One night has passed since I delivered the autopsy report to the Head Captain. Even after a full night, the Ryoka still haven't been caught, and the Seireitei remains under a state of high alert—in fact, due to the situation with Sosuke Aizen, a Wartime Special Order has even been issued.
Perhaps because of that, many of the squad members have gloomy expressions. With Hanataro Yamada being captured, it seems they feel the terror hitting even closer to home.
As their Captain, I spent the morning giving the Fourth Division members sharp instructions to put them at ease. After that, as requested yesterday, I'm headed to the Thirteenth Division today.
...Well, that was the plan.
"Um, Captain, do you have a moment...?"
"Is something wrong?"
"The truth is..."
I listened to what happened from the girl who approached me, looking quite hesitant. Ah, I see. No wonder it was hard to say. No wonder you brought this to me.
"It's a bit troubling when you act so freely, don't you think?"
"Oh? You're here already?"
"H-Heeeeeiii...!"
I called out to Captain Kurotsuchi inside a room in the Comprehensive Relief Station. It was the room where the Fourth Seat of the Seventh Division, Jirobo Ikkanzaka—aka the 'Kamaitachi' (lol)—was hospitalized.
"This area is under the jurisdiction of the Fourth Division, and he is a member of the Seventh Division. I wonder if it's appropriate for the Captain of the Twelfth Division to be acting so independently?"
"Hmph! His wounds have already healed anyway, haven't they? Since you all were dallying around, I was simply going to hear his story in your stead."
"Save... Captain Yukawa! Please save me!"
The consultation from the girl earlier was that 'Captain Kurotsuchi showed up and forced me to guide him to Fourth Seat Ikkanzaka's room.' That's why I rushed here and discovered Captain Kurotsuchi, accompanied by Vice-Captain Nemu.
Come to think of it, he did show a suspicious reaction during the Captains' Meeting. So he came here directly to question someone who fell victim to the Ryoka, huh? However...
"A report regarding him has already been submitted by the Seventh Division. Why don't you refer to that? Besides, I don't think you need that thing in your right hand just to hear a story."
Captain Kurotsuchi was holding a syringe filled with a very suspicious liquid and was just about to inject it. I grabbed his wrist at the last second to stop him.
That was the reason the Fourth Seat had been screaming. If you were about to be injected with some dubious liquid, of course you'd be terrified.
"I know about the report. But what I want to know isn't such superficial information. I want more detailed data on the Ryoka's methods. I was just about to have this fellow teach me that..."
"And I am telling you to stop."
"Honestly... Just when I thought that noisy Retsu Unohana had disappeared, you've become quite the nuisance yourself."
Well, normally anyone would stop you, not just Captain Unohana...
"I'm merely doing something not much different from what you did to Aizen's corpse. I find it difficult to understand why I am being obstructed like this... Besides, if he's a Fourth Seat, there are plenty of replacements. Such treatment is only natural for a useless person who lost. In fact, since I'm making effective use of a loser, he should be grateful."
What a logic... treating an autopsy and human experimentation as the same thing...
"Fine then. I've secured the minimum necessary samples. I can conduct an investigation with just this."
Wrenching his hand away from mine, he pulled a small vial from his pocket. The bottle was filled with liquid, and something that looked like thin skin was floating inside.
I assume those are skin tissues from Fourth Seat Ikkanzaka. Specifically, from near his wounds. He probably intends to extract and investigate the spiritual pressure from the skin fragments.
"Let's go, Nemu! Don't dawdle!"
"Yes, Mayuri-sama... My apologies for the trouble."
Vice-Captain Nemu, who had remained silent until then, gave a slight bow before following after Captain Kurotsuchi. Since I see her occasionally at the Women's Shinigami Association, she's willing to communicate at least this much.
"Good grief..."
"I-I'm saved... Thank you so much, Captain!!"
Relieved at having escaped being turned into an experimental animal, Fourth Seat Ikkanzaka thanked me with incredible intensity.
'Mad scientists are terrifying! I wonder when I'll be caught and abducted! They'll probably plant strange metal fragments in me!'
That's just an old UFO trope...
And having to deal with this before even leaving, it's so heavy... I'm getting heartburn...
---
"Excuse me, is Captain Ukitake here?"
