"You said your situation is the same as mine? You all came to this world inexplicably?" Rukia Kuchiki asked quickly.
"That's right, but we may not be from the same world. These two are Erina and Hisako. They are from the same world. As for me, my name is Mirajane Strauss, and I come from a magical world," Mirajane explained gently.
"Not the same world? So, I came to another world?!"
Rukia had already suspected this. After all, there were many dangerous creatures here, and more importantly, she couldn't sense any spirit particles.
Although Rukia looked like a young girl, she was probably older than Ayame. The lifespan of souls in the Soul Society is generally long. After becoming a Death God, they often live for hundreds or even thousands of years.
"Yes, this world is different..."
Mirajane and the others explained the specifics of this world to Rukia and shared their own experiences.
"Have you finished talking? I've received the intel about the old 1st Biotope from Ayame-san. Our next step is to capture Gourmet ingredients. Kuchiki-san, do you want to stay here or come with us?" Zed asked.
He had clearly heard their conversation. His enhanced hearing was incredibly sharp.
"Of course I will go with you. Although I don't understand everything, following you is definitely the best option," Rukia replied firmly.
Having grown up in the harsh districts of Rukongai, Rukia understood survival better than most. She had already made up her mind.
"In that case, come with us. By the way, what's wrong with your body?" Zed asked, although he already knew the answer—he had to act the part.
"Body? What's wrong with my body?"
Rukia was stunned.
"Yes, Kuchiki-san's body… Wait, there's no heartbeat? And I can't feel any life force!" Erina suddenly realized.
Rather than a living body, what stood before them seemed more like an inanimate prop.
"How did you see that?" Rukia asked in surprise.
"Although to the naked eye you appear normal, anyone with enhanced perception can sense that your body is… unnatural. Ayame-san must've noticed this too," Zed explained calmly.
She had sensed something off, but since Rukia didn't seem dangerous, she didn't expose it.
"I was seen through from the beginning?!"
Rukia was surprised—but also impressed. These people had sharp senses.
"So what exactly is going on with your body? If it's a secret, you don't have to tell us," Mirajane added kindly.
"It's not a secret. What you're sensing is because this body is a prop—an artificial shell. I'm not human. I'm a Death God."
"A… Death God?!" the others, excluding Zed, exclaimed in unison.
In the Shokugeki world, myths existed, and people knew what a Death God represented. In Mirajane's world, there were also legends of gods and curses like that of Zeref.
"Don't misunderstand. The Death God I speak of isn't the one from your myths," Rukia clarified.
She told them about the Soul Society and what being a Death God truly meant. It was a profession, not a divine title. Though some Death Gods could destroy worlds, she wasn't one of them.
"So Kuchiki-san is actually a soul placed inside a prop. Can you leave that artificial body?" Mirajane asked curiously.
In her world, there were thought forms from magic, but not true soul bodies.
"Yes, I can. In fact, I'm curious if you can see my soul body. In my world, ordinary people can't see souls."
Rukia put on a special glove, slapped herself, and her body fell over—her soul emerged. She now stood in a white kimono, not in the typical Death God robes, because her power had been drained by Ichigo Kurosaki.
"I can see it… But is this really a soul form? I can hear your heartbeat. Your body feels physical," Zed observed.
Rukia's form was unlike souls from most worlds. Souls in the Death God world had tangible presence—like newly formed bodies made from spirit particles.
"Indeed, the soil beneath her feet is disturbed. That confirms she has a physical body, though it's different from normal flesh and blood," Hisako noted.
"This is due to spiritual pressure. A Death God's spiritual pressure is far denser than a regular soul's. Ordinary souls cannot be touched. Only strong ones like us can interact like this," Rukia explained.
"Spiritual pressure... is it similar to magic or calories?" Mirajane asked.
"Spiritual pressure is soul energy. The fact that you can see me means your own spiritual pressure is strong. I haven't felt the spiritual pressure of this world yet," Rukia said softly.
"Myself, I can also use soul energy, though I don't think it's the same as what you call spiritual pressure," Zed added.
He then concentrated and released a stream of soul energy toward Rukia. Previously, when she was in the artificial body, nothing happened. Now that she was in her true soul form, his soul energy connected.
At that moment, Zed found himself transported—to a vast land of snow and ice.
Beside him stood Rukia.
"Is this your consciousness space, Kuchiki-san?"
Zed recalled that in her world, a Zanpakutō spirit lived within this space. Since Rukia wielded Sode no Shirayuki, it made sense this was her inner world.
"This is my… Wait, how did you enter here? And why did I come in with you?" Rukia was shocked.
"Perhaps because your soul is unique. When I used soul energy, I entered here and brought you with me," Zed reasoned.
A sudden wind blew, and a beautiful woman with icy-blue hair appeared. She wore a pure white kimono—Rukia's Zanpakutō spirit: Sode no Shirayuki.
"Rukia, you're here… but why is there an outsider?"
Sode no Shirayuki was on guard. She couldn't remove Zed even if she tried—his soul energy was too strong.
"It's you… but don't you want to tell me your name?"
"I told you long ago. You just couldn't hear it. That was your problem. Now, tell me—who is he?"
Rukia explained their travel to another world and introduced Zed.
"Other worlds… Hmph, never mind. Follow me. There's something you must see."
She led them deeper into the snowy realm. Soon, they saw a small orb floating in the air.
"What is that?" Zed asked.
"I don't know. It appeared in your soul after you lost your spiritual pressure," Sode no Shirayuki replied.
Zed recognized it instantly—it was the Hōgyoku, developed by Urahara Kisuke.
He believed the more logical version of the story: that the Hōgyoku was inserted into Rukia's soul after she lost her power—not long ago.
"It appeared after I lost my spiritual pressure? What does it do?" Rukia was confused.
"Yes. Your spiritual pressure can recover, but it's being slowed down. That orb is the cause," Sode no Shirayuki explained.
"I thought my recovery was slow simply because I lost too much power..."
"Can we remove it?"
"I can't. It's protected by a strong barrier. I can't even touch it."
She reached out but her hand was blocked by a transparent shield.
"Maybe I can help," Zed said, eyes narrowing with interest.
This was a limit-breaking artifact. If possible, he wanted to know if it could enhance his abilities too.