The Alchemist in Bleach

A dark crack appeared, and a black cat led four young people out. It was none other than Ichigo and his friends.

Ichigo frowned as he surveyed the somewhat desolate Rukongai, and asked, "This shouldn't be the Seireitei, right?"

"Hmm." Yoruichi nodded his cat head. "This is Rukongai. The Seireitei is surrounded by a protective barrier formed by killing intent stones. We need to find help here and use their technology to get to the Seireitei."

"Are you looking for someone?" Inoue frowned and said, "Mr. Yoruichi, if it's just about breaking through the protective barrier, I think my Lone Sky Shield should be able to do that."

"Mr. Yoruichi?" Chad looked at Inoue with surprise upon hearing this address, but he simply watched without interrupting Inoue and Yoruichi's conversation. In any case, it probably wasn't anything important.

“I know it’s easy for your Lone Sky Shield to break through the protective barrier, but our goal this time is to rescue Rukia. If everyone enters through the main gate, they are no match for the Thirteenth Division. The target is too big.”

Therefore, we need to use their tools to disperse and reach the Seireitei. This will effectively restrain their power. At the same time, our actions also require their help; coincidentally, they also need this turmoil.

"Using each other? Ha~ Death God~" Ishida curled his lip in disdain. There was no such problem among them, the Quincy. Everyone was very united!

Yoruichi glanced at Ishida but said nothing. After all, Ishida was right; the Quincy were indeed quite united now. After all, there were only a few of them left, and they really couldn't afford to be disunited.

She had no interest in provoking Ishida.

After a while, the group arrived at the gate of a large courtyard.

"Shiba... is this a noble family?" Ichigo looked down at Yoruichi and asked, staring at the words on the doorplate.

"Yes, they were once nobles, but they have now been expelled from Seireitei. They are our help this time."

"Squeak~"

As everyone was talking, the door opened, and Shiba Kukaku, dressed neatly, pushed it open. She first stared at Ichigo for a moment, then subconsciously shrank back, straightened her clothes, and then breathed a sigh of relief. She looked down at Yoruichi in her cat form, bent down, and picked her up.

"Why didn't you tell me you were coming? I could have had Yanjiu pick you up."

“There’s no need. Who knows what will happen in the Broken Realm? With your outfit, Haiyan is here, isn’t she?” Yoruichi perched on Kukaku’s shoulder, scrutinizing her attire, her cat lips slightly upturned.

"Yes, my brother is waiting for you in the lobby. Come in with me," he said, giving Ichigo one last deep look before turning and walking into the inner room.

"???" Ichigo exchanged surprised glances with the others, somewhat puzzled. Was there something special about him? Why did they have to watch him so many times?

With questions in mind, the group followed Kukaku and Yoruichi, while secretly worrying that if they had known it would be this troublesome, they would have allowed an extra day!

After a while, everyone came to the living room and were stunned when they saw the young man sitting at the head of the table. They looked at Ichigo and then at the young man at the head of the table.

They now understood why Shiba Kukaku had been stunned just now...

The reason is that these two people are extremely similar in every way except for their hair color!

Ichigo and Kaien were also taken aback for a moment, but Kaien quickly realized Ichigo's identity, since he knew Isshin's current situation. So he was only surprised for a moment before turning his attention to the black cat on Kukaku's shoulder.

"Long time no see, Yoruichi."

"How long? Didn't we just see each other not long ago?" With that, Yoruichi jumped to the ground, transforming back into human form amidst Ichigo and the others' gasps of surprise. She sat down on a chair to the side, glanced at the three stunned people with a surprised look, ignored them, and instead looked at Kaien.

"Why did you get involved in this mess? Don't tell me you still value that noble status."

Haiyan smiled and said, "At this point, whether we are still nobles or not is no longer important to us. Besides, the clansmen have gradually gotten used to living in Rukongai. Going back suddenly might be difficult for them to adjust to. This is fine. However, even without the title of noble, we cannot allow people to look down on the Shiba family. Some people have stretched their arms too far. We need to chop them off." Shiba said with a smile.

"Is that so? Whatever. However, if you want to regain your noble status, just let me know. I still have some say in the matter."

Haiyan nodded. He didn't think Yoruichi was exaggerating. Although Yoruichi was no longer the head of the Shihōin family, he didn't underestimate her influence within the family. Yoruichi's influence within the clan was not simply that of the former head. This could be seen from the fact that the current head of the family, Yoruichi's younger brother Shihōin Yūshirō, did not take over the Second Division, the Hidden Aggression Agency, or the Xingjun.

