The elder's abode was quiet, or, at least, it should have been.
Instead, the air was filled with the thudding of fists, the scraping of sandals on the dirt outside, and the obnoxious yelling of two idiots locked in a "battle of pride."
Ichigo and Ganju.
Their fight had spilled across the open yard, throwing up dust, broken planks of wood, and insults loud enough to make even the neighbors consider moving.
Inside, Shinichi sat cross-legged on the floor by the doorway, his chin propped lazily on one hand as his eyes tracked their movements with absolute disinterest.
He exhaled a sharp sigh.
"Hey, Elder. You got some juice boxes?"
The elder blinked slowly, his wrinkled face twitching as if trying to process the words.
"…What?"
From the other side of the room, Tatsuki gave Shinichi a look so sharp it could have killed a Hollow on the spot.
"Way to go, idiot. Asking for a juice box… in Soul Society."
Shinichi's eyes widened in mock realization.
"Oh yeah… forgot about that part."
Orihime wrung her hands nervously, watching Ichigo and Ganju exchange blows outside.
"Um… shouldn't we… stop them?"
Ishida pushed his glasses up, his voice flat as stone.
"I would not want to associate myself with those two blackheads. So, frankly, I don't care what they do."
Chad stood silently, his towering figure finally moving as he stepped toward the door.
But before he could intervene, the thunder of hooves cut through the night, three men on boars skidded to a stop in front of him, blocking the way.
"If you wanna stop our big brother Ganju," one shouted, "you'll have to go through us first!"
Shinichi groaned, tilting his head back until it thunked against the wall.
"Oi, Chad. Let it go, man. Ichigo's more than capable of handling that idiot."
He muttered under his breath, "At least we're not deviating from the plot yet…"
Time crawled on. Their "fight", if one could even call it that, dragged like a bad play with too many encore scenes. Finally, Ganju leapt back onto his boar, wiping a streak of dirt from his cheek.
"I WILL LET YOU GO THIS TIME!" he bellowed dramatically. "BUT NEXT TIME I WILL KILL YOU! AND YOU TOO, OTHER SHINIGAMI!"
He jabbed a finger directly at Shinichi.
Shinichi didn't even blink.
"…Cool."
And just like that, Ganju and his posse thundered away into the distance.
Tatsuki sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose.
"Ugh. What an annoying guy."
Ichigo dragged himself back inside, his expression stormy.
"If I see him again, I swear to god, I will—"
"Eh, leave it," Shinichi interrupted, waving a hand lazily. "Let's just focus on the actual mission we're here to execute."
That was when Tatsuki's lips curled into a mischievous grin. She leaned toward him, voice sing-song and teasing.
"Oho… you must be missing Rukia a lot, huh?"
Shinichi tilted his head, exhaled through his nose, and forced a faint chuckle.
"Haha. Very funny, Tatsuki. Sorry, but she's not my type."
He thought that would be the end of it.
But then Ichigo, still bruised, still catching his breath, still dust-covered from Ganju's fists, looked up with narrowed eyes.
"…Didn't you sleep with her, though?"
Silence.
A silence so suffocating, so absolute, that even the sound of the wind brushing against the old wooden house could be heard.
Then, like a dam bursting, the reactions came crashing down.
"YOU DID WHAT???" Tatsuki shrieked, pointing at Shinichi as though he'd just confessed to murder.
"NO. NO WAY. NO FUCKING WAY!"
Orihime's face went bright red, steam practically rising from her head. She covered her cheeks with both hands, her voice stuttering out of control.
"O-Oh… Kisaragi-kun… I-I didn't know… Y-You had that kind of relationship with Kuchiki-san…!"
Her eyes widened, trembling.
"N-Now I understand why you trained so hard… she's carrying your baby, isn't she?!"
The room imploded into chaos.
Shinichi sat frozen. His expression was completely blank, like his soul had just left his body.
