Chapter 209 The Little Flower Girl
"Kurosaki..."
The door opened, and a familiar figure appeared before him once more. Hearing that familiar voice, Ichigo trembled. Slowly, he walked toward the entrance to observe Inoue Orihime, who smiled at him warmly.
"Inoue... it's wonderful to see you again!"
Standing directly before Inoue Orihime, Ichigo couldn't restrain the tumultuous emotions surging through his heart. He embraced Inoue gently, drawing her into his arms.
"I'm so relieved. Truly relieved!"
No one understood how Kurosaki Ichigo—having lost his Shinigami power—had spent sleepless nights throughout this entire year. Whenever he closed his eyes, visions of the dome's zenith would materialize in his mind. Inoue had sacrificed herself to save him, lying collapsed upon the ground. That scene had replayed within Ichigo's memory countless times.
Even after he'd defeated Aizen, saved Karakura Town, and returned to normal life, he'd remained perpetually depressed. He'd traveled to Hueco Mundo intending to rescue Inoue, yet she'd been the one who'd saved him instead.
That sensation made Kurosaki Ichigo—who had always shouldered responsibility for protecting his companions—feel profoundly guilty. Although he'd journeyed to the Fifth Tower to meet Fiander again, and the other party had promised that as long as Ichigo defeated Grimmjow, he would save Inoue, until he witnessed it with his own eyes, his heart would never find peace. Now, seeing this kind-hearted girl standing before him alive—rather than as a cold corpse—Kurosaki Ichigo felt his heartstrings tighten painfully. Holding Inoue close, tears instantly welled within his eyes.
"Kuro... Kurosaki, what's wrong?"
Inoue, who possessed keen perception of others' emotions, had originally believed seeing Kurosaki Ichigo would prove extraordinarily joyful. However, when she noticed her shoulders growing damp, her heart also seized with concern.
"Are you crying, Kurosaki?"
She wrapped her arms around Kurosaki Ichigo's form reciprocally, her face flushing crimson as though thoroughly cooked.
"No, I'm simply... simply feeling happy!"
Two individuals who'd experienced life and death together were reunited after prolonged separation. The joy proved indescribable. After considerable tender moments, Inoue took Kurosaki Ichigo's hand and guided him into her quarters. Then she extended her head outward cautiously, glanced around, and after confirming no one was observing, hurriedly closed the door.
Within the human world, above Karakura Town, a black spatial rift slowly tore open. Grimmjow and Shawlong Koufang—both wearing human-world clothing—stepped forth from the Garganta and stood suspended in midair.
"This is genuinely troublesome. Since Fiander has mastered Hueco Mundo, why has he established such cumbersome regulations?!"
Adjusting the denim jacket he wore, Grimmjow—who'd placed a cap atop his head—complained with obvious displeasure.
"There's no alternative. Current Karakura Town remains under Soul Society's focused surveillance. If we directly tore open a Garganta to enter, our Reiatsu would be immediately exposed to Soul Society's detection systems. This was precisely why we were discovered so rapidly when we came to this world previously." Shawlong Koufang stood behind Grimmjow, explaining the reasoning to him.
"Huh? Soul Society? Just those weaklings—I could eliminate them single-handedly!"
Grimmjow displayed a fierce smile across his intimidating features, clenching his fists until they cracked audibly.
"Don't grow careless, Lord Grimmjow. Don't forget that the Espada who accompanied Captain Aizen were nearly all eliminated by Soul Society. If Lord Fiander hadn't arrived promptly, I fear the number of Espada present today would be considerably reduced."
"Tch!"
Grimmjow spat dismissively and ceased speaking. Instead, he looked at Shawlong Koufang with a cold expression and demanded:
"Since we've arrived at Karakura Town, the area is vast. We cannot release our Reiatsu to locate the other party's traces. So how do you propose we find that Quincy now?"
Grimmjow understood that since Fiander wanted him to bring Shawlong along, the other must serve some purpose with his talents. Otherwise, when Shawlong had assumed an Espada position, it would have provoked dissatisfaction among other Arrancar. Although Hueco Mundo's Arrancar population had diminished to merely several dozen.
"Let's investigate the vicinity surrounding Kurosaki Ichigo's residence. If possible, it's optimal to avoid disturbing other individuals in this world. According to the captured Quincy's testimony, since they can monitor the Kurosaki Ichigo family, choosing to reside nearby represents a logical decision."
"Fine! Then we'll proceed as you suggest!"
Grimmjow grinned at the corner of his mouth and extended his hand to pat Shawlong Koufang's shoulder approvingly.
Within several minutes, the two who'd flown more than ten kilometers through the air halted at a location one kilometer distant from Kurosaki Clinic. They descended from their aerial position to ground level, disguising themselves as ordinary humans while observing the area.
The reason they'd chosen to land was that Shawlong Koufang worried that searching through the air with great fanfare might alert their target. However, by wearing human-world clothing that shielded their Reiatsu and pretending to be ordinary people, such concerns would be eliminated.
