"Hello!"
"Since you and Yoruichi are related... then can you return Rukia to us?"
Having gradually figured out the situation, Ichigo Kurosaki turned to Sōgo Shihoin a request.
"I can't do it~"
After hearing Ichigo Kurosaki's words, Sōgo Shihoin smiled slightly and spoke without hesitation.
"Huh?"
"Why?"
"Aren't you a very powerful figure in Soul Society?"
"Besides, wasn't it your Second Division that imprisoned Rukia?"
"As the captain of the Second Division, don't you have the right to release Rukia?"
"Besides, is Rukia a member of one of your major families?"
Ichigo Kurosaki looked at Sōgo Shihoin with confusion. From the conversation they had just had, he had learned that the Shihoin Family, to which Sōgo Shihoin and Yoruichi belonged, was a behemoth that could shake the entire Soul Society... And Kuchiki, whose Shihōin Clan family and whose Kuchiki was always used as an honor by Rukia, should also have great power. That was why he couldn't understand why such powerful families would Rukia to be executed.
"Oh~"
"I didn't realize you were so smart!"
"So, in the end, you're one of us too..."
After hearing Ichigo Kurosaki's words, Sōgo Shihoin revealed a meaningful smile.
"Who cares about things like that?!"
"I'm just Ichigo Kurosaki... a human high school student."
Upon hearing Sōgo Shihoin's almost explicit words, Ichigo Kurosaki's expression stiffened, and he emphasized his identity.
"All right!"
"So, Mr. Human High School Student, since you know that Rukia is one of us..."
"Then you should understand that everything we did was actually to protect her, right?"
Sōgo Shihoin shrugged indifferently. Whether Ichigo Kurosaki planned to continue living in the World of the Living as Ichigo Kurosaki or become Soul Reaper named Ichigo Kurosaki and lead the Shiba Clan, it was none of Sōgo Shihoin's business. As long as Kaien Shiba remained firmly in power, the Shiba Clan would not be depleted... Therefore, in Sōgo Shihoin's eyes, Ichigo Kurosaki was like a hidden energy source, only to be used when the Shiba Clan was in trouble... As for what Shiba Clan Shiba Clan thought, that was their own business.
"Protect?"
What do you mean by that?
After hearing what Sōgo Shihoin, Ichigo Kurosaki froze on the spot.
"Don't you understand?"
"That's incredibly stupid..."
"I originally thought you'd be a little smarter."
Sōgo Shihoin sighed helplessly as he looked at Ichigo Kurosaki's oblivious expression.
"Hey! What... what do you mean by that?"
"Hasn't this escalated to a personal attack?"
Ichigo Kurosaki's expression changed drastically after being Sōgo Shihoin's words.
"When you joined the Second Division, you must have heard what those members said, right?"
Sōgo Shihoin asked the crowd.
"Without... the Second Division... the captain's... orders, no one is allowed to see Rukia Kuchiki..."
As Sōgo Shihoin finished speaking, Renji Abarai, suddenly thought of something. He subconsciously recited the words that the members of the Second Division had been repeating in front of him.
"So, without your order, no one can see Rukia Kuchiki?"
Renji Abarai suddenly realized.
You got it right!
"So now do you understand?"
Sōgo Shihoin slightly. Yes, that was exactly what he said. Without his order, no one was allowed to touch Rukia Kuchiki.
"Then what is the purpose of everything we've done?"
Renji Abarai clutched his head, questioning the value of all his previous efforts for Rukia.
Don't be sad~
"If I were Rukia, I would be so happy to know that you all worked so hard for me~"
"By the way, you should still pay compensation for the damage you caused to my team's quarters."
Sōgo Shihoin smiled at everyone. After all, he wasn't some kind of devil who didn't know right from wrong. His greatest strength was that he could distinguish right from wrong and was clear about gratitude and resentment. He would let it go since these people who forcibly broke into his barracks were all well-intentioned... But the damage to the barracks still needed to be compensated.
"Forehead..."
Everyone was stunned after hearing what Sōgo Shihoin.
"Don't worry! After all, we did this together, so we'll all share the responsibility if anything goes wrong! It's just money; it can't shake the friendship between us!"
