Chapter 22

"There's one more thing. Captain Ukitake wanted me to ask you something," Miyako Amamiya said.

"Captain Ukitake? What is it?"

"He wanted me to ask whether you've reported to Captain Kuchiki yet."

"My brother? ...I suppose I did. But he only gave me a brief reply and didn't say anything else."

"I see..." Miyako Amamiya looked at her. Both becoming 6th Seat and going to the World of the Living on a mission were far beyond what Rukia had done in the original story. Byakuya Kuchiki must have felt conflicted and happy at the same time.

Miyako Amamiya said goodbye to Rukia and went to check on the other squad members one by one. The experienced ones went without saying, but some Seated Officers, like Rukia, were going to the World of the Living for the first time. Miyako Amamiya had to fulfill his duty as lieutenant and give them reminders and such.

"It's time. Let's go. I'll lead everyone to the Senkaimon," Miyako Amamiya called to them from the front.

Before long, Miyako Amamiya led the Thirteenth Division members assigned to the World of the Living to the Senkaimon.

Looking at the mountain gate-style structure before him, Miyako Amamiya remained silent for a long time.

Once the squad members had passed through the gate one by one and all left for the World of the Living, Miyako Amamiya turned and returned to the Thirteenth Division.

"Captain Ukitake, all the assigned personnel have departed for the World of the Living," Miyako Amamiya reported to Ukitake in the Captain's Office.

"I see. Thanks for your hard work, Miyako," Ukitake replied. "You look rather serious. Are you worried about the squad members?"

Ukitake had noticed the unusual gravity on Miyako Amamiya's face and asked with concern.

"No... I suppose so," Miyako Amamiya replied. "In my experience, the Hollows that appear in the World of the Living shouldn't pose much of a threat to them. I believe most of them can handle things themselves." Yes, most of them. But that small portion, or rather, that one person in that one place, kept Miyako Amamiya from feeling at ease.

"You're already a capable lieutenant, Miyako. Even though you're worried about the squad members, you still have faith in them," Ukitake said with feeling.

"Then, Captain, I'll take my leave. I have a fight scheduled with Third Seat Ikkaku Madarame of the 11th Division." Miyako Amamiya took his leave of Ukitake.

Afterward, only Ukitake and his two Third Seats remained in the Thirteenth Division's Captain's Office.

"The 11th Division? Is Lieutenant Miyako going to see them again?" Kiyone Kotetsu asked loudly.

"He said they arranged a fight? Is Lieutenant Miyako a battle maniac too?!" Sentarō Kotsubaki shouted in surprise.

"Of course not, you idiot! Lieutenant Miyako must be trying to stand up for our Thirteenth Division!"

Ukitake watched Miyako Amamiya's departing figure and felt something was a little odd.

"All right, all right, Kiyone, Sentarō." Ukitake stopped them. "Miyako arranged a sparring match with someone in the 11th Division before. It's fine."

"But is it just my imagination? I keep feeling that he seems to be in a bit of a hurry..." Ukitake murmured to himself.

Since becoming lieutenant, Miyako Amamiya had spent his time either training with Rukia or actively asking Ukitake about relevant knowledge. Even his trips to the 11th Division were the same.

If it really was as he said, and he was doing it to protect the Thirteenth Division's dignity, that would be reasonable.

But Ukitake couldn't shake the feeling that Miyako Amamiya's pursuit of strength seemed somewhat urgent.

Meanwhile, in Karakura Town in the World of the Living, Rukia looked out over the entire city after arriving.

"So this is Karakura Town, in the World of the Living." Looking at the densely packed city, Rukia couldn't help marveling. Although she had learned the basics about the World of the Living beforehand in Soul Society, its modern cityscape still surprised her.

"The Reiryoku is very thin, just as Miyako said. Recovering from an injury would be troublesome." Rukia sensed the Reiryoku in Karakura Town and decided to fight cautiously.

But just as Rukia was preparing to learn more about the city, her Denreishinki suddenly issued a warning.

"A Hollow? Already?" Rukia was surprised, but she didn't dare be careless. She immediately headed for the location indicated by the Denreishinki.

Elsewhere in Karakura Town, three men wearing black cloaks were observing the city.

"So he's hiding here. It seems White's appearance before wasn't a coincidence..." The brown-haired man with glasses gave a meaningful smile.

"That's right, Captain Aizen. This is the place in the report," a silver-haired man beside him said with a smile.

The three who had come were Sōsuke Aizen, Gin Ichimaru, and Kaname Tōsen.

"Hiding in a Spiritually Dense Area... Could this man have guessed my objective?" Although Aizen had finally found a trace of Kisuke Urahara after all these years, his location displeased him.

"What should we do, Captain Aizen? Should we take the time to find him?" Gin Ichimaru asked.

"There's no need. Since he refuses to come out like a rat, we'll just lure him out." Aizen smiled confidently.

