Barragan ultimately accepted his role as the Third Espada, though the old skeleton didn't miss the chance to grumble that once he regained his peak strength, he would overthrow Ren and take the throne for himself.
He was promptly given a "lesson" by Lilynette, who made sure he understood exactly how high the sky was and how thick the earth beneath his feet really felt.
Leaving Barragan to manage his own time, Ren stealthily opened a Garganta, leading Lilynette toward the Soul Society. They stepped through the void, and a blurry vision of trees, water, and wooden houses manifested before them.
"The Soul Society!"
Crack!
The space shattered, and two figures appeared in the 68th District of Rukongai. The moment they landed, they were stunned—not by the lush mountains or clear waters, but by the overwhelming stench that flooded their senses.
"Ugh! It stinks! It smells worse than the Forest of Menos!"
Ignoring the strange looks from the locals, the two used Sonido and vanished from the slums. After a burst of high-speed movement, Ren charged directly into the Seireitei.
Division 12: Department of Research and Development.
Mayuri Kurotsuchi, his body recently reconstructed, stood before a monitor. After slowing down the surveillance footage several thousand times, he finally caught a glimpse of the blurred silhouettes of Ren and Lilynette.
"More humans?"
Just two days ago, four humans had infiltrated their domain and were still hiding somewhere. Now, two more had arrived. It seemed the Seireitei was about to get very lively.
Snap!
Wail—!
The Seireitei sirens blared. The Gotei 13 immediately mobilized. Captain Tōshirō Hitsugaya of Division 10 began patrolling the streets and alleys with his Lieutenant, Rangiku Matsumoto.
"Honestly, what are these people doing coming to the Soul Society? Is life in the World of the Living too boring, so they come here looking for a thrill?" Rangiku grumbled, her tone full of dissatisfaction.
Ichigo Kurosaki's arrival a few days ago had already ruined her decades-long streak of happy slacking. Now, just as things had quieted down, another group appeared? According to Mayuri's observations, it was a man and a woman who had vanished into thin air the moment they entered the Seireitei.
Tōshirō, ever the diligent young captain, stayed focused. "Stop complaining. We need to find the previous intruders and these new ones. I suspect they're linked—perhaps these two are reinforcements for the first group!"
After delivering his logical analysis, Tōshirō realized there was no response. He turned around to find that Rangiku was gone. Looking further down the street, he saw her chatting with someone else, completely ignoring the mission.
Rangiku had run into Nanao Ise, the Lieutenant of Division 8, who was carrying a stack of documents. Since the alarm had just sounded, Nanao asked Rangiku what was going on.
"More people have entered the Seireitei," Rangiku explained. "Captain Kurotsuchi thinks they're here to back up the Ryoka who came before."
Ryoka—the term Soul Reapers used for uninvited intruders. To them, both Ichigo Kurosaki and the current Ren were the same.
"The previous ones, huh?" Nanao pushed up her glasses with a light smile. "Then Lieutenant Matsumoto had better find them quickly, or the Captain-Commander will be furious again."
At the mention of the old man, Rangiku's face fell. "Sigh... the first Ryoka haven't even been caught, and now there are two more. Is the Seireitei really this easy to break into?"
Suddenly, Rangiku felt a chill down her spine. She shivered, her... ample assets swaying with the motion.
"Rangiku... are you saying my Division 10 failed its guard duties, allowing these bastards to enter so easily?" Tōshirō muttered behind her, his voice low and dangerous.
"No... not at all..." Rangiku turned around stiffly. Oh no, I'm in trouble! The Captain is already on the edge because of the first intruders... I hope he shows a little mercy.
Just then, a cheerful, casual voice called out from nearby.
"Hello! Excuse me! Could you tell us how to get to the best restaurant in the Seireitei? It's our first time here, and we're looking to spend some cash!"
Ren stood there, smiling warmly at Rangiku.
Hearing the question, Rangiku immediately brightened up, turning with a welcoming smile. "The biggest restaurant in the Seireitei is the Sakanoshita Inn on 44th Street! You'll see their big sign as soon as you get close. Actually, forget it—I'll lead you there myself so you don't get lost!"
"Oh! That's very kind of you, Lieutenant! To be honest, we've been lost ever since we got here! Hahaha!" Ren laughed heartily.
Lilynette glanced at Tōshirō standing behind Rangiku. She got the distinct impression that the little guy wanted to hit someone, but for some reason, he was holding back.
As Rangiku led Ren and Lilynette away, Tōshirō turned to his subordinates. "Continue the search! Find the intruders immediately!"
"Yes, Captain!"
At that moment, no one suspected that Ren was the very intruder they were looking for. Ren's speed was so high that even if Mayuri could track their spiritual pressure, there was a significant lag. By the time the alert reached the field, Ren had simply walked up to Hitsugaya with a look of pure innocence.
Following Rangiku, they arrived at a grand restaurant with red pillars and gold accents, flanked by two cherry blossom trees. The sign read Sakanoshita Inn.
However, because of the alert, the restaurant was closed.
"Ah, it looks like because of the current trouble in the Seireitei, they've shut down for the day," Rangiku said with an apologetic smile.
Ren narrowed his eyes. I came here for a gourmet meal, and now I'm the reason I can't eat?
Lilynette turned to Rangiku. "Lieutenant, are there any other places to eat?" Like Ren, she had been dreaming of a meal prepared by a real chef after years of Ren's "rustic" desert cooking.
"Everything is closed for now."
Ren shrugged. He decided it was time to find Ichigo Kurosaki instead. He'd learned from Rangiku that Ichigo had caused a massive stir and was currently being hidden by a "mysterious person."
As they left the restaurant, Rangiku didn't part ways with them. Even as carefree as she was, she had finally realized something terrifying: she didn't recognize these two people at all.
I don't know them. They aren't Seireitei nobles, and they aren't new recruits... Could these two actually be the Ryoka? After all, the alarm said there were two of them...
One follow-up question: Should Ren use this opportunity to "bribe" Rangiku with some exotic snacks from another world to keep her quiet, or should he reveal his identity and use her as a "hostage" to navigate the Seireitei more easily?