Well then, it is time to start searching for Ichigo's companions.
Though I say "searching for companions," I am actually only looking for one person.
'Lady Orihime!! Where might Lady Orihime be!? Nay, at this point, it would not be remiss to simply call her Princess!! Princess, Princess, where art thou!? Nubatama has come to escort thee!!'
Wait, did you just call me a "nanny"? Or is Nubatama the nanny?
'Pay it no mind!! It was merely a play on words, a slip of the tongue!!'
I don't know which contractor's name you're referencing, but... fine, whatever.
Besides, what Nubatama is saying is factual.
Fourth Seat Ikkanzaka (currently hospitalized) lost to Ishida.
That means if I start investigating from the point where he was defeated, there is a high probability of finding Orihime and Ishida!
Based on that theory, I am currently scouting the likely locations.
'Come, we must also make haste!! Good things come to those who hurry! Evil things come even faster!! Sometimes speed exceeds skill, and sometimes it doesn't!! As they say, "Please search for them, Saga!!" after all!!'
To be honest, I don't remember exactly where those two fought or what route they took. I'm not even sure if there was any information that could have served as a hint.
So, I feel a little bit of "thank you" toward Fourth Seat Ikkanzaka for losing.
If that hadn't happened, it would have been difficult even to guess their location.
I did manage to memorize Ishida's spiritual pressure back in the World of the Living, but even so, finding him in this current situation is quite a chore...
'Milord! Hurry up!! If we dawdle, that mad scientist will snatch the prey right from under our noses!! After all, Master Mayuri is currently interrogating Master Kamaitachi!! It would not be strange if he found them sooner than originally expected!!'
You're right, let's hurry!!
Now... judging from my starting point, it should be around here. I think they would take this path on the route leading to the Senzaikyu...
If I can just find even a trace of Ishida's spiritual pressure...
"...!?"
Is this what they call a "boat at the ferry"?
I've detected a very flashy, high-concentration spiritual pressure.
Moreover, this spiritual pressure feels very close to Ishida's basic pattern.
I've found my landmark all at once!
"But why do something so conspicuous...? Let's see, at this timing... Ah, right! The battle with Captain Kurotsuchi!! ...In that case, I have to hurry!!"
Captain Kurotsuchi finds them while Ishida and Orihime are fleeing, treats them like guinea pigs, uses his Bankai, but ultimately loses to Ishida. I remember now!
In that case, I'll head straight for that high-density spiritual pressure—
"Waaaaaaah!!!"
"Eh!?"
As I was racing down the street at breakneck speed, a lone soldier suddenly appeared in front of me.
Me running at incredible speed, and him moving at a decent clip. Both of us screamed at the unexpected encounter.
At this rate, it was going to be a head-on collision, but—
"Hiiiiii!"
"Whoops... steady now..."
I slammed on the brakes while performing a massive leap, jumping right over him. Since I avoided him like a long jumper, I managed to evade the collision.
The other person, however, seemed to have tripped over his own feet while trying to stop and fell flat on his face.
"I'm sorry, are you okay... wait...!!"
"Ouch, ouch, ouch... Hey, you! Watch where you're running... wait, te-te-te-te-te-te-te-te!?!?"
The moment he saw me, his eyes widened as if the world were ending. In fact, he was so shocked that instead of "Captain," he stammered out "Taichou!?" as "Teichou!?"
I recognized him.
"You're Aramaki, aren't you?"
"Y-Yes!! Eleventh Division!! I was greatly indebted to you during my time at the Academy, teacher!!"
He was one of the students I looked after back when I was an instructor at the Spiritual Arts Academy.
How nostalgic.
He wanted the Eleventh Division but failed the exam, and I remember him barely getting into the Seventh Division by graduation... I see, I see, so he managed to transfer to the Eleventh.
'Calling it "looking after them" is one way to put it, but considering nearly every soldier who joined in the last century is your student, Milord... almost all of them can't look you in the eye.'