Renji Abarai has saved up quite a bit of money over the years as vice-captain; he's at least a millionaire, so he speaks with great confidence.
"That's right!"
We'll face anything together!
The men tied to the stools exchanged glances, then all broke into bright smiles. Their friendship was priceless; so what if they lost money?!
Money... is nothing compared to a life-or-death friendship!
"Very good!"
"I love your pure friendship. Every time I see a scene like this, it deeply touches my heart."
"Just like you say, money, that evil thing, is utterly meaningless!"
"Well then, I wonder if anyone could help me settle the losses of over three billion at the Second Division's barracks?"
After listening to the boastful words of the person before him, Sōgo Shihoin revealed a cruel smile.
Three billion?!
The people who were originally tied to the chairs were all stunned when they heard the number.
Make them pay 3 billion in compensation? Even if you sold them all, they wouldn't be worth that much! Bastards!
"Speaking of which, I remember being defeated by Lieutenant Shaoling Fon shortly after entering the Second Division barracks."
"So... actually, the destruction of the Second Division barracks has little to do with me."
"However, I heard that the reason the Second Division's barracks were destroyed like that was mainly due to a man named Kurosaki Ichigo."
Originally, Renji Abarai if he believed that if anything happened, they would all stand together, that they were all brothers, and that they were all homies who couldn't be swayed by money. He also acted as if he was innocent and that these things had nothing to do with him.
" Renji Abarai! You..."
Ichigo Kurosaki was furious when he saw Renji Abarai him in less than three seconds.
" Kurosaki-kun... don't worry."
Just as Ichigo Kurosaki was glaring at Renji Abarai through gritted teeth, Uryū Ishida spoke up.
" Ishida..."
Ichigo Kurosaki looked grateful. Those who dared to stand up for him at a time like this were true brothers.
"I can testify for Renji Abarai!"
"He was indeed very quick; he was defeated by Lieutenant Shaoling Fon!"
"I, Orihime Inoue, Yasutora Sado stood quietly at the entrance of the Second Division's barracks, observing everything with utmost care."
Uryū Ishida's move was extremely ruthless. He not only testified for Renji Abarai, but also cleverly absolved himself and his two companions of the responsibility, leaving only Ichigo Kurosaki to bear the immense pressure.
You bunch of traitors!
"I must have been blind to trust you bunch of scoundrels."
Ichigo Kurosaki a pang of bitterness in his heart, and two lines of tears silently streamed down his face; words could not express the pain he felt.
Ichigo Kurosaki, don't cry! Charge forward bravely, and take responsibility for your own actions!
" Kurosaki-kun, I'll do my best to help you!"
Seeing the heartbroken Ichigo Kurosaki, Orihime Inoue bravely stepped forward.
When a real disaster strikes, those who dare to step forward are heroes, true brothers.
" Inoue!!"
Ichigo Kurosaki felt a warmth in his heart; his heart, which had long seen through the world and felt the cruelty and endless coldness of reality, was finally warmed.
"No! I'll handle this myself!"
"After all, I was the one who destroyed the Second Division's barracks."
"So... whatever I'm asked to do, as long as it's within my capabilities, I will do my best to accomplish it."
Ichigo Kurosaki Sōgo Shihoin and nodded slightly. He had made up his mind: he, Ichigo Kurosaki, would bear the debt of 3 billion yen all by himself!
"Roar!"
"Truly a genius among geniuses, having mastered Bankai in less than three months after obtaining the power of Soul Reaper!"
"That kind of courage is truly admirable!"
"After all, three billion is no small sum."
"By the time you pay off this debt, decades, or even centuries may have passed. By then, your companions in the World of the Living may have all grown old and died, and even your parents and sisters might be gone..."
Sōgo Shihoin looked at the man before him who had boldly taken on a debt of 3 billion yen, smiled slightly, and uttered extremely cruel words.
"I see!"
Ichigo Kurosaki's eyes were filled with unwavering determination. Even after Sōgo Shihoin had spoken such terrifying words, he still intended to shoulder all the responsibility alone.
"Hahaha..."
"Actually, it's better to think more positively."
