A massive sphere of spiritual energy shot into the sky, rapidly magnifying the Seireitei in everyone’s eyes.
Inside the sphere, Ichigo Kurosaki gritted his teeth, struggling to maintain his breathing.
“Don’t panic!
Keep up the rhythm!” Ganju Shiba formed hand seals, cold sweat beading on his forehead.
His heart pounded in his chest as he stared at the Seireitei’s barrier so close before him.
If they could get through, they would have officially entered the Seireitei.
But what if they failed… Ganju didn’t want to think about it anymore.
The next moment, the sphere of spiritual energy crashed into the barrier, causing the entire sphere to tremble violently.
The outer light barrier was compressed, and everyone’s spiritual energy became chaotic.
“It’s going to break apart!” Ichigo shouted, his breathing momentarily erratic.
On the other side, Chad’s body also swayed.
He immediately tried to adjust his breathing, but both of their spiritual energy had already spiraled out of control.
A crack appeared on the surface of the sphere.
Immediately, cracks spread rapidly.
Uryu Ishida’s expression changed.
“Kurosaki, quickly stabilize your spiritual energy!” “I’m trying!” “This doesn’t look like you’re trying!” “Is this the time to argue?!” Orihime Inoue clutched her head, panicking.
“Everyone, stop arguing!
The sphere looks like it’s going to explode!” Everyone looked up simultaneously.
The sphere was already covered in cracks.
BOOM!
A violent burst of spiritual energy exploded in the air, a blinding white light instantly engulfing everyone.
The shockwave hurled them in different directions, leaving only the whistling wind in their ears.
Yoriichi Tsugikuni had sensed the explosion before it occurred.
He reached out and grabbed the nearest person—Orihime—then stomped his foot in mid-air and caught Chad, who had been swept to the other side.
As for the others, they had already been sent in different directions by the explosion.
“Kurosaki-kun!” Orihime looked at Ichigo, who was getting further and further away, and instinctively reached out her hand.
Yoriichi calmly said, “He’s not injured.” Hearing this, Orihime felt a slight sense of relief.
“What about Ishida-kun and Yoruichi-san?” “They’re still alive too.” “What about Ganju?” Yoriichi glanced into the distance.
A scream came from that direction.
“They should be alive too.” His tone wasn’t entirely certain.
The three of them were falling rapidly.
Chad looked down at the approaching rooftop and said in a low voice, “We’re going to crash.” Yoriichi released Chad, grabbed Orihime with his right hand, and lightly tapped his foot in mid-air.
A circle of spiritual pressure spread from beneath his feet.
Their descent slowed rapidly, and they finally landed on a rooftop.
The tiles made only a slight sound, not alerting anyone nearby.
Orihime steadied herself and patted her chest.
“We’re saved.” Chad looked around.
“The others aren’t nearby.” “The explosion separated us.” Yoriichi released his grip, his gaze fixed on the center of the Seireitei.
The white Tower of Repentance in the distance was strikingly prominent, completely enveloped by a powerful barrier.
If Rukia was still alive, she was most likely there.
Orihime followed his gaze and asked softly, “Yoriichi-kun, what do we do next?” “Keep going.” “What about Kurosaki-kun and the others?” “They’re heading there too.” Yoriichi wasn’t worried about Ichigo.
Although that guy was impulsive, he wouldn’t stop because of an accident of this magnitude.
The three descended from the rooftop and walked along the street.
The buildings inside the Seireitei were very orderly, lined with continuous white walls.
Strangely, they walked for a long time but still couldn’t see a single person nearby.
Orihime looked around, her tension gradually fading.
“It seems safe here.” Chad nodded.
“There’s definitely no one around.” Yoriichi suddenly stopped.
Orihime, walking behind, didn’t have time to react and almost bumped into his back.
“What’s wrong?” “There’s someone ahead.” Chad’s expression immediately became serious.
He didn’t sense any spiritual pressure, but he trusted Yoriichi’s judgment.
Since meeting Yoriichi, he had never once been wrong about these things.
“Is he strong?” “Very strong.” For Yoriichi to give such an assessment, the person ahead must at least be a Captain-level Shinigami.
Yoriichi looked towards a small alleyway beside him.
“You two hide first.” Orihime asked worriedly, “Is Yoriichi going alone?” “Yes.” “But…” Chad placed a hand on Orihime’s shoulder and said in a low voice, “Staying here will only distract him.” Orihime opened her mouth, but finally nodded.
“Yoriichi, please be careful.” Yoriichi turned and walked forward.
Chad led Orihime into a nearby alley, and they quickly disappeared behind a wall.
Ahead.
Yoriichi Tsugikuni turned a corner and came to a narrow street.
A few petals drifted down from mid-air.
At the other end of the street, a tall man strolled leisurely towards him.
He wore a straw hat, his long brown hair was tied back, and he had a thin goatee.
Over his loosely worn Shihakushō, he wore a pink, flower-patterned haori.
Two Zanpakutō, one long and one short, hung at his waist, and he carried a sake bottle in one hand.
The man raised the sake bottle and took a sip, a casual smile on his face.
“What a nuisance.
I was just looking for a place to drink, but I unexpectedly ran into a young Ryoka.” Yoriichi Tsugikuni didn’t answer.
The man took two more steps forward.
“Don’t be so tense.
My name is Shunsui Kyōraku, Captain of the Eighth Division.
Young man, what’s your name?” Yoriichi still didn’t speak, his right hand slowly resting on the hilt of Kakuyō.
Shunsui Kyōraku paused, sighing helplessly.
“Are all young people this serious these days?
Always keeping a straight face—it’ll make you age prematurely.” Still no response.
Shunsui Kyōraku looked around, only then realizing that the petals that had been falling were gone.
He turned and called out to the roof, “Nanao-chan, why did the petals stop?
The atmosphere was just right!” Nanao Ise stood on the roof, a flash of white light glinting off her glasses.
The next moment, a basket of petals fell directly from the sky.
Thump.
The basket landed squarely on Shunsui Kyōraku’s head, the remaining petals scattering into his collar.
Shunsui Kyōraku took the basket down and shook off the petals.
“Nanao-chan, that’s really going too far.” “The Ryoka have already infiltrated the Seireitei, and we have one right in front of us.” Nanao Ise pushed up her glasses and said coldly, “Captain Kyōraku, please be serious.” “Fine, fine.” Shunsui Kyōraku put away his sake bottle, his smile unchanged, but his aura deepened.
He looked at Yoriichi, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword.
“It may seem cold, but my duty is paramount.” “Young man, I cannot let you pass.” Yoriichi finally spoke.
“I know.” Shunsui Kyōraku raised an eyebrow slightly.
Yoriichi gripped his sword, calmly observing him.
“Therefore, I don’t intend to simply walk past.”