But this time, no matter how Orihime and Uryu questioned, Yoruichi, just like returning to her Onmitsukido days, kept her mouth sealed tight.
No matter how the group questioned her, she remained unmoved.
And similarly, just as curious as Ishida Uryu and the others, were the viewers watching the livestream until now.
However, one advantage the audience had over Uryu's group was that, having seen everything from the beginning, they possessed a lot of information and could pool their wisdom.
"Why did Shiba Kukaku get so nervous when she saw Ichigo?"
"Yeah, the way she reacted looked exactly like my dog who's been messing around outside, suddenly bumping into me head-on."
"Eh… wait, what was this big sister's name again? Shiba? Isn't that surname kind of familiar?"
"Holy crap, could she be from the same family as Shiba Kaien?"
"That's actually very possible!"
"But if that's the case, and Ichigo's body is the reincarnation of Shiba Kaien, then he's coming home now? It can work like that?"
Realizing why Kukaku reacted so abnormally, everyone became curious, as this likely touched upon the secret behind Ichigo's identity.
By this day, the viewers had long discovered that the Japanese High School boy, Kurosaki Ichigo chose was not simple… he's practically comparable to protagonists in novels.
However, not long after-
"Beautiful lady, who are you?"
Her hair, previously bundled under a headscarf, was now let down into smooth shoulder-length locks. Her chest seemed bound, compressing its size, and she wore a light yukata that wrapped her up completely. Kukaku returned.
Although not completely formal, without a doubt, the heroic big-sister-like aura from earlier had completely vanished from her body.
In fact, without carefully comparing facial features, neither the live-stream audience nor the people present could equate this Kukaku with the person from before!
"Good grief, isn't this a complete change of person?"
"Big sister, if you've been possessed, just blink!"
The live-stream audience typed, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.
Orihime and the others present were even more astonished.
Now completely changed into different clothes and looking proper, Kukaku secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
"Sorry, I didn't mean anything else, but you look too much like my late older brother. It's like my brother is staring at me, so I had a bit of a stress reaction!"
"Uh, to put it in terms everyone can understand, that feeling should be like being stared down by a teacher, right?"
"My brother didn't like me being so bold and unrestrained, so wearing this now also helps me feel a bit more at ease."
Kukaku explained to Ichigo.
Then, Kukaku asked, "Um, lit... cough, sorry, that was rude. May I ask your name?"
"Kurosaki Ichigo!" Ichigo calmly answered Kukaku's inquiry.
Looking at Kukaku in her new attire, Ichigo also found it very interesting.
By now, he had figured out the reason for Kukaku's awkwardness, he just hadn't expected that his changed demeanor could lead to such a development.
Thinking for a moment, after introducing himself, Ichigo simply added, "My father's name is Kurosaki Isshin!"
"Kurosaki Isshin? Isshin?" Hearing Ichigo's words, Kukaku was shocked, then she hurriedly asked, "Excuse me, has your father ever changed his surname?"
"My old man took my mother's surname!" Ichigo readily sold out Isshin.
Instantly, Kukaku's eyes wavered.
She understood everything now.
Kukaku glared fiercely at Yoruichi. This good friend, this big sister, had really kept her in the dark terribly!
In response, Yoruichi licked her paw, looking utterly innocent.
And now that it was confirmed that Ichigo was family, Kukaku's attitude became enthusiastic.
"Koganehiko, Shiroganehiko, serve tea to our honored guests~!" Kukaku called out, "And find that brat Ganju and bring him back to me!"
Afterwards, Kukaku formally asked Ichigo and Yoruichi the purpose of their visit: "By the way, what brings you here this time?"
"We need to enter the Seireitei to save someone!"
"Her name is… Kuchiki Rukia!"
Hearing Rukia's name, Kukaku's expression changed.
Unlike Shiba Ganju, Kukaku had long known the cause of Kaien's death from Jushiro.
So she had been waiting for an apology from Rukia… she just needed her to say she was sorry, and this grudge would be settled.
But Rukia had never come.
Hearing this, Kukaku initially wanted to refuse.
But looking at Ichigo's face, so similar to Kaien's, and the feeling it gave her of her brother watching her, plus the possible familial relationship, Kukaku still made the arrangements.
Because the Seireitei is surrounded by Sekkiseki Stone, which isolates Reiatsu, it generates a special waveform that forms the Shakonmaku enveloping the entire Seireitei.
Therefore, to enter from the sky, one needs a hard outer shell to break through the Shakonmaku.
Everyone began practicing forming a special protective barrier using the Reishukaku.
And simply stably inputting Reiatsu wasn't something that would trouble Ichigo much.
After practicing the method of injecting Reiatsu into the Reishukaku and resting at the Shiba Residence for one night, the group arrived at the place where the firework cannon was located.
However, just as they were about to depart, a new unexpected event stunned everyone again.
"Eh, Aneki, I'm the one operating the launch?" Ganju looked at Kukaku in shock.
"Nonsense, do you want to accompany Ichigo inside? With your mediocre skills?"
Kukaku scolded her cheap younger brother mercilessly.
"But Aneki, I'm not proficient with the launches, what if something goes wrong?" Ganju felt very wronged.
When Kaien died, he was still young. Although he also loved and respected this big brother, his memory and image of him had actually started to blur.
He only found Ichigo's appearance slightly familiar, not having the strong sense of déjà vu and favorable impression that Kukaku had.
Instead, he felt very displeased with this guy who suddenly monopolized his sister's favor.
After all, one moment Kukaku was speaking softly to Ichigo, the next she was yelling at him… who could stand that?
"Shut up!" Kukaku unceremoniously gave Ganju a knock on the head, "How can a man of the Shiba Clan have so little ambition?"
"Besides, you don't need to do anything much, just fire the cannon. I'll handle the rest!"
"Good grief, if you were more stable, I wouldn't have to kick you out!" Kukaku complained.
"…" Ganju dared not voice his anger.
Forget it, forget it, she was his biological sister after all.
"Fine, I'll do it!" Ganju walked dejectedly to the launch platform.