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[Crossover] Ch 43: Out of Bleach
🕑 Added 2025-05-25 22:38:03 +0000 UTC— — — — — —
While Orihime Inoue was treating Captain-Commander Yamamoto's injuries—
Rukia Kuchiki, helped along by Rangiku Matsumoto, walked over with a worried expression.
"Orihime… where are Ishida and Chad?"
Rukia couldn't help but ask about the classmates who had come to the Soul Society to help rescue her, yet were nowhere to be seen.
As for Ichigo Kurosaki?
That idiot was just standing off to the side, completely spaced out.
She already thought he wasn't smart to begin with, but now, looking at that dumbfounded expression of his, she figured his condition might've gotten worse.
Orihime turned her head at the question, looking awkwardly toward Captain Unohana.
Ever since she'd started following Ryo, she'd been told her friends were safe—but in truth, she didn't really know where they were or what had happened to them.
Unohana gave a gentle nod. "They're alive. Last I heard, they're in Division Four's medical bay."
"They're okay? That's a relief!" Orihime breathed out a long sigh, visibly relaxing.
Nearby, Kyōraku Shunsui chuckled while gently pressing a hand to one of his wounds.
"The big guy—Chad—was under my protection. As for the Quincy kid, I think they found him over at Division Twelve."
He then shook his head, adding with a hint of regret, "Still didn't expect Lieutenant Nemu Kurotsuchi to turn traitor. Shame too—she was a real beauty."
Clearly, Kyōraku Shunsui was feeling conflicted about it.
How could a woman like that fall in with the enemy?
Jūshiro Ukitake let out a soft sigh. "Poor Captain Mayuri. Died for nothing."
Dead, his daughter defecting to the enemy... if that's not tragic, what is?
"Wait, Captain Mayuri is dead?" Rukia's eyes widened in shock.
This was the first she'd heard of any captain dying. Weren't they just dealing with a few Ryoka? How the hell did a captain end up dead?
Ukitake nodded solemnly. "Luckily, he's the only one."
Then he paused, realizing how that sounded, and forced an awkward smile.
It made it sound like Mayuri was somehow special, which really wasn't the point.
Just then—
Despite still not being fully healed, Yamamoto narrowed his eyes and growled:
"Once this is over… Kyōraku, Ukitake, Soifon, Kuchiki Byakuya."
The captains immediately turned toward him at the sound of their names.
Yamamoto continued, his tone like thunder:
"When your injuries have recovered, lead your divisions to the World of the Living… and bring Kisuke Urahara back into custody!"
"If he resists—kill him on the spot!"
Byakuya responded without hesitation. "Understood!"
Shunsui and Ukitake exchanged glances, then both looked over to Yoruichi Shihōin, who stood nearby, clearly uneasy.
Yamamoto's eyes followed theirs, settling on Yoruichi.
"Given your contribution in the recent battle," he said, "your past offenses will be forgiven. Don't throw that away."
Yoruichi's scalp tingled, but she knew this wasn't the time to argue. Yamamoto had made up his mind. So she raised her hand decisively and declared:
"I know where Urahara is. I'll lead you there."
Better him than me.
Yoruichi understood perfectly: with Mayuri dead, Division Twelve had no commanding officer, and Urahara—once a criminal—was now squarely in Yamamoto's crosshairs.
If they weren't going to execute her, she had no reason to rebel. This wasn't the old days anymore. Yamamoto was pissed, and if he really lost his temper, both she and Urahara could be toast.
As for what would happen to Urahara Kisuke? Yamamoto probably wouldn't kill him outright. Not while Ryo and Aizen were still in play. But punishment? That was definitely on the table.
At that moment, Unohana spoke up.
"What about the Ryoka?"
Yamamoto turned, his gaze shifting between Orihime and Rukia. After a moment of silence, he said:
"Given that all of this was set into motion by Ryo and Aizen's schemes, we will not hold the Ryoka accountable."