Slowly, almost mechanically, he reached for the knife resting on the table.
Everyone's eyes followed his hand.
Then, without a word, Shinichi closed his eyes, smiled warmly, a smile so gentle it was terrifying, and drove the knife into his gut.
Or… nearly did.
"HEY! ARE YOU CRAZY???" Ichigo's panicked voice roared as he grabbed Shinichi's wrist at the last second, stopping the blade. Only the very tip pierced skin.
"You need to live…" Ichigo growled, straining as he tried to wrestle the knife from him.
"…For the baby."
Shinichi's serene, almost angelic smile didn't falter. In fact, it widened. His chest rose sharply as he inhaled, eyes opening with an unsettling brightness.
And then, with terrifying calmness, he flicked his wrist and hurled the knife directly at Ichigo.
The blade whistled through the air. Ichigo dropped flat to the floor just in time, the knife clipped strands of his orange hair before embedding itself deep in the wall behind him.
"HE WAS REALLY ABOUT TO KILL ME!" Ichigo shouted, his voice cracking as he scrambled back across the floor.
The elder pinched the bridge of his nose, muttering with the exhaustion of a thousand years.
"Kids these days… doing this kind of thing at such a young age…"
Shinichi turned his head slowly, that same harmless, gentle smile plastered across his face. His eyes met the elder's.
The elder's skin went pale instantly. He raised both hands in surrender, shaking his head furiously.
"W-Wait, w-wait! I don't have a problem with it! It's your life, live it however you want!"
Chad raised his hands slightly, palms open as if trying to calm a wild animal.
"Calm down, Shinichi… they were just kidding," he said in his usual low, steady tone.
Shinichi turned his head toward him, that same wide smile stretching across his face. His voice came out slow, almost too casual.
"Oh… I am… veryyyyy calm."
The deliberate length in his words only made the atmosphere heavier. Tatsuki tilted her head at him, her expression caught somewhere between amusement and unease.
"That's a very dangerous calm," she muttered.
Shinichi's smile twitched, then completely cracked apart. His face contorted into something far more horrific as his voice exploded in a furious yell.
"I AM SO CALM THAT I CAN MUTILATE ALL OF YOUR FACES WITH EASE!" His hands shot outward in frustration, his tone bouncing violently off the walls. "DON'T SPREAD SUCH BULLSHIT ABOUT ME! LIKE, COME ON! NO, I DIDN'T SLEEP WITH RUKIA, AND NO, SHE ISN'T CARRYING MY CHILD! WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU GUYS?!"
The sudden eruption left the group in stunned silence, though a few of them fought to hide their laughter at his outrage. Shinichi's rant only seemed to make the ridiculous rumor louder in their heads.
Before anyone else could fuel the fire, Yoruichi's voice rang out, sharp and commanding, cutting through the chaos.
"Okay, that's enough! Shut up, all of you!"
Her golden eyes swept across the group with authority before she settled back on Shinichi, her tail flicking in irritation.
"We need to discuss the mission. What matters now is how we're going to enter the Seireitei."
With that, she turned to the village elder, her feline form dipping its head respectfully.
"Elder, I humbly request that you take us to Kūkaku Shiba's residence first thing in the morning… please."
The elder, still seated calmly, stroked his beard as his gaze moved from Yoruichi to the others. After a thoughtful pause, he gave a slow nod.
"Of course. You are the saviors of Jidanbō, and I've taken a liking to you all. I will take you to Kūkaku Shiba's residence tomorrow. Be ready."
The weight of his words settled over them, the earlier commotion fading into silence.
---
The morning came faster than anyone expected. After the chaos of the previous night, the group found little time to rest before being guided by the elder and his men once more. The air felt cooler, fresher somehow, as they ventured deeper into the district. Unlike the rows of dusty streets and crowded alleys they had passed through before, this path opened into a world of unexpected greenery.
