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"...Ikkaku Madarame, Third Seat of the Eleventh Division, and Ayasegawa Yumichika, Fifth Seat of the Eleventh Division. Both Seated Officers have withdrawn from the front lines due to severe injuries."
In the Squad 9 Captain's Office, Hisagi Shuuhei reported the intelligence he obtained from the Vice-Captain's meeting: "Ikkaku Madarame's injuries are more severe, but his life is not in danger. Ayasegawa Yumichika is reportedly almost fully recovered. Both are currently receiving treatment at the Comprehensive Relief Station."
"Detailed loss reports from each Squad are still being compiled, but regarding the Eleventh Division, the intelligence received is... that almost all Squad Members of the Eleventh Division were wiped out within the few hours since the Ryoka invasion."
"According to Iemura Yasochika, Third Seat of the Fourth Division, there are currently three confirmed Ryoka, divided into two teams. Two of them are moving towards the Repentance Palace."
"One of them is wearing a shinigami uniform, has orange hair, and carries a very large Zanpakuto."
"As for the person who defeated Ayasegawa, the Fifth Seat, according to the Fifth Seat's original words, that bastard kept launching cowardly sneak attacks, and he did not see the physical characteristics of the attacker."
Hisagi Shuuhei finished reporting all the intelligence in one breath, his expression grave as he said, "If there are no surprises, those three Ryoka might soon arrive in our Squad Nine's jurisdiction."
"Hmm, I understand."
Ishikawa nodded calmly, but he couldn't help but feel a little helpless.
Where's Hanatarō?
Why isn't he leading the way?
However...
This is actually quite normal, because compared to his memory, the time and place of Ichigo's invasion had changed.
Just encountering Ikkaku and the others already felt very strange to Ishikawa. If he could still encounter Yamada Hanatarō as he did in his memory...
Then Ishikawa would have reason to suspect that Hanatarō deliberately sent himself into their hands, with the purpose of helping them rescue Rukia.
That being said.
This possibility is not entirely absent, because during the more than a month Rukia was imprisoned in the Sixth Division's cell, the person she had the most contact with was Hanatarō, who was conscripted to clean the hygiene. And Hanatarō is the kind of person who easily treats others as friends.
Shaking his head slightly, Ishikawa didn't dwell on it.
Anyway, if the few of them come to Squad Nine, he just needs to fulfill his duty as Captain. Except for Ichigo, there's no need for anyone else to leave.
Otherwise, if a group of Ryoka entered Squad Nine and he didn't catch a single one, it would be difficult to explain to Commander Yamamoto.
"At this time, the Fourth Division has been fully dispatched to treat the Squad Members scattered throughout Seireitei. It is said that in addition to Ikkaku Madarame and Ayasegawa Yumichika, Seated Officers from other Squads have also been severely wounded by the invading Ryoka."
Hisagi Shuuhei's expression was incredibly heavy. Although Ikkaku Madarame was not a Vice-Captain, most Vice-Captains were well aware of his strength.
The fact that a Ryoka could defeat Ikkaku Madarame indicated that he possessed at least the strength of a Gotei 13 Vice-Captain-level.
Clang, clang, clang—
Just then, the door to the Captain's Office was suddenly knocked upon.
"Enter."
Ishikawa replied casually.
A Squad Member then pushed the door open and entered, saying respectfully, "Reporting, Captain, a Squad Member from the Fourth Division named 'Yamada Hanatarō' is outside the Squad quarters, requesting to see you."
What is he doing here?
Ishikawa was slightly taken aback. He had just been wondering why Hanatarō hadn't been kidnapped, and unexpectedly, he heard his name so soon.
"He is my friend. Just bring him in."
"Yes!"
The Squad Member was not surprised by the reply. Although he didn't know Yamada Hanatarō, after Ishikawa suddenly became their Captain, the Squad Members of the Ninth Division had carefully inquired about Ishikawa's past experiences.
So they were well aware that before coming to the Ninth Division, Ishikawa had always worked at the Comprehensive Relief Station of the Fourth Division. It was normal for him to know people from the Fourth Division.
After the Squad Member left, he soon returned with a nervous-looking, somewhat timid young man.
Hisagi Shuuhei glanced at the newcomer, then bowed to Ishikawa and said, "Captain Ishikawa, I'll take my leave first."
"Hmm."
Bang—
As Hisagi Shuuhei left with the Squad Member, he thoughtfully closed the door.
"Ishi... Ishi..."
Looking at Ishikawa sitting behind the desk, Yamada Hanatarō was clearly a bit reserved.
Although Ishikawa was still wearing the same black work uniform he had worn for more than a decade, he was no longer the same person he once was. He was now one of the Gotei 13 Captains, holding the same status as Captain Unohana.
"Don't be so formal. Even if I'm just a temporary Captain, I'm still a member of the Comprehensive Relief Station. Just be yourself as usual."
Ishikawa said with a smile, trying to comfort him.
Looking at that familiar and very approachable smile, Yamada Hanatarō's nervousness immediately dissipated somewhat, but he was still inevitably a little reserved.
"Mr. Ishikawa... no, Captain Ishikawa, that... I..."
