In the expansive underground training area of Urahara Shop, a somber atmosphere prevailed. Tōshirō Hitsugaya, Rangiku Matsumoto, Ikkaku Madarame, and Yumichika Ayasegawa, now stabilized by Fourth Division treatment, were present. So were the medics themselves, and Rukia Kuchiki, who had regained consciousness.
Ichigo Kurosaki arrived in a frantic burst of Shunpo. Seeing Rukia awake was a momentary relief, but it was swiftly drowned by the burning urgency to act. "Urahara! How do I get to Hueco Mundo?!"
Kisuke Urahara, fan in hand, already knew the grim news from Ichigo's desperate expression. Before he could answer, the communication screen flickered to life. Byakuya Kuchiki had established the link to the First Division barracks in Soul Society.
The image of Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto, Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13, filled the screen, his eyes closed, his presence a weight even through the transmission.
"Inoue Orihime departed of her own volition with the Arrancar. Does this constitute defection?" Yamamoto's voice was a low, grinding stone.
"No! Inoue would never betray us! She was forced!" Ichigo shouted, stepping forward.
"Kurosaki Ichigo. Do you possess evidence to substantiate that claim?" Yamamoto's single open eye fixed on him.
"I…" Ichigo faltered. He'd raced here without gathering proof, driven only by panic and fury. "She just wouldn't! You have to believe me!"
"Captain-Commander," Rukia spoke up, her voice firm despite her pallor. "I agree with Ichigo. I spoke with Miss Inoue at length. Her loyalty is not in question."
"Thirteenth Division, Rukia Kuchiki. Your faith, while noted, is not evidence. Without proof, her actions must be treated as hostile." Yamamoto's tone was implacable, poised to condemn Orihime as a traitor.
"Brother, please—" Rukia tried again, but Byakuya raised a hand, silencing her.
"I have the evidence here," Amamiya Miyako announced, striding into the chamber, Tatsuki's satchel in hand.
"Amamiya!" "Miyako!" Ichigo and Rukia turned to him, hope flaring.
"Vice-Captain Amamiya Miyako. You claim to possess exculpatory evidence?" Yamamoto's gaze shifted.
"Yes, Captain-Commander." Amamiya held up the bag. "Before her capture, the Arrancar presented Inoue with these items. They prove coercion, not betrayal." He handed the notebook to Ichigo. "Look at the name, Ichigo."
Ichigo fumbled it open. His eyes widened. "Tatsuki…?"
"Correct. Arisawa Tatsuki—classmate and close friend to both Kurosaki Ichigo and Inoue Orihime—has also been captured. The enemy holds her hostage. Inoue's 'willing' departure was a choice made under duress to save her friend's life."
"I'll verify it," Chad (Yasutora Sado) stated grimly. His Brazo Derecha de Gigante flashed, and he was gone in a burst of Fullbring-enhanced speed to check Tatsuki's home.
"Tatsuki too…?" Ichigo's face contorted in horror. The scale of the violation, the targeting of his innocent friends, was a new level of cruelty.
"…I understand. A hostage situation. That alters the assessment." Yamamoto acknowledged, the stern lines of his face deepening. "Kisuke Urahara. Confirm the abduction and report immediately."
"Captain-Commander," Amamiya pressed on, seizing the opening. "I recommend deploying the Shinigami currently in the Human World on a rescue mission to Hueco Mundo. If Sōsuke Aizen utilizes Inoue's ability, the completion time for his Hōgyoku will be drastically shortened. Aizen with a complete Hōgyoku will force an immediate, all-out war."
"Amamiya…" Ichigo looked at him with desperate gratitude.
"…No." Yamamoto's refusal was absolute. "Not only will there be no mission to Hueco Mundo, but all personnel are to withdraw from the Human World and return to Soul Society."
"Captain-Commander, why?!" Rukia cried out, unable to stay silent.
"Sōsuke Aizen has secured his asset. We cannot know his timetable. Our focus must shift to preparing for total war. Soul Society cannot gamble with the stability of the Three Realms on a high-risk infiltration." His logic was strategic, cold, and from his millennia-old perspective, unassailable. But to the teenagers in the room, it was a death sentence for their friends.
"I understand that! Then at least let me go! I'm just a Substitute Shinigami! I'm not under your command!" Ichigo pleaded, his voice cracking.
"That is also denied, Kurosaki Ichigo. You are a vital combatant. We cannot indulge personal sentiment. Are the lives of all in Karakura Town not also worthy of protection?"
Amamiya fought back a frown. 'The old man's playing the utilitarian card. Where was this caution when you decided to personally barbecue the entire Seireitei later?' He thought, frustrated by the Commander's extreme risk-aversion.
"Captain-Commander, I cannot accept this order," Rukia stated, her jaw set.
"Even if Aizen completes the Hōgyoku and attacks Karakura Town, Soul Society will be there to stop him," Amamiya argued, shifting tactics. "But if a small team infiltrates Hueco Mundo, we can sabotage his progress, tie down Espada resources, and reduce the pressure on our main forces. The strategic value outweighs the risk."
"We have no intelligence on Hueco Mundo's defenses. It could be a prepared trap. The suggestion has tactical merit, Vice-Captain Amamiya, but the risk is unacceptable. Captain Kuchiki, Captain Hitsugaya. Prepare your units for immediate withdrawal."
'Too conservative. By the time you're "ready," Aizen will have already won,' Amamiya thought, his resolve hardening. A covert operation was now the only path.
Byakuya and Hitsugaya, bound by duty, began issuing orders to their subordinates to prepare for the return to Soul Society.
Amamiya shook his head slightly and leaned close to Rukia, his voice a whisper only she could hear. "Don't argue further here, Rukia. We'll find another way once we're back."
"…I understand. But I won't abandon them." Rukia's eyes held a fierce light. She knew the feeling of utter helplessness, of watching friends suffer alone. She wouldn't let Ichigo and Orihime endure that.
Soon, the basement cleared out, leaving only Urahara, his shop children, and a despondent Ichigo.
"Urahara-san…" Ichigo's voice was hollow, his head bowed.
"I will open the gateway to Hueco Mundo for you tomorrow, Ichigo," Urahara said, his usual playful tone replaced by grave seriousness.
Ichigo's head snapped up, shock and hope warring on his face.
"I'm already a wanted man in Soul Society for staying here. What's one more transgression?" Urahara offered a small, rueful smile. "Also, take this."
He handed Ichigo a small, disc-like device. "Arisawa-san is a normal human. The concentrated Reishi and Hollow spiritual pressure in Hueco Mundo could be lethal to her. This will create a protective field around her, blocking the ambient effects. Give it to her when you find her."
Ichigo took the device, his fingers closing around it tightly. It was a tangible piece of a plan, a thread of hope. He met Urahara's gaze, a world of gratitude and renewed determination in his eyes. "Thank you, Urahara."
The plan was set. Official channels were closed, but the rescue would proceed. All that remained was to see who else would defy orders and step into the enemy's desolate domain.