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After finding Kosuke, Ishikawa Katori and the other three were escorted back to the Seireitei by the Onmitsukido, or more accurately, they were escorted under guard.
While Ikkaku was immediately sent to the Comprehensive Relief Station upon returning to the Seireitei, Ishikawa Katori, Renji, and Kiyone were all invited to the Onmitsukidō, where they were asked to recount the incident in meticulous detail.
This included the opponent's height, clothing, Zanjutsu, Kido, and attack habits—
The Onmitsukidō inquired about every piece of information that could potentially help identify the opponent.
"Ah—"
In the interrogation room of the Onmitsukido barracks, Ayasegawa Yumichika yawned and said impatiently, "I've said the same thing over and over again. How many more times do I have to be asked?"
"It's normal for the Onmitsukidō to take it seriously, given how strong the opponent was and that he wore a mask similar to a Hollow's," Renji advised from the side.
"Even if they take it seriously, it should be enough by now."
Ayasegawa Yumichika felt a bit speechless. They had been interrogated non-stop since returning that evening. Anyone would think they had committed some crime.
And aside from Ikkaku's Bankai, which Soi Fon had permitted them not to disclose, they had truly recounted everything else in full, even how many times they had been cut by the opponent and how many times Ishikawa Katori had treated them.
"It's almost over."
Ishikawa Katori lay on a long bench nearby and said, "The two groups who just questioned us have different responsibilities. The first group was the Onmitsukido, the First Division of the Onmitsukidō, directly under Captain Soi Fon's command. The second group that questioned us was the Patrol Corps, the Second Division of the Onmitsukidō, led by Captain Ōmaeda."
"The Onmitsukido is responsible for executions and assassinations. They must remember the target's physical characteristics and combat habits."
"The Patrol Corps, on the other hand, patrols within the Seireitei and monitors the movements of Shinigami. Combining our information, they can determine who was not in the Seireitei at that time based on the intelligence they monitor."
Although with that expert from the Fifth Divsion around, an alibi could be easily fabricated; from Ishikawa Katori's perspective, this investigation was just a waste of time.
He was certain who they had fought against.
But—
He absolutely dared not say it!!
Ishikawa Katori was certain that as soon as he mentioned the opponent's name, the news might not even leave the Second Division before reaching a certain gel-haired individual, who practically had the movements of the Gotei 13 under his complete control!
Moreover, if he wanted to kill him, not to mention Captain Soi Fon, even Commander Yamamoto might not be able to protect his safety. So, until he had a certain degree of self-preservation ability, it was better to pretend he knew nothing.
"You're quite relaxed, aren't you?"
Ayasegawa Yumichika glanced at Ishikawa Katori and said in an odd tone, "And why were both groups who came to question you so polite?"
"I have a lot of friends."
"Heh heh~"
Ayasegawa Yumichika scoffed, then asked, "So, are we going to be questioned three more times?"
"No need." Ishikawa Katori shook his head. "The Fourth and Fifth Divisions are both related to communication. We only need to be questioned by the Third Division, and then it's over."
As soon as Ishikawa Katori finished speaking, the room door was pulled open, and a young man in casual clothes walked in from outside.
The young man scanned the group and then respectfully said to Ishikawa Katori, "Sir Ishikawa, you can go now."
Hearing this, Renji and Kiyone couldn't help but turn to look at Ishikawa Katori.
"Why did you come alone?" Ishikawa Katori looked at the young man with some surprise.
The young man smiled slightly: "Captain Soi Fon has already permitted me to take you back to the Supervisory Team for questioning, so I didn't bring anyone else."
"I see."
Ishikawa Katori nodded, stood up from the long bench, and then looked at Renji and Kiyone, who were staring at him in confusion, saying, "What are you two staring at? Do you want to stay here longer?"
"…"
Ayasegawa Yumichika looked at Ishikawa Katori, his gaze as strange as could be.
Although he had long known that Ishikawa Katori had deep ties with the Onmitsukidō, this young man's attitude was no longer merely friendly; it was respectful…
"He is Kiyohara Tsumugiya, the Fifth Seat of the Second Division and Vice-Captain of the Supervisory Team."
Ishikawa Katori introduced the young man beside him to the two as he walked out.
Vice-Captain of the Supervisory Team?
Hearing this, Renji and Kiyone both instinctively took half a step back.
Although they weren't particularly familiar with the Onmitsukidō, the Supervisory Team's duty to 'supervise Shinigami' was no secret. Many rumors claimed that any Shinigami targeted by the Supervisory Team would soon disappear without a trace.
If he were merely the Fifth Seat of the Second Division, he wouldn't warrant their attention, but the identity of Vice-Captain of the Onmitsukidō's Third Division, the Supervisory Team, held a much higher status than other Squad Seated Officers.
