There were never many people in Central 46; the Soul Reapers didn't like coming here, so Tōshirō's escape was not hindered at all.
If you walk in either direction, north or south, you'll reach the Abandoned District. The Abandoned District Abandoned District at the foot of the mountain, covering a vast area. Soul Reaper doesn't often come to this area, and its large size makes it easy to hide.
"I never thought I'd end up like this, but they should be able to tell I didn't cause the wound, I hope so."
It's getting late, let's find somewhere to rest for the night.
Thinking about where to rest, the Little Lion remembered where he had captured Sado earlier, so he used a few Shunpo to get to the vicinity of the crater. Just as he was choosing his temporary place to stay, Tōshirō suddenly drew his sword and turned around.
Uryū Ishida has already drawn his bow and Orihime is also there on the side, her Arc Heaven Slash Shield ready.
"Ryoka?"
"Tōshirō Hitsugaya? You've won the lottery!" Uryū with a wry smile.
"So I'm someone you're paying special attention to?" the Little Lion thought of Sado. "That big Ryoka I caught before also recognized me immediately."
Has Sado been arrested?
Don't worry, he's not in any danger.
"Really? That's good. Thank you so much. Then we'll..."
"Wait a minute," Tōshirō sheathed his sword, "I'm currently in a special situation, which has nothing to do with you, and I don't need to capture you, so how about we pretend we didn't see each other?"
"You," Uryū and Orihime were both dumbfounded.
However, Tōshirō didn't give them time to react, and had already disappeared in a Shunpo. Uryū and Orihime exchanged a glance, then withdrew and returned to their temporary hiding place.
"What he said is true," Orihime was still in a daze.
"Looks like something big has happened in the Gotei 13. Remember what that green-haired girl said a couple of days ago? Something big is going to happen in the Seireitei," Uryū thought quickly. "This must be it—a Vice-Captain of the Tenth Division has been forced to flee for his life."
"Is he running for his life?"
"Otherwise what? Didn't we come here to escape for our lives?"
Orihime tilted her head, "What could possibly make a Vice-Captain run for his life?"
"Who knows? Let's rest first, I'm going to the next room."
"Hmm~, Uryū ~ your body is really okay, right?"
Uryū turned to Orihime and smiled, "Ah, if Silver Blood makes me uncomfortable, I'll tell you. I don't want to risk my life."
"Okay, that's good. Goodnight."
Goodnight~
On the other side, after Tōshirō Shunpo travel several kilometers, he casually found a house to stay in. He was just resting, so after cleaning himself up a bit, Tōshirō lay down on the floor, holding the back of his head, and sighed again.
Tōshirō felt he sighed more times today than he had in the entire previous year. So much had changed in just one day; he was a perfectly good Vice-Captain this morning, and now he'd been framed and was on the run for his life.
He greeted his captain in the morning, and by the afternoon he knew the captain might be an enemy. It's so realistic, so real that Tōshirō felt like the whole world was playing him.
I've been thinking more hard today than in the past year. The situation is getting deeper and deeper into the fog of mystery the more we investigate; it's like being stuck in a swamp—the more you struggle, the faster you sink.
Aizen, the Central 46, the Gotei 13, Gin Ichimaru, Jun Shimizu, Soi Fon —who else is involved in this? And who exactly is this unknown force, remaining hidden behind the scenes when so many are involved?
Perhaps he had overworked his brain today, because the Little Lion fell asleep while thinking. In his drowsy state, he seemed to hear someone calling his name, or rather, someone calling him.
"Shiro-chan ~ Shiro-chan ~"
The voice was so familiar that Tōshirō immediately woke up, "Momo!"
Sure enough, the voice was still there, and it sounded a little hoarse. Tōshirō felt a pang of sadness. How long had Momo Hinamori been looking for him? So he hurriedly showed himself.
"Peach~ I'm here."
"Shiro-chan!" Momo Hinamori finally found Tōshirō, and her eyes reddened.
It was nighttime, so Tōshirō couldn't see her, but he could tell Momo's voice had changed, and he asked with concern, "Why were you so foolish? Using this method to find me?"
"Yes, how could I be so stupid?" Momo Hinamori's voice trembled with tears.
This made Tōshirō even more distressed. He went over and reached out to comfort the young lady, but a flash of light suddenly appeared. Fortunately, the difference in their strength was too great, and Tōshirō reacted quickly.
But then his left hand was slashed; the area below his little finger was cut open. This cut made Tōshirō realize that Momo Hinamori was serious; it was a cut she truly intended to kill him.
"Why?" Tōshirō was completely bewildered. Momo was his older sister, and the two had been Childhood Friends since they were little. So why would someone with such a good relationship kill him?
Meanwhile, Momo Hinamori asked the same question, "Why!?"
Momo Hinamori screamed hysterically, leaving Tōshirō completely bewildered. "What? Why?! What are you talking about?!"
"You're still playing dumb! You're still playing dumb with me!!" Momo Hinamori was about to lose it. "Tōshirō Hitsugaya! Why did you kill Lord Aizen!?"
"Ha!?"
"You're still pretending! You're still playing dumb!!"
