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Karakura Town, Naruki.
The former site of the Sukari Building was an abandoned building in the industrial area south of Naruki. Due to being a dangerous building, the surrounding area was cordoned off with warning strips to prevent people from entering.
Coupled with the relocation of the industrial zone, this area could be described as 'rarely visited by people'; sometimes, days would pass without anyone walking by.
But today, it was somewhat restless.
Boom—
A violent explosion erupted, and the building wall suddenly burst open, raising a cloud of dust.
"This is..."
Inside the abandoned building, a robust young man with brown skin stood before the gaping hole, his eyes filled with a mixture of confusion and shock.
After a long while, he slowly turned his gaze to his right arm.
His right arm was black with red patterns, and his shoulder was bulging, completely unlike a human arm.
"This is the power that originally belonged to you, Mr. Sado, deep within your soul."
Urahara Kisuke glanced at the brown-skinned young man's arm, then turned to look at a full-figured girl with long orange-yellow hair standing beside him:
"Miss Inoue, you also possess this ability, which is why I called both of you here. If you two wish to help Ichigo, then in the coming time, you must master your abilities. Only then will you be able to assist Ichigo."
"However, I am only responsible for helping you unearth your latent abilities. Someone else will teach you how to cultivate them."
After Urahara Kisuke finished speaking, he glanced at the time and muttered to himself, "At this time, she should be back soon, right?"
"I'm already here."
Before his words faded, a slightly hoarse male voice suddenly sounded.
Orihime and Chad were startled by the sudden voice and simultaneously looked towards its source. When they saw who had spoken, both of them froze in place.
Because the voice came from a black cat's mouth.
"What? Haven't you seen a cat talk before?"
"..."
Chad and Orihime blinked, then simultaneously shook their heads.
...
Seireitei, Sixth Division internal prison.
"Vice-Captain Abarai."
"Hm."
Nodding to the Squad Member who greeted him, Abarai Renji unlocked the prison door with a key and stepped into the internal prison.
This was where the Sixth Division punished erring Squad Members, though it was rarely used. In the more than a month since Renji became Vice-Captain of the Sixth Division, this was the first time he had known such a prison existed here.
And...
The prisoner inside was someone he had personally escorted in.
"What? A hunger strike?"
Looking at Kuchiki Rukia, who was sitting with her back to him behind the bars, Renji chuckled, "I heard from Yukimuri Kichiro that you haven't eaten anything. If you don't eat, your body will collapse, you know."
"I'm not protesting, nor do I have the right to protest anything."
Rukia turned her head and said, "I'm simply not hungry, that's all. Thank you for your concern, Vice-Captain Abarai."
"Tsk, tsk, tsk, Ishikawa-sama was absolutely right."
Renji grinned, "People who like to use honorifics are very good at being sarcastic."
"Ishikawa-sama..."
Rukia frowned upon hearing this and asked hesitantly, "Did Mr. Ishikawa really attack the Central 46?"
"You have time to worry about him; you should worry about yourself instead."
Though he said that, seeing the worry on Rukia's face, Renji paused before saying:
"Although Ishikawa-sama raided the Central 46, he caused no casualties from beginning to end, and the charge of forcibly entering forbidden grounds was also... well, I heard it was taken on by a expert, the daughter of a sage... Tsk, his circle of friends is really wide..."
"Ahem, anyway, you don't need to worry too much about him... Ishikawa's crime is at most attempted, but you have truly committed an unforgivable grave sin. You should know that the rule 'it is forbidden to privately transfer Shinigami powers to humans' has existed since the birth of Shinigami; it was personally established by the legendary Royal Family."
"This time, no one can save you."
"Is that so?"
Kuchiki Rukia turned to look at the ventilation window in the prison, a bitter smile on her face. "You're right."
Seeing this, Renji, who had been mocking her a second ago, immediately changed his expression:
"Idiot, of course, I'm lying to you."
With that, he said exaggeratedly, "When Captain Kuchiki reports to headquarters, he will definitely request a reduction in your sentence. Besides, that human boy has already been killed by the Captain, which can be considered as making up for some of your mistakes."
"No matter what, he is your elder brother; he won't just stand by and watch you be executed."
"No, he will kill me."
Rukia shook her head. "I know what kind of person he is. I've been adopted by the Kucihki family for so many years, and he has never looked at me properly."
"..."
