One year went by after Kisuke decided to focus on his research and during that time, only a few notable things happened, surprisingly. Due to how explosive the inhabitants of Hell were when they attacked the Human World, Kisuke thought that they'd do more things. But contrary to those expectations, after the 'Nine Gates' incident, nothing else came up from their side and even after asking the [Unchained] what those who are [Chained] are up to, their area of activity was too far from them.
They tried using Yamamoto's aide, Choujirou Sasakibe to infiltrate their ranks but Szayelaporro Granz already discovered them secretly sneaking in the Human World without his knowledge and put a bounty on their heads.
Nevertheless, the attacks of the Beasts of Hell never stopped with a few Gates opening here and there throughout the whole world, making the Seireitei and even the Wing Bind busy with their random attacks.
Another thing to note is that the first Kenpachi, Unohana, and the former Captain of the 13th Division, Juushirou Ukitake, were still missing, and seemingly have disappeared from the world.
As for Yamamoto himself, he could maintain his current state even with the difficulties he was facing.
On the Eastern Soul Society's side, however, there was a big change as the Seireitei's personnel started training within the Human World a few months ago to learn more about Magic. Since Soul Society is technically devoid of any Magic Power and the Magic Power present in the Human World is brimming more than ever because each time the Gates open, a stream of it also rushes in.
Of course, the nobles of the Sereitei couldn't let their forces be left behind and coerced the Central 46 to allow their personnel to travel to the Human World.
As of this moment, most of the Shinigamis who came to train already knew how to detect Magic Power, but in terms of utilizing it even for a bit, only a very select few were capable of it.
"It became very busy around these parts, huh?" Serafall, in disguise, muttered while licking her ice cream and watching the Shinigamis running around in the sky.
"It can't be helped. They have to understand the power that Hell uses and discoveries are being made each passing day." Kisuke, also in disguise, replied while licking his ice cream.
Right now, they are in a park to rest after Serafall dragged Kisuke out to play around, "But a few of them aren't being careful. Many strange reports are coming out in the Human World, you know? Sooner or later, specially gifted Humans will be able to feel these fluctuations of Magic Power and some of them might even be able to use it instinctively."
Kisuke looked at Serafall in surprise and asked, "Is that how it goes?"
"Yes. Never underestimate normal people because you don't know what they are capable of once they discover their talent. It's also because of this that Mephisto-chan decided to help Humans form a Magic system because he's afraid that these few individuals destroy themselves and those around them by playing with fire. Well, it was also because of his personal interest."
At that moment, both of their phones rang and when they opened it, they saw what seemed to be a burnt cake with the caption [Kunou doesn't know when to stop burning things. (≧▽≦)]
They both received the message from Claire within the messaging app that Kisuke developed.
One of the biggest changes during this past year is that Claire, Kunou, and Tanis have already graduated high school and entered a higher level of education.
Kisuke thought that they'd be going to a single university but was pleasantly surprised that they opted for universities that specialized in their choice of course.
Claire went for an engineering degree, while Kunou went for an arts degree, and finally, Tanis decided to go to a medical school.
"It seems that they went to Ku-chan, Lanna-chan's place." Serafall commented and turned her head to Kisuke, "It's been a while since we've all been together. Shall we go?"
Kisuke nodded, "Alright. Soifon is also coming today for her regular check-up so I'll ask her to bring Ophis and Lilith with her."
"By the way, I heard they got a promotion. How did it go?"
"They took the 3rd and 4th seats respectively. Though that's probably as high as they could go for now since they can't call the names of their Zanpakuto."
"It's still amazing that they could get as high as that when it's only been half a year since they entered the 2nd Division."
While tapping on his phone, Kisuke answered, "Well, despite not being able to release their Zanpakuto and the occasional failed Kidou, their basic specs are still at least on Captain-level so slaying a bunch of Hollows and Beasts of Hell is pretty easy for them. On top of that, their stealth technique is topnotch which gives them even more achievement points for the 2nd Division. And if you're surprised to see them rise in such a short amount of time, don't be. While the Seireitei is very rigid, they won't stop someone's promotion just because they are 'young'. As long as they have what it takes, they'll give them a proper position."
