Yoruichi was resting when she received a notification and when she looked at it, it was Kisuke's request to talk.
After a few minutes of preparation, a call came in and Yoruichi immediately answered, "You're contacting me because something urgent came up?"
[Yeah. Something pretty big actually.] Kisuke then proceeded to relay what he had heard from Seraselbes and with each passing moment, cold sweat accumulated on Yoruichi's back, [And that's the gist of it. I'd like you to confirm if the one giving commands is indeed the Holy Father, Resetoras.]
"...I already had a suspicion that something changed within their command hierarchy so I asked those Etoulde girls about it. While the Luxeux kid had no idea, the Yarwood kid pretty much confirmed that it's now the Holy Father who has taken the reins." Yoruichi then explained to Kisuke how the Holy Mother had to take a step back and the Holy Father took charge because of Draconic Deus' potential to connect to countless worlds.
[How did you notice that something is different?]
"I started becoming suspicious when Issei-kun's position slowly became irrelevant and Shiva's position strengthened."
Kisuke over the line became silent to arrange his thoughts, 'No wonder they could disband the DxD Team and dissolve the Alliance this easily. Shiva was probably in favor of this too to take in some talents for himself.'
[Which part of the DxD Team moved to either Shiva and Indra?]
"It still isn't confirmed but there are rumors floating around that the Hero Faction is going to Shiva's faction while the Buddha Faction is taking Indra's side."
[I see... It's about time that both sides become saturated. Indra is probably already looking for the chance to spark a battle.] In those few seconds, several ideas immediately floated around Kisuke's head about how he would set up the stage for them and hopefully drag those behind them along to the light. However, he'll need more 'pawns' to make it happen and he first had to make sure the stance of all those involved, [By the way, where's Stralit and her companion?]
"They decided to settle down in the Dungeon World for now to avoid attention. I gave them your Reiatsu Cloaking Bracelets and tweaked them according to your specifications so It'd work for Etouldes."
[Did it work?]
Yoruichi nodded, "It did, but only within a certain threshold. A slight exertion of their Spiritual Power will immediately reveal their identities."
[Send me the logs. The hardware on those bracelets should still be capable of more so I'll try to update the program and add more parameters.]
"I'll arrange it as soon as I return to your lab. Oh, and another matter. Aizen just tried to snatch Gwenn when we were meeting. I didn't notice that he was tracking me."
But instead of getting worried, Kisuke started chuckling, [You let your guard down, huh? You thought Ophis and Lilith were enough to keep him in check.]
Yoruichi pouted and grumbled, "Those two are a lot more lenient than I thought."
[Since you're talking about how you're settling those two down, you managed to fend him off?]
"Yes, with Aika simultaneously using her Bankai and Outrage."
[...That nasty form? He'll probably think twice after experiencing that Super Strength, selective Phase Change, and Ability Silence even if he's an undying immortal.]
"I don't know if he did, but he stopped bothering us. The Etoulde managing the Draconic Deus forces, Alicia Crowfeather, disappeared so he probably opted for her."
[Then it won't be long before Aizen realizes the true nature of our enemies. Since there will be hardly anything he could do meaningfully alone, he'll probably look for others he could use.]
"So what now?"
[Depending on how Crowfeather-san reacts, he'll either go back to the Soul Society or find a way to move forward further behind the frontlines... If he chooses the former, he'd need to go through the gate. Please wait for him there and tell him about Ajuka and Azazel.]
Yoruichi was a bit apprehensive about this, "Is that alright?"
[Yep. Tell him that there's a chance for him to challenge a so-called 'God' that seeks to eliminate those with Spiritual Abilities.]
"...Which one are you talking about?"
Kisuke grinned, [Both.]
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.
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In addition to the ryokan that Tenjirou built, there's also an additional building on the Ouroboros Floating Island. Its metallic dome is 100 meters wide and 30 meters tall painted pure white. It was not far from the ryoukan but it didn't receive the attention that the former did. And within Ouroboros Academy's own records, this dome was only used to contain raw materials for the ryoukan and it wasn't even that heavily guarded.
