Ichigo leaves and takes up residence in Soul Society!

The flashes of spiritual energy shot out like light cannons.

It was directly submerged.

Ten seconds later, Ichigo found Kenpachi, who was on the verge of death, in the ruins of another neighborhood.

"It's good that you're not dead."

He visibly breathed a sigh of relief upon discovering that Kenpachi was still alive.

"Hajime!"

"Eh? You are... the 11th Division Vice-Captain Yachiru Kusajishi?"

“That’s right! ...Thank you, A-yi.”

Yachiru glanced at Kenpachi and said seriously, "Aichi risked injury to create an opportunity for a fatal blow... but he didn't actually kill Kenpachi. There's also another Aichi who, although he has a bad temper, helped Kenpachi become stronger... I'm really grateful to you both!"

After saying this, he bowed deeply.

"...You guys in the Eleventh Division are really strange, thanking the opponent who beat your captain up like that...To be honest, I feel pretty despicable..."

Ichigo scratched his head.

"Let others wear down the opponent first, understand their fighting style, and then jump out to catch them off guard when they are about to launch a counterattack. Not to mention trading blows... there's no sense of accomplishment in winning."

"Then let's have another good fight between Ah-Yi and Xiao-Jian next time! In the way you both like!"

Yachiru straightened up and revealed a bright smile.

"Uh... let's skip this one. I don't want to fight these unkillable monsters again."

Ichigo's lips twitched slightly, and he kindly suggested, "You should take him to the Fourth Division first," before making his escape.

Only Yachiru remained, quietly watching over Kenpachi.

"Little Sword...we've met a great opponent. Next time...let's have a two-on-two team battle."

Chapter Sixty-Three: It was all Ichigo's doing, every single thing.

Fourth Division, General Medical Center.

"Thanks to timely medical attention, Captain Zaraki is out of danger."

Retsu Unohana pushed open the door to the first operating room and gently explained the situation to the pink-haired little girl who rushed over, as well as Ikkaku Banki and Yumichika Ayasegawa, who were on the same team.

"Phew... You've worked hard, Captain Unohana!"

Ikkaku and Yumichika finally breathed a sigh of relief and solemnly bowed to Unohana Retsu to express their gratitude.

"It's mainly thanks to Isane. I've been busy examining Vice-Captain Hinamori's body, and I'm just here to help out a little... If possible, after Captain Zaraki wakes up, could you persuade him not to leave the hospital immediately, so as not to worsen his injuries?"

"Well... we'll do our best!"

Retsu Unohana knew that this task was somewhat difficult for them, so she sighed softly and turned her gaze to the silent Yachiru to the side.

"Vice-Captain Kusashi, may I ask who Captain Zaraki is fighting?"

"At first we encountered a traveler, but later... the traveler was rescued, we chased after him, and that's how it happened."

Yachiru's eyes darted around, and his speech was mumbled.

"So tell me clearly, who did it, Vice Captain!"

One corner was so anxious that he scratched his head and cheeks.

"He rescued the traveler from the captain's clutches and managed to injure the captain like this; surely he couldn't have been completely oblivious to his appearance?"

"Tell me the specific characteristics, and I..."

"Bald guy, what do you want to do?"

Yachiru's gaze was unfriendly, causing Ichika to break out in a cold sweat.

"Does knowing all this mean you can defeat him? He's a formidable enemy that even Little Sword couldn't defeat after his Shikai."

"?!"

"You mean Shikai?!"

"The captain...?!"

Upon hearing this, not only Ikkaku and Yumichika, but even Unohana Retsu was slightly taken aback.

The name of the current captain of the Eleventh Division is known to everyone in the entire Seireitei.

His background is no secret.

Using a broken sword he found, he managed to kill the previous Kenpachi in full view of everyone.

Kido? Shunpo? Slashing techniques? Hakuda?

It's true that he's a self-taught fighter, relying almost entirely on pure swordsmanship to defeat all opponents, earning the awe of the Grim Reapers with overwhelming strength and a wild fighting style.

This madman... actually had a day when he could unleash his Zanpakuto and fight like a Grim Reaper?

Moreover, even after being forced to such a point, defeat was still inevitable.

It's truly chilling to think about.

What happened?

Who exactly did we encounter?

"It was Ichigo Kurosaki who did it, right?"

Unohana Retsu suddenly said.

"Kurosaki...Ichigo? Who's that?"

One corner furrowed its brow.

“Ikkaku, your information is a bit outdated. He is one of the most outstanding freshmen in the Spirit Arts Academy this year. He caused quite a stir recently. He is a disciple of Captain Aizen, along with another genius of equal renown. He is quite popular in the Gotei 13.”

Yumichika explained in a deep voice.

One corner of his face was contorted, and his tone was filled with disbelief.

"...You mean, a freshman who's been in school for less than a year defeated the leader of the strongest squad in the Gotei 13? And there's more than one of these freaks?!"

"...I didn't know they were so powerful. It's completely different from the rumors. I can only say that it's a good thing the captain is still alive, otherwise we might have been facing an even more outrageous captain."

