Once everyone was seated, Urahara Kisuke spoke up.
"Just now, word came from Soul Society. The Kasumiōji family retainer, Kagerōza Inaba, announced that preparations are underway for the wedding of Kasumiōji Rurichiyo and Yanezaki Shū. The ceremony is scheduled in a few days, with invitations extended to all captains, lieutenants, and noble houses."
The entire room was stunned.
Rukia frowned.
"But Rurichiyo is still here in the World of the Living. Who does Kagerōza plan to present at the wedding?"
Yoruichi shook her head.
"If he dared make that announcement, he must be confident in his plan."
Urahara nodded.
"Exactly. I suspect he intends to use a body double to replace Rurichiyo in Soul Society and complete the ceremony."
Senna agreed.
"That would make sense. After using the double once, it can conveniently disappear. Kagerōza can then smoothly install Yanezaki Shū as the new Kasumiōji heir and consolidate his control."
Rukia continued from there.
"Right. He can even claim Rurichiyo fell ill and can no longer manage family affairs. He could just leave her stranded in the World of the Living, never needing her again."
"So if Rurichiyo doesn't return to Soul Society to expose the lie, Kagerōza's plan will succeed," Ichigo concluded.
"It's quite clever. If Rurichiyo wants to avoid being married off without her will, she has to go back—exactly what he wants. He can trap her and everyone with her."
"And if she doesn't show up, then his plan goes off without a hitch," Urahara added with a hint of respect.
"Gotta admit, the guy's cunning."
"What now, Ichigo?" Rukia asked.
"Are we just going to let her get married off like that?"
Ichigo shook his head.
"Shouldn't we ask what she wants first?"
Everyone paused. Of course—Rurichiyo's opinion mattered most.
Rukia quickly contacted Kenryuu and Enryuu to bring Rurichiyo over.
Meanwhile, Ichigo received a call from Soi Fon.
"Hello? Soi Fon?"
"Ichigo, I looked into that matter you asked about. Last night, I saw Kifune, third seat of Squad Three, sneaking into the Kasumiōji estate. He thought he could avoid detection—but not from me," she said with smug satisfaction.
"So he's the one colluding with the Kasumiōji family…" Ichigo murmured. "A third seat—that's a high-ranking officer in the Gotei 13. Impressive."
"And that idiot Kagerōza even filed a report to the Gotei 13—to me!" Soi Fon said with a sneer.
"He claimed that people from the World of the Living might disrupt the wedding ceremony, and requested support from the Gotei 13," she added coldly.
Ichigo laughed.
"So what did you say?"
"Of course I accepted. I'll personally give him a big surprise during the wedding," she said darkly.
"He thinks his title as a noble under the Shihōin family will get him help. He never suspected I've been investigating him all along."
"Thanks, Soi Fon. Your intel's been invaluable," Ichigo said sincerely.
Soi Fon flustered a bit.
"W-Well, it's nothing. Just doing my duty…"
Then she hesitated before asking softly,
"Will you be coming to Soul Society this time, Ichigo?"
"Yeah. I'll be heading out soon."
"Okay… I'll be waiting."
After hanging up, Ichigo relayed everything Soi Fon told him.
Yoruichi chuckled.
"Leave it to Soi Fon to uncover the whole scheme."
Urahara tipped his hat.
"Perfect timing. He has the skills, but not the luck."
Just then, Rurichiyo arrived.
Ichigo explained the situation to her, Kenryuu, and Enryuu.
Senna turned to her.
"So what do you think, Rurichiyo? It's your decision."
Kenryuu and Enryuu pleaded,
"Please don't go, Princess! It's clearly a trap!"
But Rurichiyo stood up and shook her head firmly.
"I must go. This concerns the Kasumiōji family. As its head, I can't abandon my duty."
She turned to Ichigo.
"You promised, remember? You said you wouldn't let me marry someone I don't want. Well—I don't want to marry this Yanezaki Shū."
Ichigo nodded.
"Got it. I'll be there on the day of the ceremony."
Rurichiyo smiled and winked.
"Then it's up to you to come crash my wedding."
