"Cheers to Rukia Kuchiki officially becoming the captain of the Gotei 13!"
Inside the Kuchiki Clan's banquet hall, Sōgo Shihoin had unknowingly taken the seat of honor.
For a moment, it seemed as if he were the de facto leader of the Kuchiki Clan...
However, what's most interesting is that none of the members of the Kuchiki Clan, including Kuchiki Ginrei, Kōga Kuchiki, and Sōjun Kuchiki, felt that there was anything wrong with Sōgo Shihoin standing in the main position. It was as if Sōgo Shihoin was born to lead the Five Great Noble Clans Kuchiki Clan!
"I'd like to say a few words here. I am honored to witness the birth of another powerful member of our Five Great Noble Clans, the Kuchiki Clan!"
"Every Captain-level combatant is a precious asset of the Seireitei Gotei 13 Soul Society; we must cherish and preserve them!"
Sōgo Shihoin held the microphone and stood on the podium, speaking continuously as if Rukia Kuchiki were someone he had personally nurtured.
"I still vividly remember the time when Rukia joined the Second Division for training!"
"I have to say, Rukia, you've really made something of yourself!"
Well, in fact, Rukia Kuchiki's progress is indeed inseparable from Sōgo Shihoin, especially since Sōgo Shihoin helped Rukia control the Menos Grande energy that entered her body, helping Rukia Kuchiki stabilize her strength and Spiritual Pressure above the level of an ordinary captain, directly approaching the gatekeepers of high-ranking captains like Byakuya Kuchiki. Her potential should not be underestimated, and in the future she may become a top existence like Shunsui Kyōraku or even Sister Hana, who is already close to the limit of Soul Reaper.
"In that case, including Byakuya Kuchiki, Rukia Kuchiki, Sōjun, Kōga, and Grandpa Ginrei Kuchiki, your Kuchiki Clan's direct line has a total of five Captain-level fighters. Congratulations! This strength fully deserves the reputation of being a paragon of nobility and the head of the Five Great Noble Clans!"
Sōgo Shihoin congratulated Kuchiki Ginrei, praising the Kuchiki Clan for achieving the position of the head of the Five Great Noble Clans.
"Not at all! While our Kuchiki Clan is indeed not weak, we are still far inferior to the Shihōin Clan!"
Upon hearing Sōgo Shihoin's words, Kuchiki Ginrei quickly waved his hand. Although he was indeed proud of the current Kuchiki Clan, he was also self-aware enough to know that the current strength of the Kuchiki Clan was far inferior to that of the Shihōin Clan!
Even disregarding Sōgo Shihoin's exaggeratedly high combat power, the Shihōin Clan also boasts Yoruichi Shihōin, Sanka Shihoin, Yushiro Shihōin —whose Spiritual Pressure reaches or exceeds that of an ordinary captain. In addition, there's Shaoling Fon, the current Second Division Captain who is Isshin devoted to the Shihōin Clan, and Kisuke Urahara, a well-known freakish gigolo who has been clinging to Yoruichi Shihōin's coattails for over a century!
Yes, what made Kisuke Urahara worldwide wasn't his strength or brilliant mind, but rather his Kisuke Urahara in clinging to Yoruichi Shihōin's Kisuke Urahara. His status as a gigolo was even confirmed by Yoruichi Shihōin's younger brother Sōgo Shihoin. This essentially made his gigolo status undeniable, leaving no room for surprise or disbelief, even for the Kisuke Urahara Kisuke Urahara himself. He was merely Yoruichi Shihōin's caretaker, her little brother, and in the cat's eyes, the servant held no real power...
"Boom!"
Just as the group was chatting, a huge Senkaimon appeared in the Kuchiki Clan's hall.
Good morning everyone!
Kisuke Urahara, in Yoruichi Shihōin gown that perfectly accentuated her figure, Ichigo Kurosaki, who had once again regained his Spiritual Pressure, Isshin Kurosaki, who had only heard of Soul Society but never seen it, Masaki Kurosaki, who had inexplicably gained great power, Orihime Inoue Uryū Ishida, who came to offer her congratulations, and Yasutora Sado all emerged from the Senkaimon.
"What kind of technique is that!?"
Kuchiki Ginrei stared wide-eyed at Kisuke Urahara; this was the Kuchiki Clan mansion, protected by countless layers of protective barriers.
"That's incredibly advanced technology!"
Kisuke Urahara gently fanned himself with the small fan he held, and spoke with a smile.
"He got this technique from Sword God Ōetsu Nimaiya!"
"You can open a portal to travel between different spaces!"
"Nothing to be surprised about!"
"That old bastard, the Sword God, can teleport himself directly from the Soul King Palace to the World of the Living!"
