XX-level Hokage

Was it because Kisuke Urahara's information was wrong, or did he have ulterior motives?

If Kisuke Urahara has ulterior motives, what about Yoruichi, who will assist them in Urahara's place?

But if Yoruichi and Kisuke Urahara really have ulterior motives, then why would they need to go to such lengths to help and treat them?

These questions surfaced in Ichigo's mind, but he couldn't find the answers for the time being. Moreover, even if he delved into them now and found the answers, they might not be correct.

Thinking of this, Ichigo raised his hand, repeatedly opening and closing his palm to test his current strength. He then looked at Shiba Ganju, whose chest was bandaged.

This therapeutic hot spring is supposed to heal wounds simply by soaking in it, but the effects don't seem to be as immediate as one might expect.

Otherwise, Shiba Ganju wouldn't need bandages. Thinking this, Ichigo asked.

"How long was I unconscious?" "Two days."

Without a second thought, the black cat Yoru, perched on Ichigo's head, casually replied, "One day!!"

Ichigo couldn't help but cry out in surprise.

He suddenly understood the topic that Ishida Uryu had been avoiding. "The guy I fought said Rukia would be executed, could it be that she's already...?" "What are you thinking!"

Before Ichigo could finish speaking, Yoruichi the black cat swung her tail and smacked Ichigo on the head, fiercely rebuking him.

Although it really hurt when Ichigo was whipped by Yoruichi's tail, being refuted by Yoruichi actually put Ichigo at ease.

"Even if someone is summoned to the Central 46th Chamber to carry out the death penalty, the execution date needs to be set before the execution can be carried out. It's not like they can be recalled today and executed tomorrow."

"So, we still have a chance!! It's only been two days!!" Ichigo breathed a sigh of relief.

His biggest fear was being too late and missing the deadline. Since there was still time, there was nothing to be afraid of. "Kurosaki-kun..."

However, upon hearing Ichigo's optimistic remarks, not only did Orihime hesitate to speak, but even Ganju Shiba turned his face away.

"What...what do you guys mean by that expression? Rukia isn't dead yet, right...isn't that something to be happy about?" Indeed, Kuchiki Rukia should still be alive, which is definitely something to be happy about.

Finally, a soft sigh escaped her lips; it was Yoruichi who spoke. "He...shouldn't be dead yet?"

That's right, on the morning after our invasion of Seireitei, before Rukia Kuchiki was taken away by the Central 46. Rukia Kuchiki disappeared after that night.

"!!?"

"According to the Gotei 13, they believe that we kidnapped Rukia Kuchiki, since that's what we thought at the time."

Shiba Ganju sighed, then looked at Ichigo again as if making a firm decision, and said, "But we know our own situation."

They couldn't even reclaim Chad, and... Rukia Kuchiki was nowhere to be seen here.

Where did Rukia go?!

"Hurry up!! Have you submitted the statistics on the disaster situation yet?!"

"How is the condition of Sixth Division Lieutenant Renji Abarai's injuries?! Has the Fourth Division submitted their injury report yet?! If not, go and urge them!!" "What about the Ryouka?! Have you found out where they are? They should still be inside the Seireitei, don't let your guard down!!"

"What about the investigation of the Third Division prison? Any leads on Rukia Kuchiki's whereabouts?" "Did any of the captured wandering monsters reveal any specific information?!"

The shouts rose and fell, each one louder than the last, as if simply trying to drown out the others and make their own voices heard.

Death, carrying various documents, moved back and forth, constantly picking up or putting down the reports in their hands.

The situation wasn't exactly chaotic, but it certainly wasn't orderly either. Yet, strangely enough, it kept going.

Perhaps a significant portion of these Shinigami who are processing data and intelligence are members of the Ninth Division. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that these members responsible for the Seireitei Communications spend most of their time living in hell.

Dealing with such scenarios is commonplace for them.

The other squad members were also stunned by their expert aura and subconsciously acted under their command.

Meanwhile, in the First Division's captain's meeting room, most of the captains were gathered. Looking down from the open door of the meeting room, what they saw was this makeshift, chaotic yet organized battleground.

center.

Two days have passed since the invasion of the Ryokan, but apart from the Ryokan captured by Sakura Sajin and Tosen Kaname on the first day, the remaining Ryokan have not been found yet, as if they have simply vanished into thin air.

