Aizen found it puzzling. According to his plan, Ichigo and the others should have been stopped at the White Road Gate by Gin.
That would have allowed him to continue arguing with Gin during the captains' meeting—another perfect piece of his staged conflict.
But Gin hadn't encountered Ichigo's group at all. And for the first time, Aizen felt things slipping just slightly out of his control.
"…Interesting. Very interesting."
Rather than being upset, Aizen smiled.
If everything went exactly according to his script, wouldn't it be boring?
It was the unknown that made discovery worthwhile, wasn't it?
—
Squad Thirteen Detention Cells.
Unohana Retsu had brought Ichigo to the Squad Thirteen prison.
"I really appreciate it, Captain Unohana. I didn't expect you to come in person," said Ukitake Jūshirō, welcoming her himself.
Ichigo followed quietly at her side, wearing the Squad Four uniform and acting like a humble apprentice.
"It's no trouble," Unohana replied with a calm smile. "Rukia is the adopted daughter of the Kuchiki family, after all. It's only right that I treat her myself."
"By the way, I've brought along one of my medics. I hope that's alright?" Unohana asked.
"Of course, whatever's convenient for you," Ukitake nodded.
Unohana smiled again and led the silent Ichigo into the detention area.
The moment he stepped in, Ichigo saw Rukia in her cell.
He was overwhelmed with emotion and almost called out to her—but Unohana gave a quiet hum to stop him.
Ichigo clenched his fists, forcing himself to stay silent, his anxious eyes fixed on Rukia.
For a brief moment, he genuinely wanted to draw his zanpakutō and break open the cell to free her.
But doing so would betray Unohana and get her involved. That wasn't something Ichigo could bring himself to do.
He had no choice but to endure—for now—and wait for a better opportunity.
Rukia was startled to see Unohana and quickly stood up.
"Captain Unohana! I didn't expect you to come treat me yourself!"
Unohana offered a gentle smile and began examining Rukia's soul body.
And what she found surprised even her.
Rukia's injuries were mostly healed, but her spiritual power was dangerously depleted.
If it wasn't replenished soon, she would die.
Unohana frowned. She didn't believe in the rumors about Rukia participating in Hollowfication experiments—but that wasn't her business. No need to stir things up.
Still, now that she had seen Rukia's true condition, her curiosity was piqued.
The symptoms were too unusual. In all her years treating the wounded, she'd never encountered anything like it.
Even more puzzling—restoring Rukia's spiritual energy would require captain-level reiatsu.
Meaning that, if fully restored, Rukia's power would be on par with a captain's.
Unohana was genuinely intrigued.
Ichigo noticed her staring and cleared his throat to snap her out of it.
She blinked, then gently restored a bit of Rukia's spirit energy.
"You're fully healed. Just rest well from now on," she said with a soft smile.
Rukia instantly felt better and bowed her head. "Thank you for taking the time to see me, Captain Unohana."
"It was nothing. I'll be on my way now." And with that, Unohana turned to leave.
Ichigo looked back one last time, reluctant, but followed her out.
She had fulfilled her promise. The least he could do was not make trouble for her.
Rukia had no idea the quiet Squad Four medic who stood beside Unohana… was the very person she'd been longing to see: Kurosaki Ichigo.
—
Squad Four – Unohana's Residence.
"Thank you again, Captain Unohana," Ichigo said sincerely.
Unohana frowned slightly and said, "Don't call me that. Just call me Rei-neesan."
Ichigo had no objections.
Unohana tilted her head, curious. "Did Rukia really not participate in any Hollowfication experiments?"
Ichigo instantly denied it. "Absolutely not! Ever since she came to the human world, she's been living with me. There's no way she had time for any experiments!"
Unohana narrowed her eyes. "When I examined her, her injuries had already healed—but her spirit energy was drastically low."
"It's as if something is continuously draining her reiatsu. If she didn't take part in any experiments, then this is… very unusual."
Ichigo frowned. That was concerning.
Suddenly, he remembered something Rukia had told him earlier. "Rei-neesan, I remember Rukia saying she constantly felt like her spiritual power was leaking out."
Unohana nodded. "Then it matches. Something is drawing out her spirit energy. Whether it's an object or a person… it's not a Hollow."
Ichigo wasn't slow. He had a flash of insight. "You mean… someone hid something on Rukia's body?"
"That's the only explanation I can think of," Unohana replied with certainty.
(Note: In the original story, Unohana never treated Rukia—Hanatarō did. If Unohana had examined her, she'd never have missed what was happening. After all, this is a woman who could even sense the inconsistency in Kyōka Suigetsu's illusion.)
(Besides, her spiritual pressure is strong enough, and she's treated countless corpses—her sense of anomalies is unmatched.)
Ichigo thought back to Kisuke Urahara. Whatever goodwill he had for the man suddenly began to sour.
But there was still one question he couldn't answer—
Why Rukia?
Why did Urahara choose her specifically?
He turned to Unohana. "Rei-neesan, why exactly is Urahara Kisuke wanted by Soul Society?"
"Urahara Kisuke… was exiled over 110 years ago for conducting Hollowfication experiments within Soul Society."
"His actions resulted in the deaths of four captains, three lieutenants, and the deputy head of the Kidō Corps."
"But that's not all—he fled the Soul Society with the head of the Kidō Corps and the captain of Squad Two, Shihōin Yoruichi."
"He remains Soul Society's most wanted criminal to this day."
(End of Chapter)
[Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum]
[+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter]
[Thank You For Your Support!]