Eleventh Division Barracks
Thirty minutes after work started for the day, a person drifted along the corridor outside the captain’s quarters, still only half-awake. Her light pink hair was still sticking up in places and bounced along with her shadow as she walked.
It was the lieutenant of the Eleventh Division, Kusajishi Yachiru.
читать дальше“Ken-chan… wake up already—“ Yachiru yelled, knocking on the door.
“…Stop knocking already.” When Kenpachi came out of the door wearing his captain’s haori, he saw that Yachiru had fallen asleep on the floor outside.
“Hey, Yachiru, get up.” He picked her up by her belt and noticed that the floor was already covered with her drool. “Che, so dirty…”
“Hmm…? Ah, good morning Ken-chan.” Yachiru scratched her face as if she was a little animal and was finally totally awake.
“Captain! –“
From far away, they could see Madarame Ikkaku running over with his spirit phone.
His shaven head shined under the morning sun’s rays.
“Uhoh!?” Ikkaku stepped on Yachiru’s spit and slipped.
“Uhooooooooh.”
He took a nasty fall.
“Aha! The baldy fell so prettily—“
Yachiru started clapping her hands and laughed as she watched.
“I don’t know why, but it’s so wet here!!”
A vein was bulging on Ikkaku’s forehead and he knocked against the floor as he spoke to Kenpachi.
“It’s Yachiru’s spit.”
“Hey, it’s your fault then!”
Just as Ikkaku yelled at Yachiru who was still laughing, Kenpachi muttered, “So damn noisy…” He dug into his ear with his pinky and glanced over at Ikkaku.
“Is there something important?”
“Yes, it’s like this… please look at this. It looks like Ichigo can get his powers back.”
Ikkaku brought up Rukia’s text on his phone and handed it over to Kenpachi.
“I want to see too!”
Yachiru scrambled on to Kenpachi’s back from his arm and peeked over his shoulder at the spirit phone’s screen.
Ikkaku looked annoyed but still said, “This is…” and explained the situation. No matter what, Ikkaku was still very considerate.
At this time, they heard someone running towards them in the corridor.
“Captain, Kurosaki Ichigo…”
The person who turned a corner and appeared was Ayasegawa Yumichika.
When he saw the three people standing in front of the captain’s quarters, he instantly understood and shrugged. “…So Ikkaku got here first.”
“Oh! You also got Rukia-chan’s text then!”
“Yes, it looks like she sent it to the forward team led by Captain Hitsugaya… There’s probably a reason why she left him out… See, if you look here you can see who she sent it to.”
Yumichika held out his spirit phone and brought up the To: list. Ikkaku looked at it and said, “What, only these people,” and frowned.
“Rukia-chan knows that this sort of communication method is pretty limited… However, everybody’s continued to send it on. Renji should’ve sent it to his classmates Kira Izuru and Hinamori Momo. Rangiku-san probably sent it to those two in the Eighth Division.”
“You’re right… that is to say we should send it to Iba-san and them!”
“Yes, I’ll do it.”
“Yumi, I want it too--!” said Yachiru, who took out her pink spirit phone.
“Okay, I’ll send it to the lieutenant too. Speaking of which, it can really take in multiple people’s reiatsu… What amazing technology…” Yumichika said as he swiftly sent out the text, clearly having had a lot of practice.
Ikkaku nodded and turned toward Kenpachi. “It seems like his power level after the transfer will be proportional to the amount of reiatsu transferred… That is to say, the more we put in, the more powerful Ichigo will be afterwards. Isn’t that right, Captain!”
“Heh~, so it’s like that…” Kenpachi laughed along with Ikkaku. “This is the captain’s orders! Everyone in the division has to go put their reiatsu in. Even those with crap reiatsu will be useful if we get enough of them.”
“Yes, Captain!!”
“Understood, Captain!!”
As if they were waiting for the captain to come to this realization, the two of them quickly ran out.
“I’m going to tell everyone too!” Yachiru sent the text to the Women’s Shinigami Association with great enthusiasm.
“Ever since that Aizen was captured, every day has been so peaceful and boring… If Ichigo gets his powers back, there might be some big fights again…!”
The idea of going into battle again made both Kenpachi’s reiatsu and the air around him bristle.
“Ken-chan seems to be looking forward to it a lot!”
As if responding to his excitement, Yachiru’s heart also started beating faster.
[I am Ayasegawa Yumichika. I would like Iba-san to also take a look at this text that I’ve received, so I’m forwarding it along. ]
[This is the President! Ruki has a very important message for everyone, so be sure to read it! ]
Fifth Division Barracks Offices
“Eh….?”
A sudden ring from her phone interrupted Hinamori Momo’s work.
