XX-level Hokage

"Anyone who sneaks over at night seems suspicious, doesn't they?"

While operating under the cover of night sounds appealing, its biggest drawback is that it can evade other Grim Reapers but not the gatekeepers.

Why would someone deliberately bring several strangers into Seireitei in the middle of the night? It seems suspicious no matter how you look at it.

If the gatekeeper senses something is wrong and stops them from entering, triggering the alarm, then all our efforts will be in vain, and we'll have made things worse. "Heh."

Upon hearing Inoue Orihime's words, Shiba Iwagi let out a low laugh.

He spoke in a confident voice that Kurosaki Ichigo and the others couldn't understand at all.

"That's not a problem."

A moment later, at the Seireitei, in front of the White Gate.

Although it's called a door, it looks no different from anywhere else. There are no eye-catching signs, no door outline, it's empty and spacious, as if you could slip in at any time.

However, one can see a man in front of him who is so tall that he can be called a giant. He wears a red hat, his long hair grows to his waist, and he has silver armor on his left arm.

Not far from him were two huge axes shaped like the number 7, with the red character "兑" (dui) above them.

This is Ikkakuzaka Tanbo, responsible for guarding the White Gate on the west side of Seireitei. He is one of the heroes chosen by the Soul Society, specifically tasked with repelling those who attempt to enter.

"The misfortunes or souls that enter the Soul Society."

Shiba Iwato pointed to the huge and burly man and introduced him to Kurosaki Ichigo and the others.

"Don't let his appearance fool you; in the 300 years he guarded the White Path Gate, he never let anyone break in." Heh, heh heh, I'm almost embarrassed by this sudden, formal praise.

Although he was huge and burly, and looked somewhat rough, he was surprisingly easy to talk to. Dui Danfang scratched his face, a little embarrassed, and said.

"Isn't this the rock heron from the Shiba family? What are you doing here so late?" Although he was easy to talk to, he still had the professional ethics of a gatekeeper.

When this issue was brought up, Erdanbo's gaze toward Shiba Iwagi suddenly sharpened.

This caused Ichigo and his companions to tense up slightly. "Oh, I have some business to attend to at the Seireitei."

Shiba Iwato, however, seemed unconcerned and spoke quite casually.

Chapter Sixty-Two: A Clumsy Play (Part Two)

Ichigo and his four companions.

"You're kidding me with that excuse!" "Oh, okay then." Ichigo and the other three: "???"

However, this finally made Ichigo and the others understand what the so-called authority to freely enter and exit the Seireitei really meant.

However, it seems that only Shiba Ganju, a member of the Shiba family, can freely enter and leave the Seireitei, because Kodanbo's gaze immediately fell on Kurosaki Ichigo and his group of four.

“They are…unfamiliar faces I’ve never seen before!” His eyes sharpened again.

Ichigo and the other three tensed up! "Oh, my friend, he's with me."

"Oh, okay, then you can go in. Kurosaki Ichigo and his group of four..." "What? They're all on our side, they should have said so earlier. They got in so easily?"

Kurosaki Ichigo couldn't help but look behind him, where the White Path Gate guard, Brother Danbo, was still waving to the crowd.

According to Ichigo Kurosaki's plan, their mission to rescue Rukia Kuchiki in the Tokonoma World would be like an RPG level-based game, a continuous adventure from start to finish.

They fought relentlessly until they reached the final boss and rescued Rukia Kuchiki.

Surprisingly, things went smoothly with the Shiba family. They readily agreed to Ichigo and his group's request, not only without imposing any conditions but also by arranging for Shiba Ganju to assist them.

They thought there would be some trouble at least with the gatekeeper, but unexpectedly, this seemingly honest Duidanfang guy turned out to be one of their own. Shiba Ganju didn't even bother to come up with a proper excuse; he just made up a few things and let them in.

"Hmph, it's all about favors, kid. Do you think the world is just about fighting and killing? You really have a simple mind." Yoruichi, sitting on Kurosaki Ichigo's head as if she were using his orange hair as a nest, licked her paws and said with some disdain.

"I...I didn't think that way, you idiot! I just felt it was a little too easy."

