Kuchiki Byakuya was arranged clearly and thoroughly.
In fact, Uehara Naraku didn't really dislike Kuchiki Byakuya, this Shinigami captain with a somewhat ascetic face and personality, and he even had a good impression of him once.
The problem was that Kuchiki Byakuya often habitually told others that the former patriarchs of the Uehara Race were actually narrow-minded...
Saying bad things behind people's backs...
Is this something a Shinigami captain should do?
Now Uehara Naraku only sealed Kuchiki Byakuya's spiritual power and Zanpakuto, letting him experience the life of an ordinary person, which was considered lenient.
"Hey, Uehara!"
Abarai Renji hurried a few steps, holding his Zanpakuto to block Uehara Naraku, explaining, "We were ordered to capture Rukia..."
At this point, Abarai Renji's gaze fell on Kurosaki Ichigo, already healed, and continued to explain, "It's just that this guy and his companions came to stop us, so the captain acted against him..."
This reason was sufficient to deal with anyone.
If Kuchiki Byakuya weren't too aloof and directly reported to the higher-ups to explain his reasons, Uehara Naraku shouldn't have acted either.
No, it should be said that Abarai Renji explained too late. As a vice captain, he was the one who should have explained in this conflict!
After all...
Uehara Naraku and Kuchiki Byakuya were both captains of the Guardian Court Thirteen Squads; they should be on the same level. According to Kuchiki Byakuya's proud personality, he naturally needed someone to explain for him.
Unfortunately, Abarai Renji didn't have the brains for that.
To be precise, Abarai Renji thought of Uehara Naraku as his classmate and friend, and he wasn't accustomed to explaining like this; now that his captain was sealed, Abarai Renji started explaining the reason.
"Is that so?"
Uehara Naraku frowned, his gaze turning slightly to bypass Kuchiki Rukia, falling on Kurosaki Ichigo, as he spoke softly, "Human boy, do you have anything to say in your defense?"
"Huh?"
Kurosaki Ichigo was momentarily surprised.
Kurosaki Ichigo still didn't know the identity of the person before him.
Just as Kurosaki Ichigo scratched his head, intending to speak, Kuchiki Rukia, with a nervous expression, blocked in front of him, saying first, "Captain Naraku, this has nothing to do with Ichigo... it's my own crime!"
"Hey, Rukia, I..."
"Shut up!"
Kuchiki Rukia interrupted Kurosaki Ichigo, continuing with a serious expression, "My brother and Renji are just here to carry out their mission... it has nothing to do with them either..."
Ichigo, this idiot!
This definitely wasn't the time for him to butt in!
"Did I do something wrong?"
Uehara Naraku's eyes seemed somewhat remorseful.
"It's alright."
Kuchiki Byakuya glanced at Uehara Naraku, his expression still calm, "Just unseal it."
Uehara Naraku's brow slightly furrowed, with a hint of apology on his face as he walked towards Kuchiki Byakuya, seeming as though he wanted to unseal Kuchiki Byakuya.
However, just at that moment...
A spatial vortex appeared, and two figures emerged beside Uehara Naraku, as Uchiha Itachi and Uchiha Obito suddenly appeared.
Uchiha Itachi abruptly grabbed Uehara Naraku's arm, stopping his action, "Lord Naraku, please remember your identity. How can you bow to the patriarch of the Kuchiki Clan..."
"Hmm?"
"Your identity."
Uchiha Obito stood next to Uchiha Itachi, speaking coldly, "As the patriarch of the Uehara Race, this is not what you should do!"
The two of them...
Always appeared when Uehara Naraku was weak!
Now that Uehara Naraku had just acknowledged his mistake and was about to unseal Kuchiki Byakuya, the two of them suddenly jumped out!
"Kuchiki Byakuya is guilty."
Uchiha Itachi's eyes turned to Kuchiki Byakuya, a flash of red flickered and disappeared, "As the patriarch of the Kuchiki Clan, he is not respectful enough to Lord Naraku..."
Uchiha Itachi's gaze coldly observed Kuchiki Byakuya, continuing in a deep voice, "Leniency is merely Lord Naraku's grace... I hope Lord Byakuya remembers that Lord's primary identity is the patriarch of the noble Uehara Race!
"…"
What kind of reason is this!
On the surface, the identity status between the Uehara Race and the Four Great Noble Clans should have been equal. It has always been because of the Uehara Race's strength that the Four Great Noble Clans slightly yielded, but this is no reason for the Uehara Race to bully!
According to the Quiet Spirit Court and the Uehara Race's agreement, only actions against Uehara Naraku would be viewed as breaking the agreement, right? How could Uchiha Itachi be so overbearing!
This time, it was Uehara Naraku who attacked without distinguishing right from wrong!
Uchiha Itachi, this Deadguard Seat Officer, just because their patriarch Uehara Naraku wanted to apologize, popped out randomly to find an excuse to save face?
This is too much bullying!
Everyone present looked a little displeased, and Kurosaki Ichigo's expression became increasingly curious as he looked around at everyone.
Especially on Uehara Naraku...
This person named Uehara Naraku seemed to be quite troublesome!
"Small punishment as a warning."
