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"Ichigo!"
"No way… this looks exactly like Sōkyoku Hill!"
Their pupils shrank.
Kira Izuru stared at the screen with a heavy look. He watched for a few seconds, then said with certainty:
"Yeah. This is definitely Sōkyoku Hill."
"Huh?"
"Sōkyoku Hill?"
Madarame Ikkaku finally caught on. His frown deepened. "Wait, did I hit my head or something? Since when did anything happen on Sōkyoku Hill? I don't remember any battle there."
"And what's with…"
"That orange-haired kid. Is he a Soul Reaper too? Why does he have a zanpakutō in his hand?"
"Also, I swear I heard the word bankai just now."
Right now, Ikkaku's thoughts were a complete mess.
Never mind questioning Byakuya Kuchiki's power. The scene itself was already insane. Sōkyoku Hill, the place used only to execute the worst criminals, was supposed to be strictly sealed off.
Sōkyoku—A weapon formed from the power of millions of zanpakutō.A symbol of Soul Society's law and order.It was only ever activated for criminals whose crimes were beyond forgiveness.
Because of that, almost no one was allowed to even set foot on Sōkyoku Hill, let alone fight on it.
But now?
In the video, the entire hill was wrecked, covered in traces of a massive battle.
That alone made no sense.
And what was even harder to believe—Byakuya Kuchiki, a captain, was fighting personally. On Sōkyoku Hill. Against some complete stranger.
What in the world was going on?
"You're right, A-Ichi. I don't remember any battle happening there either."
Yachiru propped her cheeks on both hands, puffing out her lips in confusion.
"And don't forget who Byakuya Kuchiki is."
"He's not just the captain of Squad Six—he's the head of the Kuchiki noble family! With how stuck-up and proper he always acts, I can't imagine him brawling in public like some street thug."
In her mind, Byakuya was the definition of cold, emotionless nobility.He only showed up at captain meetings, rarely talked, and always carried himself with the dignity of someone carved from thousand-year ice.
A noble like him would never break the rules of the Seireitei.
"Hmm…"
"Compared to that, I'm more interested in this orange-haired kid." Izuru frowned deeper, voice sinking. "You don't think… he's an intruder, do you?"
"An intruder?!"
The room erupted.
That one casual guess instantly made the atmosphere heavy.
Ikkaku's eyes shot wide open. "Wait. If he's an intruder, then Byakuya's reaction makes total sense! But… who would be crazy enough to invade Soul Society?"
He rubbed his smooth, bald head, blinking in disbelief.
Soul Society was the territory of the Soul Reapers.
Even the chaotic Rukongai had patrols. The Seireitei was several levels more secure.
Anyone—Even a Menos from Hueco Mundo—If they dared invade openly, the entire Thirteen Court Guard Squads would swarm them.
No exceptions.
So where did this kid in the video get the guts?
The more he thought about it, the worse it sounded.
Even he, with his obsession for battle, wouldn't be stupid enough to challenge all thirteen squads.
That was suicide.
"So…"
"Are these scenes real? Is Soul Society actually going to be invaded?"
The thought made Ikkaku grit his teeth. His head only hurt more.
Captain Zaraki Kenpachi, though, was the exact opposite.
He had barely cared at first. But the moment "intruder" was mentioned, his eyes lit up.
He grinned like a beast waking from a nap.
"Ha!"
"Ikkaku, who cares about the details? If there's an intruder, that's all that matters."
He reached back, grabbing his notch-covered zanpakutō, then stood up so fast he looked like a lion springing awake.
"I've been dying of boredom lately. An intruder showing up? Perfect way to kill some time."
Unlike the others, Zaraki didn't overthink anything.
He just wanted to find the intruder… and cut them up a bit.
Meanwhile, at Urahara's Shop.
"You're kidding, right?!"
"If I'm remembering correctly, that orange-haired kid in black… he's Isshin's son, Kurosaki Ichigo!"
Just like Squad Eleven, Urahara and the others froze at the sight of the video.
Urahara didn't have any deep impression of Ichigo—just a normal high schooler living a normal school life.
But now?
Kurosaki Ichigo was a Soul Reaper… and he could use bankai?
That was shocking enough.
"Yeah, I never thought I'd misjudge someone this badly. Isshin's kid was hiding all this?" Tessai muttered, completely stunned.
He clearly remembered—only a few months ago, he had been sick and often went to Isshin's clinic for medicine. He'd even met Ichigo there.
Because he was Isshin's son, Tessai had sensed for spiritual pressure in passing. He had felt nothing from Ichigo. Not even a flicker.
Meaning back then, Ichigo was completely ordinary.Weaker than average, even.
So how did he hide it?And what was with that thin, black zanpakutō he was holding now?
The shop grew silent again.
Urahara narrowed his eyes.Tessai rubbed his chin.
Both fell into deep thought, confusion filling their minds.
Especially Urahara—A sharp glint flashed in his half-lidded eyes.
With his intellect, he had already started piecing things together.
And elsewhere—
Karakura Town.
On the rooftop of a high school building—
"Is that… Ichigo?!"
Tatsuki and Orihime gasped at the same time, staring at the transparent screen where Ichigo stood holding Tensa Zangetsu, looking powerful and heroic.
You had to be kidding.Ichigo was in the video too?
Impossible!
They slowly turned to look behind them.
Ichigo—the person in question—stood frozen, completely dumbstruck. His widened dark eyes were filled with panic and confusion.
Clearly…
He was just as stunned as they were.
"Ichigo, talk! What is going on?!" Tatsuki demanded, even more confused by his expression.
What Soul Reaper world?What top-fifteen ranking?
The video appearing out of nowhere was already weird enough.
But why was Ichigo suddenly involved?!
"Please don't look at me like that…"
Ichigo finally snapped out of it. He raised his hands helplessly.
"I swear I don't know anything! I'm just a normal high school student!"
"..."
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