Ichigo leaves and takes up residence in Soul Society!

She and Ichigo share a close friend.

However, during their junior high school years, the two had no contact whatsoever and only knew about each other through Tatsuki Arisawa.

They were like familiar strangers.

Until today, that's what she thought.

"...Okay, that's not surprising. After all, something like that happened, and you can't care about other people. I can understand that feeling."

Feeling the subtle glances from the three members of the Four Palaces, Ichigo felt a little embarrassed and decided to skip the topic.

"No matter what, we're still acquaintances. If that guy forces you to do something dangerous, I won't stand idly by."

"Hey! What kind of person do you take me for!"

While pulling back the enraged Rukia, Orihime hurriedly explained, "Please don't misunderstand, Ms. Kuchiki didn't force me to do anything I didn't want to do. She even gave me her power to save me."

"?!"

"what!"

"Oh!"

【…】

Orihime's self-disclosure shocked everyone.

If anyone could remain calm under such circumstances, it would only be Shinomiya Takeru, who had guessed the truth earlier.

"No...this...that...!"

Realizing she had let something slip, Orihime panicked for a moment.

Seeing this, Rukia interrupted helplessly: "Forget it, you're not good at lying anyway. Let me explain the situation. I was mentally prepared on the way here."

He then quickly explained what had happened.

The Four Palaces Lord felt as if she had prepared a draft in her mind beforehand and revised it countless times, just waiting to report it during the interrogation.

There was no intention to defend himself.

To present the facts from a completely objective perspective.

The more this is the case, the more one can feel the heaviness in the words.

Clearly, even she didn't think highly of her own fate.

The so-called "being mentally prepared on the way here" refers to this.

This is probably in response to the upcoming verdict.

Rather than the immediate need for honesty.

So even though she gained everyone's understanding, Rukia didn't show the slightest bit of joy.

"Shinomiya, is it really that serious to transfer the power of a Shinigami to someone else?"

Seeing her somber expression, Ichigo felt a pang of sadness.

It could even be described as indignation.

He saved lives and fulfilled the duty of a grim reaper, yet he is being held accountable.

It's incredibly ironic.

According to spiritual law, this is a serious crime.

Shigu-no-zun glanced at Ichigo, his tone low and somber.

"The reason is that everyone's spiritual power is unique. Transferring the power of death at will is equivalent to transferring one's identity, which involves basic moral issues, similar to the negative impact of cloning technology in the modern world, and poses hidden dangers to politics and class... In my opinion, the last point is the key factor that is considered a serious crime."

What are the typical results?

"It's hard to say, but he probably won't die."

will not die.

This result offered Ichigo no psychological comfort whatsoever.

Instead, he became even more indignant, and his expression became particularly solemn.

"...Really? Is there anything we can do?"

"Idiot, don't be foolish... I'll be extremely grateful as long as you don't report me to Soul Society. Don't do anything else, just pretend you never met me."

Before Shinomiya could answer, Rukia spoke first.

"Huh? What kind of tone is that! Didn't you come here to ask for help?!"

"What a joke! I saw an unusual gathering of spiritual pressure here and thought something had happened, so I dragged Inoue over. I did consider the possibility that it was someone from Soul Society, but I'm confident I can keep it a secret as long as Inoue isn't discovered."

"But didn't she rush over to us in a flurry of activity?"

"...It's because you all gathered together and then suppressed your spiritual pressure that I couldn't figure out your exact location and ended up running into you!"

"So don't be so reckless if you're so careless. You didn't do anything wrong. There's nothing shameful about honestly asking your companions for help when you encounter difficulties!"

"Companion? You mean you didn't even graduate from the Spirit Arts Academy? If you ask me, that black-haired kid is more reliable than you."

"Hmm... that can't be denied, but you've fallen so low, what's there to be arrogant about!"

"..."

Seeing the two arguing as if no one else was around, their faces turning red, Shinomiya-zun, Hachiyahara, Rindo and others consciously distanced themselves to avoid being splashed with saliva.

There was an open space right next to it, and a few cement pipes stacked together could be used as seats.

Hachihara even lay down at the highest point, looking as if it had burned out.

Luntang and Ze squatted on the ground studying the ant nest.

"Come and rest for a while."

Shinomiya-no-Mikoto waved to the bewildered Orihime.

"them……"

"That's also a way to relax."

Convinced by this reason, Orihime walked over and sat down with some hesitation.

"Won't it be inconvenient for you to carry that knife around?"

"Oh? It's alright, at least it can be like this."

With that, Orihime deactivated her Shinigami form.

The Shinigami armor and Zanpakuto transformed into particles of light, condensing into a six-petal-shaped hair clip that rested quietly on the hair, becoming a touch of embellishment in that warm color.

Seeing this scene, Shinomiya-no-Tsurugi couldn't help but think of Ginjou Kūgo.