The reason was simple: the Onmitsukidō operated parallel to the Gotei 13 and was directly under the jurisdiction of Central 46. The Vice-Captain of the Supervisory Team, one of its five divisions, was already equivalent to a Vice-Captain in other Squads.
And if they made any mistakes…
This guy in front of them truly had the authority to arrest people!!
Not to mention that both of them were Eleventh Division Squad Members known for 'constantly causing trouble,' so facing this Supervisory Team Vice-Captain, they inevitably felt a bit guilty.
Led by Kiyohara Tsumugiya, the group left the Onmitsukido barracks without hindrance, but they did not head towards the Supervisory Team barracks. Instead, they walked in the opposite direction.
Ishikawa Katori asked with some confusion, "Aren't we going to the Supervisory Team?"
"I heard from Captain Ōmaeda that you haven't eaten since you returned, so before coming, I already had the Squad Members in the mess hall prepare a meal for you." Kiyohara Tsumugiya paused, then smiled, "Anyway, the other two divisions have already questioned you. I'll just have someone record it later."
"Sir Ishikawa, your injuries haven't healed, and you went through such an intense battle today. After you eat, you should rest for the night at our Supervisory Team barracks."
Ishikawa Katori nodded upon hearing this. After rebuilding the barracks for most of the day, fighting in the afternoon, and then being interrogated non-stop since returning, he was indeed hungry.
"Thank you for the trouble."
"It's nothing, this is what I should do."
"I won't be staying at the Supervisory Team tonight. I need to go to the Comprehensive Relief Station to get some medicine to recuperate, and I'll probably rest there tonight." Ishikawa Katori said, then seemed to recall something and asked, "By the way, how is Kosuke doing now?"
"The Onmitsukido has already examined the child and found nothing unusual apart from being a bit weak."
Kiyohara Tsumugiya hesitated for a moment, then continued, "Originally, according to protocol, the child should have been sent to the Twelfth Division's Technology Development Bureau for a more precise examination. However, Captain Soi Fon refused the Technology Development Bureau's transfer request, citing their examination methods as 'too crude and unsuitable for a child'."
"She proposed an application to have the 'precise examination' step carried out by the Fourth Division's Comprehensive Relief Station."
Ishikawa Katori frowned. Having stayed in the Supervisory Team for so long, Ishikawa Katori had some understanding of the Technology Development Bureau's examination methods…
Although they wouldn't cause death due to regulations, no one who went in ever came out standing, and there were even records of causing paralysis and other sequelae.
Under the leadership of that mad scientist, the Technology Development Bureau went to an appalling extent to achieve its goals, but because the examination results were indeed extremely detailed and comprehensive, it was simply allowed to continue.
If possible, he personally did not wish to send Kosuke there.
"Has the application been approved?"
"For Spirit Body examinations, the Comprehensive Relief Station's instruments are not inferior to the Technology Development Bureau's. Moreover, it is said that other Captains also highly agree with Captain Soi Fon's proposal, so there should still be a chance of approval."
Kiyohara Tsumugiya finished speaking and looked at Ishikawa Katori, saying, "With Captain Soi Fon there, even if your friend's child is sent to the Technology Development Bureau, their examination methods won't be too cruel. After all, the child is a victim, not a criminal, and according to regulations, violent means are not allowed for examination."
"Furthermore, we have supervisory authority. If the application is approved, that's best. If not, I will directly send Squad Members to the Technology Development Bureau to supervise the entire process, so you can rest assured."
"Then I'll leave it to you."
Ishikawa Katori smiled upon hearing this. Kiyohara Tsumugiya's words aligned with his thoughts.
However, these words could not come from his mouth, because Ishikawa Katori was only the nominal Supervisory Team Captain. If Ishikawa Katori were to order Kiyohara Tsumugiya to do it, Kiyohara Tsumugiya would most likely not refuse, but for Ishikawa Katori, it would be an act of overstepping his authority.
Not even an insinuation was allowed. Aside from some trivial matters, Ishikawa Katori only had the right to make suggestions, not the power to implement them. Most measures actually required the approval of the current Supervisory Team Vice-Captain, and a small portion required the permission of Captain Soi Fon.
Ishikawa Katori did not want to incur Soi Fon's displeasure over such a small matter, so even though the Supervisory Team Squad Members already regarded him as their Captain, Ishikawa Katori had never overstepped his authority, which greatly pleased Soi Fon.
Upon arriving at the mess hall, the group was directly led to the Supervisory Team Captain's private room.
After Kiyohara Tsumugiya brought them there, he excused himself, taking Ishikawa Katori's Zanpakuto with him. This incident involved Captain-level combat power, and he, as the de facto head of the Supervisory Team, probably wouldn't get any rest tonight.
