Shirou's clones number 30 million

"Wait a minute! How is Rukia now? Is she still living in your closet?"

"Of course not. Captain Aizen had already helped her regain her Shinigami powers before the manga was published, and she's currently staying at a hotel near our house."

"I see... Wait a minute, where's the money? She doesn't have any money in the real world, and she can't stay in a hotel for very long!"

"You don't need to worry about that. I heard that Captain Aizen gave her a considerable amount of money for activities, enough to stay in the hotel for several years."

In that instant, Ichigo Kurosaki suddenly thought:

When Rukia mentioned these things before, he once thought they were activity funds given to her by Soul Society.

But now that I think about it, it was Aizen who paid for it himself, wasn't it?

I never expected Aizen to have such a human side. I thought he was just a greedy and stingy guy.

"I see... We must thank Captain Aizen properly." Renji Abarai inexplicably breathed a sigh of relief.

"What are you planning to do to thank Aizen? You can't just offer empty words, can you? Aizen will definitely not be happy with this kind of gratitude, you poor guy who can't even afford a house."

"I'm not so bad off as to not be able to afford a house, am I? Although the place I live in isn't very big, it's already pretty good compared to the other Grim Reapers in the team."

"How does it compare to Rukia's family?"

"How could it possibly compare... Even hundreds of years from now, I still wouldn't be able to afford a house that big."

"So that's why you're so insecure that you don't dare to confess your feelings to her."

"Bastard! If you dare say such a thing again, I'll take you down with me."

"Haha..." Ichigo Kurosaki couldn't help but laugh.

Unexpectedly, Aizen wasn't entirely joking; he was telling the truth.

Soon, the group arrived at the Fifth Division's base.

As we went deeper into the city, every Grim Reaper we encountered was carrying a beautifully wrapped gift box, and some were even unwrapping the boxes on the spot.

Kurosaki Ichigo unconsciously glanced at the box and discovered that it contained modern premium liquor, and even the packaging hadn't been changed.

"Is this a gift from the Fifth Division?"

"I guess so?" Renji Abarai said with a hint of envy. "The Fifth Division always gives gifts to its members on holidays. I wonder what they gave out for New Year's Day this year?"

"I checked, it's alcohol. By the way, doesn't your team give out New Year's gifts?"

"I've never posted that before. By the way, it's not New Year's yet, it's just New Year's Day."

"Isn't New Year's Day the New Year?"

Kurosaki Ichigo looked at him with a bewildered expression, not understanding what was going on.

Upon seeing this, Kurosaki Isshin explained:

"Ichigo, the Soul Society is different from the human world. They have always used the old calendar, which is the lunar calendar."

"If it's the lunar calendar, it's not New Year's Day yet, is it?" Kurosaki Ichigo asked, his face full of confusion.

"If I remember correctly, the Fifth Division should be using both the lunar and solar calendars."

"Huh...? Doesn't that mean we can celebrate the New Year twice?"

"Only the Fifth Division is like this."

After repeated questioning, Ichigo Kurosaki quickly understood the general situation.

Other teams also have holidays, but they are all celebrated individually, at most with friends drinking together to celebrate, and many don't celebrate at all.

But the Fifth Division is different. They always give out gifts, have large-scale dinners, and even have song and dance performances during the New Year.

Most importantly, the Fifth Division uses both the lunar and solar calendars, and celebrates festivals from both calendars.

New Year's Day falls in January of the Gregorian calendar, while the Lunar New Year falls in January of the lunar calendar.

'No wonder Aizen's finances were so bad that he had to resort to begging.'

Chapter 361 Please Don't Spread Rumors

Chapter 361, Section 362: Please do not spread rumors.

"This is yours, please keep it safe."

"Thank you so much!"

As they continued walking, the group soon spotted Hinamori Momo distributing gifts to her teammates.

Beside her, two female Grim Reapers were helping her.

For each gift sent out, a line is drawn before or after the name.

"Please don't forget tonight's banquet."

"Of course! This is a signature activity of our Fifth Division, and we will never forget it."

