In a part of Seireitei, at the sewer of all places, a certain orange-haired boy was sitting on a concrete platform. Ichigo was hurt from his fight against Ikkaku. His left shoulder was cut open, and it was painful.
'Ugh... it hurts like hell.' Ichigo groaned. The pain in his left shoulder was too great to bear.
His right hand clutched the injury as he leaned against the wall, his face twisted into a grimace.
The battle was fast, just one exchange. Ichigo immediately used his strongest attack, the Getsuga Tenshou. Finishing the battle fast was his plan and he did it.
However, it wasn't enough to finish the man. Not only that, the enemy managed to leave him a nasty injury. Not only that, he was also chased by other Shinigami that showed up after sensing his reiatsu.
The wound he got from blocking that damn attack was deep and it hurt badly. He wasn't sure if the injury was fatal, but at least he was still alive. He could feel the pain slowly fade away and his mind began to clear up.
"Hey, I have bandaged it for you." Ganju told him, patting him on the back. "We need to get moving."
"Thanks. Let's go." Ichigo stood up. He looked at Ganju and gave him a small smile.
Ganju, who helped him get out of there, had given him a temporary treatment, bandaging his wounds. It wasn't enough, but it would do.
Ichigo was worried about his brother.
Earlier, he felt a strong and oppressive reiatsu belonged to someone and Shirou. It felt like they clashed in a fight to death. But it was strange when the pressure from both parties suddenly vanished, leaving only dust.
Did he win?
Did the enemy die?
Either way, he had no way of knowing what happened next. He had to rendezvous with the rest.
Thankfully, he knew his goal now thanks to Ikkaku's information.
Senzaikyu, the prison tower where Kuchiki Rukia was held. It was easy to see the place from afar.
'I will save her.'
He didn't say anything as they walked away from that area.
Climbing the stairs leading to the top floor, Ichigo found himself in the middle of nowhere.
A large open space surrounded by tall walls. The ceiling was high and there was no roof. There was a huge stone platform with several holes.
Those were buildings, one located near the center of Seireitei and beside Sokyoku Hill. The tallest tower with a bridge connected to said hill was his destination, Senzaikyu, a white tower that shone under the sun's light.
To reach it, one had to climb a set of long stairs.
"We're already close." Ichigo commented as they approached it.
"Yeah, right. Let's just save your friend and get outta here. I don't want to be in trouble any longer." Ganju muttered, pressing his wound sustained from the previous fight.
He was only lucky he didn't get gravely injured or killed from his first fight against a Shinigami.
As they were about to climb the stairs, Ichigo felt a powerful spiritual pressure from the side. He instinctively grabbed the hilt of his sword and turned around, ready for a fight.
Standing near the stairs was a Shinigami with red hair and bandana. He had eyebrows similar to tribal tattoos. His sharp eyes were on Ichigo and Ganju.
"Kurosaki Ichigo…" He spoke with a deep tone.
Tensed, Ichigo gripped the hilt tighter.
"You're… that Shinigami from before." Ichigo said after a brief pause. "I have no time to spend. If you are going to fight, then come." He declared, unsheathing Zangetsu.
The blade gleamed under the sunlight, the metal shining brightly and its edge looked razor sharp.
On the other hand, the Shinigami didn't move. He only sighed and lowered his weapon. Then, he spoke, "No. I changed my mind."
"Huh?" Ichigo and Ganju were stupefied.
"What's wrong?" Ichigo asked.
"It's not something you need to know. But if you're going to save Rukia, then I won't stop you. Do whatever you want."
With that, Renji turned around and left them. He didn't say another word as he disappeared from their view.
The orange-haired boy was surprised and confused. He had expected Renji to attack him, but instead the red-haired Shinigami let them go free without doing anything.
"This must be a trap!" Ganju exclaimed, "There is no Shinigami who let a Ryoka like us escape. Not a single one."
As someone who hated Shinigami, he wouldn't be wrong to think like this.
Suddenly, Renji stopped and turned around.
Ichigo once again raised his guard at that gesture. However, he was once again surprised when the other party didn't attack. Instead, he invited them.
"What are you waiting for? Let's go."
"Where?" Ganju asked.
"Senzaikyu. The place where Rukia is held." Renji said. "If you follow me, I can bring you there quickly. There is a shortcut through the stairs."
"What?"
"If you want to save her, that is. If not, go wherever you want. I will save her alone."
"You... why? What do you gain from helping us? Are you on their side or not?"
"I am not on your side, nor on theirs. I am on her side. If that answers your question." The red-haired Shinigami replied.
"I won't believe that." Ganju shook his head, not believing the man's words. "There is no way you'll just betray your people and help us out of goodwill. Shinigamis are-"
"I don't have time to explain." Renji cut in. "We have no time. If we waste any more time here, someone from my squad, the Sixth Division, might catch us. They won't let us escape alive, especially if we meet Captain Kuchiki."
"Tsk, and what if you are trying to lead us into a trap? No, I won't trust a Shinigami!" Ganju was adamant about his opinion.
"Ganju, let's trust him for now." Ichigo said, sheathing his sword once again, "As he said, there is no time. We need to hurry. If it is indeed a trap, I'll just defeat him and you run away to the rest. It shouldn't be hard."
Ganju shrugged at that statement, his expression still suspicious, "Fine, I trust your judgment. Let's go before I change my mind."
"Then follow me."
Renji began walking up the stairs and Ichigo followed closely behind.
Running through the stairs, the orange-haired Shinigami had a determined expression. He focused his attention forward, looking at nothing but the stairs and the road that would bring him to the tower that imprisoned the girl he tried to save.
His hand gripped his sword's hilt. He didn't trust Renji fully yet, and so he had to stay alert. Even if it seemed like they were cooperating for a common goal, it could be just a trap.
But now, they were going. To Rukia.
'Wait for me. I will definitely save you!'
A determined light shone in his eyes.
*** Chapter End ***
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