The Alchemist in Bleach

"Rukia?" The short-haired girl frowned and thought for a moment, then said as if suddenly realizing something, "Oh, you mean Kurosaki? Who are you to her? What do you need her for?"

"Kurosaki?" Renji was taken aback, then turned to look at Byakuya in confusion. "No, no, no, we're looking for Rukia, not Kurosaki."

"I know her, Kurosaki Rukia, don't you guys know her?" The girl with short hair looked suspicious as she pulled her friend away slowly into the school.

"Um... don't worry, we're not bad people. We're Rukia's friends. Are you sure there's only one Rukia at your school? She must have transferred here recently." Seeing that he had been misunderstood, Renji quickly waved his hand to explain.

pity……

The two girls didn't say anything, but silently glanced at Renji's bright red hair and the large tattoo on his forehead, and then silently took a few steps back.

Renji: "..."

"Captain..." Renji looked to Byakuya behind him for help.

Byakuya sighed softly, took a few steps forward, gave the two a slight bow with impeccable gentlemanly manners, and then said, "I'm very sorry, my friend startled you, but we are definitely not bad people. Rukia is my sister, she ran away from home a while ago. Excuse me, are there any other students who transferred here recently named Rukia?"

"So handsome..." The short-haired girl and her friend stared blankly at Byakuya, murmuring softly.

"Hello?" Byakuya called out again, somewhat helplessly.

"Ah, sorry, sorry, I was a little distracted. Rukia, right? Um, if she transferred here recently, then you should be looking for Kurosaki Rukia. She's the only transfer student we've had in the last few years." The short-haired girl said, blushing, while quietly nudging her companion next to her to bring her back to reality.

"I see. Do you know where she lives?"

The short-haired girl was still a little hesitant. Although they weren't very familiar with Rukia, it wasn't a good idea to just give her information to a stranger. What if the stranger was a bad person?

"Kurosaki? She's staying at Kurosaki Hospital." However, while she was still hesitating, her companion blurted it out.

"Hey! Why did you say that? What if they're bad guys?" The short-haired girl immediately pulled her companion aside and whispered in her ear.

“But…” Her companion glanced at Byakuya furtively, her face flushing again, “He’s so handsome, he can’t be a bad guy, right? He’s not that redhead.”

Upon hearing this, the short-haired girl glanced back, blushed, and whispered in response, "That's true."

Renji: "..."

Renji looked up at the sky at a 45-degree angle, tears welling up in his eyes. He thought, "Let's just destroy this world that judges people by their looks..."

"Excuse me, how do I get to Kurosaki Hospital?"

"How about we take you there?" the short-haired girl suggested expectantly, a sudden idea popping into her head.

"Wait, wait! Have you forgotten? That's Kurosaki Ichigo's house! That Kurosaki Ichigo!" However, her companion was not very supportive of this tempting suggestion and tugged at her sleeve with a worried look.

The short-haired girl's expression changed upon hearing this. That guy... was no less than this red-haired delinquent!

"Okay, okay, we won't go. Kurosaki Hospital is in that direction, it's easy to see. His hospital is quite famous."

Upon hearing this word, Byakuya's brows, which were already furrowed at the mention of "Ichigo Kurosaki," furrowed even more deeply.

So, this really is a boy's name? And... changing the surname to Kurosaki... hopefully, no, it's just for the sake of disguise, otherwise...

He's going to make those who dared to lie to his sister take a good... cherry blossom bath!

Byakuya quickly regained his composure, his brows relaxed, and he bowed to the two of them.

"Well then, thank you for letting me know. I'll go find my sister now. Goodbye."

"Okay, goodbye~~" The two of them fell into a lovesick state again, waving at Byakuya's retreating figure while giggling foolishly. It would have been even better if that annoying red-haired guy hadn't been there...

……

"Captain, I feel like the world is full of malice towards me."

"Only the first day of discovery? That's amazing!"

"...Captain, you don't love me anymore."

Did I ever love you?

Renji: "..."

Oh no, the captain's gone wrong!

Ever since Byakuya was rendered speechless by Tenshin Ichiro's sharp retort in front of Rukia, he's been practicing how to roast people every day. Unfortunately, his practice target is him...

"Why aren't you saying anything?" Byakuya glanced at Renji.

"I'm exhausted, I don't want to talk about it..."

"You get tired so easily? You look weak."

"..." Renji stared speechlessly at Byakuya, inwardly screaming, 'Captain! You've ruined your image! Your image's ruined! Behave yourself and act aloof!'

Unfortunately, Renji didn't dare say it aloud, because he was afraid of being rebuked...

Of course, Renji isn't completely outmatched by Byakuya. After all, he's been through so much in Rukongai, and after joining the 13th Division, he climbed his way up to the position of vice-captain through his own efforts, so he certainly has social skills.

only……

He couldn't do that. First, Byakuya was his superior and Rukia's brother. He couldn't afford to offend him, whether it was for promotion or Rukia's sake. Second, and most importantly, he could handle the first point, whether it was for promotion or Rukia's sake, on his own. But this was very dangerous!

Byakuya......

We can't afford to lose!

If you beat him, you'll get beaten up!

They call it special training!

This is one of the important reasons why his strength has improved so rapidly in recent years.

So, it's just a little roasting, right?

It's nothing serious, just a little heartbroken, that's all!

.......