"Also, regarding my outburst just now, I am truly sorry!! But that was entirely a reprimand directed at myself! Words spoken with self-reflection!! By no means was I complaining to the Captain!! Me! Why aren't you looking ahead!! Hey, me!! Find a way to apologize!!"
He prostrated himself in a deep kowtow, but I don't have time to deal with him right—wait—wha!?
"Hey, Aramaki. That girl next to you is...?"
"Yes! This one is a Ryoka! Just a moment ago, various things happened—and—then—"
He was still talking, but I wasn't listening anymore.
Because, because...
Orihime!! It's Orihime!! I finally found her!!
'SHE'S HEREEEEEE!!!! A grand prize, Milord, a grand prize!! This is enough to use up an entire year's worth of luck!! It's like a lottery where the first through sixth prizes all have the same number!!'
But she seems to be unconscious—unconscious!?
"I see... Then, Aramaki."
"Yes!"
"I will take charge of that girl."
"...Huh? Um... er... well, you see... I'm the one who... well, captured her, or rather... was entrusted with her... or saved by her..."
He was mumbling something under his breath... Good grief!! If you have something to say, say it clearly!! I'll at least listen!!
'We shall listen!! However, we shall reflect none of it!!'
"That girl appears to be injured. Therefore, I will take her to the Fourth Division for treatment and custody. Is that understood?"
If she's unconscious, she's an injured person. It is the mission of the Fourth Division to look after the injured.
I have to take her home...!
"N-No, well..."
"Is that understood!?"
"Ye-e-es!! But please!! Just don't be rough with this young lady, I beg of you!!"
"Naturally. What exactly do you take me for?"
Now then, holding the unconscious Orihime... She's soft!
What is this, what is this!? It's incredible!! Just holding her, what is this!? Words can't describe it!!
She's unconscious right now, but she's still cute.
I don't know why she's wearing a Shihakusho, but it suits her well... Beautiful people really have it easy since they look good in anything! Her hair is tied up a bit, which is also very cute!!
'This is what a JK is, Milord... A truly special existence that one can generally only be for three years out of a long life...'
Only three years!?
Three years... you can't even graduate from the Academy in that time!? Even if one lives for eighty years... that's... less than... ten percent...!! No... way...!!
'That is exactly why the rarity is conveyed just by touching her! It is a rarity akin to the Queen of the Night flower...'
You... don't say...!?
...I can stop this comedy bit now, right?
"Yes, I have certainly received her. Now, I will head that way—toward the strong spiritual pressure I felt. Aramaki, return to the Eleventh Division and give a message to Captain Unohana."
"A message!? Wait, more importantly, Captain Yukawa, in that direction...!!"
Ishida and Captain Kurotsuchi are there, right? I know.
"I'll be fine. More importantly, don't forget the message. Tell her 'I have secured a girl with brown hair,' and she should understand. Is that clear?"
"Eh, um... u-understood... Please be careful, Captain Yukawa! Excuse me!!"
Aramaki departed the scene as if fleeing.
And so, I hurried forward.
Since I was carrying Orihime, I was more careful than before not to shake her.
'She is like a sleeping beauty... It is tradition for her to wake with a prince's kiss!!'
So Ichigo will be the one to kiss her, how romantic...
Then if Ichigo gets hurt, Orihime can kiss him back to health.
"Funya...? A-Are...? Where is this...?"
"Oh, are you awake?"
Even though I was carrying her carefully, she seemed to have regained consciousness from the vibrations. Orihime turned her sleepy eyes toward me.
Too bad, Ichigo's kiss will have to wait.
"Eh!! U-Um... who exactly are you...?"
"I am the Captain of the Fourth Division, Yukawa. You are Orihime Inoue, aren't you?"
"Yes... Huh? But why do you know my name...? Also, that name, I feel like I've heard it somewhere..."