While Yuushirou's strength and talent may not be on par with Yoruichi's, he is still a member of the Five Great Noble Families and possesses immense spiritual pressure from birth! His current strength is no less than Soi Fon's, and with the addition of Shihouin's Tenjiban, he might even be stronger than Soi Fon!

In this situation, the fact that the armed forces that should have been handed over to the head of the family were instead controlled by the former head's confidants speaks volumes.

"Don't worry, if you really need it, I won't be polite. You need to borrow the cannon, right? Come with me." With that, Haiyan got up and walked outside, while instructing Konghe, "Go and call Yanjiu, and have him go with you to the Flower Crane Cannon to wait. You'll be moving with them later."

"Yes, elder brother," Konghe replied respectfully.

Although she still had some doubts about the decision, she did as her elder brother instructed, because as it turned out, her elder brother's decisions were always correct.

Moreover, they are confident enough in their own abilities!

Meanwhile, while Kukaku went to call Ganju, Yoruichi, along with Ichigo and the other three, followed Kaien.

"The Crane Cannon? I don't think they have the ability to control it right now; learning it on the spot isn't that quick."

"Don't worry, it's been improved a long time ago, and the requirements in this area are not as high now."

Before long, the group followed Haiyan to the Flower Crane Cannon. Looking at this enormous machine, Ichigo swallowed hard, a bad feeling suddenly rising in his heart...

"We're going to use this to enter the Seireitei? How do we use it?"

“Of course we’ll launch it.” Seeing Ichigo’s voice trembling slightly, Kaien said matter-of-factly. When Ichigo shuddered, Kaien laughed and said, “But don’t worry, the technology is quite advanced now and it won’t cause any harm. Just hold onto this.”

As he spoke, Haiyan took out a transparent bead, squeezed it slightly, and poured spiritual power into it. Instantly, a golden spherical shield was generated, enveloping him.

"With this, you won't get hurt." With that, Haiyan handed the bead in her hand to Ichigo. "Here, take this one. It's reusable, and its defensive power is pretty good. At least even a captain-level Shinigami wouldn't easily break through it."

Looking at the shimmering golden patterns within the bead, Ichigo hesitated. Even in his ignorance, he knew he couldn't just accept this; it bore the Shiba family crest...

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Chapter 353 The Invasion of the Traveling Scourge!

Ichigo looked at Yoruichi, wanting to ask for her opinion, but how could Yoruichi possibly interfere? She knew all too well about Ichigo's past; these kinds of things were always troublesome.

Therefore, Yoruichi slightly turned her head away when faced with Ichigo's questioning gaze.

Ichigo: "..."

"Take it. They'll have some later. It's essential for using the Crane Flower Cannon. Otherwise, they'll have to learn how to control the Spirit Orb Core, which takes a very long time. Are you sure you can afford to wait that long?"

"Spirit Pearl Core? Is that the name of this technique?"

“Heh~ Spirit Pearl Core isn’t something to be taken advantage of…” As she spoke, she turned to look at Inoue, but before she could finish her sentence, the gentle smile on Haiyan’s face froze instantly.

Inoue was now surrounded by a golden shield, the only difference between it and the shield that Haiyan had just used was the pattern. Haiyan's shield had a vortex pattern of falling and collapsing, while Inoue's was bare.

But that's not the point!

The key point is that Inoue is currently using a skill, but this protective shield is actually created by manipulating the Spirit Orb Core!

It's not impossible to create one without the spirit pearl core, but the difficulty will increase significantly!

Even studying takes a long time, and you think you can learn it in a glance? Do you think you're some kind of genius?

However Haiyan may not believe it, the facts are undeniable: Inoue can indeed do it, and he seems to do it with great ease...

"...How do you know this? Did you just learn it?"

"No, it was a few days ago... um... I suddenly realized it!"

Haiyan: "???"

Kukaku: "???"

You think you suddenly figured out what I painstakingly developed just a few days ago? You're kidding me! Do you think you're some kind of genius?

Kukaku, who arrived with Ganju, witnessed Inoue casting a protective shield, and then overheard her words, leaving her completely bewildered...

"I suddenly realized it a few days ago..." Haiyan was speechless for a moment. He naturally didn't believe it. Putting aside the difficulty of creating this protective shield, Inoue's hesitant tone alone told him it wasn't true...

