Chapter 107: The Mask of Masks
“Hmm... Is this the place? It does seem to fit their personalities.”
A figure dressed in modern clothes stood before an abandoned warehouse, thoughtfully pinching his chin before slowly reaching out his hand.
“First, let’s say hello. After all, it’s been nearly a century since we last met.”
...
“I’m telling you~”
The little girl with two golden pigtails and a face full of freckles dragged out her tone in displeasure, glaring fiercely at the casually indifferent blond man before her.
“What are you trying to do with this bland pure milk? Didn’t we agree on Bear Yogurt???”
Angrily, she shoved the plastic bag she was holding toward the man, clearly unhappy with what he had bought.
“Shut up, Nichimachi. What’s wrong with milk? Besides, you don’t even have that stuff yet... Ptooey!”
Before the man, who was poking his ear in annoyance, could finish his sentence, the plastic bag hit him squarely in the face.
“Shut up! Go to hell, baldy!”
“You— Is that how you treat the person who went out to buy things for you?”
“Annoying! If you’re not happy, then come and get it!”
“Fine! Today I’ll pull out all your hair!”
“You pervert! You want to strip me naked?”
“I said pull out, not strip!!”
“Oh, can’t you two be a little quieter? This noise really ruins the mood when I’m trying to listen to music.”
A man with wavy golden hair full of artistic flair took off his earphones and sighed helplessly.
“!”
“? What’s wrong, Kozara?”
Seeing the usually still, portly man tremble slightly, the blond man turned his head in curiosity.
A chill? At their level, such a minor matter shouldn’t cause this kind of reaction, right?
“The barrier... has been broken.”
“!!!”
The once noisy voices instantly fell silent, all eyes turning toward the so-called ‘Kozara.’
The portly man immediately sat cross-legged, clasping his hands together, attempting to repair the shattered barrier.
Their presence—whether in the Hollow Realm or the Soul Society—was best kept hidden from the other side; otherwise, things wouldn’t be so easily resolved.
But if the barrier had been broken so effortlessly, everyone knew the strength of the intruder must be formidable.
“Ta... ta... ta...”
In the originally silent space, crisp footsteps suddenly echoed from the entrance, each step striking deeply into their hearts.
“Well, well, familiar faces... but why so serious? Haven’t seen each other in ages...”
Jōjirō, the Arrancar, entered with a mischievous grin, hands in pockets, casually stepping into their view.
“Can’t you at least act surprised?”
“Oh, what a rare guest.”
Hirako spread his hands, squinting slightly, his eyes flickering as he guessed the visitor’s purpose.
“Does the Thirteenth Division of the Gotei 13 really come here too?”
“Don’t be so suspicious, Hirako. Didn’t we have a pretty good friendship back then?”
Jōjirō sighed. His purpose here was not to fight these guys.
“...I suppose that’s true.”
After a moment’s thought, Hirako acknowledged it—their friendship before leaving the Soul Society was decent. When Aizen was recruited, Hirako had consulted Jōjirō, which showed their relationship was far from ordinary.
“Such nostalgic faces...”
Glancing over the others still on guard, Jōjirō sighed, “Hokyo, Aikawa, Risa, Rokuguruma, Shiro, Nichimachi...”
“You seem even chubbier than before, Arata.”
He lightly jumped down the long steps as he spoke. Strictly speaking, his friendship with these masked ones was not deep—not quite intimate, but closer than mere acquaintances.
“So, what brings you here, Suzube?”
Hirako reverted to his usual indifferent demeanor. He sensed no hostility from this man but was still unsure of his reason for coming.
“I thought you’d ask how I knew you were here.”
“Obviously Kisuke told you, right?”
“As expected of Hirako, right on!”
Jōjirō playfully extended his index finger, smiling approvingly before lightly wagging it.
“Don’t take it so seriously. I just couldn’t find a place to stay, so I thought I’d crash here for a while. Of course, I’m broke.”
“You’re broke and still so bold?? Baldy!!”
The freckled pigtail girl was the first to lose patience.
“Want me to become a Shinigami and fetch you something? Consider it rent.”
“A Shinigami’s body isn’t meant for that, right? Plus, we’d be the ones in trouble if you did!”
“You sure have high demands, Nichimachi.”
Jōjirō glanced impatiently at the furious little girl and then at his own hand.
“No wonder your body hasn’t developed yet... Ptooey!”
Mentioning the body prompted the girl to slap her slipper hard onto Jōjirō’s face without hesitation.
“Well, well, doesn’t look like trouble. I say we agree.”
Aikawa Robu held up the manga he had been reading. He had no objections to Jōjirō’s request.
“I agree.”
On the other side, Hokyo Rojuro crossed his arms. He held a favorable opinion of this unusual vice-captain, unable to imagine he’d come alone just to deal with them.
“No objections.”
“Huh? Kenji agrees? That’s strange.”
“Shut up, Shiro.”
“I agree too.”
After Kenji and Shiro voiced their approval, Risa also consented to letting Jōjirō stay.
“Hmm...”
Among them, Arata had the shallowest relationship with Jōjirō—one was the first squad’s vice-captain, the other the vice-chief of the Kido Corps. They rarely interacted, only acquaintance-level at best. Since no one else objected, naturally he wouldn’t either.
“Gah? Why did everyone suddenly agree? How can you let this baldy stay here?”
“Shut up, Nichimachi.”
Hirako pressed the girl’s head down, clearly displeased.
“No free lodging without money, you know.”
“Oh, don’t be like that. I know you’ve met Kurosaki Ichigo, Hirako.”
“...”
Hirako’s expression darkened at this. Was that also information from Kisuke Urahara?
“So, what do you say? Anyway, Ichigo Kurosaki will probably come here eventually...”
Jōjirō smiled mysteriously.
“Let me train him for you.”