“Oooh? Could it be a boyfriend?”
Hirako Shinji laughed as he flipped through a fashion magazine.
“That is considered sexual harassment as well, Shinji,” said Lisa, as she leaned against his desk and read adult magazines. She had come to deliver the fashion magazine that he had subscribed to, and also stopped to chat.
“I don’t want to be called a harasser but someone who reads adult magazines in the open!”
“You’re so damn noisy it’s distracting me, so shut up.”
“You dare to speak to your customers this way!? Is that what businesspeople are supposed to say!?” Shinji pointed at Lisa’s nose, criticizing her customer service.
“My business isn’t affected by the loss of one or two customers. If you continue complaining, then I won’t deliver anymore magazines to you, okay?” Lisa said as she continued to read her magazines with an expressionless face.
“No dooooon’t~~!!”
“Can you two quiet down already!” Hinamori stood up and walked between them.
“Abarai-kun sent this… Captain and Lisa-san should see it too.”
She handed her phone over to Hirako. Lisa leaned close to read it as well.
“Good going, Rukia-chan…!”
The corners of Hirako’s mouth turned up as he handed the phone back to Hinamori.
“Momo! Forward it to me! I want to send it to Rose and Kensei too!”
“Yes, Captain.”
Hinamori nodded and started to forward it. Lisa didn’t say anything and quietly walked out of the office.
“Hey! Wait a second Lisa!” Hirako hurriedly shouted.
Lisa poked her head back in the doorway. “What is it?”
“What is it… Are you going back?”
“Yes, I am.”
“If you’re leaving, then you should say so first! If you go without saying anything, then I’ll sink into this weird sort of ‘why did she leave without a word’ atmosphere!”
“Eh? Oh…sorry. I was busy thinking about what sort of preparations to do…”
“Preparations?” Hirako asked, confused.
Lisa nodded forcefully. “Since a lot of shinigami are going to be gathering together, this is a great opportunity to expand my customer base! …First I need to ask Kuukaku-san to let me put posters up on her house…” Lisa started reciting her advertising strategy as she walked out into the corridor.
“What an amazing mind for business…” Hirako mumbled to himself as he forwarded the text to Rose, Kensei, and Mashiro.
“…Okay, Momo. What do you plan to do?”
Hirako put his phone on the table and looked at her. She was currently silent, thinking.
“Even though Rukia-chan sent the text, transferring shinigami powers is against the law… If you don’t want to go, you can just pretend that you didn’t know that I’m going…”
“I’m going too.”
Seeing that there was not a shred of hesitation in her eyes, Shinji was a bit surprised. In his eyes, Hinamori was the most law-abiding and serious person that he knew, someone who would never break the law no matter what the circumstances were.
Hinamori closed her eyes and said, “’Of course, following the law is important. However, if you’re breaking the law to do something that you believe is just and right, then maybe the real problem is with the law itself. If we’re held back by the law and forced to let go of things that we should do, then that is wrong.’ …Captain Aizen once said this.”
She responded naturally, as if she was quoting some great sage.
Even though she still looked a bit melancholy, but she had already improved a great deal when talking about those things that had happened seventeen months ago.
“He did say some pretty things, that fellow… Then can we say that I said it instead? Help me spread the word, Momo!”
“How could I! That’s too much!” Hinamori laughed.
After Aizen betrayed them, everyone always took care not to mention anything that would make her think about him. Hirako was the only one who would talk about him without any sort of constraint.
Of course he wouldn’t bring up Aizen on purpose. He simply did not avoid the topic. This sort of normal conversation helped Momo’s unhappy feelings slowly melt away over time.
“Okay, let’s start working then! Captain, please put your magazine away!”
“Eh? Then, I’ll put it away as soon as I finish reading this special…”
Hinamori smiled as she watched Hirako flip it open again. “Do you want me to take it away?” she asked, her smile not reaching her eyes.
“I understand. I understand.” Hirako quickly put it away.
“This is too much, why is my lieutenant the only one who’s so serious it gives one a headache…”
Hirako complained as he flipped open documents. Yet even as he complained, he still smiled happily.
[This is Shinji! Look at this! I already told Lisa so you don’t need to contact her! ]
Third Division Offices
“Good morning.”
Rose walked into the office, swinging a guitar in his hands. When he met Kira’s gaze, the latter instantly looked very much annoyed.
“…You’re late, Captain.”
Kira pointed at the clock on the wall. From the time when the workday started, it had already been forty minutes.
“Sorry, sorry, this child never wants to give me a break…”
Rose closed his eyes and slowly stroked the neck of the guitar that he was intoxicated with.
“Please do not place the blame on inanimate objects,” Kira coldly interrupted.