I've heard about her from Ichigo, and I already knew her before that, but she doesn't know me. I want to explain things properly... I really do!!
"I'm sorry, Orihime. Hold your breath for just a moment."
"Eh? Why... mmgh!?"
Stopping in a hurry, I set her down and forcibly covered her mouth with my hand while she was confused.
'Milord! If you are to forcibly stop her mouth, you should use your lips—'
I told you, that's Ichigo's job!! No, that's not it!!
"There's poison scattered just ahead. So wait a little bit, I'm going to neutralize it."
"Mmm."
Since she's nodding her head, it seems she said "yes."
"Also, read this while you wait."
"Mmm?"
I also hand Orihime the "I'm an ally" letter that I made Ichigo write.
This should make her believe me.
"Now then... honestly, what a troublesome thing..."
The air is faintly stained purple.
This is the poison Captain Kurotsuchi scattered, if I recall correctly.
I released a bit of spiritual pressure to check the composition, and this isn't normal poison.
Standard methods of detoxification or neutralization won't be fast enough.
"I suppose I'll have to do it by force."
It's better than letting it spread and increasing the victims.
So, I used the violence of spiritual pressure to clear it all at once. I killed every bit of the toxin instantly.
Yes, a breath of fresh air is finally flowing through.
"There, that should do it. Orihime, sorry for the wait."
"Um, um!! This is Kurosaki-kun's handwriting, and also, what's written here!! No, wait, I was surprised by that too, but!"
She came running over in a flurry.
It seems she read the letter and understood the situation. Plus, she gets points for remembering Ichigo's handwriting so clearly.
Being able to notice small details like that really puts her in the "main wife" position.
"Did you read it? I'll explain the details later, but I'm currently in a cooperative relationship with Kurosaki-kun. So, will you follow my instructions?"
"Yes! But more importantly! Ishida-kun is just ahead!! And well, he stayed behind so I could escape!!"
"His opponent is Captain Kurotsuchi, right?"
"Yes, that's right! Eh, you can tell...?"
"Of course. I wouldn't be a Captain if I couldn't do at least that much. So—"
"Fueh!?"
I pick Orihime up in a princess carry once again.
"I'm going to hurry, so don't fall off!"
"Fueeeeeeeeeeeh!?"
I covered the remaining distance in a single leap.
"Found him!"
The distance was negligible, and Ishida was found immediately.
Near him, I could see Vice-Captain Nemu slumped against a wall.
"Ah! Ishida-kun!!"
And because I moved so fast her eyes couldn't keep up, Orihime finally spotted him too.
"Inoue-san!? And you are...!!"
"Captain Yukawa! Why are you here...?"
"It's okay, Ishida-kun! This Captain is not a bad person!"
"It's a coincidence. More importantly, Vice-Captain Nemu, let me see your injuries."
'The moment we barge onto the scene, a conversation between acquaintances unfolds! Truly, it is confusing for anyone watching!!'
First, I examine Vice-Captain Nemu's wounds.
Ah, this is... quite deep. If left alone, she'll definitely die. I have to treat her.
"Not a bad person? Inoue-san, what are you saying! That's the Soul Reaper who stabbed Kurosaki in the World of the Living!!"
"Eh... Eeeeeeeeh!!!! But look at this! A letter from Kurosaki-kun!! It says 'this person is an ally' right here..."
"Something like that can be forged easily! Don't be fooled!"
"But but but! This is Kurosaki-kun's handwriting!?"
They're being quite noisy back there...
"Captain Yukawa, I will be fine for a while longer... the other squad members will be here soon..."
"I didn't ask for your opinion. Injured people should just stay quiet and listen to the Fourth Division."
I flatly ignored her opinion and proceeded with the treatment.
"How is it?"
"Thank you... I feel much better..."
...Good, the injury is handled for now.
But, her body isn't moving at all...? I wonder why...? If you'll excuse me...
...Ah, this is poison. Most likely, she's unable to move due to the poison from Captain Kurotsuchi's Shikai.
