XX-level Hokage

Fortunately, Shuhei Saki did not expect that was the escape route Ichigo had planned.

Chapter 118: Struggle

Therefore, although the landing was rather disastrous, at least the goal of retrieving Zangetsu had been achieved. "This... how is this possible?!"

The investigation team leader still looked like he couldn't accept it.

It seems that Ichigo Kurosaki's infiltration of his survey team was a huge blow to him.

"What's impossible about something that's already happened!" Even Hisagi Shuhei retorted, somewhat speechless. Of course, despite his words, his gaze remained fixed on Ichigo.

So, is the reappearance of Rukia Kuchiki and the sudden disappearance of Aya related to your Ryouka?! "If it were related, would I be here investigating with you?"

Perhaps his strength has increased, as evidenced by the fact that he was hit directly by Hisagi Shuhei but was not injured, and was able to land steadily while retrieving the moon. Ichigo's mentality also seems to have changed, and he has become more composed.

His tone of voice became more casual. He even seemed to have the energy to ask questions in return.

"So that's how it is... It seems that solving the mystery of Kuchiki Rukia won't be so simple."

"Only on this point do we share the same thought." "I really don't want to agree with you."

Hisagi Shuhei pointed his Zanpakuto directly at Kurosaki Ichigo, unlike Ichigo who was somewhat relaxed and calm, giving off a carefree vibe.

Hisagi Shuhei's expression was frighteningly serious.

His overly serious demeanor was exactly like that of his captain, Tosen Kaname, who was willing to wield his sword against anyone in order to uphold justice and peace.

"Let's put Rukia's matter aside for now. Now that the Rikai has appeared before us, there's no reason not to take them down! We'll talk about it in the interrogation room after I've captured you!!"

"Wait--"

As Hisagi Shuhei finished speaking, he was already in front of Ichigo, his Zanpakuto slashing mercilessly at him. This distance was practically non-existent for a Shinigami capable of using Shunpo.

Ichigo was interrupted just as he was about to say something, and had no choice but to bend backward to dodge Hisagi Shuhei's horizontal slash. Hisagi Shuhei remained expressionless.

In their previous clash, it wasn't just Ichigo who confirmed their respective strengths, but also he.

The intelligence that was originally sent out already included a record of Ichigo defeating Kenpachi Zaraki, but Hisagi Shuhei didn't believe he could defeat Kenpachi Zaraki. In other words, regardless of how Ichigo defeated Kenpachi Zaraki, it was best to consider him an enemy with the strength of a captain.

Therefore, Hisagi Shuhei, who had already drawn his sword in the initial attack, only managed to repel Ichigo. This was partly to protect the others present and create some distance, and partly to test Ichigo's strength.

Judging from the feedback Hisagi Shuhei received, it was perfectly normal for Ichigo to dodge his horizontal slash. In fact, if he had been killed before the first move, the sheer number of boxes would have made Kenpachi Zaraki seem ridiculous. Kenpachi Zaraki is no match for Hisagi Shuhei's sword? Hahaha, what a joke!

As if afraid he would never have another chance to attack if he stopped, Shuhei Sasaki launched a relentless and relentless offensive.

Ichigo was forced to retreat continuously under this onslaught. But at this moment, the results of his training became apparent.

In terms of pure combat skills, Ichigo has made some progress, but that's about it.

Similarly, he possessed strength at the vice-captain level, and his battle with Renji Abarai was a tough one, while he was also suppressed at one point when fighting Ikkaku Madarame.

Ichigo was even more formidable against Kenpachi Zaraki. Ichigo himself didn't know how he won. At first, he couldn't break through Kenpachi's defenses no matter what he did, but then he cut Kenpachi down with a single slash.

Therefore, he wouldn't bring up those special cases for discussion.

After Ichigo mastered the technique, he managed to find a slight opening in Hisagi Shuhei's relentless attacks, thanks to the difference in their skill levels.

Without any skill, relying solely on sheer power, he blocked Zangetsu's attack against Hisagi Shuhei's Zanbato, forcefully cutting off Hisagi Shuhei's offensive.

"Can't you guys just talk things out?! Is there anything that can't be resolved through conversation?!" Ichigo roared at Hisagi Shuhei, who was standing right in front of him with a cold expression.