“So strict—“ Rose put the guitar by the wall and sat down at his desk. “Hmm, those sheets of music that I just finished, where – did – I – put – them -- ?”
He started to shuffle around the documents on his desk, looking for his newest composition.
Kira stared at Rose who seemed to have no intention of working, and sighed deeply. He held out his spirit phone.
“Please first look at this instead.”
He put the screen in front of Rose. On it was the text from Rukia that Renji had just forwarded.
Rose stopped looking for his music and his eyes widened as he finished reading it. His eyes sparkled with inspiration and he sighed, “How incredible…!” He instantly picked up his guitar and started to strum it violently.
“It’s starting again…” Kira mumbled, annoyed, as he put his spirit phone away.
“The Gotei 13 gathers together to aid Ichigo-chan!” His strong voice filled the room.
“The laws that cannot be broken…! The division members who are so confused and troubled…” The melodies suddenly changed and became melancholy.
“The strong will that will never be broken! The glory that has been won! The best end!!” The melodies then became high-spirited again, and it seemed like he was going to break the strings of his guitar at the end.
“What do you think, Kira!? That was good, wasn’t it!? Who knows, it could become this century’s masterpiece…!!”
Faced with Rose’s excitement, Kira replied, expressionless. “Yes, it’s great, but didn’t you tell me that you wouldn’t play that guitar here Captain? If you can remember your promise and not play that here anymore, that’d be even better.”
“…Please don’t use that tone of voice when you speak… how scary, Kira… I won’t do it again… Because the muse of music will not play without a smile…!”
Even though he thought to himself “of course he’s going to do it again,” Kira had no choice but to soften his expression and said, “Thank you.”
“It’s a crime to force me away from my music…” Rose put the guitar by the wall again, took out his spirit phone, and returned to his seat.
“Ah! I just received the same text from Shinji!”
He had received it thirty minutes ago, right when he was playing his guitar before work. He probably didn’t hear the ring because he was so immersed in his music.
“Other than me, he also sent it to Kensei and Mashiro… Is everyone sending the text to their friends then?”
“That’s right. Abarai-kun sent it to both Hinamori and me.”
“Then who will Kira send it to?”
Kira rested his head on his hand and looked down. “The people that I can ask probably already received a text from elsewhere… No, actually Hisagi-senpai probably hasn’t received a text yet…”
“Hisagi, is that the tattooed child? The one with Kensei?”
“Yes, he is the lieutenant of the Ninth Division.”
“Isn’t that the center of everything? Someone should’ve sent him a text already…”
“Everyone thinks that, so in the end nobody will send him one.”
Kira’s deduction was correct. Renji thought Rangiku would do it. Rangiku thought Renji would do it. Ikkaku and Yumichika thought that either Renji or Rangiku would do it, so in the end nobody sent the text to Hisagi.
“Oh? What a poor child.”
“Yes, in some sense he is a very pathetic person.” Kira calmly made that rude remark and forwarded the text to Hisagi.
“So?”
“What do you mean so?”
“Is Kira going or not!”
“Of course I am,” he replied without a shred of hesitation.
“Without hesitation! How attractive!” Rose whistled jokingly.
“Please do not joke about it. I don’t have a really strong sense of justice… I just want to reduce our guilt for forcing him to sacrifice himself for us. And…”
“And?”
“…He is also the last person who saw the Captain alive.”
Ichimaru Gin’s grave was located in the place where he and Rangiku first met – the Sixty-second district of East Rukongai “Withered Flowers.” Rangiku had built it herself. Even though his cause was righteous, his actions were undoubtedly wrong and he was not allowed a grave inside Seireitei.
In front of that grave, Rangiku told Kira one last piece of information about Gin. He, when he saw Ichigo after he had learned Mugetsu, had closed his eyes and peacefully gone on his way.
Knowing that his revered superior officer had not died in despair, Kira felt like his own spirit had been saved. His face was full of melancholy, which made Rose’s creative inspiration go wild again.
“Okay, we should get started and work hard!” (And afterwards I will definitely compose again!”
Of course he wasn’t able to speak his innermost thoughts aloud.
“Yes, we should work hard!” Kira didn’t know what Rose was thinking and thought that his captain really was full of hard-working spirit.
[This is Kira. This is a text from Kuchiki Rukia of the Thirteenth Division. Perhaps senpai has already received this text, but I’m sending it just in case. ]
Eighth Division Barracks Offices
While Ise Nanao was calmly taking care of documents, Kyoraku Shunsui came back from his morning patrol duties.
Kyoraku always patrolled around the entire division every morning, in order to come into contact with as many division members as possible. If he saw any that was low on morale, then he would invite them to a bar later and help them talk about whatever was bothering them until they became happy again.
