章 154: Bounts?

"What's this? Trouble with Kugo Ginjo?" Ailin's brow furrowed as he processed the information.

He remembered why Ginjo had turned against Soul Society. It was all orchestrated by Tokinada Tsunayashiro. Ginjo had learned the true purpose of the Substitute Shinigami Badge, then been betrayed and his fellow Fullbringers slaughtered by Shinigami under Tokinada's command. This betrayal had driven Ginjo to rebel.

However, Ailin had clearly explained the Substitute Shinigami Badge's function to Ginjo when he entrusted it to him. Could it be that the man had still fallen victim to Tokinada's schemes?

Yet, Ailin quickly concluded that Ginjo being manipulated by Tokinada wasn't all that surprising. After all, much like Ichigo Kurosaki being the result of Sosuke Aizen's unforeseen experiment, Ailin suspected Ginjo was one of Tokinada's test subjects.

In this world, the only person known to possess the powers of Shinigami, Hollow, and Fullbringer simultaneously was Hikone Ubuginu, kept in a state of suspended animation within the Shin'o Academy by Tokinada.

Tokinada desired to create a new "Soul King." The current Hikone was undoubtedly unsuitable, making it perfectly logical for him to seek a new "Soul King candidate."

Ichigo had Kisuke Urahara safeguarding him, but Ginjo, a lone wolf, had no one watching his back. Compared to Ichigo, Ginjo's fate was far more tragic.

Before Tokinada's manipulations, Ginjo had been a cheerful and passionate young man. His personality attracted a group of Fullbringers seeking to transfer their powers, hoping to become ordinary humans once Ginjo matured and could inherit their abilities.

Unfortunately, under Tokinada's machinations, their plan failed. The group was hunted by Shinigami, leaving Ginjo as the sole survivor. From that point on, Ginjo believed Shinigami couldn't be trusted. Feeling betrayed, he became a man who would stop at nothing to achieve his goals.

"Indeed," Jushiro Ukitake confirmed with a grave nod. "Through the Substitute Shinigami Badge, I recently discovered Ginjo had killed over a dozen Shinigami.

Therefore, I dispatched a 13th Division member stationed in the World of the Living to locate Ginjo and inquire about the situation. However, before our member could even begin questioning him, Ginjo killed them.

So, I suspect Ginjo has betrayed Soul Society and intend to pursue him. But considering you, Captain Ailin, had instructed him for a time, I wanted to seek your opinion."

"Is that so?" Ailin's understanding deepened upon hearing Ukitake's words.

It seemed the current timeline aligned with the period after Ginjo's manipulation, when his Fullbringer companions had been killed, leaving him filled with resentment towards Soul Society and the Gotei 13.

With this in mind, Ailin declared, "Ukitake, provide me with Ginjo's location and open a Senkaimon. I'll head to the World of the Living and investigate the situation."

"Very well." Ukitake nodded. This was precisely why he had sought out Ailin.

After all, Ginjo had received Ailin's guidance for a time. If Ukitake were to simply brand him a traitor, it might cause friction with Ailin. Entrusting the matter to Ailin was the best course of action.

Ukitake believed Ailin's decision wouldn't disappoint him.

He promptly retrieved a push-button mobile phone from his pocket and handed it to Ailin.

"Captain Ailin, this is the 'Denreishinki' recently developed by the 12th Division. It's even more convenient than a Hell Butterfly.

I've already requested the 12th Division's technicians to track the Substitute Shinigami Badge. Once you arrive in the World of the Living, they'll send the tracking information to this 'Denreishinki,' making it easier for you to locate Kugo Ginjo."

"Thank you, Captain Ukitake."

"The thanks are due to you, Captain Ailin." Ukitake shook his head, then opened a Senkaimon leading to the World of the Living within the courtyard.

"I'll be on my way then. I'll also trouble you, Captain Ukitake, to send someone to the Kuchiki Manor with a message for my wife. Just tell her I've gone to the World of the Living for a quick trip and will return within a few days."

"Certainly, Captain Ailin."

With his instructions given, Ailin stepped into the Senkaimon.

He found himself once again within the familiar spatial tunnel. This time, Ailin didn't encounter the "Kōtotsu" and smoothly arrived in the World of the Living.

...

"Beep, beep, beep..."

The Denreishinki in Ailin's hand emitted an alarm as soon as he emerged from the Senkaimon.