Tall grass swayed in the breeze. Clusters of trees lined the dirt road, their leaves whispering as though carrying secrets of the Soul Society itself. For once, the sharp, oppressive atmosphere seemed to soften, replaced by a calm that almost felt out of place in this land of spirits.
They walked for what felt like an eternity, their footsteps echoing in unison, the occasional murmur between them breaking the silence. Even Ichigo, usually impatient and quick to grumble, found himself staring at the scenery in quiet surprise, though the memory of yesterday's confrontation still weighed on his shoulders.
At last, a strange sight broke the monotony. Rising ahead, at the far end of the path, stood a house unlike any other they had seen. Enormous hands—sculpted, lifelike, and unnervingly massive—stretched high above the entrance. Between their stone-like fingers, a bold banner was unfurled, the name written clearly for all to see.
Kukaku Shiba's Residence.
Tatsuki stopped in her tracks, blinking at the display before letting out a short laugh.
"So much for secrecy, huh…" she muttered, her voice laced with dry humor.
The group drew closer, their eyes fixed on the bizarre spectacle. Ichigo scowled at the banner, as though it had personally offended him, while Orihime tilted her head in awe at the absurdity of it. Chad remained silent, though his eyes lingered a moment longer on the massive hands, as if analyzing their size and weight. Shinichi, walking near the rear, felt a faint twinge of curiosity—there was something eccentric, even theatrical, about this place.
Just as they reached the gate, two towering figures stepped forward, blocking their way. Both men were huge, their shadows falling over the group like looming statues.
"You suspicious people… and two Shinigami!?" one of them barked. "What do you want here? Get out at once!"
The other immediately squared his stance, his voice booming with equal vigor.
"Or else—"
The first raised an arm in a dramatic pose, chest puffed out.
"I, Koganehiko—"
"And I, Shiroganehiko—" the second interrupted quickly, mirroring his partner's stance with synchronized precision.
"—will not allow you to pass!" they declared together, their voices rumbling like thunder.
The first leaned forward, jabbing a finger at the intruders.
"Do you want to die instead!?"
The sudden performance threw the group off guard. Orihime stiffened nervously, while Tatsuki rolled her eyes, muttering under her breath about how ridiculous Soul Society was turning out to be.
Ichigo, however, had no patience left. His fists clenched at his sides, his jaw tight with irritation.
"What the hell!" he snapped. "The Soul Society is so damn annoying! These crazy guards! what's next?!"
But before his frustration could boil further, the two guards froze. Their eyes widened, the confidence in their stances evaporating in an instant. Slowly, their gaze drifted past Ichigo, past the others, until it settled on a small figure padding silently on four paws.
Golden eyes glinted in the sunlight, cool and piercing.
The black cat had arrived.
"Ma… Master Yoruichi!"
---
The heavy wooden doors creaked open, a low groan echoing through the dimly lit chamber. Rukia sat on the simple chair, her back straight and her expression devoid of any trace of life. She did not bother to turn immediately, her voice cutting through the silence in a flat, emotionless tone.
"What is it… Renji?"
Her head shifted slightly, just enough for her cold eyes to meet his. The faintest edge of resignation lingered in her words as she asked again, her voice sharper this time.
"Did they move up my execution date?"
Renji stepped forward, his face carved into a mask of duty, his eyes carrying no warmth, no hesitation. His words came out heavy, deliberate.
"It's less than fourteen days to the execution. The use of the Sōkyoku has been granted. You are being transferred to Shishinrō, the Repentance Cell."
The words sank into the air like iron chains, final and unrelenting.
---
The group stepped through the entrance of the house. The first thing they noticed was the unusual design—right beyond the doorway, the floor immediately sloped downward into a descending stairway.
Ishida narrowed his eyes at the sight. "A descending stairway as soon as you enter? That's weird…"
Orihime leaned forward curiously, peering down the steps. "I wonder how you get back up…"
Shinichi gave her a flat look, his tone dry as he answered. "Duh. By using the stairs back?"