.
.
.
Later that day, Soifon came with Ophis and Lilith as planned.
"Thanks for bringing them out. They must have been troublesome." Kisuke said while patting the heads of Ophis and Lilith who were wearing their Shinigami uniforms and had ran towards him and Serafall.
Soifon shook her head and said, "It's not that troublesome. As long as someone proves that they can learn Magic, it's easy to get permission these days."
Kisuke asked Ophis and Lilith to go with Serafall first and took out several syringes, a knife, and multiple test tubes to take some blood and flesh samples from Soifon.
Thanks to Soifon's very stable condition, all the in-depth check-ups only happen once a month now and Kisuke only requires some samples weekly.
And while sealing the samples, Kisuke asked, "How long can they be absent?"
"I can cover their communications for up to a month. If you want it extended, just give me a heads up and I'll do something about it."
Kisuke couldn't help but smile at her answer, "I never thought that the Captain of the 2nd Division would allow something like this. If Captain Commander Kyouraku hears about this, he'd be very proud~!"
Soifon immediately scowled at him and said, "Don't compare me to that lazy bum." She then turned around and started walking away.
"You're leaving already? You're not going to force me to treat you to a very expensive dinner?"
"As much as I want to do it, Central 46 and the 5 Great Noble Houses are strangely wary of my position and activities so I can't risk prolonged contact with you." Soifon waved her hand at them and disappeared among the passing crowds.
The group stared in the direction she disappeared to for a bit before leaving. As soon as they left the narrow alley, Serafall turned to Kisuke and asked, "Are you not going to address that strange man staring?"
Kisuke's expression didn't change and kept his walking pace, "Not yet. Let him do it for a while. He probably thought that he's hidden from our senses so he'll approach us on his own once he's done observing."
Ophis and Lilith's situation was never exposed to the Seireitei after all this time so Serafall also doesn't mind the stare, but she's wondering who that guy is and why Kisuke is ignoring him.
Editors:
28th00: The dragon twins are sustained by headpats and bananas. It’s been a year, Sera better have made some damn progress!
Kisuke, Serafall, Ophis, and Lilith teleported to Kunou's place which was in the quiet part of London.
Upon arrival, they were immediately greeted by Kunou who led them inside where Claire, Tanis, and Flanna were lazing around.
Since it'd been a while since the group last gathered like this, they enjoyed their time while telling stories of each other's 'adventures'. Because Flanna's range of activity centered around London, it was decided that she'll live with Kunou, who'd decided to attend the Royal College of Arts.
Meanwhile, Claire and Tanis bought and shared an apartment in Cambridge, Massachusetts because both of them were attending the Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology respectively.
"...and thus, we settled down quite nicely." Claire finished it up while munching on some cake that Kunou successfully baked.
Although they were now attending various universities, nothing had really changed aside from their schedules and living apart. Same as before, Kisuke and Serafall trusted them with freedom not normally granted to people of their age. After all, they are not really on the same level as normal young adults since from their childhood, they were taught how important responsibility is for they possessed power far beyond normal and could easily shape the world if they wanted to.
If they were responsible with their power, there's no reason not to trust them to live their day-to-day lives. Of course, Claire, Tanis, and Kunou have to cooperate by consulting with Kisuke and Serafall whenever there's a problem that they can't solve.
Kisuke stayed with them for a week, moving between London and Cambridge, until it was time for Soifon's next general check-up.
Before he left, however, Kisuke asked Claire, "By the way, is the church still bothering you?"
Claire shook her head, "No. They haven't contacted me these past few months. The last I heard from them was when they were offering various benefits for me to enter any universities."
Kisuke turned to Serafall and the latter immediately met his gaze, "They crossed the line so I already gave them a warning. They should have stopped stalking Claire-chan now."
Kisuke turned to Claire again and said, "If you feel any prying eyes, you're free to beat them up."