He opened it to find a radar display on the screen, with a small red dot within the scanned area.

"Oh? Ginjo is here? My luck's that good?"

Having located Ginjo's trace, Ailin didn't hesitate. His figure vanished from midair, moving towards the location indicated by the red dot on the Denreishinki.

However...

"Roar—"

Looking down at the small Hollow beneath him, Ailin couldn't help but slap his forehead.

"Miscalculation. I should have used reiatsu sensing first."

Ailin had forgotten that the Denreishinki's primary function was to assist Shinigami in the World of the Living to quickly locate and purify Hollows.

"Well, since I'm here, might as well deal with this Hollow."

He shook his head. Although with his current strength, attacking such a small Hollow was beneath his dignity, the creature had the misfortune of encountering him.

Chalk it up to bad luck...

Ailin prepared to strike. But the next moment, he noticed something unusual.

The human being attacked by the Hollow... possessed reiatsu?

And it felt strange. Thus, Ailin remained suspended in the air, observing for the time being.

It was a woman with brown hair, fleeing towards a secluded area as the Hollow pursued her.

Once she sensed no one else was around, the woman extended her right hand and shouted, "Hellfire – Gate!"

As her voice rang out, flames gathered before her, eventually forming a humanoid figure of fire.

"So it's her."

The moment Ailin saw the humanoid figure of flames, his memories resurfaced, and he quickly recognized the woman's identity.

Over a thousand years ago, there were experiments conducted in Soul Society to "modify souls" with the goal of creating "soul weapons." The experiment failed, causing a laboratory explosion that destroyed a tenth of the Seireitei. A vast amount of experimental Reishi poured into the World of the Living, absorbed by people on a small island, granting them immortality.

To eliminate these anomalies, Soul Society dispatched the researcher Ran'Tao to the World of the Living to deal with the experiment's consequences. However, Ran'Tao defied Soul Society's orders to eliminate those who had absorbed the Reishi. Instead, she sought to protect them and petitioned Soul Society to allow them to reside within its borders.

Unfortunately, this request was ultimately rejected by the Central 46 Chambers. Moreover, they accused Ran'Tao of experimental misconduct and exiled her for a thousand years.

During her exile, Ran'Tao protected the humans who had absorbed the Reishi on the island. But as her lifespan neared its end, Ran'Tao modified her own soul to extend her life and continue protecting these children.

While Ran'Tao lay dormant, undergoing her soul modification, a boy named Jin Kariya, whom Ran'Tao had adopted, discovered a box within her dwelling. The "crests" within the box granted the humans who had absorbed the Reishi a power distinct from that of Shinigami or Hollows – Dolls!

They called themselves "Bounts."

The woman before Ailin was Yoshino Soma, the only Bount possessing the "power of motherhood."

Boom!

The flaming Doll launched fireballs at the small Hollow. When the Hollow dodged, the fireballs struck the ground, causing explosions.

Occasionally, one or two fireballs would hit the Hollow, but only inflicted minor injuries.

"So weak..." Ailin couldn't help but comment as he watched the battle between Yoshino and the small Hollow below.

The current Yoshino Soma likely hadn't begun absorbing human souls yet, hence her strength was roughly equal to that of the small Hollow.

Of course, due to the properties of her flaming Doll, the Hollow had no chance of winning.

As expected, when the Hollow approached the Doll, "Gate of Hellfire," or "Goethe," its attacks were useless. Goethe would simply transform into flames, rendering the Hollow's attacks ineffective.

Furthermore, being close to Goethe made it more difficult for the Hollow to dodge the fireballs, and it was soon killed.

Ailin continued observing Yoshino Soma for a while longer. He confirmed that she hadn't started consuming human souls and seemed to be in a state of conflict with Jin Kariya. There were no other Bounts present at her residence.

"Oh well, another pitiful soul."

After some contemplation, Ailin decided against killing Yoshino Soma here.

"Let's find Kugo Ginjo first and see what's going on with him."

He took out the Denreishinki, preparing to contact the 12th Division and have them send Kugo Ginjo's location to his device.

However...

"Apologies, Captain Ailin."

"We've just lost the signal from the Substitute Shinigami Badge. This is the last location where the signal was detected. You can investigate there first, Captain Ailin. We'll keep an eye on the badge and inform you immediately if we find it."

"Alright, I hope you're quick. I won't be staying in the World of the Living for long."