Soulbound

*Urahara POV*

The air was dry, the wind whispering through the streets of the Slane Theocracy's northernmost city. It was a little bit different compared to other places I'd visited over the centuries, but there was something different about this one. The tension in the atmosphere, maybe. The almost tangible pressure hanging over the city like a cloud. Something was definitely off, and it wasn't just the architecture.

"Ah, what a charming place."

I said while adjusting my hat as we made our way down one of the narrow, stone-paved alleyways. The brim did a decent job of keeping the sun out of my eyes, but the heat here was something else.

Behind me, Ururu and Jinta were following closely, their expressions as focused as ever. Well, at least Ururu's was. Jinta was dragging his feet a little, grumbling something under his breath about how long this mission was going to take. Tessai, on the other hand, kept his usual stoic composure, his towering frame casting a shadow over the rest of us as he brought up the rear. He is not really a member of my squad, but he decided to come anyway, believing that his expertise in kido and magic would prove useful.

"A little enthusiasm wouldn't hurt, you know."

I said over my shoulder to Jinta, giving him a teasing smile. What I got in return was a grumbling response from him while kicking a stone on the road.

"I'm enthusiastic about getting out of this place. Why do we have to plant these stupid devices all over the city, anyway? Can't we just drop them all in one spot and be done with it?"

I chuckled, tapping my chin thoughtfully.

"Ah, but where's the fun in that? Besides, if we put them all in one place, the Theocracy's high priests might actually notice. We wouldn't want that, now would we?"

Jinta just groaned in response, and I smiled again.

We were on a mission, after all, a rather important one. Planting devices designed to block all forms of communication, both magical and divine, across the most critical cities in the Theocracy. Not just any devices, mind you. These were my own creations, naturally. Beautiful little things, invisible to the naked eye, cloaked from all manner of detection, and capable of jamming everything. I'd outdone myself this time if I did say so.

The first city we were targeting was Morfall, the largest military hub of the Slane Theocracy, a place teeming with soldiers, clerics, and priests. It was no small task, but we had a job to do, and I was never one to turn down a challenge. Besides, the potential for gathering data here was far too enticing to pass up. I was already curious about the Theocracy's infrastructure, magical networks, use of ancient artefacts and divination abilities. Oh, yes, there was much to learn. And much to disable.

"So, Captain, where do you suggest we plant the first one?"

That said my good old friend Tessai.

"The first one will go to the city's central temple, of course. Right under their noses. No better place to disrupt their communications than from their most sacred ground, wouldn't you agree?"

Tessai gave a slow nod, his eyes scanning the area for potential threats. Ururu, ever silent, was already adjusting her equipment, preparing the device I'd given her earlier.

"Don't worry, we'll make sure it's nicely hidden. And with the enchantments I've layered on it, they won't even know it's there."

We continued moving through the streets, blending in with the local merchants and travellers. I'd taken the liberty of crafting simple cloaks for us. They don't look flashy, but their purpose is to mask our presence. Even if there is a very small chance of someone capable of seeing us to be here I would rather not take the chances.

The main temple wasn't far from where we started, its towering spires looming over the rest of the city like a watchful eye. The architecture was imposing, with sharp angles and intricate carvings of saints and gods adorning the walls. I could feel the energy coming off the place, the kind of spiritual pressure that only comes from centuries of devotion, sacrifice, and, well, maybe a few forbidden rituals here and there. Nothing too surprising.

"Now, let's be careful, everyone, the priests here might be more attuned to spiritual disturbances than your average guard. Wouldn't want to give them a reason to come snooping around, now would we?"

Ururu nodded quietly, slipping her hands into the folds of her cloak, while Jinta rolled his eyes, though he was clearly trying to keep his own reiatsu in check. Tessai, of course, was as steady as ever.

We entered the temple courtyard without drawing any attention. The place was busy with worshippers and priests, most of them too focused on their prayers to pay us any mind. Still, I kept my senses on high alert, just in case.

"Alright, let's make this quick."

I said softly, signalling for Ururu to move forward.

She nodded and slipped ahead, her movements so quiet that even I could barely hear her. That was Ururu for you, always efficient, always precise and most of all cute. She disappeared into the shadows of the temple, heading for the spot I'd designated on the schematics we'd acquired earlier. The perfect place to plant the first device.

While she worked, I casually leaned against one of the stone pillars, fanning myself with my usual nonchalance, keeping an eye on the people around us.

"Do you think they'll notice when their fancy divination spells start going haywire?"

Jinta asked, his tone still grumpy but tinged with curiosity.

"Oh, they'll notice. Eventually. But by then, it'll be too late. The devices will be fully activated, and they'll have no way to trace the interference back to this place. Besides, with six or seven cities completely cut off from each other, they'll have bigger problems to deal with."

"And what happens when they figure out someone's messing with their communications?"

Of course, they will realise that is us who are responsible. But even then so what? There is nothing they can do about it.

"That's the beauty of it, my dear Jinta. By the time they realize they've been outplayed, we'll be long gone."

Tessai, who had been quietly observing the temple's guards, spoke up.

"We should move to the second location soon. The guards are starting to rotate."

"Ah, good point, Tessai, but no rush, no rush. Ururu's almost done."

As if on cue, Ururu appeared, giving me a small nod to indicate the device had been successfully planted. I gave her a thumbs-up, and we casually made our way out of the temple courtyard, blending back into the flow of people.

"That's one down, only a handful more to go. Onward, my friends! Adventure awaits!"

Jinta groaned again, but I could see the faintest glimmer of excitement in his eyes. He wasn't fooling anyone.

The city a little bit to the east was our next target specifically, a sprawling network of warehouses and shops where a significant portion of the Theocracy's trade and communication took place. According to the intel we'd gathered, there was a hub for magical artefacts and enchanted items, many of which were used for war and transporting goods. Perfect place to cripple their infrastructure.

"We're going to need a bit more subtlety here. The magical artefacts in this district are monitored by the local merchants and their hired sorcerers, so we can't just waltz in and drop the device like we did at the temple."

I pulled out a small, round device from my cloak—a sleek, black sphere about the size of a marble. It didn't look like much, but it was a masterpiece of engineering and spiritual craftsmanship if I do say so myself. Tessai had helped with the finer enchantments, but the core design was all mine. Originally wanted to ask Aizen for help, but he is busy with the whole space shifting. He got very interested in the subject.

"This little beauty works better than the one we used before. It covers the whole city easily."

"Then why didn't you make those from the beginning?"

"I didn't have much time and only figured out those when the time was near so I couldn't make that many of them."

We approached one of the largest warehouses, its walls lined with crates and barrels of goods, and I motioned for the group to follow me around the back. The area was less crowded here, with just a few workers moving boxes around, and none of them paying much attention to us.

"We'll plant the device here, right under their noses."

Jinta sighed, but I could tell he was enjoying the whole operation. And as we moved to our next target, I couldn't help but feel a certain satisfaction. Everything was going according to plan. The devices were in place, the people of Theocracy would soon find themselves cut off from one another, and we'd be long gone before they even realized what had happened.

All in a day's work for Urahara Kisuke.