"Sit down first."
Ishikawa got up and sat on the only sofa in the middle of the room, pointing to the opposite seat: "Don't treat me as a Captain. Just call me as you used to."
Yamada Hanatarō hesitated for a moment upon hearing this, but ultimately sat opposite Ishikawa.
If he were facing other Captains, he naturally wouldn't dare to act like this, but Ishikawa was different, because a long time ago... even before Ishikawa entered Seireitei, he had already known Ishikawa and had been following Ishikawa to learn Kaido.
It was just that Ishikawa's sudden rise to Captain made him a little unaccustomed to it.
"That... I..."
Yamada Hanatarō opened his mouth, hesitating for a long time without saying what he wanted to say.
Ishikawa carefully observed his expression, then said, "You came to see me... is it for Kuchiki Rukia?"
"Ah?"
Yamada Hanatarō was startled, then nodded and said, "Yes... but, Mr. Ishikawa, how did you know?"
"Heh heh, Isane told me that after Rukia was brought back, you were taken by Squad Members from the Sixth Division to clean the Sixth Division's prison for a period of time; for this, she originally intended to go and reason with the Sixth Division, but then she found that you actively ran to the Sixth Division every day after work for that month, and after she inquired, she gave up on the idea of standing up for you."
By the end of his sentence, Ishikawa couldn't help but feel a bit speechless.
Because the person who took Hanatarō to the Sixth Division to clean was not the Captain or Vice-Captain of the Sixth Division, nor even a Seated Officer...
In other words, Yamada Hanatarō, the dignified Seventh Seat of the Fourth Division, was taken by an ordinary Squad Member of the Sixth Division to clean the Sixth Division... That Squad Member didn't even know Yamada Hanatarō's identity, simply because the kid looked easy to take advantage of.
"Miss Rukia is a very kind person... she..."
"If you're trying to get me to save her, then I can only say I'm sorry."
Ishikawa shook his head, interrupting Yamada Hanatarō's words: "Her judgment was personally issued by the Central 46. Even Commander Yamamoto cannot change it. Even if I were to plead for her, it would have no effect whatsoever."
Upon hearing this, Yamada Hanatarō's expression immediately became somewhat dim.
He naturally understood what Ishikawa said. Coming here was actually just a try, after all, in the entire Seireitei... Mr. Ishikawa could be said to be the only person who dared to defy the Central 46. Perhaps he could find a way to rescue Miss Rukia... or prevent her from suffering the Sokyoku.
Yamada Hanatarō took out a small book similar to a passbook from his pocket and tentatively asked, "That... is a commission not possible either?"
"Sorry."
Ishikawa said, "You know the rules of the Everything Store. I will not accept commissions that conflict with 'ongoing commissions' until the 'ongoing commission' is completed. This is a form of respect for the customer. And saving Rukia conflicts with my current commission, so I really can't help you with this matter."
Yamada Hanatarō nodded upon hearing this, did not continue to pester, but bowed to Ishikawa: "Sorry, Mr. Ishikawa... I'll go back now."
"Hmm."
Ishikawa nodded, got up, and sat back at his desk. While reviewing documents, he said softly, "Be careful on your way back. I just received intelligence that three Ryoka are heading towards the Repentance Palace; one of them is wearing a shinigami uniform, looks like a high school student, and has short orange hair."
"It's said that all three came from the Human World. We're not sure why they're here yet, but their destination is reportedly the Repentance Palace, where Kuchiki Rukia is imprisoned. Hmm... they are currently about eighty kilometers southeast of Squad Nine, having just left. They should reach Squad Nine in a few hours."
Yamada Hanatarō, who had been about to leave, froze. To return to the Comprehensive Relief Station from Squad Nine, he only needed to go west, not southeast. No matter how far off course he went, he couldn't possibly encounter Ryoka coming from the southeast.
Mr. Ishikawa's warning was completely unnec...essary...
Hmm?
Wearing a shinigami uniform, looking like a high school student, with short orange hair?
Yamada Hanatarō's mind suddenly recalled some stories Kuchiki Rukia had told him, and the protagonist of most of those stories was an orange-haired human high school student.
"However, you don't need to be too afraid. With me here, if they dare to appear in Squad Nine's jurisdiction, I will definitely keep them here, unless they can dig a tunnel underground to bypass it."
Ishikawa looked at Yamada Hanatarō, who was standing stupid still, and, fearing he hadn't understood, couldn't help but add another sentence.
Upon hearing this, Yamada Hanatarō's eyes immediately lit up.
"Mr. Ishikawa!"
"If there's nothing else, return to Fourth Division as soon as possible. Be careful on your way back, don't get kidnapped."
"Yes, I'll return to Fourth Division right away!"
Yamada Hanatarō replied excitedly, then turned and ran outside.
After watching Hanatarō leave, Ishikawa lowered his head and continued to process the documents on his desk.
The morning passed in a flash.
The Ryoka had invaded since early morning, and in just one morning, the Gotei 13 had suffered heavy losses.
Every hour, Hisagi would come to Ishikawa to report the latest progress of the Ryoka invasion.
