The Demon King, reborn in Japan as a monk

“At least you’re all black, not human,” Ishihara Akira laughed.

Yoruichi remained silent, too lazy to bother with Ishihara Akira, this intruder, but he really didn't say anything, and focused on leading the way.

It wasn't until much later.

"The exit is just ahead!" Yoruichi warned, noticing the faint light ahead.

Upon hearing this, everyone perked up and quickened their pace. They then passed through the boundary cavity without incident and entered the Soul Society.

"As expected, without Orihime's burden, the process of passing through the Boundary Chamber wasn't as thrilling as depicted in the original story," Ishihara Akane thought to himself, looking back at the spatial barrier that had repaired and shrunk on its own.

"Is this it?" Kurosaki Ichigo looked at the desolate road in front of him.

"Yes, we've arrived," Yoruichi confirmed.

Of course, this refers to the Soul Society. As for the Seireitei and the place where Rukia Kuchiki is imprisoned, that's still a long way off.

"Then what are we waiting for? Take me to where Rukia is being held!" Kurosaki Ichigo exclaimed excitedly.

"You're really in a hurry," Yoruichi said speechlessly. "Alright, come with me."

Then the group started walking again, heading towards the Seireitei.

"We've already arrived, why are you still following us?" Yoruichi, who had fallen slightly behind, questioned Ishihara Sho beside her.

"We haven't even arrived at Seireitei yet, and you're already trying to send me away?" Ishihara Akira asked with a chuckle.

"Speaking of which, you didn't come back this time just to sabotage our plans and then reap the benefits, did you?" Yoruichi's expression changed slightly upon hearing this, and she asked in a deep voice.

“I told you, I have no interest in that stuff,” Ishihara Akira said, shaking his head.

"Really?"

"real."

"Then I'll trust you for now. I hope you'll live up to my trust in the future, otherwise..."

"What if we do something else?" Ishihara Shoji asked with renewed interest.

“Urahara Kisuke will naturally come looking for trouble for you.”

"Ha ha……"

Then, Yoruichi returned to the front and continued to lead everyone forward quickly.

……

"Is this the Soul Society?" Not long after entering Rukongai, Ichigo Kurosaki frowned and asked, looking at the spirits around him who seemed to still be living in the Edo period.

"This is Rukongai. Although it is also Soul Society, it is only the outer part of the core of Soul Society..." Before Yoruichi could introduce it, Ishihara Akira took over and began to describe everything he knew about Soul Society.

Of course, it also included information such as the status of the 80th Rukongai in the four directions of east, west, south, north, and south, giving Kurosaki Ichigo and his companions a thorough understanding of the Soul Society.

"So, if we want to rescue Rukia, we need to enter the Seireitei first, then find where she's being held, and defeat all the guards and the subsequent interceptors from the Gotei 13, right?" Kurosaki Ichigo confirmed with a serious expression.

“Yes. That’s why I don’t have a very high opinion of your actions,” Ishihara Akira nodded in affirmation.

It's fair to say that if Ichigo Kurosaki hadn't been the protagonist, and if the other captains hadn't held back the sea during the battle, then of the original characters, only Ichigo Kurosaki, who had Yoruichi's protection, would have survived; the rest would have all died!

At that point, let alone saving Rukia Kuchiki, it's uncertain whether he himself will even have any problems.

It's clear how reckless Ichigo Kurosaki's invasion of Soul Society was.

"Even so, I will do it!" Kurosaki Ichigo said firmly.

"Whatever, it's your business, it has nothing to do with me," Ishihara Akira said indifferently.

After that, the group successfully passed through Rukongai and arrived in front of the White Path Gate, the entrance to the Seireitei in the original story. However, they were immediately blocked outside the Seireitei by a huge wall that fell from the sky.

"It's been a long time since we've encountered someone who wants to pass through the Spirit Gate without a Court Pass." At the same time, amidst the shroud of smoke, a hollow voice, seemingly emanating from an empty high-rise building, rang in the ears of Kurosaki Ichigo and the others.

"I finally have something to do." Then, Jidanbo's figure emerged from the dissipating dust, looking down at Kurosaki Ichigo who had run to the Spirit Gate, and sneered, "I'll give you a good welcome, brat."

