XX-level Hokage

She covered her mouth as if afraid the food would be exposed. Kotetsu Isane looked at Egg Flower Retsu and exclaimed excitedly.

"Captain, this is so delicious! Captain, you should eat some too, it's really good!!" "I know. Since you like Yuune, you should eat more too."

Seeing Kotetsu Isane react like a child, Retsu no Nakaba finally showed some satisfaction. It was obvious she'd been watching Kotetsu Isane all along, waiting for this.

Only then did Kotetsu Isane recall Matsumoto Rangiku's words: "These are top-quality ingredients provided by the Shihouin and Kuchiki families." Even though a vice-captain level Shinigami's salary isn't low, it's not extravagant enough to enjoy the absolute best in everything.

They are different from the highest-ranking noble families like the Shihōin and Kuchiki families.

The ingredients may seem similar to those we eat regularly, but the actual flavors and textures are completely different.

Chapter 102: A Strange Mealtime (Part 2)

And the table here is covered with...

Kotetsu Isane gasped; she dared not even think about how much this meal would cost.

From a financial perspective, this is definitely the best reward for the captain and vice-captain who have been working tirelessly these past few days. And from a taste perspective... if she had been here before, she wouldn't want to leave the spicy place either!

Of course, Kotetsu Isane's idea is somewhat superficial, but let's forgive her for being so cute.

Leng Qing, who also smiled knowingly at Kotetsu Isane's childlike and adorable reaction, turned her gaze back to the topic Kotetsu Isane had been discussing before their arrival.

"So, how is Mayuri Kurotsuchi doing now? Have you received any news from the Twelfth Division?"

Kotetsu Isane was suddenly stunned.

She looked on, puzzled. It wasn't until she realized that these captains weren't just sitting there doing nothing. Even while eating, they were keeping an eye on everything in the Soul Society.

"It would be strange if that guy even sent any news," Inumura Sajin scoffed, speaking with disdain.

He was significantly larger than everyone else around him, taking up more space, and his appearance made one wonder if his appetite was equally enormous.

Surprisingly, while Paimura Sajin's dining habits weren't exactly refined, they were quite disciplined, unlike wild dogs scavenging for food. "In fact, even if he died, few people would know."

Sakura Sajin's words were less about discussing Mayuri Kurotsuchi's situation and more about simply expressing his emotions.

However, this is to be expected. It's normal for someone like Inumura Sajin, who values ​​loyalty and righteousness, to dislike Mayuri Kurotsuchi, who is glib and sarcastic all the time.

However, this wasn't the first time they had worked together. Everyone here, including Mayuri himself, knew perfectly well that Sajin Hatsumura disliked Mayuri Kurotsuchi, though he never cared. Therefore, Sajin Hatsumura's words didn't elicit any reaction, and no one rushed to smooth things over.

After all, Mayuri Kurotsuchi isn't here right now, is he?

"As for Captain Nexus... he should have his own way of recovering, so it's okay to leave him alone." "Or rather, it's more accurate to say he doesn't trust normal treatment methods."

"No, that's not right. It's that the members of the Fourth Division don't dare to touch his body."

As they talked, the conversation drifted to the Fourth Division, and Kotetsu Isane couldn't help but smile wryly, having to admit that his comment was absolutely spot on.

On one hand, it's true that Mayuri won't go to the Fourth Division for treatment no matter what happens, but will instead return to the Research and Development Bureau to heal himself. On the other hand, because Mayuri is a complete mad scientist, he's not limited to ordinary research results, but even his own body...

They wouldn't let him off the hook either. Heaven knows how many strange things he'd stuffed into his body. If he were to treat Neru without prior notice...

In the end, Mayuri Kurotsuchi might be fine, and it might be the medical staff who treat him who need treatment.

Kotetsu Isane glanced at Unohana Retsu sitting beside her, and seeing that Unohana Retsu didn't react, she felt slightly relieved. This proved that Unohana Retsu didn't care about their teasing.

Then, Kotetsu Isane thought of Ishida Uryu, who was still lying in the Fourth Division barracks.

It is said that Uryu Ishida and Mayuri Kurotsuchi engaged in a battle, and the result of this battle was unexpectedly that both sides were severely injured.

However, considering that Mayuri Kurotsuchi also abandoned Uryu Ishida and fled, it is believed that Uryu Ishida had the upper hand in that battle, and it is not impossible that he even won.