Slightly annoyed by Yoruichi's mockery, Ichigo Kurosaki retorted, "Hmm? You think it's that simple?"

Unexpectedly, Yoruichi's voice suddenly turned somber. Incredibly, a chilling aura could be detected in his voice.

"If you still hold this easy mindset, I advise you to go back as soon as possible. The reason you were able to get here so easily is because of the connections I made for you. Without my help, you would have had to make a huge sacrifice to enter the Seireitei."

Night, Yoruichi-sensei.

Unexpectedly, Yoruichi the Black Cat suddenly became serious, causing the atmosphere to change abruptly.

Orihime Inoue quickly spoke up, trying her best to ease the tension and speak up for Ichigo Kurosaki. "Kuro, Kurosaki-kun didn't mean that, right, Kurosaki-kun?"

"Oh, right, I almost forgot to tell you something. The reason I'm offering you this level of assistance is quite simple." "What?"

Chad seemed to realize something and clenched his fists.

"Because the real challenge begins after you enter Seireitei! If you fail to even get into Seireitei and fall at the gates, it won't be you who will be laughed at, but rather Kisuke, the kid who helped you get here!!"

Rumble rumble rumble rumble--!!

Suddenly, a heavy, thunderous roar resounded in the quiet night sky.

The sound came so suddenly and so high that it didn't even feel real for a moment.

Accompanying this heavy and terrifying roar was the ground shaking violently.

Not far from Ichigo Kurosaki and his companions, in fact, right where they had just stepped through the White Gate, something terrifying happened right before their eyes.

It was unclear where they came from, but it seemed as if they simply fell from the sky, one huge wall after another, falling neatly in a row, instantly forming a wall that separated Seireitei from Rukongai.

What is that?

Ichigo Kurosaki managed to squeeze out a sound.

Although he didn't say it aloud, he did secretly mock the fact that the boundary between Seireitei and Rukongai was practically the same.

Even after entering the Seireitei through the White Path Gate guarded by the Pill Workshop, I still wondered where that so-called White Path Gate actually was. Wasn't the Pill Workshop just randomly choosing an empty spot to stay here?

Surely someone can sneak into Seireitei through an empty spot.

It was only at this moment, with the scene unfolding before Ichigo and his companions, that this arrogance was completely and mercilessly torn apart.

There is a wall between Seireitei and Rukongai, but there's usually no need to keep it down. "That's the Seireitei Wall!!"

The one who answered was not Yoruichi, who seemed to know everything, but Shiba Iwagi, whose expression suddenly changed.

It only falls when a forbidden situation occurs in Seireitei! Have we been discovered? But how could that be? We've only just stepped into Seireitei! Or is it due to some other situation?!

Kurosaki Ichigo and his companions entered the Seireitei through the Shiba family's connections and were allowed entry by the Taidanbo. From this perspective, although they did not have a pass, their procedures were perfectly legitimate.

Ultimately, these four doors exist for those who lack a pass to freely enter and exit the Soul Society, but need to temporarily enter for official business. Even if it were discovered that Ichigo Kurosaki and his group had infiltrated the Soul Society with ulterior motives—and Ichigo and his group were already mentally prepared to be discovered—they were not truly unaware of the possibility of being discovered.

Surely it shouldn't be this fast?

Just as Ichigo and his companions were about to step into the Seireitei, before they had even taken two steps, there were already corresponding reactions and countermeasures. It was almost as if...

From the very beginning, something seemed to be waiting for Ichigo and his companions as they stepped into the Seireitei, and then it immediately reacted. However, the surprise and bewilderment for Ichigo and Ganju Shiba did not end there.

Before I knew it, a large number of black butterflies had begun to flutter in the dark sky.

The sound, which even Ichigo Kurosaki and his companions could hear, resounded throughout the entire Seireitei, which was shrouded in darkness.

[Urgent Notice!! Forbidden Notice!! Ryokan have invaded the Seireitei. All divisions must mobilize immediately to respond!! To reiterate, the Seireitei...]

[A raider has invaded; all squads must immediately mobilize to respond!]

"Damn it, we can't stay here any longer, let's move!!!"