"For now, let's release a few Hollows from Hueco Mundo into this city."

"Really just a few, Captain Aizen?" Gin Ichimaru asked with a smile.

"Of course, Gin." The glare on Aizen's glasses concealed his thoughts. "It's just... these Hollows have somewhat unusual abilities."

"Let's go back, Gin, Kaname. Kisuke Urahara can't hide for long. Sooner or later, that Hōgyoku in his possession will be mine." Aizen opened the Senkaimon, and the three returned to Soul Society together without leaving any fluctuations in Reiatsu.

Ever since encountering that indescribable monster and the man in a black kimono two years ago, Ichigo Kurosaki's life had returned to its previous undisturbed routine. Although being able to see souls since childhood was still a little strange, Ichigo had grown used to it.

But for the past two years, ever since seeing that monster, Ichigo had felt a constant sense of unease. Although the monster had never appeared again, it weighed heavily on his mind.

Forget it. I'd better go home first. Looking at the darkening sky, Ichigo quickened his pace.

After an abnormal "exchange" with his father at the front door, Ichigo returned to his room.

"Huh? A black swallowtail? I didn't open the window." Ichigo looked at the butterfly that had suddenly appeared in surprise. But the next moment, something even more surprising happened.

A short-haired woman dressed in black suddenly came through the wall of Ichigo's room. What struck Ichigo most was that her clothes were exactly the same as those of the man he had seen two years ago.

"It's close..." Rukia said in a low voice. According to the message from her Denreishinki, the Hollow should have been nearby.

It disappeared? I can't sense the Hollow's Reiatsu. Rukia found it strange.

Since arriving in Karakura Town, Rukia had purified no small number of Hollows, putting her under tremendous pressure.

Sometimes, as soon as she had finished purifying a Hollow in one place, another would immediately appear elsewhere. Thanks to that, Rukia had now been fighting hard without a break.

"Close, my ass, you freak!" Unable to hold back any longer, Ichigo stepped forward and kicked her.

Rukia lay on the floor, utterly bewildered. How had an ordinary person kicked her down?

"Hey, who are you? Why did you just barge into our house? And what's with those clothes?" Ichigo demanded.

Hearing the commotion upstairs, Isshin Kurosaki couldn't help coming up to see what had happened. He opened the door, delivered a flying kick of fatherly love to his son, and asked what was going on.

"You're so annoying! This is a normal reaction to something like this!" Ichigo kicked back and asked him, "Can't you see her? That person dressed in something like a samurai outfit and a kimono."

Isshin pretended to be confused and said he couldn't see anything. After all, he really couldn't see souls now, but he had roughly guessed what had happened and continued playing dumb.

"It's no use. Ordinary people can't see me." Rukia had recovered by then and noticed that the black-haired middle-aged man couldn't see her. Only the orange-haired boy could.

After sending Isshin away, Ichigo patiently listened as Rukia explained who she was and why she was there.

"I see..." Ichigo fell silent. So he had seen a Soul Reaper and a Hollow two years ago, in addition to the souls he had been able to see since childhood.

"You believe me that easily?" Rukia was surprised. She had thought an ordinary person wouldn't believe something so bizarre, given the enormous difference in their understanding.

Ichigo scratched his head and said irritably, "I've seen someone like you with my own eyes, and a monster called a Hollow. How could I not believe you?"

"What? You've already seen a Soul Reaper and a Hollow? Could it be..." Rukia recalled a conversation she had had with Miyako Amamiya.

People with Reiryoku do occasionally appear in the World of the Living. Could he be one of them? Rukia looked at Ichigo in surprise.

"Hey, didn't you come here for a Hollow? Why aren't you looking for it?" Ichigo asked urgently. He had seen how terrifying Hollows were and worried that the one nearby might attack his family.

"I could still sense the Hollow's Reiatsu until I came in, but it's as if I lost track of it once I got here..." Rukia raised a hand to her chin and muttered to herself.

"Don't joke around. Hurry up and find it! If that monster comes here..."

"Could it be..." Rukia looked at Ichigo in surprise and carefully sensed the Reiryoku he possessed.

"How... His Reiryoku is spilling out of his body and filling this room. Can an ordinary person really have this kind of Reiatsu...?" Rukia couldn't believe what she sensed. The Reiatsu formed by Ichigo's leaking Reiryoku had been blocking her senses.

Suddenly, a loud crash came from downstairs. Sensing trouble, Ichigo grabbed a baseball bat and ran down.

Rukia realized what had happened too and hurried after him.

Downstairs, Isshin and his two daughters were already gravely injured. Seeing them, Ichigo gritted his teeth.

"It's all right. Their souls are still there. I can heal their injuries." Rukia stepped forward to check on them and spoke to Ichigo.

"Damn it..." Ichigo rushed toward the source of the noise, only to find a monster holding his younger sister in its hand.

