Where They Each Belonged

At noon, the Visored and others gathered on time in the alley White Path Gate of West Rukongai.

"Tsk tsk tsk, Tsuna's really going all out, he's even Bankai, hasn't he?"

Even from this far away in Rukongai, the aftershocks of Tsuna's spiritual pressure could be felt. Muguruma Kensei, who was the first to try Tsuna's Bankai ability, couldn't help but comment that the more Seireitei was, the better for them to hide their whereabouts within Seireitei.

"Stop lamenting. Once we enter Seireitei, we'll all go our separate ways," Hirako said. "You've all been captains and Vice-Captain before, and I'm sure you all have your own quiet corners to steal a moment of peace. We'll see you at Sōkyoku when the execution begins."

"No need to repeat myself, we understand," Rose said.

"One last reminder: if you encounter Captain-level opponent, never use Hollowfication. We're not Tsuna; we can't withstand Old Man Yamamoto's wrath," Hirako emphasized.

The main reason was that Hirako sensed the spiritual pressure of a Hollow emanating from the Seireitei at night, which startled him. Only Ichigo and Tsuna were capable of using Hollow's power, and the simultaneous appearance of two spiritual pressures was like dancing on Old Man Yamamoto's minefield.

If my group were to use Hollowfication within the Seireitei before we even begin our business, the enraged Old Man Yamamoto wouldn't care about our intentions; he'd just kill us with a single strike. That would be such an unjust death.

"Understood, Hirako." Kuna Hak said somewhat impatiently. She saw that the White Path Gate had been opened, which was a good opportunity for them to enter Seireitei.

"You understand what you're talking about!" Hirako flicked Kuna Hak's forehead. "I'm talking about you, the guy who likes to wear a mask all the time."

Kuna Hak crouched on the ground in pain. Ever since she became involved with Visored Rider in the World of the Living, Kuna Hak would always strike a transformation pose whenever she fought, imagining herself as a righteous hero. Perhaps for this reason, Kuna Hak would train in Hollowfication whenever she had free time, which is why she was the one who could maintain Hollowfication for the longest time.

This made things even more uncontrollable. Compared to others who could only use Hollowfication to increase their strength for a few seconds, Kuna Hak could use Hollowfication at will, even causing her to gradually abandon her Zanpakuto and switch to Hakuda (a type of martial arts technique). Only in that way could she unleash the purest Rider Kick.

Lisa sighed and rubbed Kuna Hak's forehead, wondering how this unreliable Muguruma Kensei could tolerate her being the Vice-Captain.

"Hirako, it's about time we set off," Lisa said.

"I know, follow my lead, fall down, Sakanade!" Hirako gripped the circle of Sakanade, and a barely perceptible scent drifted towards the direction of the White Path Gate under his control.

At the West White Path Gate, a burly man was carrying the gate and watching the cargo procession. He was very tall, with his head alone being as tall as a normal person. His name was Sidanfang, the guardian of West White Path Gate, and also the older brother of Ciloufang, who was defeated by Orihime.

The White Path Gate is less a gate and more a city wall that can be lifted; only a strong person like Sidanfang could lift it.

Sidanfang's eyes turned towards the Rukongai area, where he saw a group of people with their backs to him, seemingly preparing to leave Rukongai and head to other districts.

But a strange feeling lingered in Sidanfang's mind. That group of people didn't seem to be from Rukongai. They possessed an aura that the residents of Rukongai didn't have. When did such a powerful group of people emerge from Rukongai?

Sidanfang's eyes swept over the Bleach White Path Gate. These were temporarily assigned to guard the Ryoka had already infiltrated Seireitei, Seireitei's defenses had been strengthened.

Sidanfang noticed that the Bleach seemed oblivious to the group of extraordinary people on the street, simply proceeding with their routine inspection of the convoy. Since the Bleach remained silent, he simply ignored them as well. After all, it wasn't unusual for some powerful individuals to occasionally appear in Rukongai. It was said that the current captain of the Squad 11 came from Rukongai, specifically from the rather backward Kenpachi District Ward.

What Sidanfang didn't know was that the guarding Bleach had also seen Hirako and his group's backs, but they didn't pay any attention to it. They were already used to the somewhat abrupt aura that Sidanfang found strange; it was something that Bleach carried after experiencing life-and-death battles.

The main job of Sidanfang is to guard the gate. He sees ordinary people in Rukongai every day, which is why he finds it a bit strange. The Bleach of Seireitei are already used to it.

"Hey, bald guy, you didn't give us away, did you?!" Noticing the strange look in Sidanfang, Hiyori asked with some concern.

"Don't worry, even if we're discovered, it won't affect our infiltration," Hirako said confidently.

The strange figures that Sidanfang saw were the Visored, but they had unknowingly inhaled the scent emitted by Sakanade. So when Sidanfang saw the backs of Hirako and the others, Hirako and his group were walking slowly towards the White Path Gate.

The Sakanade, turning the view around for everyone near the White Path Gate, was Hirako's plan. It was simple: as long as the noble lords still needed the supplies from Rukongai, he could easily enter Seireitei.

The Visored strolled leisurely through the White Path Gate. They couldn't move too fast, or their inverted silhouettes would give them away.

As they passed the temporary guards, Bleach, Kuna Hak made a face at them, which startled Hirako so much that she quickly pulled her back to her side, fearing that if Kuna Hak bumped into the guards, it might arouse their suspicion.

