Ginjo first contacted Inaba Kage through the communication methods left behind. Then, a Garganta suddenly opened up in front of the three of them, Inaba Kage appeared there...
Upon Inaba Kage immediately laughed and said, "If we're going to Soul Society, the three of you aren't enough!"
Two little brats plus a Substitute Soul Reaper can barely use Bankai —they don't seem to be able to beat any of the Captains. Even with one Captain injured and two in the World of the Living, Soul Society still has as many as ten Captain-level fighters.
"Don't underestimate people, you bastard!"
Tsukishima couldn't stand those disdainful looks and immediately transformed into an enraged child to retort.
"Ryūsaki also has Captain-level combat power. We're just going to take people away; we're not going to overthrow the entire Soul Society."
Ginjo emphasized the plan, but Ryūsaki didn't quite believe it, as too many unexpected things had happened along the way.
Inaba Kage said, "It's up to you. These two brats are still human, so they need to be transformed into Reishi particle aggregates before they can go to Soul Society. Then, they can go through the path I've arranged. You'll be much safer that way."
Inaba Kage began to take out his transformation tools and set them up in the shape of a door. He said, "If—I mean if—you need help, you can call me through that communicator!"
Ryūsaki and Tsukishima passed through the gate first. They didn't notice any changes in their bodies. Ryūsaki only felt that his sensitivity to Reishi had become stronger.
A large, Garganta opened, Inaba Kage gestured for the three to enter. They needed to use Reishi as footholds and run forward.
Nothingness and darkness—this was the first time Ryūsaki had experienced this since she grew up; previously, she had only known about it through shared memories given to her by someone.
The three jumped in and started running. Ryūsaki asked Ginjo, who was ahead, "How do we get back after we get through?"
"Going through the Senkaimon will be dangerous without the Soul Reaper's help to stabilize it, but we shouldn't be that unlucky," Ginjo replied as he ran.
He was paving the way ahead, but the Reishi channel looked bumpy and intermittent, indicating that his control over the power was not quite there yet.
"Is this the passage from Hollow to the World of the Living? We're going to Soul Society from here, does Soul Society also have Hollows?" Tsukishima asked Ginjo curiously, as he was still unclear about the relationship between Soul Society, Hueco Mundo, and the World of the Living.
"Of course there are Hollows in Soul Society! It's said that Hollows that appear in Soul Society are generally quite strong, because weak Hollows can't control their Reiryoku running around in the Garganta, just like we are now." Ginjo didn't know much about these passages and such.
"This kind of movement channel, called the Garganta, is a way for Menos Grande to travel between worlds, allowing them to reach both the World of the Living and the Soul Society."
Ryūsaki's knowledge was clearly far greater than Ginjo's; after all, she was a soul created by a top-tier expert and endowed with knowledge. "If we use the Soul Reaper's Senkaimon to go to the Soul Society, we'll definitely be discovered immediately and classified as Ryoka. Using the Garganta, at most, we'll be considered a Hollow intruder."
How do you know all this?
"There is research on these things in the history of the Quincy."
Ryūsaki casually brushed off Ginjo's curiosity. During their brief conversation, they arrived at the end of the Garganta passage and could vaguely see a lush, verdant world ahead.
Sizzle!
As the sound of space being torn apart rang out, the three appeared in Soul Society, where the rich Reishi energy made them feel full of vitality.
Ginjo clenched his fist and exclaimed excitedly, "With this level of Reishi energy concentration, even if you exhaust your Reiryoku in battle, you can recover very quickly!"
This wasn't his first time here; each time he came, he felt a surge of power.
Starting from the Outskirts of the 7th district of North Rukongai and heading towards Seireitei, the three of them simply covered themselves with a tattered cloth, which served as their disguise.
The Soul Reaper's management of Rukongai was quite lenient. They didn't strictly control the wandering souls who weren't afraid of being eaten by Hollows. The three of them quickly arrived at the first district of Rukongai.
The guard of the Black Ridge Gate was still Danzōmaru, a man with dark skin, golden eyebrows, and an odd hairstyle, whose Reiryoku was not weak.
In a dilapidated thatched-roof house, long uninhabited, three people were discussing tactics.
Defeating Danzōmaru wasn't difficult; the real challenge lay in the encirclement and attack they would face afterward. The three of them needed to escape unscathed from the onslaught of the Gotei 13 after being exposed.
Unable to think of a better method, Ginjo decided to force his way in, since the place called 'Research and Development Institute' was their target.
But just then, two Soul Reaper dressed in Shihakusho and carrying swords emerged from the Black Prism Gate, following behind a young boy...
Ryūsaki immediately recognized that the kid was no ordinary person. He was wearing the Kenseikan on his head, which meant he was from the Kuchiki Clan. In Soul Society, the decorations of nobles cannot be impersonated; otherwise, it would be a crime.
Ryūsaki had a sudden inspiration, then turned to the two and said, "I have an idea: find a nobleman, acknowledge him as your master, and become his subordinate."
"Won't that work? How could the nobles trust us so easily?" Ginjo said, indicating that the risk was too great.
"You don't understand this world. The nobles here have always considered themselves rulers, and they're all very arrogant..."
Ryūsaki understood the nature of those nobles very well. They were all high and mighty, and when they encountered someone powerful in Rukongai, they would usually take them in as Vassal or Servants.
When Zero first met Kuchiki Ginrei, Ginrei Kuchiki wanted to take him as her Vassal.
Kuchiki Kōun, the son of Byakuya and Hisana, is Great Noble whose status makes many people keep their distance from him, so he has no close friends in the Seireitei.
