Ichigo leaves and takes up residence in Soul Society!

Even if it were any other Shinigami, not even the vice-captain, they wouldn't be able to catch up to the current teenage Shinigami substitute.

However, Rukia was wearing a collar that sealed her spiritual pressure, preventing her from using Shunpo. Orihime carrying her didn't get very far before Byakuya, whose Shunpo was even more advanced, caught up with her.

The two sides confronted each other on a suspension bridge that resembled a dam.

Seeing this handsome, cold, black-haired man relentlessly pursuing her like the Grim Reaper, Orihime couldn't understand it.

"I've already said we have a way to help Miss Kuchiki escape the dangerous 'Hogyoku,' so why insist on taking her back for execution?"

"Miss Kuchiki's brother, even if you have some unavoidable difficulties that prevent you from saving Miss Kuchiki, I can understand that. But your actions clearly give me the feeling that you want her dead more than anyone else!"

"I want you to tell me that my feelings are wrong..."

Upon hearing this, Byakuya's indifferent face became like ice, freezing all his emotions within, except for a ripple in his eyes.

But he closed his eyes and said:

"Although I acknowledge that the traveler's misfortune was not my intention... on this point, your feeling is correct."

"?"

Orihime's breath hitched. Instead of angrily questioning the other party, she turned to look at Rukia, who was staring blankly.

"Big brother..."

“Others may have the right to be willful, but the Kuchiki family… and I, as the head of the family, cannot.”

The repeated obstacles not only deeply affected Orihime and Rukia, but Byakuya himself also wavered more than once, yet he remained steadfast in his beliefs.

"Back then, I insisted on bringing you into the Kuchiki family because of Hisa... my late wife's dying wish. She said that she had a younger sister who abandoned her when she was an infant, and she felt extremely guilty about it. She asked me to continue the search in her place."

"Just a few years later, I found you at the Academy of Spiritual Arts."

"What……?!"

These words greatly shocked Rukia.

"Yes, you are Hishin's sister, so I treat you like my own sister."

“But you are, after all, a commoner from Rukongai, which is against the law for the Kuchiki family. After I brought you into the Kuchiki family, I swore at my parents’ graves that I would never break the rules again.”

Seeing the shocked expressions on Rukia and Orihime's faces, Byakuya changed the subject, his tone carrying a hint of complexity.

"The 46 Chambers represent the will of Soul Society, and their judgments are absolute. The Kuchiki family takes it upon themselves to protect the order of Soul Society. Let alone joining forces with you, it is impossible for them to even turn a blind eye."

"That means the Kuchiki family, and I as the head, are allowing external enemies to trample on the rules of Soul Society and defy its will. At that point, who will still respect the rules of Soul Society?"

"Rules are our face and self-respect."

"It cannot be trampled on, nor can it be smeared."

"If anyone violates the rules, I, as the head of the Kuchiki family, have an obligation to kill them."

"As for your so-called method of removing the 'Hogyoku,' that's not within my consideration."

"So... forgive me, Rukia."

"As long as you are still criminals and fugitives, I will stand up to stop you, no matter how many times."

Having said all that, Orihime was also conflicted and unsure how to respond.

Rukia looked even more ashamed.

"Brother, I..."

"What do you mean, 'what ...you're not thinking of turning yourself in again,' are you?"

A sudden, powerful spiritual pressure, accompanied by a voice, echoed through the vast, canyon-like environment.

The three of them looked up sharply and saw a figure standing on the tower above the suspension bridge behind Byakuya.

Before I could even see who it was, the figure vanished.

Then it appeared between the two sides.

Actually, you don't need to see it clearly.

That arrogant, energetic voice, and that overwhelming spiritual pressure... there's only one person in the entire Seireitei who could be found like that.

That is--

"Ichigo Kurosaki...you're still alive?"

Byakuya was even more shocked by the arrival of the newcomer than Rukia and Orihime.

"Isn't I standing right in front of you, alive and well?"

Ichigo grinned, then said without turning his head:

"Inoue, Rukia...you two go first, I'll handle this guy."

"Ichigo..."

"Stop talking nonsense. You're too easily moved. You think about turning yourself in just because someone said a few words to you. If we let you stay, what if the enemy persuades you? Then all of us will have worked for nothing... You know, I just escaped death with Shinomiya."

Rukia had no doubt about that last statement.

The fact that the person chasing after them was the Captain-Commander-in-Chief, and the huge commotion that seemed to have turned the entire Seireitei into a desert climate, undoubtedly further proved how intense the battle was.

Therefore……

"How could I possibly surrender! You've all gone to such lengths for me, what kind of person would I be if I turned myself in! Believe me or not, I'll kill myself right here and now, you idiot Ichigo!"

"Huh? I couldn't have been wrong about the way you were looking like you were about to surrender!"

"That's an apology! I want to apologize to my brother! To show him that I will never give up the fight!"

