March, the peach month.
After late spring, the temperature gradually warms up, and there are many middle school students on the streets wearing bright new clothes, who have just entered middle school.
Ichigo turned slightly to the side, bypassing a few middle school students running on the street. After taking a closer look, he muttered to himself, "The school uniform seems to be similar to what Yuzu wore this morning. Is it the same school?"
It wasn't until this moment that he suddenly realized...
Unknowingly, Yuzu had already started middle school.
Thinking of this, Ichigo smiled slightly, and then prepared to withdraw his gaze.
"Ouch—"
But at this moment, a few little girls who were running and playing on the sidewalk seemed to have bumped into someone.
When Ichigo looked over, the figure who had been bumped into by the little girls was already squatting on the ground. He could vaguely see through the gaps between the little girls that the other person was wearing a black outfit, as if he was lecturing the little girls.
Ichigo shook his head when he saw this. Being lectured on the street would only make those children feel dissatisfied with the person lecturing them, and they wouldn't think that the other person was doing it for their own good.
However, to his surprise...
Before long, the little girls laughed happily, shouting things like 'Big Brother'.
The person who was blocked by them slowly stood up, reached out and rubbed the heads of the children, then rummaged in his pocket, took out a few things that looked like candies, and handed them to the little girls.
This scene made Ichigo frown.
But then his pupils shrank. Although he couldn't see clearly due to the distance, the black work clothes made him feel extremely familiar.
It should just be that he saw it wrong, right?
That person shouldn't appear here, and most importantly...
Even if he did appear, he shouldn't be able to see him.
But after seeing the other person say goodbye to the little girls and walk into the alley, Ichigo couldn't help but quickly chase after him.
However, when he came to the crossroads and was about to turn, he couldn't help but stop.
Although he was basically certain in his heart that the other person should just be someone else wearing similar clothes.
But when he wanted to confirm, Ichigo was still a little hesitant.
Because his current life...
Is what he has always dreamed of.
He clearly longed for a life where he couldn't see 'them', but when that familiar black work clothes appeared, he actually hoped that he hadn't seen it wrong.
Isn't it good to have a dream come true?
Ichigo was a little unsure whether he was satisfied with his current life, but after hesitating for a while, he decided to walk in the direction where the person in black work clothes had left.
However, as soon as he turned the corner, his steps stopped.
Not far from the corner, a figure was sitting on a roadside bench, holding a drink he had bought from the vending machine next to him, looking at him with a smile on his face.
Familiar attire, familiar face, and that extremely familiar smile.
The moment he saw the other person, Ichigo found that he was actually excited for a moment, wondering if he could see 'them' again.
But then he realized...
The other person might just be wearing a Gigai that allows people in the Human World to see him outside his spiritual body. After all, the other person had just been talking to a few little girls in front of him.
After a moment of silence, Ichigo walked forward and threw a few coins into the vending machine next to the bench.
With a 'click', Ichigo walked forward with two bottles of drinks and handed one to the young man in black work clothes.
"Hehe, I knew I shouldn't have bought it just now. I even swiped that money from an uncle."
"…"
Hearing this, the extremely complicated emotions that had accumulated in Ichigo's heart disappeared instantly.
Instead, he said speechlessly, "You didn't steal an old man's money, did you?"
Although the other person's age in Soul Society could be said to be extremely young, the person he called an uncle must be at least fifty or sixty years old, right?
"How could that be? It's just a Yakuza uncle with a fierce face and tattoos all over his body."
Ishikawa smiled and then said, "Let's not talk about him. Anyway, we won't see him again in the future. Speaking of which, we haven't seen each other for more than a year, right?"
"…" Ichigo.
What do you mean by won't see him again? Did you kill him?
After hesitating for a moment, Ichigo finally chose not to ask, and instead said, "It's been 17 months."
"You really remember clearly."
Ichigo was stunned when he heard this, then shook his head: "Speaking of which, Ishikawa-sama, why did you come to the Human World?"
"I came to do something and see you by the way."
Ishikawa leaned back lazily and said, "I originally wanted to help you solve some troubles, but after seeing you, I realized that it's better not to be nosy."
