After finding Kosuke, the four of them returned to Seireitei under the escort of the Punishment Force. More precisely... they were escorted under arrest.
Aside from Ikkaku, who was sent straight to the Comprehensive First Aid Station as soon as they returned to Seireitei, Duan Mu, Renji, and Kiyone were all summoned to Onmitsukidō and asked to recount the entire incident in painstaking detail.
Everything from the opponent's height, clothing, Zanjutsu, and Kidō...
Any information that might possibly confirm the opponent's identity was all questioned by Onmitsukidō.
"Ahhh~~"
In the interrogation room of the Punishment Force barracks, Ayasegawa Chikao yawned and said impatiently, "We've said the same things over and over. How many more times are they going to ask us?"
"The opponent was incredibly strong and even had a mask resembling a Hollow's. It's only natural that Onmitsukidō would take this seriously," Renji advised from the side.
"Even if they take it seriously, this should be about enough."
Ayasegawa Chikao was speechless. Ever since they returned that evening, they had been interrogated nonstop. Anyone who didn't know better would think the four of them had committed some serious crime.
Besides the fact that Ikkaku had used Bankai, which Soi Fon had permitted them to leave out, they had genuinely recounted everything in full. They had even mentioned how many times they were slashed by the opponent and how many times Duan Mu had treated them.
"It'll be over soon."
Duan Mu lay on a bench to one side and said, "The two groups who questioned us just now have different responsibilities. The first group was the Punishment Force, the First Division of Onmitsukidō directly under Captain Soi Fon. The second group questioning us was the Patrol Team, the Second Division of Onmitsukidō led by Omaeda."
"The Punishment Force is