When I ran into Renji Abarai, he was so emotional that I couldn't say anything to him.

Later, he encountered Madarame Ikkaku, initially thinking it was a case of a scholar encountering a soldier, unable to reason with him, but in the end, Ikkaku turned out to be able to speak human language. Kenpachi Zaraki has a similar personality.

Ichigo thought that people like Renji Abarai were exceptions, and that Hisagi Shuhei seemed like someone he could communicate with, so he didn't choose to retreat immediately.

Unexpectedly, Saki Shuhei suddenly launched into a swift and relentless attack, showing no mercy whatsoever. "There's no point in talking to you bunch of roving monsters! You're not worthy!"

The attack was stopped, but Hisagi Shuhei calmly withdrew his sword and regrouped to launch another attack.

Unlike Ichigo, who joined halfway through his training, Hisagi Shuhei underwent rigorous training at the Shinigami Academy and has never relaxed or slacked off even for a moment since.

"Prison is where you should be!"

"Wait, wait... don't fight here!!!"

Unexpectedly, the investigation team leader's voice reached their ears again, even though neither of them looked at him even once. His words were indeed conveyed.

"If you keep fighting, the scene will be completely destroyed, and we won't be able to gather any clues!" After exchanging a sword strike with Hisagi Shuhei, Ichigo and Hisagi Shuhei retreated.

If possible, neither Ichigo nor Hisagi Shuhei wanted to disrupt the scene. At least on this point, the two could agree.

So, after a brief retreat, Ichigo turned around and leaped to the side. Hisagi Shuhei did not hesitate and immediately used Shunpo to catch up with Ichigo.

Ichigo was already considering retreating, wanting to see if he could create some distance and escape. But Hisagi Shuhei had also anticipated this possibility and relentlessly pursued him.

Before long, the two of them left the investigation site and came to a relatively remote area.

This area has many tall buildings, such as houses or stone pillars, and there's no one else around. "Hey! You guys want to know where Rukia went, right?"

As he continued leaping forward from the top of the building, Ichigo Kurosaki still shouted at Shuhei Hisagi, "We also want to know where Rukia went, and whether what's appearing now is really Rukia. Can't we agree on this?"

"Don't make me repeat myself. There's no need for us to join forces with you traveling criminals. We can investigate and find out the results ourselves. And your only fate is to go to jail!" Saki Shuhei said arrogantly.

While that was indeed his true thought, he also harbored the intention of luring Kurosaki Ichigo into a fit of rage and stopping his fight. In these few encounters, Hisagi Shuhei discovered that Ichigo was inferior to him in every aspect, including the application of Shunpo.

The problem is that Ichigo's raw strength is far superior to his, which is why he couldn't stop Ichigo. If Ichigo had stopped and been determined to fight, the outcome would have been uncertain.

However, if Ichigo is determined to escape and lets him chase, it will only be a protracted battle without the intervention of others.

Hisagi Shuhei, calmly considering the situation, realized that continuing like this was not an option. "...Alright, although I really don't want to use that, I really have no other choice now."

Chapter 119: The Wind Dies

"?"

"Cut it off!!"

Standing atop a tall building, Hisagi Shuhei leaped into the air, soaring high into the sky. He wasn't chasing after Kurosaki Ichigo; he was simply jumping upwards.

But, "The wind dies!"

In an instant, two long black chains suddenly fell from his hand holding the Soul-Slaying Power, and the two ends of the chains were double blades like bamboo dragonflies.

Hisagi Shuhei merely tugged at the black chain, and the twin blades, resembling bamboo dragonflies, began to spin rapidly before bursting forth with terrifying speed.

It was faster and at a more unpredictable angle than when Saki Shuhei used Shunpo to chase after Ichigo.

It was like the relentless touch of death, relentlessly pursuing the soul. The Seventh Division's base.

"Thank you all for your hard work. This is a gift from the Seventh Division."

If the First Division's style has only changed slightly from that of a thousand years ago because of the presence of Captain-Commander Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni and Vice-Captain Sasakibe Chojiro, the two most senior captains...

It can be described as the oldest team dormitory environment.