Once inside Seireitei, things became much easier. This place was practically the territory of the Visored. After turning a corner, Hirako withdrew his Sakanade, and the group quickly made their way to a deserted corner.

"The plan is going smoothly, everyone disperse," Hirako said.

The group exchanged glances and simultaneously used Flash Step to disappear from Hirako's side. Apart from Hiyori, she really had nowhere else to go. Just like she said a couple of days ago, she would stay by Hirako's side. The only place the others could hide was their former squad territory. As for the Squad 12, Hiyori had no intention of going back.

Hiyori knew exactly what a madman Kurotsuchi Mayuri, the current captain of the Squad 12, was. Back then, she was vehemently opposed to Urahara Kisuke rescuing Kurotsuchi Mayuri from the Maggots' Nest.

A hundred years have passed, Hiyori can imagine that under Kurotsuchi Mayuri's transformation, the Squad 12 could not possibly bear any trace of the past, so the so-called place of remembering people by seeing things is naturally gone.

Hirako glanced at Hiyori, who seemed uninterested. This time, he didn't pat her head; this was Seireitei, and provoking Hiyori would only attract more Bleach's attention. He simply said, "Let's go."

Hirako planned to hide near the 5th Division. He wasn't afraid that Aizen would appear, as the information about Aizen's death had already been shared with them. In addition, he also had a secret room in the 5th Division, a location known only to himself. It wasn't just Urahara and Yoruichi who built private spaces under the Sōkyoku.

Like Hirako, most of the others were going to their former squads. Lisa was going to the 8th Division, Muguruma Kensei and Kuna Hak were going back to the 9th Division, and Hachigen was going back to the Kidō Corps to pick up some personal belongings.

Everyone here was once Bleach, a seasoned veteran among Bleach. They easily evaded the Bleach's searches as they traveled, and Tsuna's battles also helped them draw the attention of everyone in Seireitei.

Rose and Aikawa Love did not go straight to their former squad; before that, they wanted to see their former friend, the one they had implicated.

In an ordinary house in Seireitei, a stern old woman sat upright, holding a cup of hot tea. After taking a sip, she sighed, marveling at the occasional fluctuations in spiritual pressure.

"These are turbulent times, but thankfully I'm retiring."

The old woman had just finished her sigh when her eyes suddenly sharpened, and she threw the teacup in her hand towards the tree in the courtyard, making a crisp sound.

"Who is it? Come out!" the old woman shouted.

"Grandma, it's me."

Rose ' gentlemanly figure emerged from behind the tree. He had come to see his former Vice-Captain Shiba Senteki. Because Rose, as captain, was forced to flee Soul Society due to the Hollowfication Incident, Shiba Senteki, as Vice-Captain, had been under considerable pressure at the time.

In a squad, the captain and Vice-Captain usually manage the squad together as a single entity. Unless there are special circumstances, it is rare for the captain or Vice-Captain to be replaced individually. The two usually complete the management of the squad together for a term.

When Rose was in the 3rd Division, his carefree and timid nature caused a lot of trouble for Senetsu Iba in Shiba of team affairs. Shiba Iba often forcefully compelled Rose to handle team affairs, and Rose was very afraid of Shiba Iba at that time.

After Rose left Soul Society, his fear of Shiba Senetsu gradually turned into nostalgia, and the days when he was Shiba Iba Senetsu to handle team affairs were gone forever.

Implicated in the Rose Hollowfication Incident, Shiba Iba, after training the next Third Division Captain, voluntarily chose to leave the Gotei 13 and retire.

"Hōjōrō Jūshirō, what are you doing here?" A look of shock flashed across Shiba Sen'tetsu's eyes, then his gaze quickly turned fierce. "You shouldn't be here. Seireitei is under martial law. You'd better leave!"

Rose was surprised that after so many years, Shiba Senetsu still cared about him as much as ever. Although her tone sounded very stern, she still wanted Rose to leave Seireitei as soon as possible.

"Don't worry, Grandma, I just came to see you. Nothing will happen." Rose sat down on the corridor of the Shiba Thousand Iron House as if they were old friends.

Shiba Qiantie stared at Rose for a while, then went back into the house and brought out two teacups to pour Rose a glass of water.

"Did you orchestrate this invasion by the Ryoka?" Shiba asked, kneeling beside Rose.

"How could that be? Mother, you know I don't have that ability," Rose said, holding his teacup. It had been a long time since he had tea brewed by Shiba. After a moment of silence, he said softly, "I'm sorry, Mother."

Rose knew how much effort Shiba Senetsu had put into training him, but all of Shiba Senetsu's efforts were in vain because of the Hollowfication Incident.

Shiba Senetsu didn't dwell on the past. She could see that Rose had grown a lot, and that he might have apologized to her in the past in a similar way.

"What do you want to do now that you're back?" Shiba asked.

This has never happened in a century. This time, Hōjōrō Jūshirō must have come with a purpose. This is a test by Shiba Iba. She had already brought her Zanpakuto when she went back to her room to get her cup. If anything goes wrong with Rose, Shiba Iba will risk her life to prevent Rose from making any more mistakes.

"I've returned to settle the score from a hundred years ago. I'm seeking revenge!" Rose ' eyes blazed with fury.