With their blood boiling, Tione, Tiona, and Bete left intending to bash some monsters. What Kisuke said just let them realized that they're indeed declining and that isn't a very good sign for top Adventurers like them.
And since they want to talk alone, Riveria asked Lefiya to leave to get her duties done. With that, the only ones left in the spacious tent are Riveria, Ais, Kisuke, and Yoruichi.
As Yoruichi bandages Kisuke, Riveria asked Ais to get some drinks and snacks for all of them. When everything is ready, Kisuke took a sip on his drink, Ale, and said, "What can I do for you, Alf-san?"
Riveria wanted to ask a lot of things but she first pointed out something, "You still haven't told us how can we counteract this Time Stagnation."
"There are two ways, an easy one and a hard one. The easy one is to overpower its effects... Well frankly, as long you're strong enough, you always have a choice of overpowering everything."
Riveria knew that the easy method is impossible for them so she asked, "Then what's the hard one?"
"Setting up a space where it's harder to manipulate time. There are many ways to do it. From setting it up beforehand to carrying catalyst around for mobile usage. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages but one thing is a must. You need to have knowledge about how to set up one and learning it is pretty hard as you would need many prerequisite subjects before you could dive into making that space. After all, you'd want something that affects the very law of the world."
"...That's impossible for us." Riveria muttered as she gritted her teeth. She didn't even know it's possible to use magic that is outside of your own Falna, so how is she supposed to set one up? "Are there no other ways?"
"Barriers. But then again, you need to be strong enough and at least basic knowledge of time magic."
"Then how are we suppose to face that when we encounter it?" Riveria asked in frustration.
"Run. Escape. Retreat. Whatever you fancy. But if by some chance you wanted to fight or who have no choice but to fight, then fight using your all. Maybe with your willpower, a miracle can happen."
Riveria smiled wryly, "Willpower? If you don't have real power, then what's the point?"
Kisuke, however, just smiled happily, "Don't underestimate it. I've seen some people never giving up even in face of death and actually surpassing themselves in the process with a crazy smile on their faces."
Ais, who has been silent until now, muttered a word while clenching her fist, "...How?"
Kisuke, Yoruichi and Riveria looked at her and the former answered while rubbing his chin with his remain hand, "Hmm... There's really no concrete way how to do it as it's always up to you, but if you want some sort of advice, all I can tell you is, 'single-minded pursuit without losing sight of those around you.' On how you interpret it? It's up to you."
Hearing those words, Ais became lost in thought but before she could make a wrong decision, Kisuke continued, "However, never mistake your that willpower as your real power. You'll only get killed faster. Nothing beats the good ol' effective training regimen."
Riveria nodded at Kisuke's words and then she asked, "It's really hard to believe that someone could surpass themselves just because of single-minded pursuit. For the long years that I've been alive, I never saw someone like that. What sort of motivations can lead to that?"
Hearing her question, Kisuke and Yoruichi inadvertently laughed as they remember a certain someone.
"W-what's funny?"
"Ah... I'm sorry about that. We just remembered someone surpassing himself because of a very stupid reason, proving that as long as your willpower is strong enough, almost anything is possible."
"What sort of reason?" Riveria curiously asked while Ais also perked her ears up. She doesn't intend to miss anything that could potentially help her.
While chuckling, Kisuke proceeded to tell them the story, "There are these two guys and we'll call them Red and White.
"White is an enemy that Red could never contend with due to sheer difference in power. However, when the White guy threatened to shrink the Red guy's woman's breast, all hell broke loose."
Riveria and Ais thought that they're listening to a serious story, but they didn't expect it to be a vulgar one.
Despite this, however, Kisuke still continued, "In his desperation, however, Red guy came into an idea and that is to absorb a power that is diametrically opposite of what he has. Just by combining these powers, his body should have been exploded into pieces and died on the spot, but the determined guy just gritted his teeth endured all the stress his body is taking and successfully absorb the power. And with that, he pummeled the White guy into oblivion until he escapes... All of that for his beloved woman's boobs."
While Ais has a faint blush on her face, Riveria could only reply with a twitching mouth, "...T-that's really stupid."
"It is... But it's effective, nevertheless." Kisuke closed his eyes as he wondered what's happening on the other side right now.
Riveria went silent. If this is true, then she has to find her own motivation or goal, 'What is it again that I wanted to do?' She asked herself.
Ais, on the other hand, is still contemplating on Kisuke's word, 'Single-minded pursuit but not losing sight of those around you.' She already has a goal that she wanted to achieve no matter what, but she lost with 'not losing sight of those around you.'
After thinking for a bit, Riveria chose to set it aside first and asked what she wanted to ask in the first place, "About the magic which I can learn too... Can you please tell me more about it?"
"Regarding that... I can't really help you."
Riveria gritted her teeth and asked, "Why?"
"I'll be leaving Orario sooner or later," Kisuke answered simply.
If that's the case, then there's really nothing she can do as she can't follow him.
