"I don't believe it."
Kurosaki Ichigo's words almost made Uehara Naraku explode.
What's the IQ of this group of hot-blooded anime protagonists... They completely fail to see the real situation. Do they always have to act driven by passion no matter the circumstance?
What's the point in clashing with the powerful evil force of the Uehara Race at this moment? Senju Tobirama could crush you, a fledgling with three kinds of power, in an instant!
This is indeed Kurosaki Ichigo's character.
Kurosaki Ichigo doesn't care about all that mess.
Right now, Kurosaki Ichigo just wants to save his friend, regardless of whether he is a pawn sent by Yhwach. Moreover, up until now, Kurosaki Ichigo hasn't even fully figured out who Yhwach is. He just knows he's not a good guy...
Of course…
The Uehara Naraku in front of him is a good person.
Even though Kurosaki Ichigo believes Uehara Naraku's words in his heart, he still wants to save Ishida Uryu. Until he hears the answer firsthand, he won't give up on his friend!
This makes Kurosaki Ichigo seem a bit out of touch.
However, because he's willing to risk his life for a friend, others recognize him.
"Hmph, arrogant and conceited!"
Senju Tobirama snorted coldly, appearing beside Kurosaki Ichigo in a flash!
Just as Kurosaki Ichigo grew vigilant and drew his Zangetsu to strike at the ambushing Senju Tobirama, he saw that the blue-leather-clad, white-haired man's finger suddenly pointed at his Zanpakuto!
A hint of dread flashed across Kurosaki Ichigo's face; his body became motionless under that finger, incantations spreading along his body bit by bit…
"Tobirama-sensei!"
Shihoin Yoruichi, Urahara Kisuke, and Uehara Naraku spoke up simultaneously.
The three spoke at once to stop Senju Tobirama. After exchanging glances, Urahara Kisuke and Shihoin Yoruichi stepped back slightly, placing their hope of convincing Senju Tobirama on Uehara Naraku.
Obviously, Uehara Naraku did not let them down.
At this critical moment of closing the net, Uehara Naraku wouldn't let anyone down; only then would these people see what true despair is.
"Tobirama-sensei, please let Ichigo go!"
Uehara Naraku's hand landed on Senju Tobirama's wrist, gritting his teeth and speaking in a low voice, "Ichigo is my friend..."
"..."
Senju Tobirama withdrew his arm in a muffled manner.
Declaring Kurosaki Ichigo your friend at this moment?
Then this kid's life has been quite tragic.
As everyone knows, those whom Uehara Naraku considers friends at moments like this have already reached the peak of their lives; from then on, their lives would decline repeatedly…
"If Ichigo still refuses to believe..."
Uehara Naraku looked at Senju Tobirama, a flicker of a strange gleam in his eyes, and said softly, "Then let's wait for Ishida Uryu to wake up, and we'll ask him... Given his proud nature, he shouldn't deceive us."
"There's no need for that."
Senju Tobirama shook his head, loudly instructing the nearby Shinigami Squad, "You guys, go bring the witnesses who pursued Ishida Uryu! The evidence is conclusive; it's not something he can refute, the entire Quincy clan and the Quincy descendants are Yhwach's pawns!"
"Ishida won't..."
"Tobirama-sensei makes a good point."
Urahara Kisuke suddenly interrupted Kurosaki Ichigo's argument, pressing the brim of his hat and speaking in a low voice, "Let's first entrust Ishida Uryu to Naraku-sama... Ichigo, Rukia has already been pardoned; you no longer have the qualification to stay at the Quiet Spirit Court."
Nobody expected Urahara Kisuke to stand on Senju Tobirama's side, not even Uehara Naraku himself could help but feel a bit surprised...
No, perhaps it's not that surprising.
Because Senju Tobirama would soon suggest pursuing all the remaining Quincy and their descendants worldwide, the current Kurosaki Ichigo, as a hybrid of Shinigami and Quincy and a target of pursuit!
Urahara Kisuke needs to protect Kurosaki Ichigo's safety!
Compared to Ishida Uryu, whose identity is uncertain, Kurosaki Ichigo, being a human with Quincy, Hollow, and Shinigami powers combined, is the one Urahara Kisuke finds most valuable and worthy of protection!
In the hearts of Kurosaki Ichigo and others, Urahara Kisuke holds a unique status; his view can easily influence those present, even if Inoue Orihime and Sado Yasutora are somewhat reluctant to accept it, they quickly comply with a glance from Shihoin Yoruichi.
They, too, had to accept this proposal.
Kuchiki Rukia stepped forward, held Kurosaki Ichigo's arm, and softly persuaded her friend, "Ichigo, leave the Quiet Spirit Court now!"
"Yeah, let's go!"
"If we don't leave soon, Uncle Isshin will worry too! We've been here for so long; Karin and Yuzu must be worried sick!"
"Don't worry, Ichigo."
"If you don't leave now..."
Urahara Kisuke grasped Kurosaki Ichigo's shoulder, whispering in his ear, "Whether it's you, Sado, or Inoue, you'll all fall into danger... Go back now and tell your father everything that's happened here!"
"..."
Kurosaki Ichigo's expression showed some faint confusion.
After a long while, he still nodded heavily, reluctantly leaving there with his friends, but before leaving, he requested Uehara Naraku take care of Ishida Uryu.
Uehara Naraku naturally agreed wholeheartedly.
Once Kurosaki Ichigo and his friends left, the unconscious Ishida Uryu was directly confined in the Research Institute within Uehara's Inner City, where Senju Tobirama would find a way to extract Yhwach's blood from him.