XX-level Hokage

"My own..." Mashiro smiled, a hint of longing and a barely perceptible ambition in his smile. "My own desire is very simple: I want to gain greater power and a higher status."

Upon hearing this, a hint of surprise flashed in Yamamoto Genryu Shigekuni's eyes, but he quickly regained his composure. Having lived for a thousand years, he had seen too many Grim Reapers who were eager for power and status. On the contrary, this made him feel more at ease.

"Power and status?" Yamamoto Genryuchi repeated, his tone unreadable. "You already possess captain-level power, could it be..."

Still not satisfied?

“Not satisfied.” Mashiro answered decisively, her eyes shining with determination. “Power has no limits, and so does status. I don’t want to be stuck in the same place for the rest of my life. I want to see a higher view and stand in a higher position.”

"So, you're helping us fight Aizen to get a promotion from me?" Yamamoto Genryuchi's voice held a hint of amusement. Mashiro didn't deny it; she readily admitted, "You could say that. Aizen is a stumbling block to my progress, but also the perfect opportunity for me to demonstrate my value."

Only by eliminating him can I obtain everything I desire.

Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni stared at Mashiro for a long time, and finally, he sighed slowly.

“You’re quite frank,” Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni said, his tone tinged with complex emotion. “But aren’t you afraid I’ll punish you for this?” Shinpaku laughed: “Punish me? Grandpa, Aizen is the biggest threat right now. You need me as much as I need you. We are allies.”

Isn't that right? "Her smile was confident, as if she was certain that Yamamoto Genryu Shigekuni wouldn't do anything to her."

Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni said nothing more. He turned away from Mashiro, his gaze fixed on the window where the night was deep and the cold wind howled. After a long while, he spoke again.

"Mashiro, I have a question for you." His voice became somewhat low, as if carrying a hint of reminiscence. "Do you still remember that you were once the first Guardian?"

A member of Team Thirteen?

Mashiro's heart skipped a beat; of course she remembered. Those days, though brief, had left a deep impression. "Of course I remember," Mashiro replied calmly.

Yamamoto Genryu Shigekuni turned around and looked at his pale face with his own gleaming light: "So, have you ever thought about becoming the captain of the 10th Division again?"

Upon hearing this, Mashiro was not surprised. It was clear that she intended to stay in Soul Society, and giving her the title of captain would actually make Yamamoto feel more at ease.

However, Mashiro only paused slightly before shaking her head.

“No.” Mashiro’s voice was clear and firm, without any hesitation. “I have no interest in becoming the captain of the 10th Division right now.”

Yamamoto Genryuchi Shigekuni frowned slightly, seemingly surprised by Mashiro's answer. "Oh? Why?" he pressed, his tone tinged with confusion.

Mashiro walked up to Yamamoto Genryuchi, his eyes gleaming with ambition.

“I’ve already been the captain of the 10th Division,” Mashiro said, her tone indifferent. “A position I’ve already experienced holds no appeal for me.”

She paused, her tone becoming even more resolute: "What I want is to move forward, not to stand still." Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni listened quietly, without interrupting her.

"Old man, above the Gotei 13, there is a special force." Mashiro lowered his voice and said softly, "A force directly under the command of the Spirit King."

The 110th Division, the team that maintains the balance of the Tokonoma world.

She looked at Yamamoto Genryu Shigekuni, her eyes filled with "desire": "I want to join the Zero Division." Upon hearing this, a look of shock finally appeared on Yamamoto Genryu Shigekuni's usually calm face.

Squad Zero is the highest-ranking secret unit in Soul Society. Each member possesses power surpassing that of a captain and bears the heavy responsibility of protecting the Soul Lord's Palace and maintaining the stability of the Soul Society's core.

Mashiro's request was beyond his expectations.

“Squad Zero?” Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni’s voice was tinged with disbelief. “Do you know what you’re saying? Squad Zero isn’t a team you can just join. Their selection criteria are extremely strict.”

“I know.” Mashiro nodded, the longing in her eyes undiminished. “But I believe I have the strength. As long as Aizen is defeated, what I have shown…”

The value I've demonstrated is sufficient to earn me this opportunity.

Yamamoto Genryu Shigekuni stared at Mashiro for a long time, his eyes filled with complex emotions. He saw the burning ambition in Mashiro's eyes and felt her extreme pursuit of power and status. This once unconventional Grim Reaper was now showing unprecedented strength and determination.

"Mashiro, oh Mashiro..." Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni finally sighed, his tone carrying a hint of helplessness, a hint of admiration, and a hint of deep consideration. He didn't immediately agree to Mashiro's request, nor did he directly refuse. The selection right for the Zero Division was indeed not in his hands, but as a member of the Gotei 13...

The recommendation of the supreme commander will undoubtedly play a crucial role.

"It seems you've already planned your future path," Yamamoto Genryu Shigekuni said slowly, his tone becoming meaningful. "However, before that, we still have a tough battle to fight."

Mashiro's lips curled into a confident smile: "Of course, after all, only by defeating Aizen can I achieve my goal, right?" The conference room fell into a brief silence once again, with only the howling of the cold wind outside the window echoing in their ears.