Hmm, it's impossible to completely detoxify this right here on the spot.
If it were just floating in the air it would be one thing, but it's inside her body, so it'll be difficult without specialized equipment and medicine.
I could detoxify it by force, but there's a risk of strange side effects, so I'll play it safe.
"It can't be helped. I'm taking you to the Fourth Division for treatment. Naturally, Ishida-kun over there will also be receiving treatment."
"As if I'd go! You've come to kill us this time for sure, haven't you!?"
Despite being in such a battered state that it's hard for him to even stand, Ishida is generating arrows of spirit particles and aiming them at me.
Well, considering our encounter in the World of the Living, it's not surprising he'd view me as an enemy.
Ah! But he fought Fourth Seat Ikkanzaka, didn't he!! Since that guy acted so dishonorably, maybe his distrust has grown even stronger!?
...I'll make him drink incredibly bitter medicine later.
"There were various circumstances back then. Now, circumstances have changed even more, and I'm not going to harm you. Though I will have to capture you and ask some questions."
"Do you think I'll just nod and say 'is that so' after being told that...?"
Oho, he's drawing his bow.
I suppose he means he'll fire the moment I try anything strange. In that case...
"What are you doing...?"
"What do you mean? I'm just changing our location. If we stay there, there's a chance a stray shot might hit Vice-Captain Nemu."
Ishida showed a slightly surprised expression.
Did he not expect me to be considerate of such things? If so, I'm quite offended...
"Besides, that spiritual pressure of yours doesn't seem like it will last much longer... You'd prefer a single, regret-free blow that leaves no room for excuses, right?"
"Hmph!! Don't underestimate me!!"
Oho, he fired.
"Nubatama!!"
'Understood!! It feels like it has been quite a while since I last saw a Shikai!!'
"Tei!!"
I drew my Zanpakuto and released its Shikai at the same time, swiping the shot up into the sky.
However, that was a quite heavy and powerful blow... I can see why Captain Kurotsuchi had a hard time.
"No... way..."
"Are you satisfied now?"
"Why, how did you..."
"What do you mean 'how'? With your spiritual pressure weakening as it is now, this is the natural result, isn't it?"
If I recall, he used some kind of final ultimate technique that's incredibly powerful but doesn't last long.
...Was it Letzt Stil? I don't quite remember...
"Kuh... just kill me..."
'A captured princess! Is this a captured princess knight situation!?!?'
I told you that's not it!
I hoisted the stunned Ishida onto my shoulder.
"What do you intend to do...?"
"Like I said, I'm not going to kill you. I'll heal those wounds and detoxify that poison. Though you will be held in custody at the Fourth Division."
I whispered softly into his ear.
"We also want to save Rukia. That's why I've decided to cooperate with Ichigo. For the sake of your own safety, will you cooperate with me here?"
"...!"
And I put Vice-Captain Nemu on my other shoulder.
"You mustn't, Captain Yukawa. I will soon have the members of the Twelfth Division—"
"Stop being so reserved. Leaving the injured alone goes against the pride of the Fourth Division."
Yes, Vice-Captain Nemu is also truly soft.
This shoulder is in heaven.
"Also, Orihime. There's no more room, so I'm sorry, but could you grab onto my back?"
"Ah, yes..."
She listened obediently and hopped onto my back.
'Oooooh! Now the shoulders and back are filled with happiness!! Today is the best day of my life!!'
I agree with that. This is a piggyback experience I must never forget.
Because when she hopped on, I swear I heard a squish.
And so, carrying three people, I decided to head back to the Fourth Division for the time being.
'By the way, Milord.'
What is it?
'Aramaki is a character from the original series...'
Oh, you must be joking.
'(Ah, so she completely forgot...)'
[Reviews - Power St0nes - Comments are highly appreciated to keep me going.....(+50 chapters) patre0n.c0m/talecrafter]