Urahara Kisuke and Yoruichi stared at the Devil's Summoning document left behind by Lynn, frozen in silence for a long time.
"...It actually renders you completely powerless to resist?"
Urahara Kisuke looked genuinely shaken.
He was well aware of Yoruichi's strength.
And more than that...
He remembered the barrier that had shut him out.
That power...
It was terrifying.
Yoruichi sighed, her tone filled with concern. "Kisuke, I feel like we've landed ourselves in serious trouble."
Urahara Kisuke's expression didn't change. He even found room to joke, "Haven't we always been in trouble?"
Yoruichi blinked, then chuckled. "Yeah."
Her heart calmed instantly.
When enemies appear, they stop them. When water floods in, they dam it.
Besides...
Lynn may be powerful, but maybe he's not unreasonable?
At the very least...
She wasn't killed on the spot.
Thinking of this, Yoruichi narrowed her golden eyes slightly and said in a displeased tone, "You bastard, all that commotion earlier and you didn't come to save me?"
Urahara shrugged. "What could I do..."
As he spoke, he looked toward the doorway.
Yoruichi followed his gaze.
What greeted them was a drastically changed scene outside, as if entire buildings had been demolished and reconstructed.
"You used your Bankai?"
Yoruichi sounded a little surprised.
Urahara nodded, his expression growing serious.
"There was a barrier blocking the door earlier. Even my Bankai couldn't shake it."
Yoruichi drew a sharp breath.
No way.
Why would someone that terrifying come for her?
"Say…"
She hesitated, then asked, "What do you think his purpose is?"
Urahara gave it some serious thought… then smiled wryly. "Not a clue."
"..."
Yoruichi fell silent.
Urahara shrugged. "Who cares? He's not someone we can resist anyway. Let's just follow orders obediently."
"You're really spineless, huh?"
Yoruichi folded her arms and gave him a look of disdain.
Urahara didn't reply. He just pointed at the Devil's Summoning document and mouthed a warning silently:
Be careful what you say.
Yoruichi's body froze. "Ahaha, I think he's a pretty good guy."
Urahara shook his head.
And she said he was spineless?
Still…
Urahara rubbed his chin and narrowed his eyes slightly.
Who knew what changes this sudden appearance of a powerful being might bring to the future?
But…
At the very least, they couldn't let someone like him align with Aizen.
With that thought, he actually felt a bit relieved that it was Yoruichi who had been approached first with the contract.
The rest…
Was up to fate.
He just hoped this unknown powerhouse didn't harbor any dangerous ambitions.
Otherwise.
Urahara Kisuke really didn't want to imagine where this world would be headed.
---
The Next Day
Lynn Group Headquarters
Kirasaka Sayaka hid in a corner outside the building, observing quietly.
After a while.
She clenched her fists and muttered angrily, "This company actually uses child labor?!"
Watching little girls wandering about inside the building made her blood boil.
And…
Wasn't there something weird about this place?
No men in sight?
But on second thought...
That actually worked to her advantage.
At least she wouldn't have to worry about running into any disgusting men while sneaking in.
A few minutes later, she disguised herself, adopted the look of an overworked corporate drone, and strolled in through the front entrance like she belonged.
Front Desk.
Yuriko blinked at her in surprise.
Sayaka remained calm and spoke directly. "I'm here to apply for a job."
"Apply for a job?"
Yuriko's expression turned odd.
The Lynn Group didn't hire from outside.
After all...
Just the internal manpower from Lynn's Peerage alone was enough.
And...
Yuriko's eyes flickered.
This woman was definitely not ordinary.
As a devil herself, Yuriko could clearly sense faint traces of spiritual energy radiating from Kirasaka Sayaka.
Yuriko rolled her eyes but smiled politely. "Alright, please wait a moment. I'll notify the higher-ups."
Sayaka hummed in response.
She didn't realize the devil at the front desk had already sensed something was off the moment she stepped inside the building.
She had no idea what kind of place she'd just walked into.
Elsewhere.
Yuriko called Haruno.
After hearing the report, Haruno narrowed her eyes with interest. "Alright, I'll arrange an interview."
After hanging up, she smiled faintly. "Interesting…"
Some factions just couldn't sit still anymore, huh?