About two hours after Hanatarō left, Hisagi sent word that a Squad Member of the Fourth Division had been abducted by two Ryoka, and now, along with the two Ryoka, had completely vanished without a trace, their whereabouts unknown.
After reporting this, Hisagi Shuuhei's gaze towards Ishikawa clearly became somewhat strange.
Because Hanatarō had just left here when he was abducted by the Ryoka, no matter how one looked at it, it was too much of a coincidence.
Most importantly...
The Fourth Division was not in the direction he was heading.
...
At the same time.
In the sewers directly beneath Squad Nine, three figures were moving along the sewer towards the Repentance Palace.
"Hanatarō, is it really okay for you to help us like this?"
Ganju looked at Hanatarō, who was leading the way, and said worriedly, "You're different from me. You're a Shinigami of the Gotei 13. If this gets out, you'll definitely be held accountable."
He was naturally familiar with Yamada Hanatarō, Ishikawa's shadow.
When Ishikawa hadn't yet obtained a Spirit Entry Permit, he often took Hanatarō around Rukongai to treat people.
"Actually..."
Hanatarō shook his head, "It was Mr. Ishikawa who told me to find you."
Ishikawa?
Hearing that name, Ganju and Ichigo exchanged glances, and their eyes couldn't help but light up.
"Where's Ishikawa? That guy disappeared after arriving in Seireitei yesterday morning. He wasn't captured again, was he?"
"I don't think so. After I fought that guy named Ikkaku earlier, he told me that Mr. Ishikawa is currently in Squad Nine, but he didn't recommend I go there."
It wasn't Hanatarō who answered him, but Ichigo, who was beside him.
"Squad Nine?" Ganju was stunned when he heard this.
"Yes."
Hanatarō nodded, "After Mr. Ishikawa arrived in Seireitei yesterday, he accepted the Commander Yamamoto's commission to become the Squad Nine Captain. During this time, he is not allowed to leave the Squad Nine area, and he must absolutely not allow anyone to pass through Squad Nine to the Repentance Palace."
"I also don't recommend that you two go to Squad Nine."
Hanatarō finished speaking, as if afraid the two wouldn't understand, and explained, "It's not that Mr. Ishikawa will harm you, but his own situation isn't very good. If he lets you pass through Squad Nine, he could very likely be held accountable by Commander Yamamoto and the Central 46."
"You don't need to explain."
Ganju chuckled, "I know Ishikawa's personality better than you, and I also know that going to Squad Nine now would cause him trouble."
He wasn't particularly surprised by Ishikawa becoming a Captain, because with Ishikawa's strength, he was fully qualified to become a Captain of the Gotei 13!
Ichigo, beside him, nodded. Just as Ishida didn't go to see his grandfather, they were invaders, and anyone who had contact with them would inevitably be punished by the Soul Society.
However...
"You just said that Mr. Ishikawa told you to come find us? What's that about?"
"Mr. Ishikawa told me that you were eighty kilometers southeast after leaving Squad Nine."
"Moreover, Mr. Ishikawa also told me that if you pass through Squad Nine, he definitely won't let you leave easily, unless you dig a tunnel underground to get through." Yamada Hanatarō finished speaking and smiled slightly: "I thought of taking you through the sewers precisely because of Mr. Ishikawa's words."
"Actually, Mr. Ishikawa also wants to save Rukia, because Miss Rukia once told me that Mr. Ishikawa is a very good friend of hers. But due to his identity, he is not convenient to personally save Miss Rukia, so he implicitly instructed me to come and guide you."
Ichigo was somewhat surprised to hear this: "Does he always know our location?"
"I'm not quite sure about that, but with Mr. Ishikawa's strength, he should know, otherwise he wouldn't have hinted for me to find you."
Yamada Hanatarō shook his head.
...
...Ikkansaka Jirōbō, the 4th seat of the Seventh Division, who was missing, has been found. Although his life is not in danger, his Soul Binding was severely damaged, and it is said that he may lose his spiritual power as a result."
In the Squad Nine Captain's Office, Hisagi Shuuhei was reporting the latest intelligence.
"Jidanbō's brother?"
Ishikawa nodded. Although he had a good relationship with Jidanbō, Ishikawa didn't have much affection for his brother.
Because when he worked for the Supervisory Team, Ishikawa had received supervisory orders concerning him.
He was a typical take advantage of who feared the strong and preyed on the weak, with a despicable personality, completely incomparable to his brother Jidanbō.
For such a person to lose his Shinigami abilities was, in some ways, a good thing, to avoid being thrown into the Maggot's Nest by the Supervisory Team in the future.
"I know... Hmm?"
Ishikawa frowned and turned to look towards the edge of Squad Nine's jurisdiction.
Why would he come to Squad Nine?
Was Captain Kyōraku of the Eighth Division not there?
"Captain Ishikawa, is something wrong?"
Hisagi Shuuhei, who was beside him, asked with some confusion.
"Nothing, just a Ryoka has entered our jurisdiction."
Ishikawa replied casually, then picked up the Captain's haori prepared for him, draped it over himself, and walked outside.
Ryoka?
Hisagi Shuuhei was startled at first, then his expression changed, and he quickly followed.
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