Sōgo Shihoin explained the origin of the technology that Kisuke Urahara was using at that moment.
"Oh dear~"
"How annoying! I was actually planning to keep you in suspense!"
When Kisuke Urahara realized that he had been exposed by Sōgo Shihoin, he immediately smiled and said.
"Is that the technique of Sword God Ōetsu Nimaiya!?"
"Truly formidable! It seems the members of Squad Zero are not to be underestimated; each of them possesses power far exceeding our expectations."
Kuchiki Ginrei nodded slightly. From Kisuke Urahara's methods, he once again felt the power of the Squad Zero. Each member of the Zero Gotei 13, and their strength was ridiculously formidable.
"Speaking of which..."
" Ichigo Kurosaki, your Spiritual Pressure has returned!?"
Looking at Ichigo Kurosaki, whose Spiritual Pressure had been restored, Rukia Kuchiki asked in surprise. She had originally planned to have all the members of the 13th Gotei 13 donate a portion of their Spiritual Pressure after successfully becoming the captain of the Gotei Thirteenth Division, to help Ichigo Kurosaki stand up again and become a reliable Soul Reaper. However, seeing Ichigo Kurosaki's restored Spiritual Pressure, Rukia Kuchiki knew that she no longer needed to help him.
"Aha..."
Upon hearing Ichigo Kurosaki gently scratched the back of his head.
" His Spiritual Pressure has indeed returned."
Ichigo Kurosaki didn't know how to explain it; he couldn't put it into words.
"That idiot actually thought that one Final Getsuga Tenshō would exhaust the Spiritual Pressure I gave him!? He really underestimates me!"
"My strength Sōgo Shihoin, is not limited to this. How could a mere Getsuga Tenshō cause him, who has obtained my power, to lose his Spiritual Pressure!"
Before Sōgo Shihoin Ichigo Kurosaki explain, Sougo Shihouin addressed Rukia Kuchiki.
"I see..."
"Then why are you acting so sad? I thought you were really going to exhaust your Spiritual Pressure!"
After hearing what Sōgo Shihoin, Rukia Kuchiki realized that Ichigo Kurosaki hadn't lost his Spiritual Pressure at all. But that made sense, since it was the invincible Sōgo Shihoin after all!
How could the power he bestowed upon Ichigo Kurosaki be so weak...?
"That's not important, Rukia, can you believe it!? Uryū Ishida has suddenly become stronger!"
"I've never seen anyone level up like this before!"
"He has no idea how much I sacrificed to gain my current power; he simply became strong without lifting a finger!"
Ichigo Kurosaki was furious, accusing Uryū Ishida of being immoral in becoming stronger.
In this world, you reap what you sow. Ichigo Kurosaki always believed this, or rather, he thought he was the most overpowered man in the world. But that wasn't the case. There was a guy named Uryū Ishida who was utterly unethical, going too far, even outrageous...
Uryū Ishida actually told Ichigo Kurosaki that he had met a man named Yhwach a few days ago. This man put a straw hat on Yhwach Uryu's head and said that seeing Uryū Ishida's extraordinary talent, he should give Uryū Ishida face and become his son!
Cough cough...
No, it means that Uryū Ishida looks a lot like Yhwach's long-lost son...
And just like that, while Uryū Ishida was still completely bewildered, Yhwach unilaterally declared Uryū Ishida Uryū Ishida be his son and bestowed upon him invincible superpowers...
Just as Sougo Yhwach was fighting Sōgo Shihoin, Yhwach, because he loved his son so much, did not take back the power in Uryū Ishida's body. In other words, Uryū Ishida is currently the only Quincy in the world who can still Vollständig!
This is also where Ichigo Kurosaki complained; he felt that Uryū Ishida was being completely unreasonable...
" Rukia, this is a gift for you!"
Just as Ichigo Kurosaki was relentlessly accusing Uryū Ishida, Orihime Inoue pulled out a rabbit doll from her bosom—a gift she had given to Rukia Kuchiki.
"It's Chappy!"
Rukia Kuchiki's eyes lit up when she saw the rabbit in Orihime Inoue's arms.
"That's right! I made it myself. There are still some imperfections, but I hope you like it."
Orihime Inoue gently scratched the back of her head and smiled somewhat shyly.
"No! I will cherish it very much."
Rukia Kuchiki decides to keep the rabbit doll with her forever.
" Rukia, this is something I gave you, a dress I sewed myself."
Uryū Ishida gently pushed up his glasses, took out a gift box, and pulled out a very exquisitely made black hoodie. The rabbit on the back of the hoodie was very eye-catching. In short, it was trendy!
