Fourth Squad, General Treatment.
"Thanks to timely treatment, Captain Zaraki is out of danger," Unohana Retsu pushed open the OR1 door and gently reported to the pink-haired little vice-captain and to Madarame Ikkaku and Ayasegawa Yumichika.
"Whew… Thank you for your hard work, Captain Unohana!"
Ikkaku and Yumichika finally let go of the knot in their hearts and bowed deeply.
"Most of the credit is Isane's. I've been busy examining Vice-Captain Hinamori's remains. I only helped a bit here… If possible, when Captain Zaraki wakes, please dissuade him from discharging immediately, lest he worsen his injuries."
"Uhh… we'll do our best!"
Unohana knew she was asking a lot. She sighed and looked at the silent Yachiru.
"Vice-Captain Kusajishi, who did Captain Zaraki fight?"
"At first he met a ryoka. But then… the ryoka was rescued. We chased—and it ended like this."
Yachiru's eyes slid, her speech vague.
"So who was it—be clear, fukutaichō!" Ikkaku scratched his head in frustration. "Someone who could snatch a ryoka from the Captain, and do this to him—you can't say you didn't see?"
"Give me features and I'll—"
"Baldy, what are you going to do?" Yachiru's eyes turned sharp. Ikkaku broke into a sweat.
"Knowing that—can you beat them? That was a strong foe—even after Captain released Shikai, he still lost."
"?!" "Shikai?!" "Captain…?!"
At that, not just Ikkaku and Yumichika—Unohana blinked too.
No one in Seireitei didn't know Zaraki Kenpachi's name—or his origins.
He'd killed the previous Kenpachi in front of everyone with a scavenged broken blade.
Kidō? Shunpo? Zanjutsu? Hakuda?
Saying he knew none was false—but he was self-taught. He fought primarily with pure zanjutsu, overwhelming strength, and feral style—the source of other Shinigami's awe.
And this madman… had a day he released his Zanpakutō and fought like a Shinigami?
Yet even forced that far, he still lost.
Chilling to contemplate.
What on earth happened?
Who did he meet?
"It was Kurosaki Ichigo, wasn't it?" Unohana said quietly.
"Kurosaki… Ichigo? Who's that?" Ikkaku frowned.
"Ikkaku, you're behind on news. He's one of the Academy's brightest this year—made a ruckus recently. Equal in fame with another genius—both students of Captain Aizen. Quite popular in the Gotei," Yumichika said.
Ikkaku's face twisted. He could hardly believe it.
"…You're saying a first-year beat the head of the most combat-powerful squad in the Gotei 13? And there's not just one such freak?!"
"…I didn't know they were this strong either—nothing like the rumors. I'll say… good thing Captain lived. Otherwise we might have had to 'welcome' an even more flamboyant captain," Yumichika chewed a nail, conflicted.
"Forget it. From the moment they helped the ryoka, there's no place for them in the Gotei," Ikkaku waved, then asked Unohana, serious, "Captain Unohana—do you know that Kurosaki Ichigo?"
"Not well—we met once," Unohana's thoughts drifted to that afternoon.
"I taught him a little swordsmanship. And kaidō."
"No wonder Ichi tanked Ken-ken's hit and healed so fast," Yachiru nodded.
"So that's it… He wore the Captain down with injury trades? How shameless," Ikkaku exclaimed.
"A foe who clings without feeling the cruelty of battle, only pursuing victory—too beautiful," Yumichika shook his head.
"You two idiots know nothing!" Yachiru hopped up and smacked both their heads. Hands on hips, she scolded, "Ken-ken loves fighting most. An unkillable opponent is best! And Ichi's not weak—he's got a second personality!"
"What! Two on one? The same as those tricksters who take turns with a bag of moves—equally vile!"
"Then we have to get our Captain's face back! Let's go, Ikkaku. When we find him, we go in together."
"Right!"
Whether from anger or instinct, the two bolted. They didn't notice Unohana's gaze cool.
"Vice-Captain Kusajishi—later, would you discipline those two who are running around the hospital?"
"Huh? No problem! Leave it to me."
"And… about Kurosaki Ichigo aiding a ryoka—please tell them not to report it."
"Eh?" Yachiru was blank. She didn't mind—she actually wanted to repay Ichigo for showing mercy. But should she be the one to say that?
"It's like this… I found some clues on Vice-Captain Hinamori's body. I need to confirm with someone in person. Before that, I want to try trusting Kurosaki-kun—and Shigū-kun—that they know what they're doing."
Unohana looked out at the seemingly calm view, a crease of worry between her brows.
…
Sōkyoku Hill, Seireitei's true center.
Frankly—
Shigū didn't want to fight big here.