Regardless of whether the "traveler" mentioned in the notice refers to Ichigo Kurosaki and his group, or whether they were simply unlucky and others were discovered invading the Seireitei at the same time, thus implicating them.

They could no longer stay here leisurely.

The reason for choosing to enter Seireitei at midnight was to avoid being noticed by others.

Now, the entire Seireitei is like a sleeping giant gradually awakening, and amidst the alarms that resound throughout the Seireitei, light keeps shining from all directions.

It's easy to imagine that a large number of Grim Reapers will be patrolling the streets next.

Everyone who enters the Seireitei during this period will be investigated. By then, not only Ichigo Kurosaki and his group, but also Ganju Shiba and the Shiba family who helped Ichigo Kurosaki and his group enter the Seireitei will be implicated!

Just as the entire Seireitei was thrown into chaos, at the Fourth Division barracks...

Retsuko Tamago was leisurely drinking tea with Mashiro.

"Can this performance really go smoothly? This terrible drama of yours?"

Setting down her teacup, Retsu Unohana looked at Mashiro. "Who knows?"

Chapter Sixty-Three: Drama

Mashiro took a sip of tea, her gaze passing through the night outside the window as if she were staring into the depths of Seireitei. Her expression was calm, seemingly unconcerned about the impending chaos.

“However, it’s not wrong to say that this is a poor play.” Mashiro slightly raised the corners of her mouth, revealing a faint smile. “Perhaps, but the beauty of a play lies not in its ingenuity, but in its unpredictability.”

Retsu Unohana sighed softly, her fingers gently rubbing the rim of her teacup. Her gaze remained fixed on Mashiro's face, a hint of inquiry in her eyes, as if she wanted to read something from Mashiro's expression.

"You're always like this, making things complicated." Unohana Retsu's voice was gentle, yet tinged with a hint of helplessness. "They're just children, you..."

Do you really think they can withstand such a test?

Zhen Zi put down his teacup, crossed his hands on his knees, and remained calm as still water.

"Child?" She repeated softly, a hint of sarcasm in her voice. "In Soul Society, no one receives preferential treatment because of their age. Ichigo Kurosaki chose this path, so he has to face all of this. Besides, if he can't even withstand this much pressure, how can he possibly rescue Rukia Kuchiki?"

Retsu Unohana remained silent for a moment, seemingly pondering Mashiro's words. Her gaze gradually deepened, as if she were recalling something.

“Perhaps you’re right,” she finally spoke, her voice still gentle, “but I feel that your plan this time is a bit too risky. Once the walls of Seireitei fall, the entire Soul Society will be on high alert. Not only will Ichigo Kurosaki and the others be in danger, but we ourselves could also be put in danger.”

Mashiro gently shook her head, her gaze remaining calm.

“Danger?” she said softly. “The world of Tokon has never been safe. We are all walking on the edge of a knife. One wrong step and we will be doomed. But that’s why we need drama like this to break the deadlock.”

Retsu Unohana frowned slightly, seemingly not entirely satisfied with Mashiro's answer.

Break the deadlock? She repeated softly, "You mean, you hope to change the status quo of the Seireitei through the actions of Kurosaki Ichigo and the others?" Mashiro did not answer directly, but sighed softly and looked out the window again.

“The Seireitei has remained unchanged for far too long.” Her voice was low, as if she were talking to herself. “The rules of the Shinigami, the power of the nobles, the suffering of the Rukongai… all of this is like a stagnant pool, without any ripples. The arrival of Ichigo Kurosaki and his companions may be the opportunity to break this stagnant pool.”

Retsu Unohana remained silent for a moment, seemingly processing Mashiro's words. Her gaze gradually became complex, tinged with worry.

“But such a change could have unforeseen consequences,” she said softly. “Aren’t you worried that the balance of the Seireitei will be completely disrupted?”

Is it broken?

Mashiro smiled gently, her gaze remaining calm.

“Balance?” she said softly. “So-called balance is nothing more than the suppression of the weak by the strong. True balance should be that everyone can find their place, instead of being bound by rules and power.”

Retsu Unohana didn't speak again, but just looked at Mashiro quietly. Her gaze held a complex emotion, as if she both agreed with Mashiro's point of view and was worried about her actions.