Kensei had originally planned to stay in Hueco Mundo a while longer—enjoy himself after Las Noches was rebuilt before leaving. But today he suddenly received a communication from Soi Fon, saying that Captain-Commander Yamamoto, noticing he'd been gone so long without any word, wondered if he'd died in Hueco Mundo.
No help for it. Kensei and Yoruichi would have to temporarily return to Soul Society. At least with Aizen in Hueco Mundo, that was enough.
"Sigh. Caring for the empty nester elderly—it starts with me."
Kensei sighed dramatically. Old Man Yama was such an adult—why did he keep clinging to his student like this?
"Kensei... remember to come back."
Nel clutched a corner of Kensei's clothing, her eyes full of reluctance. Since their intimacy last time, Nel's dependence on him seemed to have increased rather than diminished.
Harribel bowed slightly to Kensei. "Lord Kensei, please rest assured. We will protect this place. When you next visit, you will see a different Hueco Mundo."
"I'll leave it to you all."
Kensei nodded, glancing at Stark—still perpetually asleep—and Lilynette, who was excitedly asking him to bring back some local specialties from Soul Society.
"Alright, it's not like I'm never coming back. Enough with the sentimentality." Yoruichi patted Kensei's shoulder. "Let's go. The Senkaimon's still quite a distance from here."
"Senkaimon?" Kensei raised an eyebrow, a familiar smile spreading across his face—the one that meant he was about to show off. "Yoruichi, no need for that antique. Since this Crown Prince is returning to Soul Society, why would I travel so low-key?"
"What trick are you planning now?"
"You wouldn't understand. This is called class."
Kensei flipped his right hand, and Kūkon—still in its Shikai state—appeared in his grip. Last night he'd spent considerable effort negotiating with the stewardess, repeatedly confirming the feasibility and safety of the new trick he'd conceived.
As Yoruichi and the others watched puzzledly, Kensei casually traced a cross in the air before him with Kūkon. Where the blade passed, space unfolded like fabric, revealing a deep spatial crack within.
"This is way faster than that Senkaimon. And it perfectly suits my new status."
Yoruichi crossed her arms, eyeing the crack up and down. "You sure this thing's safe? Not going to send us to some strange place?"
"Relax. I'd sooner harm Old Man Yama than harm you."
Kensei grabbed Yoruichi's hand and stepped toward the spatial rift, waving back with his other hand. "Everyone, this Kensei will return before you know it."
The two stepped into the cross crack. The next moment, the rift closed, and the surrounding space returned to normal.
Soul Society, First Division barracks.
Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni sat upright in his study, savoring his hot tea while admiring his newly completed calligraphy—a masterpiece he'd poured his heart into recently.
With Kensei gone, he'd enjoyed rare peace and quiet. So quiet, in fact, that it felt strange.
This student of his—gone to Hueco Mundo so long without sending word. Had he encountered any danger there...
Suddenly, a familiar spiritual pressure wave emanated from above Yamamoto's head.
"Haha! Soul Society, your Crown Prince has returned!"
"Damn it—why am I falling?!"
"Kensei! You got the location wrong!"
Though he hadn't yet seen his troublesome student, Yamamoto already heard his familiar noisy voice.
He wondered—shouldn't returning from Hueco Mundo mean arriving through the Senkaimon? Had this unfilial student secretly installed a Senkaimon above him without his knowledge?
Bam! Bam!
The sound of ceiling crashing accompanied two figures tumbling down, landing squarely on Yamamoto's desk. Tea splattered everywhere; ink spilled across the floor.
Yamamoto watched helplessly as his recently completed pride and joy was first soaked through with tea, then thoroughly drenched in ink.
His fist clenched! It clenched hard!
Why on earth had he summoned this unfilial student back? Better to have let him stay in Hueco Mundo!
Kensei lifted his head, meeting Yamamoto's already storm-clouded face. He could see the veins bulging on Old Man Yama's forehead, his hands already balled into fists.
"Ah heh... Dear teacher, seeing your favorite student return and greet you so enthusiastically—doesn't it fill you with warmth and surprise?"