Refreshing my mood, I arrived at the Thirteenth Division.
"Ah, Captain Yukawa. I'm glad you could make it."
After asking the squad member near the entrance to announce me and waiting a short while, Captain Ukitake came to greet me.
"Sorry for calling you while you're busy. But I really wanted to talk to you face-to-face this time."
"No, not at all. So, what is the business?"
Guided by Captain Ukitake, I walked through the Thirteenth Division barracks. Judging by the direction, this probably isn't the office. I wonder where we're going...?
"Ah, about that... well, it'll be faster for you to just see for yourself."
"Pardon?"
"It's here. Please, go inside. You'll understand once you do."
"Uh... okay?"
Eventually, we arrived at a room. Now then, will it be a demon or a snake? Bracing myself, I opened the door. And there—
"Oraaaaa!"
"You're being too soft!!"
...To my surprise, it was Ichigo. For some reason, he was engaged in a mock battle with Kaien.
Furthermore, behind them—
"Ahahahaha! Hahahaha!"
"Buhahaha! This is amazing! I thought I'd be used to it after a night, but this still works! Wahahaha!"
Kiyone and Sentaro were rolling around laughing. Other members of the Thirteenth Division were also everywhere, unable to hold back their laughter—
"You guys!! Enough already!! How long are you going to keep laughing?!"
"No, no, Vice-Captain! With all due respect, his 'content value' is just too high!!"
"Yeah, at this point, just Ichigo-kun moving around is hilarious!!"
Kaien stopped his hands and blew up in anger. However, the two of them responded as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
"I'm not a reaction comedian!!"
Finally, Ichigo threw in a full-force retort.
...What is this? Someone please explain.
"Hee! Hee-hee!"
"...!"
Ah, looking closely, Kukaku and Ganju are here too. Kukaku is rolling around laughing just like Kiyone and the others, and Ganju is pinching his own cheek. He's probably trying desperately to stop himself from laughing...
...Actually, why are Kukaku and Ganju even here?! Why is the whole Shiba family gathered together?!
'Kaien-dono certainly has it rough.'
You're Nubatama, aren't you?
'Is that so?'
...?!
'...?!'
...Sorry, I just felt like I had to give a retort like that.
'No, no, I am humbled.'
"Well, it's... you see... that's how it is."
"Um... exactly how is it?"
It's impossible to just 'understand' this!!
"It's a long story, but yesterday Kaien caught Ichigo-kun and the others. After talking to him, it seems he also wants to save Kuchiki and is acting on that. Since I heard about him from you, Captain Yukawa, we formed a cooperative relationship. So, I thought I'd see if you could help as well, which is why I asked you to come."
"Ah, I see..."
Bringing Ichigo here was actually quite a fine play. If he's in the Thirteenth Division barracks, his spiritual pressure will mix with many others, making him harder to detect. As they say, the best place to hide a leaf is in a forest.
But I didn't realize that it was Kaien, not Ikkaku, who fought Ichigo... and he even defeated him...
Ah! If I look really closely, even Seventh Seat Yamada is here! He had so little presence I didn't notice him.
"I understand the general flow, but please give me a detailed explanation."
"Yeah, I thought you'd say that. Hey everyone, sorry, but let's take a break for a moment."
"Ah! Captain Yukawa!"
"Yo! Glad you came."
"You're finally here, Yukawa... and Kukaku, you..."
"Hmm, what... Ah, you!! The huge Soul Reaper who stabbed me!!"
Who are you calling a huge Soul Reaper?! I'm just on the taller side!! Besides, I introduced myself, so call me by my name!!
'From that age's perspective, you are plenty big... but that's why I love you, Milady!!'
Yes, yes, I love you too.
"Anyway, you guys, why are you here? Explain!"
A grand explanation session was held.
'Even though it's called a grand explanation session, I shall skip it quickly since everyone already knows! The parts that need explaining are the events between when Ichigo's scene ended and when Milady appeared! It's about what happened then!'
This girl says meta things so casually...
...Ahem.
As for Ichigo, after forming a cooperative relationship with the Thirteenth Division, he was told his 'strength was insufficient,' so he's been training with Kaien. Actually, it wasn't just Kaien; most of the Thirteenth Division members who were free took him on. However, judging by pure combat ability, Ichigo is already at the level of a Vice-Captain. Unless someone as strong as Kaien faces him, it doesn't count as training. Ukitake helped out a bit too.
