Restricted Death

Chapter 195 Goodbye, Shop Manager
The Eighth Division holds a special position among the Gotei 13. Most of its members are clerical workers, giving them high access to various documents and information. Its captain, Kyoraku Shunsui, even has the privilege of entering the Great Spirit Book Corridor.

Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni entrusted the two most important divisions of the Thirteen Divisions to his most trusted students.

Therefore, if Nanao Ise wants to look up something, she can directly access the First Division's database.

However, there are very few written records about that major event more than forty years ago. It is only said that the former captain of the 12th Division, Kisuke Urahara, secretly conducted Hollowfication experiments, turning four captains, three vice-captains, and one vice-Kido Master into Hollows.

Finally, he led these people, along with Yoruichi Shihouin, the former captain of the Second Division, out of Soul Society.

This was information she already knew; Ise Nanao searched through it again and again but couldn't find anything else useful.

Is that really the case?
Why would Captain Tachikawa say those things, about helping certain people...?

Where did Captain Tachikawa get his information? Even if he is the captain, his authority in this matter shouldn't be higher than mine.

Many questions lingered in Ise Nanao's mind.

She considered asking the letter again, but judging from the other party's attitude last time, they probably wouldn't reveal anything more.

As for his own captain, that's even more impossible.

Ise Nanao ultimately chose to visit Tachikawa Nobu once again.

“It’s not about Rangiku,” she explained to the letter, getting straight to the point. “It’s about my senior, Captain Tachikawa. I’m also eager to know the truth, and I think I can help you with the investigation.”

She had already learned from the letter that the other party had no ill intentions towards Rangiku, so she was no longer worried about Rangiku.

"Can you help me?" Xin looked at the female adjutant who exuded an intellectual aura. "Do you know what I need to do? Just say you can help me."

Ise Nanao said, "I am the vice-captain of the 8th Division. I have a high level of authority and more freedom in accessing various documents and information. Captain Tachikawa, if it is inconvenient for you to look up something, you can leave it to me."

That is indeed a good idea. If things are really as Xin said before, he will definitely agree.

However, in reality, Xin was very clear about the major event that happened more than forty years ago. He knew all the causes and consequences, and understood who the victim was and who the real mastermind was.

He didn't need the help that Nanao Ise offered, and if he were to investigate such matters himself, it would inevitably attract the attention of some people.

"No need," Xin refused. "I have my own plans for this matter."

"Does Captain Tachikawa not trust me?" Ise Nanao asked.

The letter did not respond to this.

Ise Nanao pursed her lips and asked, "How can I gain Captain Tachikawa's trust?"

Shin looked helpless: "Vice-Captain Ise, I've said everything I needed to say."

"..."

After some thought, Ise Nanao carefully considered all her recent interactions with Tachikawa Shin.

He hesitated, then said, "Captain Tachikawa, I already know I was wrong about Rangiku's matter, and I will not concern myself with it again... Moreover, I also feel that this matter was Rangiku's fault; she didn't appreciate your good intentions as the captain..."

She had just finished speaking when she suddenly heard a "whoosh" of papers scattering from the direction of the office door behind her.

Ise Nanao paused, then quickly turned to look, only to see Matsumoto Rangiku standing there expressionless.

Her pupils dilated slightly, and her heart clenched painfully.

"Ranchiku..."

Matsumoto Rangiku, standing at the door, didn't utter a sound, and didn't even bother to pick up the documents scattered on the ground. She simply turned around and left.

"Rangiku, wait..."

Ise Nanao almost instinctively wanted to chase after her, but after taking a step, she realized something and stopped in her tracks.

After a moment of silence, she walked to the door, picked up the scattered documents, gathered them neatly in her hands, and then turned and walked to Xin's desk, placing them on the table.

Xin sighed and said, "You should have chased after her. Matsumoto has a deep prejudice against me now, and if she hears you say something like that, she must be feeling very upset right now."

Ise Nanao shook her head and lowered her head, saying, "Rangiku was in the wrong first. If I chase after her to explain, wouldn't it make it seem like everything I said was against my conscience? And it would only make...Rangiku more convinced that she is right."

She's really willing to go all out, Xin thought to himself.