Noticing Renji Abarai and the others at the door, Momo Hinamori quickly got up, temporarily handed over her work to the woman next to her, and walked over quickly.

"Thank you for your help, Renji. It was originally supposed to be our Fifth Division that sent someone to pick them up."

"Don't worry about it, everyone knows you've been short-handed these past few days. Can I come and join in the fun tonight?"

"You're very welcome! If possible, please invite Captain Kuchiki as well."

"Let's skip the captain. He doesn't like joining in the fun and has never participated before. He certainly won't be an exception today."

After seeing Renji Abarai off, Momo Hinamori turned her gaze to the Kurosaki family and said with a smile:

"Thanks to Captain Aizen's efforts, you will spend the next few days in our Fifth Division until a decision is reached."

"How did the meeting go?" Ichigo Kurosaki couldn't help but ask.

“Well… including Captain Aizen, a total of seven captains agreed to release you without charge.” Hinamori Momo looked troubled. “However, the Captain-Commander’s attitude is very firm, and he has been unwilling to budge.”

"Didn't Aizen say before that as long as seven captains agreed, everything would be fine? That's enough people."

"That's true in theory, but the captain-in-chief holds a high position and has the final say."

"Then isn't there any hope left?"

"No, Captain Aizen said that as long as we persist, the Captain-Commander will eventually give in."

Hmm... is there any solution?

Ichigo Kurosaki fell silent.

Of course, being completely unfamiliar with the Seireitei, he racked his brains but couldn't come up with a good solution.

"Never mind, I don't want to think about it anymore. What about Xia Li and You Zi? Are they doing alright?"

"Studying at Captain Aizen's house."

"what?"

Kurosaki Ichigo's expression changed slightly. Although he didn't think Aizen would do anything to them, he still felt uneasy.

Where does Aizen live?

"Captain Isshin should know that I'm still busy here, so you guys go ahead. Oh, and remember to come over here after dark. Our Fifth Division will be holding a banquet and a New Year's Eve party then."

Upon hearing this, Ichigo Kurosaki could only look at his father and ask:

"Dad, do you know where Aizen lives?"

"Yes, if the address hasn't changed, it'll be just across the street from here." Kurosaki Isshin nodded slightly.

"In that case, let's go there right away!"

Worried about his two younger sisters' safety, Ichigo Kurosaki unconsciously showed a hint of anxiety on his face.

Soon, the three of them arrived at Aizen's house.

dong dong...

"coming!"

With a series of hurried footsteps, the door slowly opened, and Kurosaki Yuuko appeared in front of the three.

"Brothers, you've been released? That's great!"

"Yuuki, why are you living with Aizen's house with Karin?"

"Because it's very big here, and it has a separate toilet and shower, which is more convenient than the base."

Upon entering the courtyard, the first thing that catches the eye is Karin Kurosaki practicing her swordplay.

"Xia Li, what are you doing?"

"Brother, I'm practicing my sword."

"No, what I'm asking is, why are you practicing swordsmanship? And why at Aizen's house?"

"I... I wanted to become stronger and protect you, so I became Captain Aizen's apprentice."

Ichigo Kurosaki fell silent for a moment, unable to utter a single word.

His parents also looked guilty.

Masaki Kurosaki couldn't help but ruffle her daughter's hair and asked with a smile:

"So... how have you been these past few days? Have you gained anything?"

"Yes." Karin Kurosaki nodded heavily. "My master's guidance was excellent, and I learned a lot. Mom, when I become a Shinigami, I will definitely protect you both well."

"Thank you, Karin's all grown up now." Masaki Kurosaki looked around and asked, "Where's Captain Aizen?"

"Isn't that it?"

Following their daughter's gaze, the group quickly spotted Aizen lying on the rooftop, basking in the sun.

Seeing this, Kurosaki Isshin lightly leaped up.

"Yo... Captain Aizen, thank you so much for your help this time."

Aizen glanced back at him, then resumed his posture of squinting and gazing at the sky.

"You're welcome. As I said before, this is just a transaction."

"It's not just about the transaction; my two daughters have also troubled you these past few days."