"You're quite good," Byakuya said, his expression dark — well, for his paralyzed face, it was always a bit dark to begin with.
Meanwhile, Renji was already lying on the ground, his life or death uncertain.
Ichigo let out a cold laugh. "Relax, I held back. He's not dead."
Byakuya snorted coldly, white spiritual pressure bursting out from him, forcefully shaking off Ichigo's hand.
At that moment, Rukia couldn't hold back anymore. She hurriedly ran downstairs and came to Ichigo's side.
"Ichigo!"
Before Rukia could even ask, Ichigo quickly reassured her, "Don't worry. I didn't hit to kill. He's just injured."
Rukia let out a slight sigh of relief, but seeing her brother draw his zanpakutō made her even more nervous.
No one knew better than her just how strong her brother truly was!
"Ichigo... Nii-sama..." Rukia said anxiously.
"Rukia, you understand it yourself — Shinigami of this level are extremely rare even in Soul Society," Byakuya said as he looked at her.
"Did you really participate in Urahara's experiments?"
The moment those words fell, Rukia's expression became strange.
It was clear that Byakuya had mistaken Ichigo for one of Urahara's experimental subjects.
"Ichigo!" Rukia stepped forward, grabbing Ichigo's hand tightly, her expression firm.
Ichigo looked at her and said gently, "Don't worry. I can defeat him."
But Rukia shook her head. "Ichigo, even if you defeat Nii-sama, it won't change anything.
Soul Society will just keep sending Shinigami after us."
"Do you really want to drag your family and friends into a life of endless fleeing?"
Hearing those words, Ichigo fell silent.
If it were just him, he could care less.
But in this world, Kurosaki Ichigo still had family, still had friends.
He couldn't allow them to be harmed because of his own selfishness.
Seeing him silent, Rukia continued, "Let me return to Soul Society with Brother-sama.
I have nothing to do with Urahara Kisuke's experiments. I'm innocent.
And with my noble status, nothing bad will happen."
Rukia tried to reassure Ichigo.
Byakuya, seeing that Rukia had verbally restrained Ichigo's fighting intent, also snorted coldly and sheathed his zanpakutō.
"Enough, Rukia. Come back with me."
Byakuya stepped forward and picked up Renji onto his shoulder.
The dignified head of the Kuchiki family personally carrying his subordinate away — it was... quite the sight.
Ichigo gripped Rukia's hand tightly, unwilling to let go.
He didn't know if, once Rukia left, he would ever see her again.
"Ichigo, no matter what, Soul Society is my true home. I'll be fine!" Rukia said confidently.
After all, unlike the original story, Rukia hadn't committed an unforgivable crime yet, so she still remained optimistic.
Ichigo frowned as he watched Byakuya open a portal into Soul Society.
Rukia hardened her heart and shook off Ichigo's hand, walking resolutely toward Byakuya.
"Rukia!" Ichigo couldn't help but shout.
"Ichigo, goodbye. Meeting you in the human world... has been one of the happiest times of my life," Rukia said, giving Ichigo the warmest, gentlest smile before turning around and stepping into the portal without hesitation.
Byakuya, meanwhile, shot Ichigo a deep glance — as if he wanted to say something but ultimately said nothing — and carrying Renji, followed Rukia through the gate.
Only Ichigo was left, standing alone on the empty street.
Just then, light rain began to fall from the sky.
Ichigo stood there motionlessly, staring at the place where Rukia had disappeared.
Fortunately, Ichigo hadn't completely lost his mind — he remembered that Uryū was still lying on the ground.
Even though Ishida had caused plenty of trouble, the fact that he stood up to help Rukia this time had genuinely surprised Ichigo.
But when Ichigo turned his head, he saw a big man carrying Ishida on his shoulder.
Ichigo recognized the man — it was Tessai, one of Urahara's workers.
Ichigo frowned slightly. "Hey, where are you taking him?"
Tessai didn't answer. Instead, the familiar sound of wooden clogs approached, and Kisuke, waving his little fan, walked up beside Tessai.
"Hey, sandal-hat guy, you're the Kisuke they mentioned, right?" Ichigo asked coldly.
Clearly, Ichigo had no goodwill toward Urahara.
If not for his involvement, Rukia wouldn't have been dragged away!
"Ara ara, Ichigo-san, saying it like that hurts my feelings, you know~" Urahara said with a carefree smile.
"Don't play nice with me. Aren't you a wanted criminal in Soul Society?" Ichigo said bluntly.
"Ah, well, there are... complicated circumstances behind that," Urahara replied, still trying to dodge.
But Ichigo didn't even bother looking at him and turned to leave.
Urahara hadn't expected Ichigo to be so decisive.
Left with no choice, he called out, "If Ichigo-san leaves now, then Rukia might be beyond saving."
Those words stopped Ichigo dead in his tracks.
He turned back, his voice cold. "What do you mean by that?"
"Based on my understanding of Soul Society," Urahara said slowly, "since Miss Rukia was arrested under suspicion of being involved in my experiments... her only possible outcome... is death."
Ichigo's heart clenched tightly, but on the surface, he remained calm.
He stared at Urahara, his gaze growing even colder.
"What do you mean?"
"Ichigo-san, you probably don't know the full reason why I'm a wanted man," Urahara continued, trying to hook Ichigo's attention.
Ichigo stared at him, waiting for an answer.
"The crime I was charged with was... causing a Shinigami to fall and become a Hollow.
In Soul Society, that is considered a first-degree crime."
Those words made Ichigo's pupils quake.
He wasn't stupid.
Rukia had explained the relationship between Shinigami and Hollows many times over the past few months.
If Rukia was suspected of participating in such experiments, then...
"Damn it!" Ichigo cursed under his breath.
But he kept his composure on the surface, even though his gaze toward Urahara became even frostier.
"What do you want?" Ichigo asked.
"Oh ho ho~ It's not about what I want, Ichigo-san," Urahara said, revealing his fox-like nature.
"I'm here to help you."
"Help me?" Ichigo didn't believe a single word.
A man this dangerous — how could he have good intentions?
"That's right. I can help Ichigo-san... enter Soul Society," Urahara said, bowing his head slightly, his eyes flashing with a mysterious glint.
(End of Chapter)
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