If the enemy wants you to go somewhere, how could you not go?
Upon hearing this, all the captains couldn't help but smile bitterly.
What does "if the enemy wants you to go, how could you not go" even mean?
Under normal circumstances, if the enemy wants you to go somewhere, you definitely shouldn't go, right?
But that was just Mayuri Kurotsuchi; the captains knew his temperament.
More importantly...
What he was saying now was indeed what they needed to do.
No matter what was in Karakura Town, they wouldn't know unless they went there.
Even if they knew it was a trap, each of them had great confidence in their own strength.
So, this was probably a case of knowingly walking into it.
"Mayuri, what about your deal with the Arrancar?" Shiba Isshin asked at this point.
"What are you talking about?" Mayuri Kurotsuchi looked coldly at Shiba Isshin. "A dignified captain saying something like that truly shocks me. As a captain of the Gotei 13, don't you have any dignity?"
What Shiba Isshin was referring to was naturally the "technology exchange with the Twelfth Division" that Yoshio had mentioned earlier, and Mayuri Kurotsuchi had obviously refused.
Shiba Isshin smiled awkwardly but said nothing.
Speaking of which, cooperation between Shinigami and Hollows did have a bad influence, but he felt that doing something unconventional at a critical moment wasn't a big deal.
Moreover, he knew Mayuri Kurotsuchi would never refuse because of something "unconventional." Honestly, if he started talking about rules, that would be the real surprise!
Sure enough, Mayuri Kurotsuchi continued coldly: "Hmph, the origins of the Arrancar—there's no need for anyone to tell me. If you were of any use, just help me capture one Arrancar, and I'll dissect it to understand."
"My lack of progress right now is because of your incompetence!"
"I remember there were Arrancar attacking earlier." The other captains could tolerate Mayuri Kurotsuchi, but only Kenpachi couldn't.
Kenpachi revealed a ferocious smile at the corner of his mouth. "Originally, I saw that the Arrancar's Reiatsu was so weak and thought you could handle it, so I didn't come back."
"But now it seems this task might be too difficult for you."
"What?!" Mayuri Kurotsuchi retorted. "I never thought you'd dare say something like that. Aren't you the one in the Gotei 13 who's had the most contact with Arrancar?"
"Enough."
Seeing that the two seemed about to continue arguing, the veteran Retsu Unohana couldn't stand it anymore and slowly said: "Now is not the time for arguments."
Her words were the most effective; not only did Zaraki Kenpachi fall silent, but even Mayuri Kurotsuchi glanced at her and stopped talking.
If it were someone else, even Kyōraku Shunsui or Jūshirō Ukitake, it definitely wouldn't have this effect.
Seeing everyone silent, Retsu Unohana said: "Since the Garganta points to Karakura Town, let's split into three groups."
"One group stays in Hueco Mundo, one goes to Karakura Town to investigate, and the last returns to the Seireitei to report this matter."
"The Human World district also has a squad responsible for the Karakura Town area; notify them of this. This enemy is unusually cunning—you must not act alone; at least two captains must go together."
Retsu Unohana outlined the actions the Shinigami were about to take.
Kyōraku Shunsui then said: "Ukitake and I will go to the Human World."
Their strength was among the stronger captains; if Karakura Town really was a trap, they should be able to handle it.
Most importantly, if it was a trap, it might be similar to the earlier Hollowfication incident. He and Ukitake were just virtual bodies—if they died or Hollowfied, it didn't matter.
Perhaps they could even meet the person they most wanted to see there.
At this moment, Mayuri Kurotsuchi gave the two a meaningful look, as if he had noticed something, but he didn't speak.
Soon, the captains in Hueco Mundo had each received their assignments.
...
Meanwhile, in the Human World, Soi Fon arrived via Senkaimon.
She had obtained clues about "Kisuke Urahara" and "Yoruichi Shihōin" from that "Arrancar," knowing they were very likely in "Karakura Town."
However, she had been seriously injured before and had only recovered under Mayuri Kurotsuchi's treatment.
