Countless thoughts flashed through Asuka's mind as he considered the possible situations.
Ultimately, however, his expression returned to its usual indifference. "...So what?"
"Whether it's Hollows or some random Otherworld monsters, as long as they leave you alone, isn't that fine? Why go out of your way to poke around?"
"Have you forgotten? As a shaman from an Otherworld, Yoh Asakura can't even leave Funbari Hill. There's absolutely nothing to worry about."
"Or have you forgotten how you nearly got me killed in Fuyuki City?"
With that said, Asuka prepared to press the end call button.
"Oh my, how heartless."
Kisuke Urahara's slightly teasing voice came through again. "It seems our little Asuka is a true big shot now, protected by the Soul King's Palace and holding the secure job of a Substitute Soul Reaper..."
"A humble candy store owner like myself can no longer convince you to come out of retirement."
Asuka furrowed his brows tightly. "What nonsense are you spouting... I simply don't want to invite trouble."
With a snap, Asuka heard Urahara close his folding fan on the other end of the line. "In that case, my humble shop will just have to resort to some extreme measures..."
"Suit yourself."
Asuka scoffed coldly, pressing the end call button without hesitation and tossing the flip phone back onto the low table.
"That profiteer is full of dirty tricks. He definitely just wants to use me as a free thug..." Asuka complained to Shinobu Kocho, crossing his legs again. "Forget about him, let's get back to reviewing. Where were we..."
However, before he could finish his sentence, he suddenly felt a burning sensation radiating from his chest.
"Ow!"
Asuka frowned and abruptly reached into his shirt.
The source of the heat was none other than a palm-sized wooden badge carved from an unknown wood, with a ferocious skull pattern engraved on the front.
The Substitute Badge.
At this moment, the eye sockets of the skull pattern were emitting a blinding golden light.
"What's wrong with this broken badge? Is it short-circuiting?" Asuka felt his palm go numb from the heat and was about to throw it onto the ground.
Just then, golden spiritual power rippled like water across the surface of the scalding badge, projecting a miniature three-dimensional hologram above it.
The projection displayed a man wearing wide-brimmed sunglasses and a puffer jacket.
"Yo, yo, Boy! It's been a few days, but your excuse for skipping work is still as stiff as ever! Yo!"
Although Oetsu's projection was only the size of a palm, the overwhelming Spiritual Pressure belonging to Squad Zero still transmitted through the Substitute Badge into the small courtyard.
"Skipping work? When did I skip work?" Asuka's head was full of questions. "More accurately, did I ever even start working?"
"I heard that guy Kisuke Urahara's report loud and clear!"
"A rift involving the laws of an Otherworld has appeared in the World of the Living. This has already exceeded the scope of what ordinary stationed Soul Reapers can handle." Oetsu snapped his fingers in a highly rhythmic posture while looking at Asuka through his sunglasses. "And you, as one of the few players with experience crossing into Otherworlds, naturally have to step up and solve it."
A cold glint flashed across Oetsu's sunglasses. "As a special Substitute Soul Reaper appointed by the Soul King's personal decree, this badge isn't a get-out-of-jail-free card for you to use to pick up girls in the Rukongai."
"And I heard you used attending class as an excuse to refuse a business trip to the World of the Living? Boy, that's not hip-hop at all..."
Asuka's face twisted into a deep scowl.
He glared at the wooden badge in his hand, wishing he could crush it to dust on the spot.
He never expected that the extreme measures Kisuke Urahara mentioned meant directly calling for backup from the Soul King's Palace!
That profiteer actually went over his head to snitch!
"Are you people in Squad Zero really that bored? You even have to meddle in trivial matters like this?" Asuka retorted grumpily.
Oetsu held up a single finger and wagged it forcefully in the projection. "This is your duty as a Substitute Soul Reaper. Squad Zero naturally has to supervise your execution of the mission."
"Therefore, in the name of Squad Zero, I am now issuing you an official order!"
"Immediately suspend your advanced courses at the Shin'o Academy and head to Karakura Town in the World of the Living to assist Kisuke Urahara in investigating the Otherworld rift incident!"
"If you don't go..." Oetsu grinned, revealing a mouthful of white teeth. "I wouldn't mind personally stuffing you into the Kakaku Cannon and launching you like a firework!"
The projection flickered twice as Oetsu flashed a peace sign, then dissolved into specks of golden light that vanished into the air.
The Substitute Badge returned to its cold, ordinary wooden appearance.
Asuka gripped the wooden badge, the veins on his forehead throbbing.
"Damn it... Didn't they say they were only going to monitor me... Why do I have to go on active duty..." He was clearly infuriated by this non-negotiable, mandatory assignment.
"Pfft..."
Just as Asuka's mind was in turmoil, a burst of heavily suppressed laughter came from beside him.
Asuka turned his head, only to see Shinobu Kocho covering her mouth with a handkerchief, her shoulders trembling with laughter.
"You're laughing?" Asuka sighed helplessly, the fierce aura around him instantly deflating by more than half.
"I'm sorry, Asuka. I just thought..." Shinobu tried her best to restrain her smile, but the amusement in her eyes couldn't be hidden. "The way Lord Oetsu just scolded you really made you look like a child caught skipping class."
Asuka's mouth twitched as he fiercely shoved the Substitute Badge back into his shirt.
"I'm going to quit this garbage job sooner or later."
Shinobu smiled gently and walked up to him, thoughtfully straightening the collar of his Shihakusho, which had become slightly messy from his earlier frustration.
"There, there. Since it's an official order issued by the lords of Squad Zero, it can't be helped."
Shinobu's gaze turned serious yet soft. "Besides, Mr. Urahara is right. If more and more Otherworld rifts are truly appearing in the World of the Living, it's definitely no small matter."
"Even if it has nothing to do with Aizen's conspiracy, more dangerous monsters might appear... Everyone in Karakura Town will be in danger."
"You possess that kind of power, Asuka. Now is exactly when you are needed."
Looking at Shinobu's gaze, full of trust and expectation, the irritation in Asuka's heart completely subsided.
"I know," Asuka nodded, taking the opportunity to hold Shinobu's hand. "What about you? Are you coming with me?"
He was worried about encountering spatial turbulence that might separate them again, so naturally, he didn't dare leave her at home.
"Of course." Shinobu lifted her head, her butterfly hair ornament glinting in the sunlight.
"Although I haven't officially resigned from the Fourth Division, I am the lieutenant of the special squad. How could you leave me behind?"
"Or perhaps... you were planning to save this position for another lady?"
"H-How is that possible!"
Without any hesitation, Asuka pulled Shinobu close, wrapping an arm around her waist and lifting her up.
"I-Idiot, what are you doing?"
The movement was a bit sudden, causing Shinobu to fall right into his embrace. Her ears instantly turned red.
"Let's go, Lieutenant. Time to exterminate some monsters in the World of the Living."