Ichigo leaves and takes up residence in Soul Society!

Although most of the attention was focused on Renji and that blond brat, there was a possibility of oversight, but this was by no means the effect achieved by Shunpo or other movement techniques.

It's more like a technique like spatial teleportation.

But even the most gifted students of the Spiritual Arts Academy should not have access to this profound and strictly forbidden technique.

Only Ichigo, Hachiman, Rindo, and others could more or less guess that the Four Palace Master relied on his self-awakened "special ability," a stealth technique known as "Transparent Dragon Scales," to catch his opponent off guard.

"A trivial trick."

The Four Palace Master showed no smugness, his gaze fixed on Byakuya.

The collision of the two spiritual pressures had subsided, but the atmosphere around them was still vibrating, indicating that the confrontation had not completely ceased.

His arm muscles were particularly tense and trembling slightly.

—The same applies to Byakuya.

The veins on his hands bulged beneath his sleeves, and small cracks appeared in the roof beneath his feet.

But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't get the blade out of its sheath.

Even a centimeter is a luxury.

This real difference in physical ability made it impossible for Byakuya to remain calm.

"Indeed... such tricks alone cannot stop me from drawing my sword."

"So, in comparison, your wrist strength is more commendable."

"But if I want to, there are countless ways to overcome mere brute force."

"To rely on this is a bit too naive... Let go now and step back, and we can spare that kid's life for now."

Even Ichigo and the others probably didn't notice.

The Four Palaces Lord rarely smiles.

Therefore, when he grins now, it feels somewhat eerie.

"Coincidentally, I'd really like to see Kurosaki suffer, so I won't let go."

The atmosphere fell silent for a moment.

Rukia couldn't help but swallow hard, extremely nervous.

Cold sweat trickled down her cheeks, and just as she was about to shout to stop him, her open mouth caused a drop of cold sweat to drip from her chin.

pat...

The instant it hit the ground.

Byakuya suddenly disappeared from the spot.

Accompanied by footsteps too inaudible even for most of Death's grim reapers, an even more indistinct figure seemed to race through the night as if running along the timeline.

Faster than the wind, faster than sound.

It even transcends thought.

Leaving aside Rukia and Orihime, Hachiman, Rindo, and Renji were all frozen in time at that moment.

By the time they realized what was happening...

The situation took another sudden turn.

"?!"

"!"

"Varied……!"

The expressions of the people varied, but they all seemed to be filled with dread.

Especially Renji, who was so close by.

Even though they were so close, they were no different from everyone else.

I have absolutely no idea what happened.

He could only stare blankly as Ichigo placed his Zanpakuto on Byakuya's shoulder.

Byakuya remained in the same stance, ready to draw his sword.

Still...

His wrist was firmly held down by the four palace masters beside him.

No, this time the knife was pulled out, but only halfway.

"Is this pose... going to be used with 'Flash Flower'?"

Although he didn't see the process clearly, Renji, who was familiar with Byakuya, immediately guessed his intention.

A special type of instant step that incorporates rotation, allowing one to quickly move behind the opponent to pierce and disrupt their locks and soul locks.

Byakuya's special technique.

I've never heard of any precedent of making a mistake.

Renji never imagined he could handle it in his current state; to put it bluntly, he could only vaguely catch the trajectory of the second slash.

But right now, we can't even use it.

No... even if we use it, we probably won't achieve any results.

Renji also failed to see the entire process of Ichigo turning around and swinging his sword.

Obviously.

Ichigo was able to react in time.

Not only can they react quickly, but they can also stop at the last second.

He did not take the opportunity to cut open Byakuya's throat.

Rukia felt a chill run down her spine, suspecting that the human world and Soul Society were no longer on the same timeline. Otherwise, how could she explain the drastic changes in the two brats she had buried a few months ago?

Strength can be explained by potential and talent, but this kind of instant step and slashing technique cannot be learned in just a few months.

Judging from the current situation, it seems likely that these two will become captains before she becomes vice-captain!

"Oh, are you planning to offer yourself up for me to chop up?"

Just as Rukia had expected, Ichigo was full of confidence in his own strength and didn't take the so-called captain... no, to be corrected, the so-called captain of the Sixth Division seriously.

"...It seems I underestimated you."