Walking along the bustling street, observing various people constantly traversing the roadway, Grimmjow addressed Shawlong Koufang beside him without moving his head:
"With so many people here, can we genuinely locate that individual?"
"Don't worry, Lord Grimmjow. Less than twenty minutes have elapsed since that Quincy was killed by Lord Fiander. It's impossible for the other party to have completely evacuated in such brief duration. Since the possibility of their presence remains, there's no need to worry about failing to find them."
While both conversed, a young girl approximately four years old approached them carrying a bucket of flowers. She spoke in a sweet voice: "Do the two big brothers want to buy some flowers? Mother is sick, and Ryoko needs money to help Mother see a doctor."
Facing the little girl who'd suddenly materialized before them, Grimmjow felt genuinely shocked. Although both wore human-world clothing to shield their Reiatsu, humans without spiritual power couldn't perceive them. This girl quietly appearing before them truly startled Grimmjow.
"Hey! Kid—"
Grimmjow, who'd been about to sternly refuse, was interrupted by Shawlong Koufang beside him: "Lord Grimmjow, have you noticed that this human child possesses no breath of life, yet she isn't a spirit body either?"
Hearing Shawlong Koufang's words, Grimmjow began seriously observing the little girl standing before him.
She wore a messy ponytail. Despite being midday, no shadow appeared beneath her form in the sunlight. As a human being, she lacked the life characteristics humans should possess, yet she didn't resemble a deceased spirit body either—no chain hung around her chest. These peculiar signs indicated that this girl's appearance wasn't quite so simple.
"Little sister, how much are your flowers? Can you possibly take us to your house?"
Shawlong Koufang knelt down and forced what he hoped was a gentle smile while addressing the little girl.
Witnessing Shawlong Koufang's terrifying smile, the little girl hid beside Grimmjow with her bucket fearfully. She carefully grasped Grimmjow's trousers, then tentatively extended her small head to observe Shawlong Koufang's reaction.
Shawlong Koufang felt greatly dismayed by the little girl's actions. Although he'd already displayed what he believed was an extraordinarily gentle expression, why had she chosen Grimmjow—who looked positively menacing—which made Shawlong Koufang feel like crying without tears.
"Um... I'm sorry about that!"
Seeing that Shawlong Koufang appeared hurt by her actions, the little girl hurried forward and spoke clearly:
"I haven't spoken with anyone for such a long time. The other uncles and aunts are unwilling to stop and talk with me. You're the first big brothers I've seen appear, so I tried selling flowers to you!"
Hearing what the little girl stated, both Grimmjow and Shawlong exchanged meaningful glances before speaking gravely: "She claims those humans couldn't perceive her."
"These humans are clearly walking all around. Why would such a situation exist?"
Shawlong Koufang stroked his chin, attempting to discern the truth behind this matter. However, after considerable thought, his intuition told him this situation grew increasingly suspicious. He addressed Grimmjow:
"Lord Grimmjow, I believe this little girl might provide us with certain clues!"
"Clues? Could it be... I understand!"
Hearing what Shawlong Koufang suggested, Grimmjow lifted the little girl by her collar and demanded:
"Hey, kid! You just stated your mother is ill, correct?"
As though frightened by Grimmjow's sudden action, the little girl clutched the flowers tightly against her chest and spoke weakly with tears filling her eyes: "I... I can't let you take my flowers, or Mother will die!"
Grimmjow remained silent momentarily, then addressed Shawlong Koufang: "Hey! Provide money!"
Shawlong Koufang felt utterly speechless. He could only whisper into Grimmjow's ear: "Lord Grimmjow, we're Arrancar. Where would we obtain money?"
After stating this, Shawlong Koufang witnessed Grimmjow's expression darken considerably. He hastily amended: "However, you could tell her we're doctors. We can help treat her mother and ask her to guide us to where she resides."
"You're actually useful!" Grimmjow turned his head, regarded the little girl named Ryoko, and spoke:
"Listen, kid. This uncle—I mean, I'm a doctor. We can help your mother receive medical treatment. Can you take us to see where you live?"
Ryoko, held within Grimmjow's grasp, didn't struggle. First, she glanced at Grimmjow quietly, then looked toward Shawlong Koufang with obvious fear. After hesitating momentarily, she spoke with a profoundly conflicted expression: "That uncle is truly a doctor?"
Ryoko's rude behavior nearly made Shawlong Koufang shout in protest. However, seeing that Grimmjow displayed no impatience whatsoever, he could only suppress the depression within his heart. The corners of his mouth trembled as he spoke: "Yes, I'm the new doctor from the nearby Kurosaki Clinic!"
As Hueco Mundo's enemy, Kurosaki Ichigo's background had once been investigated by Shawlong Koufang. Consequently, he could state the precise address of Kurosaki Ichigo's home.
"Then... then that's acceptable! I'll take you there!"
As she spoke, Ryoko twisted her body and dropped from Grimmjow's hand. Then, to Grimmjow's shocked expression, she grasped his hand and began guiding him toward her home.
It seemed that Grimmjow's presence could provide the poor little girl with a sense of security.