Afterwards, Kukaku, Ichigo, and the others came to the front of the launch platform, waiting for Ganju to complete the preparations.
Nearby, Yoruichi found an opportunity to jump onto Kukaku's shoulder and asked quietly, "Are you really coming with us? What's going on with you?"
"Nothing much." Kukaku shrugged:
"She hasn't come all these years, I want to go in and ask Rukia one question. Also, I have a favorable impression of Ichigo. He's Uncle Isshin's son, I want to help him. It's that simple."
"Really? Just because of that, you're being so proactive?" Yoruichi was somewhat skeptical, looking suspiciously at her good friend.
Feeling a bit embarrassed under Yoruichi's gaze, Kukaku thought for a moment and added, "Of course, it would be great if we could keep him here as the head of a branch family!"
"The main family must guard the cannon, so we're bound to the Rukongai by excuses from the Seireitei nobles, but branch families have no such restrictions."
"Ichigo is so strong, so if he stays, the Shiba Clan's lack of strength within the court can be greatly reduced."
"Tch!" Yoruichi scoffed at her good sister.
'Is that all you want, to keep him as the head of a branch family?' She was almost too embarrassed to expose it.
After all, the Shiba Clan has bloodlines closest to the Soul King.
Ichigo, combining both Shiba and Quincy lineages, has a terrifyingly high bloodline concentration.
Bloodlines also attract each other, and nobles, for the purity of their bloodlines, will turn a blind eye to some things.
In superhuman bloodlines, purer means stronger… there are only advantages, no defects.
Thinking this, the teasing in Yoruichi's eyes grew stronger.
Being stared at by Yoruichi's cat face, Kukaku's face grew redder and redder. Flustered and angry, she reached out to grab Yoruichi, scolding jokingly:
"You little wench, aren't you afraid I'll dispel your technique right now?"
"Let's see if you'll dare be so cocky after you're naked!"
For a while, the two of them tussled nearby.
But after a bit of playful fighting, Ganju's preparations were simultaneously announced complete.
Pulling out his own sword and inserting it into the launch platform, Ganju began the incantation: "Far away! Copper-colored greed desires the domination of 36 degrees!"
Hearing the incantation, Kukaku immediately called everyone to "Channel Reiatsu into the Reishukaku!"
Five people and one cat injected their Reiatsu… the Reishukaku lit up, and a circular protective barrier enveloped everyone.
Ganju continued the chant: "Seventy-two pairs of illusions, thirteen pairs of horns, the right hand of the monkey grabs the star!"
Then, Ganju removed his headband and wrapped it around his right hand, similar to how the Tensa Zangetsu wraps around Ichigo's right arm.
Simultaneously, Ganju's right arm began to burn with flame.
He slammed his fist down heavily, the flame on his right hand igniting the fuse! Raging flames erupted around the launch platform!
Roaring, Ganju shouted the final words: "Embraced by the 25 wheels of the sun, the cradle of sand bleeds."
The flames encircling the launch platform twice over began to converge towards the center.
"Flower Crane Archery 2nd Style, Bound Blossom!"
Thick white smoke began to pour out from inside the giant cannon barrel, like a matchlock gun needing ignition.
The next moment,
Boom!
The Flower Crane Cannon launched Ichigo and the others from the cannon barrel!
"We're flying, we're flying!" Orihime exclaimed excitedly, watching the ground recede below.
At the same time, Chad asked, "What do we do next?"
"Leave it to me, you just keep the Reiatsu input steady!" Kukaku showed a confident smile, "I'm not a bungler like my brother who can't even remember the second stage's incantation!"
"Don't worry, this time you can go wherever you want!"
"Ichigo, tell me, your destination!" Kukaku looked at Ichigo.
Ichigo thought for a moment: "If we can choose the destination, then straight to the Sokyoku Hill."
"Alright!" Kukaku nodded and began the second stage incantation.
The massive cannonball shot straight into the heart of the Seireitei!
But at the same time, inside the Seireitei, a Captains' Meeting was also underway.
Except for Jushiro, who was absent due to health reasons, all Captains of the Gotei 13 were gathered!
"Silence!" Slightly opening his eyes, Captain-Commander Yamamoto heavily tapped his cane, looking at the noisy group before him.
His aged but not dim eyes fell upon Gin in the very center of the group.
"Now, report and explain regarding the Ryoka you failed to eliminate, and the matter of your Bankai!"
"Tell me, Captain of the 3rd Division, Ichimaru Gin, why did you leave your post to seek out the intruder, and why did you release your Bankai yet still fail to eliminate the intruder?"
"With your abilities, achieving a first-encounter kill should be simple, shouldn't it?"
"Answer me, Captain of the 3rd Division, Ichimaru Gin!"
Yamamoto demanded.
"Ah..." Being questioned, Gin also seemed troubled, unsure how to answer Yamamoto in a more interesting way.
However, glancing at Aizen, he had an idea.
"Because the intruder attacking the Seireitei also possesses Captain-level strength!"
Under the shocked gazes of the other Captains, Gin slowly said, "He has even mastered Bankai!"
"My successive Shikai and Bankai releases were actually meant to force out his abilities, but unfortunately, this intruder is stronger than we imagined!"
"It must be said, the 13th Division's member, Kuchiki Rukia, used her Shinigami powers to create a rather remarkable monster!"
Hearing Gin's words, all the Captains were shocked!
"Ichimaru Gin, Bankai is not such a simple ability. How could someone who hasn't even been a Shinigami for half a year possibly...?" Tosen Kaname questioned.
"Well, you'll have to ask him that!" Gin spread his hands.
Scanning the room once more, he was about to speak...