Two days later, at the Kasumiōji estate—
Kagerōza stood proudly before the gathered wedding guests, a smug smile plastered across his face.
Flames of ambition burned in his eyes.
Beside him, Yanezaki Shū glanced affectionately at his would-be bride—his soon-to-be wife.
"Rurichiyo, I know this marriage was arranged, but I truly do like you," he said warmly to the dazed and unresponsive Rurichiyo, who followed Kagerōza and Shū up onto the stage like a puppet.
As they reached the ceremonial platform, Kagerōza declared confidently,
"I now pronounce the start of the wedding between Kasumiōji Rurichiyo and Yanezaki Shū!"
At that very moment—
"Wait a minute!"
Five silhouettes appeared on the rooftop opposite the stage.
Kagerōza's grin only widened—he had expected this.
From below, the guests looked up in shock: it was five Soul Reapers—Ichigo and his companions.
Kagerōza clapped.
"Kurosaki Ichigo, I've been waiting for you! Captain Soi Fon, he's yours!"
Soi Fon stepped from the shadows, and alongside her, Ōmaeda Marechiyo descended with a full squad of Second Division soldiers, surrounding Ichigo's group.
Of course, it was clear Soi Fon hadn't told Ōmaeda her real intentions—he still thought this was a standard assignment…
Soi Fon began her performance:
"Kurosaki Ichigo, Fourth Seat of Squad Four and personal disciple of Captain Unohana—why have you intruded uninvited?"
Ichigo, a seasoned actor by now, played along.
"Hmph! Because the one on that stage is not the real Rurichiyo! I'm here to expose your deception!"
"What nonsense! What proof do you have?" Soi Fon challenged, no intention of attacking—only feeding Ichigo the lines.
"Look at these two beside me! They're Rurichiyo's personal retainers! She's been missing since two days ago! The girl on the stage is a fake!" Ichigo declared, pointing to Kenryuu and Enryuu.
"Hmph! Those two have already been expelled from the Kasumiōji household! You've clearly bribed them to slander us!" Kagerōza sneered.
"Everyone, look—Princess Rurichiyo is right here on this stage!"
The nobles below began to murmur.
That's when she stepped forward—Rukia.
"I believe most of you recognize me."
Kagerōza's expression froze.
"I am Kuchiki Rukia, sister of Kuchiki Byakuya. Rurichiyo is my dear friend, and I stake the honor of the Kuchiki Clan on this—that girl on the stage is not the real Rurichiyo!"
Boom.
The name of the Kuchiki Clan—the highest of the Four Noble Houses—crashed down like a hammer.
Every noble in attendance fell silent under the weight of her status.
In the Soul Society, nobles outside the Four Great Houses were little more than vassals. And now one of the Four's heirs stood there, boldly challenging Kagerōza's plan.
Beads of sweat formed on his brow.
No one told me that damn onion-headed Soul Reaper was a Kuchiki!
This missing piece of intel had just unraveled his entire strategy.
"Captain Soi Fon, surely you won't believe this baseless claim?" Kagerōza said weakly.
Soi Fon stared at him coldly.
"So… you're suggesting the Kuchiki Clan is spreading lies?"
His face went pale.
Wait… weren't you supposed to be helping me?!
Soi Fon smirked to herself.
Feeling the heat now, huh?
"N-No! There must be some misunderstanding! The Kuchiki Clan wouldn't slander us without reason!"
Realizing he was cornered, Kagerōza looked to his final trump card:
"Princess, please clarify the situation!"
All eyes turned to the stage as "Rurichiyo" was about to speak—
But Ichigo, having confirmed she was a fake, acted first!
He drew his Zanpakutō, launching a blue Getsuga Tenshō straight at her!
"Damn it! Protect the princess!" Kagerōza shouted, utterly panicked.
The fake Rurichiyo didn't bother pretending anymore—she vanished in a flash.
At that point, even the dumbest noble could tell something was wrong.
Soi Fon barked out an order.
"I'll report this directly to the Captain-Commander! I hope you can explain everything, Kagerōza!"
With her shout, the Second Division soldiers withdrew.
Ichigo shouted,
"Rurichiyo! I'm coming for you! I won't let you be married off without your will!"
With that, Ichigo and his group vanished in Shunpo.
The guests, having seen the dramatic scene unfold, dispersed just as quickly.
As for the ceremony?
No one cared anymore.
For the first time, Kagerōza felt like everything was spiraling out of control.
"No… I need to inform that person immediately!"
