Kisuke already expected it but Soifon really didn't change her mind. He still can't fully understand her motivation since he was never ambitious. But if he's going to compare it to his thirst for knowledge and overall curiosity, then he could somehow relate.
"So you're going to return like this, huh?"
Soifon finished checking her body and Zanpakuto's condition and said, "Yes. That's why let's set our stories straight."
Kisuke rubbed his chin for a few seconds before saying, "Let's go with your Spiritual Body not being able to survive the decomposition and I had no choice but to put your soul in an experimental Physical Body called a Homunculus. It took us 3 months to stabilize everything so you could only return now. Regarding your abilities, just tell them that various books about Magic and Ki are scattered in this base and I just let you do what you want and would only interfere if you're doing something wrong or dangerous."
"That doesn't sound like I'm a captive."
"Because you're not. You're a patient, and an amusing Shinigami trying her hands on new toys."
"Do you really have to phrase it like that?"
"Yes. And don't forget to tell them that. I don't want them to think that I'm on their side. I want to maintain my neutrality."
"And if they ask your name?"
"Belial. Just call me Belial."
"Same as those kids' last names?"
"Yes. It's the name of our household on the other side and the name of the Devil our clan originated from."
"Devil, huh? I still can't believe something like that exists… I'm going now." Soifon turned around to the portal that'll lead her back to the Human World. Since normal Humans were capable of seeing her, she's wearing casual clothes that are appropriate for the season. But although they looked normal, they were specially made clothes that are even stronger than Lieutenant-level Shihakusho.
Soifon stepped into the Human World and even though it was just three months, she still missed the air, 'It's the Human World... But there's something slightly different.'
Kisuke was about to close the portal and he remembered something and asked, "By the way, you never once released your Bankai. What are you trying to hide?"
Soifon turned her head to him with a grin and answered, "My ace."
.
.
.
Soifon first walked around the Human World and although it was small in number, there were a few glances that went her way and it bothered her greatly. It was a very different experience compared to when she's a Shinigami. She doesn't know if this is how those who constantly used a Gigai felt since unlike them, she had no limitations to her abilities and her instincts were always kicking in to use them for her own convenience, 'I can't just suddenly disappear from their sights. This is more annoying than I thought.'
Nevertheless, it was still a good thing for her to experience this to prepare herself for the future. After roaming around for about an hour, Soifon decided to find a desolate place and open a Senkaimon.
Thankfully, they hadn't revoked her authority to open one, or else her only option was to go through the Garganta or call for another Shinigami to open a Senkaimon for her.
After making sure that there's nothing wrong with it and that she had a Hell Butterfly accompanying her, she went through the door she opened and found herself passing through the only permanent Senkaimon in the Seireitei.
The moment she stepped out, one of the two guards addressed her with a startled voice, "C-Captain Soifon! You've returned! But those clothes..."
Soifon's strict expression didn't change as she turned to the one who talked to her, "There are various circumstances for this. Is the Captain Commander in his barracks now?"
The guard became nervous because Soifon sounded pissed, "The Captain Commander and the other Captains should be in the 1st Division barracks right now for a meeting!"
"I see. Good work. I'll report to the Captain Commander first."
"Yes! Understood!"
Soifon stopped paying attention to the guards and used Flash Step to get off the tower where the Senkaimon was.
Naturally, her arrival was immediately detected by those skilled enough.
Within the 1st Division Barracks, all the Captains were called to discuss the subsequent actions they should take to Hell since Mayuri just announced that he found a way to avoid Hell's Punishment without relying on Kazui's ability.
And just as Shunsui was about to adjourn the meeting, they all felt Soifon's Reiatsu appear within the Seireitei.
Most of them turned in the direction of the Senkaimon that just emitted a pillar of light and Isane merrily muttered, "Finally..."
Since they could all tell that Soifon was making her way to the 1st Division Barracks, they decided to wait with Shunsui saying, "It looks like we have another subject of importance for today."
"I will readjust your schedule for today." Nanao, the only non-Captain in the room, said while fixing the position of her glasses.
"Couldn't you just cancel everything?"