"Isn't that bad?" Claire nervously asked. Serafall already said the same thing but her training doesn't allow her to just suddenly use violence as easily. Not to mention, the amount of trouble it'll cost to their daily peaceful lives and their only source of normalcy.
"It's bad, but you should know whether it's unwarranted violence or not. And aside from that, you guys should already realize how much you can move the authorities."
Kunou and Tanis also perked their ears when they heard Kisuke say that. Although not to Claire's extent, they were still beautiful girls who were subjected to a certain amount of harassment.
"Your identities are not exactly a secret anymore and trust me when I say that even if you kill a man out there, within a few hours, you'll have nothing to do with it."
"T-that..." Claire, Kunou, and Tanis were surprised, but they also understood how that was possible.
"You've learned how to be responsible with your abilities, however, that's not the only form of power you can wield now. Those who want to pull you to their side will do everything to curry favor with you. Pretending that this isn't true is irresponsible because you'll just end up forgetting about it and do more harm than good because you can't control it.
"So instead of not acknowledging it, you should learn how to use it for your own benefit. While you have a chance, you should learn how to use this advantage called influence. Of course, this is going to be a much harder form of power to use because if you're not careful, you'll realize too late that this power is actually already controlling you instead of the other way around."
Claire, Kunou, and Tanis all nervously stared at Kisuke because as he had said, they were trying to ignore it to live a completely normal life.
Kisuke smiled at them and patted Claire's head, "It's a given that you'll be making mistakes, but let me remind you that there is an expert here in that regard." Kisuke took a peek at Serafall.
At the same time, the girls also followed his gaze and looked at Serafall, "Ehem, as a former Devil King who took care of foreign affairs, just do what you think is right and I'll give you a full review of the situation and a score on how well you did. Don't worry about any mistakes for now since you're just in the learning phase and I'll guide you on how to fix it." She proudly declared as she tapped her chest with her fist.
"T-then..." Tanis suddenly raised her hand and said, "There's this guy that has been pestering me nonstop despite rejecting him on multiple occasions."
Serafall gave a thumbs up and replied with the brightest smile on her face, "Beat him up to a pulp!"
"..."
"..."
"..."
Claire, Tanis, and Kunou immediately approached Serafall to get a consultation about the problems they didn't mention because they see it as nothing special but annoying regardless. While they don't have any particular problem themselves, Ophis and Lilith had also joined them.
Kisuke grinned at their reaction and secretly left the girls' meeting and when he was about to teleport away, Flanna approached him and said, "Boss, could you hear me out?"
Kisuke looked at her for a moment and saw her serious expression, "Alright. Let's move to another location."
Kisuke didn't really think of any specific place so he just teleported Flanna with him in a random direction where there were less people.
"Before anything else, I'd like to ask. What's the deal with those swords?"
Kisuke immediately knew that she was referring to Ophis and Lilith's Zanpakuto so he gave her the answer she wanted.
"I see... Those are the same swords that you hold." Flanna muttered to herself before facing Kisuke again, "Then we should probably warn them that they shouldn't try anything like calling the names of those swords. Better yet, it's better not to use them at all."
Kisuke creased his brows and asked, "...Why?"
"It's because their names aren't unknown. Blacky and little Blacky also probably also knew their names, but are just refusing in calling them with it, not really thinking hard about its implications."
A certain individual immediately appeared in his mind and Kisuke understood the situation, "Are saying that instead of calling their names, Ophis and Lilith are trying to give them new ones?"
Flanna nodded, "Exactly. And that's causing a conflict that those two are royally ignoring because it's not a threat to them and probably only see it as a challenge. I don't know what being has given names to those swords, but it'll be alerted the moment the names are overwritten. I didn't really mention it to them because I thought that I should consult with you first and if there's no problem alerting the one who gives names, we'll just let them do what they want."
"But you think it's a problem."
Flanna nodded once again, "I can't really put my hand on it, but if this being is a hostile one, it'll be quite a problem, especially for you and 'Benihime'."
Editors:
28th00: Yep, cause the evil monk named Her. That’s really fucking bad. The twin’s zanpakuto must be in eternal suffering from these 2 just ignoring their existence wholesale.