Into the Rukongai
The gates of the House of Shi loomed behind Harry as he stood at the threshold, the vast world of Soul Society stretching out before him. It was the first time he would leave the secluded estate, stepping beyond the realm of whispers and shadows into the unknown.
Kuroshi stood beside him, his expression unreadable as always. A few paces away, Ichigo Kurosaki leaned against a tree, arms crossed, waiting with an air of practiced impatience.
“The Rukongai is a place of disorder,” Kuroshi said, his silver eyes watching Harry carefully. “Unlike the Seireitei, it lacks law and structure. Some districts are peaceful; others are… less so.”
Harry nodded. He had read about the Rukongai in the Library of Shadows—a sprawling expanse beyond the Seireitei’s walls where souls resided, divided into eighty districts. The closer to the Seireitei, the more stable life was. The further out, the more dangerous it became.
His first mission would take him beyond the safe districts, into the far reaches where unrest had been reported. Hollows were appearing where they shouldn’t be, and rogue souls were stirring.
“Stay alert,” Kuroshi continued. “You represent the House of Shi, but that will mean little to those who live beyond these walls. Strength commands respect. Do not hesitate to use it.”
Harry exhaled, gripping Shi no hōyō. “Got it.”
Ichigo pushed off the tree and approached. “If we’re done with the ominous warnings, we should get moving. We’ve got a long way to go.”
Kuroshi stepped forward, resting a hand briefly on Harry’s shoulder. “Do not forget your training, heir. And do not forget who you are.”
Harry met his gaze and nodded.
With that, the Whispers stepped forward. Without a word, they lifted the palanquin once more, ready to carry him in noble tradition.
Harry groaned. “I’m not doing this again.”
The Whispers halted, their faceless veils tilting slightly as if in quiet offense.
Ichigo smirked. “You really ride around in that thing?”
“Not by choice.”
Ichigo rolled his eyes. “Then walk.”
Harry turned to the Whispers. “I’m walking.”
One of them finally spoke, their voice smooth and detached. “As you wish, heir.”
With that, the Whispers melted into the shadows, disappearing from sight, but Harry knew they were still watching, still following unseen.
Kuroshi gave a final nod before turning back toward the estate. The massive gates of the House of Shi creaked shut behind him, sealing Harry’s departure.
The journey had begun.
The Road Beyond the Walls
The streets of the Seireitei were vastly different from the quiet halls of the House of Shi. The pristine white walls and orderly structures of the city buzzed with life as Soul Reapers moved about their duties. Squad members marched in formation, messengers ran between divisions, and shopkeepers called out to passing officers.
Harry walked beside Ichigo, his scythe strapped across his back. Despite his noble title, he attracted little attention—most of the focus was on Ichigo, the living legend among Soul Reapers.
Ichigo glanced at him. “So, first time outside your fancy noble house?”
Harry smirked. “Pretty much.”
“You’re in for a shock, then. The Rukongai’s nothing like this.”
They approached the massive Western Gate, where towering walls marked the boundary between the Seireitei and the world beyond. Two gatekeepers stood watch, their spiritual pressure immense.
As Harry and Ichigo approached, one of them stepped forward. “State your business.”
Ichigo waved a hand lazily. “Gotei business. We’re investigating disturbances in the outer districts.”
The guard turned to Harry, his gaze sharp. “And you?”
Harry met his gaze evenly. “Harry Potter, heir of the House of Shi.”
The guards stiffened slightly, exchanging glances before stepping aside. “Understood. Proceed with caution.”
As the gates rumbled open, Harry stepped forward, leaving the structured world of the Seireitei behind.
The Rukongai: A Different World
The difference was immediate.
The Rukongai was raw, chaotic, and alive. The streets were crowded with souls of all kinds—merchants hawking their wares, children running barefoot, old men sitting outside wooden houses, watching the world pass by.
The buildings here were simple, a stark contrast to the grandeur of the Seireitei. People moved with wary glances, some stepping aside as Ichigo and Harry passed, others watching them with open curiosity.
Ichigo led the way. “This is the 11th District. Not too bad, but the further we go, the rougher it gets.”
Harry glanced around. “You’ve been through all the districts?”
Ichigo shrugged. “More than once. Rukia’s from here, remember?”
Harry nodded. Rukia Kuchiki had come from the Rukongai before joining the Gotei 13, rising from nothing to become a noble through her bond with the Kuchiki Clan.
As they walked, Harry noticed something—eyes in the shadows, watching them.
“People don’t trust Soul Reapers out here,” Ichigo muttered, noticing the same thing. “Too many of them only come when there’s trouble.”
Harry exhaled. He had read about this in the Library of Shadows—the Gotei 13 protected the Soul Society, but their reach was limited. The further from the Seireitei, the more lawless things became.
And they were heading straight into the worst of it.
Signs of Disturbance
By the time they reached the 40th District, the atmosphere had shifted.
The streets were no longer lively but tense. People whispered behind closed doors, and some areas looked abandoned. A heavy, unnatural presence lingered in the air.
Ichigo frowned. “This isn’t normal.”
Harry felt it too. The balance was… off. The spiritual energy here was unstable, frayed at the edges. Something had disturbed the natural order.
A low growl echoed through the alley ahead.
Harry turned sharply. A pair of glowing yellow eyes flickered in the shadows.
Then, with an inhuman screech, a Hollow lunged from the darkness.
Instinct took over. Harry unsheathed Shi no hōyō, the scythe’s silver blade gleaming as he swung it in a precise arc.
The Hollow shrieked as the blade cleaved through it, disintegrating into black mist.
The street fell silent. The few souls who had been watching quickly disappeared into their homes, slamming doors shut.
Ichigo stepped beside him, scanning the area. “Hollows shouldn’t be here.”
Harry tightened his grip on the scythe. “Something’s wrong.”
Ichigo nodded. “Yeah. And I don’t think this is random.”
As they pressed forward, more yellow eyes flickered in the darkness, watching, waiting.
Something had disrupted the balance in the Rukongai. And Harry was about to find out why.