Elsewhere, Soi Fon filed a full, detailed report to Captain-Commander Yamamoto Genryūsai.
But to her surprise—
"That's enough, Captain Soi Fon. This matter regarding the nobility is no longer your concern. Consider it closed."
"But—!"
Before she could protest, Unohana and Byakuya subtly shook their heads.
"…Yes, Captain-Commander," she said through gritted teeth.
She stepped back beside Unohana.
The old man turned to the assembled captains.
"We won't speak further of the Kasumiōji incident. However, we do need to address Kurosaki Ichigo."
Byakuya stepped forward.
"As the head of the Kuchiki Clan, I will respect Soul Society's laws. Since Kurosaki Ichigo and my sister Rukia have entered the Kasumiōji estate without permission, I shall personally arrest them."
The entire room went silent.
Ukitake thought to himself,
Damn… not even pretending anymore, huh? That's some top-tier cover-up…
Even Yamamoto had trouble keeping a straight face.
Unohana added,
"I should go. Ichigo is my disciple. A student's mistake should be handled by their teacher."
The other captains were speechless.
Did no one remember Unohana also went rogue with Ichigo last time?!
Amagai Shūsuke was utterly stunned.
So this is what it means to have connections…
Sensing the situation slipping from his control, Amagai stepped up.
"Let me handle it. Squad Three is a support unit, and I have no personal connection to Kurosaki Ichigo. There will be no bias—I'll bring him in!"
Yamamoto nodded.
"Good. That's what I want to hear."
Soi Fon added,
"Then Squad Two will take lead, with Squad Three supporting."
Amagai agreed without hesitation.
Yamamoto closed the matter.
"Let's see what Kurosaki Ichigo is really up to."
Byakuya and Unohana said nothing—they didn't believe Amagai could capture Ichigo anyway.
And as for "crimes"… who really cared?
They'd only spoken up to keep Yamamoto's intentions under control. They were all veterans of the game.
The Next Day.
Ichigo deliberately allowed himself to be confronted by Amagai Shūsuke.
Facing him, Amagai instantly felt uneasy.
Ichigo's spiritual pressure was… far beyond what he had expected.
The nearby Squad Three members grew restless, but Amagai raised a hand.
"Stay back! I'll handle this personally."
Ichigo glanced him over.
"You're the new Squad Three Captain?"
"That's right. I'm Amagai Shūsuke."
"I've heard of you, Kurosaki Ichigo—Captain Unohana's prodigy, the youngest to master Bankai!"
Ichigo shrugged.
"I'm just Ichigo. Titles don't matter."
Kenryuu and Enryuu were currently infiltrating the Kasumiōji estate to find Rurichiyo. Only Rukia and Senna remained with Ichigo.
Sizing up the new captain, Ichigo grew intrigued.
If he's involved with the Kasumiōji conspiracy… let's test him.
"Rukia, Senna—step back. I'll handle this."
Senna beamed.
"Sure~ We'll just watch the show."
Rukia sighed and sat beside her.
Amagai drew his Zanpakutō.
"Let's begin, Ichigo!"
He Shunpo'd into the air and came down with a heavy slash—but Ichigo caught the blade effortlessly with one hand.
Amagai tried to grab him, but Ichigo batted his arm away.
The clash ended with neither side gaining ground.
"Impressive. As expected of a new captain—speed and power are top-notch," Ichigo commented as he pushed Amagai back with a single blow.
Amagai forced a smile.
He's… critiquing me?!
"You're stronger than I expected. But this won't be enough."
He slung his Zanpakutō behind his back.
"Cut through, Raika!"
In an instant, his blade transformed—its tip becoming a hooked claw, the guard resembling a pale breathing pipe.
The entire weapon pulsed with magma-like energy.
Spiritual pressure exploded outward like a volcanic eruption.
Ichigo grinned.
"Not a bad Shikai… In that case—"
He raised his blade.
"Cry out, Zangetsu!"
The giant cleaver appeared once more, and Ichigo's spiritual pressure multiplied, completely overwhelming Amagai's.
"What terrifying power…" Amagai whispered, awed.
He launched a flame slash across the ground.
"Good! Getsuga… Tenshō!"
Ichigo fired his own blue wave, obliterating the fire and flying straight toward Amagai.
"I'll block it!"
Amagai met it head-on, pouring spiritual energy into Raika.
He barely managed to deflect the Getsuga Tenshō into the sky.
But he was left panting—clearly taxed.
"That… was one hell of a strike," he admitted, gasping.
(End of Chapter)
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