Mainly because Mayuri Kurotsuchi had disappeared midway; otherwise, she should have recovered faster.
Of course, Soi Fon currently only knew they were in Karakura Town, but she didn't know the exact location of Karakura Town.
But knowing the general location was enough.
The reason she wanted to take over as the commander of the original Onmitsukidō was to use the Onmitsukidō's equipment to make finding people more convenient.
The Onmitsukidō was an organization similar to the CIA, inherently equipped with many methods to track Shinigami.
This included tools specifically for tracking Shinigami Reiatsu.
Speaking of which, many of these tools were developed by Kisuke Urahara.
He probably never imagined that one day these tools would be used against him.
Of course, such tools couldn't search infinitely; they could only search within a one-mile radius centered on the holder.
But Karakura Town happened to be a small town with a radius of about one mile! Previously, even the general location couldn't be captured, so such tools weren't needed, but now that the general location was known, the Onmitsukidō's methods could be used to search.
Soi Fon was an imaginary body; her existence was mainly driven by resentment toward Yoruichi Shihōin for abandoning her, so she hated Kisuke Urahara for taking Yoruichi away and hated Yoruichi for abandoning her.
A tool similar to a compass appeared in her hand. When the tool pointed in a direction, it suddenly began spinning wildly, as if interfered with.
Soi Fon frowned, then relaxed.
Hmph, this tool was originally developed by Kisuke Urahara; it's normal for there to be countermeasures.
But this behavior also confirmed that Kisuke Urahara and Yoruichi Shihōin were indeed in Karakura Town!
Soi Fon continuously used Shunpo within Karakura Town. Although the tool failed quickly, that brief moment was enough for Soi Fon to confirm the direction.
Finally, Soi Fon stopped in front of a grocery store.
'Urahara Shop'
Looking at the name hanging above, killing intent surged in Soi Fon's heart. This guy was really bold, daring to use his own surname as the store name.
Soi Fon's body gradually changed; a massive spiritual pressure appeared on her at this moment, accompanied by a roar. Soi Fon's body suddenly transformed, as if an Arrancar had activated Resurrección.
Golden blades emerged on her hands and feet, and golden ornaments decorated both sides of her forehead.
It looked just like the manifestation of Soi Fon's Zanpakutō, Suzumebachi!
"Oh, long time no see, Soi Fon."
With Soi Fon's transformation, Yoruichi appeared above the "Urahara Shop."
She sat there, looking at the current Soi Fon, and smiled: "What form are you in now? Is it Bankai? It seems your strength has grown quite a bit since I left!"
"Yoruichi Shihōin!" Soi Fon looked at the appearing Yoruichi, her lips curling up as she said excitedly: "You've finally appeared! Look closely! This is the power I've prepared for you!"
This was a special ability of the 'imaginary body,' somewhat similar to 'human-sword fusion,' but not entirely the same.
Generally speaking, human-sword unity is a realm higher than a Shinigami's Bankai, one that Shinigami cannot achieve.
Even a powerhouse like Captain-Commander Yamamoto couldn't achieve human-sword fusion.
Only beings transcending Shinigami could fuse their Zanpakutō with themselves.
If Shinigami forcibly fused, they would gone mad because their bodies couldn't withstand such immense power.
However, Kisuke Urahara's developed 'Tenshintai' could achieve this, as it was originally created to make the using Shinigami stronger.
Those who have achieved unity between man and blade are even stronger than those who have attained Bankai, but the difference in strength is not obvious. This is because if the difference were too great, it would not serve as a proper trial for the user.
In this case...
Kisuke Urahara would be invincible. If he could casually create real bodies with human-sword unity, Aizen would just admit defeat! What point would there be in fighting?
So, this human-sword fusion is very crude, just a superficial means of boosting power.
Yoruichi frowned; she indeed sensed a powerful spiritual energy from Soi Fon.
She hadn't properly trained her body for decades, even nearly a century, and now suddenly feeling Soi Fon's spiritual pressure seemed to gradually awaken the dormant battle instincts within her.