"It's huge. Who is that guy?" Ishida Uryu murmured, sounding somewhat suppressed.

"That's the Sidanfang, one of the heroes handpicked by the Soul Society, and a guardian of the White Path Sect," Yoruichi explained.

However, this series of honors cannot compare with his performance in the original work. In fact, it can be said that Sidanfang is not worthy of so many honors.

But it's not entirely his fault. After all, his opponent was Ichigo Kurosaki, the chosen one of the Bleach world, the protagonist, whose potential was so explosive it was practically a bug. He couldn't be compared to ordinary Shinigami, so from that perspective, his loss wasn't entirely unjust.

"So, if we want to get in, we have to defeat him first?" Ishida Uryu said gravely.

“Ah, that’s right, it’s no easy task. After all, he’s held this position for three hundred years, and no one has ever been able to get past the White Path Gate he guards.” Yoruichi continued to add to the psychological pressure on Ishida Uryu and the others, saying, “After all, he can kill thirty Hollows with a single swing of his axe…”

"Since he's so strong, why are you still making sarcastic remarks here instead of hurrying up and saving him?" Ishihara Akira bent down, grabbed Yoruichi's cat form by the scruff of her neck, lifted her up, and held her in his arms, chuckling softly.

Yoruichi remained silent. She couldn't very well say that she was testing Ichigo and trying to force out more of his potential through a life-or-death battle, could she?

As for danger, with Yoruichi in her Body Flicker Form here, she certainly won't let Ichigo Kurosaki die.

However, Chadu didn't care about all that. After hearing Yoruichi's introduction, he immediately became worried about Ichigo Kurosaki's situation ahead. Without hesitation, he ran towards Ichigo Kurosaki.

"Hey, Chadu!" Yoruichi shouted in astonishment.

Unfortunately, it was of little use; it was less effective than the rubble created by Si Danfang cutting the ground with an axe.

Chapter 199 Shiba Kukaku

The subsequent developments were exactly the same as in the original work.

Kurosaki Ichigo fought and defeated Jidanbo. As promised, Jidanbo helped Kurosaki Ichigo and the others open the White Gate. However, when the gate was only half open, the current captain of the Third Division, Ichimaru Gin, appeared and attacked Jidanbo, who was holding the Spirit Gate on his shoulder, without hesitation, seemingly wanting to kill him.

Ichigo Kurosaki couldn't stand it and confronted Gin Ichimaru, only to be lectured by him. As a result, although Ichimaru saved Jidanbo's life, he also cut off Jidanbo's access to the Seireitei through proper channels, leaving him with no choice but to find another way.

However, it wasn't without its gains: Kurosaki Ichigo and his companions earned the respect of the Rukongai residents because of their rescue of Jidanbo...

Of course, this only applies to the majority of people who have prejudices against death; they will continue to act as they always have.

For example, the one that pops up later is called Shiba Ganju.

However, none of this changes the fact that Yoruichi and her sister Kukaku Shiba are good friends, so in the end, Ganju still led everyone to Kukaku Shiba's place...

"Why are you still following us?" Yoruichi asked helplessly as they continued their journey, still unable to escape the Ishihara Sho monster.

"Can't I just watch the show and enjoy the drama?" Ishihara Akira replied while petting the cat.

"Be careful you don't kill yourself," Yoruichi said irritably.

"Then you don't need to worry about it, Yoruichi," Ishihara Akira said with a smile.

Then the group crossed the forest and arrived at the current address of the Shiba family.

After passing through the gate guarded by two burly men, Ishihara Akira and the others met the owner of the place, Shiba Kukaku, in a neat and clean Japanese-style room.

He was dressed in a ninja outfit similar to Mai Shiranui's battle attire, with bandages wrapped around his head, arms, and feet. His right arm, in particular, was missing from the upper part of his upper arm, indicating that his injury was severe and had not yet fully healed.

Of course, that's only how it appears.