Rukia's face lit up in pure joy.
With that issue settled, Yamamoto clearly had no interest in continuing the conversation. He turned toward Soifon and said:
"Soifon. From this moment on, Division Two is to launch a full investigation into the movements of Ryo Yagami, Aizen Sōsuke, Gin Ichimaru, and Kaname Tōsen. I want to know exactly what they've been doing in the Soul Society and what their true objective is."
"Understood?"
"Yes, sir!" Soifon responded sharply, taking the assignment without hesitation.
As this was happening, Yamamoto turned his gaze toward Division One's direction—specifically, the place where Division Zero had once stood. His eyes narrowed again, lost in thought.
Nearby—
Ichigo Kurosaki stood there, dazed and unsure of what to do.
He watched Orihime tirelessly treating the captains, winning their trust and goodwill like it was nothing, quietly prepping for her future here.
He saw Rukia walk over to Byakuya, bowing her head like an embarrassed child, apologizing over and over. Byakuya responded with a gentle pat on the shoulder—brotherly approval, just like that.
He also saw Renji bawling like a baby the moment he saw Rukia again—tears, snot, the whole nine yards—only for her to immediately back away like he was contagious.
And just like that, a strange sense of loneliness washed over Ichigo.
But just as quickly, the feeling faded.
Rukia was safe. Everyone was safe. That was all that mattered.
With that in mind, Ichigo finally allowed himself to relax.
All that was left now… was to wait for the journey home.
— — —
Hueco Mundo – Las Noches
Ryo stood high atop a tower in the white palace, clad in a pale uniform, looking out over the endless desert below.
Aizen walked over, standing beside him, his eyes scanning the view as he spoke:
"The research on the Hōgyoku and the Ōken Key is going to take time. If we also want to study the structure of the Three Realms and prepare for what comes next… it could take decades—maybe even a hundred years."
Ryo raised an eyebrow, then after a moment's thought, replied:
"I get it. I'll search for a way to stabilize the Three Realms through the Little Garden."
Aizen smiled faintly. "In that case, the rest of the work might take only six months."
"Still too long," Ryo muttered with a sigh.
He wanted to complete the observation quickly, but no matter how strong he was, time remained the one opponent he couldn't beat.
He pulled out his pocket watch and looked at the number on the dial—9.
That spike in influence had come from revealing his true identity to the Soul Reapers and their precious protagonists.
But those last three points?
They'd likely have to come from the Soul King himself—from a true, world-shaking revolution.
Ryo narrowed his eyes and murmured:
"I can only stay here for eleven more days… it's not enough."
"I'll get you whatever you need," Aizen offered calmly.
"No need. Nemu can handle it," Ryo replied, shooting Aizen a glance.
Aizen gave a light chuckle. "Then I'll have the Tres Espada accompany you."
Ryo looked at him sideways, a smirk playing at his lips. "You think I'd be like you and get hung up over a woman?"
He'd just heard that Hinamori Momo—the human shield vice-captain—still wasn't dead.
Aizen had gone out of his way to stab her himself, and she still survived? What, was the girl's heart located in another dimension?
But Aizen only smiled. "I don't allow myself weakness."
"Oh? Then I hope you stick to that. After all, the Hōgyoku doesn't grant every wish."
Ryo didn't press further.
He understood well—Momo surviving wasn't about Aizen caring for her.
No… deep down, Aizen had once dreamed of giving up power, finding a few like-minded allies, and living a peaceful life.
That... was his weakness.
A few moments later, Aizen walked off on his own.
Ryo stood there in silence before turning around, facing Nemu Kurotsuchi, who had been quietly waiting behind him the whole time.
He shrugged. "Come on. Let's go gather the data I need."
"Yes, sir," Nemu replied with a bow, following close behind.
As they walked, Ryo let out a soft sigh.
"In the end… I'm still just waiting for the next chance to cross over."
He had to get ready.
The Little Garden was calling.
That… was his true stage.
.
.
.