After a moment of contemplation, Xin said, "My investigation is not progressing well either, so I can't tell you anything specific. I can only tell you that there are indeed other strange things about what happened back then."

Upon hearing this, Ise Nanao's previously calm face immediately lit up with excitement. She quickly said, "I can help you with the investigation. If you want to look up any information, you can give it to me. It will make things more convenient!"

"No need... However, if I know anything else, I might consider telling you."

Ise Nanao felt a little relieved; she was indeed happy with this outcome.

She bowed deeply to the letter, hesitated for a moment, and slowly said, "Captain Tachikawa... you are actually a good person. I now truly believe that you and Rangiku were right about this."

Shin couldn't help but chuckle: "Do you even know what happened? You're so quick to judge right and wrong. As Matsumoto's friend, you should really consider her feelings."

Ise Nanao didn't say much; she just felt that what Matsumoto Rangiku had said to her was too strange.

As a captain, how could Tachikawa Shin possibly do something like infringing on his subordinates?
If he likes a girl, he can pursue her openly and honestly, and the success rate will definitely be very high!
Looking at Xin's handsome face, she could easily imagine how popular this young, dashing, and powerful captain would be among women.

Furthermore, Matsumoto Rangiku's reluctance to reveal the truth forced Ise Nanao to doubt the veracity of her words.

Ise Nanao

【Favourability: 57】

"I'll take my leave now."

After leaving the office, Ise Nanao paused briefly in the corridor, glanced in the direction of the vice-captain's office, and then left without saying a word.

In the afternoon, Hitsugaya came to report that the vice-captain was missing from the barracks again.

Shin simply said he understood, and then said to Hitsugaya, "I will also be leaving for two days. You can make the decisions regarding the team's affairs during these two days."

"Where are you going?"

"The present world".

There was no need for fieldwork in the human world this time. Shin only said that he was going to the human world to search for traces of Hollows, because the Thirteenth Division's surveillance of the human world showed a Hollow that the Tenth Division had encountered during a patrol.

This excuse, which was easy to see through at a glance, went unchallenged. It was normal for Tachikawa Shin, as the captain, to suddenly want to go to the real world for a couple of days.

The relevant authorities immediately prepared a portal for the letter and followed procedures to allow it to pass through.

This time, Shin didn't choose Karakura Town, but a city that was some distance away.

After passing through the interdimensional gate, Xin tampered with the limited spiritual seal on his body, making it stay only within the city where he appeared, thus concealing his whereabouts. Perhaps no one would care, but it was always better to be cautious.

Shin then sped off towards Karakura Town. His speed in the real world was extremely fast, and he arrived at his destination in no time. He first retrieved and donned the Gikai he had previously hidden, then appeared at the entrance of Urahara's shop.

"It is you."

The first to come out was Woling Tiezhai. He looked as serious as ever and only greeted Xin.

"Is the store manager here?" Xin asked.

Wo Ling Tiezhai nodded slightly and led the letter into the shop.

Compared to last time, Urahara's store looks much tidier. The various boxes that were previously piled up randomly have been put away. Last time I came, it looked more like a warehouse than a store.

"Oh my! We have a distinguished guest!"

Upon seeing the letter, the store manager immediately displayed an exaggerated expression of joy and enthusiasm.

"Mr. Takami, it's been a long time. You're still as charming as ever."

Before the letter arrived, I had already checked the spiritual pressure fluctuations in this area, and the black cat was still not here.

Xin also casually asked, "How's business?"

The shopkeeper, wearing wooden clogs and gently waving a paper fan in front of him, said, "I've made some friends who are willing to patronize my shop; it's just enough to make ends meet."

The friends he mentioned were probably some of the Shinigami from the 13th Division. Shin was actually curious about how he befriended these Shinigami without being detected by Soul Society.

The shopkeeper covered half his face with a paper fan and suddenly looked at the letter with a scrutinizing gaze: "Mr. Takami, our shop would really like to be friends with you, but it seems you're hiding something from us."

Xin rudely walked past him, sat down at the low table in the living room, and began pouring himself tea: "Isn't it normal to keep things from you? Would you tell me everything about yourselves?"

