XX-level Hokage

Kurosaki Ichigo, without any hesitation, reached out and scooped out some white ointment from the end of the tube, hesitated for a moment, and then smeared it on his chest.

Then, Madara slapped him mercilessly on the head and started cursing.

"You idiot!! I only have this little bit of healing medicine, and I have to share half with you. Don't you know what it means to cherish something?! Give me something more precious, you bastard's stuff!!"

"Then tell me how to use it!! I've never used anything like this before, you idiot!!"

Caught off guard by the sudden slap on the head, Ichigo Kurosaki roared back defiantly, "This medicine of mine works wonders!!"

I saw Madarame Ikkaku lightly touch the ointment with his fingers, it was unclear whether his fingers actually got any ointment on them, and then he rubbed his fingers over a not-too-serious wound on his body.

Then something amazing happened: the bleeding wound stopped immediately.

However, rather than being amazed by the ointment's immediate effects, it's more surprising that Ikkaku Madarame could be so gentle. Rather than marveling at the tenderness of this tough guy, it's more incongruous with him.

As expected, after demonstrating, Madarame Ikkaku reverted to his rude self, slapping Kurosaki Ichigo on the head once more.

"That's how you use it, you idiot!! Apologize to me for that wasteful way you just used it, you moron!!"

However, this time Ichigo Kurosaki seemed to have anticipated this, dodging Ikkaku Madarame's hand with a quick movement, and then countering with a headbutt.

"Speak properly if you have something to say!! If you don't explain yourself clearly, I..."

How am I supposed to know what you're trying to say?! Don't make me explain things that are so obvious!

Hidden within Madarame Ikkaku's soul-slaying sword are highly effective wound medicines, primarily to prevent injuries to the forehead and other areas from causing continuous bleeding that could interfere with the eyes.

Unlike the freaks of the 12th Division, it was obvious that Ikkaku Madarame was incapable of modifying Zanpakuto, and it was simply impossible for him to use his own power to mess with those freaks.

So this medicine is actually part of Hozukimaru's ability. It's Hozukimaru's thoughtful and gentle way of teasing you two. What exactly is this?

Madarame Ikkaku and Kurosaki Ichigo started talking and it seemed like they were about to fight. But honestly, it would be strange if these two didn't end up fighting.

Ultimately, even if those two were to fight, shouldn't it be a life-or-death battle with swords and blades? What's the point of this childish, petty squabble?

Neither of them even noticed he was back!

Damn it, what on earth happened while he was gone?! "Oh, Yumichika, you're back. How's the situation over there?!"

It wasn't until Ayasegawa Yumichika made a sound that Madarame Ikkaku noticed he had returned.

She instinctively raised her hand to call out to him, but halfway up, her hand seemed to pull on her wound and she quickly pulled it back, her voice becoming slightly distorted and painful.

Of course, in the end, he still insisted on saying the whole thing.

Then, he didn't forget to introduce Ichigo Kurosaki, who was sitting to the side.

“Ayasegawa Yumichika, don’t let his appearance fool you, he’s actually very strong. We usually operate together.” —Ayasegawa Yumichika

Although he treated Madarame Ichigo extremely badly, this did not mean that Kurosaki Ichigo was an ill-mannered child. On the contrary, he was very polite.

Upon hearing this, he immediately nodded politely to Ayasegawa Yumichika.

"Hello, I'm Kurosaki Ichigo, nice to meet you." Segawa Yumichika's feelings became even more complicated.

Putting aside how Madarame Ikkaku and Kurosaki Ichigo became allies, just considering Kurosaki Ichigo's status as a wandering knight, the fact that he was greeted so politely already left him speechless.

Does that mean he's completely harmless?

You two better stop this now!!

Although she was internally furious, she remained elegant on the surface.

Chapter 97: The Oriole

Yumichika Sogawa, who quickly regained control of his expression, coughed lightly twice and responded even more politely and elegantly than Ichigo, "I am Yumichika Ayasegawa, the fifth seat of the 11th Division. Nice to meet you."

Ichigo turned sideways and glanced behind Ayasegawa Yumichika a few times, but didn't see the figure he expected, and asked in confusion.

"By the way, what about Uryu? Did you manage to kill him?" Segawa Yumichika

I see... that's how it is.

