At night, a bright moon hung high in the sky, its gentle light lazily illuminating the silent Shihōin estate.
Yet deep within the estate, there was still one room with its lamp lit.
A girl with short purple hair was sleeping soundly.
Her nose twitched occasionally, and a thin line of drool trickled from the corner of her mouth.
She looked both adorable and peaceful.
Beside the girl sat a boy with short, tousled black hair, a strip of cloth tied around his forehead, and black shorts and a short-sleeved shirt.
A completely black Zanpakutō was strapped across his back.
The darkness of night grew deeper, gradually drawing all of Seireitei into its embrace.
“Yoruichi-sama.” Looking at Yoruichi Shihōin sleeping so peacefully, a relaxed smile appeared on Shadow’s face as well.
He gently pulled the blanket that had slipped down back over her, then turned toward the oil lamp and softly blew it out.
The flame that had illuminated the darkness vanished.
Only after listening to Yoruichi’s faint, steady breathing for a while did Shadow finally turn and leave.
Yet the instant he turned away, Yoruichi’s eyelashes, despite having appeared to be sound asleep, fluttered slightly.
Then her amber eyes opened and darted around mischievously.
After closing the door, Shadow lightly leaped onto the roof and sat cross-legged beneath the bright moonlight.
For some reason, he suddenly felt a sense of fulfillment that he hadn’t experienced in a very long time.
It was the first time he had felt this way since arriving in Soul Society.
Survival of the fittest.
The strong preyed upon the weak.
In a world like this, he needed to become even stronger.
Only then could he properly protect Yoruichi-sama.
At that moment, Shadow suddenly sensed a faint but somewhat familiar fluctuation behind him.
He turned around.
“Yoruichi-sama?” There was no answer.
Instead, a black cat cautiously poked its head out.
Once it realized Shadow had noticed it, it leaped straight into his arms.
“Meow…
meow…” The presence felt familiar, yet slightly different.
Shadow frowned as he stared at the black cat in his arms before hesitantly speaking.
“Yoruichi…
sama?” “It’s me.” The black cat spoke, but the voice that came from its mouth was unmistakably male.
Shadow fell silent.
Once he confirmed it was her, there wasn’t much else to say.
Still…
“Yoruichi-sama, weren’t you already asleep?” “I woke up again after you left.” Black Cat Yoruichi looked puzzled.
“You don’t seem very surprised.
Aren’t you curious about why I turned into a cat?” Shadow nodded.
He truly wasn’t curious or surprised at all.
After all, shinobi could use Henge no Jutsu to transform into all sorts of things, cats included.
There was nothing strange about it.
Soul Society probably had some kind of secret transformation technique of its own.
Black Cat Yoruichi immediately lowered her head, looking completely defeated.
“How can you not be curious?
This completely defies common sense!” “Huh?” Shadow blinked.
“Yoruichi-sama…” “Forget it, forget it!” Black Cat Yoruichi waved one paw helplessly.
“During this exercise, things were incredibly dangerous.
We almost didn’t make it back, but everyone managed to awaken their Zanpakutō, so at least we gained something from it.” “I see.” Shadow nodded.
“Congratulations, Yoruichi-sama.” “What kind of congratulations was that?
You didn’t sound sincere at all.” Black Cat Yoruichi bared her teeth.
“Yoruichi-sama…” Shadow suddenly felt as though his brain was no longer capable of keeping up with her.
“Oh, right, Shadow!” Black Cat Yoruichi seemed to remember something.
“Shunpo (Flash Step) normally moves in a straight line, so why does your Shunpo…” “That’s Shunshin no Jutsu, not Shunpo (Flash Step), Yoruichi-sama.” “Then what about that Kidō you use where a wooden log takes the attack in your place?” “That’s Kawarimi no Jutsu,” Shadow answered.
“It instantly exchanges your position with an animal, plant, or other object to avoid an attack.” “I see…” Black Cat Yoruichi fell into thought.
“Yoruichi-sama, what’s wrong?” Shadow asked curiously.
“I’ve had an idea, Shadow.” Black Cat Yoruichi raised her head, her voice becoming serious.
“A way of using Shunpo (Flash Step), similar to your Kawarimi no Jutsu.