Perhaps because of those efforts, he has certainly grown stronger. Compared to when I saw him in the Living World, it's really like night and day... To think he'd get stronger so easily in such a short time...
Captain Ukitake wanted to have a discussion including Ichigo, so he called me directly. Also, it seems he was giving Ganju a little bit of training as well.
Kiyone and the others have been laughing non-stop watching Ichigo move and talk. Apparently, he's like a copy of Kaien, so he was a huge hit with the Thirteenth Division.
Also, it seems Yamada-kun has been used as a portable first-aid kit since last night.
And so, the general explanation ended. On top of that, there was something I had to do first.
"I see... you really went and did it, Kukaku...!"
"H-Hey! What is it? Why are you mad?"
"I'm not mad at all."
I have a smile on my face right now.
"However, it is a fact that several squad members are in a dangerous state because of your bombs... That's why..."
"Adadadadada!! Stop it, I was wrong, so stop it!!"
I put her in a headlock and gave her a 'noogie' as punishment. I understand Kukaku's circumstances, but right is right.
"Well, it couldn't be helped, but from Yukawa's position, she'd definitely want to say a word or two..."
"S-She's strong... Not just big, she's strong..."
Ichigo muttered something like that.
"Hey, Ichigo! I've been thinking this for a while, but what's with that 'huge' nickname for Big Sis?!"
"What, Ganju? It's fine, isn't it...?"
"No, it is absolutely not fine!!"
"They really are siblings... their reactions are similar..."
Captain Ukitake was impressed. I wonder what happened...? But it's okay, Ganju-kun, tell him more!
"Then, should I just call her Yukawa-san?"
"Yes, call me that. At the very least, calling a lady 'huge' without any consideration is a breach of etiquette, you know?"
"Ugh, you're right... Sorry about that..."
Well, let's leave that discussion there.
"Now, let's get back to the topic. To confirm once more, Kurosaki-kun, you want to save Rukia-san. That's why you're cooperating with us—is that correct?"
"Yeah, that's right. I owe Rukia a massive debt... that's why..."
"I appreciate the sentiment. If you all had gone on a rampage, it would have created an opening for Rukia-san, and we had a plan to manage things... but the situation has changed a bit."
"Changed?"
I briefly met Captain Ukitake's gaze and nodded.
"Yesterday, Captain Aizen of the Fifth Division was murdered. Because of that, the Seireitei is under strict guard."
"A Captain was murdered... Hah?! What's that about?! A Captain is... everyone is like you or—"
"Hey, Ichigo!!"
"—as ridiculously strong as Yukawa-san or Ukitake-san, right?!"
"Furthermore, the suspect is Yoruichi-san."
"Whaaaaaat?! Yoruichi-san?! And she killed a Captain...?!"
Ichigo's eyes were wide with shock.
"That Yoruichi-san... wait, hold on! Is Yoruichi-san that strong?! Or is that Aizen Captain incredibly weak...?"
"No, he isn't weak at all—in fact, he was one of the stronger ones."
...Hmm? I wonder why he thought he was weak??
"I mean, he was taken down by a cat, right...?"
......Ah! I see!!
"Pff, wahahahaha!!"
"Why are you laughing?! Hey, what's so funny?!"
The four of us—myself, Captain Ukitake, Kaien, and Kukaku—couldn't help but burst out laughing. I see, Ichigo only knew the kitty-cat version of her.
'Aizen sinking into a pool of blood after being shredded by kitty claws... that is a magnificent mental image!'
Stop it! Don't make me imagine it!!
'His glasses covered in scratch marks... his Shihakusho in tatters with cotton sticking out...'
Nubatama! Seriously, stop!!
"S-Sorry... but Yoruichi-san's cat form is just a temporary appearance."
"...Huh?!"
"Her true form is a woman, and a beauty like Kukaku at that."
"Whaaaaaat?!?!"
"Furthermore, she concurrently held the positions of Captain of the Second Division and Commander-in-Chief of the Stealth Force. In terms of your world, I guess it would be like being the 'Head of the Ninjas' or the 'Director of the CIA'?"