The voice that came from Segawa Yumichi's mouth was tinged with depression, yet also with a hint of realization. "Alright, don't move!"

Seeing this, he unceremoniously glared at the bald man with a shiny head from a corner.

If it were anyone else, you'd probably think Madarame Ikkaku would just grab his Zanpakuto and fight you to the death. But if it were Ayasegawa Yumichika, it's not entirely impossible to say anything, especially when he's helping apply medicine.

If Ichigo is the ultimate wasteful type, then his approach is all about consuming large quantities to satisfy every craving.

Seeing that one person's dose of medicine was being used by two people, and Ichigo was being extravagant, Madarame Ikkaku decided to cut back, and ended up cutting back a bit too much.

In the end, although he felt it was all rather absurd in every sense, seeing that neither of the two was reliable, Ayasegawa Yumichika had no choice but to take the remaining medicine and apply it to the two of them first. During this process, Madarame Ikkaku explained to Ayasegawa Yumichika why things had turned out this way.

There's really not much to say. Madara is someone who prefers fighting first to dealing with rules, regulations, and schemes. If his opponent is weaker, and they rise or fall, what's the point? He just grabs them by the leg, drags them back as spoils, and hands them over to the person in charge.

Just supply it and that's it.

If his opponent is stronger than him, what's the point of saying anything if he rises or falls? He doesn't even know if he can go back. What's the use of getting information? He doesn't have any frogs to pass on messages. Speaking of frogs, right?

This is simply a continuation of Madarame Ikkaku's style. The only slightly different thing is...

Ichigo was initially weaker than him, but he grew stronger as the fight progressed, eventually unleashing his full power at the last moment and defeating Ichigo. In other words, it was Madarame Ikkaku who lost.

Even so, Ichigo had no intention of killing Madarame Ikkaku, which made Madarame Ikkaku realize that Ichigo was not the evil person he had imagined.

The two of them might actually get along quite well. So I tried chatting with them.

As they chatted, it turned into an exchange of information and a sharing of their wound medicine situation.

Then Ayasegawa Yumichika returned.

To Ichigo and Madarame, the whole process seemed quite logical. It was just reaching a consensus, right? Nothing special.

But to Yumichika Segawa, it was utterly absurd, and the fact that these two knew it was normal only made it more depressing.

"So, Rukia's condition, while not exactly easy, isn't as serious as we thought, right?" "I haven't been paying much attention to that, but I think that's how it is, Yumichika, you agree?"

He could manage to give simple answers about what he knew, but he was completely lost when it came to details, so Madarame Ikkaku had to ask Ayasegawa Yumichika for help. He was thankful that Ayasegawa Yumichika had returned.

Ayase Gawa Yumichika gave Madarame Ikkaku the half of the Hozukimaru that he had just used up.

After giving this traitor a disdainful look, he found a similar stone opposite the two of them, cleaned off the dust, sat down, crossed his legs, and then answered.

"Yes, after all, Rukia Kuchiki is a noble family, and she is related to the Shihouin family, which is also one of the five noble families. She is protected by four captains: the captain of the 13th Division, the captain of the 6th Division, the captain of the 5th Division, and the captain of the 2nd Division. It would be a problem if she really caused a big problem."

Upon hearing this, Ichigo couldn't help but click his tongue.

Although I had sensed Rukia Kuchiki's extraordinary temperament during our previous interactions, and she seemed to come from a noble family.

But upon asking, Ichigo learned that Rukia Kuchiki was about ten times his age, so he naturally assumed it was a characteristic of the era. After all, there's a saying that classically elegant ladies could only be seen in the last century, right?

He hadn't expected that Rukia Kuchiki, who had kept a low profile, would actually have such a powerful connection. (Actually, at the same time, he could also explain what he had said a few nights ago when he fought Renji Abarai.)

In fact, similar confusion and doubt had already appeared in Ichigo's mind that night, but as Ichigo said, how can I understand if you guys don't explain things clearly?

And then they blamed it on my hearing! Is it really my fault? Can it really be my fault?

Especially that Renji Abarai, he just kept hacking and slashing like he had no brains, all he did was express his emotions. "But I heard later that Rukia was sentenced to death, didn't I?" Ichigo asked immediately afterward.

