"Damn it! We have to hurry!! Yoruichi-san, is this the right way?"
"Yes! But move faster!! At your current pace, to be honest, you will not make it in time unless you focus entirely on your movement!!"
Ichigo and Yoruichi.
The two, both moving at high speeds, shouted to confirm their route. Having learned of Rukia Kuchiki's impending execution while under the care of Squad Eleven, they had chosen to split up from Unohana and her group, who were taking a different path.
Ultimately, it was simply a matter of differing original objectives—of priorities. For Ichigo, who had come specifically to rescue Rukia, and Yoruichi, whose goal was to assist Ichigo, it was inevitable that their priorities would diverge from Unohana's.
After a brief farewell, they emerged from the underground space where they had been sheltered for quite some time and left the Squad Eleven barracks, making sure to remain undetected. After all, their official status was still that of fugitives—individuals the higher-ups had ordered to be killed on sight.
They could not exactly walk out the front gates with their heads held high, nor did they want to cause unnecessary trouble for Squad Eleven after being shown such hospitality. Thus, they opted to slip away like thieves or covert operatives. Their calculation was that by escaping stealthily, Squad Eleven could at least make the excuse that 'the fugitives we were housing ungratefully rampaged and fled.'
Having made their escape, the two were now sprinting through the Seireitei at full power. They were headed for Rukia Kuchiki's execution ground—the place known as Sogyoku Hill.
"So you're saying I just need to go even faster at full throttle, right?! Fine by me! Over the last few days, my stamina and guts have been beaten into me until I'm stupidly strong anyway!!"
"Oh...?"
Shouting partly to psych himself up and partly out of sheer desperation, Ichigo increased his speed by another gear. The velocity was enough to make Yoruichi let out an involuntary sound of admiration. Even if it was just raw running, his speed was comparable to members of the Stealth Force she once commanded. She felt a sense of both impressed wonder and a slight touch of fear at Ichigo's talent, which allowed him to grow this much in only a few days.
"But Yoruichi-san! Isn't there, like, some convenient tool that can move us faster?! Something that can teleport us instantly to our destination! Or something you wear that lets you fly freely through the sky!"
"What is this? Have you already run out of breath?"
"No, not at all!! I just thought maybe there was something like that!! I'm perfectly fine, though!!"
He was clearly putting on a brave face, but Yoruichi gave him a little extra credit for his mental fortitude in trying to act tough without whining. However, setting that aside...
"There is."
"Are you serious?!"
"Among the treasures of the Shihoin family, there are tools for flying. Also, Urahara once made a device that could teleport one to a desired location."
"If such convenient things exist, then hurry up and—"
"However, the flying tool requires us to go to a different location to retrieve it before it can be used, and the teleportation device must be set up at the destination in advance. With time pressing as it is now, it is faster to simply run."
"What... the hell is that!! I feel like an idiot for even hoping for a second!!"
"Hahaha, sorry, sorry."
Regardless of the situation, she couldn't resist teasing him. Perhaps this was another facet of the charm Yoruichi possessed as a person.
"More importantly, is this the right way?! I feel like the cityscape has changed since the time you knew it, Yoruichi-san. Are we really okay?!"
"There is no problem! Even if the streets have changed slightly, the locations themselves have not! As long as the direction is correct, the details do not matter, do they?!"
"Heh, well, I guess that's true!!"
As Shinigami who could move by manipulating spiritual pressure, a few obstacles in their path were no problem at all. They could use their spiritually enhanced physical abilities to evade them, or they could solidify spirit ribbons to use as footholds, effectively running through the air. Therefore, Yoruichi's logic that 'as long as we know the direction, it's fine' was a simple and convincing argument, even to Ichigo.
"All right! Let's keep going at full—"
"I'm not letting you pass."
"——?!"
"Ichigo!!"
As if they had been waiting for the exact moment he tried to steel his resolve, a shadow flickered into Ichigo's field of vision. That shadow launched an attack, radiating a clear consciousness and murderous intent. In the midst of a moment where even Yoruichi's warning cry seemed to reach him in slow motion, Ichigo immediately judged that he wouldn't have time to draw his Zanpakuto. He compressed spiritual pressure into his leg and threw a kick to meet the shadow head-on.
"Uoooooh!!"
"Tch!"
A hard sensation traveled up his kicking leg. Simultaneously, he heard a click of the tongue from the shadow. And then—
"Guh!! What is this?!"
Finally, an unnatural coldness spread from his foot, causing him to let out an involuntary cry of pain.
"...Wait, this is..."
"Yo, Ryoka. It is 'nice to meet you,' I suppose."
The ambush had stopped them in their tracks, and the view cleared. Standing there was a Shinigami considerably shorter than Ichigo—possessing a height comparable to his younger sisters—with hair the color of snow.
"And now, goodbye."
Behind Toshiro Hitsugaya, more members of Squad Ten stood at the ready.
