37 Chapter 37 - Leaving for One Piece

Awakening from his inner world, Jin blinked a few times. In the corner of his vision, he saw a few familiar faces sitting in a circle playing cards. He did not speak to them immediately, but Tessai, the one faced toward him, noticed his gaze. Jin simply nodded before lowering his head and rubbing his chin. He raised a brow upon not seeing the Asauchi on his lap.

Briefly, he wondered where it went, but then tried summoning it with a thought. It materialized at his left hip a moment later. At the same time, however, his energy spurred into action, adopted the attributes of Reiryoku, and coated his body with a white haze similar in shape to the white haori his soul form wore. The only difference from before was that, although hazy, it covered more of his body than before, almost like the Shihakusho.

'Interesting. It's been a while since I read that preview of the Hell arc, but this reminds me of what Ichigo's kid looked like when using his powers.'

After noting those similarities, he raised his gaze to the two adults, two children, and black cat playing cards. Well, Yoruichi was just watching. His eyes then met Urahara's. Unsure if he had time to ask for help in discerning whether or not his abilities held the same drawbacks, he checked his phone.

"Thirty minutes left," He mumbled. "It'll have to wait, then."

'It won't cause issues with Hell if I'm in the One Piece world, so waiting 'til after is fine.'

"You contacted your Zanpakuto already?" Urahara asked, flashing into the space next to Jin.

"Yeah, but I can't hear its name yet," Jin honestly replied.

"I have methods to help with that if you need it," Urahara casually offered.

'We don't need such a thing. If you wish to force me, just do it here.'

Eyes widening upon hearing his Zanpakuto's gentle yet teasing voice in his head, Jin paused. Purposefully ignoring the innuendo since he was currently talking to somebody, he shook his head and replied, "I'll just do it normally for now."

"If you change your mind, let me know," Urahara said. Then, his eyes focused on the haze around Jin's body and added, "Well, aside from that… this form of yours is unusual. It feels like a combination of body and soul."

"I'm not sure. I have to leave at the moment, but I'd like to test it with your help as soon as possible to make sure there aren't any dangers in using it."

Giving Jin a contemplative look, Urahara said, "It sounds like you have something specific in mind."

"Hmm… Kinda. In the future I saw, there was somebody who had a form like this, and it caused some problems. I want to make sure it isn't the same."

"In that case… If I'm not busy, I'll help you."

"You're never busy, and I'm sure you're more curious about it than I am, anyway."

Urahara raised a brow, but then chuckled lightly and smiled.

"I'll come back as soon as I can. It'll be Thursday night. Maybe early Friday morning at the latest."

"Where are you headed?"

Briefly, Jin narrowed his eyes at the strangely prodding tone. Due to it, he wondered if Urahara already knew something and whether he should just tell him. Since he wanted competent allies within his own world as well, not to mention Urahara's knack for figuring out unusual things, he quickly made up his mind. He then glanced at the group of people playing cards in the distance, but they only focused on their game. Since they were far enough to be out of earshot, he met Urahara's eyes and quietly answered, "Another realm."

Without much change in expression, Urahara blinked once. He didn't show the disbelief Jin wanted to see, though the lack thereof did not surprise him, either.

"You believe that, eh?"

"There is no reason not to believe it."

"Did you notice something?" Jin asked.

"Nothing notable, but I recommend hiding better."

Thinking of a few particularly dangerous people in this world, Jin frowned and muttered, "I'm fine with you noticing since I legitimately wish to be allies with you, but honestly, it's not like I have many choices in terms of a hiding place."

Urahara's eyelids lifted slightly in response to Jin's words, but they fell back to normal just as quickly. In fact, Jin almost missed it.

"Was it very noticeable?" Jin asked.

"Not very, but enough."

"Enough for that glasses guy to notice?"

Urahara tapped his shoulder with his Benihime and said, "Not yet, but it's only a matter of time if you aren't careful."

Noticing a subtle shift in Urahara's tone, Jin wondered if the man was taking him a little more seriously than before. As such, he thought for a few moments before asking, "Since you're already somewhat aware of it, would it be safe if I travel from the training ground?"

"Moreso than your bedroom, yes."

