"Success! I caught a little black cat!"
Nanaya jogged over and stared in surprise at the small black cat lying on her back, completely immobilized.
He had only meant to test the spell—but he didn't expect it to work so well. His Mangekyō Sharingan had actually copied the Kidō after seeing it only once.
He had perfectly reproduced what Rukia did, just from a single demonstration.
Although he wasn't sure how fast an average Shinigami learned Kidō, he was pretty sure it wasn't this fast.
"Hahaha…"
"Little black cat, you really helped me out."
Grinning, Nanaya bent down and picked her up like a prize.
"Meow…"
The cat let out a pitiful cry, clearly begging to be let go.
But she couldn't bring herself to speak—too embarrassed.
If Urahara Kisuke or Hirako Shinji found out she'd been captured by a beginner's Kidō, they'd never let her live it down.
Nanaya, completely oblivious to her pride, happily played with the cat in his arms.
"Oh? You're a girl kitty, huh? Great—no need to get you fixed."
"Meow!!"
The black cat yowled in protest.
If she weren't stuck like this, she would've swiped at his face already.
"Don't worry," Nanaya said with a grin. "You're a stray, right? Must be fate that we met. Help me out a few more times, and I'll take you home."
Then he started rubbing her soft belly.
The cat's shrill meows only got louder.
At that moment, she had a very bad feeling…
Suddenly, Nanaya canceled the Kidō.
The cat sprang free from his arms and landed on her feet like a ninja, dashing a few steps away.
But then—she heard it.
"Self-destruct, Rondanini's black dog… one glance… burn it all… cut your own throat!"
"Bakudō Number Nine: Geki!"
The black cat froze mid-run. A heartbeat later, she was flipped back onto her back again, legs flailing in the air.
"Meooooow!!!"
She was seething inside.
This is animal abuse! Do you even know that!?
If I didn't care about my reputation… if blasting you with spiritual pressure wouldn't get me caught by the Seireitei… I would've flattened you!
I swear—one day!
But for now, she had to endure it.
While the cat silently vowed revenge, Nanaya showed no mercy.
"Bakudō Nine: Geki!"
"Bakudō Nine: Geki!"
"Bakudō Nine: Geki!"
Over and over, he cast the spell, using the black cat as his practice dummy.
She kept flipping from upright to upside down, then back again, like some poor toy caught in a loop of misery.
Yet, despite her growing frustration, she couldn't help but be impressed.
Even she, the former Captain of the 2nd Division, former Commander of the Onmitsukidō, former Head of the Executive Militia, and 22nd head of the noble Shihōin Clan…
Even Yoruichi Shihōin, known as the "Flash Goddess" herself…
…had never seen someone like Nanaya.
Rukia's Kidō lesson had been basic, rushed, and barely instructional.
And yet this black-haired boy had learned it perfectly.
Could he be even more talented than the so-called once-in-a-millennium genius?
"…"
"Alright, I think I've got it now."
Nanaya wiped the sweat from his forehead and let out a satisfied breath.
"I can get the chant down in five seconds now. Next goal: Instant Kidō."
He glanced at the little black cat nearby and walked over, picking her up once more with a big grin.
"Thanks a lot, little one. You really helped me."
"…Meow."
The little black cat's voice was filled with despair.
In the last half hour, the lunatic in front of her had cast Bakudō Number Nine on her over a thousand times.
Even though she was no longer bound by the spell, she still felt like her limbs were tied up — like her mind had been wrapped in Kidō. The psychological damage was real.
"Come on, let me pet you before you go. I've always wanted to try the whole 'cat therapy' thing…" Nanaya said cheerfully, reaching out again.
The little black cat's already-black fur seemed to darken in frustration.
"It's so soft and smooth… No wonder people love cats. This is straight-up spiritual healing." Nanaya beamed, rubbing the top of her head. "From now on, you're my cat! As my cat, you've gotta work hard. Training with me every day, got it?"
He gave her a serious look, then added casually, "And don't go running around with those shady male cats outside."
He glanced at her, then muttered, "Hmm… still small… doesn't look like you've had a boyfriend yet…"
"As they say—no man in your heart, and your sword strikes like a god. Train hard! One day, you'll surpass Urahara Kisuke's black cat!"
"Has that cat offended you or something!?"
That was it. She couldn't take it anymore.
Her cat face darkened into a full-on glare as she spoke, voice low and teeth clenched.
Nanaya blinked in shock and looked down at the feline in his hands.
"What are you staring at? Never seen a handsome talking cat before?"
Her words dripped with menace.
She'd already decided. She was dragging this bastard to Urahara's basement and personally dishing out a punishment worse than death. He was going to taste every Bakudō under the sun.
But then, just as she was planning her revenge—
"Wait… what's that look!?"
Her pupils shrank.
Nanaya's face had gone still. He took a breath, shifted his stance, and raised his arm like he was about to throw a discus.
With a shout of fury:
"WHY IS IT YOU, DAMMIT!?"
Whoosh!
The black cat was launched into the sky like a shooting star, leaving behind a beautiful arc of dark fur and frustration.
"MEOWWWWW!!!"
Her voice echoed into the clouds.
Wiping the sweat from his brow, Nanaya let out a relieved sigh.
"Too dangerous…"
That black cat wasn't just any cat. It was that black cat. Urahara Kisuke's housecat.
If she overheard anything she wasn't supposed to hear… with all his secrets…
Yeah. Better safe than sorry.
And he wasn't worried. A throw like that wouldn't hurt her.
"Nanaya! I heard shouting. What happened?"
Rukia Kuchiki came jogging over.
"Nothing much. Just ran into a black cat who likes to spy on people," he replied casually.
Then, eyes gleaming, he looked at Rukia with the enthusiasm of a student begging for homework.
"Rukia, teach me another Kidō!"
Now that he'd grasped Bakudō, he realized just how powerful the technique was. It was like the sealing arts from the shinobi world, but faster and far more flexible.
Rukia crossed her arms, a little proud. "You haven't even mastered the one I already taught you. Don't get ahead of yourself."
For a moment, she felt like her old teacher at Shin'ō Academy — stern, smug, and secretly pleased.
"I have mastered it."
Nanaya raised his right hand and aimed it directly at her.
"Self-destruct, Rondanini's black dog… burn it all in one glance, cut your own throat…"
"Bakudō No. 9: Geki!"
Red light burst forth and surrounded Rukia in an instant.
She dropped to her knees with a thud, hands locked behind her back.
Her eyes widened in disbelief, and she stared up at Nanaya with a dazed expression.
"Impossible…"
"You copied Bakudō No. 9 just by seeing it once…"
Back at the Academy, she had studied that same spell for a month and a half — and that was with special tutoring from the Kuchiki household.
But there was no mistaking it. The binding spell wrapped her tightly.
It was the real deal.
"Nanaya… how… did you even learn it?"
"Hmm… I'll explain later," he replied casually.
He stepped closer, watching her struggle to move. His grin widened.
"So, you can't move now, right?"
Rukia: "…"
"Wait, Qiye… What are you—DON'T COME OVER HERE! HEY! STOP! AH—AAAAAAHHHH!!!"