Because Rukia and Hisana were so similar, everyone who knew Rukia mistook Hisana for her.
After Yoriichi explained briefly, Jidanbō immediately understood. After a short conversation, the Byakudo Gate opened.
Hisana followed behind, her gaze a little timid as she scanned her surroundings, and she whispered:
"That..."
"Did my sister, Rukia, ever live here?"
"Why does everyone along the way know her?"
"And they know you too..."
"And they seem very familiar?"
"If I remember correctly, only ten years have passed since she and I separated. That place was South Rukongai District 78..."
"And this is West Rukongai District 1. Did so much happen in just ten years?"
She felt like it hadn't been long at all.
Her abandonment of her back then was truly out of necessity.
Because if she had kept her...
Neither of them would have survived.
She had originally assumed her sister was dead.
But then...
Yoriichi responded calmly:
"Ten years... that's not short. I don't know how old Rukia was when you abandoned her, but when I found her, she was clearly an infant."
"I brought her all the way from South Rukongai, fighting our way to West Rukongai, and only then did the bandits and bullies along the way gradually disappear."
"Of course... I can't blame you for anything."
"Because if I were in your shoes, I would have done the same."
"You don't need to blame yourself."
"As long as you can fulfil your duties as a sister again in the future, that's enough."
As he spoke,
The two arrived at a corner of Seireitei.
This was the residence the Gotei 13 had arranged for Rukia, and around it was the training ground for the Second Division's Correctional Force.
Whenever a Hollow or a person approached, the watchtower not far away would detect them immediately.
It was very safe.
At this moment, Rukia was training in the courtyard.
Since her elder brother disappeared,
She had begun to work diligently,
attempting to become a qualified Shinigami within a few years, hoping to find a way to enter Hueco Mundo in the future to help her elder brother.
Of course, she knew this idea was a bit far-fetched.
But...
This was something she had to do. Her elder brother had faced such great danger for her.
How could she ignore it!
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
The sound of the wind howled through the courtyard.
Rukia swung her Zanpakuto in the air.
Suddenly,
Creak—
The door seemed to be gently pushed open, emitting a grating sound. She immediately put away her Zanpakuto and looked towards it.
Due to the environment, she thought it was Hinamori Momo or Yoruichi Shihouin entering. But...
When she saw another "herself" slowly walk in from outside the door...
Her panting expression suddenly froze.
"Huh!?"
...
...
After a long while,
Rukia finally accepted the fact that she had an older sister.
At the same time, she also forgave Hisana's actions back then.
It was all for survival.
There was no right or wrong.
At this moment, her gaze focused on Tsugikuni Yoriichi.
There was a faint confusion and some worry in her joyful eyes.
Under the quiet and peaceful eaves, Rukia sat kneeling, facing a cool breeze and a faint floral scent. She asked with a hint of melancholy:
"Brother... is your mission over?"
"I thought..."
"It's over, don't worry, Rukia." Yoriichi nodded, gently stroking her head with one hand, comforting her.
"You've worked hard during this time, making so many efforts for me."
"You really don't have to do this."
"How can I not?" Rukia did not resist Yoriichi's actions; instead, she enjoyed them immensely.
After all, a peaceful life with her elder brother was what she desired.
Now that her biological sister had appeared,
She had another family member.
She liked her current life even more: occasionally having her head stroked, sleeping, chatting—this was what life was about.
Of course, the hidden dangers never disappeared, which is why she worked even harder to ensure her own safety.
After thinking for a moment, Rukia truthfully said:
"Sister Yoruichi said that I have the talent to become a Shinigami."
"Perhaps you don't know yet."
"After you left, she quietly tested me, and my current spiritual power is 18th-grade."
"It looks very low, but in reality, spiritual pressure will increase with age."
"It only stops at one hundred years old. After that, you have to improve it through training."
"That is to say,"
"Before I'm a hundred years old, at my current speed,"
"I can probably increase it to around 10th-grade spiritual power."
"Later, through training, there's an 80% chance I can become a Vice-Captain."
"Once I become a Vice-Captain, I'll be able to share your worries."
"Is that so...?" Yoriichi was silent. He really wanted to righteously refuse Rukia's kindness, because the work of a Shinigami was too dangerous.
Even he himself was almost killed by a Vasto Lorde.
But then,
He realised that he wasn't the kind of parent who liked to meddle in everything.
Rukia had confidence and determination, which was a good thing, far better than some unmotivated Rukongai residents.
So, Yoriichi quietly exhaled, listening to Rukia's excitement and her plans for the future.
He said nothing more.
Soon after,
Yamamoto Genryusai arrived, followed by Yoruichi Shihouin. As soon as he entered, Yamamoto Genryusai was somewhat angry.
Because, according to his understanding, Tsugikuni Yoriichi had left Hueco Mundo several hours ago.
Although he met Kuchiki Sōjun and helped him solve the trouble,
As a Shinigami, the first thing he should do after solving a problem is report to the Gotei 13.
After all, the original culprit had not yet been found, and if an accident occurred midway, all the actions and deployments he had made would become futile.
The big picture and personal feelings should be distinguished.
However, then, when he saw the three people quietly leaning in the courtyard,
The peaceful atmosphere made it difficult for him to break it.
The anger in his heart vanished instantly.
Yoruichi Shihouin laughed loudly. She didn't have Yamamoto Genryusai's broad perspective; she simply treated the three as friends:
"Brother Yoriichi, welcome back!"
...
The welcoming laughter gradually faded. In a corner of the room, Yoruichi Shihouin, Rukia, and Hisana sat quietly.
At first glance, they looked like three obedient children.
And in the centre of the room, Yamamoto Genryusai, with a solemn face and upright posture, was like the patriarch of the group.
He frowned, looking at Tsugikuni Yoriichi, and asked seriously:
"Tsugikuni Yoriichi, are your words true?"
"Gojoshibe Kenpachi's Zanpakuto shattered, causing him to go deep into the Forest of Menos?"
"They encountered a Vasto Lorde named Szayelaporro Granz before that, and this Vasto Lorde was then slain by you..."
"The reason you were able to leave Hueco Mundo so quickly was due to the guidance of a Vasto Lorde Menos Grande named Coyote Starrk?"
After a few questions, he took a deep breath:
"Honestly, if I didn't have such deep trust in you, any other Captain here would probably dismiss your words as nonsense."
"Within Hueco Mundo, the number of Vasto Lorde is already scarce, and you, in just half a year, have encountered three consecutively."
"This luck..."
"Is truly bizarre."