Tenya put away Zangetsu.
"This is quite unexpected."
"A rogue like you, who invades Seireitei, actually possesses such martial virtue?" Yamamoto was very surprised.
He had originally thought that the opponent would take advantage of his concern for Seireitei's safety and continuously launch strong attacks.
Now it seems the opponent's attitude is different....
"Not quite martial virtue."
"I just feel that fighting to the death with you right now isn't appropriate."
Tenya glanced meaningfully at Ichimaru and Tōsen.
"That guy, could he know something?" A strange look flashed across Ichimaru's face.
"Captain-Commander, you absolutely cannot let the rogue escape!" Tōsen decisively made his move.
Shunsui and the others hesitated for a moment, then also attacked one by one.
Regardless of the reason, they decided to capture Tenya first.
Facing the combined assault of the Captains, Tenya simply gave up.
"Kamui!"
Bang... Bang... Bang...
Everyone's attacks directly passed through Tenya's body, and some of their Zanpakuto even collided with each other.
"?????"
"Wha-what's going on?"
Shunsui and the others were instantly bewildered.
"Jōkaku Enjō!"
Yamamoto swung his sword, creating a cage of super-heated flames that trapped Tenya within.
However, the next second...
Tenya walked out, completely unharmed.
"A bunch of idiots, look closely."
"He has hidden his body in another dimension."
Mayuri, true to his technical genius, quickly discerned the secret behind Tenya's ability.
"Hid his body in another dimension?"
"Isn't that ability too much of a cheat?"
Shunsui said with a speechless expression.
The mighty Gotei 13, including the Captain-Commander, were utterly helpless against Tenya alone.
"Goodbye, all you Shinigami."
Tenya used his Kamui to become completely immune to all physical attacks.
He swaggered away calmly, surrounded by the Gotei 13 Shinigami.
Yamamoto furiously said, "Damn it!"
"Investigate immediately!"
"He easily invaded Soul Society; there must be accomplices behind this!"
This was the first time in his thousand years of commanding the Gotei 13 that an enemy had invaded and then escaped unharmed right in front of him.
It was an immense humiliation!
"Captain-Commander, I have important information to report."
"Last night, Captain Aizen was patrolling Rukongai and unexpectedly discovered some suspicious individuals."
"I suspect those people are most likely the intruder's accomplices!"
Tōsen began his act, deliberately drawing everyone's attention to Rukia and her group.
"What? Such a thing happened..."
"Could it be that Captain Aizen was killed because the rogue wanted to silence him?"
Shunsui frowned, making a reasonable analysis.
"I've heard about this too."
"It's said to be related to a Shinigami who went missing in the Human World two months ago." Ichimaru secretly fanned the flames.
"...."
Ukitake's face couldn't help but darken. Because the Shinigami who could legally and properly appear in the Human World belonged to his Thirteenth Division.
Soi Fon implied something, "The culprit, Rukia!"
"She should have been handed over to the Execution Grounds for pursuit."
"But this matter involves a noble, so Captain Kuchiki personally went to arrest her."
"Unfortunately, the mission failed."
"Hmph!"
"Anyone who dares to betray the Gotei 13, whether noble or anyone else, must be exterminated!"
Yamamoto's killing intent surged when he heard of betrayal.
"Is there another mystery to this matter...?"
Ukitake didn't believe Rukia would betray them and thought there might be an unknown conspiracy involved.
"Captain Ukitake, please do not shield the criminal!" Tōsen spoke righteously.
"This..."
Ukitake was momentarily speechless.
"Immediately issue a warrant, gather all Shinigami, and head to Rukongai to pursue the rogues!!!"
Yamamoto issued the highest command.
— — —
Rukongai District 78, Inuzuri.
"This is where I used to live."
"Although the environment is very harsh, it's at least a temporary place to stay."
Rukia led Rikka and Megumi through the most dangerous Zaraki District and Kusajishi District.
"Rukongai, this is where the souls of the deceased reside."
"That means my father could very well be here too!"
A glimmer of hope flashed in Rikka's eyes.
Her father's accidental death years ago had caused severe trauma to her young mind, leading her to develop chunnibyo, constantly telling herself that her father lived on the Ethereal Horizon.
"Yes, Rikka."
"I also believe uncle is living well." Megumi comforted her.
"Rikka..."
Rukia thought to herself that Rukongai was divided into four directions—east, west, north, and south—with eighty districts on each side, totaling billions of souls.
How could it be so easy to find a person in such a vast place?
"Speaking of which, do you think Tenya-kun will notice we're gone?" Megumi asked softly.
"He definitely will!"
"The contract we signed allows us to sense each other's presence, no matter how far apart!" Rikka patted her small chest confidently.
"I hope so..."
A hint of worry flashed in Rukia's eyes.
She knew her identity was sensitive. If the Gotei 13 found out, they would surely send people to pursue her.
Whoosh!
A spatial vortex suddenly appeared before them.
"Tenya!"
"Tenya-kun!"
"You really came."
Under the surprised and joyful gazes of the three girls, Tenya stepped out.
"Yo~ How's your Soul Society trip, ladies?" Tenya chuckled teasingly.
"Very interesting!" Rikka was excited.
"Although I was worried at first, being able to enter another world was quite an interesting experience." Megumi gave a fair answer.
Rukia eyed him suspiciously and said, "I almost forgot I was a Shinigami of Soul Society."
"By the way, Tenya, you didn't cause any trouble in Soul Society, did you?"
There were clear Reiatsu fluctuations on his body, as if he had just been through a major battle.
Tenya said casually, "Nothing much, just went to Seireitei and said hello to everyone in the Gotei 13."
"What?!"
"You went to Seireitei too?"
"And said hello to the Gotei 13?!"
Rukia's eyes widened upon hearing this.