Orihime let out a quiet "oh," nodding as if the obvious answer had only just occurred to her.
The guard leading them flinched nervously and bowed his head. "We are very sorry! We didn't know you were Master Yoruichi's companions!" His hurried words tumbled out, carrying a weight of urgency and respect.
They followed him further inside, the air growing more peculiar as the house seemed built like an odd maze of steps and sloping floors. Eventually, the guard stopped before a wide doorway. He pushed it open carefully, revealing the room beyond.
At the center, seated comfortably on a futon, was a woman whose presence filled the space immediately. She had long, dark hair tied loosely, cascading over one shoulder, with strands framing her face. Her eyes were sharp and confident, glimmering with a fiery spirit that matched the rest of her appearance. A band wrapped around her forehead, accentuating her strong features, while her clothing was strikingly bold: a red and white kimono-like garment, exposing her shoulders and tied at the waist with an elaborate sash. Her arms were toned, her skin lightly tanned, and the way she sat, casual yet commanding, made it impossible to mistake her for anything less than a person of authority.
The group froze, their eyes widening all at once.
"KUKAKU… IS A WOMAN?!" they shouted in unison, their voices echoing through the room.
Shinichi, however, remained unmoved. His expression stayed calm, almost bored, as though the reveal had been expected all along.
Yoruichi turned slightly, glancing back at the others with a hint of amusement in her golden eyes. "I never said it was a man."
Kukaku's gaze landed on Yoruichi, her lips curling into a half-smile. "Hey, Yoruichi. Long time no see. Who are these kids?"
Yoruichi stepped forward, her posture composed but respectful. "Kukaku, actually, I've got a big favor to ask of you."
Kukaku exhaled through her nose, a sigh slipping from her lips as her grin widened into something almost mischievous. "That's usually the case when you come to meet me… So, is it a difficult task?"
Yoruichi lowered her eyes for a moment, as though weighing the weight of her next words. Then she looked back up with quiet resolve. "Most likely."
For a brief moment, silence hung in the air before Kukaku broke it with a laugh. A sheepish grin spread across her face as her eyes gleamed with excitement.
"I love difficult challenges."
---
Back in the Seireitei, the soft echo of footsteps resounded against the long corridors as Rukia was guided by Renji and two guards toward the Senzaikyuu. Her head was bowed, her expression lifeless, and the chains binding her wrists clinked faintly with each step.
After what felt like an eternity of silence, the guards came to a halt. One of them reached forward, pulling away the blindfold from her eyes.
Light seeped into her vision, and slowly, the world outside came into view. From the window, she could see the towering structure in the distance, and beyond it, a massive scaffold that seemed to pierce the very sky.
Renji's voice was steady, yet carried an unsettling weight. "Look closely, Rukia. Those are the two tools that are going to be used to execute you. Anyone who is held captive here can look out the windows and see the Sōkyoku… and repent their sins. That is why this is called the Repentance Cell."
The words hung in the air, heavy and suffocating.
A guard stepped closer to her, raising one finger. "Your hands… release!"
At once, the rope binding Rukia's hands unraveled, slithering back into the collar fastened around her neck. Her arms dropped limply at her sides, her face still unchanging.
"The prisoner is secure," the guard announced. He turned to Renji with a sharp bow. "Lieutenant Abarai, let's move now."
Renji didn't answer right away. His eyes lingered on Rukia, on the lifeless emptiness in her gaze. Something in his chest twisted. Against his better judgment, his feet moved him closer to her.
The guard frowned in confusion. "Lieutenant Abarai?"
But Renji ignored him. He placed a firm hand on Rukia's shoulder, leaning in close. His voice dropped low, barely above a whisper. "Here is some unconfirmed information. You already heard there were Ryoka in the Soul Society yesterday, right? Seven of them. One of them wielded a sword as long as his body… a Shinigami with orange-colored hair."
