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Reinforcements from the Soul Society arrived sooner than expected.
In the backyard of the Urahara Shop, the Senkaimon slowly opened, and figures clad in Shihakushō stepped out of the white light.
At the front was Tenth Division Captain Tōshirō Hitsugaya.
His hands were tucked into his sleeves, and his youthful face was solemn.
"Captain Tsugikuni, the Captain-Commander has approved reinforcements for the World of the Living."
"I'll be taking temporary command this time."
Yoriichi nodded.
"Thank you for your efforts."
Behind Hitsugaya, Rangiku Matsumoto emerged with a yawn.
"Little captain, don't keep such a stern face now that we're in the World of the Living."
"We're going to be staying here for quite a while."
"Matsumoto."
A vein bulged on Hitsugaya's forehead.
"We're not here on vacation!"
"I know."
Rangiku answered offhandedly, clearly not taking it to heart.
Next, Izuru Kira, Renji Abarai, Rukia Kuchiki, Ikkaku Madarame, and Yumichika Ayasegawa emerged in turn.
Momo Hinamori followed last. When she saw Yoriichi, she quickly bowed her head.
"Captain Tsugikuni."
"No need to be so formal."
Yoriichi looked at them.
The Gotei 13 was indeed taking the Arrancar threat seriously this time. Not only had they sent several lieutenants and Seated Officers, but even Fourth Division Captain Retsu Unohana had come to the World of the Living with Isane Kotetsu.
Unohana wore a gentle smile.
"I heard that Arrancar attacks leave injuries that ordinary medical treatment struggles to handle, so the Captain-Commander asked me to come along."
Fanning himself with a paper fan, Kisuke Urahara said with a smile, "With Captain Unohana here, the wounded will be in safe hands."
"Mr. Urahara."
Unohana turned to him.
"The best outcome would be to avoid having any wounded in the first place."
The paper fan in Urahara's hand paused.
"You're right."
Now that everyone had arrived, a new problem arose.
Where would they stay?
Though the Urahara Shop was not small, it could not possibly accommodate so many people at once. After a moment's thought, Yoriichi decided to let everyone find their own lodgings.
Izuru Kira was his lieutenant, so naturally, he went home with him.
Unohana and Isane also moved into Yoriichi's home to make treating the wounded more convenient.
Standing in the living room, Kira looked at Unohana sitting across from him, his body somewhat stiff.
"Captain Unohana, please have some tea."
"Thank you."
Unohana accepted the cup, her smile as gentle as ever.
Yet Kira sat even straighter.
He felt that if he did anything wrong, the consequences would be severe.
Noticing his nervousness, Isane reassured him quietly, "Lieutenant Kira, the captain is usually very easy to get along with."
Kira nodded.
"I know."
It was precisely because he knew too much that he was nervous.
Elsewhere.
Rukia and Renji moved straight into the Kurosaki home.
Ichigo Kurosaki stared at the two standing at his door, a vein throbbing on his forehead.
"Why do both of you have to stay at my house?"
Holding her luggage, Rukia answered as though it were perfectly reasonable, "Because I've stayed here before, so I'm familiar with it."
"Then what about Renji?"
With a large bag slung over his shoulder, Renji grinned. "Wherever Rukia stays, I stay."
Ichigo fell silent for a moment, then reached out to close the door.
Renji quickly stuck his foot in the way.
"Wait, you jerk! Is that how you treat a friend?"
"Who said you were my friend?!"
Inside, Isshin Kurosaki heard the commotion and rushed out.
"Welcome to the Kurosaki home!"
The next moment, Ichigo kicked him back into the living room.
Watching the familiar scene, Rukia suddenly felt that nothing here had changed at all.
Hitsugaya, Rangiku, and Hinamori rented a house not far from Yoriichi's.
As soon as they entered, Hitsugaya began assigning patrol areas.
Rangiku, however, opened the refrigerator and sighed in disappointment.
"There's nothing in here."
"We just rented the house. Why would there be anything in it?"
Hitsugaya glared at her.
"Go get your room in order first."
"Little captain, I'm hungry."
"Cook something yourself."
"I don't know how."
Hitsugaya turned to Hinamori.
Momo Hinamori froze for a moment.
"I can cook."
Rangiku immediately wrapped her arms around her shoulders.
"I knew I could count on you, Momo."
Hitsugaya fell silent.
He felt as though he had brought trouble along.
As for Ikkaku and Yumichika, they went straight to Keigo Asano.
Keigo stared blankly at the two unfamiliar men standing at his front door.
"Who are you?"
Ikkaku rubbed his bald head.
"Friends of Ichigo Kurosaki."
Yumichika added with a smile, "We don't have anywhere to stay for now, so we're sorry for the trouble, but we'll have to impose on you."
Keigo took a step back.
"Why do Ichigo's friends have to stay at my house?"
Ikkaku raised a fist.
"Because you look very accommodating."
"Welcome!"
Keigo immediately stepped aside.
Looking at him, Yumichika nodded in satisfaction.
"Very accommodating indeed."
And so, the reinforcements from the Soul Society temporarily remained in Karakura Town.
Every day, they took turns patrolling, watching for any Garganta or unfamiliar reiatsu that might appear.
Yet several days passed without any movement from Hueco Mundo.
It was unusually peaceful.
One evening.
Sitting in his room, Yoriichi suddenly opened his eyes.
The next moment, an immense surge of reiatsu erupted above Karakura Town.
Boom!
The pitch-black night sky tore open as numerous Garganta appeared at once. Dozens of reiatsu signatures descended from the rifts, then rapidly scattered toward different parts of the city.
Hitsugaya appeared on the rooftop in an instant.
"Everyone, engage in your assigned areas!"
Ichigo rushed out of his house with Zangetsu on his back, Rukia and Renji close behind.
Elsewhere, Ikkaku drew his Zanpakuto, an excited grin spreading across his face.
"Finally."
Yumichika adjusted his hair.
"Don't grin so hideously."
Yoriichi stood high above, his Transparent World rapidly sweeping over all of Karakura Town.
These Arrancar made no attempt to conceal their reiatsu. They clearly intended to drag all of them into battle.
Meanwhile, a figure with its presence completely suppressed silently made its way toward Orihime Inoue's home.
Yoriichi did not notice.
His gaze had already locked onto the strongest reiatsu in the distance.
There, a tall figure slowly drew a Zanpakuto.
Yoriichi gripped Hekyō, crimson reiatsu bursting beneath his feet.
The next moment, he vanished into the night.
Across Karakura Town, reiatsu erupted one after another.
A great battle was about to begin.
Before you continue