Unlike previous invasions of Seireitei, this time the invaders were not only unusually few in number, but also slightly more intelligent. Realizing the strength of the Gotei 13, they had no intention of confronting them directly, but instead took action in secret.

"...Ugh, it's already come to this point, why hasn't the Captain-Commander come out of seclusion yet?!"

With his soul sword slung behind his back, the white-haired boy, Toshiro Ichibanya, who was arguably the shortest of the captains present, frowned and said somewhat impatiently.

Shortly after the disappearance of Shiba Isshin, the former captain of the 10th Division, he succeeded him as the current captain of the 10th Division. As he spoke, he glanced at the seat where Captain-Commander Yamamoto Genryu Shigekuni usually sat, but that seat was now empty.

Not only during the period of the invading of the Ryoka, but also before that, before Kuchiki Rukia was brought back, Yamamoto Genryuchi Chikashigekuni suddenly announced that he was going into seclusion for training and has not appeared since.

Given the magnitude of the invading of the Ryoka, Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni's continued absence raised suspicions that he hadn't been informed. Therefore, while Hitsugaya Toshiro addressed him as the Captain-Commander, he was actually questioning the First Division Lieutenant, Sasakibe Chojiro, who was also present. However, Sasakibe Chojiro remained unmoved, offering no answer to Hitsugaya Toshiro's question.

Unable to get the answer he wanted, Hitsugaya Toshiro once again looked away with an annoyed expression.

Chapter 77: The Captains

Kyoraku Shunsui, who was standing against the wall in the corner, slightly lifted his straw hat. After thinking for a moment, he got up from the corner and walked towards the area in the center of the team leader's meeting room where the team leaders were gathered.

"Any progress on the investigation into Rukia's whereabouts?"

Byakuya Kuchiki approached Kaname Tōsen and asked him a question. Kaname Tōsen gently shook his head.

Two days ago, signs of a battle were discovered near the Third Division's prison, but the team that arrived at the scene only found the defeated Sixth Division Lieutenant, Asanami Renji.

The signs of battle indicate that he had fought very hard against the traveler and had even gained the upper hand at one point, but unfortunately he was defeated in the end.

Rukia Kuchiki, who was left to be imprisoned in the Third Division's cell that day, disappeared. Signs of damage were found in the Third Division's cell, and the current conclusion is that Rukia Kuchiki was taken away by the Ryouka who broke into the cell.

The Silent Wall has been lowered, and the four main gates in the east, west, south, and north have been heavily guarded. Any suspicious individuals approaching can be apprehended on the spot without restriction, but so far there has been no further progress.

"This actually happened at this crucial moment."

"No, they were after Rukia from the very beginning." It was Kuchiki Byakuya who refuted Inumura Sajin's statement.

He wasn't blaming him, but rather stating the facts in a cool, objective tone. "It seems Captain Ichimaru made a mistake."

"Oh dear, I never expected it to turn out like this."

Gin Ichimaru shrugged, showing no sign of regret, and said.

"If only I had gone all out and finished them off cleanly, none of this would have happened. Hmph! One day you'll pay the price for your frivolous nature!!"

The one who responded to Ichimaru Gin's unrepentant reply with such direct and scathing criticism was Inumura Sajin.

With his upright and incorruptible character, he could not see the frivolous and unreliable nature of Ichimaru Gin from the beginning. No matter how you looked at it, it did not seem like the personality of a good person. Ichimaru Gin's smile did not change, as if he had not heard what Psamura Sajin said and did not give any response.

"Captain Egg Flower, did the testimony of the captured traveler provide any clues?" This time, it was Jushiro Ukitake who spoke.

With the Seireitei Walls falling and the entire Seireitei engulfed in turmoil, he couldn't possibly have a proper rest. In fact, he hadn't had a moment's rest at all because of Rukia Kuchiki.

Based on the intelligence gathered so far, a total of five travelers have infiltrated the area. However, for some reasons, we will tentatively conclude that there are four, and the remaining one will be dealt with separately after the matter is resolved.

Currently, only one of these travelers has been captured, making the information obtained from this traveler crucial.

When the traveler was discovered, he was severely injured and in critical condition, so he was immediately sent to the Fourth Division for treatment. It is said that he has now regained consciousness, hence this question.

"We learned from that traveler that they did indeed come for Rukia Kuchiki," Retsu Unohana said softly, glancing almost imperceptibly to the southwest.

