Just right.
No, it should be said it's perfect.
Originally, Urahara Kisuke was still contemplating how to handle the little one with the Hogyoku inside when rescuing Kuchiki Rukia in the future…
Now, he has a better plan.
If Aizen Sousuke were to intervene in this incident, then Urahara Kisuke could entirely use Aizen's interference as an opportunity to somehow absolve Kuchiki Rukia!
Currently, there is no formidable power sitting in the Quiet Spirit Court, and at least more than half of the Captains of the Guardian Court Thirteen Squads can be persuaded by Urahara Kisuke, as long as they again join forces to fight against Aizen Sousuke, the mastermind…
No matter what happens…
It can all be forgiven.
Of course, little Kurosaki Ichigo also needs to enter the Quiet Spirit Court, thus gaining its recognition during this incident, or else he might not have room to grow.
Kurosaki Ichigo possesses even broader potential.
Or rather…
Kurosaki Ichigo is the only one in thousands of years who embodies the powers of a Shinigami, Hollow, and Quincy. Urahara Kisuke is curious about where Kurosaki Ichigo will go…
A step that might break boundaries.
"But before that…"
Urahara Kisuke squinted slightly, slowly putting down his teacup and whispered softly, "I must spread the news of Aizen Sousuke's potential invasion of the Soul Society… to prevent Rukia from truly being taken by that guy Aizen."
There must be…
Someone as a last safeguard!
If possible, Urahara Kisuke of course hopes it's Yamamoto Shigekuni, but unfortunately, he doesn't know Yamamoto Shigekuni's whereabouts and can only try to pass the message to someone he can trust: "…It seems there isn't a more suitable candidate other than that young patriarch of the Uehara Race?"
At this moment.
The Uehara Naraku that Urahara Kisuke was mentioning is watching a delightful reunion of old friends, which is exactly what he arranged.
Ishida Ryuken.
Kurosaki Masaki.
The meeting of two pure-blood Quincy.
When Kurosaki Masaki saw Ishida Ryuken, who was brought back by Uchiha Itachi and others, she was a bit dazed: "Ryuken, why are you here?"
Kurosaki Masaki and Ishida Ryuken were childhood friends, and were even once engaged until Kurosaki Masaki met Kurosaki Ishin, after which they gradually drifted apart.
Honestly, seeing an old friend is indeed delightful; however, meeting an old friend in Uehara's Inner City inevitably gives a bit of an uneasy feeling.
Caught Ishida Ryuken was even more surprised than Kurosaki Masaki!
Who could tell him…
Why is Kurosaki Masaki still alive!
And she seems to be doing well in Uehara's Inner City!
Before Ishida Ryuken could reminisce, Uehara Naraku lazily yawned: "Forget it, letting you continue chatting might not be good for Mr. Kurosaki Ishin.
If you two want to catch up, there will be plenty of chances in the future… Mr. Itachi, Mr. Obito, please help me lock up Mr. Ishida Ryuken in the dungeon."
After saying this, Uehara Naraku seemed to remember something and turned to Kurosaki Masaki: "Oh, right, Ms. Kurosaki, instead of worrying about your friend, you should first worry about your son… your family will soon reunite!"
"What do you intend to do to Ichigo!"
"I haven't done anything."
Uehara Naraku waved his hand, a smile on his lips: "And this time heading to the Mortal World, I actually saved him… perhaps the next time we meet, we might become friends?"
At least…
Kurosaki Ichigo should consider him a friend.
As long as Uehara Naraku shows a sufficiently kind side, Kurosaki Ichigo always accepts such kindness without suspicion.
All along, Uehara Naraku indeed seemed harmless… Anything slightly threatening had Uchiha Itachi and Uchiha Obito to handle.
This feeling…
Is pretty nice.
Time ticked by.
The date for Kuchiki Rukia's execution grew closer.
Everyone in every world knew the specific date of Kuchiki Rukia's execution, and each group had prepared, waiting for that day to arrive.
The first to act…
Was naturally Kurosaki Ichigo's group, supported by Urahara Kisuke!
Because they couldn't wait for that time to come, not wanting Hogyoku to be exposed, they had to find a way to rescue Rukia before the day of execution arrived!