"No."
While listening to Nanao and Shunsui bicker, Soifon arrived at the front door, "Captain Commander, Captain of the 2nd Division reporting." Since the meeting had already started, Soifon didn't want to just head in without saying anything.
Shunsui sighed and properly sat down, "Come in."
Soifon entered the room and everyone's eyes immediately landed on her, with all of their attention except for one person gathered at one point. The dark blue slacks pants, beige colored polo shirt, and a gray baggy hoodie, 'The world of the living's clothes?' they wondered.
However, their focus was broken when all of a sudden, Mayuri pulled out his Zanpakuto and released his Shikai.
Everyone else subtly created distance from each other while Shunsui frowned, "Kurotsuchi-kun, mind telling us what you're trying to do?"
"Just a bit of a precaution." Mayuri instantly answered, maintaining his eyes on Soifon, "More importantly, I want to confirm something."
Shunsui glanced at Soifon, then to the other Captains also wondering what was going on, and finally back to Mayuri, "Go on."
"All Gigai, except for specially made ones, are automatically destroyed upon passage through Senkaimon, correct?"
'Gigai?' Shunsui and the others asked themselves while returning their sights to Soifon. It was then that they understood that Soifon had a Physical Body. Although it's strange, they still don't get why Mayuri suddenly pulled out his weapon.
Mayuri glanced around and was disappointed that they hadn't caught on yet so he continued, "But no matter how special a Gigai is, there should be no way for her to use her abilities while in it. Of course, there's an exception for a disposable Gigai but that's still in experimental stages and I haven't released any of them nor are any of them unaccounted for."
"!?" They finally realized where Mayuri was getting at.
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AN (March 6, 2024):
Announcement~!
I'll be taking a week off. The whole reason is posted in my pat reon @goyya00.
But in short, I'll be dedicating all of my free time to my studies in hopes of passing an assessment that will give me a good-paying job. My chances are low, but I'm taking my shot.
Thank you for your understanding and please enjoy the chapters~
Have a great day!
Editors:
28th00: Hey, Soifon’s got some style going on at least, ya know?!
Goyya: It’s actually hard to google women's fashion and describe them…
In the middle of all of this, Soifon remained calm, "As expected of Captain Kurotsuchi, you instantly noticed it.
She then turned to Shunsui and asked for permission, "Should I narrate my report here?"
Shunsui became very worried about what this report could entail, 'But since she's here, she must have reached some sort of agreement with him. I can only trust his work.'
Soifon nodded and started narrating what she 'found out'. Meanwhile, Mayuri took back his Zanpakuto and intently listened. Of course, there's still some doubt in his mind that the woman speaking is not Soifon herself, but someone else entirely, 'If someone could transfer a Shinigami's soul into a Physical body and still have their abilities... This is going to send waves through the noble clans.'
Starting from the existence of Magic and Ki and how to use them, to some information about Serafall, the other teenage girls, and the mysterious man. Thankfully, she practiced what she had to say because Soifon had to be careful not to elude Ophis, Lilith, and Flanna's existences.
"Sitri Serafall and Belial Claire are 'Devils'. Belial Kunou is a 'Fox Demon'. Belial Tanis is a 'Dragon'. And the masked man is unknown... What is that supposed to mean?" Iba Tetsuzaemon interrupted Soifon and loudly muttered.
Soifon turned her head towards him and said, "You'll understand it better if you were to think that they are not Humans, Shinigami, Quincy, Hollows, or Fullbringers."
Small and multiple discussions instantly erupted upon Soifon answering the question, trying to dissect the words she used. While there are multiple 'races' that exist within Soul Society, they are, all in all, categorized as Spiritual beings. So it's a bit hard for them to think about beings that suddenly appeared out of nowhere that aren't under that category and use an entirely different form of power.
Shunsui clapped his hands to interrupt everyone, "Let's have Soifon finish her report first. We can have all the discussions we need after."
Everyone became quiet and let Soifon continue.
And finally, she moved to the currently most important matter, "As for the reason why I have a Physical body, it's because my Spiritual body was beyond saving."
"..." Mayuri creased his brows.