"It's a hoodie with 'Chappy' printed on it!?"
Rukia hugged the hoodie to her chest; if the occasion weren't inappropriate, she would have put it on immediately.
" Rukia-san."
Yasutora Sado walked up to Rukia Kuchiki.
"Um, Yasutora Sado."
Rukia Kuchiki noticed a few beads of sweat on Yasutora Sado's forehead. In fact, she wasn't familiar with Yasutora Sado; she only knew that he was Ichigo Kurosaki's best friend.
"Here, take this!"
Yasutora Sado opened his right hand, revealing a small silver badge inside...
That's right, it's a badge with the logo of the rabbit Chappy!
"Ah!!"
Rukia Kuchiki's eyes gleamed as she looked at the badge.
"Thank you, Yasutora."
Rukia Kuchiki carefully picked up the badge, a happy look on her face.
" Ichigo Kurosaki..."
Rukia Kuchiki looked at Ichigo Kurosaki with incredibly expectant eyes, hoping that Ichigo Kurosaki would give her something she liked.
"Oh, that's right, I went to the store and bought a box of chocolates."
As he spoke, Ichigo Kurosaki pulled out a box of chocolates from behind his back.
"..."
Rukia Kuchiki stared at the half-hearted gift, her eyes flashing with malice. She simply couldn't believe that this guy would give her such a careless gift. Was their relationship so bad that he could just casually buy her a box of chocolates from a convenience store?!
" Rukia, there's a surprise waiting for you!"
"That clumsy guy, Ichigo Kurosaki, has been busy for quite a while!"
Orihime Inoue pointed to the chocolate in Ichigo Kurosaki's hand and began to speak.
"Huh!? Inoue!!"
Upon hearing Ichigo Kurosaki blushed and glared at Orihime Inoue.
"If you don't want it, then you don't have to!"
Ichigo Kurosaki spoke, he began to put away the chocolate.
"Etc!"
However, before Ichigo Kurosaki put the chocolate away, Rukia Kuchiki snatched it from Ichigo Kurosaki hand and made a move to open the box.
"Hey! Wait, go back and open it again."
Ichigo Kurosaki frowned as he watched Rukia try to open the chocolate box, a hint of panic flashing across his face.
"Ha ha..."
Rukia Kuchiki smiled slightly after hearing Ichigo Kurosaki's words, and before Ichigo Kurosaki react, she opened the chocolate box.
"This is..."
Rukia Kuchiki's eyes lit up as she looked at the box of chocolates filled with them.
" Ichigo, I really like him!"
Rukia carefully wrapped the box and smiled at Ichigo Kurosaki. In Rukia's smile, a few glistening tears seemed to be shimmering.
"Idiot, I already told you to go back and open it."
Ichigo Kurosaki away, feeling so ashamed he wanted to disappear into the ground.
Just when it seemed like romance was blossoming between Rukia Kuchiki and Ichigo Kurosaki...
"Darling~"
A slightly jarring sound broke the atmosphere that was steadily rising in temperature!
Suddenly, a little girl with long golden hair and a perfect, doll-like appearance appeared beside Ichigo Kurosaki Ichigo Kurosaki grabbed his arm.
My dearest husband, you've come too!
The visitor was none other than Rurichiyo Kasumioji, the head of the Kasumioji Clan invited by the Kuchiki Clan!
" Rurichiyo!"
Ichigo Kurosaki was taken aback when he saw the newcomer.
" Ichigo, there are many important people here. Don't forget our promise!"
Rurichiyo whispered to Ichigo Kurosaki.
"Ah..."
"Oh right..."
Upon hearing this, Ichigo Kurosaki immediately realized that he had to impersonate Ichigo Kurosaki for important occasions. In other words, he was not Ichigo Kurosaki at the moment, but the famous heir of the Shiba Clan, Ichigo Kurosaki.
"Haha... My dear Rurichiyo, you've come~"
Ichigo Kurosaki immediately changed his tone and uttered some cheesy words that he probably would never say in his life.
"Brother, why did you invite this woman and her family here?!"
Rukia Kuchiki looked at Rurichiyo Kasumioji, who was constantly provoking her, and her lips twitched slightly. She then turned to look at Byakuya Kuchiki.
"I didn't invite them; Grandpa invited them."
Byakuya Kuchiki shook his head; he rarely concerned himself with who to invite.
"It's because you only wrote down fewer than twenty names on the banquet guest list."
Kuchiki Ginrei sighed helplessly. Byakuya Kuchiki was truly a very self-centered person; the invitation list he had prepared contained fewer than twenty people, including a group of people from the Five Great Noble Clans who were required to be invited...
(End of this chapter)