Chapitre 31: A Predator's Tale in the Soul Society

A small Garganta portal, a pathway between dimensions, opened. Stepping out of the Garganta portal, Esteban and Riruka made for a striking pair.

Esteban was an imposing figure, his large frame and wide shoulders creating an intimidating silhouette. Standing at a towering height, he was noticeably taller than the average Soul Reaper, a detail that added to his intimidating presence.

His handsome face, with its sharp, well-defined features, portrayed an intensity that was both fearsome and intriguing. His eyes, dual-toned, offered an intriguing depth to his persona, reflecting his complex nature. His muscular physique, visible even beneath his casual attire, was a testament to his strength and power, a stark reminder of his Hollow origins.

Riruka, on the other hand, was a stark contrast. With her small frame and petite stature, she would easily blend into the crowd if it were not for her unique and striking appearance. Her pretty face, with its large, expressive eyes and delicate features, was captivating in a different sense.

Her long, curly hair was a shade of magenta, a bright and eye-catching contrast to her pale complexion. She was dressed in a stylish, modern outfit that further accentuated her youthful and vibrant persona. She looked up at Esteban from time to time feeling happy.

The vast, sprawling expanse of Rukongai stretched out before them. Divided into 320 districts, it was the residential area for the countless spirits in the Soul Society. Each district was numbered in descending order based on its proximity to the center - the Seireitei.

Thus, the lower the number, the closer to the Seireitei and generally, the more prosperous the district. Conversely, the higher the number, the farther it was from the Seireitei, often decaying into slums.

As they advanced, the stark realities of the district hierarchy became increasingly evident. The neat, orderly streets of the lower-numbered districts gradually gave way to the ramshackle dwellings and narrow alleyways of the higher-numbered districts.

As the pair made their way into the deeper parts of Rukongai, Esteban skillfully masked their spiritual presence, becoming indistinguishable from the surroundings.

It was a delicate and challenging task, one that required not only immense spiritual control but also a deep understanding of the environment. Yet, Esteban performed it flawlessly, the magnitude of his growth over the past two months evident in his prowess.

As Esteban and Riruka traversed the labyrinthine districts of Rukongai, they were greeted by sights that were far from the idyllic afterlife many souls had been promised.

Rundown huts, starving souls, children crying for their parents – the images of poverty and neglect were overwhelming. The further they ventured into the outskirts, the more severe the living conditions became.

Looking upon this dismal scene, Riruka wrinkled her nose in distaste, "This place is worse than the slums back home...", She remarked, kicking at a pebble with her boot, "And I thought this was supposed to be some great afterlife."

Esteban couldn't help but chuckle at her blatant frankness, "You expected something different?"

She crossed her arms, her gaze drifting to the distant silhouette of the Seireitei, "I don't know what I expected, but it wasn't this. These Soul Reapers are just jerks. Sitting pretty in their castle while everyone else starves..."

Esteban smirked, amused by her straightforward assessment and how quickly she managed to grasp the essence of things, his outlook was also the exact same as hers,

"That's quite an insight. But you're right. Soul Reapers are more concerned with maintaining their power than caring for these souls.", A soft smile crossed his lips, and he reached out to ruffle her hair, causing her to blush in surprise.

But then his expression turned a bit enigmatic as he continued, "They think they're indispensable, but they aren't as necessary as they believe…", His voice trailed off, leaving Riruka puzzled yet intrigued at his cryptic remark. Little did she know that these words were a glimpse into the storm that was soon to engulf the Soul Society.

They sought shelter in one of the unoccupied huts in a remote part of Rukongai. The hut was modest, with just enough space for them to rest and monitor the situation in the Seireitei from afar. Its location was strategic, isolated, and it offered a clear view of the Seireitei - the epicenter of the impending chaos.

The dusty cabin on the outskirts of Rukongai was mostly silent, save for the quiet rustling of cloth as Riruka nervously adjusted her position on the old tatami mat.

Her cheeks were tinged a soft pink, barely noticeable in the dim lighting of the room. The close proximity to Esteban was playing with her emotions - a concoction of embarrassment, excitement, and a dash of fear.

Esteban, however, seemed oblivious to her internal turmoil. He sat in perfect stillness, his muscular form towering over the petite woman. His focus was completely absorbed in the spiritual energy of Soul Society. His handsome features were locked in deep concentration, eyes closed and brows slightly furrowed.

Feeling the suffocating silence of the cabin, Riruka began fidgeting, her small feet tapping rhythmically against the worn-out wood of the floor. Her eyes kept darting towards Esteban, half-admiring, half-irritated at his obliviousness.

She wanted to snap him out of it, to force him to pay her some attention but held back. She puffed her cheeks in an attempt to alleviate her restlessness.

Just when she was about to lose her patience completely, Esteban opened his eyes. A smile traced its way onto his lips as he met Riruka's questioning gaze, "The intruders have just arrived...", He informed, his deep voice echoing softly within the confines of the cabin.

Riruka's eyes widened at the news, her irritation temporarily forgotten, "So, what does that mean?", She queried, a small note of excitement creeping into her tone.

Esteban's smile widened, "It means that we'll have to wait for a few more days. When the chaos reaches its peak, we'll bring in the others. That's when we'll strike...", He explained, his eyes shining with a fierce determination that made Riruka's heart skip a beat.

"However...", Esteban turned to look at Riruka, his playful demeanor dropped, replacing it with a stern gaze, "Our purpose for this mission isn't solely about revenge, we also need to become stronger."

"We've all gotten significantly stronger over the past two months and you have all awakened higher variations of your Fullbrings...", He continued, his eyes never leaving hers, "But they are not yet crystallized. The only way to fully crystallize your abilities is during battle. But, remember, our opponents this time around are not to be taken lightly. They are far stronger than anyone you all have faced before."