"After getting hit by Baraggan's miasma directly on my chest, it was supposed to have been certain death for me. The masked man, who wanted to be called Belial, figured that there was no point in saving my body and instead transferred my soul into an experimental body he was working on called Homunculus."
"Not a Gigai?" Mayuri asked.
Soifon shook her head, "No. Unlike a Gigai that only temporarily houses a Spiritual body, this is apparently something more permanent."
Most of the Captains instantly understood the implications of that and had their eyes widened, "...Then, does that mean..."
"I'm stuck like this, until the end of my life." Soifon continued Isane's words, "I had to stay for more than three months at their side to stabilize my situation. But because this is the first instance of this happening according to Belial, I have to return to him at regular intervals for checkups and further adjustments. While I can use my Shinigami abilities right now, the creator of this body doesn't know what side effects could still come up."
Isane covered her mouth at the unbelievable scenario and didn't know what to say.
Silence descended upon the room with only the sound of breathing could be heard.
"...And did you find out for what reason he created something like this?" Mayuri suddenly asked after the silence.
Soifon stayed still for a moment before shaking her head, "No. He didn't mention anything that could be pointed in that direction. Whenever I talk about it, he'll just dodge it or talk about the condition of my body. However, I do have some guesses."
Mayuri's eyes shined, "Anything is fine, tell us what you think about it."
"It seems that Belial was also trying to find a way to neutralize the immortality of those who fell in Hell and once mentioned something along the lines of [They are using Magic constructs as bodies.] I'm not really sure what that meant, but I have a feeling that this and that are related."
.
.
.
The meeting that extended for another few hours finally ended. And as expected, Mayuri wanted to perform a 'check up' on Soifon. Naturally, Soifon instantly refused as she knew that his 'check up' could probably mean dissecting her. He only backed off after explaining that Belial didn't allow any check-up by anyone other than him because of the complex nature of Soifon's situation and any mistake could mean disaster for all those involved.
Everyone except for Soifon, Shinji, Nanao, and Shunsui left. The captains, except of course for Zaraki who didn't really care, had multiple questions that they wanted answered but for now, they were asked to return to their posts to prepare for the upcoming operation.
Shunsui was about to speak up but Soifon stopped him by raising her left hand to him. Her right hand then took out a smartphone from the pocket of her hoodie and took a quick glance at it, "Alright. It looks like there are no bugs around." Soifon murmured.
"And that is?" Shunsui asked after Soifon put down her hand.
"His nifty gadget that detects bugs, especially the ones made by Mayuri. It should work for a while."
Shinji sighed and said, "In the first place, shouldn't we move somewhere more private?"
"We can't." Soifon immediately refused, "It'll only raise more suspicion. And now that I've confirmed that there shouldn't be anyone watching or listening in, this is the safest place we can talk in secret."
Shinji understood where she was coming from and asked another question, "What would you do if there's a bug?"
"Then we can postpone it until we can get a good opportunity again. There's really nothing else we can do."
Shinji looked at Shunsui and the nervous Nanao. With the former nodding his head, Shinji turned his head back to Soifon and asked, "How is Kisuke doing?"
Soifon closed her eyes in frustration and sighed, "Still as energetic as ever... annoyingly so."
"And is there something you can tell us about them?" It was Shunsui's turn to ask.
"...I apologize, but there's nothing."
Shunsui furrowed his brows, "Why?"
However, Soifon shut her mouth and only shook her head.
"I see..." Shunsui leaned back and thought of something else before speaking again, "What about information? He must have shared some with you."
Soifon nodded, "Yes. But before that, I'd like to know if there are any reports that came in from the Kurosaki family."
"No. None whatsoever. What about it?"
"On the day of the attack on Hell, the Kurosaki family were also attacked."
"Wait, what?" Shinji became highly concerned, "But we received nothing like that."
"Of course. It is to protect the identity of the attackers from Szayelaporro's eyes."
Soifon then proceeded to explain to the three of them what transpired in the Kurosaki Household.
Editors:
28th00: I just find it hilarious that Soifon has such casual clothing on during this meeting.