Chapter 88 - Black cat
Head Captain Yamamoto's voice was firm as he asked, "What is the matter you wish to discuss with me?"
"Alright, I'll get straight to it," Ryu replied. "I've seen Aizen's memories, and he's the one behind the Hollowfication Incident. Urahara was framed to cover his tracks. From what I saw Urahara's incredibly smart and capable, so you should think about bringing him back."
Ryu had seen the memories of the captains and Yamamoto, and he knew Urahara was an exceptional individual. It just didn't feel right to have him banished because of Aizen's deception.
Yamamoto raised an eyebrow. "What evidence do you have to support this claim?"
"I can share the memories with you if you'd like," Ryu offered. Yamamoto pondered for a moment before nodding his agreement.
With a snap of his fingers, Ryu transferred Aizen's memories into Yamamoto's mind. Yamamoto winced as the memories settled in. "Well?" Ryu asked, curiosity getting the better of him.
Yamamoto sighed. "It seems Aizen did frame Urahara. As you've brought this to light, I assume you wish to meet him. Locate Urahara and his associates, and bring them here."
Ryu grinned. "You got it," he said, disappearing with a teleport.
Ryu appeared in front of a small shop nestled in a quiet, suburban neighborhood in Karakura, Japan. The unassuming building had a distinctive look, its green exterior hinting at the magical wonders inside.
A large, white sign with "Urahara Shop" written on it hung above the entrance, adorned with a black and white fan design.
The two-story building featured large ground-floor windows, inviting passersby to peek in. Intricate ironwork and wooden shutters added a rustic, antique charm to the shop.
"Nice place," Ryu thought as he stepped inside.
Dimly lit, the shop's walls were lined with dark wooden shelves and curved glass display cases showcasing an eclectic range of items. The layout was a blend of order and chaos—some shelves held neatly arranged books and scrolls, while others contained jars and containers in various shapes and sizes. Among the artifacts, one could find masks, figurines, and other decorative pieces.
In the center of the room stood a tall, lean man with disheveled dirty blond hair—Urahara. His sharp, angular face, with a pointed chin and narrow eyes, was partially hidden by his straw hat. His deep brown eyes sparkled with mischief as he regarded Ryu.
Urahara's lean, athletic build hinted at his physical prowess, and he moved with precision, as though every action was choreographed. He wore a white long-sleeved shirt with a green tie, paired with a dark green robe and brown shoes. Additionally, he had a large black-and-white fan decorated with intricate geometric patterns resting on the table beside him.
"Welcome, welcome!" Urahara greeted, grinning broadly as he tipped his striped hat to the side. His eyes glinted with mischief, and his voice had a sing-song quality. "What brings you here, my friend?"
"You, actually. Yamamoto asked me to bring you back," Ryu said casually, leaning against the shop's wall with a nonchalant expression. He ran his hand across a shelf in the store before looking at the dust that accumulated on his fingers.
Urahara let out a short, skeptical laugh. "Ha! Good one. I must say, you have quite the sense of humor," he said with a wide business smile.
Ryu's expression remained unchanged. "I'm not joking, Urahara. Yamamoto really sent me to bring you back."
Urahara's grin faltered slightly, his eyes narrowing in suspicion. "Really? And why on earth would he want me back? To punish me?" he asked doubtfully.
Ryu sighed, pushing off the wall and taking a step forward. "No, not to punish you. After I killed Aizen, I found out he framed you. I was impressed, so I went to Yamamoto and straightened things out."
Urahara chuckled drily. "Killed Aizen, you say? That's a tall tale if I've ever heard one. How are you so sure it wasn't an illusion?"
"That little toy of his isn't effective on me. I even killed him while he was in disguise," Ryu replied smugly, running his hand through his hair with a grin.
"Alright, but how did you discover my innocence if you killed the only man who knew about it?" Urahara asked.
"I went through his memories," Ryu chuckled, shaking his head in amusement. "You should've seen his ridiculously convoluted plan. Quite funny from an outsider's perspective."
"Is that so... How did you 'straighten things out' with Yamamoto?" Urahara inquired, his voice laced with curiosity and a hint of caution.
"The short version—I showed him Aizen's memories," Ryu replied, tilting his head as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
"Even so, I still escaped punishment. He shouldn't have forgiven that," Urahara argued with a sarcastic laugh.
"Oh, that's sorted because I used my power as leverage," Ryu explained, stunning Urahara. "You're saying that you have enough power that even Yamamoto is wary of you?"