In the passage between the Soul Society and the Mortal World.
Kurosaki Ichigo, Sado Yasutora, Inoue Orihime, and Ishida Uryu, the four of them bravely went through the passage at this phase, infiltrating the Soul Society!
Kuchiki Byakuya, Shihoin Yoruichi, and Urahara Kisuke hidden in the shadows tried every means to facilitate ease for them, directly letting Kurosaki Ichigo's group through the Sekkiseki gate, entering the Quiet Spirit Court!
Once this squad entered Quiet Spirit Court…
They immediately stirred up chaos caused by traveling human beings!
Under the covert guidance of Kuchiki Byakuya and Shihoin Yoruichi, Kurosaki Ichigo and the others quietly made their way through the Guardian Court Thirteen Squads' defense loophole, heading towards the tower prison holding Rukia!
High above the tower prison.
Uehara Naraku stood by the window of the tower cell, gazing at the chaos-ridden Quiet Spirit Court, speaking softly: "Miss Rukia, your friends are surprisingly capable… they've already passed through the 11th Squad led by Zaraki Kenpachi…"
"..."
Kuchiki Rukia fell silent.
Beads of sweat slowly appeared on her forehead.
Even if Kurosaki Ichigo and those former comrades grew stronger, they still had no way to break through the final barrier, a defense personally guarded by Captain of the 5th Squad Uehara Naraku.
"Rest assured."
Uehara Naraku slightly turned his head, looking at Kuchiki Rukia: "I'm not here to block Mr. Ichigo and the others… if they could save you by breaking through, that's something I'd love to see."
Uehara Naraku met Kuchiki Rukia's puzzled gaze and slowly shook his head, continuing in a light tone: "I never believed that what you did was a crime worthy of a deserving Shinigami to die at the execution grounds…"
"But…"
Kuchiki Rukia hesitantly clenched her fists and softly said: "Captain Naraku… won't this bring trouble for you?"
Just after uttering the words, Kuchiki Rukia smiled somewhat self-deprecatingly: "Sorry… I assumed too much, anyway, thank you very much."
How could there possibly be any trouble for Uehara Naraku within the Quiet Spirit Court!
Kuchiki Rukia slightly raised her head, glancing at Uehara Naraku who stood by the window, with a moment of realization flashing across her face — this kind of person hardly resembles a grand family patriarch at all.
Abarai Renji stood behind the prison door, expressing dissatisfaction: "Hey, Uehara, you obviously also want to change everything, so why vote against it at the captain's meeting? If you'd voted in favor, Rukia could have been pardoned, right?"
A few days ago.
As the execution approached, they, the captains and vice-captains of the Guardian Court Thirteen Squads, discussed matters concerning Kuchiki Rukia. Many captains believed Kuchiki Rukia's crimes didn't warrant death, planning to apply for a retrial at Central 46.
They dared to do so because Yamamoto Shigekuni was absent.
Unfortunately, during the voting process, Captain of the 5th Squad Uehara Naraku abstained, and Captain of Squad 6 Kuchiki Byakuya was absent, directly resulting in the internal voting among the Guardian Court Thirteen Squads to end with abstentions, maintaining the status quo.
"No, it won't."
Uehara Naraku didn't look at Abarai Renji, shaking his head as he continued: "On that day, I received information that Captain Aizen manipulated some members of Central 46 in secret; this execution is being orchestrated by Captain Aizen in the shadows, leaving us without a chance to change it…"
"The former captain who defected?"
"Yes."
Uehara Naraku continued to gaze out of the window, speaking quietly: "I'm here to guard against Captain Aizen's surprise attack… this time, it absolutely won't be like last time… Captain."
With those words.
Uehara Naraku's silhouette abruptly vanished from his original spot, reappearing beside Abarai Renji, waving him away!
Just as Abarai Renji felt shocked and infuriated, he saw a sharp blade appear out of thin air, stabbing towards the spot where he had just been standing, someone used Bakudo No.26: Bent Light to conceal their presence!
Someone was hiding here!
After saving Abarai Renji, the air slowly twisted, and a figure appeared before them out of nowhere!
"How wonderful."
"Compared to before…"
"You've grown a lot, Naraku…"