The next morning, Kurosaki Ichigo and his group finally arrived at the residence of Shiba Kūkaku.
Two tall, stern-faced muscular men—Koma and Koma—stepped forward, standing like guards at the entrance. They looked down at Ichigo, silent and imposing.
"W-what? You guys wanna fight or something?" Ichigo muttered, his hand already twitching toward the Zanpakutō strapped to his back. His friends behind him also braced themselves for a possible clash.
But instead of attacking, the two men suddenly took two steps back, bowing their heads deeply. "Welcome, Kurosaki-dono. Lady Kūkaku has been waiting for you inside," they said in unison.
"Eh? Oi, wait a sec. You guys… know me?" Ichigo's eyes widened in confusion.
Ishida Uryū adjusted his glasses, a frown forming. "Strange… how do they recognize you, Kurosaki?"
"Are they your acquaintances, Ichigo?" Sado Yasutora asked calmly.
"H-how could they be, Chad? This is the first time I've ever been here!" Ichigo said with a frustrated sigh. "Yare yare…"
At that moment, the sleek black cat at their side spoke up. "Koma, Koma… why do you two already know Kurosaki Ichigo?"
Hearing the voice, the two muscular men froze, then shouted in shock, "Y-Yoruichi-sama!" They dropped into respectful bows, their foreheads nearly touching the floor. "Forgive our rudeness! We didn't realize Lady Kūkaku's guest would be you, an old friend!"
"Geez, you two sure are dramatic," Yoruichi muttered with a smirk in her feline tone.
"Everyone, please come this way. Lady Kūkaku will explain everything herself," Koma said, gesturing toward the interior.
Still confused, Ichigo and the others followed inside until they finally entered a large tatami room. There, sitting cross-legged and commanding attention with her sharp presence, was Shiba Kūkaku.
"Kūkaku is… a woman?!" Ichigo and the others gasped in unison.
"You've finally arrived, Kurosaki Ichigo," Kūkaku said, her sharp eyes narrowing as she sized him up.
Ichigo blinked. "Oi, so you're Shiba Kūkaku?"
'He… he looks so much like Kaien-nii,' Kūkaku thought, stunned for a moment. When Amamiya Miyako had told her about a Substitute Shinigami coming, she had been half skeptical. But now, staring at Ichigo's features, which carried traces of both Kaien and her uncle Isshin, all her doubts faded.
"Kūkaku, what's going on? How did you even know we were coming?" Yoruichi asked, tail swishing impatiently.
"So it's you, Yoruichi," Kūkaku said with a small grin. "I should've known. Now I get why Urahara Kisuke was so confident throwing these brats into Soul Society."
"Kūkaku, you still haven't answered my question," Yoruichi pressed, her tone firm.
"I'll answer it," a calm voice cut in from the side.
Everyone turned to see Amamiya Miyako stepping out from a sliding door, his black Shihakushō swaying as he moved.
"Ah! It's you!" Ichigo exclaimed, pointing at him in surprise.
"Kurosaki-kun, that's the Shinigami who came to see you before, right?" Orihime-chan asked curiously, her head tilted.
"Yeah," Ichigo replied. "He showed up and started talking about rescuing Rukia with me."
"So you're the Amamiya Miyako that Kisuke-san mentioned," Yoruichi said, finally understanding.
Miyako gave a faint smile. "Exactly. And no, Yoruichi-san, I didn't hear anything from the Seireitei. At the time you entered Soul Society, I already knew where you'd come. The Seireitei is in lockdown, but I was waiting here—specifically for you."
"Oi oi… 'waiting specifically'? Don't make it sound so creepy," Ichigo muttered.
"Wait… 'Miss Yoruichi'?" Ichigo blinked, staring between the cat and Miyako. "Oi, Yoruichi… you're a woman?!"
"Baka, that's not what we should be focusing on right now." Yoruichi Shihōin's golden eyes narrowed, filled with suspicion toward Amamiya Miyako's unusually early arrival. Urahara Kisuke had mentioned him, yes, but nothing about what he intended to do once inside the Soul Society.
"This guy knows a lot more than he lets on. He came here ahead of you on purpose… let him explain the details," Shiba Kūkaku muttered, scratching her head lazily, clearly unwilling to waste her energy on explanations.