"Apologize for what? You still haven't figured it out. I can understand this guy apologizing, but if you were inexplicably abducted to a noble family, inexplicably implanted with dangerous substances, and then inexplicably sentenced to death, if these things happened to me, I would make everyone apologize to me!"

"you……"

Rukia was speechless, left by his blunt and forceful attitude.

"Speechless now? Then get lost and let me have a good chat with this stubborn guy."

call!

Ichigo drew his greatsword with a backhand motion, the tip pointing directly at Byakuya.

"After our conversation, they might understand. I come from a family of doctors and am an expert in 'returning to the source,' so you can entrust this to the right person."

However, his imposing aura, sharp eyes, and battle-ready smile all proved that he intended to resort to force.

"Ichigo, you..."

"Then I'll leave it to you, Kurosaki-kun... By the way, how is Shinomiya-kun?"

"Don't worry, it won't be long before you feel his vibrant spiritual pressure."

Hearing him say that, Orihime felt relieved and continued running away with Rukia.

"Aren't you going to do anything? I thought you'd at least try to stop me."

"No need."

When faced with Ichigo's provocation, Byakuya's reaction was as cold as when they first met.

There was absolutely no hesitation or complexity.

"I'll kill you here first, then it won't be too late to catch up."

"You really dare to say that... Can you actually do it?"

"To escape from the Captain-Commander's clutches, I should have overestimated your strength as much as possible. But such a feat cannot be accomplished without a price. Your tattered Shinigami armor, your obviously unstable Soul Activation, and your trembling blade tip... Clearly, your physical strength and spiritual pressure have been greatly depleted."

Byakuya's voice grew increasingly cold.

“Your current condition is worse than it was in the real world, and unfortunately, I have no reason to let you off the hook again.”

"Is it unfortunate? I actually think it's just right, it's just right to continue our never-ending fight."

Ichigo remained unmoved.

"what?"

"Don't you understand? What I mean is... show me your full power, reveal your Bankai, and I will use my original state, just with my Shikai, to defeat you, along with your inexplicable... pride and self-esteem!"

Byakuya's pupils contracted.

Not because of this astonishing declaration.

The instant he finished speaking, Ichigo swung his sword and unleashed a crescent moon strike that was powerful enough to engulf the suspension bridge.

Having fought the Captain-Commander... he still retains this level of strength?!

Chapter 72 Severing Bonds... But Why Are You Pointing a Gun at Me? (Part 2)

The intense spiritual pressure clash between Byakuya and Ichigo alarmed many people.

It is located within the city walls of the Palace of Penitence, which is only a few kilometers away.

Two slender shadows darted around like bullets, sometimes weaving close to the buildings.

It flies along the wall, defying gravity.

Using the slender spire as a stage, they twist and turn...

When the giant crescent moon appeared on the ground, its dazzling light was even faintly visible in this area.

Both sides paused for a moment.

"Chance!"

Yoruichi's gaze sharpened, and she twisted her waist and delivered a flying kick, sending three sharp blades flying from her trouser leg.

But each of them was skillfully countered by the other party.

"Back to you!"

One shot in each hand, then return the way you came.

It looked like two arrows were shot out.

It is clearly superior in speed and power.

Yoruichi displayed physical flexibility comparable to that of an artistic gymnast, not only dodging one but also kicking another away and using the momentum to flip back and land on another tower.

puff.

Blood flowers bloom.

"?!"

Yoruichi's expression changed slightly as she looked at the sharp blade on her thigh.

This is the third one.

"pity."

A cool, clear voice drifted into my ears on the wind.

"Is it a pity it didn't hit my heart?"

Yoruichi looked up at the silhouette of the tall tower opposite.

Soi Fon landed on one foot on the slender spire, her body remaining perfectly still, as if she were one with the spire.

She turned her head to look in the direction of the suspension bridge, appearing nonchalant and not taking her temporary victory in the game seriously at all.

It wasn't until Yoruichi asked that Soi Fon turned around and said sarcastically, "Unfortunately, I wasn't fast enough to poison your throwing weapon."

"It's been a hundred years, and you've become quite arrogant, Soi Fon."

Yoruichi pulled the blade from her leg and tossed it aside. Using some unknown technique, the bleeding from the wound stopped.

"You're the arrogant one, Yoruichi Shihouin."

Soi Fon made no attempt to hide her disgust.

"While you were living in seclusion, I was diligently honing and refining my skills."

"Now, I wear the same haori as you did back then, and I hold the same position as you did back then."

"At the peak of my life, how could I be inferior to you, an old relic whose skills have become rusty and whose abilities are far inferior to those of your former self after retiring to the second line?"

"I can see that you've really grown a lot. Your words have become increasingly sharp. You never dared to talk to me like that before."

Yoruichi seemed quite interested and showed no sign of anger.