"Yuzu!" Ichigo shouted, bewildered. "Damn it! Wasn't it after me? Why did it grab my sister?!"

With that, he raised his baseball bat and charged at the Hollow, only to be knocked back by a single punch.

Seeing this, Rukia rushed forward and slashed the Hollow's arm, making it release Ichigo's sister.

"Don't worry, your sister's soul is still there." Rukia stood in front of him.

"This Hollow is after me, isn't it? I'll lure it away!" Ichigo knew that, just like last time, the Hollow was after him, and his family had merely been caught up in it.

"How did you know...?" Rukia looked back at Ichigo in confusion, but in front of her, the Hollow's severed arm rapidly regenerated.

The Hollow struck Rukia hard with the claws on her restored arm, knocking her away.

So fast! The wound I gave it shouldn't have healed that quickly! Rukia's concentration had declined somewhat after fighting hard without a break, and this Hollow's recovery was faster than those she had encountered before. With the Hollow landing a blow on her, injury was unavoidable.

Seeing this, Ichigo hurriedly let go of his sister and ran outside, trying to lure the Hollow away.

But this time, the Hollow's neck was longer, and it was faster. Just as it was about to bite Ichigo, Rukia knew things were bad and instinctively used Shunpo to get in front of him.

The Hollow's open jaws bit down hard on Rukia, gravely injuring her.

Ichigo turned around and saw what had happened. He couldn't help feeling discouraged. The only person who could defeat the Hollow had fallen too. No matter how far he ran, he probably couldn't escape disaster.

Not only would he lose his own life, but he had also cost this stranger hers. His family might also...

"Damn it!" Ichigo pounded the ground. "I can't do anything..."

"Hey, do you want to save your family?" Rukia had made a decision. Rather than let everyone die, she would break the rules so everyone could be saved.

"Of course I do! If there's a way, tell me, quick!" As if grasping at a lifeline, Ichigo pressed her for an answer.

"Then... become a Soul Reaper!" Rukia ultimately decided to defy Soul Society's rules and give her Reiryoku to an ordinary person.

Ichigo's mind raced, and he immediately agreed. To save everyone, he needed power.

Rukia told him how to become a Soul Reaper. Without any hesitation, Ichigo let Rukia's blade pierce straight through his chest.

Then Reiatsu erupted in the street. When the dust cleared, Ichigo stood revealed in Soul Reaper robes, holding a greatsword.

Ichigo Kurosaki, age 15. Hair color: orange. Eye color: brown.

Occupation: Soul Reaper.

In the Seireitei in Soul Society, Miyako Amamiya still didn't know that Rukia, far away in the World of the Living, had lost her powers.

But during this time, he had never relaxed. After his match with Ikkaku Madarame, he hadn't simply left, but had arranged to continue sparring with him.

Ikkaku had naturally agreed to Miyako Amamiya's request with delight.

So during these days, aside from sparring with Ikkaku from time to time, Miyako Amamiya continued practicing his Kidō and Shunpo on Ribushiyama.

Quincy abilities were of limited help in his fight against his Zanpakuto, and besides, he couldn't practice Reishi Convergence in Soul Society. Miyako Amamiya could only place his hopes on the Soul Reapers' Zankensoki, hoping to improve in those areas and use them to defeat his Zanpakuto.

"Hey, Miyako, Renji's having a get-together. Want to come? It's to celebrate him officially becoming lieutenant of the Sixth Division," Ikkaku asked after finishing a sparring match with Miyako.

At first, Ikkaku had been able to suppress Miyako Amamiya in Zanjutsu. But after sparring with him many times, Ikkaku had found that Miyako Amamiya's Zanjutsu was improving at a remarkable pace, which excited him greatly.

After sparring with Miyako Amamiya so many times, they had grown familiar with each other and would chat casually like this afterward.

"A get-together? Renji? I can't picture him as the type to do that," Miyako remarked.

"Hahaha, Renji really is an idiot who only knows how to train," Ikkaku said mockingly.

"You're the same, aren't you, Ikkaku...?" Miyako said helplessly.

"I'm not. I'm the type who enjoys fighting. As long as there's a good fight, I'm satisfied." Ikkaku waved a hand. "But Renji has a goal. All his fighting and training are for that goal."

Ikkaku had a rough idea why Renji Abarai wanted to get stronger and didn't think they were alike.

"Back to the point, Renji didn't actually ask for it himself. His former classmates invited him. If anything, it's a small gathering of friends to celebrate him becoming lieutenant."

"Oh, now that you mention it, I can sense it too. You seem to have something in common with Renji..." Ikkaku said, studying Miyako Amamiya.

"Oh, now that you mention it, I can sense it too. You seem to have something in common with Renji..." Ikkaku said, studying Miyako.

He really is perceptive... Miyako thought helplessly.

"Come on, don't say that. I'll take you to meet them. If you keep yourself pulled too tight in training, you'll snap."