Although based on the outcome, Isshin wouldn't encounter trouble in this incident but would instead win the beauty, get together with Masaki, ultimately leading to the birth of Ichigo, Toshiro couldn't rest easy without checking personally.
After all, this matter involved Aizen. Toshiro couldn't take it lightly.
Although if Isshin left the Soul Society because of this and lived with Masaki in the Living World, Toshiro could become the 10th Division's Captain as wished, Toshiro absolutely didn't want anything to happen to Isshin.
Although Toshiro wanted to be Captain, compared to the Captain's position, he valued his friend's safety more.
Having been in the 10th Division for so many years, Toshiro and Isshin had a good relationship. Isshin was definitely one of Toshiro's few close friends.
Over the years, although Isshin seemed lazy, pushing all division work onto Toshiro, from another perspective, this was also trust in Toshiro.
If it were someone else, would Isshin so easily hand over all division's work?
After all, this wasn't just about handling troublesome work… the work itself represented power.
By letting Toshiro handle the 10th Division's work, Isshin also handed over the division's authority to Toshiro.
Although Isshin was lazy, before Toshiro arrived, he hadn't pushed all division work onto others while being completely indifferent.
Over these years, although Toshiro, Isshin, Rangiku, and others often seemed to quarrel, that was just their way of interacting. Deep down, they valued their friendship and bonds.
So when Isshin decided to investigate alone this time, Rangiku worried so much. And when Toshiro realized this involved Aizen, he immediately followed.
However, Isshin left too quickly. Toshiro's conversation with Rangiku caused some delay, so when Toshiro caught up, he didn't see Isshin.
"Already gone far?" Toshiro murmured to himself.
But Toshiro didn't give up. Isshin was investigating the mysterious Shinigami deaths in Narumishi City in the Living World, so his destination was definitely Narumishi City.
The target was clear.
Thinking this, Toshiro immediately headed towards the Senkaimon leading to the Living World.
Of course, the Senkaimon Toshiro used wasn't the Gotei 13's but the Shiba Clan's private Senkaimon.
Isshin's investigation this time wasn't reported to the Gotei 13, it was a private action without authorization. So naturally, he couldn't use the Gotei 13's Senkaimon.
But in the Soul Society, some larger noble families had their own Senkaimon.
Although the Shiba Clan declined, they were once one of the Soul Society's Five Great Noble Houses, so they also had their own Senkaimon.
Due to his relationship with Isshin, Toshiro had used the Shiba Clan's Senkaimon a few times to visit the Living World. So Toshiro knew well where the Shiba Clan's Senkaimon was hidden.
Thus, Toshiro went at full speed, arriving before the Shiba Clan's Senkaimon in no time.
When the Shiba Clan was prosperous, they lived within the Seireitei like other noble families. After declining, they moved out of the Seireitei to the Rukongai. So now, the Shiba Clan's Senkaimon had no guards.
But the location was hidden, hard for ordinary people to find. Even if someone accidentally discovered it, without the activation method, they couldn't use it. So no need to worry about unauthorized use.
Only Shiba Clan's members knew the Senkaimon's location and activation method. But trusting Toshiro, Isshin once told Toshiro the location and activation method.
So upon arriving, Toshiro immediately activated the Senkaimon and entered.
Living World, Narumishi City, nighttime, bright moon up high.
Narumishi City was a mid-sized city. This city had always been under the responsibility of the 10th Division's Shinigami.
The Shinigami who died consecutively recently were also from the 10th Division. That's why the matter reached the 10th Division, and Isshin actively requested to investigate.
Although Isshin always seemed lazy, regarding his members' safety, he took it exceptionally seriously.
At this moment, two 10th Division's Shinigami responsible for Narumishi City were talking.
Shinigami A: "Clouds are thickening..."
Shinigami B: "Is it going to rain? This feeling is really uncomfortable..."
Shinigami A: "Yeah, I remember the previous guy, and the one before that, both died on rainy days..."
Shinigami B: "Really creepy..."
Shinigami A: "Hey, don't say such things. You're making me nervous."
But just then, a voice suddenly came from behind them, eerily.
"Is that so? Rainy days are more dangerous..."
Hearing the sudden voice behind them, the two Shinigami shivered in fright.
Then, they turned their stiff bodies to look.
The newcomer continued, "Just arrived and heard good intel. It seems this investigation will go smoothly."
Turning around, the two Shinigami finally saw the newcomer and couldn't help but be startled.
"Waahh ahhh ahh!!! Ca-Ca-Ca-Ca-Ca-Ca... Captain Shiba!!!" The two Shinigami exclaimed.
The newcomer was none other than Isshin, who came from the Soul Society.
"Wh-Wh-Wh... Why?!" The two Shinigami asked, puzzled.
But Isshin seemed not to hear them, still talking to himself. "I really came at the right time. Ah, I didn't come in vain. So good, so good!"
Seeing Isshin talking to himself, the two Shinigami couldn't help but shout, "Captain! Why! Why are you here?!"
Hearing them, Isshin seemed to react, grinning foolishly. "Huh? Ah... well, actually, I was looking for a bathroom and got lost..."
'Uh... that lie is terrible!!!' The two Shinigami inwardly screamed.
"Oh—right. Tonight... if it rains, you two head back first. It's fine."
"Otherwise... you'll disturb my bathroom break," Isshin said with a grave expression.
Seeing Isshin looking serious but saying such unserious things, the two Shinigami felt a cold sweat drop on their foreheads.
Meanwhile, clouds in the sky thickened, covering the bright moon.
Patter, patter...
Large raindrops fell from the sky.
Isshin looked up at the sky. "...It's raining..."