On the field, Ichigo's string of words greatly changed Renji's opinion of him.
"Hey, if you already know all this, why are you still acting like this!"
Renji couldn't help but ask.
Ichigo knew what he meant. In Renji's view, he should turn himself in for a reduced sentence.
The problem was...
"Confess and get a lighter sentence? End up in prison for life. Resist stubbornly and get a harsher sentence? Roam free for ten thousand years!"
Ichigo said proudly: "I am not someone who would hand my fate over to others!"
"But what makes you think you can decide Rukia's fate?" Renji questioned again.
He truly didn't understand. Since Ichigo seemed rational and clear-headed, why did he think his resistance was useful?
"Because of strength!" Ichigo replied simply.
His answer made Renji want to laugh.
But just as Renji was about to ask Ichigo what he thought his strength amounted to in the face of the entire Seireitei, Ichigo's next words came.
"How many days do you think it took me, from inheriting Rukia's Shinigami powers until now, to reach what you call Lieutenant-level Reiatsu?"
"What do you mean?" Renji's expression froze, suddenly realizing something he had overlooked all along.
'That's right, this brat is absurdly strong! Could it be...'
Ichigo didn't speak further, so Renji turned his questioning gaze to Rukia.
By now, after brief reflection, Rukia understood everything.
Although tied to a tree, after realizing how much Ichigo had done for her, the strength seemed to drain from Rukia's body, and she slumped down.
Feeling Renji's gaze, Rukia said in a complex tone: "Fourteen days!"
"From receiving my Shinigami powers, to comprehending Shikai, to reaching his current Lieutenant-level strength... Ichigo only took fourteen days!"
"Not only that, you also learned Bakudo from Shopkeeper Urahara behind my back!"
"Seeing one spot reveals the whole leopard. You didn't just learn Bakudo, right? You must have learned other things too."
"Although you had a teacher, it must be said, Ichigo, the speed of your growth is astonishing!"
"Compared to you over these past two weeks, so many geniuses in Soul Society history seem to pale in comparison!"
"What!!?" After hearing Rukia's words, Renji was utterly shocked!
He looked at Ichigo in disbelief: "Only fourteen days..."
"Correct!" Ichigo nodded. "If you want an official position, commit murder and arson, then accept the amnesty!" (It's an idiom which means: A rebellious or criminal act can sometimes lead to recognition and position if one submits afterward.)
"Do you think, with my rate of growth, if I continue to develop, will the Soul Society punish Rukia, or will they try to recruit me?"
Just like in the original work, when Ichigo displayed his Bankai at the Sokyoku Hill and also had Aizen as a common enemy, didn't the Seireitei let him off lightly?
Faced with Ichigo's deep scheming and meticulous thinking, for a moment, Renji and Rukia, who were never this type of person, were shocked into silence.
They had to admit one thing: Ichigo's method actually sounded quite feasible!
Those nobles in the Seireitei might seem tough, but they're actually softer than each other!
'I've lost!' Renji thought to himself.
In terms of devotion and determination for Rukia, he had lost!
He climbed with all his might, reaching the position of 6th Division's Lieutenant, just wanting to be worthy of Rukia.
But how could such feelings compare to Ichigo's dazzling brilliance and utter resolve, burning so intensely in such a short time?
"Ichigo..." After realizing this too, Rukia also fell silent.
How could she stop a man who had silently done so much and thought so deeply for her?
'Until the final judgment is delivered, let's follow Ichigo's plan!'
For a moment, the previously tense atmosphere on the field fell into silence.
However, Renji was a stubborn man. Mere words could never make him give up!
"Hah..." Renji took a deep breath, exhaled, and then said slowly:
"Kurosaki Ichigo, I come from the 11th Division! People in the 11th Division value action above all!"
"Since we all believe our cause is just, then let's fight for our own justice!"
Renji roared: "I... I can't just hand Rukia over to someone else like this!!!"
"I know!" The corner of Ichigo's mouth lifted slightly.
Reaching out to take Zangetsu, Ichigo pointed it at Renji!
"Come on!"