And if one were to infiltrate it, they'd only find specially treated construction materials that are a bit sensitive to an open-air environment. They are expensive materials that only the richest faction could afford to use for their constructions but it's almost nothing of value for those looking for anything other than monetary value.
But within a small subsection of this place is an obscured door that leads to a small room.
"Hmmm... I would guess that you've already talked to Urahara." Aizen who secretly entered the dome along with a black-haired young lady stopped just before they reached the door.
Guarding the door was Yoruichi seemingly bored of waiting, "Well, you're right about that." She replied shortly before turning her gaze to the young lady, "It has been a while, Miss Alicia. I hope he didn't hurt you too much."
The young lady with a dark expression returned her gaze, "...Yoruichi... As expected... You know this guy. Can I assume that he's your comrade?"
Yoruichi shrugged her shoulders, "I would if he wasn't such a traitorous bastard that only listens when it's convenient for him."
Alicia gritted her teeth, "Then can you at least try saving me from him? I promise to return the favor to the best of my ability."
"You're a skilled and smart person. You should already have some idea what this guy could do." Yoruichi could only give a wry smile to her pleas.
Alicia clenched her teeth and wanted to try escaping again. However, after remembering the aura Aizen released and how nonchalant he dismissed her every attempt until now, she immediately lost all of her motivation, '...Is he really at the level of those from the Holy Family? But how is that possible and where did he come from?'
Yoruichi stared at Alicia for a few moments before coming to a decision. She turned her eyes towards Aizen and said, "I only intended to inform you of a few things but it would seem that it would be better for me to come with you."
There was no change in Aizen's expression so Yoruichi could guess what he was thinking. He only stayed silent for a few seconds before cracking a small smile, "Are you sure you can leave this place? I'm of the impression that time is not on your side."
"I'll be fine. I won't be gone for long and I want to make sure that you don't assume the wrong things and mess things up. Besides, I had a previous deal with that Etoulde. It'll go smoother if you can give her some sort of benefit for all of this, right?"
"Hmmm... I guess that's true." Aizen nodded to himself, "Lead the way."
Yoruichi immediately turned around and started opening the obscured door while raising her voice, "I'll take it from here, Ophis, Lilith."
From the outside of the dome, the 'twin' humanoid Dragons looked at each other before walking away. They're free so they wanted to eat something good and decided to look for Claire.
Editors:
28th00: Ah, yeah, telling Aizen that would 100% tilt him beyond belief, wouldn’t it?
Alicia, still very much clueless as to what was happening, silently followed Yoruichi and Aizen through the door. The next thing she knew, she arrived in a white desert in the middle of the night.
'Night? Did we teleport into a different timezone?' But as soon as she thought about that, the wind hit her face and she noticed that something was amiss, "...Huh?"
As an Etoulde and a long-time spacefarer, she could survive in many, many places as long as it supports carbon-based life. Even if there isn't any air for her to breathe, as long as she has a steady stream of Magic Power, she'll be able to sustain her body for long periods of time. However, the problem right now was not the quality of the air, but its composition.
The quality of the air is akin to that of the Draconic Deus, but each time Alicia inhales, it strangely invigorates. She froze in place and carefully inspected what was happening. Naturally, it didn't take too long for her to figure it out, "Wait! A-all... All of this! All of this is made out of Spiritual Matter!?"
"Hooh... Now this is interesting." Aizen muttered softly, "This place actually has regenerative effects on you."
Yoruichi immediately took note of that and stared at Alicia too to watch out for other changes in her.
"Where are we!?" Alicia exclaimed as she looked around in disbelief. She also kicked up some sand to confirm that it was indeed all Spiritual Particles, "How is this possible!?"
"Don't you have something similar in your homeworld?"
Alicia was stunned silent and gave Yoruichi's words more thought, 'It's true... I heard that the capital has something like this and only those from the Holy Family, important court members, and a few selected people are allowed to go. Nevertheless, those are still just some rumors!'
While Alicia was deep in her thoughts, one person cautiously approached the group.
