Amamiya Miyako finished explaining Shiba Isshin's situation, and only then did everyone understand the truth about Kurosaki Ichigo's father.
"I never thought Ichigo would have a Shinigami father," Rukia Kuchiki whispered, her violet eyes widening. "No wonder he has such immense spiritual pressure… And he's from the Shiba clan…." The realization made her finally understand Ichigo's strange qualities and why Miyako had once said Ichigo's ties to Soul Society ran deeper than anyone imagined.
"Captain Isshin, he…" Rangiku Matsumoto spoke softly, her expression torn between shock and nostalgia.
"Matsumoto," Hitsugaya Tōshirō said with a sigh, "Captain Isshin has always been like this. You know that, don't you?"
"Yes… no wonder Ichigo's so reckless," Rangiku muttered helplessly. "Captain, what should we do about this?"
Her meaning was obvious: should they report Isshin's identity to Soul Society? But even she couldn't decide.
"Please don't mention this to anyone," Hitsugaya said firmly, his gaze passing across everyone in the room.
"I'm not interested in Ichigo's background," Ikkaku Madarame said bluntly, resting his blade against his shoulder. "All I know is he's a good guy. I'm not gonna run my mouth about it."
"Ikkaku's opinion is my opinion," Yumichika Ayasegawa added with a lazy flick of his hair.
"Mm. I also don't want Ichigo's family dragged into Soul Society's spotlight," Rukia said with conviction.
"But the most important thing," Miyako reminded them, his voice calm yet serious, "is not to tell Ichigo himself. Captain Isshin must have his own reasons for keeping quiet."
"Understood," Hitsugaya nodded, letting out a small breath of relief.
"Captain… is this really okay?" Rangiku asked once more, her expression uneasy.
"Mn. Let it rest. Captain Isshin already has his own family and life here. We shouldn't disturb him," Hitsugaya said candidly.
Rangiku fell silent, slowly coming to accept her captain's words.
Not long after, Kurosaki Ichigo returned to his room. The moment he stepped inside and saw everyone gathered, his face twisted in disbelief.
"Oi! What's going on? It's weird enough that my family even let you guys in here!" Ichigo snapped.
Rangiku bit her lip, still irritated. If Isshin hadn't played dumb earlier, she probably would've blurted everything out on the spot.
"Alright," Ichigo said, crossing his arms, "you didn't all come to the Human World just to hang out, right?"
"What nonsense," Hitsugaya replied flatly. "We're here to help you."
"Help me?" Ichigo asked, narrowing his eyes.
"Yes. You've already fought those two Arrancar, haven't you?"
"Arrancar…? So that's what they're called. Those guys with Zanpakutō and Hollow holes… what exactly are they?" Ichigo asked seriously.
Hitsugaya exchanged a look with Miyako, then began explaining in detail what Arrancar were—Hollows that had removed their masks and gained Shinigami powers under Aizen's hand. Ichigo listened, his expression darkening, and finally swallowed hard.
"That bastard Aizen… he's got so many terrifying monsters under him? Just what the hell is he after!?"
"Aizen's goal is to transform Karakura Town itself," Miyako said gravely, "to use its spiritual density and its one hundred thousand souls as the key to forge the Ōken. With it, he can enter the Soul King's Palace and dethrone the Soul King himself."
"What… what did you just say?!" Ichigo's voice cracked as cold sweat slid down his temple.
"If Aizen succeeds, Ichigo," Miyako continued, his eyes narrowing, "not only you, but your family, your friends, and everything you know in this world will vanish."
"Tch… damn it…" Ichigo clenched his fists, anger and fear warring inside him.
"That is why the Gotei 13 dispatched us as an advance unit," Hitsugaya declared, his tone hard as steel. "The decisive battle against Aizen is approaching, but until then, our duty is to protect Karakura Town. Protecting the Human World, stopping villains like Aizen—that is the very reason we Shinigami exist."
"…I get it." Ichigo's eyes burned with resolve. "Thank you, Toushirō. But I can't just leave it all to you. I need to get stronger! Strong enough to fight on my own!" His decision was already set—tomorrow, he would seek out Hirako Shinji once more.