Trouble?
Ichigo was stunned. Having lost his spiritual power, how could he encounter troubles that Brother Ishikawa needed to help solve?
Looking at Ichigo, Ishikawa suddenly understood why both Urahara Kisuke and Isshin did not give any reminders or interventions, even though they knew about the Gotei 13's plan.
The appearance of Ginjo Kūgo and others is indeed necessary for Ichigo to recognize his inner self.
Otherwise, even if he helped him restore his Shinigami abilities, he would think that this was not the life he needed, and his mentality could often determine a person's growth and strength.
"Speaking of which, your sister has started middle school, right?"
Ishikawa changed the subject and smiled: "I just happened to meet your sister, Kurosaki Yuzu, when I came over."
Yuzu?
Ichigo looked at Ishikawa warily. Although he respected this big brother very much, he had learned some of Ishikawa's deeds from Renji and Rukia. He couldn't be said to be a scumbag... but Brother Ishikawa, who was extremely gentle to everyone, could easily arouse the love of little girls.
Most importantly...
Ichigo had never mentioned his family to Brother Ishikawa.
"…" Ishikawa.
What do you mean by looking at me so warily? It makes it seem like I would do something to your sister.
I always feel like this guy has misunderstood something.
"Brother Ishikawa, you..."
"Alright."
Ishikawa hurriedly interrupted Ichigo. He always felt that if this guy continued, his character might be questioned.
"Did you forget what you were going to do?"
"Ah?"
Ichigo blinked and subconsciously said, "Preparing to go to school... uh..." He immediately reacted, but after looking at the time, he didn't panic, but said calmly, "It doesn't matter if I skip the first class."
"Students these days are really free."
Ishikawa sighed, then got up, turned around, and pointed to the back.
Buzz—
Arcs of electricity flashed, and a pillar of lightning shot out.
Kido?
Ichigo looked in the direction where the lightning disappeared, and what came into view was the blue sky.
When he turned back again, wanting to ask what was there, he found that Ishikawa, who had been beside him, had disappeared from the spot at some point.
… …
Ishikawa stood in place, watching Ichigo's back. He reached out and pulled in the empty space in front of him. Accompanied by a ripple of light, his entire being seemed to melt into the air, completely disappearing from the spot, no longer just his clothes undergoing Reishi transformation.
Roughly dozens of seconds passed after he disappeared, accompanied by a breeze, two figures appeared here.
"It's about time to start."
"The Soul Society seems to have noticed our actions. It's better to resolve this as soon as possible."
"Hehe, I'm actually looking forward to the Soul Society's people coming."
The two figures looked at the departing Ichigo, exchanged a glance, and didn't go up to make contact with him, instead directly disappearing from the spot.
However, the two who left didn't notice that next to where they were standing, ripples appeared in the void. With the appearance of the ripples, the disappeared Ishikawa reappeared in the same spot.
"Tsk tsk…"
Looking at the direction Ginjo Kūgo and Tsukishima left, Ishikawa curled his lips.
Too weak!
He didn't deliberately conceal his aura; he only used Bakudo No. 26: Kyōka Suigetsu to hide his figure, yet even if these two were standing next to him, they wouldn't notice anything.
More strictly speaking…
Even if he didn't hide his figure or conceal his Reiryoku now, standing in front of them, they wouldn't feel the slightest fluctuation of spiritual power from him.
This was the difference in dimensions.
Ishikawa didn't dwell too much on the two of them. Although he had once engaged in a difficult battle with these two, and even almost died at their hands, to be honest… the current two couldn't even arouse his interest in revenge.
Compared to them, Ishikawa was more interested in their female companions.
"Ishikawa-sama, you're really enjoying a rare moment of leisure."
Just as Ishikawa was hesitating whether or not to go to their base for a 'chance encounter,' a very familiar voice came.
"Boss Urahara is the same. Every time I come to the Human World, you come to greet me."
"Since Ishikawa-sama has graced us with your presence, of course I have to come and welcome you."