Rukia's eyes flickered for the first time in days, a faint glimmer of surprise flashing across her face.
But it wasn't enough. Not yet. It wasn't the same reaction as in the original anime, it was a LOT more toned down.
Renji hesitated, then added bitterly, "Also… one of the Ryoka successfully deflected an attack from Captain Gin. He had black hair, golden eyes… and a bad, annoying mouth."
Those words struck her like lightning. Her head whipped back, her eyes wide, burning with sudden life. "Huh?! Why is that idiot here… and… did you just say Captain Gin?"
Renji stepped away, retreating toward the doorway. His tone turned cold again, almost regretful. "Yeah. He confronted Captain Gin, so he's probably not alive."
Rukia's eyes dropped to the floor. She clenched her trembling hands tightly as she whispered to herself, "No… I'm sure he's alive."
Renji left without another word. The door slid shut behind him, leaving Rukia in the silent, lonely confines of the Senzaikyuu.
As he walked through the barracks courtyard, Renji exhaled sharply. His thoughts weighed heavily on him. How many days has it been since I saw her face looking so alive? For that kind of man… tch. I shouldn't have told her about Captain Gin confronting him. But my hate for him… it forced the words out of my damn mouth.
He glanced up at the sky, frustration burning in his chest. They're all probably dead by now anyway… all seven of them.
"Hey! Abarai!"
Renji froze, turning toward the voice.
A man stood a short distance away, waving calmly. He wore the standard white captain's haori over his Shinigami uniform, his brown hair neatly parted and his glasses glinting faintly in the sunlight. His face was warm, gentle, and almost too kind—an expression so soft it radiated nothing but trustworthiness.
It was Captain Aizen Sōsuke.
He smiled kindly, lowering his hand. "It's been a while, Abarai."
Renji blinked, caught off guard. "Captain… Aizen?"
Aizen's expression didn't falter; if anything, his smile grew softer, almost paternal. He adjusted his glasses with two fingers and stepped closer.
"Can we talk?"
---
Back at Kukaku Shiba's residence, the woman leaned back lazily, smoke curling from the long pipe in her hand.
"I see… I get the picture now…" she muttered, blowing out a stream of smoke before smirking. "Alright! I'll take on the job."
Yoruichi, still in her cat form, lifted her head in surprise. "Really?"
Kukaku gave a short nod. "Yeah. If Urahara's involved, I can't say no even if I wanted to."
Shinichi's eyes narrowed slightly. Don't remind me of that guy, please… he thought sourly.
Kukaku rose to her feet, her tone sharp again. "However, while I do trust you, I don't trust those kids. So my henchman will keep an eye on them."
Tatsuki blinked. "Henchman?"
"Yeah. Henchman. But he's actually just my kid brother. But he's actually kinda stupid." She glanced toward the door and shouted, "Oi! Are you ready?"
From behind the sliding door came a nervous, muffled voice. "U-Uh, yeah!"
Kukaku narrowed her eyes. "I'm opening the door now, so behave!" She slid it open in one swift motion.
"How do you do?!" he declared, voice echoing through the room. "My name is Ganju Shiba! Please be good to me!"
Ichigo froze, his eyes going wide. The rest of the group stiffened as if lightning had struck the room. Shinichi's grin spread instantly as he thought to himself with gleeful excitement, Oh, I love this scene!
A thick, awkward silence dragged on. Ganju, still bowing politely, finally cracked one eye open to glance at the group. His gaze locked with Ichigo's. Both of their faces twitched at the same time, recognition sparking like a match.
In an instant, both of them pointed at each other, mouths stretching wide as they roared in perfect sync.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!"
Their identical screams rattled the windows. Yoruichi's tail puffed up in shock. Tatsuki nearly fell over from laughing, clutching her stomach. Shinichi was already doubled over, tears threatening his eyes as he tried to hold back hysterics.
Kukaku, however, just blinked in total confusion. "Wait… you two know each other?"