"Yup. The Gotei 13 aren't the most powerful group in the Soul Society anymore. The Protectors surpassed them," Ryu informed him, a trace of pride coloring his voice.
Urahara's mask fell as his expression turned serious, and he narrowed his eyes. "Alright, I've had enough of this farce. Who are you? Why are you here?"
"I'm serious, you know?" Ryu insisted, crossing his arms and smirking at Urahara's doubt.
"...Really? Then if you're so powerful, why don't you give me a demonstration?" Urahara joked, his lips curling into a sly grin.
"Sure. Want to help me, Yoruichi? Try to hit me with everything you've got," Ryu invited, looking at a black cat that had been watching them intently from the corner of the room.
"Careful~ If you provoke me that much, you'll get hurt," the cat chuckled playfully as it began to transform, revealing Yoruichi's naked form.
The soft light inside the store washed over Yoruichi's muscular figure, illuminating the outlines of her body, and enhancing her natural grace. Her toned arms rippled with the strength of a seasoned warrior, yet they moved with the grace of a dancer, balanced and fluid in every gesture.
The light drew attention to her narrow waist and the subtle six-pack that adorned her abdomen. Her long, slender legs displayed striking definition, the muscles of her thighs and calves highlighted by the way the light kissed her skin.
Yoruichi's deep, warm caramel skin seemed to emit an inner glow, contrasting sharply with her sharp, angular features. The golden light danced across her high cheekbones, emphasizing the intensity of her gaze, while her thin lips curved into a playful, hypnotic smirk.
Her mesmerizing golden amber eyes sparkled in the light, looking like pools of molten lava.
Yoruichi's lustrous dark purple hair seemed to come alive in the soft light. The thick, loose ponytail cascaded down her back, stray strands framing her face with intentional disorganization.
As she moved closer to Ryu he couldn't help but notice her fluid, graceful strides. The light trailed her like a golden ribbon, highlighting the soft curves of her form and the powerful muscles that rippled beneath her skin.
Yoruichi arched an eyebrow, her golden amber eyes twinkling with mischief as she leaned against a nearby wall, crossing her arms over her chest. "No reaction? I'm disappointed," she teased, the corner of her full lips curving into a playful smirk.
Ryu's eyes danced with amusement as he met her gaze, a confident grin spreading across his face. "That was a nice transformation. For a newbie, that is," he replied, an arrogant tilt to his words.
Yoruichi's smirk grew wider, her eyes narrowing ever so slightly as she issued her challenge. "Oh, really? Then why don't you show me how it's done?" She uncrossed her arms and gestured at him with a flick of her wrist, her posture exuding an air of amused expectation.
"Always glad to inspire a junior. Watch and learn," Ryu replied, his voice laced with equal parts bravado and playfulness. He took a step back, giving himself enough space for his transformation. With a sly wink at Yoruichi, Ryu transformed into a new appearance.
Ryu, now in the form of a black panther, was like a living sculpture of obsidian. His sinewy form was cloaked in a luxurious coat that radiated an inky black sheen. Muscle rippled beneath the surface, offering a subtle testament to his predatory strength.
Ryu's face was as majestic as it was striking. His eyes, green pools of bright jade, stood in stark contrast against his dark fur. They held a mesmerizing power, seeming to hold unparalleled wisdom.
His lower body, from his robust shoulders to his powerful hips, was an artwork of feline athleticism. The dense, glistening black fur turned thin around his paws, revealing smooth, dark skin and lethal, retractable claws. His long, slender tail completed the silhouette, its tip twitching slightly.
"Oh~ You 𝐚𝐫𝐞 good," Yoruichi purred, her eyes dancing with admiration as Ryu returned to his original form.
"Yup. How about I help you work on your technique later? It has potential, but you need to refine it some more," Ryu smirked, his eyes filled with mischief as he challenged her, the teasing tone in his voice unmistakable.
"That's a deal," Yoruichi winked playfully, her golden amber eyes gleaming with anticipation and excitement.
"But now I need to beat you up, right? I mean, you 𝐝𝐢𝐝 ask me to do that. Shame, you have a nice face," Yoruichi quipped as the two made their way to the store's front, her voice laced with playful banter.
"I said you can 𝐭𝐫𝐲 to beat up. You'll find out the difference between the two in a couple of seconds," Ryu retorted, his voice filled with amusement. He adopted a relaxed pose, the picture of ease and confidence, showing no signs of concern for the impending confrontation.
"Oh, you're done," Yoruichi said, her smile broadening into a grin filled with enthusiasm. In a flash, she darted towards Ryu, her lithe form moving with the speed and grace of a wildcat.