Urahara Kisuke shook his folding fan, his tone suddenly changing: "After all, Brother Ishikawa, you basically wander around the Rukongai, Seireitei, and Hueco Mundo every day. Since the last battle, this is your first time coming to the Human World."
"Don't worry, I'm no longer interested in those two guys, and I don't plan on attacking them."
Ishikawa looked at the smiling Urahara Kisuke, really not interested in arguing with him, and instead said directly: "I came this time because I received a request from 'YDM Book Sales' to come to the Human World to buy some books she pre-ordered."
The so-called 'YDM Book Sales' was a shop opened by Lisa Yadōmaru of the Visored in the Rukongai, but the scope of business also included the Seireitei, or rather… the vast majority of customers were members of the Gotei 13.
And the shop's goods, as the name suggests, were selling various books from the Human World, and providing services such as not leaking customer information and confidential home delivery.
In short…
They were basically some books not suitable for children.
Seventeen months had passed, and many changes had taken place in the Seireitei.
The captain approval for Shinji, Kensei Muguruma, and Otoribashi Rōjūrō had been passed, and the three of them had respectively become the captains of the Fifth Divsion, Ninth Division, and Third Division.
Of the eight members of the Visored, a total of five remained in the Soul Society.
They were the three captains, Miss Lisa who was staying at the Shiba, and Kuna Mashiro, Kensei Muguruma's follower, but she didn't become the Vice-Captain of the Ninth Division again, but was arranged by Kensei Muguruma for a position called 'Ultra Radical Scoop Editor'.
The name was incredibly cool, but in reality, it was a job that ran errands back and forth between the Human World and the Soul Society, with her own column in the Seireitei Communication, the content of which was basically introducing the customs and culture of the Human World.
As for Hiyori Sarugaki, Hachigen Ushōda, and Aikawa Rabu, they returned to the Human World, unwilling to return to the Gotei 13.
More strictly speaking, only Hiyori Sarugaki was unwilling to return to the Gotei 13. Hachigen Ushōda and Aikawa Rabu only wanted to take care of Hiyori, so they chose to leave.
Ishikawa didn't care much about the others, but he had established good friendships with Kuna Mashiro and Miss Lisa in the past year or so.
It was a pity that Hiyori was unwilling to have any contact with the Seireitei, so she didn't even have a Denreishinki, otherwise Ishikawa could still chat with her on the phone in his spare time.
In the past year or so, it could be said that Ishikawa hadn't been idle for a single day.
But even so…
Hakuda: Top Tier (704680 / 1000000)
In 17 months, he had gained more than 400,000 experience points. Compared to the past, this could already be said to be a great harvest.
But for the things that were about to come, this was still far from enough!
Moreover, most of these experience points were actually obtained from the female Arrancar in Hueco Mundo. The experience points provided by the Rukongai plus the Seireitei could be said to be very few.
Saying goodbye to Urahara Kisuke and changing his appearance, Ishikawa followed the list provided by Miss Lisa and skillfully purchased the books, then immediately returned to the Soul Society.
As for why he had to change his appearance, the reason was very simple…
He didn't want to socially die!
As for what was about to happen in the Human World, Ishikawa didn't plan to participate at all, nor was he interested in participating.
… …
"Ishikawa, why did you go for so long?"
Ishikawa had just returned to the tavern when a figure wearing a sailor suit greeted him: "My customers are urging me."
"Sorry, I ran into Ichigo on the way, so I went to say hello."
"Ichigo?"
Lisa nodded and said: "What's there to say hello to? It's not like you won't see him again. Urahara's preparations are said to be coming to an end. It shouldn't be long before he sends the things over."
Ishikawa heard this and smiled, not saying anything more.
He was now more and more certain that Urahara Kisuke's preparations might have already been completed, and he was just waiting for the right time.
Ishikawa looked at Lisa, who was checking the books against the list, got up and walked towards the backyard.
"You're leaving as soon as you get back?"
Utsuki behind the bar saw this and said speechlessly: "I learned a new word from the new residents. It's really too suitable for you. You're simply a try-hard."
The corner of Ishikawa's mouth twitched slightly. He didn't want to try-hard either, but now he had no choice but to try-hard!