In the World of the Living, in Ikkaku of the park in Karakura Town.
At noon, when the sun is blazing hot, it feels warm and comfortable on the skin, and you can't feel the chill of the morning at all.
There weren't many people in the park at the moment, and the most conspicuous were the three people sitting on a bench in the corner: a silver-haired boy who looked quite young, a bald man with a fierce look and carrying a wooden sword, and a man with feathers who looked androgynous and dressed casually.
Toshiro Hitsugaya remained silent with his eyes closed, as if waiting for something, while Ikkaku Madarame chatted casually with Yumichika Ayase.
A short while later, Renji Abarai and Rukia Kuchiki walked in at the park entrance.
"Captain Hitsugaya, Ikkaku, Yumichika!"
"They're too slow!" Ikkaku Madarame complained loudly, carrying his wooden sword.
"Ah! Sorry, sorry!" Renji Abarai scratched his head and said, "I promised Urahara I would help Sado train, so I came out late!"
" Sado went to Mr. Urahara's place!" Rukia Kuchiki exclaimed in surprise.
"Yes!" Renji Abarai nodded; "But speaking of which, Rukia, didn't you go to Mr. Urahara's place this morning?"
"I did go there!" Rukia Kuchiki replied; "However, I was looking for Ichigo, so I just asked Miss Yoruichi and left, and didn't notice anything else!"
"What's wrong with Ichigo?!" Yumichika Ayase turned and asked.
"It disappeared this morning, and we haven't been able to find it anywhere!"
"Don't worry, Kurosaki will be fine!" Toshiro Hitsugaya said.
"Exactly, there's no need to worry about Ichigo at all!" Ikkaku Madarame scoffed.
"I understand!"
Rukia Kuchiki nodded, but then sighed helplessly as she thought of Yuzu Kurosaki back home.
"But speaking of which, Captain Hitsugaya!" Renji Abarai turned and asked, "Where's Matsumoto? I haven't seen her at all!"
"I was just about to ask that!" Ikkaku Madarame gleaming. "Did he get an upset stomach from something he ate last night?"
"You're talking about yourself, aren't you! Ikkaku!" Yumichika Ayase smoothed the feather from the corner of his eye and laughed.
"Stop talking nonsense!" Ikkaku Madarame's face immediately turned red, and he gritted his teeth and said angrily.
" Matsumoto!" Hitsugaya Toshiro Hitsugaya said calmly, arms crossed. "Last night on our way back, we encountered Lord Shadow. Matsumoto went with Shadow to Dark Night Residence. I've already informed her of the meeting time, she should be here soon!"
"Lord Shadow ..." Renji Abarai's eyes widened.
"..." Rukia Kuchiki twitched the corner of her mouth.
"..." Yumichika Ayase almost plucked the feathers off his eyes.
"Huh! Whhhhh... what?!"
Ikkaku Madarame instantly bristled; "Lord Shadow, how is this possible? Wasn't Lord Shadow out training his Bankai? How could he possibly be looking for Matsumoto? He... he..."
"Shut up, you're so noisy, Madarame!"
Toshiro Hitsugaya frowned deeply. Even now, when he recalled what Shadow had said last night, he still felt somewhat incredulous.
Gin Ichimaru is actually a disciple of the Shadow! His defection from Soul Society to Hueco Mundo with Sōsuke Aizen was all for some purpose... This...
Although Toshiro Hitsugaya found it hard to believe, he still believed it and promised Shadow that he would never tell anyone, because he trusted Rangiku Matsumoto and Shadow.
"Team leader!!!"
A familiar voice came from the sky, and then Rangiku Matsumoto, dressed in a Shihakushō, appeared beside them with a smile on her face.
" Matsumoto!"
Toshiro Hitsugaya could even speak, Ikkaku Madarame's eyebrows twitched, and he jumped up, shouting excitedly, "Where's Lord Shadow! What does he want with you? Did he ask you to deliver a message to us? Tell me quickly..."
"You're so annoying, bald guy!" Rangiku Matsumoto waved her hand impatiently.
"Don't call me Baldy!" Ikkaku Madarame was furious.
"Then let's go bald!"
"Damn it! Matsumoto, you bastard..."
"Don't blame me for telling Yachiru if you shout again!"
Rangiku Matsumoto glanced at Ikkaku Madarame and immediately unleashed her trump card. Upon hearing this, Madarame Ikkaku Madarame balloon, leaving Renji Abarai and the others beside him dumbfounded.
"Um, Matsumoto, you've misunderstood. Actually, I just wanted to..."