---
"Tch... what a pain..."
Yoruichi couldn't help but spit the words out. The imposing presence of the Squad Ten members, who had set up a formation as if they had been lying in wait, was a major obstacle when they wanted to move forward even a second sooner.
"So you were waiting for us, then...?"
"Naturally. To catch mice, you have to drive them out of their nest first."
Toshiro wore a fearless smirk.
"All right! Squad Ten, capture the Ryoka!!"
"Ehhh, Captain... are we really doing this...?"
The moment the vigorous order was given, Rangiku raised her voice in a tone that sounded genuinely bothered.
"What is it, Matsumoto! Do you have a complaint?!"
"But... I mean, isn't it weird?"
"What is?!"
"Please don't get so angry."
"You're the reason I'm angry!!"
While Toshiro already had his Zanpakuto drawn and was full of fighting spirit, Rangiku hadn't even placed a hand on hers. That alone was enough to irritate him, and Toshiro's tone became even harsher.
"Look, look, I'm often taken care of by Captain Airi Yukawa, you know? Not just me, I think all the female Shinigami in the Gotei 13 are indebted to her... and Captain Airi Yukawa isn't exactly a bad person."
"There are plenty of villains who don't look the part! I told you the reasoning, didn't I?! Besides, we have orders from Central 46!"
"That's exactly it! That 'reasoning' you're talking about is strange too, Captain. It's too violent... or rather, it feels like you're trying to force yourself to believe it... even if it's an order from above, well... don't you all feel the same way?"
"That is..."
"Well... but..."
"What do you think...?"
"But... the orders..."
"...The higher-ups..."
The final words were directed at the subordinate officers. At her inquiry, which sounded like an appealing speech, a wave of unrest spread through the rank-and-file members present. From the hushed whispers that could be heard, it was clear that they weren't here out of heartfelt conviction.
"C-Could we escape while they're distracted... Yoruichi-san?"
"That looks like it will be a bit difficult as long as he is there..."
"I figured..."
The place Yoruichi indicated with her gaze was, of course, Toshiro Hitsugaya. Though he was small in stature, Ichigo no longer underestimated opponents based on that. He was wearing a Captain's haori—meaning the opponent was a Captain. Fortunately or unfortunately, having traded blows with several Captains over the last few days, he knew exactly how formidable they could be.
"You lot! What are you dawdling for!!"
"That's why I'm saying, Captain... Oh?"
While Ichigo and the others were tense, Toshiro tried to energize his wavering subordinates. Just as he was about to voice further criticism, Rangiku suddenly stopped moving. Moving her lips slightly, she was muttering something as if talking to herself—as if trying to place a self-suggestion on her own mind.
'That's right, I'm not wrong... I had my orders... for Hinamori's sake too... above all, he trusted me and left this to me... that's why...'
"Captain?"
"That's why... Aizen... that's why..."
"Aizen? Do you mean Captain Aizen of Squad Five?"
"!!"
The moment he heard her repeat the name 'Aizen,' Toshiro looked at Rangiku's face as if he had been struck. Then, he forced himself back into a defiant posture to hide his agitation.
"It's nothing! More importantly, let's go, everyone!"
"Ah! Hey... Captain!!"
Toshiro launched a charge straight at Ichigo. Rangiku's voice no longer reached his ears.
"Damn it! It's going to turn out like this after all!"
Ichigo moved to intercept the attacking Toshiro. Unlike the previous strike that was almost a surprise attack, this time he had enough leeway to draw his blade. He leveled the massive Zanpakuto he had been carrying and blocked Toshiro's assault.
"Ichigo!"
"Growl, Haineko!"
Fine ash rained down around Yoruichi's feet as she tried to assist. In an instant, sensing a bad omen, she leapt away from the spot. The ash that fell a split second late carved blade marks into the very place Yoruichi had been standing as a foothold.
"Mmm!?"
"I'm sorry. I'm not really feeling up to this either, but since the Captain has already gone ahead... well, you know?"
Looking at Rangiku's words and her blade-less Zanpakuto, Yoruichi understood that the previous strike was her doing.
"If you are not feeling up to it, I would be happy if you would just look the other way!?"
"If the Captain is motivated and there's no reason not to, I can't exactly do that. I suppose this is what they call the 'hardship of public service'... take this!!"
Another strike from Haineko was unleashed.
---
"Hey, Ryoka. You're quite pitiful, being used as a pawn by Yukawa..."
"G-Guh...! A pawn, you say...?"
The battle between Ichigo and Toshiro gradually began to lean in Toshiro's favor.
Not only was his opponent someone skilled enough to be entrusted with a Captaincy, but Toshiro was also short. From Ichigo's perspective, he was forced to receive unfamiliar attacks from below, whereas from Toshiro's perspective, fighting someone taller than himself was a daily occurrence. While struggling in a combat situation he wasn't used to more so than the gap in their actual strength, Toshiro muttered under his breath.
