Her thoughts returned to the cell in the Senzaikyu.
Looking at the young girl before her who was willing to silently go to her death for the sake of others, a soft spot in Shinobu Kocho's heart was touched.
She reached out and gently stroked Rukia's hair.
"Rukia, you are truly brave."
"Sister Shinobu..."
"I do indeed know Ichigo Kurosaki." Shinobu's voice was very soft, audible only to the two of them. "And I have indeed been keeping an eye on the situation in the World of the Living."
Rukia's eyes lit up. "Then..."
"However, I cannot help you deliver a message."
"Wh-Why?!" Rukia grew anxious. "If it's because you're afraid of being implicated, I can..."
"It is not because of that."
Shinobu shook her head, her expression turning somewhat serious.
"It is because... it is already too late."
"Huh?"
"That boy, Ichigo Kurosaki, has already arrived."
Rukia froze, her mind going completely blank. "What... did you say?"
"Mr. Urahara... that is, the shady shopkeeper who helped you in the World of the Living, has already managed to pass the message inside through some means."
Shinobu stood up and walked to the cell window, turning her back to Rukia.
She looked at the sky, estimating the time.
"Ichigo Kurosaki and his companions have already broken through the Senkaimon... They should be entering the Rukongai right about now."
"How could this be..."
Rukia's eyes widened in disbelief. "What an idiot... Why would he come here just to throw his life away..."
"Because he is Ichigo Kurosaki, and he is your companion."
Shinobu said softly, "Just like... that guy. Even knowing it's a hopeless situation, for the sake of the people he cherishes, he would draw his sword and charge forward without hesitation."
"I suppose that is the common trait among such idiots."
She turned around, looked at the helpless Rukia, and patted her head. "Rukia, do not rush to despair."
"Perhaps that orange-haired boy truly can act like a fierce gale and completely tear apart this illusion of peace within the Seireitei."
"Huh?" Rukia did not quite understand the deeper meaning behind Shinobu's words.
Shinobu picked up her medical kit, strolled to the door, and gently knocked on the iron bars to signal the jailer to open it.
"Rest well and conserve your strength... The coming days are going to be quite lively."
"Sister Shinobu!" Rukia called out from behind her. "Then... whose side are you really on?"
Shinobu's footsteps paused for a moment.
She did not look back, nor did she reply, simply walking out of the Senzaikyu in silence.
'Which side, huh...'
Walking along the long bridge in front of the Senzaikyu, she could not say for sure herself.
Emotionally speaking, she still hoped Ichigo Kurosaki could rescue little Rukia.
Regarding Rukia, she knew a bit more of the inside story than most, and she knew this endeavor would likely be incredibly difficult.
'That shady merchant Urahara...'
'To hide the existence of the Hogyoku, he actually concealed that thing inside Rukia's body...'
"Sigh..." She let out a long breath, not knowing what to say.
'However, this execution by the Sokyoku is probably not that simple.'
'Could Aizen be pulling the strings behind the scenes, wanting to use that power to dig out what is hidden deep within Rukia's soul?'
'Or is it merely a coincidence?'
"The Hogyoku..."
Shinobu murmured the name, her fingers unconsciously clenching tight.
"Oh my, if it isn't Fourth Seat Kocho? What a coincidence."
Every muscle in Shinobu's body instantly tensed.
But in the very next second, that flawlessly perfect, gentle smile surfaced on her face.
She lifted her head and looked forward.
The man wearing black-rimmed glasses and the haori of the Fifth Division Captain was standing at the end of the bridge, looking at her with a genial expression.
Sosuke Aizen.
Behind him followed Gin Ichimaru, whose eyes were perpetually narrowed into slits, and the stern-faced Kaname Tosen.
The appearance of this trio made the surrounding air feel somewhat stagnant.
"Good day, Captain Aizen." Shinobu bowed respectfully in greeting. "And Captain Ichimaru, Captain Tosen."
"My, little Kocho, you're looking as energetic as ever today," Gin Ichimaru greeted with a beaming smile, his hands tucked into his sleeves.
Kaname Tosen, on the other hand, did not say a word, merely giving a silent nod.
"Good day, Fourth Seat Kocho." Aizen approached with a smile. "Did you just come from the Senzaikyu? How is young Rukia's physical condition?"
"Thanks to everyone's concern, although she is a bit weak, her spirits are still quite good." Shinobu's answer was watertight.
"Is that so... That is good to hear." Aizen pushed up his glasses, his gaze passing through the lenses to land seemingly casually on Shinobu's face.
"Speaking of which, the Fourth Division seems quite busy lately. How are those two children from the Ubuyashiki family who joined the Fourth Division doing?"
Shinobu's heart skipped a beat.
Ever since Hinaki graduated from the Shin'o Academy a few years ago, Shinobu had requested Captain Unohana to recruit her into the Fourth Division.
Nichika, with her unique talents, had graduated even earlier and interned in quite a few divisions. However, she was ultimately forcefully claimed by Shinobu for the Fourth Division. Even now, some people still joked about it, calling her a roaming seated officer.
Both of their talents in Kaido were rather average; logically speaking, they would have performed better in other divisions.
But Shinobu worried that Aizen might have some conspiracy targeting them, so she forcibly kept them by her side to carefully protect them.
'Why did Aizen suddenly bring them up?'
"Yes, they hope to become healers capable of saving lives and aiding the wounded, just like me," Shinobu replied calmly.
"What a fine ambition," Aizen sighed in admiration. "Those two children possess very special talents, especially Nichika's perception of Reishi..."
"I still remember the days when I taught them in class. It feels as if it were just yesterday."
He walked right up to Shinobu, stopping at a distance so close that she could smell the faint scent of tea on him.
"Miss Kocho."
Aizen's voice lowered slightly, carrying a tone of heartfelt concern.
"It has been over a decade since you last came to me for help... Have you still not found that person named Asuka?"
Shinobu's gaze was obscured by her bangs, concealing the unease in her heart.
'Is this a probe? Or does he have some other intention?'
She forcefully suppressed the surging emotions in her heart, raising her head to look directly into Aizen's eyes.
"Thank you for your concern... Not yet, but I believe he will return."
Shinobu offered a resilient smile. "No matter how long it takes, I will wait."
Aizen looked at her, the smile on his lips deepening.
"Is that so... That is truly something to look forward to."
He did not say anything more. Turning sideways, he led Gin Ichimaru and Kaname Tosen past Shinobu.
In the moment they brushed past each other, Gin Ichimaru's fox-like face bore a smile. "Oh my, what a sudden and terrifying look in your eyes, Fourth Seat Kocho."
Shinobu ignored him, simply standing respectfully in place until those three figures completely disappeared from the end of her line of sight.
Her back was already drenched in cold sweat.
'Asuka... if you can hear me...'
'Hurry up and come back.'
'...The Soul Society is about to be turned upside down.'
Meanwhile, outside the west gate of the Rukongai.
A massive Senkaimon appeared out of thin air, violently tearing open the space.
Boom!
Accompanied by a loud crash, several strangely dressed figures fell from the sky, smashing heavily into the dirt of the Rukongai.
As the dust settled.
"So this is... the Soul Society?"
"Rukia, wait for me!"