For some reason, the Seventh Division also maintained a similar style.

The interior wooden buildings and lobby all use unpolished wood, maintaining its natural shape, as decorative pillars. Natural still life paintings hang on the walls, and mats are laid on the floor, resembling a temple.

Normally used as an indoor training ground, it has now temporarily become a resting place for the many members of the Fourth Division's field team who came to provide support.

Just as the field team leader said, the tasks weren't particularly heavy, but there were quite a few, so it took some time to completely resolve them. The mental exertion was slightly greater than the physical exertion.

Therefore, they decided to take a short rest before returning to the Fourth Division's base. If there were no other missions after they returned, these people could go home for the day.

However, medical staff may say they're off duty, but in reality, they have to rush back immediately if called upon. Those who know, know.

The field team leader distributed the gifts sent by the Seventh Division. They included snacks and drinks.

It's a good time to eat something and replenish my energy.

If people were to sit cross-legged on the floor of the training ground and chat at this point, even the field team leader wouldn't say anything.

Therefore, Shiba Ganju was finally able to get close to Inoue Orihime and chat with her openly.

Even so, the two of them kept their voices down as always, after all, it wasn't something they wanted others to hear. In fact, it would be a big problem if someone with ulterior motives overheard it.

"So, did you have any success over there?"

Orihime paused slightly, glanced around instinctively, and then lowered her voice to say, "I can't leave here." Iwajiro Shiba nodded understandingly.

There are only this many people on field missions. Once they arrive at the Seventh Division's base, they certainly won't be working together as a group, but rather in groups of three to five.

Components and work.

In order to obtain more information, Shiba Ganju and Inoue Orihime split up.

However, it must be said that sometimes having a large group has its advantages, namely that if one or two people disappear, they will not be noticed for a while.

However, with only two or three people traveling together, it would be too conspicuous for one person to suddenly disappear. Therefore, Shiba Ganju did not find an opportunity to act alone.

Their current role is that of the Fourth Division's field team, and they won't be given any special information about the investigation into Rukia Kuchiki's presence within the Seventh Division.

It's unbelievable that everyone has come all the way to the Seventh Division, but because of this situation, we can't gather any information. It's really a twist of fate. "But I sent Lily, Ayame, and Shun's Sakura to check."

Shiba Iwato's eyes lit up slightly. He couldn't help but ask, "Did you find out anything?"

Lily, Ayame, and Shunzakura are three of the six little spirits formed by Inoue Orihime's abilities, and their targets are much smaller than those of Shiba Ganju and Inoue Orihime.

She could easily escape by finding a gap in the road, and as long as she was careful, she wouldn't be discovered. At this point, Inoue Orihime looked somewhat confused.

It wasn't because there was anything wrong with Shiba Ganju's question, but rather because she seemed to be considering whether the information she had received was incorrect and whether she should speak it aloud.

After hesitating for a moment, Orihime truthfully recounted the situation reported to her by the three little fairies.

"...From what they overheard, it seems Kuchiki-san...didn't actually appear with the Seventh Division." "What?"

"...In other words, after their investigation, they found no clues or evidence that Kuchiki had ever appeared, except for eyewitness reports from the parties involved. And now, they seem to be preparing to conclude that the person was mistaken."

I finally got some new information, and I thought things might have progressed, so I rushed over here.

But they said it was a false alarm, a misreading. Even Shiba Ganju was a little shaken.

Of course, this conclusion is drawn by humans, and the facts may not be as they seem.

If that's the case, don't you think the conclusion was drawn too quickly and too hastily? You bunch of Shinigami from the Seventh Division, get a little more serious, investigate more thoroughly!!

If all else fails, go ask for help!

Each squad has its own style. Most of the people in the Seventh Squad are gathered here because they follow the Seventh Squad Captain, Murasaki. From the past to the present, the Seventh Squad's style has always been to prioritize loyalty and righteousness.

To put it bluntly, they're just a bunch of gangsters.

They're not as unorthodox as the Eleventh Division, but they're not much more meticulous either.

To conclude that the person involved was mistaken simply because no clues or evidence were found is highly incorrect, yet very typical of the Seventh Division. After all, they used to have a branch within the Imperial Household Agency handling related matters.