Ichigo leaves and takes up residence in Soul Society!

The classroom was silent for a moment, then erupted in excitement.

"I never expected something like this to happen."

Ba Ba Yuan stroked his chin and muttered, "I hope those two classmates are safe and sound."

"What's wrong? You have such a long face, like you've been punched."

Shinomiya-sama glanced at Ichigo.

"Didn't you hear what Teacher Da Yu Naohara said? The place where she went missing is Runlin An."

Ichigo's tone was solemn.

"Don't be nervous. Even if there are bad guys causing trouble, they can't threaten the elders. That place isn't as weak and vulnerable as you think."

"The student who went missing from the class, although I didn't have much contact with him, I remember he was also from Rukongai, but not Runlin An."

"..."

A hint of doubt flashed in the eyes of the Four Palace Masters.

A commoner who was not from Runlin'an disappeared in Runlin'an. The key point is that no one knows why he went to Runlin'an, otherwise the word "for no reason" would not be used.

The fact that another student also "for no reason" makes a lot of sense.

Could it have been done by the teacher?

The probability is very low.

After all, we've long passed the point where people need to go missing.

But this only makes people feel that a crisis is lurking.

“I have to admit that your concerns are somewhat valid, but this is none of our business. Look at those people, they practically have the words ‘watching the show and getting excited’ written all over their faces. People from Rukongai are less important to them than a bit of fun, and there’s absolutely no sense of camaraderie between them.”

Upon hearing this, Ichigo turned his gaze to the noble students in his class who were having a lively discussion, and fell into an awkward silence.

"...Even so, but..."

"But then again, it's been quite a while since I've seen the elder. I should go back and let him know I'm safe and sound. Would you like to come along?"

The Four Palaces Venerable suddenly spoke.

"..."

Ichigo paused for a moment, then snorted coldly.

"Is that even a question? I don't want people talking behind my back saying this guy is ungrateful."

"Are you two going to get involved in this? It's dangerous. This isn't like our usual martial arts practice."

Ba Ba, who was behind, heard everything clearly, so he spoke up to remind him.

"You're right, so...want to come together?"

"Guhehe~"

There's no need to answer; that sly grin says it all.

"And Luntang... well, it seems there's no need to ask."

The Four Palaces Lord turned his head and met Rindo's serious gaze.

it is more than words.

"Shinomiya, you can make stupid mistakes too. We're in the same living group, so of course we have to stick together."

Ichigo was mocking me more than being sarcastic.

Rather than being a joke, it's more accurate to say that it indirectly expresses one's attitude.

"No time to lose, let's go tonight! GO! GO! GO! The Hachihara Squad is going to dominate Rukongai!"

Ba Ba Yuan clenched his fists, looking excited and passionate.

"Why is it the Hachihachihara Squad? I started this topic, okay? It should be called the Kurosaki Squad... no, that sounds a bit embarrassing, let's skip this topic."

"???"

Shinomiya-sama looked at Ichigo with a puzzled expression. "Did you start this?"

And the phrase "leaving tonight" sounds really unlucky for the team.

Chapter Twelve: Return to Rukongai

After having dinner at the dormitory cafeteria, Shinomiya and the others headed straight to Rukongai.

It was still early, and although something had happened, it didn't seem to have escalated much, and the atmosphere in Runlin was still normal.

People lit lanterns and hung them under the porch, children ran around, the night became their playmate, and the noise drifted into the streets and alleys on the evening breeze.

Several children and adults would greet Shinomiya-sensei and Ichigo when they encountered them.

"They've only been here for a few days, but they've completely treated us like family."

Ichigo was somewhat moved, but also somewhat puzzled as to where this pure emotion came from.

The four palaces were well aware of the situation.

"The residents of Rukongai come from all over the world and even from different eras. They have become accustomed to forming new families with strangers who are not related by blood, so they are very friendly to outsiders and even happy to accept new family members and companions... It is simply a natural breeding ground for yakuza groups."

"The last sentence is redundant."

Ignoring the bickering between the two people in front of him, Ba Ba Yuan looked around like a curious cat.

"I've heard that the area near the outer perimeter of the city is very safe, with many interesting shops that attract the Grim Reaper. It seems that the rumors are true."

Luntang remained extremely silent, as if he were in a daze, or perhaps he was silently observing everything around him, gathering some clues.

Soon after, the four arrived at the elder's residence.

They knocked on the door but were almost stopped outside by a strong smell of gunpowder.

The wooden house is as spacious as a warehouse, capable of accommodating many children to play, frolic, eat, and sleep.

But at this moment, not a single child could be seen.

Only the elder and a couple were facing off.

The bubbling fire of the hanging boiler in the middle seemed to foreshadow the moods of both sides.

However, upon closer inspection, the Four Palace Masters realized that the two sides in the confrontation were actually the man and woman, while the Elder sat there looking helpless, like an outsider trying to mediate.

Moreover, he recognized who the two people were at a glance.

The woman is Shiba Kukaku, which is not surprising, as it is perfectly understandable for a pyrotechnician living in West Rukongai to travel around the streets.