Seeing the beautiful Elf making a difficult expression and he can already properly move, Kisuke knew that it's already the right time, "However, there might be someone who can teach you some stuff."
Riveria's eyes widened in delight, "Really? Who?"
Seeing her expressions today, this is the first time Ais saw her so many faces in just a day.
"All I can tell you is that he's in Orario and will be staying for a while. It's up to you if you can find him." Kisuke then stood up and started walking towards the exit of the tent while picking up his sword while Yoruichi also did the same and picked up his severed arm.
Riveria also stood up in a hurry and chased them, "Wait! How can I find him within thousands of people!?"
Kisuke and Yoruichi didn't stop walking but Kisuke still answered her, "You already have a clue on how to find him."
"I... already have a clue?" Riveria stopped her steps as she suddenly recalled the other strange event that took place today, 'Right! Line cast magic without her usual incantation! And more than that, she changed and improved the effect of her magic!'
Before leaving for good, Kisuke turned around for one last time and faced Ais who is beside Riveria, "As for your time stasis problem, that guy can also help you to some degree. But remember, if you're going to ask him something, then get ready for his demands." Kisuke and Yoruichi then started running towards the stairs leading to the 38th floor, leaving the Loki Familia behind.
On the way, Yoruichi finally asked Kisuke, "What was that for?"
With a grin, Kisuke answered, "Customers that we can milk."
"Spare them a little bit, alright? They're good people. Though I don't care if you scam that dog to death."
"Don't worry, I won't milk them dry. It's a different story for that dog though..." Kisuke giggled before his expression turned serious, "And besides... Something about Ais Wallenstein is wrong."
"Wrong? What is it?"
"I don't know yet... But it's something dangerous that could actually threaten us..."
"So the reason why you wanted her to go to you is..."
"Right... To investigate that malevolent thing inside her."
Serafall ignored the questions the other leaders are asking regarding the note that suddenly appeared from Kisuke's rift splitting spell by saying the same answer 'It says that Sona-chan is already safe and they will go in hiding for a while' over and over again. Everyone sighed at her stubbornness but they couldn't do anything. And just as they're about to discuss what just happened, in front of Serafall, a little girl in gothic lolita outfit appeared.
Everyone was stunned of the sudden appearance of the little girl and even more so when Serafall recognized her aura and muttered, "O-Ouroboros Dragon?"
"What!?" The three leaders simultaneously exclaimed, "What is he... wait, he's now taking a form of a little girl, so she? Anyway, what is she doing here?" Azazel asked and he also recalled that the last time he saw Ophis, he's taking a form of a middle-aged man.
Serafall couldn't answer his question until she noticed that the little girl is intently staring at the chocolate bars in her hands which made her recall the contents of the notes again. Picking up one of the chocolate bars, Serafall asked, "Want this?"
The other three leaders were dumbfounded at Serafall's sudden question. After all, the one in front of her is the Dragon God of Infinity which is feared by almost all and the leader of the terrorist group threatening the peace across the realms. However, contrary to their expectations, the feared dragon suddenly snatched the chocolate bar from Serafall's hand. She already learned from Kisuke that she couldn't take snacks without permission so she waited for Serafall to offer her the chocolate bar. Ophis then started looking around, however, seeing that there's really nowhere she could sit on, Ophis chooses the next best place where Kisuke's aura and scent are present, Serafall's lap.
The dumbfounded leaders how they should react at the supposedly transcendent and strongest being, silently nibbling her chocolate bar on the Devil King's lap.
"S-Serafall... How did you do it?" Sirzech asked curiously.
"I also don't know..." However, Serafall does know that it has something to do with Kisuke and she wanted to ask her where is the guy now but afraid to do so now as it might just reveal his location to others who're listening in, 'I have to ask her later.'
While the leaders are contemplating what should they do with this 'assault' of the Dragon God, Ophis stopped nibbling her chocolate bar and looked up to Serafall, "...Doughnuts? Cookies?"
Caught off guard with such a question, Serafall immediately answered without thinking much, "N-nothing... He just gave me those chocolate bars."
She then looked back down to her chocolate bar and furrowed her brows while resuming on nibbling it.
'Is this really that Ophis?' It is the question they can't answer. They would rather believe that she's just an innocent child who didn't get all of her snacks like she's promised.
Taking a deep breath, Serafall came into a decision and faced the other leaders, "Let's postpone the meeting for now. I have things that I have to do."
"What do you plan to do?" Sirzechs asked.
"Taking care of her," Serafall answered before disconnecting her magic circle with the rest without waiting for what they have to say.
"Ophis-chan, is it?" Without standing up, Serafall asked.
"Um," Ophis only nodded and kept on nibbling on her chocolate bar.
"...Where is Ki-tan... Kisuke Urahara?"
Ophis stopped eating and looked forward before speaking, "...Somewhere... Far... Very far... I, can't reach."