Mashiro's ambition, like her own power, is unfathomable and elusive. Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni understands that he cannot completely trust Mashiro, but he also cannot ignore the powerful fighting force she brings.

"Go back now." Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni finally waved his hand. "We'll talk about the Zero Division another day."

Mashiro knew that this was not a rejection, but a test from Yamamoto Genryu Shigekuni. If she could demonstrate enough value in the upcoming battles, then the doors of the Zero Division might truly open to her.

"Yes, sir." Mashiro bowed respectfully, then turned and walked out of the conference room with light steps.

As Mashiro's figure disappeared through the doorway, Yamamoto Genryu Shigekuni once again gazed at the dark night sky outside the window. His gaze was deep and complex, as if it could pierce through the endless darkness and see into the distant future.

The unknown brought by Mashiro, the threat posed by Aizen, and the fate of the entire Tokishin world all weighed on the shoulders of this old man.

Chapter 159: Meow Girl

The day after the captains' meeting ended, a thought suddenly flashed through Ichigo Kurosaki's mind: "Shouldn't we be heading back soon?"

Immediately afterwards, he realized that he (and others) had not only been in Tokishiro for a little over a week, but that the long period from when he arrived in Tokishiro until the end of the Aizen Sousuke incident had been counted.

If you do the math, almost half a month has passed. If they had disappeared for this long without any news, they would have been reported as missing persons and put on a missing person notice.

Of course, Ichigo wouldn't just rush to the Soul Society to rescue people without any preparation.

Before coming, he had the spirit fulfill its original function as a soul-binding pill, residing in his body and letting it "play" Ichigo's normal daily routine of going to and from school and staying at home. However, the thought that it was a spirit... made Ichigo realize that something terrible was about to happen!

One or two days is fine, but it's been so long. Who knows what kind of earth-shattering thing that guy might do? Just thinking about this made Ichigo's heart burn with rage, and he wished he could return to the human world right now.

For Ichigo and the others, putting aside Aizen's threat, their main objective in coming to the Soul World this time was successfully achieved. Even if the attempt to rescue Rukia Kuchiki failed, the goal of ensuring Rukia's safety was accomplished.

Not long ago, an official announcement was made, which included a statement that Rukia Kuchiki was actually used and harmed by a sinner, thus absolving him of his guilt. The Shiba family and Ganju Shiba, who risked their lives to help them enter the Seireitei, were also not held accountable for this, but no public statement was made, implying that "this did not happen."

Therefore, staying in Tokishin World is no longer meaningful for Ichigo and the others.

However, despite this, the "we" that Ichigo mentioned, besides him, only included Ishigami Yuryu, who glanced at him and then looked away without even bothering to acknowledge him.

The matter was over, and Ishida Uryu recovered his health under Inoue Orihime's treatment, but he seemed unhappy. He often... actually, unusually frequently fell into deep thought like this, and he didn't talk to people much.

Meanwhile, Shiba Ganju has already left Seireitei and returned to the Shiba family to report on his gains from this trip. When he is about to leave the Soul Society, he will definitely have to visit the Shiba family again to thank them for their help.

Meanwhile, Orihime went to help out in the Fourth Division as usual.

She and Shiba Ganju had previously disguised themselves in the Fourth Division and used aliases. Although their identities have now been exposed, they are surprisingly popular in the Fourth Division. Even the seemingly easy-going captain of the Fourth Division, Unohana Retsu, said that Inoue Orihime was a special member of their Fourth Division.

Although Ichigo saw it as just Orihime Inoue's healing abilities, he didn't say anything since Orihime seemed quite happy.

As for Chad, he went to train with the Eleventh Division, where there was a lot of training equipment and he liked the intensity of the training. Ichigo initially went with Chad, but the other members there heard that he had first defeated Ikkaku Madarame, and then...

Kenpachi Zaraki—everyone's eyes lit up when they saw him, making Ichigo suspect that whenever he walked on the 11th Division's territory, a sword would suddenly flash out from some corner, ready to choke him.

They shouldn't avoid that place altogether, but it's best to stay away from it until they find something new.

Not receiving a response, Ichigo wasn't bothered. After thinking for a moment, he wondered if he could go check on the Sixth Division. He had fought alongside them when they faced Aizen, and they were all Rukia Kuchiki's wing... ah, no, I mean, the misunderstanding with Renji Abarai had been mostly resolved. It would be great if they could get along well.

However, before Ichigo actually set off, someone came to him.

"Yo! Little Ichigo, where are you headed for a stroll? You seem quite relaxed." Who else could greet Ichigo with such a familiar and gentle tone, besides "Yoruichi-sensei, Shihouin Yoruichi"?

At that time, not only Ichigo, but also Uryu Ishida suspected that Yoruichi had a problem, and in the end it turned out that Yoruichi did indeed have a problem.

However, it's really hard to say whether some things are right or wrong. In this process, it cannot be denied that Yoruichi and the others used them to achieve their own goals, but they also helped them a lot. In addition, Yoruichi had an indifferent attitude, and things went on as usual. In this way, the previous relationship continued inexplicably and confusedly.