Tōshirō was still completely bewildered. He shouted, "How could I possibly kill Captain Aizen!? I was doing this for him!"
"Shut up! Don't you dare mention Lord Aizen! You murderer!!"
Tōshirō realized that things were truly unclear now, but this was Momo Hinamori, his older sister, and he had to know the truth no matter what. "Who told you I killed Aizen?!"
However, the truth was hard for him to accept. "It's Lord Aizen's suicide note, hehe~ haha~, murderer! You never would have imagined that Lord Aizen would leave a suicide note!! You and all the beasts behind you! You will all be punished! It starts with you!! Prepare to die!"
With immense pain in his heart, Tōshirō blocked the attack. He wanted to say something, but his mind was in turmoil. What could have turned such a gentle girl like Momo Hinamori into this?
"Bloom, Tobiume!" After a few strikes, Momo Shikai, sending fireballs hurtling towards Tōshirō.
Tōshirō easily deflected the fireballs, and the Explosions couldn't harm him, but this made him realize Tōshirō Momo Hinamori's determination and the truth he was facing.
"If I ever find out who did all this, I'll tear you to pieces!!" The Little Lion's heart bled. "Seated atop the Frost Heavens! Hyōrinmaru!"
With a single move, Tōshirō completely shattered Momo, freezing her inside the ice. Although it would cause some damage, it was the best option, allowing him to escape quickly and without leaving a trace, preventing the Soul Reaper from tracking him down.
Tōshirō clenched his teeth so tightly that his gums bled from the force, his knuckles bulged and veins popped out. Tōshirō was now a raging lion, his anger enough to melt Hyōrinmaru.
"I'm going to kill you! I'm going to kill you! Don't let me find out who you are! Don't!!"
Even after arriving at the new resting place, Tōshirō couldn't calm down; anger was burning through his body, his mind, and his soul.
Rewinding to a few hours earlier, Rangiku, while muttering about her closest loved ones, arrived at the neighboring Eighth Division and found the three sisters.
Ise Jun, Lisa Yadōmaru, and Nanao Ise —these three sisters are arguably the most enviable trio among female Soul Reaper in Soul Society. Because female Soul Reaper are relatively rare, aside from the Fourth Division, most girls live alone and rarely interact with others of similar status.
Besides, women's minds are complex; sometimes, inexplicable grudges arise, making these relationships quite difficult to manage. That's why the three sisters here are truly good friends.
Rangiku also had a good relationship with the three sisters. Rangiku had a lively older sister personality and got along with everyone. After finding the three sisters to chat with over tea, Rangiku first asked Jo about Jun.
"Did my brother say that? Oh dear~", Jing sighed and shook her head. "I don't know either. I'm always like a child around my brother. He's never told me what he's been doing all these years, and everything I know is what he wants me to tell him. So I'll ask him for you."
"Let's not use this for now," Rangiku suddenly realized what she had just asked.
Seeing Rangiku's embarrassment, Kiyoshi laughed and said, "Alright~ you don't need to worry about me, or about our relationship. I still trust my brother's character. He wouldn't do anything he's not sure of, so if his plan reaches the implementation stage, it should be unstoppable. So there's no use worrying."
This made Rangiku even more depressed. "Emmm, do you know anything about what happened this time, about Captain Aizen's death?"
"I don't know, but my brother definitely knows. Go ask him," Jing knew perfectly well that Chun definitely knew a lot.
"Uh, the captain didn't tell me."
"Huh? So you're asking me? If my brother won't tell you, he must have his reasons," Jing shrugged, indicating he couldn't help. "But my brother rarely puts people in a desperate situation. If you can't get information from him, he'll give you other hints. Hmm~ judging from your expression, you really do have one."
Rangiku blushed. "Yes, there is, but I don't know what this hint means."
"Tell me about it," Jing smiled. Actually, this younger sister's personality was very similar to Jun's, perhaps influenced by Jun. Lisa Yadōmaru and Nanao were also curious at this moment.
Rangiku's face turned even redder. "It's that one, the captain told me to find... emmm, my closest person. I have a lot of friends, but being close to you guys... it just doesn't feel quite right."
The three sisters looked at each other, then at Rangiku. Lisa Yadōmaru said, "It's definitely not us. Are the people you're close to lovers?"
"How could that be!?" Rangiku shouted in denial.
Where are your parents?
"I am a wandering spirit"
"Hey~", the Nanao suddenly asked, "What about classmates? You mean, really good friends?"
Nanao's words reminded Jing, "You don't necessarily have a Childhood Friends or something, do you?"
This sentence stunned Rangiku, and the three sisters all smiled and asked, "Hey~ who is it?"
"Uh," Rangiku didn't want to say, but she was surrounded by the three of them.
"Hehe, if you don't talk, you're definitely not leaving today. Confess now!"
Rangiku sighed helplessly, "Ichimaru, Gin Ichimaru, the captain of the Third Division."
Wow! Really?
"Amazing!"
She touched her lips with her fingertips. "Gin Ichimaru ~ I just can't bring myself to like him, um~ do you need our help?"
"No need, you've already helped a lot. I'll be going now," Rangiku, now that she knew her target, she needed to find Gin.
Take care~ Come again~