"Being a substitute for Death must be tough, especially tonight."

"..."

Orihime nodded silently.

But there was no dissatisfaction on her face; her gentle gaze turned to Rukia not far away.

"Although it's very hard, I would have died long ago if I didn't do it this way."

"I heard from Kuchiki that you almost died at the hands of your own brother?"

"Ah."

Shinomiya-no-Mikoto's words were straightforward, but Orihime wasn't angry because she had already let it go.

"After my brother died, I made a new friend, the girl that Kurosaki-san knew. We got along very well, so well that my brother mistakenly thought I had forgotten him, which is why he was angry."

“I don’t blame him. It was my fault. I should have told him that I didn’t want him to worry. But thankfully I did in the end, so my brother can go to Soul Society without worry and no longer be controlled by his Hollow instincts.”

"Miss Kuchiki not only saved me, but also cleared up the misunderstanding between my brother and me, and saved both of us. She is my great benefactor. I feel that no matter what I do, I can never repay this kindness."

"So I will fight, even though I am very scared and it is very hard, but I must protect Ms. Kuchiki who has lost her power."

Shinomiya-no-Tsurugi, along with Hachiyahara and Rindou, listened quietly to her heartfelt words, as gentle as water.

"Speaking of which... I still don't know everyone's names?"

Orihime realized this too late.

“My name is Shinomiya-no-Takashi, that’s Rindo Yu, and that’s Hachiyahara Kumaru. As for Kurosaki-kun… no need for introductions. We’re all classmates at the Spirit Arts Academy.”

The Four Palaces Venerable was briefly introduced.

"I see, no wonder everyone seems to get along so well."

Orihime, realizing what was happening, couldn't help but feel a little envious of this little group.

"It's alright. Hachiya is a social butterfly, and Rindou is in the same living group, so it's hard for them not to get along. As for Kurosaki, well, we were both hit and killed by the same car."

The four palace masters leaned back, adjusting to a relatively comfortable posture and completely relaxing.

Because he had his eyes closed, he didn't notice the surprised expression on Orihime's face.

"Did Shinomiya also die in a car accident?"

"Ah... Strictly speaking, it was I who dragged him down, causing him to suffer an undeserved disaster. So I always think of him when there are good things happening. I even shared extracurricular tutoring with him before."

"is that so."

Shinomiya-no-Taka's confident response made Orihime think of herself, completely oblivious to the strange expressions on Hachiyahara and Rindou's faces.

It was also a car accident.

I feel guilty for involving others.

The difference is that she did not die.

If I had gone out with my brother back then and died in a car accident, we would all be able to meet in Soul Society now, right?

"Ah~ Ah~ Look what I found!"

Suddenly, a sarcastic voice, tinged with suppressed emotion, rang out.

The Four Palace Master slowly opened his eyes and looked at the roof of a detached house directly opposite him.

Two figures were standing on it.

"You suddenly appeared... Who are you people?"

Ichigo stopped arguing and frowned.

"As students of the Spirit Arts Academy, it's really embarrassing that you don't even recognize the big shots in the squad you'll be joining in the future. I'll take this opportunity to teach you a lesson. I am Renji Abarai, the vice-captain of the Sixth Squad. As for who this person is, I won't say, since... some people will definitely recognize him."

Renji Abarai stared intently at Rukia with a serious expression.

"Am I right, Rukia?"

"..."

Rukia trembled uncontrollably, not able to stop no matter what she did. Besides the intimidation brought by the spiritual pressure, she was more afraid of the taciturn man beside Renji.

"Brother...elder brother!"

Chapter Thirty-Seven: Crescent Moon... Sky Rush!

Dressed in black with a white haori and exquisite and elegant accessories, he was more like a cold and aloof nobleman than the captain of the sixth division of the Gotei 13.

The spiritual pressure emanating from him made the atmosphere particularly heavy, as if it were filled with lead and pressed down on everyone's shoulders.

Not to mention Rukia and Orihime, even Hachiyahara and Rindou's expressions changed.

My breathing became labored, and I was drenched in cold sweat.

This sense of oppression felt both familiar and strange to them.

The intermediate-level Hollow they fought together a while ago also had spiritual pressure comparable to a captain-level, but it was clearly inferior to the person in front of them.

Of those present, only Shinomiya-no-Mikoto, Ichigo, and Renji Abarai were able to remain calm.

"Rukia, you've gotten weaker."

Kuchiki Byakuya stated the facts in a calm tone.

That wasn't all. Ignoring Rukia's stiff, icy posture, he fixed his gaze on the only human present—Inoue Orihime.

“An hour ago, the Covert Force sent intelligence from the Reflection Hall, saying that they discovered you were acting together with a human who was suspected of having the power of a Shinigami. Now that I see you in the artificial body, so weak that I can hardly feel your spiritual pressure, I have nothing more to ask.”