"Although you can't reunite with your family and friends in the World of the Living, you can reunite in the Soul Society. Doesn't that make you feel much happier? Maybe even a little excited?"
Sōgo Shihoin in a lighthearted, joking tone.
Sōgo Shihoin admire Ichigo Kurosaki a little bit... How should I put it? He truly lives up to his reputation as someone constantly watched by countless eyes.
Even though the other party is just a teenager, or even a child if you count the age of Soul Reaper, this child has shown a courage that even hundreds of years old Soul Reaper cannot match. This heart that can take responsibility and protect those behind him will transform into endless power, helping Ichigo Kurosaki to grow continuously, overcome all the hardships on his path, and finally reach happiness.
"Since that's the case..."
Sōgo Shihoin smiled slightly, intending to announce the punishment for Ichigo Kurosaki.
"Wait!"
"Let us share this responsibility with Ichigo Kurosaki!"
Just as Sōgo Shihoin was about to announce the punishment, Orihime Inoue, Uryū Ishida, Yasutora Sado, and Renji Abarai all straightened their chests, deciding to share this responsibility with Ichigo Kurosaki.
"Everyone!?"
Ichigo Kurosaki was deeply moved as he looked at the group of people who had been refusing to help each other just moments before, but who had all stepped forward at the crucial moment.
Have you thought it through?
Sōgo Shihoin was slightly taken aback by the unanimous words of the crowd, wondering if he hadn't explained himself clearly enough.
"Did you really understand?"
"That's three billion!"
Sōgo Shihoin repeatedly emphasized the amount of that sum.
"We understand!"
"But even so, we can't abandon that idiot Ichigo Kurosaki. Without our help, that guy can't accomplish anything."
Uryū Ishida responded to Sōgo Shihoin in an arrogant yet slightly indulgent tone.
I want to stay by Kurosaki-kun's side forever.
Orihime Inoue blushed slightly. She wasn't sure if she could clearly convey her feelings to Ichigo Kurosaki. All she could do was silently stay by his side.
" Orihime Inoue..."
After hearing Orihime Inoue's words, Ichigo Kurosaki's expression became complicated. He wanted to say something, but he couldn't utter a word.
"..."
Yasutora Sado remained silent, intending to face Sōgo Shihoin's question with silence. He was not a talkative person, nor was he good at speaking. He only acted according to his own principles and modes of conduct. Therefore, at this moment, he believed that he did not need to say anything, but simply silently take on some of the responsibility for Ichigo Kurosaki.
"Snort!"
Why would I need a little kid to take responsibility for me!
" Captain Shihoin, you might as well just put all the responsibility on my shoulders!"
"Actually, whether it's attacking the Second Division or destroying the Second Division's barracks, it's all my idea."
"These humans were merely used by me. Just release these useless humans back to the World of the Living!"
"Anyway, in less than a hundred years, they'll all just turn into dust."
Renji Abarai intends to take full responsibility. As Soul Reaper, he has a long lifespan and enough time to shoulder this responsibility. However, Ichigo Kurosaki are different. They are essentially human, humans with countless attachments in the World of the Living, unlike him, who has long forgotten the past and has lived in Soul Society for nearly a hundred years.
"You idiot Renji, do you think I'll be moved by what you're saying?"
Ichigo Kurosaki retorted sharply to Renji Abarai.
"You bastard, brat!"
"Are you asking for a beating?"
"If I weren't tied to this chair, I would have beaten you to a pulp."
Renji Abarai roared angrily at Ichigo Kurosaki.
"Ha?"
"Fight if you want! Who's afraid of who?"
Upon hearing Renji Abarai's words, Ichigo Kurosaki felt a surge of anger. If they were to get down from their seats and actually fight, it was hard to say who would be afraid of whom!
"I'll grant your wish~"
Sōgo is the kind of person who loves to watch the drama unfold.
Sōgo snapped his fingers lightly, and all the ropes binding them came loose... They were all free.
"Forehead..."
For a moment, Ichigo Kurosaki and Renji Abarai, who had just gotten up from their seats, found themselves in an awkward and strange situation.
(End of this chapter)