The First Division approved the travel paperwork quickly.
Yoriichi had thought he would have to sit through a stern lecture from Captain-Commander Yamamoto about the Substitute Soul Reaper system.
Instead, Yamamoto merely glanced at him.
"Go."
"Yes, sir."
Yoriichi nodded, turned, and left.
Chōjirō Sasakibe stood half a step behind Yamamoto. After watching Yoriichi leave, he asked quietly, "Captain-Commander, should we send the Stealth Force along?"
"No need."
Yamamoto kept his eyes closed, his voice steady.
"If even he cannot handle it, sending anyone else would make no difference."
Chōjirō Sasakibe said nothing more.
Elsewhere.
Yoriichi took the paperwork to the Senkaimon. After confirming everything was in order, the Soul Reaper on duty immediately opened the passage.
A passage resembling a Garganta unfolded, with a pure white Reishi path laid out inside.
Yoriichi stepped inside.
It had been so long since he had taken this route that he actually felt a little nostalgic.
After all, the first time they went to the Soul Society, their whole group had nearly been flattened by the Kōtotsu.
Now, the route seemed much quieter.
Soon.
The air of the World of the Living greeted him.
Yoriichi dropped out of midair, his toes settling lightly on a utility pole as he looked down at the familiar streets.
Karakura Town was just as it had always been.
There were convenience stores along the street, a school in the distance, and students carrying schoolbags on the road.
The only problem was that he was wearing a Shihakushō.
Going to see Ichigo Kurosaki like this felt a little like showing up to arrest him.
With that thought, Yoriichi turned toward the Urahara Shop.
The Urahara Shop.
The wind chime at the entrance rang softly.
Ururu Tsumugiya, who was sweeping the floor, looked up. When she saw Yoriichi, she