Ichigo leaves and takes up residence in Soul Society!

"This is... the 'Hogyoku'?"

Hinamori Momo was also under a lot of pressure. Her small face was tense. She slowly stretched out her wrist, which had been modified by the ritual and covered with strange substances, and reached into Rukia's dark chest cavity to take out the crystal that was wrapped in a transparent barrier.

The moment the "Hōgyoku" was detached.

The large hole in Rukia's chest has also disappeared.

"Cough cough cough...!"

The spirit array stopped operating, and the strange phenomena disappeared as well.

"Kujiki, is there anything wrong with your body?"

Ba Ba Yuan kindly stepped forward to inquire.

"It's alright, everything's normal. It's a pity I can't remove the collar around my neck that seals my spiritual pressure... Speaking of which, is this the dangerous substance that Urahara developed, which is said to be able to cause Shinigami to fall into Hollow form?"

Rukia touched her chest and, finding it as flat as ever, stopped paying attention and instead turned her gaze to the special crystal in Hinamori Momo's hand.

"So it really was hidden inside my body."

"It is indeed a very dangerous thing."

Hinamori Momo's expression was serious.

"Although the spiritual pressure is very weak, it is filled with an unusual atmosphere, and I feel a faint throbbing in my heart... If I keep it with me for a long time, I really don't know if I will be unable to resist wanting to do something with it."

Recalling Captain Aizen's tireless teachings, she immediately felt reassured and calmly placed the box she had prepared beforehand into a bundle of the same style but different color as the Fourth Division's bundle, which she then carried on her back.

"Done, let's go!"

"Where to go?"

Hachiman and Rukia looked completely bewildered.

"Of course, we should take the Hogyoku to Captain Aizen. Giving it to Shinomiya or Ichigo would also be fine, but the key is to give it to Captain Aizen."

"If the captain personally hands it over to the commander-in-chief, and then petitions together with Captain Ukitake and others, the original verdict should be overturned."

"After all, the Hogyoku is the source of the crisis. By throwing this hot potato away, Ms. Kuchiki will be safe... That's what Captain Aizen said."

"However, just in case, we should first send Miss Kuchiki to a safe place and wait for the verdict from the 46th Chamber... Although the possibility is very small, Miss Kuchiki, you should be prepared to say goodbye to Soul Society."

Hinamori Momo explained earnestly.

Upon hearing this, Rukia nodded heavily.

"I understand. Thank you for everything you've done for me. Even in this world, I will remember you for the rest of my life."

"Don't worry, even if the worst happens, you'll still have a chance to come back when Shinomiya becomes the Captain-Commander."

While Hachihara's words of comfort were sincere, Rukia and Hinamori Momo chuckled dryly, clearly not optimistic about the possibility.

Even though Shinomiya and Ichigo have broken the rules one after another and made all sorts of amazing moves, making them arguably the strongest geniuses in history.

But it's unimaginable, even unacceptable... that the person sitting in that position is no longer Yamamoto Genryusai, but someone else.

After packing up, the three of them left the research institute immediately.

To be fair.

This research institute is extremely secretive.

It was built underground in a lake less than one kilometer away from the Fifth Division's training ground.

The entrance is hidden inside a tree trunk.

It is concealed by the ways of the spirits, making it difficult to be discovered.

But once people are out, they can no longer hide.

Many defensive measures were also rendered useless.

As a result, as soon as they came out, they ran into Xiu Bing, who was standing above waiting for them.

“The spiritual pressure disappeared without a trace here, which is obviously a problem. So I didn’t hesitate to expend my spiritual power to run to a high place with a good view to observe. It’s good that my wait was worthwhile.”

Upon seeing the three men, Xiu Bing couldn't help but secretly applaud his own solid strategy.

"and many more!"

He suddenly felt like he was seeing a ghost.

How could there be three people?

And one of them was actually an acquaintance.

"Hinamori!? Weren't you dead?!"

There's a small misunderstanding here.

Hinamori Momo said with a smile.

The exposure of such a heinous lie, though for a reason, still left the kind-hearted woman feeling ashamed to face her former friendly colleagues.

Xiu Bing's face was a riot of color, as if a dye vat had been opened.

"A trap? So Captain Aizen... no, perhaps Captain Hitsugaya, and the other captains are involved. Have I been accidentally dragged into some terrifying conspiracy?"

Xiu Bing wasn't the only one who felt the same way.

A strong, muscular man in sunglasses emerged from the woods.

He glared at Hinamori Momo and said in a deep voice, "Hinamori... I never thought that even someone as gentle as you would betray us. It's truly chilling. I feel like I don't even recognize the current Gotei 13 anymore."

"Mr. Shooting Range..."

Faced with yet another accusation from a senior, Hinamori Momo was no longer afraid or ashamed. She said with a resolute expression, "We have never betrayed anyone. We just don't want to see the Gotei 13 being driven by the unreasonable demands of the 46 Chambers to commit wrongdoings against human nature."