“Nanao-chan, have you see Rukia-chan’s text?” He came straight to Nanao’s side after entering the room.
“Yes. Just now, President… Lieutenant Kusajishi also sent a text with the same contents.”
Nanao put her pen down and pointed at her own spirit phone.
“Oh? I guess everyone is sending it along to their own friends?”
“It looks that way.”
“Then I’ll send one to Ukitake too!”
Seeing him press on his phone, Nanao hurriedly stopped him.
“Wait a second, Captain! Is this right!? Even if it’s to save Kurosaki Ichigo, isn’t this a great crime…!?”
Seeing her stand up, Kyoraku patted and consoled her.
“It’s just passing along some news. It’s nothing terribly bad. As for whether or not they’re going to do it, that’s something that everyone has to decide for themselves.”
“Even so… but…”
“Okay, sent!” Kyoraku stuffed the phone back inside his robes and returned to his seat.
“Then… What is Captain planning to do?”
“Haha, what should I do? Speaking of which, what is Nanao-chan planning to do?” Kyoraku asked as he rested his chin on his hands.
“I…” Nanao opened her mouth, but then lapsed into silence. Kyoraku did not ask again, and only waited quietly for her to speak again.
Not too long afterwards, Nanao made a determination.
“I’m going to go.”
This answer made Kyoraku’s eyes widen. Nanao lowered her head, looking down at her two hands clasped close to her chest.
“I’ve always felt that it was unacceptable… that our current peaceful lives came at the cost of his great sacrifice. And I couldn’t do anything to express my thanks… Ever since that battle ended… I’ve always thought so, and it’s been very painful…”
Seeing Nanao do her best to express what was in her heart, Kyoraku smiled.
“…Captain, if I lose my position because of this…”
“You won’t.”
Nanao was a bit surprised at his confident expression.
“It won’t happen. How convenient that I’ve been thinking about this too lately…” Kyoraku didn’t seem worried at all.
“…Yes, Captain.” Seeing him like this, Nanao let out a deep breath and returned to her work.
“Umm, Nanao-chan? I have a little thing to take care of, can I do today’s work tomorrow…”
“No,” she replied without hesitation.
“Of course… Sorry I’ll get started right away…” Looking at the huge stack of work in front of him, Kyoraku sighed deeply.
Seventh Division Barracks
The lieutenant of the Seventh Division Iba Tetsuzaemon was currently running about, looking for his captain, Komamura Saijin.
At this time in the morning, Komamura was often with the barracks’ pet dog Goro, taking a walk and receiving news from the previous day at the same time. Even though other divisions sent the news into their offices, Komamura thought that this was something he could take care of while taking a walk, so he persisted with this policy.
Iba heard that “the Captain is going over to the center court!” so he ran over there. When he arrived, he heard that “Ah, sorry you just missed him… the Captain already left,” so he ran elsewhere.
After going back and forth a few times, by the time he finally found him, Komamura had already received all the reports, finished his walk, and arrived back at the doghouse.
“What’s wrong, Tetsuzaemon? Isn’t it your day to be on duty?” asked Komamura, seeing Iba completely winded with his sunglasses all crooked.
“Because… I… have… something… that… I… have to… tell… Captain…”
“…Please sit down and rest first. You can report it after you’ve calmed down.”
Komamura pointed at a long wooden bench next to the doghouse. He had it specially made so he could sit down and play with the dog.
“Even… if you… say so… that bench was made especially for the captain…”
“I’ll sit down too. Is this okay?” Komamura sat down first and gestured for Iba to sit as well. Iba bowed and sat down. He was still breathing heavily. Goro laid down by his feet and barked. Komamura was able to understand animal speech, and instantly started to laugh.
“No, Goro. Tetsuzaemon is resting today. He didn’t bring anything.”
“Today… what…?”
Komamura leaned down and patted Goro’s head. “Goro is asking if you brought anything. He says that Tetsuzaemon usually brings something for him to eat.”
“So it’s like that… Sorry, Goro! I came empty-handed today.” Iba opened both hands, gesturing that he didn’t have anything. Goro barked disappointedly a few times and laid down at Komamura’s feat instead.
“I hope he’s not annoyed…”
“Don’t worry. He’s always like this after a walk.”
Goro’s white fur was bathed in the spring sun’s rays as he stretched contentedly.
“What is it, Tetsuzaemon? Have you calmed down?”
“Yes! I’m so sorry for taking up your time! However, I have something that I’d like the Captain to look over…”
Tetsuzaemon took out his spirit phone and brought up the text that Yumichika had forwarded. He then offered it up with both hands and bowed. “Please look.”