As for her mental state and appearance, she showed no signs of being a patient. Instead, she exuded a wildness. In her perfectly healthy hand, she held a pipe, the kind of pipe that older generations used. The pipe was filled with wisps of smoke, indicating that it had just been lit and had not yet been completely smoked.

A short sword, which should be a Zanpakuto, was tied behind her right arm, which was missing about two-thirds of its length. If you didn't look closely, you might not even notice it.

He sat on the cushions with a very eccentric air, looking at Yoruichi, Ishihara Sho, and the others.

"I never expected to see you at a time like this. So, the 'traveling calamity' that alerted Seireitei was those guys behind you?" Shiba Kukaku said, looking at Yoruichi and Ishihara Shoto, who was sitting neatly behind him.

"Yes," Yoruichi affirmed.

"Then why did you come here? Don't tell me you brought someone here in such a grand manner just to visit your old friend." Shiba Kukaku asked again after Todo gave an affirmative answer.

"I've come here this time because I have a favor to ask," Yoruichi said frankly.

"Oh?" Shiba Kukaku showed an interested expression.

Yoruichi then explained without hesitation the entire purpose of Ichigo Kurosaki and the others' visit to Soul Society.

Of course, the content related to the Hogyoku has been removed.

It wasn't that Yoruichi didn't trust Shiba Kukaku; if she didn't trust her, she wouldn't have brought Kurosaki Ichigo and the others. Rather, there was no need for Kurosaki Ichigo and the others to know about the existence of the Hogyoku, or that the Hogyoku was partly responsible for Rukia's problems, which could lead to misunderstandings and change the course of the plan.

This is the real reason why she didn't explain this part.

“If that’s the case, then I’ll help you with this.” Shiba Kukaku readily agreed after hearing Yoruichi’s explanation.

"Thank you," Yoruichi said gratefully.

“Although I trust you, I still have some doubts about the boys behind you, so I will send one of my men to travel with you.” Shiba Kukaku said as he stood up.

"Subordinates?"

"I wouldn't call him a subordinate, since that guy is my younger brother, although he's still a bit immature..." Shiba Kukaku walked to the door, opened it, and revealed Shiba Ganju who was waiting behind it...

……

"Huh? Why didn't you go practice with them?" Shiba Kukaku asked, somewhat surprised, looking at Ishihara Sho, who was still in the house.

It's astonishing that even Yoruichi didn't notice him; Ishihara Akira's performance was truly remarkable.

"What if I said I did this specifically for you?" Ishihara Akira stood up and smiled.

"For me?" Shiba Kukaku asked in astonishment.

"Oh, right, for you." Ishihara Akane flashed in front of Shiba Kukaku with Shunpo and hooked her chin with his hand.

"Kid, do you know what you're doing?" Shiba Kukaku frowned upon seeing this and said in a deep voice with an unfriendly tone.

“I know,” Ishihara Akira replied.

The next moment, Ishihara Akane's power suddenly pierced into Shiba Kukaku's heart, activating the Heavenly Demon Power and bringing Shiba Kukaku back to the days after her elder brother, Shiba Kaien, died.

Dressed in mourning clothes, Shiba Kukaku, whose arms were still intact, knelt sadly in the funeral hall, welcoming the Grim Reapers who came from all directions to pay their respects.

"Why, why was my brother killed by the Grim Reaper!" Shiba Ganju, still a child at the time, asked in a low voice with hatred in his eyes.

"Shut up!" Shiba Kukaku decisively slapped Shiba Ganju across the face, then warned coldly, "If you want our whole family to die with you, then keep spouting nonsense."

"I, I..." Shiba Ganju was so startled by Kukaku that he was too embarrassed to say anything more.

Shiba Kukaku then turned her gaze away, staring at the photograph placed on the altar, lost in thought...

However, the next moment, she was startled by the strange behavior of Shiba Kaien in the photo—Shiba Kaien was actually smiling at her.

Then, Shiba Kukaku's perspective shifted again, returning to the environment where Shiba Kaien had died. Like a ghost that could not be observed, he could only helplessly watch as Shiba Kaien was harmed by Aizen's Hollowfied wife, Shiba Miyako, and then he himself was transformed into a Hollow due to the power injected by Shiba Miyako.