"There, Lieutenant Kaien Shiba is all finished."
The forced hair-dyeing process was finally over for now. It was finished, but what awaited us was a scene of utter chaos—or rather, uncontrollable laughter.
"Ahahahaha!! Ah-hahahahaha!! A mirror! He really looks like he stepped right out of a mirror!!"
"This is amazing!! You're incredible, Lieutenant!! You've still got plenty of 'content value' left in you!! Pffthahaha!!"
Kiyone Kotetsu and Sentaro Kotsubaki were rolling on the floor.
"Ugh..."
In fact, it seemed even Captain Jushiro Ukitake could no longer hold it back. Though he was trying his best to endure, he was letting out small, frequent snorts of laughter. His back was turned to us, but his shoulders were shaking uncontrollably.
"Hey, Yellow! Don't you have any yellow dye?! We should check the reverse version of this too!!"
"Sis! That's going too far, no matter how you look at it!! Have a little respect for Brother... pfft!!"
The Shiba siblings were saying some pretty wild things. I won't feel sorry for them when their big brother gets mad later.
"Why the hell did you do this to me...?"
"Objection! I flatly deny this!! I don't have a face like this!!"
Ichigo Kurosaki complained, his face practically screaming "this is against my will."
"I'm sorry. But look, we need a plausible cover story and an excuse. With this, Ichigo Kurosaki has become Kaien Shiba. Since it's 'Lieutenant Kaien Shiba' saying it, it makes sense that the members of the Thirteenth Division would obediently follow orders—that's the logic. See? This makes it much easier to justify your actions, right?"
I dubbed this: "Oh, wasn't this person Lieutenant Kaien? We were deceived! To think it was the enemy's strategy!" Operation.
'Hearing you say that in such a flat, childish tone is incredibly irritating. You completely understand the situation, yet you're going out of your way to be provocative...'
Now, now, don't say that. In this world, don't people often use excuses like "dessert goes into a different stomach," "I worked out, so this is a reward," or "this has lots of vegetables, so it's healthy"? If you provide a way out, even if it's a bit forced, it makes people feel better and makes it easier to deceive themselves.
'This ramen is dripping with grease!! But it's full of vegetables!! Therefore, they cancel each other out and it has zero calories!!'
That's a bit extreme, but that's the general idea.
"Above all, that hair color is so eye-catching that we had to do something about it."
"Even so! There had to be another way...?"
"Would you have preferred if I tied you up in a straw mat and carried you off without a word?"
"...Well, I did get targeted by teachers a lot because of my hair, so I get the logic, but still..."
So Ichigo doesn't like being played with in a straw mat. Noted.
'What kind of record are you keeping?'
"Um, Captain Yukawa... what should I do...?"
"Eh? Oh, right..."
Oops, I completely forgot about Seventh Seat Hanataro Yamada. Let's see... what should we do... I know!
"Seventh Seat Hanataro Yamada."
"Y-Yes!"
"I am well aware that you were in a situation where you had no choice but to follow the Ryoka. However, it is also a fact that you provided information regarding the members of the Gotei 13."
"Ugh..."
"Taking everything into account, I am assigning you a special mission. Head to the Eleventh Division along with this Ichigo Kurosaki—I mean, the Lieutenant."
"Eh...? Um, does that mean...?"
Well, this should work.
"The Lieutenant feels he lacks sufficient strength and will now undergo special training at the Eleventh Division. You are to assist him and ensure he can perform his training at full capacity. Understood?"
"Is that really okay...? I thought I'd be, you know, imprisoned or something..."
"Would you prefer that?"
"N-No! I humbly accept the special mission!!"
He probably thought, "Is that all?" Well, just hearing the description makes it sound easy. All he has to do is use his healing Kido.
However, from now on, Ichigo is going to be "doted on" by the Eleventh Division—specifically by the Third Seat, the Lieutenant, and the Captain... So Hanataro, you'll likely end up having to heal him almost without a break. Be prepared.
"Now then, Captain Ukitake. The Lieutenant will now head to the Eleventh Division. Since the Fourth Division often interacts with the Eleventh Division members, I will accompany them as a mediator. Is that acceptable?"
"Heh... To think you can say that with a straight face. You're quite something... fine, I understand. As the Captain of the Thirteenth Division, Jushiro Ukitake, I authorize this action."
Honestly, what a transparent conversation. Even if it weren't Captain Ukitake, anyone would laugh at this.
"...Sis, what should we do? We want to help with something..."
"Huh? Well... Brother, what do you think?"
"Let's see... Hmm..."
The Shiba family members were having that conversation before we departed. So, I simply suggested, "How about making it look like Ichigo Kurosaki is still hiding somewhere else?"
---
"Excuse me. Is Captain Unohana, Lieutenant Zaraki, or perhaps Third Seat Ikkaku Madarame available? Please tell them Airi Yukawa of the Fourth Division is here."
"Ha!! Yes, ma'am!! Right away!! I'll show you to the waiting room, so please wait there!!"
—Wow, what a bizarre scene this is—I thought as I arrived at the Eleventh Division barracks with Seventh Seat Hanataro. When I explained my business to the gatekeeper, he readily obliged and led us to the waiting room. Despite being a Captain from another division, the response was surprisingly smooth and polite, which seemed to make Hanataro restless. Even now that we were in the waiting room, he was looking around nervously.
"Yukawa-san, you're amazing... I mean, here too, but even on the way here..."
He's probably talking about our walk through the Seireitei. After all, even though Ichigo walked normally through the Seireitei without hiding his face, no one noticed. We passed several people on the way, but no one found it suspicious. Well, I had him maintain a dignified attitude, and I handled the talking, so there were very few clues for them to catch on.
