Rukia during this period was very distressed, she could only keep to herself.
Externally, she had to endure others' gossip and the cold treatment from friends.
Internally, when she returned home, she would also encounter the cold and emotionless Byakuya.
Thus, Rukia, who was originally as proud as a plum blossom and as warm and bright as sunlight, began to wither like a flower deprived of light.
This situation continued until she joined the 13th Division!
Although people still kept their distance due to her Kuchiki status, at least the Shinigami in the division were more mature and wouldn't show anything on their faces.
And most importantly, it was the appearance of that person!
In Rukia's memory, a large hand reached over and ruffled her signature mushroom-cut hairstyle into disarray.
"What are you doing, Kaien-dono? You messed up my hair again!" Rukia complained coyly.
Then, a black-haired man with a gentle smile appeared before everyone!
A sense of déjà vu instantly rose in everyone's hearts!
"Is this... Kurosaki Ichigo, black-haired version?"
Looking at this black-haired man, all the live stream viewers who witnessed this scene were utterly stunned.
Because this person was unmistakably Shiba Kaien, who would look exactly like Ichigo if he just dyed his hair!
For a moment, countless bullet comments flooded the live stream, expressing their excitement!
However, the live stream's flashback continued.
With Kaien, Rukia felt a long-lost warmth.
Kaien didn't treat Rukia as someone special.
It was just ordinary greetings, ordinary banter and scolding, an ordinary superior-subordinate relationship, ordinary interactions.
Even Rukia's own Zanpakuto was developed under Kaien's guidance!
Sode no Shirayuki and Nejibana, although one was ice-based and the other water-based, had extremely similar abilities!
All of this was so serendipitous and precious for Rukia at that time.
Encountering an assertive person like Kaien, Rukia, who had already become melancholic, quickly fell for him.
Strictly speaking, Kaien was Rukia's first love!
But this first love ended before it even began.
Because Kaien had a wife, a very gentle and mature older sister figure whom Rukia also admired.
Naturally, Rukia, whose first love ended before it started, transformed into their most loyal shipper.
However, the good times didn't last.
During an ordinary mission, an accident occurred again!
The squad led by Shiba Miyako was wiped out during patrol, with only her returning.
And the returning Miyako was controlled by a Hollow, killed members of the 13th Division, and fled.
Rukia, Kaien, and Ukitake gave chase.
To protect his wife's honor, Kaien requested to fight alone!
With the power of Nejibana, the Hollow covered in long tongues soon had its limbs severed!
But just as Kaien was about to deliver the final blow to this Hollow, a terrifying scene occurred!
This Hollow had an ability: anyone who grasped its tongue would have their Zanpakuto's abilities nullified!
Quickly, Kaien was defeated, and even conversely possessed and controlled by the Hollow!
Controlling Kaien's body, the Hollow engaged Ukitake and Rukia in battle!
In the end, Kaien, controlled by the Hollow, seized a brief moment of clarity and willingly died by Rukia's sword!
From beginning to end, Ukitake and Rukia watched this happen.
Because, there are two types of battles!
Fighting to protect one's life, or fighting to uphold one's pride!
And battles fought to uphold pride do not allow assistance!
A battle that cannot save the heart is useless to fight!
"Yes, Ichigo right now is undoubtedly fighting to uphold his pride!"
Rukia's tightly clenched hands relaxed, "So, I cannot interfere."
Watching Ichigo gradually shift the battlefield further away, Rukia decided to witness it all!
She started running, chasing after them!
At this point, the live stream audience finally snapped back to reality.
Remembering what they had just seen, everyone understood.
"So there's a reason why Rukia is so special towards Ichigo!"
"Ichigo's identity, Kurosaki Ichigo's predecessor, or perhaps his past life, was Shiba Kaien?"
"After all, the Soul Society is somewhat equivalent to the cycle of reincarnation!"
"Entirely possible!"
"To think there could be such a coincidence. Is Ichigo the legendary type with both luck and strength?"
"If not for this connection, Rukia might not have given him her Shinigami powers so easily."
"Brothers, I'm starting to believe in the existence of a protagonist now!"
"If he's not the protagonist this round, it can't be explained!"
The massive amount of information made the bullet commenters discuss fervently.