When it’s activated, you leave behind the outermost layer of whatever you’re wearing and use it to evade an attack.” “I’ve been thinking about it constantly these past few days, and I’ve already started figuring out how to make it work,” Black Cat Yoruichi continued.
“I’ve even given it a name.
Utsusemi (Cicada).
What do you think?” “Utsusemi…” Shadow paused briefly.
“That’s a very good idea.
The name fits perfectly too.” When it came to Shunpo (Flash Step), Yoruichi Shihōin was undoubtedly a genius.
“Just like you said, Shadow, my Zanjutsu (Swordsmanship) is pretty average.
My Kidō is decent, but it isn’t especially powerful either.
The only things I’m truly good at are Shunpo (Flash Step) and Hakuda (Hand-to-Hand Combat), so of course I need to put more effort into them.” Black Cat Yoruichi spoke with great enthusiasm.
“If Shunpo can’t attack, then I’ll become so fast that my enemies can’t attack me either!
I’m not going to stand around and passively take hits!” “I’ll make all of Soul Society understand that Shunpo isn’t just about speed!” Her golden eyes gleamed brilliantly.
“I’ll make all of Soul Society know my name, Yoruichi Shihōin, the future Flash Goddess!” “Yoruichi-sama certainly is motivated.” The corner of Shadow’s mouth lifted as he smiled, still holding Black Cat Yoruichi in his arms.
“Of course I am!” Black Cat Yoruichi laughed loudly, revealing her sharp little teeth.
“In another six months, I’m going to apply for early graduation and then join the Punishment Force for training.
Someday, I’ll make a name for myself throughout Soul Society with the title of a goddess!” “I’m sure you will, Yoruichi-sama.” “Hey, Shadow.” Black Cat Yoruichi jumped onto Shadow’s shoulder and tapped the pitch-black Zanpakutō with one paw.
“What’s your Zanpakutō called?” “No, Yoruichi-sama.” Shadow shook his head.
After a brief silence, he finally answered.
“It…
doesn’t have a name.” “No name?
Don’t all Zanpakutō have names?” Black Cat Yoruichi asked in confusion.
“You’re captain-class!
Don’t tell me you can’t use Shikai.” “Shikai…” Shadow looked up at the sky, complicated emotions filling his eyes.
“I really can’t.” “Because I…
was never a Shinigami.” “If I’m not a Shinigami, then there’s no reason for me to know the sword’s name.
It doesn’t need a name in the first place.” “For a shinobi, a sword is simply a tool in the shinobi’s hands.” “Nothing…
more than that.” “Shadow!” …
“AAAAAH!” Early the next morning, a loud scream echoed throughout the Shihōin estate.
The old butler stood there with a livid expression, staring at the creature in front of him that was clutching a plate and happily devouring its contents.
A black cat.
His anger instantly surged from the soles of his feet straight to his head.
His already wrinkled face seemed to scrunch together even further.
“Where did this filthy stray cat come from?!
How dare you steal food…” Consumed by anger, the old butler completely overlooked Shadow, who was sitting cross-legged beside the black cat.
“A stray cat?!” Black Cat Yoruichi immediately choked on her food.
She raised her head and was just about to speak when her expression abruptly froze.
“Shadow, stop!” But she was already too late.
Shadow suddenly appeared directly in front of the old butler.
His icy gaze left the elderly man frozen in place, trembling uncontrollably, his face turning deathly pale.
“CLANG!” The blade aimed straight at the old butler’s throat collided with another Zanpakutō that suddenly intercepted it from the side.
Shadow gave a cold snort.
His killing intent surged.
His blade curved around the obstruction, changing direction while keeping the old butler’s throat as its target.
“Shadow!” Black Cat Yoruichi’s voice rang out again.
Shadow stopped.
The murderous intent in his eyes remained completely undisguised as he stared at the old butler.
“Watch what you say.” His voice was icy.
“Next time, no one will be able to save you.” The old butler instinctively nodded.
Having rushed over after hearing the commotion, Tansei Shihōin, who had blocked Shadow’s attack, lowered his Zanpakutō and sighed helplessly.
“Shadow, what’s gotten into you this early in the morning?
Why are you so angry?” Shadow turned his head away and completely ignored Tansei.
Tansei could only stare at him helplessly.
Black Cat Yoruichi quickly jumped onto Shadow’s shoulder.
“Good morning, Father!” “You…
You’re Yoruichi?!”