The store manager's eyes flickered, then he suddenly laughed: "Mr. Takami is right, it seems I have overstepped my bounds."

After Takami Shin left last time, he inquired through some newly established channels and found that there didn't seem to be anyone named Takami Shin in the Gotei 13.

It's normal that you can't find out about someone who's just an ordinary member, since there are quite a few Grim Reapers in the Thirteenth Team. But this person's strength is clearly extraordinary; he should at least be a high-ranking officer.

This can only mean one thing: the person who gave this name is most likely not using their real name.

The shop manager was very curious about one thing: how did this person know Yoruichi? Yoruichi had not yet returned, so he could only keep this question to himself.

After sitting down in front of the letter, the shopkeeper spoke up again: "Mr. Takami, you met two strange people before you left last time, right?"

After drinking the tea, Xin smiled.

"So the store manager knows them? What a coincidence, that's exactly why I came here."

"..."

Upon hearing this, the store manager narrowed his eyes slightly.

He asked, "What do you mean?"

Xin smiled and said, "I was puzzled last time because they looked familiar. After going back and doing some investigation, I think I discovered something extraordinary."

As they were talking, the door to the living room was suddenly closed.

When Wo Ling Tie Zhai appeared at the door, the indoor light immediately dimmed, and the atmosphere became oppressive.

The shop manager then calmly began to fan himself with his paper fan, asking, "Are Mr. Takami and Mr. Yoruichi on good terms?"

Xin thought for a moment and said, "It's alright, considering they've been eating and drinking for free at my place for so long."

The store manager then asked, "So, Mr. Takami, what did you find out during your investigation?"

Xin smiled upon hearing this, picked up the teapot, and refilled his cup.

"More than forty years ago, a major event occurred that involved six captains and a great Taoist priest."

"..."

Shin could feel the intense gaze from the man standing at the door, Wakami Tessai. He couldn't tell what the shopkeeper, sitting opposite him, was thinking, his face mostly hidden by a paper fan.

Xin then changed the subject, saying, "However, I've discovered that there seems to be more to the story than meets the eye back then."

"..."

The store manager smiled and said, "What's the hidden story?"

Xin picked up his teacup and gently swirled it, saying meaningfully, "It's hard to say."

The shopkeeper folded his paper fan, tapped it lightly in his palm, and said, "Mr. Takami, are you very interested in what happened back then? Now that you've found out something, shouldn't you report it to your superiors first? Why have you come to the present world again?"

Xin asked with a half-smile, "Does the store manager think I should report what I've found out to my superiors?"

As he spoke, he gently tugged at his collar, and a daffodil pattern suddenly appeared on his previously smooth collarbone.

Limited Spirit Seal!

The shopkeeper's eyes flickered slightly. He used to have this thing on him too, but he removed it himself after he came to the mortal world.

He finally had a clear understanding of the identity of the person in front of him.

Narcissus is the flower of the 10th Division, and only two people in Soul Society have a limited spiritual pressure if they have a narcissus pattern on their body.

The captain of the 10th Division and the vice-captain of the 10th Division.

During this time, the store manager has learned about many things that have happened in Seireitei through new information channels.

This includes the captain of the 10th Division, a position filled by a young man with exceptional talent.

The other party's true identity is about to be revealed.

The shop manager remained calm and didn't want to spell it out, but instead asked, "Then what does Mr. Takami mean?"

Xin straightened his collar and said, "Although I have investigated and found out some things, I still want to verify some things with the people involved in that incident back then."

Before arriving, Shin had already used his spiritual pressure to scan the entire city. There was a clear fluctuation in spiritual pressure, and only the Shinigami stationed there could be found. He did not find Risa Yadomaru or Hiyori Sarugaki.

Either it has been concealed using some special method, or it is no longer here.

The shopkeeper said, "Mr. Takami, are you so sure that what you've found out is correct? The matter from back then should have been settled by now, right? It was even conveyed by the Central 46 Chambers themselves. As a Shinigami of the Gotei 13, Mr. Takami should trust the Central 46 Chambers more."

In response to the store manager's words, Xin Youyou retorted, "Is the Central 46 necessarily right?"

(End of this chapter)