She wanted to see what this woman was really after.
But...
"A woman with spiritual power..."
Haruno tilted her head thoughtfully.
She might just be a good candidate for a shrine maiden-type peerage member?
Could it be that Lynn's harem was expanding again?
Haruno's eye twitched slightly.
Still...
Now that she was here, if she met Lynn's standards, Haruno would personally send her to his bed—tied up if necessary.
Downstairs.
Sayaka was surprised when she got the news.
That was fast.
After the interview was over, she became even more confused.
Wait… that was way too smooth?
She didn't even get the chance to present the fake credentials the Lion King Agency had prepared for her.
Was this company that desperate for staff?
Then again...
Maybe it made sense?
After all, they were using child labor.
Alright then.
Either way, step one of the infiltration was complete!
Sayaka pumped herself up internally.
"Yukina, I'll be back soon!"
---
Underworld
Shalba Beelzebub waved his hand, his voice cold.
"Go eliminate the Valefor sinner."
"Roar..."
Katerea Leviathan licked her fingers in anticipation. "Finally, we get to show ourselves again?"
She didn't care about Valefor's remnants, but she'd long grown tired of the Old Maou Faction living in hiding.
Now that she could finally act, she wasn't about to let the chance pass.
Kadirea clapped her hands. "Alright then! I'll lead the team for this mission!"
Hearing that, Creuserey Asmodeus frowned and said coldly, "It's just a Valefor. There's no need for you to go."
"Hey hey!"
Kadirea slammed the table and snapped, "He's the one who killed Kokabiel in one strike! Can you please take him seriously?"
Creuserey didn't answer. "Why not just send Bedeze Abaddon?"
"A Maou-level devil should be respectful enough."
"You bastard!"
Katerea slammed the table again and stood up, eyes flaring. "Wanna go right now?!"
Creuserey remained seated on the sofa, unbothered. He just gave her a cold glance.
"Katerea, don't assume you're the only one who inherited the Snake's power."
"You…!"
Magic flared around Katerea, as if she'd charge him at any moment.
"Enough!"
Suddenly, Shalba snorted coldly.
Katerea stopped immediately.
"I didn't summon you here to watch a clown show."
"Tch."
Katerea reluctantly sat back down.
As the leader of the Old Maou Faction, Shalba's authority was still absolute. Even Katerea and Creuserey had to respect him.
Of course…
That was also because Shalba was the strongest of them all.
Katerea crossed her arms and grumbled. "Anyway, this mission is mine."
Shalba didn't argue.
Let her have her fun.
Besides, according to the intel.
The three major factions were planning to host a peace conference soon.
Hah.
What a joke.
The Old Maou Faction would never agree.
So...
The day of the conference would also be the day they revealed themselves once more.
As for Valefor?
Just consider him the appetizer.
"Then I'll leave it to you."
Shalba made the final call.
Creuserey said no more.
"Hehehe..."
Katerea snickered in satisfaction.
---
Later That Afternoon.
Tokyo.
A group of uninvited guests appeared in the sky above Kuoh Town.
Katerea Leviathan looked down at the passing students, a glimmer of excitement in her eyes.
"What a peaceful, idyllic sight…"
She grinned darkly. "Which is exactly why it's worth destroying!"
Her laughter echoed out.
The subordinates behind her also began to laugh wildly.
Minutes later, the laughter stopped.
Katerea waved her fingers and breathed out.
"But still…"
"A school alone can't satisfy me."
Her gaze swept across all of Tokyo.
"Hmm…"
"This range should be enough."
As she finished speaking—
Buzz—
All of Tokyo suddenly lit up!
A massive aqua-blue magic circle spread out, covering the entire city!
"What's going on?!"
"What happened?!"
Inside Kuoh Academy, chaos erupted as the students panicked.
Some were confused, some excited, others stunned.
"It's a supernatural event!"
"I knew the world wasn't normal!"
"Heh, looks like it's my time to shine!"
"Idiot!"
"Look up there!!"
Everyone looked to the sky.
What they saw was a tall woman with a long ponytail and red-rimmed glasses.
Katerea Leviathan smiled at them and playfully wiggled her fingers.
"Hello~"
(To be continued.)
***
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