Komamura read over the text in silence and nodded as he handed the phone back.
“Tetsuzaemon, I…”
“Please don’t say anything at all, Captain!!” Iba stood up from the bench and knelt in front of him. “Captain, I’ve decided to go. If I don’t repay Kurosaki Ichigo’s great kindness to us, then it goes against what it means to be a man!” Compared to the rules, there was something that Iba held even more dear, and that thing was his rule on what it meant to be a man.
“However, if I went and did it without letting Captain know, then that’s the same as betraying Captain… I’m going to be causing trouble for Captain, so I’m extremely sorry!! I hope that Captain will pretend not to know anything about what I’ve said or shown you today! Please! Please!”
Iba lowered his head to the ground. Goro licked his face and barked at Komamura.
“Goro is asking ‘what happened.’ He’s worried about you. Please raise your head, Tetsuzaemon.”
Iba looked up and Goro took the opportunity to place his front paws on his knee. He looked at Iba’s eyes through the sunglasses and continued to bark.
“He says that ‘if you’ve been yelled at, then let’s apologize together.’” After he translated what Goro said, Komamura couldn’t help but start laughing.
Iba also laughed and patted Goro on the head. “Thank you.”
Komamura crossed his arms and looked up at the sky.
“I always follow the law because I want to repay Genryuusai-dono’s great kindness. I’ve said this many times, correct?”
“…Yes, I’ve always remembered it.”
“That’s why, Tetsuzaemon. That’s why I can’t believe that the Genryuusai-dono that I respect is someone who forgets kindnesses done to him… Even if there’s the matter of the law…”
Komamura directed his gaze away from the sky and looked straight ahead. He closed his eyes, yet both his ears kept twitching as if he was thinking about something.
Goro barked and as if that was a signal, Komamura opened his eyes.
“Can you lend me that text message? That way, even if I cannot give any reiatsu to Kurosaki Ichigo, if Genryuusai-dono asks then I can still do all that I can… I’m the same as you, in that I want to do something for that teenager…”
“Captain…” Iba’s words of thanks were lodged inside his throat. Even he did his most to suppress the excitement in his heart, it still came bubbling up. As if he felt moved by Iba’s tears, Goro started to lick his face again.
Iba adjusted his sunglasses and wiped off his face with his shinigami robes. He then handed over his spirit phone and said, “I’m relying on you!!”
Ninth Division, Seireitei Communications Editorial Office
In order to expedite the editing and distribution of the “Seireitei Communications,” there was a two-story building in the Ninth Division barracks that was called the Seireitei Communications Editorial Office. In here, the first floor was in charge of printing while the second floor did the editing. It was built so that the newspaper could be printed as soon as the second floor finished its work.
After he received Hirako’s text, Muguruma Kensei left his office and started walking towards the editorial office. He stopped by the blackboard which indicated where all the workers were, and verified that Hisagi Shuuhei was inside. However, after he stepped inside, he realized that this was in fact a battleground.
“Who thought of this headline!? It’s so cliché!! Do it again!!”
“Hey… the number of pages in the special isn’t right! Isn’t it missing a page!?”
“The table of contents is ready!!”
“Can someone go get the manuscript from Captain Kyoraku!!”
Since the deadline for proofreading was five in the afternoon, the atmosphere was very tense.
In order to not disturb anyone, Kensei walked along the wall in order to reach the office of the editor-in-chief. Since he had refused the position, Hisagi was still in charge. In exchange, Kensei had to take on all of his lieutenant’s duties before the proofreading was over.
“Shuuhei, I’m coming in.” Kensei pushed open the door without bothering to knock.
Hisagi, who was currently looking over an ever-growing stack of manuscripts like his life depended on it, immediately looked up.
“Captain…! Why are you here? Is this to say that you’ve finally decided to take on the position of editor-in-chief…”
“Of course not. Didn’t I say that I’m never going to do it during this lifetime! You’re so noisy!”
“Really…during…this…lifetime…” Hisagi laughed tiredly and looked back down at his manuscripts. “Is there something else? I can’t leave my desk right now.”
“I understand. I’m looking for Mashiro. Do you know where she is? She’s not answering her phone.” He took out his phone and dialed Mashiro’s number. From somewhere nearby came the sound of a phone ringing.
“Mashiro-san turned in her manuscript just now.”
Hisagi pointed at a long bench, on top of which was a rug that was all bunched together. The ringing sound was coming from beneath that rug.
“Hey, Mashiro!” Kensei lifted up the rug and saw that she was currently curled up in a ball, sleeping peacefully.
“If she’s asleep, then she won’t wake up for a while.”