"Oi! Shinigami! I wanna hear it too! You didn't say anything yesterday!" Another door slammed open as Shiba Ganju stomped out.
"Ah…" Kurosaki Ichigo and Shiba Ganju froze when their eyes met, then—
"Dandelion-head!" "Wild boar ape-man!"
The two shouted at the exact same time, charging at each other with fists raised.
"Yare yare…" Amamiya Miyako sighed, watching the childish scuffle erupt. He turned to Kūkaku, his expression calm but edged with irritation. "Shiba-san, would you please take care of your otōto-tachi? This isn't the time for games."
Ishida Uryū, standing nearby with arms crossed, adjusted his glasses, frowning at the way Miyako addressed Kūkaku. Miss Shiba? Hm…
"Enough already!" Kūkaku barked. With a swift kick and a chop, she floored both Ganju and Ichigo, leaving them sprawled on the ground. "Listen first, you idiots!"
"Hai…" The two groaned, properly cowed by her fiery presence.
Amamiya Miyako stepped forward, his tone turning grim. "I'll keep this short. Kuchiki Rukia has been officially sentenced… to execution. Fourteen days from now, she will face the Sōkyoku on the hill of execution."
"Chikusho! Only fourteen days!?" Ichigo slammed his fist into the ground, face twisted with rage.
"The fastest way to reach her is through the Seireitei. For now, she's still being held under the Thirteenth Division's custody, but very soon she will be transferred to the Shūshōin—the Senzaikyū, the Palace of Penitence."
Miyako began sketching the layout of the Seireitei in words, describing its iconic gates, the Seireimon, the towers, and the heavily-guarded Senzaikyū where Rukia would be confined. His explanation was precise, almost like he'd walked the paths countless times.
Still, deep down, he doubted Ichigo and his companions could simply storm into the Senzaikyū and rescue her. No… the real battle would come on the day of execution.
"...But," Yoruichi cut in, her voice sharp, "there's one thing you absolutely must understand if you plan to make it out alive." Her gaze swept the group, then lingered on Miyako.
"What is it? Tell me already!" Ichigo demanded impatiently.
"If you encounter anyone of Captain or Vice-Captain rank, do not fight recklessly. Run. Escape immediately." Yoruichi's tone carried undeniable weight. Then, turning her feline eyes on Miyako, she asked: "Amamiya Miyako… may I ask a favor of you?"
Miyako inhaled deeply, already guessing what she wanted. His eyes settled on Ichigo.
"Ichigo… fight me." His voice was firm, almost challenging. "Show me your strength."
"Haa!? Oi oi, now's not the time for that! Didn't you just say there are only fourteen days? We can't waste time!" Ichigo protested, scowling.
"Are you underestimating the Gotei 13?" Miyako's expression hardened, his reiatsu flaring subtly. He stepped closer, looking down at Ichigo.
"I don't care who it is. Captain, Vice-Captain, or even the whole Gotei 13—I'll save Rukia!" Ichigo shot back, his determination unshaken.
Miyako smirked faintly, though his tone was biting. "Resolve alone won't cut it. In the Seireitei, there are thirteen Vice-Captains like me… and thirteen Captains, each on the level of Kuchiki Byakuya. If you can't even stand against me, you'll never touch Rukia."
"Kuchiki Byakuya…" Ichigo's eyes darkened as he recalled that cold, merciless gaze and the speed of his shunko. The memory of his wounds still ached faintly, reminding him of just how overwhelming Byakuya had been.
"If I don't show you the strength of the Gotei 13 now, you'll march straight into annihilation," Miyako warned.
"...Fine." Ichigo rose slowly, Zangetsu resting on his shoulder. "I'll fight you. Let me see it—the power of the Gotei 13!"
The group moved outside, toward an open clearing away from Kūkaku's house. The air grew tense as Miyako and Ichigo stood facing each other.
Miyako's voice was cold, though his eyes gleamed with sharp focus. "I'll say this first—though I came here to help you, I won't hold back."
Ichigo tightened his grip on Zangetsu, his lips curving into a bold grin. "Couldn't ask for more, Miyako-san!"
The two stood in silence for a heartbeat, reiatsu beginning to crackle in the air like static before a storm. Everyone watching held their breath, waiting for the clash that would decide if Ichigo was truly ready to step into the Seireitei.