It might damage the grand baths.
Last time he'd been in a rush—lots of facilities left untried. He hadn't watched the cherry blossoms, or soaked in a petal-scattered pool while sipping tea and sake.
Hard to say whether that worry was what made him accept Yoruichi's suggestion to soak at the secret base near Sōkyoku—but soak they did.
Comfortable? Yes—very. Even the fatigue from days of training washed away under the healing water.
"So… while I was throwing down with Zaraki Kenpachi, you were in a hot spring with Miss Yoruichi and Inoue?!" Ichigo said.
"Not just that. Yoruichi and I also discussed a lot about Sensei—mutual understanding helps later cooperation. Diplomatic work for our alliance."
"…," Ichigo was speechless.
"More importantly—eat. Refill the tank," Shigū pulled him to the rock terrace where Yoruichi and Orihime sat. A gorgeous rug was spread with lacquered boxes—open ones brimming with delicacies.
Ichigo rubbed his eyes at the sight. "Miss Yoruichi, Inoue… where'd all this come from?"
"Don't fuss. My brother Yūshirō sent it. We can't hide here till noon tomorrow without eating," Yoruichi said—her style reminding Ichigo of Kūkaku, a familiarity that helped them click fast.
"Shihōin's been by? Wait—Miss Yoruichi is his long-lost sister?" Ichigo blinked.
"Old news," she waved.
"Kurosaki-kun, you're hurt," Orihime noticed the tear in his shihakushō first.
"Huh? Oh… it's fine. I healed it—my kaidō's not worse than Fourth's… Well, maybe still behind Unohana-san."
"Then let me fix the clothes."
"Whoa… that's handy."
Watching the orange glow mend the cloth good as new, Ichigo's refusal turned to admiration.
"It's okay. I still think the best ability is one that can defeat the enemy—like Shigū-kun and Kurosaki-kun."
"You're pretty strong now—you stalemated Zaraki Kenpachi… By the way, have you got Bankai?" Yoruichi asked.
"Not yet."
Before Shigū could, Yoruichi swallowed and answered first, smiling mysteriously. "But don't underestimate her. She can take care of herself."
"In that case… tomorrow you two run Rukia. Brother Kurosaki and I hold the line," Shigū mused.
"Running alone won't do. If you have a plan—spill it. I'll match what I can," Yoruichi's eyes flashed.
"No special plan. Just… Sensei had his vice-captain fake her death to draw attention and stir the board. In truth, she's not just 'hiding'—she has another task," Shigū said evenly.
"Sensei placed her in a secret lab in Fifth's sector—with equipment prepared in advance. Its purpose… to assist Vice-Captain Hinamori, a kidō savant, in a Hōgyoku removal surgery."
"As long as we get Rukia out and to that site, then split the Hōgyoku and remove that hot potato from her—there'll be no need for Soul Society to execute her."
"In other words, once we reach that stage, we're halfway there."
"And the other half?" Yoruichi raised a brow. Orihime listened with total focus.
"The other half depends on whether Hitsugaya-taichō—biting at Ichimaru to find Momo's killer—can crack the plot that day, and bring this farce down… What's your side have prepared?"
"Not 'nothing'—but boiled down to one line: play it by ear," Yoruichi folded her arms, airy words with a heavy heart.
Because she didn't know what Aizen wanted.
She'd tried to cozy up for intel. But from what she'd pried via Shigū, instead of getting closer to the truth, she felt further away.
Calligraphy lessons. Promoting juniors. Passing down techniques. Helping with Bankai training. Even soaking in a hot spring. Said they talked happily, learned a lot, and would work together to save Rukia.
Shigū sounded casual—no over-polish. Yoruichi could tell. Even so, when she tried to picture that Aizen, it beggared belief.
If all this was for the Hōgyoku—it was overkill. Calling it "using people" felt thin.
It wasn't the Aizen she and Urahara knew. Had Aizen… reformed?
Yoruichi almost wondered if the bath had pickled her head.
More riddles. Only playing it by ear remained—choosing, for now, to trust them.
She sighed in her heart and glanced up to see Ichigo scarfing food—then remembered something.
"By the way, Ichigo…"
"Yes, Miss Yoruichi?"
"You told my idiot brother to send me a 'gift'?"
"Uh… that might've happened—"
Yoruichi narrowed her eyes and smiled unpleasantly. "I knew something was off. He suddenly sends me cat food and toys—and, most ridiculous of all, catnip. So it was you whispering in his ear."
"…No! What he sent has nothing to do with me! Shigū—say something! You knew, too—help me out! This is really your fault!"
"What are you talking about?" Shigū stared, shocked.
-------
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