Moreover, the area that Ichigo and his group stayed in during this time was the Shihouin family. After all, the Shihouin family was a prominent local family with a large and wealthy household, and they didn't care about such things. Strictly speaking, Yoruichi was the only acquaintance they knew in the Tokage world.

Of course, Rukia Kuchiki is also from a wealthy family, but isn't it a bit... a bit much to stay at the Kuchiki family's place using Rukia's connection as an excuse? It's better to stay at the Shihouin family's place; it's Yoruichi who owes us that!

"Ah... Yoruichi-san." Ichigo greeted him somewhat awkwardly.

"I've told you so many times, just call me Yoruichi. If you feel bad about it, you can call me Yoruichi-neechan too~" Yoruichi said.

He blinked at Ichigo, speaking in a teasing tone that deliberately aimed to toy with the innocent young virgin.

Ichigo shuddered. Objectively speaking, Yoruichi was indeed very beautiful and had a great figure, but unfortunately, her image as the black cat Yoruichi and that magnetic male voice had already taken root in his mind. Therefore, from Ichigo's perspective, Yoruichi's transformation wasn't "Black Cat Beast Super Evolution, Cat Girl Mode!!" but rather a corrupted old male catwoman.

Of course, Ichigo knew he would get beaten up if he said that, so he kept it to himself, even though it was really hard to be so clueless, and he was about to get internal injuries from it.

"I'll try my best," Ichigo said with a smile, waving his hand. However, seeing that Yoruichi had obviously come specifically to find him, he couldn't help but feel a little curious.

"But Mr. Yoruichi... Ms. Yoruichi, what brings you here?" Ichigo carefully changed his address.

"Oh, you mean this? It's not like I have something to discuss with you." Yoruichi waved her hand casually. "?" Ichigo looked puzzled.

"There are other people, other people." Yoruichi said mysteriously, then looked towards the door and called out, "Alright, hurry up and come out! Aren't you all just greasy, oily old men now? Trying to act like those young heartthrobs is just disgusting."

Ichigo:

Please, sister, when you say those greasy, vulgar things, please change back! Change! Yeah, you're right. It's not really my style anymore.

Chapter 160: Zhen Baibai

A man wearing a dark green short jacket and light green clothes, with a green and white fisherman's hat, walked in through the doorway.

His right hand held a cane, while his left hand pushed his fisherman's hat up slightly, revealing short, light yellow hair that curled upwards. His military green eyes, hidden in the darkness created by the brim of his hat, thoughtfully observed Ichigo Kurosaki.

"But I am indeed a little embarrassed," the man said softly, his tone somewhat nonchalant.

"Congratulations, Mr. Kurosaki. With your intervention, Ms. Kuchiki's problem can be considered to have been resolved satisfactorily."

Upon seeing this man, Urahara, Ichigo's expression softened slightly, shifting from initial confusion and slight annoyance to a serious one.

Even if it wasn't of his own volition, it's undeniable that his expression turned somewhat somber the moment he saw Kisuke Urahara. If Yoruichi's black cat form had already alerted Ichigo and the others to something amiss, then Kisuke Urahara's transformation was more noticeable because of...

They have always been in the present world, only doing some preliminary preparations, thus extricating themselves from the events and also from the main focus of attention.

But this doesn't mean that Kisuke Urahara is without problems.

Rather, it is only after learning about Aizen's connection with this group that one can more clearly realize that even Yoruichi is merely an executor.

In the entire incident surrounding Rukia Kuchiki and the Hogyoku, Kisuke Urahara, the seemingly unreliable shopkeeper, actually holds a pivotal position and is a figure who cannot be ignored from any perspective.

As for Mashiro, well, she's his "best friend," so he might as well let her get away with it.

"Why are you here?" Ichigo had already answered the question as soon as he asked it.

After Aizen's betrayal of Sosuke was exposed, Urahara Kisuke and Yoruichi were exonerated, and all their crimes were nullified. In other words, just as Yoruichi returned to the Shihouin family, it was perfectly normal for Urahara Kisuke to return to Tokishin World.

As for Mashiro, no one ever thought of her as a "sinner," except for those guys from Central 64 who had already been killed.

"Oh dear, Mr. Kurosaki, it's not what you think." As if reading Ichigo's mind, Kisuke Urahara said cheerfully in his usual carefree tone, "Although things are pretty good right now, I have no intention of returning to Tokishiro World. After all, I'm doing quite well in the human world."

"Then what are you doing?" Ichigo asked suspiciously.

"I just came back temporarily to help out at the invitation, you know, that kind of technical assistance, you know, something like that," Kisuke Urahara explained vaguely.

Judging from Ichigo's expression, he didn't really understand. If he understood even a little bit, he would know how big of a mess Urahara Kisuke would make by running back to Soul Society to provide "technical assistance," and that it wouldn't even have anything to do with Urahara Kisuke's personal will.

"Oh..." Ichigo muttered to himself and then fell silent.

For some reason, no one spoke suddenly, and the atmosphere fell silent.

This sudden silence even made Ishida Uryu, who was deep in thought, glance over here a few more times.