'There's no information that Ichigo resembles Kaien, so they can't realize it! And more importantly, no one would think an active Captain would be doing something like this!!'
It really is an act of rebellion. Beyond being a spy, I'm practically a terrorist at this point.
"Thank you for waiting!! I have brought the Captain!! Captain, it's Captain Yukawa!!"
While I was thinking about that, Captain Retsu Unohana arrived.
"Captain Yukawa, what brings you here? Did something happen regarding yesterday's autopsy... oh?"
Ah, she noticed Ichigo behind me. Her gaze shifted away from me.
"You must be the Lieutenant? Nice to meet you. I am Retsu Unohana, Captain of the Eleventh Division."
"O-Oh... nice to meet... you...?"
Ichigo gave a light self-introduction while bowing. By the way, Captain Unohana, isn't your intuition a bit too sharp? To notice in a single glance... her perception is so sharp it actually startled Ichigo.
"So, what are you thinking? Explain yourself."
She switched to using my name. That means she's listening to me as an individual rather than as a Captain. So, I explained the circumstances and my objective in detail.
"...I see. I had heard the story from Third Seat Madarame, but so this is him..."
Captain Unohana's eyes narrowed slightly, looking at Ichigo with a gaze that seemed to pierce through him, evaluating him—or more accurately, like she had "found a fascinating toy."
"Airi, do you understand? This is an act of treason against the Gotei 13—and by extension, against the Soul Society. To think you'd ask for help to make a Ryoka stronger... what did you plan to do if I refused and reported you?"
Despite her words, Captain Unohana's eyes never left Ichigo. It seemed she was still in the middle of her evaluation. At the very least, it didn't look like she was going to report us immediately.
"However, since it is a request from none other than you, I shall accept. I, too, have had some thoughts regarding this recent disturbance."
"Really!?"
Ah, the corners of Captain Unohana's mouth curved up just a tiny bit. It seems she sensed some kind of latent potential within Ichigo. That smile... it's scary... it reminds me of the old days... actually, it's scary even now...
Since she gave her word of consent, Ichigo shouted happily.
"Thank you very much. And, I'm sorry for the trouble."
"No, no. It seems there is something to be gained on our side as well. It might prove to be a good stimulus."
A "good stimulus," she says...
'Ah... she probably means Zaraki, right...?'
Most likely... He repelled the gatekeeper in the World of the Living, and yet he defeated Jidanbo here. Even if he was holding back, he blocked Gin Ichimaru's attack. Although he lost to Kaien, this level of growth is impossible for someone who has only been a Soul Reaper for about three months.
Anyone would start thinking, "Is this guy actually incredibly strong?"
"...Captain Unohana, if possible, could you have him spar with Ikkaku first to see how he does?"
"With Third Seat Madarame? Understood, let us start with that then. Now then, sorry to have kept you waiting, Kurosaki-san. Let us begin the training immediately."
"Alright! I've been waiting for this!"
Knowing nothing of what's to come, Ichigo is full of energy.
"Well then, I'll be taking my leave. Seventh Seat Yamada, I'll leave the rest to you."
"Ah... yes."
"What, you're leaving, Yukawa-san?"
"Instead of going home, I'm going to try and get in touch with your friends. Why do you think I had you write 'this'?"
I pulled out the letter that said, "The person holding this is a companion of Ichigo Kurosaki," and waved it slightly. ...I'll pretend I didn't see Ichigo's eyes wander toward my chest for a split second when I pulled the letter out.
"Oh, right... Sorry, I'm counting on you."
"It's frustrating that I can't give you a guarantee. And lastly, one request for you, Ichigo."
"W-What is it...?"
Feeling like a heroine, I looked straight into Ichigo's eyes.
"Don't die."
"...Eh?"
"As long as you don't die, I'll manage something. So, you must stay alive, and then let's meet again."
"O-Oh..."
After saying only that, I left the Eleventh Division.
'Ichigo looked quite surprised.'
I'm sure in his heart he's thinking, "She's exaggerating" or "There's no way that would happen." Since Captain Unohana looks like a kind and gentle older sister. Even regarding the training, he probably thinks it won't be that big of a deal.
'He's in for a surprise! Even with Ikkaku as a cushion, it wouldn't be strange if he died of shock the moment he faced Zaraki!!'
Actually, since he'll be pushed that far, I wonder if his danger sense and protagonist plot armor will lead him all the way to Bankai...
'Ichigo was supposed to have trained with Urahara-dono... but thirty minutes after starting, he'll probably look back and think that training was heaven!!'
Too naive! Within ten minutes—no, even five minutes wouldn't be surprising!
—Ring ring ring!!
Oh? My Soul Pager... from Soifon?
"Yes, this is Yukawa. Soifon, did something happen?"
"Airi-sama! Have you seen Yoruichi—the cat I was keeping!?"
For a second, I thought she was going to say Yoruichi's full name.
"A cat? I think I saw one running away from the scene of Captain Aizen's murder yesterday..."
"Ah! I knew it must have been then!! I only just realized it was gone and have been searching for a while..."
Yoruichi-san took that opportunity to escape, didn't she...? Even if she hadn't, anyone would run away after encountering a scene like that. After all, her own "fake" was there.
"I see, I understand. I'll try looking for it too. I'll let you know if I find it."
"I am terribly sorry. But please, I beg of you!"
After ending the call, I realized something.
I see, I have to bring Yoruichi-san here too, don't I...?
[Reviews - Power St0nes - Comments are highly appreciated to keep me going.....(+50 chapters) patre0n.c0m/talecrafter]