A moment later, the two who had been freed from their spirit form as Shinigami stood beside Kurosaki Hospital, sensing the lingering aura of Rukia and a man in a certain room, and fell into deep silence.

Suddenly, a chilling aura rose around him, causing Renji to shiver.

"Um... Captain, don't get agitated. Rukia is definitely not that kind of person. She's probably just staying here temporarily, using this place for her own purposes. Maybe for some reason, she doesn't want to involve Ichigo Kurosaki's family, so that's probably why she's in the same room with him."

Renji was saying this to Byakuya, but also to himself.

"Yes! That's definitely the case. Think about it, Rukia would never be with a human. After all, the lifespan difference between Shinigami and humans is huge, and because of the difference in spiritual pressure, there would be many inconveniences in life. It's impossible that she would give her Shinigami power to that human, right? No matter how you look at it, that's impossible. Rukia isn't that stupid."

After saying that, Renji probably realized how absurd it was and burst out laughing. However, as he laughed, he realized something was wrong. Captain Byakuya's expression... something was off...

Even if you're not smiling, it shouldn't be like this, right?

Having spent so much time together, Renji had come to know Byakuya quite well. Although Byakuya was clearly as cold as ever, he was actually on the verge of losing control.

There are only a handful of things in this world that could drive the head of the Kuchiki family into a rage, and this particular time and place... could it be...?

Renji followed Byakuya's gaze, slowly turned around, and then saw...

Rukia is flirting with a male Shinigami...

Most importantly, one could still faintly sense some of Rukia's Shinigami power on that male Shinigami. Clearly, this was the least likely explanation...

It happened...

Meanwhile, Rukia, who was flirting with Ichigo, suddenly sensed a strong killing intent and instantly became alert, reaching out to protect Ichigo and Inoue behind her.

"Watch out, Yuqing... Hmm? Nii... Sani..." Rukia looked surprised after seeing the source of the killing intent, but she didn't let her guard down because the killing intent hadn't dissipated!

"Nii-san?" Upon hearing this, Ichigo stopped touching Zangetsu's hand and asked in surprise.

"Nii-san," Byakuya's brow twitched, suppressing his anger. He glanced coldly at Ichigo before turning his gaze to Rukia, hoping she could give him a reasonable explanation: "Now, what's going on? Kurosaki... Rukia?"

"..." Rukia paused for a moment, then deactivated her Gigai, stood in front of Ichigo as a Shinigami, drew her Zanpakuto, and said seriously, "I have to take responsibility for him."

Byakuya, Renji: "......"

Byakuya glanced at Renji, who was already petrified, and stared intently at Ichigo: "So, you're willing to violate the rules of the Seireitei and give him the power of a Shinigami?"

"???" Rukia was a little confused. Was there something wrong with this cause-and-effect relationship? And why did Renji look so dejected? What's wrong with him this time?

However, Rukia didn't think much of it, because this statement was actually not wrong. That was the idea she had when she gave Ichigo the power of the Shinigami. After all, she couldn't just watch Ichigo's family die because of it.

Therefore, Rukia nodded and said, "Pretty much, but Nii-san, I'm all grown up now, and I have my own thoughts!"

Upon hearing this, Byakuya fell silent, his anger reaching its peak!

"Did you know? The Central Bureau of 46 already knows about you. Their people will be here soon. Come back with me right now, there's still hope."

"Really? What about Ichigo?"

A fierce glint flashed in Byakuya's eyes.

"Death! We absolutely cannot let them get the evidence! The best way is for him to disappear from this world completely!"

"Then, Nii-san, give it a try! Ryoubu! Sode no Shirayuki!" Spiritual pressure surged, the snow-white blade tip pointed at Byakuya, Rukia's face was full of solemnity.

Although she has become stronger, she is still far behind Byakuya. Therefore, while setting up her formation, she secretly used a Kido technique to transmit her voice to Ichigo.

"It's me, Inoue. Don't be nervous. Listen to me. After I make my move, immediately take Inoue and escape! Remember! Don't hesitate! And don't come looking for me in Soul Society! I'll be fine. Your most important thing is to ensure your own safety. Remember, whatever you do, absolutely do not come to Soul Society! Even if I've been given the order to be executed, you absolutely cannot come!"

Ichigo watched Rukia's retreating figure, gritted his teeth, and finally nodded heavily before grabbing Inoue and running away!

After Rukia regained her power, they had several matches, and without a doubt, he lost every time. Rukia was extremely powerful.

Even the powerful Rukia was so nervous when facing these two, she didn't even have the slightest confidence in winning, and could only think about stalling for time...

Therefore, Ichigo obeyed without hesitation and retreated immediately, as staying behind would only be a burden.

Byakuya glanced at Ichigo as he left, then looked at Rukia: "Good talent, good character, you still have such a good eye for people, Rukia."

"Can Nissan let him go?"

"Do you think it's possible? Renji, I'm leaving it to you. Make sure it's done cleanly, and don't give those people any leverage."

"Yes, Captain." Renji recovered from his petrified state, gave Rukia a deep look, and then leaped up to chase after Ichigo in the direction he had fled.

"Renji!"

"..." Renji turned around and looked at Rukia who had called him back. His eyes lowered slightly, and he said softly, "I'm sorry, Rukia, I have to do this."

After saying that, he used a quick step to catch up!

Rukia gritted her teeth, just about to chase after Renji to stop him, but as soon as she turned around, her pupils contracted!

Byakuya is already in front of her!

"First Dance - Moonlight!"