"The situation is urgent now; I don't have time to joke with you, Soi Fon." Yoruichi said gravely. "Withdraw this power, or else..."
"Or else what?" Soi Fon sneered. "Or else you'll kill me?"
"Then come on, Yoruichi Shihōin. I'll crush the power and speed you're so proud of."
In an instant, before Soi Fon's words even reached Yoruichi's ears, she appeared behind Yoruichi, her arms wrapping around Yoruichi's neck from behind, the sharp points on her hands pressing against Yoruichi's throat!
"...!"
Yoruichi Shihōin's pupils dilated sharply, and the next moment, she disappeared too.
Yoruichi Shihōin realized Soi Fon was coming for her, so she continuously used Shunpo to draw Soi Fon away from the 'Urahara Shop.'
She also knew the Seireitei was searching for them everywhere; if she fought at the Urahara Shop, wouldn't that directly expose them?
While running, Yoruichi engaged in Hakuda combat with Soi Fon, but her main goal was to evade and then seize an opportunity to attack when Soi Fon was unprepared.
Because Soi Fon's hands and feet were now covered with weapons like Suzumebachi, which left Yoruichi puzzled for a moment.
Yoruichi of course knew Soi Fon's abilities, so upon seeing Soi Fon's current appearance, she knew she couldn't clash head-on with her.
If it were just Shikai, she only needed to guard against the right hand holding Suzumebachi, but now her entire body was Suzumebachi—wouldn't that mean being touched anywhere would be fatal.
"Are you just running now, Yoruichi Shihōin!" Soi Fon, seeing Yoruichi struggling under her pursuit, shouted excitedly: "This is the price of betraying me!"
"You've been hiding in the Human World, and your strength has greatly declined, while mine has skyrocketed in Soul Society! Now, let me see how you used to suppress me before!"
"Captain Soi Fon!"
At that moment, another Shinigami suddenly noticed Soi Fon and Yoruichi Shihōin. He rushed over and shouted loudly: "Captain Soi Fon, this is the Sixth Division's area! Why are you here?!"
However, at that moment, Soi Fon's gaze was entirely focused on Yoruichi Shihōin, completely ignoring the Shinigami's shout.
"You..."
Seeing this, Yoruichi suddenly realized something.
"You're not Soi Fon!"
The one who understood Soi Fon best was also Yoruichi. Although the imaginary body had the original memories, due to the different dominant mindset, Soi Fon's abnormality was discovered by Yoruichi.
"You've figured it out?!"
Soi Fon laughed again. "You're right, I'm Soi Fon's 'resentment'! You'd better not hold any hope, because even the real me, upon seeing you, would do the same as I am!"
"Is that so? Then why isn't she here?" Yoruichi quickly calmed down, then used Shunpo to pull away from Soi Fon.
Seeing this, Soi Fon didn't pursue, instead saying: "Oh? You're giving up just like that? Given the disparity in our strengths, the former Flash Goddess can't even escape? No wonder, after all, even your most prized speed can't match mine!"
"No..."
Yoruichi looked at Soi Fon at this point and slowly said: "I was just thinking, since you're not the real Soi Fon, I can relax a bit."
"What did you say?"
"I'll ask you a question." At this moment, Yoruichi released her spiritual pressure, which suddenly expanded like a volcanic eruption!
"Why does the Onmitsukidō's combat uniform expose the back and armpits?"
"What...?" Soi Fon stopped, looking somewhat puzzled at Yoruichi's current change, feeling a bad premonition in her heart.
"Because when using 'Shunkō,' the Reiatsu wraps around the wrists, back, and armpits—that overwhelming power would directly shatter the fabric there!"
Boom!
In an instant, the Reiatsu erupting from Yoruichi shattered the clothes on her back and armpits!
"This power is called Shunkō, a fighting style that fuses Hakuda and Kidō. From your expression... Soi Fon must have tried it too, but it seems..."
"I've gone further."