Kenryuu and Enryuu gave in.
"Then please allow us to accompany you, Princess!"
Rurichiyo nodded.
"Yes. Let's go together."
Rukia said,
"We'll reveal Kagerōza's plan at the wedding. The Gotei 13 already knows who he's colluding with—it's time to act."
Senna added,
"He misplayed badly. A public wedding was a double-edged sword—and he chose wrong."
Urahara looked at his phone.
"The ceremony is in three days. Public event."
Ichigo nodded.
"Then in three days, we go to the Kasumiōji estate and expose him."
"I'll go with Senna," Rukia said. "Tatsuki and Orihime should stay here in case something happens. Yoruichi, if things go south, bring them to help us."
"Understood. I'll lead them in if needed," Yoruichi confirmed.
"I'll prep the documentation to enter Soul Society," Urahara added. "Even using a family gate requires that."
With everything in place, all that remained was to wait for Kagerōza's move.
That night, on the roof of the Urahara Shop…
Rurichiyo sat alone, watching the wind.
Ichigo joined her, sitting beside her again.
"Nervous?" he asked.
She shook her head.
"Not really. Just… reflecting. When I was little, Grandpa Kagerōza was kind to me. He was one of the people who loved me the most."
"But after my parents died, he changed. It was like he became a different person. If I made even the slightest mistake, he'd punish the people around me."
"And now…"
Her voice trailed off. She leaned on Ichigo and tugged at his sleeve.
"Promise you'll come in three days, Ichigo. I don't want to be forced into a marriage I don't want."
Ichigo gently nodded.
"I promised, didn't I? I'll keep my word."
"Thank you, Ichigo… for tolerating someone as selfish as me."
She wrapped her arms around his waist and buried her face in his chest.
Of course, Ichigo only saw her as a little sister.
Her petite stature made it easy to forget—Rurichiyo was actually decades old. She understood things… even if Ichigo didn't quite realize it.
"Ichigo… I love you…" she whispered.
But even Ichigo's superhuman hearing couldn't catch the words.
He just sat with her quietly, watching the stars.
...
The next morning.
"We'll head to Soul Society first. Hurry and follow us, Ichigo!" Rurichiyo waved.
"Yeah. We'll be right behind you," Ichigo nodded.
Rurichiyo opened the gate and entered.
Rukia turned to Ichigo.
"Let's go."
"Right."
Soul Society.
"You finally made it," Soi Fon greeted them.
"Captain Soi Fon," Rukia acknowledged.
"Kusumiōji is a great noble house," Soi Fon explained. "Until they expose themselves, the Gotei 13 can't act. So Ichigo, we need you to uncover the truth at the wedding. Only then can we legally intervene."
Ichigo nodded.
"Thanks, Soi Fon. You mentioned Kagerōza asked you to be a guard at the wedding?"
She nodded.
"Yes. And his real target… is you. Be careful—he might try anything."
Just then, Kenryuu and Enryuu came running.
"Something's wrong! Princess Rurichiyo is missing!"
"What? It hasn't even been an hour!" Rukia was stunned.
"How could you lose a little girl?!" she yelled.
"Could Kagerōza have captured her?" Senna asked.
"We're not sure," Kenryuu said, panicked.
"We came through the gate, planning to meet you. But then a white flash blinded us—and when we looked again, she was gone!"
"Damn it!" Ichigo gritted his teeth.
"Without Rurichiyo herself, no one will believe a word we say!"
Senna raised a hand.
"Then we break the stalemate."
Everyone turned to her.
"How?"
"Simple. We disrupt the wedding."
She continued,
"Even if he captured her, he'd never let the real Rurichiyo attend—it's too risky. So the one in the ceremony is definitely a body double. We blow it all up."
Soi Fon nodded.
"Cause a scene… big enough that the Gotei 13 has to intervene."
Rukia agreed.
"That will get the Captain-Commander's attention."
Soi Fon nodded again.
"If that happens, most likely Squad Two and one other team will be dispatched…"
She paused, thinking.
"Squad Three…"
(End of Chapter)
[Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum]
[+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter]
[Thank You For Your Support!]