The classroom fell silent for a moment, then erupted in a buzz.
"I never thought something like this would happen."
Hachihara stroked his chin and mumbled, "I hope those two students are safe."
"What's wrong? You look like you've been beaten up, with that grim expression."
Shimiya Takeru glanced at Ichigo.
"Didn't Gengorō Ōnabara Sensei say that the disappearance happened in Junrinan?"
Ichigo's tone was grave.
"Don't be nervous. Even if some villain is at work, they can't threaten the Elder. That place isn't as weak and easily bullied as you think."
"The student who disappeared from our class, though I haven't interacted with him much, I remember he was also from Rukongai, but not Junrinan."
...
A flicker of doubt crossed Shimiya Takeru's eyes.
A commoner not from Junrinan disappeared in Junrinan. The key was that no one knew why he went to Junrinan, otherwise the word "unprovoked" wouldn't have been used.
And the fact that another student also disappeared "unprovoked" made it very suspicious.
Could it be the teachers?
The possibility was very low.
After all, the time when people needed to disappear had long passed.
But this, on the contrary, made people feel that danger was lurking.
"I have to admit your concerns have some merit, but this isn't our business. Look at those people; they're practically wearing 'watching the show' and 'excitement' on their faces. People from Rukongai are less important than entertainment in their eyes; there's no such thing as camaraderie among classmates."
Hearing this, Ichigo turned his gaze to the noble students in the class, who were discussing heatedly, and fell into an unspoken silence.
"...Though that's true, but..."
"But then again, it's been a while since I've seen the Elder. It's time for a long-overdue visit to report our safety and such. Want to come along?"
Shimiya Takeru suddenly said.
...
Ichigo was stunned for a moment, then let out a cold snort.
"Is that even a question? I don't want people to talk behind my back, saying this guy is ungrateful."
"Are you two going to get involved in this? It's very dangerous. This isn't like playing around in a usual practice match."
Hachihara had heard everything clearly from behind, so he spoke up to remind them.
"You're right, so... want to come along?"
"Guhahaha~"
There was no need to answer; that sly laugh said it all.
"And Rindo... well, it seems there's no need to ask."
Shimiya Takeru turned his head and met Rindo Yu's earnest gaze directly.
Everything was unsaid.
"Shigong, you have your foolish moments too. We're in the same living group; of course, we'll advance and retreat together."
Ichigo's words were more teasing than mocking.
And more indirectly stating his attitude than teasing.
"No time to lose, we're leaving tonight! Go! Go! Go! Hachihara Squad is going to conquer Rukongai!"
Hachihara clenched his fists, looking full of passion.
"Why Hachihara Squad? I started the topic, didn't I? It should be Kurosaki Squad... no, that sounds a bit embarrassing too. Let's just skip this topic."
???
Shimiya Takeru looked at Ichigo in confusion. Did you start it?
And that phrase "leaving tonight" sounds very ominous for a team.
Chapter 12: Return to Rukongai
After dinner at the dormitory's large cafeteria, Shimiya Takeru and the others immediately set off for Rukongai.
It was still early. Although something had happened, it didn't seem to have escalated, and the atmosphere in Junrinan remained the same.
People lit lanterns and hung them under their porches, children ran around, the night became their playmate, and the sounds of merriment drifted into the streets and alleys with the evening breeze.
Some children and adults even greeted Shimiya Takeru and Ichigo when they met.
"We've only been here a few days, but they've completely accepted us as their own."
Ichigo was a little touched and also a little puzzled as to where this simple emotion came from.
Shimiya Takeru, however, knew perfectly well.
"The residents of Rukongai come from all corners of the world, and even different eras. They have adapted to forming new families with strangers who are not blood relatives, so they are very friendly to outsiders and even happy to accept new family members and companions... it's practically a natural breeding ground for yakuza organizations."
"The last sentence was unnecessary."
Ignoring the two bickering in front, Hachihara looked around like a curious cat.
"I've heard for a long time that the security in the areas near the Outer Districts is very good, with many interesting shops that attract Shinigami to visit often. It seems it's not a rumor."
Rindo Yu was extremely silent, as if in a daze, or perhaps silently observing everything around him, collecting clues.
Soon after, the four arrived at the Elder's residence.
They knocked and entered, but were almost blocked from the large house by a strong smell of gunpowder.
The wooden house was as spacious as a warehouse, capable of accommodating many children playing, making noise, or even eating and sleeping there.
But at this moment, not a single child was in sight.
Only the Elder and a man and woman were in a standoff.
The pot of water boiling on the hanging stove between them gurgled, seemingly reflecting the moods of both parties.
However, upon closer inspection, Shimiya Takeru realized that the two people actually in a standoff were the man and woman. The Elder, on the other hand, sat there looking helpless, like an outsider trying to mediate.
And he recognized who these two people were at a glance.
The woman was Shiba Kūkaku, which was not surprising; a fireworks master living in West Rukongai traveling through the streets was completely understandable.
But Ōmaeda Marechiyo, a Shinigami, appearing here seemed a bit out of place.
"Huh? Who are these brats? Who let them in!"