"Hinsen..."

Xiu Bing's expression was complicated.

Shooting Range adjusted his glasses.

"Hinamori, this is what you call... betrayal."

"If that's what you insist on thinking, then I have nothing more to say."

Hinamori Momo drew her Zanpakuto, her attitude quite clear.

At this moment, Hachiman asked somewhat uncertainly, "Hey, Seventh Division Lieutenant, is that Rindo you're carrying on your shoulder?"

"Is this kid called Rindou? Don't worry, he's just been knocked unconscious... I really didn't expect that a mere freshman could unleash his Zanpakuto, and with his fearless fighting spirit and cleverness, he caused some trouble for Hisagi and me."

He put the unconscious boy down from his shoulder and grinned.

"To be honest, I quite like this kid. He seems dull, but he's very efficient, loyal, and not a hot-blooded fool... Add to that you and those two freaks, and this year's Spiritual Arts Academy has really given everyone a big surprise. This kind of talent explosion often foreshadows something big happening."

"So if you can graduate safely after this incident, I will definitely suggest that the captain recruit this kid to be my deputy."

“But before that… he was just an accomplice who assisted the criminals and fugitives, so I could only treat him as an accomplice.”

"Let's make a hostage exchange. Hand over Rukia Kuchiki, and I'll give this kid back to you. Otherwise, don't blame me for making this kid suffer."

Hinamori Momo, Hachiyahara, and Rukia were taken aback by what they heard.

Instead of launching a full-scale attack, they chose to negotiate?

They quickly figured out the key.

This is because there is another vice-captain, Hinamori Momo.

The gap in combat power is not that big anymore.

In addition, they knew nothing about the research institute.

If you turn back to the passage, the other party will be afraid of traps and will not dare to pursue you rashly.

They were also worried that they might have brought something out of there.

In addition, there is a fear that there may be other schemes hidden behind Hinamori Momo's resurrection.

It's not surprising that a shooting range that's always been so conservative would resort to such a desperate measure.

Although Xiu Bing was a little surprised, he did not refute it. It was clear that the two had exchanged some opinions on the way here and were somewhat prepared for the current situation.

This stumped the three of them.

How to choose?

Should they give up Rukia, who doesn't have the "Hogyoku" inside her, or gamble that the other party has faith in Rindo and won't go all out, and instead decide to ignore it and run away?

In short, a direct confrontation is definitely not the way to go.

Just as Rukia was about to use a delaying tactic to exchange Rindo for herself,

Suddenly, two figures appeared by the lake.

"Oh dear, I've finally found it."

"?!"

"!"

"...!"

"Captain Ichimaru!?"

The moment the five people present saw the newcomer's appearance and felt the spiritual pressure, they broke out in a cold sweat, utterly terrified.

It's not because Gin Ichimaru is particularly feared.

Instead, it was the immense spiritual pressure, reminiscent of a Hollow, emanating from Arturo beside him, along with the unusual feature of his shattered mask, that gave everyone a sense of oppression and impact that penetrated their very being.

"In which person is the 'Hogyoku' hidden?"

Arturo's attitude was extremely cold.

Everyone whose gaze swept over him felt a chill run down their spine, as if they were being scrutinized like ordinary objects.

"It's probably inside Rukia, the girl in the white prison uniform, but now it's hard to say... If I'm not mistaken, it's in the bundle she's carrying."

Ginichimaru just finished speaking.

Before anyone could understand the meaning of those words...

Arturo moved in a flash, and no one could see how he moved. It was as abrupt as a spatial jump, accompanied by a strange sound as if space was being broken.

They will reappear in the next second.

He stood on the grass.

He now had an extra burden in his hands.

"That is……!"

Hinamori Momo's pupils contracted, and she instinctively reached behind her.

But then I felt a sharp pain in my chest.

Blood splattered.

puff!

It appears to be just one sound, but it is actually several sounds connected together.

"Ugh...!"

"hateful!"

Hinamori Momo, Hachiyahara, Rukia, as well as Iba and Shuhei, were all struck by a sudden attack, as if they had been cut by an invisible blade.

The terrifying spiritual pressure that accompanied the blows penetrated deep into their bodies robbed them of their ability to resist, causing them to fall to the ground almost simultaneously, unable to move, only able to squeeze out mournful cries or muffled groans filled with resentment from their throats.

"I thought Mr. Arturo would just kill them. Could it be that after two thousand years, Mr. Arturo's hatred for Soul Society and Shinigami has faded?"

Gin Ichimaru landed on the ground, smiling as he watched the Arrancar Prisoner take out the "Hogyoku" from his bundle and examine it.

"That's the stupidest thing you've ever said to me."

Arturo turned his head to look back, then swept his disdainful gaze over the fallen men.

"I will not let the Soul Society go, I will not let any Shinigami go."

"But it would be a shame to kill them."

"It's not too late to kill after I regain my past power and find my Zanpakuto... because the spiritual power of the enemies I kill will all belong to me."