On a typical weekend night, the streets of Karakura Town were sparsely populated. The usual hustle and bustle of the day had subsided. At a
On a typical weekend night, the streets of Karakura Town were sparsely populated. The usual hustle and bustle of the day had subsided.
At a crossroads, several teenagers, their faces beaming with happiness, were exchanging farewells. A group of friends were parting ways.
These teenagers were Ichigo Kurosaki, Rukia Kuchiki, and their school friends. They had just finished a gathering, and as night fell, they prepared to head home.
Rukia Kuchiki, currently living as a human, would naturally be returning home with Ichigo Kurosaki. They were close friends.
After bidding farewell to their friends, Ichigo Kurosaki and Rukia Kuchiki walked along the dimly lit street, illuminated only by the occasional streetlamp. Rukia Kuchiki walked with her head slightly bowed, seemingly troubled by something. She seemed pensive.
"What's wrong? You've seemed rather distracted lately," Ichigo Kurosaki asked, noticing her subdued demeanor. He was concerned.
Rukia Kuchiki's concerns stemmed from her true identity as a Shinigami. She knew that she would eventually have to leave her friends and return to Soul Society, a prospect that filled her with profound sadness and reluctance.
Forcing a lighthearted smile, Rukia Kuchiki retorted, "Distracted? You're just talking nonsense."
Their playful banter, a familiar pattern between them, ensued. This familiar exchange brought a sense of comfort. They were comfortable with each other.
At that moment, Rukia Kuchiki suddenly sensed a familiar spiritual pressure approaching. Despite being in a Gigai, she could still distinguish that the spiritual pressure belonged to a Shinigami from Soul Society. Her senses were still keen.
Kicking Ichigo Kurosaki playfully on the backside, Rukia Kuchiki said nonchalantly, "Go on ahead. I want to take a little walk by myself."
Ichigo Kurosaki was about to retort, but Rukia Kuchiki's words caused him to frown. He sensed that she was concealing something from him. He was suspicious.
"I'm not comfortable with you going alone. Wherever you're going, I'll go with you," Ichigo Kurosaki insisted, his concern growing.
Ignoring Ichigo Kurosaki, Rukia Kuchiki turned and waved her hand dismissively. "Don't worry about it. Go home; I'll be back later."
Watching Rukia Kuchiki's retreating figure, Ichigo Kurosaki decided to secretly follow her to see what was happening. He felt a sense of foreboding.
He had a strong premonition that if he didn't follow her this time, he might never see Rukia Kuchiki again. He sensed something was wrong.
Once she felt a sufficient distance from Ichigo Kurosaki, Rukia Kuchiki broke into a run, heading towards the location from which she had sensed the Shinigami's spiritual pressure.
She soon encountered the source of the spiritual pressure: Shūhei Hisagi, the Ninth Division's lieutenant.
Looking at Rukia Kuchiki, dressed in a blue dress and carrying a small bag, Shūhei Hisagi's expression turned serious. He was there to take her back.
"Rukia, you've been living as a human. Have you forgotten your duties as a Shinigami?" Shūhei Hisagi said sternly, his voice carrying a weight of authority.
Rukia Kuchiki immediately began to explain, "Lieutenant Hisagi, please let me explain..."
She attempted to recount the events leading to her loss of Shinigami powers, but Shūhei Hisagi interrupted her.
"I'm here with orders from the Captain-Commander. Explain yourself to the Gotei 13 captains when you return," Shūhei Hisagi stated firmly, his tone leaving no room for argument.
"So, they're taking me back. I guess I won't get to say goodbye," Rukia Kuchiki murmured to herself, a sense of resignation settling over her.
Despite her mental preparations, the reality of the impending separation filled her with profound sadness.
She had committed a serious offense, and returning to Soul Society likely meant she would never again be assigned to the Human World. It was a significant loss.
The possibility of never seeing her friends again weighed heavily on her. She was filled with regret.
"Rukia, do you understand the punishment you face upon your return?" Shūhei Hisagi said in a low voice, his tone grave.
He, too, was reluctant to see Rukia Kuchiki face the ultimate punishment, but as the Ninth Division's lieutenant, he had a duty to perform. He was conflicted.
Rukia Kuchiki looked at Shūhei Hisagi anxiously. "Lieutenant Hisagi, do you know the Captain-Commander's decision? Will I ever return to the Human World?" She was desperate for answers.
Shūhei Hisagi paused for several seconds before slowly replying, "The Captain-Commander's decision is the Sokyoku execution."
"What?!"
Rukia Kuchiki exclaimed in disbelief, momentarily unable to process the information. She was shocked.
"Whatever this 'Sokyoku execution' is, I won't let you take Rukia," a young voice declared, interrupting the grim exchange.
It was Ichigo Kurosaki, who had been secretly following Rukia Kuchiki. He had arrived just in time.
"Ichigo? Didn't you go home?" Rukia Kuchiki turned in surprise, seeing Ichigo Kurosaki approaching calmly. She was both surprised and grateful.
Upon seeing Ichigo Kurosaki, Shūhei Hisagi said calmly, "This is the human whose Shinigami powers you awakened. Convenient; I'm ordered to strip him of his spiritual power." He was about to take action.
Rukia Kuchiki cried out in alarm. "Lieutenant Hisagi, please! Ichigo has been assisting me with purification duties, and besides—"
"Enough!" Shūhei Hisagi coldly interrupted Rukia Kuchiki, continuing, "You're in no position to intervene. This human should never have possessed Shinigami power." He was resolute.
With those words, Shūhei Hisagi's spiritual pressure surged, Ichigo Kurosaki immediately sensing a spiritual pressure far exceeding any Hollow he had previously encountered. The power was overwhelming.
Ichigo Kurosaki knew a battle was unavoidable. His soul immediately separated from his body, his clothes transforming into a black Shinigami uniform. He was ready to fight.
Drawing his massive Zanpakutō, Ichigo Kurosaki pointed it at Shūhei Hisagi. "If you want Rukia, you'll have to get past me." He was defiant.
At this point, Ichigo Kurosaki's Zanpakutō had not yet unlocked its Shikai, Tensa Zangetsu; it remained in its initial, large, straight blade form. He was still inexperienced.
Looking at the defiant Ichigo Kurosaki, Shūhei Hisagi sneered. "Your spiritual pressure is impressive, but do you think you, an untrained Shinigami, can defeat an elite Shinigami like me?" He underestimated his opponent.
Before Shūhei Hisagi could finish his sentence, a powerful slash landed before him, the sharp spiritual pressure slightly stinging his cheek. Ichigo Kurosaki had acted swiftly.
Ichigo Kurosaki hadn't aimed the attack at Shūhei Hisagi; he had merely created a large crater in the ground in front of him. A display of power.
"Save the boasting for after you beat me, nameless one," Ichigo Kurosaki said calmly, his voice steady and confident.
Glancing at Ichigo Kurosaki's unusual Zanpakutō, Shūhei Hisagi said gravely, "Very well. I will personally shatter your Zanpakutō and show you that a Shinigami's combat prowess isn't solely determined by the size of their weapon!" He was ready for battle.
With those words, Shūhei Hisagi drew his own Zanpakutō, and the battle began.
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