At the captains' meeting, Gin Ichimaru and Aizen Sōsuke got into a heated argument—something Hitsugaya Tōshirō, the young captain of Squad Ten, watched in silence.
But the naive Hitsugaya had no idea of the storm awaiting him later.
Meanwhile, Ichigo used his unusually strong charisma to gather intel while blending in at the Squad Four medical barracks.
He learned that Rukia was currently being held in the Squad Thirteen prison.
That made him sigh in relief.
But his relief was short-lived—he also found out that Rukia was scheduled for execution in twenty-one days!
(Since the encounter with the Kōtotsu flung them seven days into the past, 98 designed it that way. Any paradoxes? Take it up with him—I don't have an answer.)
Still, Ichigo relaxed a little. Twenty-one days—he had time. Just as he was about to leave, he suddenly encountered a curvy woman with a calm, Yamato nadeshiko presence.
"Young man, may I ask which squad you're from?"
Her soft and gentle tone sent a chill down Ichigo's spine.
Sensing her spiritual pressure, he could only describe it as immeasurable.
Ichigo instantly became wary, but before he could answer, the elegant woman continued, "Come with me. It's too crowded here to talk."
Ichigo knew he had no way of fighting his way out of the hospital, so he had no choice but to follow the woman in the white haori, her long braid swinging behind her.
She led him to a secluded garden with no buildings aside from one large luxurious house.
Ichigo froze.
He thought she might report him or try to restrain him, but she simply brought him here.
Unohana looked at the ryoka boy before her with interest.
Why?
Because she wanted to know how this boy had managed to pass through the Sekkiseki barrier undetected.
Even she, Unohana, couldn't do that.
This was the first time she'd felt such curiosity about another Shinigami.
Well—maybe the second.
The first time had left her with a permanent scar on her chest.
Sitting on the veranda, Unohana looked at the boy before her. "There's no one else here. You don't need to be so tense."
But Ichigo didn't lower his guard. He continued to eye her warily.
"I know you're a ryoka," she said gently. "And I know you came to save Kuchiki Rukia. Don't worry—I mean you no harm. I'm just curious."
Being discovered like this put Ichigo on edge. He instinctively rested his hand on his sword hilt and asked, "Curious? I don't see what's so interesting about me. And if you know who I am, why haven't you reported me?"
Unohana calmly took a sip of tea.
"Why should I report you?"
That answer caught Ichigo off guard.
"You're not afraid I'll go on a rampage inside Seireitei?" he asked.
Any other Shinigami might worry about that. But Unohana Retsu?
There was nothing normal about this woman.
"You won't," she said, still smiling. "You came here to save someone. Massacre and destruction won't help you."
Hearing that, Ichigo finally relaxed a little and removed his hand from his sword.
"So what is it you want to ask me?" he replied.
He knew something about him must have piqued her interest—or she wouldn't be wasting her time like this.
Because Ichigo sensed something familiar from her.
Though well-hidden, the scent was unmistakable.
The scent of a madman.
"I'm not in a hurry," Unohana said. "Before we talk, I'll take you to see Rukia. You won't be allowed to speak to her—consider this my way of showing goodwill."
Ichigo accepted the offer for now. But he still didn't trust this woman.
Unohana saw that.
"Don't worry," she said. "I'll stay within your sight the whole time. You won't need to fear I'll report you."
That was Unohana Retsu—curious, but not yet in her mad phase. If it had been Mayuri Kurotsuchi who'd discovered Ichigo, he'd be strapped to a table by now, dissected out of sheer scientific interest.
Ichigo still had time, and she offered him a chance to see Rukia. That, he believed.
After all, she wore the same white haori as Byakuya. She was clearly a captain.
And a fellow monster like that… was someone Ichigo could tentatively trust.
"I haven't asked your name yet, have I, ryoka boy? I can't very well keep calling you that," Unohana said, putting her teacup down.
"Kurosaki Ichigo. Shinigami from the human world," he replied flatly.
"I'm Unohana Retsu. Captain of Squad Four," she said in turn.
"If you don't mind, have a seat. Join me for tea."
Ichigo sat down across from her. He was just as curious about her—how could a captain sit here drinking tea with an intruder?
Truly bizarre.
And so, they sat in mutual curiosity, silently observing each other.
Elsewhere, Yoruichi had found her old friend—her bestie, Shiba Kūkaku. They were preparing to use the Shiba clan's cannon to infiltrate Seireitei that very night.
Of course, Ichigo wasn't the only one moving.
Aizen was making his own moves too.
He first pretended to "coincidentally" run into Renji and voiced his dissatisfaction about Rukia's impending execution, subtly planting seeds of doubt and rebellion in Renji's heart.
Later, he secretly met with Gin Ichimaru.
"Did you see the ryoka?" Aizen asked.
"Nope. They didn't touch the guards at the White Road Gate. I waited for ages, but in the end, I only got the summons for the captain's meeting, so I came back," Gin replied honestly.
"That's… odd."
(End of Chapter)
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