The moment Tsuna peeked inside, the ever-observant Kusajishi Yachiru spotted him immediately.
"Ah, Tsuna! You're here too!" she waved happily.
"Yo, Yachiru." Tsuna waved back. It was hard not to like someone as cheerful and lively as her.
That greeting instantly drew everyone's attention.
Especially Zaraki Kenpachi, who struggled to sit up, his face full of rage.
"Damn it! Fight me again, you bastard!"
He was still furious about losing without understanding how.
Madarame Ikkaku and Ayasegawa Yumichika hurriedly pinned him back down.
"Captain, don't move! Your wounds will reopen!"
Meanwhile, Iba Tetsuzaemon stepped forward, positioning himself in front of everyone.
"What are you doing here, Ryoka?!"
"I'm not here to cause trouble," Tsuna said casually. "Just delivering a couple of injured people."
"And who did you hurt this time?" Iba asked warily. His captain, Komamura Sajin, was still unconscious.
"Hey, don't lump me in with those muscleheads who fight everywhere they go." Tsuna casually draped an arm over Iba's shoulder, glancing toward the Squad 11 members. "I just picked up some injured Shinigami and brought them here out of kindness."
Cold sweat ran down Iba's back.
He hadn't even seen Tsuna move.
If Tsuna wanted to attack—
He wouldn't stand a chance.
Unlike Iba, Yachiru showed zero fear.
She hopped over to Tsuna.
"Tsuna, when are you going to fight Ken-chan again? He's been waiting!"
"After he heals up," Tsuna replied in a tone clearly meant to placate a child.
"Hey, Sawada Tsunayoshi!" Kenpachi shouted. "When I recover, I'll cut you down!"
Completely missing the tone, Kenpachi actually settled down after getting a "promise."
Tsuna, however, immediately realized something—
Being targeted by a battle maniac like Kenpachi was not ideal.
He needed to redirect that problem.
"You don't have to focus only on me," Tsuna said casually. "Think of it like clearing mobs before the boss. You should defeat my companions first."
"Let me give you a tip—my companions are strong. There's one called Kurosaki Ichigo… when he's at full power, he's no weaker than me."
Without hesitation—
Tsuna sold out his childhood friend.
Technically, it wasn't even a lie… if Ichigo could fully control his power.
"Kurosaki Ichigo… interesting!" Kenpachi grinned. "Yachiru, remember that name. He's my next prey!"
"Got it, Ken-chan!" Yachiru chirped.
"Kurosaki Ichigo? You're with him?!"
Abarai Renji, who had been lying down, suddenly sat up—only to wince and collapse back from the pain.
"Ah, Renji. Getting taken down twice by Ichigo—must feel rough, huh?" Tsuna teased.
"Twice…? You were there both times?" Renji immediately caught on.
"Yep. Saw the whole thing both times. Your Bankai isn't that reliable, huh? Then again… your teacher's only half-baked."
As he spoke, Tsuna glanced meaningfully at Ikkaku.
Ikkaku felt a chill run down his spine.
"Why do you keep looking at me?!"
"Oh? About Renji's Ban—"
Before Tsuna could finish—
Ikkaku instantly appeared beside him and clamped a hand over his mouth.
"Talk about anything—but not that!" he whispered urgently.
Ikkaku had always hidden the fact that he could use Bankai, fearing he'd be promoted to captain and forced to leave Kenpachi.
"Got it, got it," Tsuna said with a knowing grin.
"Oi, Ikkaku. What are you whispering about?" Kenpachi asked.
"N-nothing! Just helping set up your next fight!"
It was an utterly unconvincing lie.
But—
This was Kenpachi.
He didn't think too deeply about anything outside of battle.
Unfortunately—
A pink-haired menace popped up behind Ikkaku.
"Ken-chan, I heard it! Baldy said he can use Bankai!"
"Vice-Captain, what are you saying?!" Ikkaku panicked.
Too late.
"Ikkaku… when we get back, we're fighting first," Kenpachi grinned.
"…Huh? You're not mad?"
"Why would I be? If you've got Bankai, it means you're stronger! You should've told me earlier—then I wouldn't have been so bored!"
Ikkaku froze.
"…But if I become captain—"
Thunk.
Tsuna flicked his forehead.
"What are you thinking? You think having Bankai automatically makes you captain? Hiding it for that reason? That's just pathetic."
"Exactly," Iba added. "If you have strength, you should use it openly."
"Hey—you—!" Ikkaku snapped at Tsuna—
But Tsuna had already turned to Kenpachi.
"By the way, Kenpachi—go easy on him. His Bankai is fragile. If you break it, it can't be repaired."
"How do you know my Zanpakutō so well?!" Ikkaku demanded.
"Am I wrong? Ryūmon Hōzukimaru?"
Ikkaku's face changed instantly.
That was the name of his Bankai.
He shut up immediately, now genuinely questioning whether his Bankai was actually… fragile.
Having had his fun, Tsuna turned to Renji.
"You're still lying around? Didn't you hear? Rukia's execution has been moved up."
Renji froze.
"What did you say?"
"This morning's news. Go ask anyone."
Renji immediately looked at Iba.
"…Yeah. I've heard something like that. Three days from now."
"Three days…"
Renji fell silent.
"Thinking of rescuing her?" Tsuna said lightly. "With your current strength… that's not happening."
Renji's breathing stalled.
He knew it was true.
He couldn't even defeat a single Ryoka—how could he face multiple captains?
"Renji! That would be violating Soul Society law!" Iba warned.
Renji ignored him completely.
His mind was already set—
On saving Kuchiki Rukia.
Seeing him deep in thought, Tsuna lost interest.
"Yachiru, I'm heading out. Let's play next time."
"Okay! Bye, Tsuna!" she waved cheerfully.
"Wait!"
Just as Tsuna reached the door—
Renji called out.
Then—
To everyone's shock—
He bowed deeply from his hospital bed.
He bowed so deeply his forehead nearly touched the bed.
"Renji?!"
"You're Kurosaki Ichigo's companion, right? He said he came to save Rukia. Please—no matter what—save her! I'll do anything you ask!"
Renji's voice trembled with desperation.
After everything—
After losing twice—
He understood.
The only one capable of facing multiple captains…
Was Tsuna.
Tsuna hadn't expected this.
The proud, stubborn "stray dog"—
Had lowered his head.
If he'd known it would go this far, he wouldn't have teased him earlier.
Now—
It just felt… less interesting.
"Lift your head," Tsuna said. "If you want to save her, you should stake your own life on it—not beg me."
"I will!" Renji said without hesitation. "Even if it costs my life!"
He clenched his fists.
"But to be certain… fight with us. I'll stay behind to cover the retreat."
"Renji!" Iba shouted.
"…So you've decided?"
A faint smile returned to Tsuna's face.
Men willing to stake everything—
Were worth helping.
"I have. If you save Rukia… my life is yours."
"Alright," Tsuna said. "Come with me. I'll take you to Ichigo. You've still got a few days—we can squeeze in some training."
Renji didn't hesitate.
Even as he stumbled twice from the pain—
He still followed.
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