Before Hakutōmon, Seireitei, Soul Society.
"Honestly!" Ichigo Kurosaki, sporting the hairstyle of a delinquent teenager, complained helplessly to Yoruichi Shihōin beside him. "Since Mr. Yoruichi and Mr. Shadow already came, there was no need for me to come, right? It's not like I had anything to do anyway!"
"Quit whining!" Shadow, walking half a step behind Yoruichi Shihōin, immediately said coldly. "If Lord Yoruichi hadn't spoken up, who would've brought you along? You should feel honored, kid!"
"Honored..." Ichigo Kurosaki immediately drooped his head weakly. What kind of honor was that supposed to be?
"Don't put it like that!" Yoruichi Shihōin said with a light laugh. "Since you had nothing to do anyway, just treat it as having some fun. After all, this place is your..."
"Lord Yoruichi!"
"Sorry, sorry!" Yoruichi Shihōin immediately stopped, raised a hand with an awkward laugh, and nodded at Shadow.
"What?" Ichigo Kurosaki asked in confusion. "My what?"
"Nothing!" Yoruichi Shihōin shook her head, said no more, and continued forward.
"How strange!"
Ichigo Kurosaki scratched his head and was about to ask more, but before he could speak, an argument drifted over from in front of Hakutōmon.
"Why not?!"
"Hey! I already told you, you can't!" Looking at the few little brats before him, the still-huge Jidanbō said rather helplessly, "Loads of people want to enter Seireitei, but without permission from a Bleach, I can't let you in!"
"That's why I said you'll understand once you see the captain!"
"We know the captain!"
"..."
The three little kids seemed absolutely determined to get in, arguing until their faces were red and their necks thick.
"Even if you say that..."
"Yo! Jidanbō!"
Hearing that familiar voice he had not heard in a long time, Jidanbō turned around and saw Yoruichi Shihōin, Shadow, and Ichigo Kurosaki walking