"So, it really was those wandering monsters who did it." Tosen frowned, his face showing displeasure. "Truly...disruptors of peace."

"We cannot rule out the possibility that Rukia Kuchiki has already been taken away by them," Retsu Tamagotana replied rather conservatively.

In other words, it's possible that Rukia Kuchiki disappeared not because of a traveler's misfortune, but for other reasons.

However, that possibility wasn't what those present, or at least some of them, wanted to see. "Where's Mayuri Kurotsuchi? Didn't he come?"

Without any regard for their image, they sat down on the ground by the door. Kenpachi Zaraki, who was leaning against the door, had no interest in what these people were discussing. After glancing around, he noticed that someone seemed to be missing and asked curiously.

"That guy said coming here would be a waste of time, so he's not coming."

Having probably encountered Mayuri Kurotsuchi before, Gin Ichimaru answered. "Heh, just like that guy."

Kenpachi Zaraki chuckled. "If I'd known, I wouldn't have come."

So that was what he really thought. In fact, it might be a miracle that he's actually staying here obediently.

"Staying here is really boring. I might as well wander around and maybe I'll run into some troublemakers."

At this point, Kenpachi Zaraki's eyes suddenly lit up. He felt he had come up with a good idea, and with a slight effort, he stood up. "I'm going out for a walk now."

"So, this is the result of the Commander-in-Chief's absence." It was Hitsugaya Toshiro who answered Kenpachi Zaraki.

Still concerned about Yamamoto Genryu and Shigekuni's absence, it was ultimately Hitsugaya Toshiro who felt indignant. "They're all acting as they please!"

His complaints, however, seemed to fit his age.

"Alright, alright, Captain Hitsugaya, even if Old Man Yama isn't here, we can handle it. It hasn't been that long, and those traveler disasters haven't been completely eradicated, have they?"

Kyoraku Shunsui, who had quietly slipped in, was comforting Hitsugaya Toshiro as if he were soothing a child.

"In fact, if we can't even handle such a small matter and have to rely on Old Man Shan, we'll only get a severe scolding afterward. So let's just let him rest for now."

Among the captains present, Toshiro Hitsugaya was the youngest in terms of age, seniority, and appearance. Although he gave off a somewhat arrogant and impetuous vibe, no one genuinely intended to target him.

Even Gin Ichimaru is the same. Because he argues with Toshiro Hitsugaya all the time, he always gives people the feeling of bullying a child... You know that feeling.

That's a bit embarrassing.

Hitsugaya Toshiro made a sound by exhaling through his nose, disagreeing with Kyoraku Shunsui's statement, which only elicited a wry smile from Kyoraku Shunsui.

Just then, the door to the team's conference room suddenly swayed slightly. A tall figure appeared.

"A message has come from the Central 46th Bureau."

The death knight's uniform features a purple stand-up collar, he has a short, bushy hairstyle, a broad face, and wears gold chains and gold bracelets.

Compared to a true giant like Sajin Patemura, he's nothing, but he's tall enough for the average person. He usually seems unreliable and always looking to slack off, but he shows his reliable side when it comes to important matters.

Appearing at the entrance to the team's conference room, kneeling and reporting information, was Leng Qing's vice-captain, Omaeda Kichiyo. "What news has come from Central 46? Have they discovered traces of the traveling monsters?"

Perhaps because he's been a bit sensitive about Central 46 lately, Jushiro Ukitake frowned noticeably, and his words carried a hint of displeasure.

Yukichiyo Ōmae glanced up at Jushirō Ukitake, then quickly lowered her head again. After hesitating for a moment, she answered Jushirō Ukitake's question.

"No, that's not the case." "What instructions did the Central 46 give?"

Hitsugaya Toshiro shook his head, putting aside the somewhat bewildered feeling he had just sensed from Rei Sei, and focused on the changes happening before his eyes.

...Central 46 demands that we hand over Rukia Kuchiki immediately. Now that the situation is gradually stabilizing, they require us to apprehend the repeat offenders.

Rukia Kuchiki is being transferred.

Upon hearing Omaeda Kichiyo's words, all the team leaders present exchanged bewildered glances, unsure of what to say. "Those guys... are they crazy?"

Finally, it was Hitsugaya Toshiro's bluntness that inadvertently revealed everyone's thoughts. Ah, Captain Hitsugaya, it's best to keep such thoughts to yourself and not say them aloud.