"So you were just stalking me last time…"

Urahara simply grinned in response.

Ruffling his own hair, Jin said, "I don't care too much, but it's a bit uncomfortable to be watched like that."

"It wasn't me watching you, if that makes you feel better."

"I had a feeling. Back to the subject, though, can I leave from here, considering you're already aware of it?"

"I don't mind, but go to the far end first. Better to hide such a thing from those with loose tongues."

Neither of them needed to mention who he was talking about. Both glanced at the redhead fuming about losing a round of whatever card game they were playing.

"Thanks. I'll start heading that way now, then, if you don't mind," Jin said.

Urahara nodded, gave one last look at the haze around Jin's body, and walked back toward the ragtag group of card players. He shooed them upstairs without much effort. They didn't ask any questions, either.

After a final glance at Yoruichi and Tessai, Jin turned around. He didn't know if their senses were strong enough to pick up on such a subdued conversation, but he knew they could be tight-lipped about important issues if need be even if they did hear it.

Shaking his head, he set aside the issue for the time being and spent a few seconds figuring out how to dematerialize his new Zanpakuto and the hazy Shihakusho garb. It ended up being similar to the dematerialization of his phone, which he appreciated. With that out of the way, he headed for the far end of the training ground.

'You don't mind him knowing so much?'

Slightly taken aback by the voice of his Zanpakuto spirit, Jin paused. Then, he resumed walking and mentally asked, 'You are aware of the Chat Group as well, I imagine?'

'Like I said before, we are one and the same. What you are aware of, I will know as well.'

'I guess it'll be nice to have an accomplice in that, then. Also, to answer your question; I didn't think I could hide the world traveling from Kisuke in the first place, and I wanted to make him an ally here in case I ever need to bring the Chat Group members here without causing a ruckus. Still, he noticed sooner than I anticipated. He must've been more wary of me than I initially thought. Hopefully I can break down his walls a bit.'

'You should break mine down first, Jin,' She retorted in a slightly joking tone.

'I thought you wanted me to be patient.'

'Only with some things.'

Jin sighed and stopped talking to her in his head. Before long, he reached the boundaries of the training ground and sat on a knee-height boulder. Since he had a few minutes left, he pondered on the conversation he had with his Zanpakuto spirit within his inner world earlier. She told him that they only needed some time before he could hear her name, but aside from that, he also wished to know how long she had actually existed.

'It seems like she is a bit of an oddball. Well, most Zanpakuto spirits are, but still… She spoke as though she has been around since even before I touched the supernatural world, which is far more unusual than knowing about my past life. Next time I visit, I'll see if she talks more. Glad she is easy on the eyes, too. Having one like Zabimaru would be harder to adjust to and befriend.'

'Thank you for the compliment,' The voice of his Zanpakuto spirit suddenly echoed in his mind.

Sighing, Jin mumbled, "Guess I'll need to get used to having you around, eh?"

Although he did not receive a reply, he could imagine the calm smile she showed multiple times during their earlier conversation.

Eventually, the countdown dwindled to a few seconds on his phone. He dematerialized his phone, smiled, and mumbled to himself, "Guess I'll be meeting the Straw Hats soon. Hopefully they don't cause too much chaos while I'm there… and now I'm raising flags. Misaka's having a bad influence on me."

A moment later, the circular lights enveloped him, and he vanished from the training ground. Up in the sky, Urahara stood on a small platform of Reishi with his hand on his hat.

Yoruichi sat in the air next to him and said, "It's really not the gates to Soul Society, Hueco Mundo, or Hell. Where is he going?"

"...That is a good question, and the answer is: I don't know."

Yoruichi sighed and grumbled, "Since there's no point waiting here, I'm going to go find something else to do."

Urahara simply nodded. Yoruichi disappeared, but he still focused his gaze on the charred boulder.

"Is it bothering you?" A quiet voice inquired as Tessai suddenly appeared by Urahara's side.

Urahara glanced at the man, but then refocused on the charred boulder again and commented, "The method of transfer breaches an area of physics this world should not be able to touch. The remaining aura even reminds me of the Hogyoku, but less ominous."

Tessai nodded as though he understood despite not knowing what his friend meant by saying such a thing.