“I know, so annoying…” Kensei put the rug back on her.
“If she wakes up, then tell her to look immediately at Hirako’s text.”
“Text… Are you talking about an electronic text? What happened?”
Kensei raised an eyebrow at his question. “What? Nobody sent one to you?” He handed it over for Hisagi to see.
Both of his shoulders were shaking as he slowly said, “This is the first time I’ve seen it…”
“…So you don’t have any friends then.” Kensei looked at him in sympathy and walked out of the office.
“Hu…!” Hisagi bit his bottom lip and forced himself not to cry as he looked blurrily at the manuscripts again.
Half an hour later, when he saw Kira’s forwarded text, he started to cry in silence.
West Rukongai, First District, Junrinan
At Kuukaku Shiba’s house, the reiatsu transfer party was currently in session.
In order to avoid notice, they had set the sword up inside the house at the base of her giant cannon.
Around it, they were setting up a tent that could completely stop anyone outside from sensing what was inside. Right now, they were setting up the most critical segment.
“Making me do this sort of thing…” Captain of the Second Division Soi Fon complained while setting up the tent poles. Shihouin Yoruichi, who was doing the same, looked over when she heard Soi Fon’s complaints.
“Didn’t I already tell you? I’m not going on a walk like I do usually… In the end, you didn’t ask any questions and persisted in saying ‘take me along too!’ Isn’t that right?”
“That’s because…”
“Hm? Isn’t that right?”
“Yes… However…”
Soi Fon pouted and Yoruichi burst into laughter, patting her head.
“Okay, the games are over! …It isn’t too early to start now. You should go back to your division, Soi Fon.”
“Yoruichi-sama…! Why so suddenly…!?”
Yoruichi explained slowly upon seeing her confusion.
“The person who is in charge of punishing those who are in violation of the law is you. As the commander of the Onmitsukido, you cannot do anything that is against the law. Do you understand, Soi Fon?”
“But…!”
Yoruichi grabbed her by the collar and started to pull her out of the tent.
“What is it? Are you done?” Seeing the two of them like this, Urahara asked as he worked on something outside.
“Yes! Now Soi Fon is about to leave!”
“Yoruichi-sama! I didn’t say that I was going to leave…!” Even if Yoruichi had her by the collar, she was still doing her best to argue.
“That’s right… As commander of the punishment squad, you can’t do this sort of thing.”
“Shut up!! I will definitely not leave!! I will not leave Yoruichi-sama alone with a shady shopkeeper like you…!”
Not far away on the base of the cannon, Kuukaku heard this as she drank her sake. “I’m here too!” she joked.
Next to her and helping her pour sake, her little brother Shiba Ganju also yelled, “Don’t forget me!”
However, Kuukaku kicked him and yelled, “Don’t shout by my ear!”
“Shady shopkeeper… I’ve clearly been exonerated you know…”
“Shut up you…!!”
“Okay, okay! Stop, Soi Fon.” Watching Soi Fon try to leap at Urahara, Yoruichi laughed bitterly.
“Yoruichi-sama, please let me go!”
Just as she was struggling, a ringing sound came from by her chest.
Yoruichi stuck her hand inside Soi Fon’s robes without hesitation, ignoring her cries and feeling around. “Hm? This is?” She took out the spirit phone and let go of Soi Fon’s collar.
Soi Fon instantly sat down on the ground.
“Wow…” Urahara took a few steps back after seeing how rough Yoruichi was.
“Here! It might be something important,” she said as she gave the phone back to Soi Fon, who was bright red.
She took a look at the text that Yachiru had sent and instantly changed color. “Yoruichi-sama, this…” She opened up the To: line and handed it back to Yoruichi.
Right there, on the list of recipients was “Kurotsuchi Nemu.”
“This just got complicated…” Yoruichi frowned and handed it to Urahara.
“Yes…” He also prepared himself for possible complications.
Twelfth Division, Lieutenant’s Quarters
Lieutenant of the Twelfth Division Kurotsuchi Nemu was currently lying naked in the middle of the room and on top of a metal work table.
Numerous wires and tubes connected her body with a large machine by the wall. Inside the room, there was a buzzing sound much like that made by the wings of an insect.
“Oh… It’s being used up very quickly…” Kurotsuchi Mayuri was staring excitedly at a screen, surrounded by keyboards and monitors. The lieutenant’s quarters of each division were intended to be private rooms. However, since Nemu was an artificial being created by Mayuri, her quarters were converted to be her maintenance room instead.
“…So it’s like that.”
Mayuri opened his eyes wide and was about to type on the keyboard when a ringing sound came from behind.
“Che! What is this!?” He stood up and pulled the phone out of a pile of Nemu’s clothes.