"Wha... what...?!"
I got the 'What?!' face!
"Wait! I get that Yoruichi-san is strong! But there's no way! I haven't known Yoruichi-san for long, but she didn't seem like the type to plot something like that!!"
"Yes, of course not. Because at that time, Soifon and I were with Yoruichi-san."
"Hmm...? Wait a minute, Captain Yukawa. What exactly does that mean?"
"Ah, about that—"
I explained the details.
"—and that's how it is."
"The Captains of the Gotei 13 are all just completely reckless, aren't they...?"
"I didn't know... I wonder if I can really become a Soul Reaper..."
The sibling duo was stunned. No, Soifon's case is an extremely special one! It's not normal!!
'Indeed. Things like a Captain of the Fourth Division returning to be Captain of the Eleventh and then making the previous Captain their Vice-Captain are totally normal occurrences.'
Captain Unohana's case is also pretty much impossible! You're saying that on purpose!
"I see, so that's why you two were being vague at the Captains' Meeting... The possibility of some third party moving separately from Ichigo-kun and the others... If that's the case, it might be dangerous to move Kuchiki outside carelessly..."
Captain Ukitake is truly calm and reliable.
"Yes. In addition to that situation, it's an order from Central 46. Head Captain Yamamoto will almost certainly be an enemy. Unless we have 'material' enough to make him reconsider... So Kurosaki-kun, let me ask you one question."
"W-What is it?"
Now then, it's time to let Ichigo choose his own fate.
"In the current situation, half-baked strength won't cut it anymore. Some Captains might cooperate or promise non-interference, but a confrontation with the Captain class is almost unavoidable. We will follow up as much as possible, but..."
"...You don't have to be so roundabout, Yukawa-san. In other words, I don't have enough power to save Rukia right now... right?"
"Yes, exactly. So I want you to get stronger... are you prepared?"
"Bring it on!! Whatever the trial, I'll do anything!!"
Ah, he said it.
'He said he'll do anything... this is going to be exciting!'
"Hey, Yukawa, what are you planning to make Ichigo do...?"
"The Thirteenth Division won't hesitate to help if needed, but..."
"No, based on what we've discussed, it seems the Thirteenth Division might not be enough anymore... I think the only choice is to put him in the Tiger's Den. As they say, nothing ventured, nothing gained."
'You are a tiger! You must become a tiger!! Right?!'
"Tiger's Den?"
"...! The Eleventh Division, huh...?"
Captain Ukitake realized immediately, so I nodded in confirmation. That's right. Besides, I already told the Eleventh Division that 'there was an amazing guy in the Living World,' so it would be a lie not to bring him there, wouldn't it?
"Wait, surely that's... well, it might be the most efficient way, but..."
"Kiyone-san, could you prepare some India ink? Also some paper, a brush, and a large bucket."
"Sure, paper, brush, ink, and a bucket... wait, a bucket?! Why do you need a bucket?!"
"Yes, it's going to be necessary."
While ignoring Captain Ukitake who was still muttering and thinking, I made my request to Kiyone-san. Although she tilted her head at the mysterious request for a bucket, she obediently gathered the items.
"First, Kurosaki-kun, could you write your name on this paper and a message saying 'Whoever holds this is a collaborator of Ichigo Kurosaki'? It'll make it easier to persuade your friends if we find them."
"Ah, I see. Fine, that's easy enough."
And so, I obtained Ichigo's handwritten sign. This will make it easier to trick Ishida-kun or Orihime-san.
"Um, what about the bucket?"
"Oh, that..."
Since Kiyone-san kept tilting her head and asking, instead of answering, I grabbed Ichigo by the scruff of the neck—and just like washing one's face in a basin, I shoved his head into the empty bucket.
"Ow ow ow! What the, what are you doing all of a sudden, Yukawa-san?!"
"Of course, I'm doing this."
Then, I poured the India ink I was holding all over Ichigo's head.
"Wha?! It's cold!!"
"Wait a minute!! Yukawa, what the hell are you doing?!"
"What am I doing? ...Well, I'm making this boy into 'Vice-Captain Kaien,' of course."
[Reviews - Power St0nes - Comments are highly appreciated to keep me going.....(+50 chapters) patre0n.c0m/talecrafter]