Kotetsu Isane found it hard to believe that the boy could defeat Mayuri Kurotsuchi, whose inventions were so bizarre and seemingly divinely inspired. Speaking of which, Isane, you've come at the right time. I heard that Zaraki was also sent to the Fourth Division, right? How's he doing?

Satisfied, Hitsugaya Toshiro put down his chopsticks and bowl and joined the conversation while digesting his food.

However, he immediately targeted Kotetsu Isane, who had only just arrived. "Yes!"

Kotetsu Isane responded instinctively, putting down her chopsticks and bowl as well. She thought for a moment before reporting.

"Captain Zaraki's condition is relatively stable at the moment, and his life is not in danger. He only needs to rest for a period of time."

Then it can be fully restored.

"Oh, I see... That's a real headache."

Kotetsu Isane believes that, from a doctor's perspective, her explanation is reassuring enough.

After all, there was no danger to her life, and she would be completely fine after a period of rest. Wasn't that enough to put her at ease? It was precisely for this reason that Toshiro Hitsugaya's response left her speechless.

"We might need that guy's strength in the upcoming battle, but he just collapsed like that. What a troublemaker," Hitsugaya Toshiro said, rubbing his forehead with a headache. "What's most unbearable is that even with such serious injuries, he still couldn't defeat his opponent. Just how strong are those petty hordes?"

Kenpachi Zaraki, after receiving permission, began to fight alone, but as everyone knows, he has no sense of direction.

It's quite possible that he wandered around without even realizing it, ending up in Rukongai after leaving Seireitei. However, that's impossible now, as the area is sealed off both inside and out; no matter how much he wanders, he's just going in circles within Seireitei. Therefore, it's perfectly normal that no one knows where Kenpachi Zaraki went.

Therefore, it's quite normal that Kenpachi Zaraki, wandering aimlessly, encountered his opponent by sheer luck and a skirmish ensued.

What's abnormal is that Kenpachi Zaraki was actually defeated and severely injured to the point that he had to be sent to the Fourth Division for treatment, and his opponent was actually...

Does it have the capacity to retreat and hide again?

Mayuri Kurotsuchi and Kenpachi Zaraki were defeated one after another, which means that the opponent has at least two captain-level combatants. However, compared with the situation that happened at the Fourth Division General Aid Center, Gin Ichimaru was able to suppress the three opponents by himself. If it weren't for the special circumstances, he could have even achieved a triple kill.

In other words, based on the intelligence we have so far, the opponent only has five people. The difference in combat power among these five people is too great, isn't it?

Oh, right, we can't forget that in the modern world, Ichigo Kurosaki was once suppressed by Kira Izuru and instantly killed by Ichimaru Gin. Yet now he can turn the tables and defeat Kenpachi Zaraki.

What kind of freak is it?

"That kind of beast can't be judged by common sense. It's better to give up trying to understand its thoughts, Captain Hitsugaya." "That's true... but well, Captain Tosen, what you said makes some sense."

Murasaki Jin dislikes Mayuri Kurotsuchi, while Tosen Kaname dislikes Kenpachi Zaraki. Or to put it another way, these two best buddies dislike each other.

It's just that Uramura Sajin mocked Mayuri Kurotsuchi earlier, and now Tosen Kaname is taking the opportunity to mock Kenpachi Zaraki. With these two defeated one after another, Uramura Sajin and Tosen Kaname are probably the only two who won't be worried.

In their eyes, Mayuri Kurotsuchi was one thing; although he was eccentric and ruthless, he still had a brain and could be considered an asset. But Kenpachi Zaraki was a pure beast of combat power, an uncontrollable factor who wouldn't obey orders. His fall was a loss to a powerful but vulnerable player.

Kenpachi was a pure beast of combat power, an uncontrollable factor that disobeyed orders. It was certainly a relief to lose such a powerful combatant as he fell, but in the current somewhat unpredictable situation, it was not necessarily a bad thing to have such an unstable element gone.

Chapter 103: A Strange Mealtime (Part 2)

"Oh, right, Captain Unohana, captains, I have something important to report."

They said they were discussing business over dinner, but it was definitely related to the atmosphere; their words and phrases were relatively casual, and their thoughts were quite divergent, often veerging to another topic.

Kotetsu Isane almost got led astray. Luckily, she reacted in time, remembering that she hadn't come all the way to the First Division just for a meal. Everyone's attention was drawn to Kotetsu Isane's words.

After Unohana Retsu nodded slightly to Kotetsu Isane, Kotetsu Isane continued, "Actually, I had contacted the Ryoka before this and obtained some information from them. Although I can't confirm whether it's true or not, I think it's very valuable for reference."