On it was the text from Rukia that Yachiru had just sent to the entire Women’s Shinigami Association.
“This is…! I have to report this to the Captain Commander…” Mayuri’s eyes rolled around and he smiled as he picked up his captain’s haori and put it on.
“Get up, Nemu!” He pressed a red button on the metal table and a weak current flowed into Nemu’s body.
She opened her eyes. “Good morning, Mayuri-sama.”
“The numbers that needed to be changed have been loaded into the computer! You can take care of the rest by yourself, right?”
“Yes, thank you very much, Mayuri-sama… Are you going somewhere?” Nemu asked him as he walked out of the room.
“I have something to report…” Mayuri laughed.
In front of the First Division Barracks
Ukitake Juushiro saw who had arrived before him and couldn’t help but stare. “Captain Komamura…”
As he came closer, he saw another person who had been hidden in Komamura’s giant shadow.
“Captain Kurotsuchi is here too!”
Mayuri sniffed in displeasure as he heard his name.
After he received Kyoraku’s text, Ukitake immediately made his way to the First Division. On the way, Kyoraku texted him to say that he didn’t finish his manuscript for today’s “Seireitei Communications” and got yelled at by Nanao, so he couldn’t come as well.
“Do the two of you need something?”
Komamura handed Iba’s spirit phone to Ukitake, who looked very much surprised. “Since you all have a phone, I guess we’re all here for the same thing…”
He was correct. Both Ukitake and Mayuri were holding a spirit phone.
“Is that so… But, could you leave this to me? Kuchiki is my lieutenant after all…”
“Eh! Are you trying to protect your lieutenant, who’s inciting everyone to break the law?” Mayuri criticized him.
“… It’s true that this is against the law… However, I don’t feel as if Kuchiki has done anything wrong. As her Captain, I feel that I should do my part as well.”
Just as he was preparing to receive a new round of criticism from Mayuri, the door to the barracks opened and Yamamoto Genryuusai Shigekuni appeared before them all. Behind him was the lieutenant of the First Division, Sasakibe Chojiro.
“What a rare sight this is…”
Genryuusai sensed the three captains’ reiatsu as he was working, so he decided to take the initiative and show himself.
“Three captains have come… has something happened?”
“Genryuusai-sensei, my lieutenant…”
Ukitake stepped forward to speak, but suddenly his spirit phone started to emit a sharp sound.
“What is this…!?” Genryuusai raised his eyebrows. Ukitake hurriedly looked at the screen and saw that it was full of “emergency message” markings.
“Answer it please.” Genryuusai nodded and Ukitake pressed the answer button.
“Reporting to Captain Ukitake Juushiro of the Thirteenth Division! According to the substitute shinigami badge held by Kurosaki Ichigo, there are signs of the previous substitute shinigami! This is an emergency, please come immediately to the Research and Development Institute’s Reiatsu Analysis Lab!”
“…I understand! I will go immediately!”
At the same time, Mayuri had received the same urgent message. “Increase the number of people doing surveillance! I will come immediately.”
They exchanged glances. Mayuri narrowed his eyes and said, “Looks like we got the same message… Since this is urgent, I will have to take my leave, Captain Commander.” He bowed respectfully and walked off.
“I will take my leave as well, Genryuusai-sensei! I will come back to report later!” Ukitake also bowed deeply and left.
As he walked past Komamura, Ukitake turned and said to him, “Can I leave the matter of Ichigo-kun to you?”
“Leave it to me.”
After this brief conversation, Ukitake quickly walked off as well.
“…Well then, let’s discuss this. Komamura.”
Sasakibe opened the door, and Genryuusai walked back into the barracks.
“Yes.” Komamura followed respectfully behind him.
6.
Thin, flimsy clouds flowed across a sky that was turned a brilliant orange by the setting sun.
Ring ring – Ring ring – Ring Ring…
The bell signaling the end of the workday rang across Seireitei.
Many shinigami had already gathered by now at Shiba Kuukaku’s house, waiting their turn to add their reiatsu.
The earliest ones to arrive were the Fourth Division members who were given an early dismissal by Unohana. Next came the people who finished up their work early after reading the text. There was already a long line by the time the dismissal bell rang. This was because the text forwarded by Rikichi ended up making it way across many of the divisions, gathering together many ordinary members.
“Are you interested in literature from the living world? You can subscribe to any kind of magazines that you want --! There is absolutely no worry about privacy! Please come visit the YDM Bookstore--!”
Lisa called out and handed out fliers to the gathered shinigami. The walls of Kuukaku’s house were covered with many huge posters advertising YDM Bookstore, steadily increasing its name recognition.
“The end of the line is over here--!”