Byakuya slightly closed his eyes, concealing the uncontrollable shock within them.

Those two little devils.

A "flash" that can react to its own actions.

A Flash Step that can keep up with one's own.

To be honest, the latter was more unbelievable to him.

How could a mere student possess such mastery of the Flash Step technique... Could he possibly rival me, who honed my Flash Step skills against the [Flash God] since childhood?

"A month ago, I might not have been able to react in time, but I've already experienced faster and more unpredictable swordsmanship. It would be unreasonable for me not to improve after being beaten up all over. So even if Shinomiya doesn't make a move, you can forget about hurting me... So if you ask me, you're not underestimating us, you're overestimating yourself."

Ichigo mocked him without any restraint.

"Don't say that, Brother Kurosaki. As the saying goes... flowers may bloom again, but youth never returns."

While speaking slowly and deliberately, Shinomiya-sensei took it upon himself to help Byakuya put his sword away.

Click.

The sound of the blades returning to their sheaths sent a shiver down Rukia's spine.

The process went surprisingly smoothly.

This time, Byakuya didn't exert his full strength in the fight.

"In my opinion, Captain Kuchiki is not without youthful spirit. He could have broken free by force with his spiritual pressure, but he insisted on competing with me in brute force. And... Shunpo, I should still be grateful for that."

“There is no need to go to such lengths to teach a lesson to students like you, especially those who have just gone through a fierce battle, whose spiritual energy has been depleted by more than half and whose condition is not good.”

Byakuya's tone was cold and hard, and his expression was displeased.

"It's not just that, is it?"

The Four Palaces Lord released his grip.

"Captain Kuchiki didn't consider us enemies at all. After all, you and Vice-Captain Abarai were the advance team sent by Soul Society to rescue us."

"Therefore, none of your spiritual pressure has been restricted."

"In this situation, if we go all out... and end up killing the person we're trying to rescue, mistaking them for an enemy, we won't be able to explain ourselves when we get back."

Byakuya remained silent, seemingly acquiescing to this statement.

"what?"

Ichigo was dumbfounded.

"No...wait...they...are they here to save us?"

"Otherwise, why come to the real world, you idiot?"

Renji, who was behind him, wiped the blood from his nose and snorted coldly.

"I thought you guys were here to arrest someone... And who are you calling an idiot, you red-haired gorilla! If you're not happy, let's fight again. This time I'll beat you down in a different way!"

"Damn it!"

Although Ichigo's words were arrogant, Renji was so angry that he trembled all over but could not refute them.

"Even though it's just a rescue advance team..."

At that moment, Byakuya suddenly spoke up, coldly looking at Rukia.

"But there's no reason to ignore criminals."

"It is against the rules to take action against members of other squads without official orders. As far as I know, that is a privilege reserved for the Covert Forces."

The Fourth Prince rubbed his slightly sore wrist and offered a seemingly kind reminder.

"..."

"This……"

Byakuya fell silent, while Renji's eyes lit up, but soon his expression turned worried.

That's true, but it's only a matter of time before the official document is issued.

Everyone present was aware of this.

"Big brother, I'll go back with you. In exchange, please let Inoue go. After all, she's just a half-baked substitute Shinigami. If we leave her alone, she'll be targeted by Hollows sooner or later and die in some battle."

Rukia suddenly stepped forward.

Anyone could see that she was just pretending to be cold.

"Miss Kuchiki!"

Orihime's eyes were filled with tears.

“Inoue, don’t say anything… I’m the one who committed the crime, and you’re not even an accomplice, you’re just a victim.”

Rukia was firm in her stance, but softened when facing Byakuya, her expression becoming pleading.

"So please grant my request, considering that I voluntarily turned myself in."

“Hey, you…!”

Ichigo wanted to say something, but when he saw Shinomiya shake his head, the rest of his words got stuck in his throat.

"team leader!"

Renji looked at Byakuya with a nervous expression, clearly hoping that he would agree.

If Rukia doesn't resist and returns to Soul Society with them under the guise of turning herself in, then the 46th Chamber might be lenient with her, given her good attitude in admitting her guilt.

After all... Rukia is a member of the Kuchiki family.

If this orangutan could figure it out, Byakuya certainly couldn't possibly be unaware of it.