But the presence of Kichiyo Ōmaeda, the Grim Reaper, here seems somewhat out of place.

"Huh? Who are these brats? Who let them in!"

Having just had a fight with Shiba Kukaku, or more accurately, been thoroughly scolded, Ōmaeda was secretly furious. When he saw someone else coming to stir things up, he couldn't hold back any longer.

"This is the Elders' home. Who are you to meddle in other people's business? If you have any objections, go back to Seireitei and let your captain deal with it personally to prevent the situation from escalating."

Before the Four Palaces Master and the elders could speak, Shiba Kukaku mocked them.

"You...! I've put up with you for too long! Don't think that just because you're from the Shiba family you can ride roughshod over Omaeda! I'm the vice-captain of the Second Division and the captain of the Second Onmitsukido Patrol Team!"

"I'm here to investigate the case. You have no right to order me around. Instead, you should obey my orders and cooperate with this old man like he does, handing over the information obediently. Otherwise, when the captain arrives, you'll definitely be in big trouble!"

Ōmaeda was so angry that his face turned red. He stood up abruptly. Putting everything else aside, his burly and imposing physique was indeed quite intimidating, and the slight overflow of his vice-captain-level spiritual pressure was not to be underestimated.

At least Ichigo and Hachiman both had tense expressions, ready to deal with a conflict.

Shiba Kukaku remained seated there, completely disregarding Ōmaeda.

"Ha~ Using Soi Fon to intimidate me? Then let her come, that would be perfect. Hurry up, I'll wait for her to come to me, and I'll definitely give her the information without saying a word."

"asshole!"

The casual tone, as if treating Soi Fon as a subordinate responsible for cleaning up messes, made Ōmaeda want to draw his sword and chop off the other's remaining hand, but he didn't have the guts.

In the end, he could only leave with the harsh words, "I can catch the criminal even without you," and turn away.

At the moment we brushed past each other.

While making way, Shinomiya-sama seemingly kindly reminded him, "Going to the Grim Reaper in charge of the area might yield unexpected results."

"……Ah."

Ōmaeda glanced at him sideways and said sarcastically in a gruff voice:

"Kid, you'd better go back to sleep early, or you'll be late tomorrow and get a severe scolding from the teachers at the Spirit Arts Academy."

After saying that, he left in a hurry, as if he had just vented his anger.

"This guy is so annoying, he's nowhere near as good as the people in the Fifth Division."

Ichigo clicked his tongue.

"—So you better not become a Grim Reaper in the future, or if I run into him, that'll be your fate."

Shiba Kukaku's voice came from inside the house.

The Four Palace Masters and the others were still wearing their Spirit Arts Academy uniforms, so it was not difficult to confirm their identities.

"Who is this……"

"Her name is Shiba Kukaku, and she is the most famous pyrotechnician in Rukongai."

The elder explained.

"I've heard of her. She practically monopolized all the fireworks needed for Seireitei's ceremonies. She has considerable influence among merchants in both Rukongai and Seireitei. She's my mother's idol!"

Hachihara's eyes lit up.

"Ha! This is the first time I've heard someone introduce themselves like this. Also, your mother has excellent taste, young lady."

"Could you please sign your autograph if possible?"

"No problem at all. I'll sign it on the fireworks I made myself. You can take it home as a collectible; it'll definitely hold its value. I'm honest and trustworthy!"

"Great!"

Seeing the two Sheniu looking like they had known each other for ages, even the usually easygoing Shinomiya-no-Zun was a little speechless. He turned to chat with the elder who was pouring water for them and took the time to introduce Hachihachihara and Rindou.

As the conversation progressed, Shiba Kukaku gradually learned about their background.

"Oh, so the elder was talking about the two of you geniuses. Young people these days are really something else."

Shiba Kukaku observed Shinomiya and Ichigo with great interest, but for some reason her attention seemed to linger more on Ichigo.

"We have to thank the elder for his care back then."

"Don't worry about it. I'm relieved to see that you're doing well at the Spirit Arts Academy and have made new friends. To be honest, I didn't expect you to come at this time."

Shinomiya-no-Mikoto and Ichigo exchanged a glance, and Ichigo eventually stepped forward to explain the reason.

The elder then realized what was happening.

"I see. You rushed over because you were worried that the disappearance of your classmates would implicate this old man."

"However, with Miss Sora here, our worries seem unnecessary."

The four palaces are meant to be pointed.

"Don't flatter me, this is a headache for me too."

Shiba Kukaku waved his hand in annoyance.

"Is it because the Grim Reaper in charge of managing Runlin'an also had an accident?"

"?"

Shinomiya-sensei's sudden remark startled Shiba Kukaku, and also surprised the others.

Chapter Thirteen is so utterly depraved; I wonder who taught them that.

"How did you know? Wait... you guessed, but you weren't sure, so you were just testing that idiot Ōmaeda."

Recalling the brief conversation between the two when Ōmaeda left, Shiba Kukaku keenly realized the truth of the matter.

"Huh? What are you talking about? I don't understand. Can you explain more clearly? Who's in trouble?"

Ichigo was completely confused.

"The Grim Reaper in charge of local security."