Yumichika bit his thumbnail, his feelings quite complicated.

"Forget it. From the moment they helped the traveling monsters, the Gotei 13 no longer had a place to stay."

Ichika waved his hand impatiently and earnestly asked Unohana Retsu for advice.

"Captain Unohana Retsu, do you know that guy named Kurosaki Ichigo?"

"I wouldn't say I know them well; we've only met once."

Unohana Retsu's thoughts drifted back to that afternoon.

“I taught him a little swordsmanship and the art of returning to one’s roots.”

"No wonder Ah Yi dared to take Xiao Jian's attack head-on, and recovered quickly from his injury."

Yachiru suddenly realized.

"Is this even possible...? They used a strategy of trading blows to wear down the captain? What a shameless tactic."

Upon hearing this, Yijiao exclaimed in surprise.

"It's so beautiful that such a persistent opponent doesn't feel the cruelty of the battle at all, and is only pursuing victory."

Yumichika also shook his head in comment.

"What do you two idiots know!"

Yachiru jumped up and smacked the two on the head, then put her hands on her hips and said with exasperation, "Kenji loves nothing more than fighting. The best opponent is one who can't die! Besides, Ichiji isn't weak either; he has a second personality!"

"What! Two against one? That's no different from those guys who have a lot of tricks up their sleeves and take turns attacking. They're just as nasty!"

"We have to get revenge for the captain now! Let's go, to the corner, find them, and attack together."

"Oh!"

Whether he was blinded by anger or instinctively sensed danger, it's unclear.

The two of them ran off in a great hurry.

Unaware that Unohana Retsu's gaze was growing colder.

"Vice Captain Kusa-shika, could you help teach those two guys who were wandering around the hospital a lesson later?"

"Oh? No problem! Leave it to me."

"Also, regarding Ichigo Kurosaki's rescue of the Ryoka, please tell the two of them not to report it."

"Eh?"

Eight thousand streams flowed aimlessly.

She didn't mind at all; in fact, she quite hoped to repay Ichigo for showing mercy.

But shouldn't she be the one saying that?

"Here's the thing... I found some clues on Vice-Captain Hinamori's body, and I need to find someone to confirm them in person. Before that, I want to try to trust Kurosaki-san and... Shinomiya-san, and believe that they are aware of what they are doing."

Unohana Retsu gazed out the window at the seemingly calm scenery, a lingering worry hidden between her brows.

……

The Twin Hills are undoubtedly the central location of Seireitei.

to be honest.

The Four Palace Masters did not want to start a major fight in this area.

Because it is very likely to affect the public bathhouse.

Last time I went in a hurry, and there were still many attractions I didn't get to experience.

I've never actually seen cherry blossoms in full bloom, but I'm enjoying tea, snacks, and drinks while soaking in a pool where cherry blossoms are falling.

It's hard to say whether this concern prompted him to agree to soak in the hot springs at Yoruichi's secret base in Sotoku-gaoka, but anyway, they did.

It is indeed comfortable.

The hot spring, with its healing properties, washed away even the fatigue accumulated from these days of training.

"So... while I was fighting Kenpachi Zaraki, you were here soaking in the hot spring with Yoruichi and Inoue?!"

"That's not entirely true. I also discussed a lot about our teacher with Yoruichi. Getting to know each other will help with future cooperation and can be considered a contribution to the alliance's diplomacy."

"..."

Ichigo was speechless.

"Let's eat something to replenish our energy first."

Shinomiya-no-Mikoto pulled him to the open space on the rocky surface where Yoruichi and Orihime were. There, a gorgeous carpet was laid out on the ground, covered with a pile of exquisite food boxes. Several of the boxes that had already been opened were filled with delicacies from land and sea.

Upon seeing these things, Ichigo couldn't help but rub his eyes.

"Miss Yoruichi, Inoue...where did all these things come from?"

"Don't make a fuss. This was brought by my younger brother, Yushiro. We can't just hide here without eating or drinking until noon tomorrow, can we?"

Yoruichi's behavior reminded Ichigo of Kukaku Shiba, and this sense of familiarity was one of the reasons why the two were able to become acquainted so quickly.

"Has Shihouin been here? Wait a minute... Is Yoruichi the older sister that guy mentioned he hasn't seen for a long time?"

"Well, those are all old stories."

"Kurosaki-san, you look like you're injured?"

Orihime noticed the damage to his Shinigami armor immediately.

"Ah? This... It's nothing. I healed my injuries myself. My healing skills are in no way inferior to those of the Fourth Division... Of course, they might still be a bit lacking compared to Miss Unohana."

"Then let me fix your clothes for you."

"Oh...this ability is so convenient."

Ichigo looked at his clothes, which had been restored to their original state under the orange-yellow halo, and his words of refusal turned into amazement.

"It's alright. In my opinion, the most useful ability is the power to defeat the opponent, just like Shinomiya-kun and Kurosaki-kun."