A tall female Arrancar of a curvaceous and well-endowed frame. She has olive skin, aqua green eyes, thick eyelashes, and short golden blonde hair. She wore a variation of the Arrancar jacket with a high collar, which covered the lower part of her face downward while baring a good portion of the lower half of her large breasts. The jacket has a zipper running along its entire length, which is opened from the bottom upwards. It had a beige air filter on either side just below the trim. The jacket's sleeves completely enveloped her arms, terminating in black glove-like extensions at her extremities, resembling the appearance of a cat's paw.
"Tier Harribel. It has been a while." Yoruichi greeted her.
Tier first glanced at Aizen with trepidation before returning her greeting as she landed in front of them, "It seems that you're doing well, Yoruichi Shihouin... And you too, Sosuke Aizen."
She also eyed Alicia who's staring at her as if she was some weird creature but soon ignored her and continued addressing Yoruichi, "I apologize but it's required for me to ask your purpose, seeing that you crossed unannounced."
"I also apologize for doing this. After all, it's hard to coordinate when this guy is involved.", Yoruichi turned her eyes toward Aizen while answering, "We'd like to go to the Soul Society to meet Captain Kurotsuchi."
Tier was silent for a moment before waving her hand and a slit in space was formed, revealing a dark void, "I see. I'll inform them from my side."
"Well, that was easy." Aizen chuckled and started walking through the opening.
Meanwhile, the corners of Yoruichi's mouth could only twitch, 'This bitch... She just didn't want to deal with Aizen... That's fair, though.' She sighed and grabbed Alicia's arm to drag her in, "Thanks."
Alicia's thoughts slowed down, but as soon as she stepped into the void, she panicked and thought she'd fall. Thankfully, she didn't and noticed that there was an invisible floor for her made out of thin solidified Spiritual Power. And upon further inspection, this thin floor was created by the man who kidnapped her and was walking in front.
Soon, the slit in the space disappeared behind them but strangely enough, they could still see each other clearly despite the fact that the only source of light was the fluctuating void, 'What's all of this nonsense? Even this strange void is full of Spiritual Particles and Spiritual Power.'
"She didn't have to be that scared," Aizen commented, initiating some small talk while continuing on his path.
"After you almost cut her in half and she only managed to survive through luck? I'm actually surprised that she didn't hate you much more." Yoruichi instantly retorted without letting go of Alicia, "In any case, is this really leading directly to the Soul Society? I'm surprised that they were allowing something like this."
"You can thank Kyouraku for that. He doesn't care about norms and traditions."
"Well, he's the one who released you against Yhwach so I can see that."
There were no more exchanges between the two of them after that and that caused Alicia a huge amount of frustration, 'Why stop now!? Please continue!' Her only source of information right now was what she could observe and their conversation with the latter gave her more utility. She knew that they won't answer her questions now so all she could do is wait and hope that they'll start talking again.
Unfortunately for her, the silence continued until they reached the end of the 'tunnel'.
Bracing herself, Alicia squinted her eyes to prepare for the sudden light.
The moment she regained her sight, however, she saw Aizen holding a blade aimed at his neck by a scarred, very wild-looking, muscular man with a maniacal smile on his already scary face.
"When are you going to get bored of this, Zaraki?" Aizen asked with a nonchalant voice while pushing the blade away from him.
Meanwhile, the one holding her hand until now have released her and also have come face to face with a relatively petite woman with gray eyes and black hair.
As their short blades clashed with each other, Yoruichi couldn't help but mutter, "Since when did Gotei 13 develop such violent tendencies?"
The black-haired woman smirked at her and retorted, "Who knows? It was you who left for such a long time."
The two separate clashes brought down the heavy weight of their Spiritual Pressures. And Alicia who was standing in the middle of it came to a terrifying realization, 'That golden-haired woman from before opened a tunnel using Spiritual Power... And it was the same for these four. I can't deny it anymore. It wasn't just a few special individuals... There's another race... No, another developed society that's capable of using Spiritual Power as much as the Etouldes do.'
It's a common belief in their society that aside from the Evies, only a large organization of other Spiritual Ability users of their level would be able to stand against the Etouldes if it existed. It was due to this belief that they were always watching out for such a group. As of now, the current consensus for the appearance of such a group is, '...Elimination. At least, that's what the Holy Father's faction would do.'
Editors:
28th00: I like watching her rapid mental breakdown.