Ōmaeda, who had just had a quarrel with Shiba Kūkaku, or more accurately, had been thoroughly scolded, was secretly fuming. Seeing more people come to disrupt things, he immediately couldn't hold back.
"This is the Elder's home. It's not your place to meddle. If you have an opinion, get back to Seireitei and have your Captain come forward personally, lest things escalate."
Before Shimiya Takeru and the others or the Elder could speak, Shiba Kūkaku scoffed.
"You...! I've tolerated you for too long! Don't think that just because you're from the Shiba family, you can lord it over Ōmaeda-dono! I am the Lieutenant of the Second Division and the Captain of the Second Division Patrol Squad of the Onmitsukidō!"
"I'm here to investigate a case. You have no right to order me. On the contrary, you should listen to my orders and cooperate by obediently handing over information, just like this old man. Otherwise, when the Captain arrives, you'll definitely be in for a bad time!"
Ōmaeda's face flushed with anger as he suddenly stood up. Regardless of anything else, his burly and robust physique was quite intimidating, and the slight overflow of his Lieutenant-level spiritual pressure made people dare not underestimate him.
At least Ichigo and Hachihara tensed their faces, ready to deal with a conflict.
Shiba Kūkaku, however, remained seated casually, completely disregarding Ōmaeda.
"Ha~ Trying to pressure me with Suì-Fēng? Then let her come; that would be even better. Go on, go quickly. I'll wait for her to come find me, and when she does, I'll definitely hand over the information to her without a word."
"Bastard!"
That casual tone, as if treating Suì-Fēng as a subordinate responsible for cleaning up messes, made Ōmaeda want to draw his sword and cut off her remaining arm, but he didn't have the guts.
In the end, he could only hurl a threat, "Even without you, I can still catch the culprit," and turned to leave.
At the moment they brushed past each other.
Shimiya Takeru, while making way, seemingly kindly reminded him, "Looking for the Shinigami responsible for managing the local area might yield unexpected results."
"...Heh."
Ōmaeda glanced sideways and sarcastically said in a gruff voice:
"Little brat, go back to sleep early, otherwise, if you're late tomorrow, the Spirit Arts Academy teachers will scold you fiercely."
With that, he stomped off as if having vented his anger.
"This guy is too annoying. He's nowhere near as good as the people from the Fifth Divsion."
Ichigo "tsk"ed.
"--So, don't you dare become a Shinigami like that in the future, or if I meet you, you'll end up just like him."
Shiba Kūkaku's voice came from inside the house.
Shimiya Takeru and the others were still wearing their Spirit Arts Academy uniforms, so their identities were not difficult to confirm.
"This is..."
"Her name is Shiba Kūkaku; she's the most famous fireworks master in Rukongai."
The Elder introduced.
"I've heard her name! She practically handles all the fireworks needed for ceremonies in Seireitei, and she has a strong influence among merchants in both Rukongai and Seireitei! She's my mom's idol!"
Hachihara's eyes lit up.
"Ha! This is the first time I've heard someone introduce me like that. Also, your mother has excellent taste, little girl."
"Could you sign something for me if possible!"
"A small matter. I'll sign it on a firework I made myself. You can take it home as a collectible. It's definitely a good investment, no tricks ~"
"That's great!"
Watching the two social butterflies act like long-lost friends, even the easygoing Shimiya Takeru was a bit speechless. He turned to chat with the Elder, who was pouring water for them, and took the opportunity to introduce Hachihara and Rindo Yu.
As the conversation progressed, Shiba Kūkaku gradually understood their backgrounds.
"Oh, oh, so you two are the geniuses the Elder spoke of. Young people these days are truly remarkable."
Shiba Kūkaku looked at Shimiya Takeru and Ichigo with interest. For some reason, her attention seemed to linger more on Ichigo.
"We still have to thank the Elder for his care back then."
"Don't worry about it. I'm relieved to see you doing well at the Spirit Arts Academy and making new friends. Speaking of which, your visit at this time certainly surprised me."
Shimiya Takeru and Ichigo exchanged glances, and finally, Ichigo stepped forward to explain the reason.
Only then did the Elder realize.
"I see. You rushed over because you were worried that the disappearance of your classmates might implicate this old man."
"But with Miss Kūkaku here, our worries seem to be unnecessary."
Shimiya Takeru's words had a hidden meaning.
"Don't flatter me; this matter is quite a headache for me too."
Shiba Kūkaku waved her hand in annoyance.
"Is it because the Shinigami responsible for managing Junrinan also had an accident?"
?
Shimiya Takeru's sudden remark made Shiba Kūkaku pause, and the others were also surprised.
Chapter 13: So Twisted, Who Knows Where He Learned It From
"How did you know? Wait... you guessed it, but weren't sure, so you deliberately tested that idiot Ōmaeda just now."
Recalling the brief conversation between the two when Ōmaeda left, Shiba Kūkaku keenly perceived the truth of the matter.
"Huh? What are you talking about? I don't get it. Can you explain more clearly? Who had an accident?"
Ichigo was completely confused.
"The Shinigami responsible for local security management."