"...I see..." Serafall answered absentmindedly as she looked out of the window, 'For the Dragon God who can travel all the realms to say that... Just where are you...' Although what Ophis said isn't anything good, Serafall is positive that no one can find them and will be safe from their pursuers, 'I... At least should create a place for them when they return.'
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Inside a certain house in the Belial Territory of the Underworld, four people are eating on the dining table. They're Sakura, Cleria, Masaomi, and Claire. They escaped to this place two weeks ago in accordance with Kisuke and Yoruichi's instructions. Thanks to Kisuke's disguising artifacts that we set aside in times of emergency, they were able to live peacefully with their time here.
"Still, How was he able to secure this place?" Cleria asked while eating the familiar of her territory's cuisine she hadn't had for years.
"Who knows? But I want to know what happened to him... I worried. I hope he's alright." Sakura sighed. She doesn't have much appetite these days.
"He's probably fine... That guy is terrifying, you know. I doubt they could actually land a hit on him." Masaomi tried to comfort his sister-in-law.
However, Sakura glared at her and said, "Don't call my cute son terrifying!"
Masaomi raised his arms in surrender, feeling the pressure from her glare, "I'm sorry!"
Giggling, Cleria chooses to help her husband, "Masaomi is right, Sarah. Kisuke is probably alright. Just imagine what more he can do when he was able to provide this place and seven other places for an emergency. He even gave us the way to contact big brother Diehauser discreetly. By the way, did you contact him already?"
Sarah nodded at her sister, "It's already been two weeks and we still haven't heard anything from him. I think he's in a place he can't leave or else, he would have visited us already. And I can't wait any more when I heard those rumors about a dangerous terrorist that killed the offsprings of noble Devil houses for a strange ritual named Kisuke Urahara."
Cleria furrowed her brows and became silent after remembering those rumors. It's obviously not true but they can't do anything about it and it's probably the main reason why Kisuke and Yoruichi asked them to escape. They have already foreseen this kind of result.
While Masaomi is entertaining Claire so that she wouldn't put attention to their conversation, a knocked suddenly resounded from the front door.
The three adults looked at each other before Masaomi escorted Cleria back to their room. Inside their private rooms are magic circles that would teleport them to another location and it's their means of escape if they needed to.
The sisters waited for Masaomi and Claire to leave before Sakura answered the door, "Who's there?"
"...I'm from the Belial house. Lord Diehause Belial sent me here to pass you a message." The hooded figure from the other side of the door spoke after a little bit of contemplation.
Hearing his voice, Sakura and Cleria looked at each other before they started giggling to themselves which confused the person outside. While wondering what's wrong, the door suddenly opened and Sakura, using her different face, greeted the hooded person, "I didn't expect that big brother Diehauser would sent himself to pass me a message~."
"Big brother? Who are you? Not just anyone can call me that." The hooded person furrowed his brows and tightened his guard, although her voice is somewhat familiar, he hasn't seen her before in his life.
"Oh? You already forgot my voice, big brother?" While asking, Sakura removed the bracelet on her right arm that is disguising her appearance. Once it was removed, Sakura returned to her former appearance, but instead of her usual pale blond hair and black eyes that Kisuke usually sees, her hair and eyes are now colored grey, which is the hereditary appearance of most of the people from Belial Clan.
It was only for his curiosity that he chooses to meet the person that claims that he had seen her cousin who disappeared long ago with her lover, Sarah. As for anticipation, he didn't have much as there are already countless reports of something like this and none of it turned out the truth. He came by himself since it came from the same person that claims that Kisuke Urahara and Sakura Urahara are related to Sarah Belial. Even though they have the same surname as the man who took away his cousin, Ryouta Urahara, there have been similar reports of those with the same surname but it turns out that only the surname is the same and not related to the man himself. So he couldn't just base it on the name.
He already helped the guy named Kisuke Urahara when he messed something up with the Rating Game between the Phenex and Gremory Houses since he wanted to investigate this claim. However, no matter how much he looks into not much info came out. The only substantial information that came is from those in Khaos Brigade as he heard something unusual which is Ophis protected him. And now that he was announced as a terrorist, he doesn't want anything to do with him and planned to uncover the person who sent him such information in person and deal with him.
However, he didn't prepare for what came next. Although, even if he prepared himself, he couldn't possibly saw this happening, "S-Sarah!?"
Done with the Volume 7~.
It's on Pat reon.
But I would like to be honest, this volume is pretty boring (even for me, yes!) and the big thing only happened at the start (if I remember it correctly).
The reason? This volume is just a big set up for future Volumes! So I would rather call this Volume 6.5, a filler volume... which is longer than any other volume until now... hehe.
But worry not! On the next volume, things would move faster... probably. According to my plan, anyway. I can't see the future and I write as things go so I'm not sure. But a few trolling moment here and there is already confirmed!
Thank you for your support until now and I really appreciate it.
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90 Advance Chapters here:
pat reon.com/goyya00