'Could he be the younger brother of the person who saved me back then?' Harribel looked at the figure of Toshiro on the screen and guessed in her heart.
'But if he's the younger brother, why does he have the same name? Could 'Hitsugaya Toshiro' be a name passed down through generations, like how the Captains of the 11th Division in the Soul Society are all called 'Kenpachi'?' Harribel racked her brain but couldn't reach a conclusion. She decided to set the question aside for now and find an opportunity to clarify it later.
"Aizen-sama, we failed to complete the mission. Please punish us."
Ulquiorra knelt on one knee, bowing his head to apologize.
"Tch! Useless! Two Espada mobilized, and you couldn't even take down that Kurosaki Ichigo. I seriously doubt whether you really deserve to be Espada."
Before Aizen could speak, Grimmjow couldn't help but mock.
"Hey! Grimmjow, we failed because we encountered Hitsugaya Toshiro, not because we lost to that brat Kurosaki Ichigo!"
Yammy retorted angrily.
"Hmph! You engaged Kurosaki Ichigo even before Hitsugaya Toshiro arrived, and he still managed to cut off one of your arms. If it were me, I could have finished Kurosaki Ichigo in one move, not giving Hitsugaya Toshiro a chance to save him. Even if that Hitsugaya Toshiro arrived in time, he'd only be collecting Ichigo's corpse! And with two Espada present, even if Hitsugaya Toshiro arrived promptly, I could break through his defense and kill Ichigo!!"
Grimmjow declared loudly.
"Grimmjow, you've never faced Hitsugaya Toshiro. You don't know how powerful he is!"
Yammy said angrily.
"Hitsugaya Toshiro is powerful? I think you two are just weak."
"Enough."
Aizen suddenly interrupted the argument between Grimmjow and Yammy.
"Hitsugaya Toshiro's strength is indeed formidable, and I myself am quite wary of him. As I've told you before, if you encounter Hitsugaya Toshiro, you may abandon the mission and prioritize preserving your own lives. So, Ulquiorra and Yammy will not be punished for failing this mission."
Aizen said.
"Thank you for your understanding, Aizen-sama."
Ulquiorra respectfully expressed his gratitude, then looked at the disgruntled Grimmjow.
"If Ichigo becomes stronger in the future and opposes us, I will handle him. Will that satisfy you, Grimmjow?"
Ulquiorra said, his expression indifferent.
"Hmph!"
Grimmjow snorted coldly and didn't answer.
…
Living World, Karakura Town, Kurosaki Residence.
"So that's it. I always wondered why that lion plushie could move. Turns out it's a Gikongan."
Renji said, fiddling with Kon's golden lion plushie body.
After finishing their serious talk, a bored Renji and Rangiku started 'playing with' Kon's plushie body.
"I've never seen a Gikongan put inside a plushie body before. But even inside a plushie, it can still move. As expected of something developed by the Technology Development Bureau, the quality is really something."
Rangiku said, curiously pinching and prodding Kon's plushie body.
"Hey, we're done talking. When are you guys going back?"
Seeing Renji, Rangiku, and the others laughing and playing without any sense of being outsiders, Ichigo finally couldn't help wanting to kick them out.
"What are you talking about? We're the advance team sent by the Soul Society. Of course, we're staying. Until the threat of the Arrancars to the Human World is eliminated, we won't be going back."
Renji put down the 'worn-out' Kon and said matter-of-factly.
"You're staying? But where will you live?"
Ichigo asked.
Then, seeing everyone staring intently at him, Ichigo quickly added, "Let me make this clear first, my house can't fit that many people! You guys should find somewhere else!"
"Eh? I can't stay either?"
Rangiku asked in surprise.
"You're the one who should definitely not stay!"
Ichigo said, exasperated.
'If Dad finds out a woman with such a 'dangerous' chest is staying over, he'll definitely... well, he'll definitely jump for joy.' Ichigo thought, feeling a headache coming on.
Unfortunately, Ichigo didn't know that if Rangiku stayed, Isshin would indeed be very happy, but not because she was a beautiful woman with big breasts, but because she was his former Lieutenant and a very close comrade.
"Well, that's too bad. Looks like I'll have to give you some 'rent'."
Rejected by Ichigo, Rangiku, who was kneeling on the floor, was taken aback. Then, as if an idea struck her, she suddenly put her hand on the buttons of her shirt, looking ready to undo them.
"Hey, hey, hey! Wh-wh-what are you doing?! Even if you unbutton your shirt, it won't work! At least take off your skirt… no, even taking off your skirt won't work! I, Kurosaki Ichigo, a man of honor, will never be swayed by your beauty!!"
Ichigo said righteously, covering his eyes.
"Hey, hey, maybe you should close the gaps between your fingers first."
Rukia commented, exasperated.
"Alright."
Toshiro patted Rangiku's shoulder. "Stop fooling around. It's getting late. We should find a place to settle down first."
"Hehe, I was just joking."
Rangiku not only didn't unbutton her shirt but instead tugged at her clothes, covering the enticing view of her chest more securely. "Actually, I've already decided to stay at Inoue's place."
"You're staying at Inoue's? Have you already talked to her about it?"
Ichigo asked.
"No, but we're close. Last time you were in the Soul Society, she said, 'If I ever come to the Human World, I have to visit her'. So if I ask, she definitely won't refuse."
Rangiku said.
"Since Rangiku has found a place, we should leave too and each find our own places to stay."
Toshiro said.
In front of the Kurosaki house.
As Toshiro and the others were about to leave, Ichigo personally saw them to the door.
"Well, Ichigo, we're off."
Toshiro waved to Ichigo.
Then the group went their separate ways, heading in different directions.
Since there were too many people to fit in one place, they had to split up and find their own accommodations.
"Hey, Captain, want to come? Inoue's place only has her, so even if you join, we can all fit. Just one guy and two girls, hehehe..."
Rangiku had a suggestive look.
"Idiot. Why would I go with you? Do I look like that kind of person?"
Toshiro refused coolly.
Although Toshiro refused Rangiku's invitation, Rangiku ultimately still followed behind Toshiro and left with him.
Well, because the direction Toshiro was heading happened to be towards Orihime's house.
"Captain and Lieutenant have left. Hey, Abarai, where are you planning to go?"
Sojiro asked Renji.
"I'm planning to find Urahara-san. He trained Ichigo to be able to rival me in just a few days, right? That shows he's very skilled at teaching others. So I'm going to ask him to help train me and make me stronger!"
Renji said with determination.
Having said that, Renji bid farewell to Sojiro and Ashido and left.
"Oh dear, oh dear, it's just us two now. Should we get going too, Ashido?"
Sojiro said to Ashido.
"Have you found a place to stay?"
Ashido asked.
"No, but we can just wander around. Maybe we'll find one."
Sojiro said with a smile.
Then the two turned and left.
"Hey, Sojiro, Ashido, take care! I hope you find a place soon!"
Rukia waved to the backs of Sojiro and Ashido with a smile.
"Hey, where are you planning to stay? They've all left. Aren't you going yet?"
Ichigo glanced at Rukia, who was lingering at the door.
"Uh..."
Rukia's smile froze on her face.
Then, before Ichigo could react, Rukia dashed into the Kurosaki house with lightning speed.
"Hey! Rukia! You stop right there! If you stay at my house, how am I supposed to explain this to my family?!"