Naruto: This Genius is Somewhat Ordinary-Chapter 454

"Then it’s settled," Fujimoto Tōma said calmly. "I’ll be waiting in the Human World. When you come over, don’t cause trouble. Look for me in a city called Karakura Town. Or leave a mark and let me find you."

Ulquiorra nodded seriously. "Understood."

As for the mark, Tōma lifted a hand.

The Moon Sprite slipped out of empty space, scampered up his arm, and rubbed its face against his cheek.

Ulquiorra and Starrk both froze.

They hadn’t sensed anything. No fluctuation. No warning. It was simply... there.

As always, the things surrounding Tōma felt unfathomable.

"The mark should look like this," Tōma said, gently patting the Moon Sprite. "There’s only one of it in existence."

Both Hollows studied the creature carefully, committing its appearance to memory. Replicating the shape with spiritual energy wouldn’t be difficult.

"Then... see you in the Human World."

With that, Tōma opened a spatial gate with the Moon Sprite’s help and stepped through.

His destination this time was not Soul Society.

It was the living world.

After he left, Starrk and Ulquiorra exchanged a glance before heading off together into the distance.

They had work to do.

Training. Control. Growth.

Only then could they follow.

The Human World

Tōma returned to the house in Karakura Town that Kisuke Urahara had once helped him purchase.

"...Yeah, it’s been a while," he muttered, looking at the dust-covered floors and the wild weeds overtaking the yard.

He didn’t head straight for Urahara’s shop. Instead, he rubbed the Moon Sprite’s head.

"Go rest. Or play in the yard for a bit."

"Gula?" the Moon Sprite tilted its head.

"I’m cleaning."

Unlike Soul Society, this place wasn’t made of spiritual particles. You couldn’t just sweep everything away with pressure. Physical matter required physical effort.

The Moon Sprite happily darted into the tall grass, bounding around as if it were exploring a jungle.

Tōma chuckled and grabbed some tools.

By the time he finished, the house looked livable again.

"Moon Sprite," he called.

The small creature sprinted back, climbed up normally this time, and perched on his shoulder.

Yeah, Tōma thought. Definitely my creation.

If it were anything like Ōtsutsuki Kaguya, it wouldn’t act like this.

"I’m heading to Urahara’s shop. Coming with me, or staying here?"

"Gula!"

"Alright, let’s go."

Urahara Shop

"Yo—what a surprise," Kisuke Urahara said when Tōma pushed the door open. "Back to being punished with Human World duty already?"

Even Urahara looked genuinely surprised.

"It hasn’t even been a year."

"I snuck out," Tōma replied, tossing him a bottle.

Urahara caught it, blinking. "Junmai sake?"

"Didn’t have time to prepare anything fancy."

"Well then, I’ll accept gratefully!" Urahara laughed. "Ururu, cups please."

A small girl with twin braids nodded and left with her broom.

"You’re employing child labor," Tōma said dryly. "That’s illegal."

"I doubt you can’t tell what she is," Urahara replied with a smile.

Tōma nodded. She wasn’t fully human. Another of Urahara’s creations, most likely.

"Breaking rules in the Human World isn’t my specialty," Urahara continued lightly. "But sneaking here without orders isn’t exactly allowed either."

"I came because I needed to," Tōma said.

"Oh?" Urahara leaned forward. "Then what do you need?"

Tōma paused. "Do you have spare rooms here?"

Urahara froze. "You already own a house."

"Living here would be more convenient for what I’m about to do. I’ll pay rent."

"...And what is it you’re planning?" Urahara asked cautiously.

"If I say it, you’ll probably kick me out."

That only made Urahara more suspicious.

"...Then I’m afraid I can’t rent rooms to someone with unclear intentions."

"That’s fine," Tōma said easily.

That reaction confused Urahara more than anything.

Then Tōma asked, "Kisuke, how do you feel about Hollows?"

Urahara frowned. "I was a Shinigami. That should answer it."

"But they aren’t natural enemies," Tōma said.

"Maybe not. Still no reason to accept them."

"What if they’ve regained reason," Tōma asked, smiling, "and wield Shinigami power?"

The air changed.

Urahara’s eyes sharpened. "What did you do?"

"I went to Hueco Mundo," Tōma said simply. "I met two interesting Hollows. One of them was already close to a Shinigami state when I found him."

"That’s impossible," Urahara said flatly.

"I thought so too. Then I saw it."

Tōma explained everything. The failed attempts. The exceptions. The successful transformation.

Urahara listened in silence.

"...They’re still alive?" he finally asked.

"I wasn’t there to kill them."

"And the other one?"

"He crossed the line right in front of me."

Urahara sighed. "That sounds exactly like something you’d do."

"Afterward," Tōma continued, "they were rational. Stable. No different from Shinigami, aside from some traces."

"So," Urahara said slowly, "what are you asking?"

"If they come to the Human World," Tōma said, "what happens?"

"You already know," Urahara replied. "If the Gotei Thirteen notice, Central 46 will demand their extermination."

"I know," Tōma said. "I just wanted to know your stance. If you don’t report it, they won’t be discovered."

Silence fell.

"They’re not here yet?" Urahara asked.

"Not yet. They’re training control."

"...You’ve already taken them in," Urahara concluded.

"Something like that."

"If Central 46 learns of this," Urahara warned, "you’ll be labeled a criminal."

Tōma smiled. "Do you think I’m afraid of them?"

Urahara was quiet for a long time.

Then he said softly,

"...You might be more dangerous than Aizen."