Uchiha Obito's voice was somewhat hoarse, declaring coldly as if passing judgment, "Seal the spiritual power of the patriarch of the Kuchiki Clan for one month to experience ordinary human life in the Mortal World as punishment for the Kuchiki Clan... I think the patriarch of the Kuchiki Clan should accept this, right?"
"Wait a moment..."
Uehara Naraku's face showed some surprise, and he immediately wanted to stop him: "Byakuya-senpai is also a captain of the Guardian Court Thirteen Squads..."
"I accept."
Kuchiki Byakuya calmly lowered his head.
Sometimes, as the Patriarch of the Kuchiki Clan, he absolutely should not bow; sometimes, as the Patriarch of the Kuchiki Clan, he must bow.
Though it seemed somewhat humiliating...
Kuchiki Byakuya had already understood Uchiha Obito's implied meaning. If he didn't bow, the Kuchiki Clan might face the impact of the Uehara Race!
This was a disaster out of nowhere!
"That would be even better."
Under Uchiha Obito's tiger-striped mask, his voice gradually became clear.
To be honest...
Although Uchiha Obito seemed quite imposing...
In his heart, Uchiha Obito still felt like cursing.
He probably already understood his own role. Whenever Uehara Naraku wanted to play the good guy, he and Uchiha Itachi were made to play the villains...
Can't this guy do something decent?
Luckily, they were just passing through this world... If it were in the Ninja World, bearing so much blame for no reason, who could endure it?
Of course...
Uchiha Obito had already endured such things.
"Let's go!"
Uchiha Obito and Uchiha Itachi's figures turned into a space-time vortex and disappeared from the scene, as if their appearance was just to exert pressure on Kuchiki Byakuya.
This is...
A bit of bullying.
And having just been pressured by a Deadguard Seat Officer from the Uehara Race, Kuchiki Byakuya's expression remained unchanged, not even showing a hint of humiliation.
This eternally aloof Captain of the Shinigami merely cast a glance at everyone present and quietly instructed, "Renji, take Rukia back for interrogation..."
"Captain, what about you?"
"I need to stay in the Mortal World for a while."
"But..."
"There's no 'but,' I've already agreed."
Kuchiki Byakuya coldly cut off Abarai Renji's words, his gaze briefly landing on Uehara Naraku before slowly turning away.
Abarai Renji, with no other option, could only first take Kuchiki Rukia and leave.
Before leaving, Abarai Renji asked Uehara Naraku for a favor, hoping that while patrolling the Mortal World, he could help protect Kuchiki Byakuya.
Though the Thirteen Deadguard of the Uehara Race seemed like trouble, Uehara Naraku appeared quite reliable to Abarai Renji.
Uehara Naraku seemed somewhat guilty and of course wouldn't refuse Abarai Renji's request. He indeed intended to stay with Kuchiki Byakuya in the Mortal World to ensure his safety.
Only four people remained on the scene.
Uehara Naraku, the spiritually sealed Kuchiki Byakuya, Kurosaki Ichigo, and the seriously injured Quincy Ishida Uryu.
Kuchiki Byakuya didn't stay.
Even without spiritual power, he hadn't lost his dignity. He left the scene immediately, showing no concern about whether Uehara Naraku would protect him.
"Kurosaki Ichigo."
Kurosaki Ichigo immediately approached Uehara Naraku, earnestly expressing his gratitude: "I'm Kurosaki Ichigo, thank you for saving me just now..."
"You're welcome."
Uehara Naraku's eyes slightly narrowed, revealing a gentle smile: "I am Uehara Naraku, a Shinigami from the Guardian Court Thirteen Squads... I might stay in the Mortal World this month, so if any trouble arises, I would appreciate your guidance, Mr. Ichigo."
"Ah, you're too polite..."
It was Kurosaki Ichigo's first time meeting such a kind Shinigami, even compared to Kuchiki Rukia, Uehara Naraku's attitude seemed surprisingly friendly.
Especially...
This guy's identity didn't seem ordinary. Even the critically injured Kuchiki Byakuya seemed unwilling to provoke Uehara Naraku!
This person's identity...
Needs to be thoroughly investigated!
Seems like this guy, in terms of both strength and background, is not someone easy to mess with, even more troublesome than Kuchiki Byakuya!
Thankfully.
Although Kuchiki Rukia had left, Kurosaki Ichigo had come to know quite a few people, including Urahara Kisuke and Shihoin Yoruichi, who were hidden and stationed in the Mortal World!
Whether to regain Shinigami powers or find a way to rescue Rukia, Kurosaki Ichigo needed to contact Urahara Kisuke...
Kurosaki Ichigo did not know.
Urahara Kisuke and Shihoin Yoruichi were lurking around.
It wasn't until Kuchiki Byakuya left Uehara Naraku's sight that Shihoin Yoruichi appeared in front of Kuchiki Byakuya, her face full of teasing smiles: "Hmm, let me guess, are you staying in the Mortal World for some reason? To save your sister maybe?"
"Is that you?"
A chill flickered in Kuchiki Byakuya's eyes as he called out Shihoin Yoruichi's nickname: "Cat Demon, I don't understand what you mean."