Even Ayasegawa Yumichika was taken aback. He exchanged a glance with Madarame Ikkaku and, sure enough, saw the mysterious look in Madarame Ikkaku's eyes.

While lamenting that he shouldn't have any expectations of Madarame Ikkaku, he pondered for a while before carefully saying, "I don't know where you got this information, but if it's true, it certainly hasn't spread to the point where everyone knows about it. Generally speaking, if it had developed to that extent, even Ikkaku-kun would know about it."

Hey! Yumichika! You bastard, what do you mean by "even I know!"

"Does that mean... the news hasn't had a chance to spread yet?" Ichigo frowned and asked thoughtfully.

Back then, Ichigo felt that Renji Abarai's statement was too rigid in its timing, even bordering on forced misplacement. Now, Yumichika Ayasegawa's words further confirm his suspicions.

Only a small number of people involved in the case probably know that Rukia Kuchiki was sentenced to death.

Even Rukia Kuchiki, whom Ayasegawa Yumichika had taken for granted that nothing would happen, suddenly found herself in trouble.

There was an incident, and then they disappeared before the news even spread. No matter how you look at it, the problem is huge.

Shi Youyulong analyzed that the so-called mysterious third party took away Kuchiki Rukia in order to frame them, but is that really the truth?

Yumichika Segawa glanced at Ichigo, who was deep in thought, with a hint of surprise. He had thought Ichigo and Madarame Ikkaku were all muscle-bound guys, but he hadn't expected that Ichigo actually had a brain.

So he can even get along well with Madara and Ikkaku... Oh, he's got brains too, he can get along well with Madara and Ikkaku, then it's alright. "I also have a question for you."

Suppressing those chaotic thoughts, as if infected by the studious atmosphere of Ichigo's contemplation, Yumichika Segawa also frowned slightly.

So, you mean you didn't actually take Rukia Kuchiki with you? You came back here because you wanted to see the scene of Rukia's disappearance, is that right?

From the very beginning, Ayasegawa Yumichika felt that the idea of ​​crossing over here was unreliable.

Since the person has already been kidnapped, what kidnapper would be so bored as to return to the scene? They'd be looking for an opportunity to escape.

Based on roughly the same considerations, even the Third Division Captain, Gin Ichimaru, went out to take action. However, they hadn't anticipated that their initial assumptions were flawed, and that Ikkaku Madarame had guessed correctly.

"Yes, we suspect that besides ourselves, there is another mysterious force within the Seireitei. This might sound strange, but we're in the know..."

"Getting into Seireitei was actually done through connections. I don't think it's possible we'd be discovered the moment we entered. If they could do that, wouldn't it have been easier to set a trap for us from the start?"

"I see. What you said makes sense." Yumichika Segawa nodded slightly.

"If what you're saying is true, then the situation is probably more complicated than we imagined. Perhaps... even our Gotei 13 has been used."

"Use it?"

Chapter 98: Intelligence

Ichigo's mood dipped slightly.

The face of that unscrupulous merchant who had repeatedly insisted that Rukia Kuchiki would surely die if they didn't take action flashed through his mind, followed by Mashiro's smiling and exceptionally beautiful face.

On the one hand, they did their best to help him regain his strength, and even trained him.

On the other hand, it gave him the wrong information that he would definitely not get the truth unless he communicated with the people on Death's side.

What exactly were those two guys' goals...? Especially her.

However, merely daydreaming here won't yield any results. Ichigo, having obtained the information he wanted, stood up.

"Alright, let's part ways here. We're still enemies, after all. But as a request, I hope you won't hinder my actions here."

"One-Cornered Guy?"

Yumichika Segawa pointed at Ikkaku Madarame. Ikkaku Madarame gave a smirk.

“Yumichika, you think the same way I do now, right?” Ayasegawa Yumichika smiled without saying a word.

"There are combat records in the Third Division prison. The Third and Fifth Seats of the Eleventh Division have reported that they engaged in combat with the enemy. The enemy has escaped and is currently being pursued."

Information came from the Fourth Division's general medical station that the captured rogue scoundrel Chad Yasutora had been rescued. "Captain Ichimaru fought against him."