27 Esteban, Aura, and the Xcution Convene
Hidden in the Human World, Aura, and Esteban took refuge in the shadows, resting and recuperating from their previous encounter.
Esteban realized the urgent need for powerful subordinates especially now that he crossed paths against the Soul Society too. So they resumed the search for Execution and its rogue leader, Ginjo Kugo, as soon as they were done.
For days, under the dense cityscape of Tokyo, they had searched relentlessly for a clue, a hint of the presence of the Execution. But with each passing day, the city still revealed nothing.
His immeasurable Reiatsu, used for spiritual sensing, offered no guidance. This lead him to conclude that his targets were in the one place he'd been avoiding before - Karakura Town.
Known for its unusually high concentration of spiritual activity, Karakura Town was home to the likes of Kisuke Urahara and Yoruichi Shihoin, former Captains of the Soul Society. Their presence alone was enough to give Esteban pause. He wanted to avoid them if possible.
Esteban and Aura ventured into Karakura Town. To anyone else, it appeared as an unassuming suburban town with neatly lined houses, parks, a high school, and a hospital.
But to those with spiritual awareness, it was a different sight altogether. Ghostly figures wandered the streets, the potent energy of the town swirling around in a kaleidoscope of colors, and an undercurrent of tension hung in the air - a testament to the numerous spiritual battles it had witnessed.
Esteban embarked on a careful process of gathering information, keeping a low profile as he moved about the town.
He would approach individuals with a certain level of spiritual awareness, subtly probing their minds and absorbing fragments of their souls with his ordinary Hollow powers that all members of his race possessed naturally in some form or another based on their strength.
Each interaction gave him another piece of the puzzle, another insight into the whereabouts and activities of the Execution.
Each stolen memory painted a clearer picture: sightings of unusually powerful individuals, rumors of strange events, and tales of encounters with the supernatural. All signs pointed toward the Execution.
Esteban absorbed this information, methodically processing each clue and building a mental map of their possible locations.
Throughout this process, Esteban maintained a cautious distance from Urahara's shop and any areas frequented by Yoruichi, not wishing to alert them to his presence.
The town was a battlefield, a place of unspoken power dynamics and territorial lines. Esteban was a foreign element, stepping lightly on the edge of this complex web.
As the picture in his mind took shape, Esteban felt a sense of anticipation building. The Execution was close. His diligent search was about to bear fruit.
Esteban and Aura's spiritual pressures had grown tremendously, reaching a level that was indiscernible to beings who were not at least at a level around a high-ranking Captain-class Soul Reaper at least.
In a world teeming with spirits, this was a valuable advantage. They were like titans walking among ordinary souls, their power well concealed.
Esteban also had that unique technique, he also taught Aura, which further aided their stealth.
This technique was intricate and complex, but once mastered, it hid their overwhelming spiritual pressure completely, making them virtually invisible to any spiritual beings trying to track them.
Together, they moved about the town undetected, blending with the crowd, their powerful reiatsu masked perfectly. As they ventured deeper into Karakura Town, the anticipation of what lay ahead was a constant undercurrent in their otherwise calm and focused demeanor.
It was late afternoon, and the weekend crowd of the town was dwindling, leaving the streets quieter, almost serene.
The city had an energy all of its own, bustling with life, but the spiritual energy Esteban was searching for was distinctly different. He could feel it, calling to him from that unassuming building close to them now.
Their search led them to an unassuming, sleek high-rise building nestled in the urban heart of Karakura Town. It was a modern construction, standing amidst other towering structures, yet somehow, it exuded an aura of mystery that caught Esteban's keen senses.
Although the exterior was ordinary, almost too normal, the scent of formidable spiritual energy told another story.
The air around the building seemed charged with an ethereal energy that could only belong to spiritually aware beings. Moreover, it was a type of Reiatsu Esteban was specifically looking for - Fullbringers.
Exchanging a glance with Aura, Esteban approached the building, slipping past the occasional passersby unnoticed.
Entering the building, they were greeted by a sterile, brightly lit lobby. The modern interior, sleek furniture, and indifferent receptionist suggested nothing more than a regular corporate building. But Esteban and Aura could sense the undercurrent of something much more profound.
Taking advantage of their speed they managed to slip past the reception and further into the building. Their journey led them to an innocuous-looking elevator at the back of the lobby.
A quick investigation led Esteban to a secret button under the panel that directed the elevator to an unlisted basement floor - the source of the pulsating Fullbringer energy.
As the elevator descended, they could feel the density of the spiritual energy increasing, a sure sign that they were on the right track. Once the doors opened, they were greeted by a vast underground space that was far from being a standard basement.
The door slid open with a barely audible click, the interior of the building revealing itself to them. The sight that met their eyes was a surprisingly regular interior, plush couches, a bar counter, and several large-screen televisions adorning the walls, showing different channels simultaneously. It seemed almost too ordinary, too human for a gathering of beings possessing extraordinary powers.
It was an advanced command center, filled with high-tech equipment, sophisticated computer systems, and maps adorning the walls. It was clear this was the nerve center of a highly organized and powerful group.
Scattered around the room were Fullbringers, each exuding a unique spiritual energy signature. They were engaged in various activities - some poring over documents, others training, and a few immersed in deep conversation. It was a hive of activity, each individual a testament to the resilience and determination of the Fullbringers.
His hair was spiky, a vivid green, and his eyes had a determined glint. This was Ginjo Kugo, the leader of the Fullbringers and the one Esteban had been seeking.
A feeling of anticipation coursed through Esteban and Aura as they stepped out of the elevator and into the bustling underground base of the Fullbringers.
Yet, the people present inside were anything but ordinary. Gathered in the room were individuals Esteban had seen in some of the stolen memories: the Fullbringers.
Ginjo Kugo stood at the head of the group, exuding an air of authority. His presence commanded respect, and it was clear why he was the leader.
And right beside him stood Shukuru Tsukishima,known for his distinctive parted hair and glasses, Tsukishima had the ability to insert his presence into the past of anyone he cuts with his Fullbring.
Close to him was Yukio Hans Vorarlberna, the young gaming tycoon with the power to control a digital dimension.
Jackie Tristan, a strong, stoic woman whose Fullbring, "Dirty Boots," resonated with the grime and filth she came in contact with.
Riruka Dokugamine, the whimsical girl with the ability to insert people into objects she found adorable.
The aged butler, Giriko Kutsuzawa, whose "Time Tells No Lies" Fullbring was tied to the intricate pocket watch he always carried.
Moe Shishigawara, an enthusiastic Fullbringer with the power of luck. His Fullbring, "Jackpot Knuckle," made any random event fall in his favor when he punched with his brass knuckles.
Their attention turned to the newcomers, and as Esteban and Aura made their presence known, the room fell silent almost eerily silent.