"Then we should leave you for now," Miyako said with a small wave. "We'll need to find places to stay, since we'll be here for a while. Rukia, I'll leave you with Ichigo. You can stay with his sisters."
"That's fine. I was already planning to continue staying in Ichigo's closet…" Rukia answered casually.
"Oi, Rukia!" Miyako sighed deeply, pressing a hand to his forehead. "You're a girl, you know. The Kuchiki family's reputation won't survive if people hear about that."
"I know, I know," Rukia said quickly, her cheeks coloring faintly. "Ichigo… is it alright?"
"One person's fine," Ichigo muttered, scratching his head. "But any more and my house really can't handle it!"
"Let's go, Yumichika. We'll find our own place," Ikkaku said as he stood up, his tone decisive.
"Mn. A proper place suits me better anyway," Yumichika agreed.
"Then I'll stay with Orihime! She already said it's okay," Rangiku chirped happily, her tone suddenly cheerful. "Captain, want to come with me?"
"Shut it," Hitsugaya replied sharply, but deep down he'd already decided to keep nearby and endure whatever arrangement Rangiku made.
"Miyako, what about you?" Rukia asked.
"Don't worry," Miyako said, his gaze drifting to the horizon outside. "There's a place I must go…."
...
Dusk settled over Karakura Town. In the office of the hospital director, Ishida Ryūken worked quietly, immersed in paperwork as always. But a familiar silhouette at the window made him pause.
"My arrangement with you is finished. Don't appear before me again," Ryūken said coldly, his voice sharp as steel.
Miyako stepped into the light, hands raised slightly as if to calm him. He knew Ryūken's tone all too well—icy, dismissive, as though any connection between them was a nuisance.
"Mr. Ishida, that's far too cold. I practically saved your son's life in Soul Society," Miyako said, a wry smile tugging at his lips.
"He went to Soul Society of his own will. If he died, that was his fate. It has nothing to do with me," Ryūken answered flatly.
If Miyako hadn't already learned what kind of man Ishida Ryūken truly was, he might almost have believed the words.
"Still, aren't you at least curious?" Miyako's voice took on a teasing edge. "Sure, I asked Uryū to deliver a message for me, but what I uncovered in Soul Society goes far beyond that."
Ryūken fell silent. Uryū's earlier report had indeed matched his own suspicions, but Miyako hinted at knowledge beyond what he himself possessed. That silence spoke volumes.
"What is your goal?" Ryūken finally asked, his tone heavy.
"The same as before," Miyako said. "You continue to teach me Quincy techniques, and in exchange, I'll share the information I've gathered. Our training was interrupted last time—don't you think this request is fair?"
"I've already taught you all the basic Quincy abilities. There's nothing more to give," Ryūken replied with perfect calm, though behind his eyes something flickered. In truth, he had withheld the deepest secrets of the Quincy—the ones tied to Pureblood heritage.
"Mr. Ishida, I'm not asking for the basics anymore," Miyako said with a sigh. "Heilig Pfeil. Blut Vene. Blut Arterie. You know those terms, don't you?"
Ryūken's eyes narrowed. Those were not skills that could be found in any records. They were Pureblood secrets. How did Miyako know them?
"Why chase Quincy power so recklessly? Isn't the strength of a Shinigami enough for you?" Ryūken asked sharply.
Miyako shook his head. "No, it isn't. But that's not the only reason. The truth is… the ones from the Empire may have already noticed me. And your son."
The words hit Ryūken like an arrow. His expression remained calm, but his heartbeat quickened.
The Empire? Could he mean the place Father fled from? Sōken never spoke of it openly… but if Miyako knows…
Ryūken's memories drifted back. His father had mentioned nothing of the so-called "hidden Quincy nation," yet the hints he left behind had led Ryūken to suspect its existence. Still, Miyako spoke of it as fact.
"What exactly do you mean?" Ryūken pressed, keeping his voice low.
"That man—you don't really believe he's acting alone, do you?" Miyako's eyes glimmered. "He's bringing them back."
Ryūken's composure wavered. The words echoed in his mind like a curse.
Outside, twilight bled into night. Darkness crept steadily across Karakura Town, swallowing the last of the light.