Kensei laughed nervously, trying to soothe the old man's mood.
Yoruichi had already nimbly climbed off Kensei, holding her forehead and sighing. It was all his fault for showing off his new skill—now they'd walked straight into the line of fire.
"Kensei Kenzuru. You had better provide this old man with a reasonable explanation."
Yamamoto took a deep breath, trying to suppress the urge to hang Kensei up and thrash him right now.
"Well, you see..." Kensei picked himself up off the floor, pressing Yamamoto's shoulder to signal him to calm down. "Don't you want to hear what I accomplished in Hueco Mundo this time?"
"Hmph." Yamamoto could see this unfilial student was changing the subject, but he was indeed curious what Kensei had done there. "Go on. And it had better not be some nonsense about seducing attractive female Hollows."
"Uh... well... you see..."
Yamamoto noticed Kensei's gaze began to wander, and the Shihōin girl beside him covering her mouth to stifle laughter. In an instant, Yamamoto understood everything—and his blood pressure soared accordingly.
"KENSEI KENZURU!"
"Not my fault! If you'd recalled me earlier, none of this would have happened!"
Kensei stuck out his neck, arguing stubbornly. Blame could never fall on himself.
"Enough. This old man will temporarily overlook the matter. Where is the Royal Guard's stolen item?"
Yamamoto took several deep breaths, setting aside Kensei's personal affairs for now. First, he needed to get the Royal Guard people out of here.
"Right here."
Kensei waved the prepared Zanpakutō Ikomikidomoe before Yamamoto's eyes, indicating he'd completed the mission. Then, regardless of whether Yamamoto asked or wanted to hear, he launched into a detailed account of his experiences in Hueco Mundo.
For the next half hour, Yamamoto listened expressionlessly to his student's embellished report. Tales of wisdom and courage inventing Arrancar technology, using personal charisma to convert a group of Vasto Lorde-class Hollows, single-handedly slaying Ikomikidomoe after it had fused with three Vasto Lordes...
"Oh, right, Old Man Yama. Let me show you something good."
Yamamoto looked curiously at the mysterious-acting Kensei. At his age, what hadn't he seen? And what was with all this secrecy, setting up a spiritual pressure isolation barrier?
"Watch closely, Old Man Yama. My transformation!"
Kensei swept his five fingers across his face, and that familiar Hollowfication mask appeared once more.
"Vicious Hollow! How dare you disguise yourself as my beloved student!"
Yamamoto looked at the smug Kensei and threw a punch, shattering the mask on his face. Pity that in eliminating this Hollow that had possessed his student, he'd accidentally injured his beloved pupil.
Surely this filial student wouldn't quibble with an old man like him. At his age, losing control momentarily was unavoidable, wasn't it?
"Old Man Yama! That was payback!"
Kensei flew backward, clutching his swollen face. This old geezer was definitely still resentful about his ruined desk and taking revenge.
"Nonsense! This old man, as Captain-Commander, naturally upholds justice in all matters!"
Yamamoto stroked his beard as if he hadn't just thrown that punch. To prevent Kensei harping on the subject, he immediately spoke seriously: "Have any other Shinigami seen you in this form?"
"I just returned. How could anyone else have seen it?"
Kensei pouted. Unfortunately, he hadn't yet claimed the Captain-Commander position, so he had to avoid his edge and tolerate for now.
"Hmm. Handle Hueco Mundo as you see fit."
Old Man Yama started to lift his teacup for a sip, then remembered his desk had been destroyed by this unfilial student's aerial arrival. He snorted coldly instead.
"But maintain proper proportion. Your duties to Soul Society cannot be shirked. Now go—report to Lady Senjumaru and hand over the recovered item. Remember what should and shouldn't be said."
"Understood, understood. My lips are sealed tight."
Kensei nodded repeatedly, pulling Yoruichi out of the First Division barracks. He'd originally planned to find Senjumaru first, but instead had dropped directly onto Old Man Yama.
Could Kūkon have deliberately sabotaged him?
Kensei eyed Kūkon at his waist suspiciously, then dismissed the thought. What Zanpakutō would scheme against its own master?