“Would those in front please continue walking forward--!”
The two Shiba House servants Koganehiko and Shiroganehiko shouted, keeping the lines tidy and moving.
Neighboring people from Rukongai also came by to see what was going on and to sell refreshments to the shinigami. The Shibas’ house was so surrounded it was like a festival was happening.
“Ahh – Kuchiki-san! You’ve been a huge help!” Next to the sword’s tent, Urahara made a noise of astonishment.
“I had no idea that it would spread to this degree…!” said Rukia. She had been amazed at the crowd that had gathered when she arrived.
“…No matter what, we know that Mayuri is going to interfere. It’s best for the reiatsu transfer to go as quickly as possible.”
The two of them both agreed with Yoruichi.
“Everyone in line! Please do not add your reiatsu slowly, bit by bit! Do it all in one go! Thank you so much for your cooperation!”
Using a loudspeaker from the living world, Urahara called out to the line. Thanks to this, its forward speed increased dramatically.
“This way we should finish up earlier than expected.” He let out a deep breath.
Rukia agreed, looking at the end of the line. She then noticed something black fluttering towards them.
“This is…!”
“…It looks like we’ve been discovered,” Yoruichi murmured, narrowing her eyes.
It was a flock of black hell butterflies that were used to issue commands to the shinigami.
[Urgent notification. Will all the captains and lieutenants immediately gather at the First Division Barracks. Also, will Urahara Kisuke bring the sword in question to the captains’ meeting area.]
The hell butterflies flew to each of the lieutenants and captains present and issued their commands. Afterwards, they gathered together in a flock and flew back towards Seireitei.
“If he’s asking Kisuke to bring the sword with him, it doesn’t look like he’s going to punish anyone… Even the captain commander has been changed…” Yoruichi looked up at the sky with a happy expression.
Every single shinigami in the Gotei 13 had been changed.
Everything that Kurosaki Ichigo did impacted everyone’s hearts that had been restrained before by the rules –
“Since it’s like that, we should hurry! We can’t make the captain commander wait for long!” Urahara also laughed happily.
7.
First Division Barracks, Captains’ Meeting Area
Standing between the rows of captains and lieutenants that had gathered there and in front of Genryuusai, Urahara explained the details of the sword that he had brought there.
“Just now, we received news through Captains Kurotsuchi and Ukitake that the first substitute shinigami has made contact with Kurosaki Ichigo.”
“The first substitute shinigami… that’s Ginjo Kuugo!” As soon as Hitsugaya mentioned the name, the atmosphere in the room instantly became tense.
“Kurosaki Ichigo finally fulfilled his purpose of being bait…” Mayuri looked at Ukitake.
Ukitake remained silent and lowered his head with an extremely sad look on his face.
“Since he’s already made contact with Ginjo Kuugo, then we don’t have a moment to waste… Take that sword! Urahara Kisuke!”
Unohana opened her eyes wide at hearing these words. “Captain Commander, this is…!”
“…No matter what, we were all saved by Kurosaki Ichigo. This time it is our turn to save him. Even if it requires violating our own laws, allowing such a debt to go unpaid would be the Gotei 13’s eternal shame!”
Genryuusai stepped forward.
“This is the Captain Commander’s order! All captains and lieutenants of the Gotei 13 will add their reiatsu to this sword!” Genryuusai’s commanding voice rang through the silent meeting area.
“…Even though I have received reports that many shinigami have already gone ahead and added their reiatsu without waiting for my order… I will not pursue this, only this one time.”
It was only after that, that several people on the scene finally stopped holding their breath. Mayuri stared at Urahara and ground his teeth so loudly that everyone present could hear him.
“Urahara Kisuke! You must definitely help Kurosaki Ichigo regain his shinigami powers!”
Urahara lifted his head and looked straight at Genryuusai. The two eyes that looked back at him really did display confidence in him.
“I obey. Definitely…!” As if keeping his tumultuous feelings under control, Urahara bowed deeply.
“This is the sword that Urahara prepared for you.
Thanks to it, I was able to transfer shinigami powers to you again…!”
End.
Death Save the Strawberry 2
Eleventh Division Barracks
Thirty minutes after work started for the day, a person drifted along the corridor outside the captain’s quarters, still only half-awake. Her light pink hair was still sticking up in places and bounced along with her shadow as she walked.
It was the lieutenant of the Eleventh Division, Kusajishi Yachiru.
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Thirty minutes after work started for the day, a person drifted along the corridor outside the captain’s quarters, still only half-awake. Her light pink hair was still sticking up in places and bounced along with her shadow as she walked.
It was the lieutenant of the Eleventh Division, Kusajishi Yachiru.
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