Renji was silent for a moment upon hearing this, then shook his head. "Don't worry, even if Captain Kuchiki doesn't care about you, as long as the news from Ishikawa-sama... Ahem, anyway, you definitely won't die."
"Huh?"
Rukia was startled by this and didn't understand why Renji suddenly brought up Ishikawa's name.
"In short, you just eat and drink well here and wait for the good news."
Renji shook his head and didn't elaborate. Although Ishikawa had told them that the Central 46 might have been completely wiped out, he hadn't mentioned in the letter who had wiped them out.
Captain Unohana seemed to have noticed something.
But for some reason, she was like Ishikawa; when asked, she would look at me with a bewildered expression, as if she knew nothing...
No!
That look, rather than not knowing, felt more like she was constantly on guard against something, trusting no one but herself!
"That's truly regrettable."
As soon as his words fell, a cold voice suddenly entered both their ears: "I bring no good news. The Central 46 has already rendered its judgment, sentencing Kuchiki Rukia to first-degree grave sin, to be executed by Sōkyoku at the Central Spiritual Arts Academy execution grounds in 25 days!"
Along with the voice, a tall figure slowly emerged from the hallway and stopped inside the prison.
This figure was none other than Captain of the Sixth Division, Kuchiki Byakuya.
"Ca-Captain Kucihki... What did you say?" Renji's face changed.
"I do not wish to repeat myself."
Upon hearing this, Renji's expression, though somewhat grim, did not turn to despair.
Indeed, the judgment made by the Central 46 could not be changed, and absolutely must not be changed!
But...
If what Ishikawa said was true, then it would be completely different.
Kuchiki Byakuya's gaze swept across Renji's face, then he turned and walked out, never once looking at Rukia in the prison, as if he had merely come to routinely announce the judgment.
Is that really how it is?
Rukia watched Kuchiki Byakuya's gradually disappearing back, a fleeting sadness in her eyes.
She wasn't surprised by Brother Byakuya's reaction, because he had always treated her with that attitude.
"Hey, hey, hey, Rukia, you don't have to be so pessimistic. I told you that even without Captain Kucihki, we will definitely..."
...
Comprehensive Relief Station, Intensive Care Unit.
In the dim room, Ishikawa slowly opened his eyes, a faint azure light flashing in his pupils.
This light appeared for only a moment before disappearing from his eyes.
"The bright moon seen to its fullest, with no intention to come or go..."
Ishikawa frowned, his face filled with deep contemplation.
What was still missing?
He had clearly grasped all the elements, but no matter how hard Ishikawa tried, it always felt like something was missing.
After pondering for a long while, Ishikawa was about to immerse his mind back into his body to continue his research, but the next second, a hint of surprise suddenly flashed in his eyes.
Why was he here?
Almost simultaneously, the door to the intensive care unit was pulled open, and a tall figure walked straight in.
Since Ishikawa woke up, this intensive care unit had been heavily guarded, with various departments working together to block everyone who wanted to visit Ishikawa.
In these past few days, the people Ishikawa had come into contact with were mostly Squad Members of the Fourth Division who changed his medicine. The only non-Fourth Division Squad Member was Nayura, who had been arranged by Unohana Retsu to be in the next room for precise examination due to 'shock and physical discomfort'.
But the person who walked into the intensive care unit now was neither a Fourth Division Squad Member nor Nayura.
It was...
Someone Ishikawa had only met once and had never even spoken to.
Captain of the Sixth Division, Kuchiki Byakuya!
Kuchiki Byakuya stopped beside the bed and met Ishikawa's gaze, which was filled with coldness and authority.
1 second... 10 seconds... 1 minute... 2 minutes...
"..."
Ishikawa narrowed his eyes and broke the silence first:
"Captain Kucihki, you didn't come here just to play a staring game with me, did you? Or... given your status, do you think a commoner from Rukongai like me should get up with my serious injuries to pay my respects before you can tell me..."
"No, instruct me on the purpose of your visit?"
Silence... continued for nearly half a minute.
Then...
Turn, step!
Kuchiki Byakuya, who had stared at Ishikawa for two and a half minutes, turned and walked out of the ward without saying a word.
"..."
Ishikawa watched Kuchiki Byakuya's departing back, the corner of his mouth twitching slightly.
What exactly did this guy come here for?
Tap~
Just then, Kuchiki Byakuya suddenly stopped.
"How much?"
A cold voice echoed in the ward.