"Even if you know nothing, a sin is a sin. I will show no mercy..."
"...!?"
The moment he heard those words, Ichigo felt an indescribable sense of wrongness. Given the situation, Toshiro was undoubtedly speaking to the opponent in front of him—to Ichigo. But while it seemed like he was speaking to him, it also felt like he wasn't...
It felt as though he were speaking to someone else entirely; that was the strange sensation Ichigo felt.
"I won't show... mercy!!"
"Uoooooh!?"
The opponent's spiritual pressure suddenly swelled, blowing Ichigo back.
"That's right... I won't show any damn mercy..."
"What is with this guy..."
It was just as Ichigo began to feel overwhelmed by the grim expression on Toshiro's face as he glared with a haunting intensity.
'Tch!! It can't be helped!!'
"W-What?!"
'It's irritating and annoying as hell that it feels like I'm being manipulated by that giant woman Shinigami, but...!!'
Inside Ichigo's head—or rather, deeper than that, from the bottom of his soul—he heard a voice that stirred a sense of instinctive fear. Simultaneously, just as an indescribable sensation of his spiritual pressure being overwritten and changed from the inside began to flicker...
"A REPOOOOOOOOOOOOOORT!!!!"
With a preposterous, booming shout that seemed to cut right through the battlefield itself, a single Shinigami appeared.
"On the street over there, a Shinigami with orange hair has appeared!! That person is shouting things like 'I'm the Ryoka' and 'I'm going to save Rukia Kuchiki'..."
""...Hah!?""
At the content of that report, Ichigo and Toshiro both raised their voices in perfect unison. After all, to put it simply, they were being told "Ichigo Kurosaki is over there!" It was only natural that being given such a nonsensical report would take the wind out of their sails.
"Are you an idiot?! That's obviously an impostor!! Just hurry up and—"
"Oh! If it isn't Big Brother Kaien!! So you were in a place like this!!"
Interrupting Toshiro's attempt to dismiss the messenger, someone else appeared.
"W-Who the hell are you?!"
"Me? Then clean out your ears and listen well! My name is Kukaku Shiba! And I'm the younger sister of the man right there!!"
"""""""".......""""""""
At those outrageous words, time in that place seemed to stop for a few moments. After several seconds, the first one to move was Rangiku.
"Ah, what do you know. So that person was actually Vice-Captain Shiba of Squad Thirteen. Well then, I guess this whole situation was just a misunderstanding, so we should disband..."
"Like hell we can!!"
"Ehhh, but the story is that the real one is on the street over there. Besides, his sister is saying 'this person is my brother,' right? Would a family member mistake their own brother? So let's just act like this never happened..."
Taking advantage of this "reason" that had seemingly dropped from the sky, Rangiku spoke with sheer gall as she tried to leave the scene, only to be snapped at by Toshiro.
"That is correct. That is Kaien's younger sister, Kukaku. I guarantee it. Look, look, instead of dealing with us, shouldn't you be heading over there? Hmm?"
"See, Captain, this person says so too. Let's just go home already."
"What kind of idiot blindly believes what the enemy says!!"
While they were carrying out this internal bickering—including Yoruichi-san, who didn't fully understand the situation but participated with mischievous enthusiasm—Kukaku had quietly approached Ichigo's side.
"(Um, Kukaku-san...? This is...)"
"(Idiot! This is obviously a decoy to let you escape!! Get that much through your head! Read the room!)"
Remaining on guard without taking their eyes off Toshiro and the others, the two continued their conversation in low voices.
"(And so, here's the plan. I'll hold things down here. So you get going, move it!)"
"(I-I owe you one.)"
"(Psh, it's a request from a cute relative. I don't need thanks. In exchange, make sure you save her and come back.) All right, now! Go!!"
Kukaku gave Ichigo a forceful slap on the shoulder to spur him on. As if accelerated by that momentum, Ichigo dashed off with light footsteps. His previous feelings of fear were gone as he zipped past Toshiro's side in an instant and surged forward.
"Ah! Wait!"
"Hey, hey, hold on there, brat. Your opponent will be me, Big Sis Kukaku."
Toshiro tried to chase after Ichigo in a panic. However, Kukaku swung around to block his path.
---
Around that time, on a street a short distance away from where Ichigo and the others were—
"Are you guys listening?! The Ryoka, Ichigo Kurosaki, is me!! Rukia! I'm coming to save you right now!!"
"A-Aniki..."
It was no wonder Ganju was lamenting just a little bit. There, in a state of reckless desperation, causing a massive scene while loudly self-advertising, was the figure of a certain Shinigami...
A figure with hair dyed bright orange.
[Reviews - Power St0nes - Comments are highly appreciated to keep me going.....(+50 chapters) patre0n.c0m/talecrafter]