"Hoo—"
As soon as Kiyohara Tsumugiya left, Renji couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief, saying, "Being around him always feels so uncomfortable."
"You haven't done anything wrong, why are you afraid of him?"
Ishikawa Katori mumbled while eating, "Besides, as a promising Seated Officer, even if you went to Rukongai and killed a few people, you'd probably still receive a lenient sentence. You don't need to worry about the Supervisory Team at all. Of course, the premise is that you need a reason for killing, and it's not for some dreadful experiment or goal."
"Uh, Sir Ishikawa, are you very familiar with the Supervisory Team?"
"He's more than just familiar."
Ayasegawa Yumichika pointed to the door behind them, "Didn't you see when you came in? This is the Supervisory Team Captain's dining room. Plus, the Supervisory Team Vice-Captain is so busy, yet he personally went to the Onmitsukido to pick someone up. Can't you guess his identity?"
"…" Renji.
"Nominally, just like my situation at the Comprehensive Relief Station, I'm a temporary worker with no benefits or authority. This room is only allowed for my use because no one else is using it." Ishikawa Katori did not hide it, knowing that with their personalities, they wouldn't spread it around.
"That Vice-Captain's attitude towards you doesn't seem like it's towards a temporary worker, although it's the same at the Comprehensive Relief Station."
Ayasegawa Yumichika chuckled, but did not delve further into the topic. Many matters concerning the Onmitsukidō could not be deeply investigated.
Besides, being able to leave early was a good thing. Otherwise, with the Onmitsukido's thorough interrogation style, who knew how long they would have been detained.
"Are you going to the Comprehensive Relief Station next?"
"Mm."
Ishikawa Katori nodded. Although he had promptly stabilized his Spirit Body by adding points to his physique, the forced exertion of Reiatsu still required some recuperation.
Without a doubt, the best place for recuperation in the entire Soul Society was the Comprehensive Relief Station.
This was also Ishikawa Katori's initial plan: rebuild the Eleventh Division barracks during the day, recuperate at the Comprehensive Relief Station at night, and temporarily not accept any commissions.
"Then let's go together. I also want to see if Ikkaku is dead or not."
…
"Sir Ishikawa, are you alright?"
"I told you not to casually use your Reiatsu recently."
"If you didn't come back soon, Captain Isane was ready to go to the Onmitsukidō to demand your release."
"…"
As soon as they entered the Comprehensive Relief Station building, the Fourth Division Squad Members on night duty swarmed over. Ishikawa Katori, who was stopped, patiently replied to each of them.
Finally, urged by Kiyone, he bid farewell to everyone and headed towards Ikkaku Madarame's ward.
There were no so-called VIP rooms in the Comprehensive Relief Station, but as a Seated Officer, Ikkaku was still assigned a private room.
When they arrived at the ward, before Ishikawa Katori and the others could enter, they heard Ikkaku's shouts from inside.
"I told you I'm fine! Why won't you let me leave the hospital?"
"Mr. Ishikawa's treatment was indeed timely, but a Soul Sleep injury is not a minor matter, Third Seat Madarame. It's better for you to stay and rest at the Comprehensive Relief Station for the night."
Ayasegawa Yumichika and Renji exchanged glances and both smiled.
That booming voice was enough to indicate that Ikkaku was in excellent condition.
Ishikawa Katori pushed the door open directly and walked in, only to see several Fourth Division members firmly holding down Ikkaku Madarame, while Kotetsu Isane stood by, earnestly trying to persuade him not to leave.
"Mr. Ishikawa?"
Upon seeing Ishikawa Katori, Kotetsu Isane's expression brightened: "Is the Onmitsukidō investigation over? Are you alright?"
Kotetsu Isane was more aware of Ishikawa Katori's physical condition than anyone else present.
When Yachiru had brought him in, his injuries were so severe that Captain Unohana herself was alarmed and personally treated him. She had been there assisting at the time.
And after the rescue, she was responsible for the subsequent treatment, so when she heard that Ishikawa Katori had been attacked today and taken to the Onmitsukidō, she almost ran to the Onmitsukidō to demand his release.
"Don't worry, I wasn't directly involved in the fighting."
"You came at just the right time. Tell them about my physical condition." Ikkaku Madarame, seeing Ishikawa Katori, was also overjoyed: "I told them I'm fine, but they still won't let me go."
Ishikawa Katori heard this and said exasperatedly, "With so many beautiful nurses taking care of you alone, what more could you want?" Then, changing his tone, he sneered:
"If you really want to leave, you can go talk to Captain Unohana. As long as Captain Unohana says you can be discharged, absolutely no one will stop you."
"…"
Ikkaku Madarame's breathing hitched, and he silently lay back down.
"Just one night, then I'm definitely getting discharged tomorrow."
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