"???" Ishikawa
"How much will it cost for you to tell me your reason for forcibly entering the Central 46?" Kuchiki Byakuya slowly turned around, still wearing that emotionless, indifferent expression, but his gaze was fixed on Ishikawa, awaiting his answer.
Ishikawa was startled upon hearing this, then a look of realization flashed in his eyes.
"While I've been lying here, has Rukia's judgment already been decided?"
Kuchiki Byakuya did not answer Ishikawa's question; he merely frowned slightly, as if hesitating whether to simply leave.
"For money, for status."
Ishikawa smiled faintly, "My adopted sister gave me immense wealth, bestowed upon me noble status, and promised to protect my life. With these three points, what other reason is needed?"
"Ah, yes, it's my fault."
"Captain Kucihki, you were born with everything, so naturally, you don't understand how greatly these things appeal to commoners from Rukongai. It's perfectly normal for you not to understand my actions."
Upon hearing this, Kuchiki Byakuya gave Ishikawa a deep look, then stepped out.
Watching Kuchiki Byakuya's departing back, Ishikawa frowned and calmed the Reiatsu that was on the verge of erupting within him.
Cannot be certain.
He had almost no contact with Kuchiki Byakuya. Relying solely on his memories, he couldn't possibly know a person's every habit and infer problems from details.
Even his own memories couldn't be fully trusted.
The 'Tosen' he encountered outside the Central 46 was a profound lesson!
When uncertain, one must remain wary of everyone they encounter.
Ishikawa shook his head slightly, pushing this minor interlude to the back of his mind, and shifted his attention to the system panel.
...
Name: Ishikawa
Race: Human
Level: Stage Two
Physique: Top-tier (109002 / 1000000)
Reiatsu: Top-tier (500016 / 1000000)
Hakuda: Advanced (43763 / 100000)
Shunpo: Top-tier (8017 / 1000000)
Zanjutsu: Advanced (17414 / 100000)
Zanpakuto: Advanced (58642 / 100000)
...
After the intense battle of the past few days, Ishikawa's Reiatsu had grown again, which did not surprise him.
Because in Ishikawa's memory, Urahara Kisuke once said a phrase when guiding that cheat king:
Spiritual power is most easily enhanced when the soul is threatened with disappearance!
And Ishikawa's continuous battles over the years also confirmed this point; almost every life-or-death struggle resulted in some growth in his strength.
To put it bluntly...
Almost all Shinigami who haven't reached the limit of their Spirit Body essentially possess a Saiyan-like physique; their Reiatsu will increase somewhat after each near-death recovery... Of course, the degree of improvement is far from that of Saiyans.
This was also why Ishikawa initially believed that the Captains whose strength hadn't changed for a long time would see rapid improvement in the near future!
Getting back to the main topic.
Ishikawa didn't look at the detailed panel but focused his attention on the level.
Stage Two.
After his Reiatsu broke through 500,000, Ishikawa advanced from the original Stage Three to Stage Two. If converted to the Gotei 13's 'Spiritual Prowess', he now possessed a two-star spiritual prowess.
However...
This was far from enough.
But even if he was anxious, there was nothing he could do.
Looking at the big '0' after the current experience value, Ishikawa couldn't help but sigh.
If he had enough experience points, he would have repaired his Soul Binding long ago. Although...
Even if his Soul Binding was repaired, Ishikawa would still be lying here, but at least if someone attacked him, he could unleash his strongest power.
As for investing experience points into Physique, Ishikawa, having experienced its benefits, no longer felt the slightest heartache.
Unbeknownst to him, Physique, which Ishikawa had once looked down upon in every way, had now risen in his mind to a status equal to Reiatsu!
Most importantly...
Soul combination exchange, or what could be called Reiatsu's 'dimensional breakthrough', had essentially been compressed to its limit with the current Reiatsu intensity.
Even if he continued, the improvement would be extremely limited.
Ishikawa planned to raise his Physique to a level equal to or exceeding his Reiatsu, thereby breaking through the existing limit barrier.
Moreover...
As his strength grew, Ishikawa's understanding of the Shinigami limit also gradually became clearer.
In his opinion, Physique would need to be improved sooner or later.
Because in the long history of Soul Society, people who reached the upper limit in Reiatsu or a certain ability—note, this upper limit is the true upper limit, not the so-called 'limit'—though extremely rare, are definitely not zero!
At that point...
Comprehensiveness is the greatest advantage!
Ultimately...
He was severely lacking in experience points.
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