“She underwent the Infinite Trials a few days ago.”

"??? Infinite Trials? Her? That Infinite Trials?" Haiyan was stunned, staring at Yoruichi in shock.

Yoruichi nodded helplessly.

In an instant, Haiyan's gaze towards Inoue changed completely. That damned thing called the Infinite Trials had actually walked out of it normally...

Warriors!

Kukaku fell silent again. The Infinite Trials... could anyone really pass that?

Inoue: "......"

Inoue sensed the change in their gazes and was somewhat speechless. He couldn't help but sigh again. Really, was there any need to hide it? It felt like everyone could see through it.

He silently observed Inoue for a while, memorizing his appearance, and then handed the bead to Ichigo again, saying gently, "You can return it to me after this is over. For now, take it."

Ichigo stared at the bead in silence for a moment, then nodded and took the transparent bead, about half the size of a fist, from Kaien's hand. Ganju, standing nearby, opened his mouth as if to say something.

But after comparing Ichigo and Kaien's appearances, which were only very similar in terms of hair color, he didn't say anything. Although he usually seemed a bit silly, he wasn't really stupid; he had that much insight.

Ichigo is obviously related to the Shiba family. He had already heard Kukaku mention it on the way here. Although Ichigo is human, his spiritual pressure is exceptionally strong, and he has only awakened the power of a Shinigami a little over a month ago.

They are born with powerful spiritual pressure, which is one of the characteristics of the five noble families, but Ichigo is obviously one of the more outstanding ones.

On the other side, after Ichigo received the bead, Kaien smiled and took out four beads from his pocket, handing them to Inoue, Yoruichi, and the others. However, unlike Ichigo's beads, theirs did not have the Falling Sky Collapse vortex pattern, which made them take another deep look at Ichigo.

If they still can't figure it out after all this, then they're really stupid.

Of the three, Ishida is under the most pressure because he originally had the advantage of his bloodline, but now it seems that the advantage of his bloodline may only be a little bit left, or he may not even have this advantage anymore.

Top-tier bloodline, top-tier talent, top-tier guidance, plus top-tier external advantages—he felt he had already lost too much...

Kaien didn't have time to pay attention to Ishida's little expression. After handing out the beads to them, Kaien turned to look at Ganju and Kukaku.

"This time, the two of you will be attacking the Seireitei with them. I hope that you will fight your way out on your own, rather than me having to bail you out. Do you understand?"

"Understood, elder brother." Kong He nodded respectfully and stood properly.

Although her eldest brother, Kaien, is usually very gentle, the eldest brother is like a father. For some reason, since childhood, Kaien has given her a strange sense of intimidation. In front of Kaien, Konghe's usual boldness and carefree attitude have completely disappeared.

"Big brother, do we not need to go? Do you still want to go back to being a nobleman?" Unlike Kukaku, Ganju, although afraid of Kaien, was not completely afraid, and he still dared to talk back.

"Just go when I tell you to, stop talking nonsense! Remember, don't kill the thirteenth squad, just incapacitate them. The nobles' private armies are no problem."

"Big brother, injuring without killing is a bit difficult," Yanjiu said thoughtfully, nodding.

Haiyan rolled her eyes and said irritably, "The last sentence was for Konghe. I want you to kill someone, but do you have the ability? You haven't improved at all in a hundred or two hundred years. Alright, get in there."

As she spoke, Haiyan walked behind Yanjiu and gently kicked him.

Rock Vulture awkwardly rubbed his rear end and dove headfirst into the Crane Cannon. After Rock Vulture went inside, Sea Swallow looked at the crowd.

"The Crane Cannon has been improved and now doesn't require much of your operation. Just remember one thing: once inside, deploy the shield and wait to land. One thing to note is that you will be scattered after entering the Seireitei, so I have prepared a map for you inside. You will have to find a way to reunite after entering the Seireitei, understand?"

The group nodded and entered the Flower Crane Cannon one by one.

"Has it been improved to this extent now?" Yoruichi walked to Kaien's side and looked at the Flower Crane Cannon with emotion.

"When everyone is moving forward, staying still means falling behind."

"It's been years, and you've become even more eloquent." Yoruichi glanced at Kaien, a smile on her face.

"Heh~ There has to be growth, right?" Haiyan chuckled, then looked at Ichigo's retreating figure and asked, "Is he your uncle's child?"