On the contrary, in the orphanage his family funded in Rukongai, many children became good friends with him, and most of them would become Vassal of the Kuchiki Clan in the future.
Taking advantage of her father's absence, Hongyun obtained her mother's permission to visit Rukongai, but only at the asylum located in Junrinan.
This area is relatively remote in Junrinan. Many dilapidated houses are uninhabited because it is more dangerous than the central street area. Void creatures appear at night and hide even during the day.
Those Hollows who can hide beneath the facade of the Seireitei are likely quite capable and possess considerable wisdom.
Just as Hongyun and his companions were about to reach the orphanage, someone shouted for help. Hongyun's subordinates used their spiritual senses to investigate and exclaimed in alarm, "Something's wrong! Protect the young master!"
Two large Hollows were chasing two teenagers. Just as the kind-hearted Hongyun was about to send her subordinates to rescue them, a man wielding Cross Greatsword and wearing tattered clothes appeared. He killed one of the large Hollows with three strikes, and the other Hollow fled in panic.
"Wow, that's amazing! He killed a large Hollow with just three strikes."
Hongyun immediately exclaimed in surprise. Just from these few moves, it was clear that this man's strength was no less than that of the Seated Officer of the Court Guard Squads.
The man turned to Hongyun and shouted, "Hey, you guys over there, Soul Reaper, look after those two for me. I'm going to go after it."
"Wait, it's dangerous to give chase rashly!"
Hongyun shouted loudly, trying to stop the departing man, but he ignored her and chased after Xu in the direction he had fled.
"Congye, go stop him."
"Yes, young master!"
Hongyun ordered a bearded man to stop him, but the bearded man gave his companion a look and then vanished in Shunpo...
'They've taken the bait, hehe.'
The man draped in rags was none other than Ginjo. He deliberately suppressed his strength and ran slowly, waiting for the people behind him to catch up.
Even if the other side doesn't chase after them, Ginjo will go to the Outskirts to lure a few Hollows away and then drive them in this direction.
After catching up, Congye revealed his identity and told Ginjo not to risk pursuing him, saying that it was the work of the Soul Reaper. Ginjo, who was more than happy to hear that, naturally agreed.
When they returned, Ryūsaki, the lead actor, had already struck up a conversation with Hongyun, and the two had already introduced themselves.
"The Kuchiki Clan? Wow, you're from the Great Noble Kuchiki Clan... That's quite surprising!"
"Even lower-ranking nobles are rare in Rukongai! Most are fallen nobles."
"I never expected to see someone from the Kuchiki Clan in Rukongai. I've heard that the Captain of the Sixth Division of the Soul Reaper is a man named Byakuya Kuchiki. Is he related to you? I've seen him slay a Hollow before."
Ryūsaki's inquisitive questions made the Guards who remained nearby uneasy, and he snapped, "Boy, don't pry into other people's business!"
"Uh, okay!" Ryūsaki pretended to look very aggrieved and disappointed.
"Hashina, you mustn't be rude... Byakuya Kuchiki is indeed my father. I never imagined his reputation would spread so far in Rukongai!"
The naive and inexperienced Hongyun was clearly not on guard. When she mentioned her father, she had a proud smile on her face. In Hongyun's eyes, Byakuya had always been a strict but loving father.
My name is Kuchiki Kōun.
Upon seeing Ginjo approach, Hongyun introduced herself again and then asked Ginjo curiously, "Uncle, what's your name? You're so skilled, are you the Soul Reaper?"
"The Kuchiki Clan?"
Following Ryūsaki's instructions, Ginjo first exclaimed in surprise and then bowed to show his respect.
Then, with a bitter face, he said, "My name is Kongcheng, not Soul Reaper. I used to want to become Soul Reaper, but unfortunately, I failed the Reiryoku test several times. Later, when I finally passed, all the positions were already filled."
The two Guards exchanged a glance, both seeing the bitterness in each other's eyes. They knew that what 'Kongcheng' said was true.
The Shin'ō Spiritual Arts Academy admits roughly two qualified students from Rukongai each year, resulting in eight noble children enrolling—a 2:8 ratio.
Hongyun lowered her head and pondered for a moment, then said to Ginjo, "You want to become the Soul Reaper? That's easy. I'll tell the examiners your name, and I guarantee you'll pass the test smoothly."
Just as Ryūsaki said, these nobles all want to increase their own power.
Ginjo was overjoyed upon hearing this, but feigned surprise. "Does that mean I need connections to get into the Shin'ō Spiritual Arts Academy?"
Hongyun smiled gently. "What? You don't want to? With your abilities, it's okay if you don't want to. You'll definitely pass if you try a few more times."
His intention was to help this young man named Kongcheng, and he didn't want to hurt his pride too much, which is why he let Kongcheng choose for himself.
Hongyun knew that the world was not fair and that there was a serious class division. All he could do was try to be kind to ordinary people at the bottom, since he himself came from the bottom.
A look of intense struggle appeared on Ginjo's face, his expression a mixture of anger and helplessness. This made the two Guards beside Hongyun wary, fearing that Ginjo, due to the unequal treatment he received, might suddenly attack and injure their young master.
However, they were overthinking it. After a struggle, Ginjo knelt down on one knee before Hongyun...
"I know this world is inherently unequal. I'm tired of hiding in Rukongai and want to live in the Seireitei. I hope to become Lord Hongyun's Servants and be willing to go through fire and water for him..."
Hongyun looked surprised. He looked to his left and right, exchanging glances with his two subordinates, as if asking them what they thought.
Also from Rukongai, Congye couldn't bear to disappoint Ginjo, so he whispered in Hongyun's ear, "We can take him back first and have someone assess him."
Upon hearing this, Hongyun nodded in agreement.