"I came back on my own; Master is still cultivating at the Dark Night Residence!" Rangiku Matsumoto said. "He certainly knows who came to help this time, but Master didn't send any message!"
"Ah!!!" Renji Abarai almost choked on his breath.
"Matsu... Matsumoto, you..." Rukia Kuchiki's mouth was so wide it could fit an egg.
"..." Yumichika Ayase and plucked a feather off her eye, wincing in pain.
"What?!"
As if his body was on fire, Ikkaku Madarame's entire face was contorted with excitement as he grabbed Rangiku Matsumoto's shoulders and shook her violently.
"What do you call Lord Shadow? Master... Master, are you kidding me? How could Lord Shadow be your master? How could he?!"
"Aaaaaah!!!"
Shaked until her head was spinning, Rangiku Matsumoto couldn't utter a single word.
" Ikkaku!!!"
" Madarame, let go!"
Renji Abarai, Rukia Kuchiki, Yumichika Ayase immediately stepped forward and pulled away the agitated Ikkaku Madarame. They actually understood Ikkaku Madarame's feelings at that moment, but this matter had come too suddenly, and they were all somewhat frightened.
"I'm sorry, Matsumoto..." Ikkaku Madarame knew he had gone too far.
"Damn Ikkaku, you've shaken my head off!" Rangiku Matsumoto the Roar, her face turning pale with anger.
"I······"
"Shut up, all of you!" Toshiro Hitsugaya shouted through gritted teeth.
"Yes!"
"Let's get down to business. I called you all here because Soul Society has some new information coming in this morning!" Toshiro Hitsugaya said calmly. "Last night, due to the Arrancar's attack, Soul Society held an emergency meeting. From now on, we will officially be stationed in the World of the Living to defend against the Arrancar before the final battle. Also, although everyone is scattered, please report your current address so we can communicate with each other. Ukitake and Kyōraku are in the Central 46 searching for clues about Aizen. We'll wait for orders here. Also, I brought a map of Karakura Town. Please divide up your assigned areas and patrol them regularly every day to ensure everything is in order..."
"Yes!"
······
In Soul Society, everyone in every division, from captains and Lieutenant to ordinary Bleach, is busy preparing for the upcoming great battle. Even the siblings Kūkaku Shiba and Ganju Shiba from Rukongai are diligently training.
In the World of the Living, Yasutora Sado found Kisuke Urahara and trained with Renji Abarai in a secret underground base. Uryu Ishida was also working hard to recover his Quincy powers during his battle with his father, Ryūken Ishida. Toshiro Hitsugaya, Rangiku Matsumoto, Ikkaku Madarame, and others also trained in their spare time from patrolling.
At the Dark Night Residence, Kaien Shiba is also fighting desperately against the Shadow and the Eroding Wolf, trying to regain his Bleach powers.
Meanwhile, in an abandoned warehouse, Ichigo Kurosaki finds the location of the Visored Army and tries to learn how to control the Hollows within him. Everyone is working hard to protect those they care about.
Regardless of where they are or what their identities are, they all share a common goal: to defeat Sōsuke Aizen, protect the World of the Living, and protect Soul Society.
······
In the World of the Living, Karakura Town, Dark Night Residence.
The night was still so cold.
Kaien Shiba sat Asauchi- legged under the cherry blossom tree, holding Asagi, without saying a word.
"No progress at all?!"
Ran'Tao rested her chin on her hand, turning her gaze away from Kaien Shiba and towards the Shadow eating their meal.
"Ah!" Swallowing the food in his mouth, Shadow replied without looking up, "It's not that there's been absolutely no progress, but that's only in terms of physical strength and technique. Spiritual Power itself is still..."
"So he gave up!"
"No way!" Shadow shook his head, his tone brimming with unwavering confidence; " The Kaien I know is a man who will never admit defeat!"
"Yeah!"
Ran'Tao nodded, and as the two were talking, Kaien Shiba, who was under the cherry blossom tree, jumped up as if his butt had caught fire.
"Hey! Shadow, are you done eating yet? Hurry up!"
"Why don't you take a break!" Shadow called out.
"No need, I don't have time to dawdle!" Kaien Shiba declared defiantly.
"Understood!" Shadow replied, putting down his chopsticks and giving Ran'Tao a soft smile. "See?"
"I was overthinking it!" Ran'Tao smiled.
"Those who don't believe in themselves have no value in their efforts, but Kaien was born to be extraordinary!"
"That's right!" Ran'Tao pushed up his glasses.
"My brother told me. His Guy, and he's a hot-blooded idiot who never admits defeat!" Shadow waved his hand, got up, and walked outside.
"Hey! Hey!!!"
"They've arrived..."
"·····"