The plot continued to move forward in an orderly flow.
Although there were a few minor deviations, they did not affect the overall course of events too much.
Over the past few days, Kazuma had been closely watching Ichigo Kurosaki and Rukia's every move.
'Mm, if I'm remembering correctly, today should be when Chad's incident happens.'
Kazuma silently thought this to himself.
What he truly cared about was not Chad himself, but the Gates of Hell that would appear during this incident.
A Shinigami's Zanpakutō possessed a special ability: it could cleanse a Hollow's sins.
However, that cleansing had its limits.
When facing Hollows who had committed heinous crimes in life, whose sins were simply too heavy, the Gates of Hell would quietly open and receive those wicked souls.
Once a soul was dragged into Hell, it would suffer endless pain and torment, repeatedly devoured by Hell's guardians and revived again and again, all to cleanse the sins it carried.
And when souls burdened by deep sin fell into Hell, Hell would grant them immense power, turning them into terrifying 'Togabito.'
These sinners would be trapped in endless battle, mercilessly crushed, only to revive again and continue enduring that cycle of agony.
Togabito could not leave Hell.
As long as the chains of Hell remained wrapped around them, the Gates of Hell could open from anywhere and drag them back inside.
Hell operated under its own laws.
Shinigami could not interfere with Hell's affairs. They could only monitor it from the outside.
Likewise, the Togabito of Hell could not interfere with the World of the Living.
However, during the Hell Chapter, Togabito had appeared in the World of the Living by using cloaks and masks.
Still, as long as their masks were broken, they would immediately be dragged into the depths of Hell, and it would take a very long time before they could revive.
Deep in Kazuma's heart, he had always hidden a crazy idea.
He wanted to go to Hell and investigate it for himself.
He longed to enter that mysterious world, search for the deceased first-generation captains, and attempt to bring them back to the World of the Living.
In Soul Society, captains possessed overwhelmingly powerful reiatsu.
Because of that, after death, they could not return to Soul Society as easily as ordinary Shinigami.
Instead, once the Konso Reisai had been performed for them, they would have to begin their journey to Hell.
...
"Die, Shrieker!"
At that moment, Ichigo swung the blade in his hand and slashed fiercely at the Hollow before him.
However, to his surprise, this Hollow did not turn into ash and scatter into the air like the others he had slain before. Instead, a dazzling light suddenly erupted from the Hollow's body, illuminating the entire space.
Immediately after, an enormous gate appeared in the sky.
The gate towered high into the clouds, radiating an ancient and mysterious aura. On either side of it were two massive skeletal frames.
Chains wrapped around the doors, and dense, mysterious patterns were carved across their surface, inspiring both awe and curiosity, as though they were silently telling the story of endless years and countless sorrows.
After the gate opened, an arm holding a blade reached out from within.
With a single thrust, it pierced through Shrieker's body and slowly dragged him inside.
"Rukia, what is that thing?" Ichigo stared wide-eyed at the majestic gate before him, his face filled with disbelief.
Rukia's expression grew grave.
"That is the legendary Gate of Hell. When a Hollow committed extremely serious sins in life, Hell sends an emissary to judge and punish it. Hollows burdened with such deep evil are imprisoned in Hell forever, where they suffer endless torment and pain."
There was a trace of worry in her voice.
Clearly, she held deep reverence and fear toward Hell.
"Didn't you say Shinigami govern all souls across the three worlds? Then why does Hell exist?" Ichigo asked with a frown, confusion flashing through his eyes.
Rukia explained softly, "Hell is not managed by Shinigami. It is a special existence, separated from the three worlds."
Ichigo looked at her in surprise.
"Then why was Hell created?"
She sighed and slowly said, "Hell was not created by Shinigami. Its existence is no younger than the three worlds themselves. No one knows why Hell exists. All we know is that Hell is a place of punishment for sinful souls, forcing them to pay the price for what they did."
Ichigo fell into thought, then asked again, "Then is there any connection between Shinigami and Hell?"
Rukia shook her head and continued, "Hell and Soul Society have no connection. All Shinigami can do is monitor the Gates of Hell. As for what happens inside, interference is strictly forbidden."
Ichigo asked in confusion, "Why? Can't you provide any help?"
Rukia shook her head again and said seriously, "That is the rule. It cannot be broken lightly. Otherwise, it could bring chaos and disaster."
Ichigo was silent for a moment before sighing with emotion.
"I see. So every world has its own unique order and laws."
At that moment, Ichigo and Rukia quietly stared at the gradually closing Gates of Hell.
Just as they were fully focused on observing them, a black shadow suddenly appeared before the two of them and rushed toward the Gates of Hell at astonishing speed.
"Who is that?"
Shock appeared on Rukia's face.
Her eyes widened as she stared at that mysterious figure in disbelief.
"Could it be someone who escaped from Hell? How is that possible?!"
And who exactly was the person rushing into the Gates of Hell?
The answer was obvious.
It was, of course, Kazuma, that shameless old schemer.
He had been waiting for this opportunity for a very long time!
Kazuma had been quietly waiting for this exact moment.
He understood very well that the opening of the Gates of Hell was an incredibly rare occurrence.
That was precisely why he had paid such close attention to Chad's incident.
Now, seeing the Gates of Hell about to close, excitement surged in his heart.
At last, the chance he had been waiting for had arrived.
Without the slightest hesitation, he charged toward the Gates of Hell, determined to enter.
Rukia, who had finally reacted, also rushed into the Gates of Hell.
At that moment, she had completely forgotten the rule that Shinigami could not interfere with Hell's affairs.
She felt that the figure looked extremely familiar, as though she had seen him somewhere before.
Wanting to confirm something, she charged into the Gates without hesitation.
Ichigo, who had been beside Rukia, was half a step too slow.
By the time he leapt forward, the Gates of Hell had already closed tightly.
"Rukia!"
Ichigo's eyes widened, his face full of disbelief.
"Damn it!"
His heart was burning with anxiety. He could not understand why Rukia had done something like that.
She had clearly emphasized to him earlier that Shinigami were forbidden from interfering with Hell's affairs, yet now she had charged straight inside herself.
"Rukia! Didn't you say Shinigami can't interfere with Hell's affairs? Then why the hell did you run in?!"
Ichigo shouted toward the gate, but unfortunately, Rukia could no longer hear his voice.
His feelings became extremely complicated.
He was worried about Rukia's safety, and at the same time, he could not understand why she had suddenly broken the rule.
But no matter what, he could not leave Rukia alone in Hell.
Ichigo decided to act.
He focused his mind and prepared to use his own power to open the Gates of Hell.
However, the moment he tried to force his way in, a powerful force rebounded and sent him flying back.
"Damn it! Why is this gate so tough?"
Ichigo was thrown backward, but he quickly climbed to his feet and tried again.
By then, however, the Gates of Hell had already vanished without a trace.
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