The already somewhat timid Kotetsu Isane tensed up considerably under the watchful eyes of so many people. However, since no one interrupted her, she pressed on and continued speaking.

"The vanished Rukia Kuchiki was not taken away by that group of Ryoka, but disappeared for other reasons. According to that group of Ryoka, there is actually another force hidden in the current Seireitei."

Kotetsu Isane finished speaking in one breath, and the entire team's meeting room suddenly fell silent. She nervously clenched her hands, wondering if she had said something wrong. Several more seconds passed before Leng Qing finally spoke softly.

"Ah... Captain Ichimaru has also received similar information about this matter and has already reported it back." Kotetsu Isane blinked and subconsciously looked towards Ichimaru Gin.

Gin Ichimaru smiled at her, raised his hand and made a fox-like gesture with his fingers, as if to say, "Little sister Isane, you're a step too slow~".

"But you noticed that too, Yuuto? That's amazing." "Ah...no, I just..."

"In short, this intelligence is indeed very important, and we will take it into consideration in the future."

Seeing that the information she had provided was of little use, Kotetsu Isane sat down next to Unohana again and started eating.

"Speaking of which, Captain Unohana, although all the captains are gathered here, this dinner is a bit too extravagant." Kotetsu Isane was still a little puzzled.

"This isn't preparation for the captain's meeting." "Huh?"

You'll find out soon enough.

The sound of rushing water was continuous, and it was right next to my ear.

Even if you look up, you can't see the sky; all you can see is the stone ceiling, which makes you want to use a magic spell to reach the heavens.

However, this also indicates that this place is not somewhere on the ground, but underground.

"To be precise, this is the underground waterway of Seireitei. We should be safe here."

The speaker was the Grim Reaper, whose eyebrows and eyes drooped slightly due to his natural timidity and gentle nature, and who had short, black, center-parted hair.

He happens to be the seventh seat of the Fourth Division, who has been under investigation until now. When Mashiro took Orihime and the others away, she specifically "kidnapped" him.

It's hard to believe that someone who was kidnapped would appear in such a place, and even use such a relaxed tone to describe what this place is.

"So it means an underground passage!" Orihime looked around.

Although it's compared to an underpass, it doesn't look dirty or smelly at first glance. It's clear that it's regularly maintained and cleaned.

"I know that! It happens all the time in movies! When you're being chased, you can just slip into an underground tunnel and escape!"

Upon hearing this, Chad, who was following behind, couldn't help but nod. He had heard of this kind of story, or rather, this plot, but he hadn't expected it to be so explicit.

One day it will happen to you.

"Ah... really? Then it's similar to that place called the underground passage."

Although even the names are very similar, the only difference being the 'waterway' part, neither the seventh seat of the fourth division nor Shiba Ganju has ever been to the human world, so they don't know if Orihime is describing the same object. They can only guess that it is something similar.

"In short, the structure here is extremely complex, and only the members of the Fourth Division, responsible for cleaning, resupply, and medical care, can fully understand it. Many members of the other divisions don't even know that this water system exists beneath the Seireitei. Therefore, it's definitely much safer here than on the surface."

"...Indeed, even the Shiba family overlooked the fact that there was such a passage underground."

The seventh seat of the Fourth Division walked in front, followed closely by Shiba Ganju, with Orihime in third place and Chad Yasutora at the back. They lined up in this order and moved forward along the underground waterway.

There was no definitive answer as to where to go, but it was best not to stay in one place.

Shiba Iwaro was deeply moved. He was surprised to see that person again, and judging from the situation, that person seemed to be on his side. It felt like he was dreaming.

However, that person is indeed as strange as the rumors suggest.

After rescuing them, he didn't linger. He touched Orihime's chest and then turned and left.

Thinking about what had just happened, Shiba Ganju felt speechless. Never mind, I don't want to think about it anymore.

Then he began to look around.

This is not a question of whether the underground sewer system has always existed, but rather a question of awareness.

Even if one takes the underground water system for granted, without ever considering stepping inside, one will not realize its enormous strategic function.

If one could fully master this underground waterway, infiltrating most parts of Seireitei would be a piece of cake.

However, that would require prior awareness of the strategic value of this underground waterway and the completion of surveys and mapping.

It's only now that I realize that trying to cram at the last minute only resulted in getting completely lost in the complex underground structure, and in the end, I didn't even know where I was.