenth Division. None had told him, and Isshin himself remained content to keep that truth hidden.
Shiraha smiled. "Then I won't refuse the invitation."
By then, Orihime, Sado, Rukia, and Ishida had finished their farewells and gathered near the gate. On Orihime's shoulder, a black cat stretched lazily, tail swaying.
"Little Shiraha," purred Yoruichi, leaping from Orihime's shoulder into Shiraha's arms with feline grace.
"Miss Yoruichi," Shiraha said, stroking her fur lightly, "you must have seen Captain Shunsui and your brother Yūshirō these past few days."
Yoruichi yawned, her golden eyes gleaming. "Mm, yes. We spoke for a while. Thank you for helping smooth things over."
Since reuniting with Kūkaku at the Shiba estate, Yoruichi had also spent time with her protégé, Suì-Fēng, and later with her younger brother. What they had discussed was known only to them.
"I should be the one thanking you, Miss Yoruichi," Shiraha said with quiet humor.
Yoruichi gave a small, approving hum.
"Captain Shiraha," Ishida Uryū said suddenly, his eyes glinting behind his glasses, "I look forward to crossing swords with you again someday."
A faint smile touched Shiraha's lips. "Oh? But you can't fight me as you are now."
Uryū froze, his expression tightening.
"Wait," Ichigo said, turning quickly toward him. "What do you mean?"
"If you hadn't brought it up, Mr. Shiraha, we wouldn't have known," Orihime added, concern flashing across her face.
Sado frowned. "Ishida… you lost your power?"
Uryū nodded slightly, his voice steady despite the heaviness behind it. "During my battle with that mad scientist—Kurotsuchi Mayuri—I pushed my Quincy abilities beyond their limit. In doing so, I lost everything."
He spoke as if recounting a simple fact, but the quiet resolve in his tone betrayed no regret. He had chosen to sacrifice his power to protect Orihime.
Rukia's voice came low, tinged with guilt. "If not for me… none of this would have happened. Ichigo and the others wouldn't have invaded Soul Society, and you wouldn't have had to lose your Quincy strength."
Uryū offered her a faint smile. "It's fine, Kuchiki-san. I made my choice."
But Ichigo's hands tightened into fists. "Still—"
Before he could finish, Shiraha spoke. "Ishida," he said lightly, "do you want to regain the power of the Quincy?"
Uryū's head snapped up, his breath catching. "You… you know a way?"
Rukia's eyes widened in hope. "Brother Shiraha, you have a method to restore his strength?"
To her, Shiraha was nearly omniscient—a man whose knowledge spanned Shinigami, Hollow, and even human worlds.
"I don't have the power to restore it myself," Shiraha said evenly. "But I can point you toward someone who can. After returning to the Human World, seek out your father—Ishida Ryūken. He alone can help you regain your Quincy abilities."
"Ryūken…" Uryū whispered, stunned.
The others exchanged glances.
"Your father," Shiraha continued, "is not only a Quincy, but one of the most gifted of his kind—acknowledged by Ishida Sōken himself as the heir to the Quincy legacy. He bears the title of 'The Last Quincy,' though he detests the power he was born with. Even so, he never truly abandoned it."
He paused for a moment, his eyes calm but knowing. "In truth, his strength may even rival Kurosaki Isshin's when he still bore his captain's power."
Uryū stood speechless. His father—who had always rejected their lineage, who had forbidden even the mention of the Quincy name—was himself a master of that same art.
"Wait… you know my father, Mr. Shiraha?" Uryū finally managed.
Yoruichi, lounging in Shiraha's arms, tilted her head. "You even know Ryūken Ishida?"
"Of course," Shiraha replied easily. "Miss Yoruichi, have you forgotten what my abilities allow me to perceive?"
"Ah… right," Yoruichi murmured, a small smile curling her lips.
Still reeling, Uryū said nothing. Ichigo placed a hand on his shoulder, forcing him to bow slightly alongside him.
"Mr. Shiraha," Ichigo said sincerely, "thank you—for everything."
Orihime and Sado bowed as well.
Shiraha waved a hand lightly. "There's no need for thanks. I only shared what I knew."
His tone was simple, but beneath it lingered quiet foresight. He knew that, soon enough, Uryū would meet his father—and that Ryūken Ishida, despite his coldness, would indeed show him the path to reclaiming the Quincy power that still burned faintly within his blood.
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