Rukia had found Ash. She also found Angie but she didn't want to go on this new mission on request of Tsunade. With ninja students from other villages disappearing, Tsunade used connections which linked to Urahara. She persuaded Urahara in a sense of him being a salesman and not a Soul Reaper to retrieve Ash. Rukia was sent to get Ash but first confronted Angie. Citing that she was nowhere near as powerful as Naruto and Ash, Angie refused to get attached to this new case. Thus, Ash was the only other participant outside of the Soul Society or the Ninja World...and he would be found in Pallet Town. Ash entered the living room with cups of tea, one for Rukia as she was comfortable with a yellow mouse which bore a tail in the shape of a lightning bolt. "Thanks, Ash," she praised before slurping on the tea.
"It's not the same from my mom's Oran Berry tea," he admitted, saying he was not as skill in making tea than his mother. Ash decided on wondering what business Rukia had in coming here. "So, what does the 13-Court Squad want with me, this time? It can't be about what Naruto did when we were captured by that squad captain, right?" Rukia shook her head softly in denial.
"Not quite. You're needed but not by Yamamoto." In a sense, Ash had been requested but not by those he got familiar with. "Actually, the request came from the Hokage of Konohagakure, or the Hidden Leaf Village." That made Ash remember the name of the Village.
"That's the home of Naruto and Hinata, right?"
"Yeah. Here's the back story. There have been a rash of chunin disappearances from surrounding villages. So much so that the Hokage had pulled the chunin from their missions for safety purposes. In doing so, other village leaders protest the Hokage's decision of failure to provide assistance, even sending out Naruto and Hinata." This was some information Ash was receiving.
"It sounds chilling but what does it have to do with me?" Be patient, Ash. She's getting there.
"Urahara didn't fill me in on why the Hokage needs you. I'm sure that he can provide the necessary equipment for you and Pikachu. And before you ask, Angie has chosen not to join this time around." Ash and the mouse were a little surprised to hear that Angie wasn't going to join in this go-around.
("Why not?") Pikachu squeaked.
"She stated that she doesn't have anything like the chakra, Kidō or aura. She said herself that she's was useless and considered excess baggage." Disappointment defaced Ash. Finally, he realized why Angie opted to stay at home.
"Well, when you think about before, we were all forced into the Soul Society," he summarized. "That meant we all had to work together regardless of what we had and lacked. I believe this time, she had an option of joining or not. Still, I kinda wish she did come as moral support." He understood Angie's choice.
"Even if you do call her, she won't change her mind." Yeah, let's not waste her time. Ash stood up, ready for Tsunade's request.
"If the Hokage's calling for me, I might as well accept the mission." Rukia felt her mission was complete. Suddenly, a knock on the door. Maybe Angie had a change of heart. Ash opened the door which revealed a pink-haired girl in a cute schoolgirl uniform...somewhat like Rukia's, only ivory instead of grey.
"Yay, I found you!" she cheered. Ash was a bit startled with the new girl.
"Yachiru, what are you doing here?" he gasped. Yachiru handed a letter to Ash. Wonder what's on it?
ASH- RECEIVING THE MISSION NOTICE FROM HOKAGE TSUNADE, IT WOULD BE BEST FOR YOU AND ANGIE TO COME VISIT THE 13-COURT SQUAD TO FURTHER PREPARE FOR THE TREK. - HEAD GENERAL YAMAMOTO.
Yamamoto wanted to see him? "I wanted Kenny to join me but the head general said it wasn't really needed," Yachiru exclaimed. "Besides, he's still heated after Ichigo." Well, if the head general wanted Ash, he might as well go. Rukia and Pikachu joined Ash in seeing the letter. There was one thing Ash could say in understanding.
"Lead the way, Yachiru," he answered. The group left the home and found a way to a new village which looked like a maze of apartment complexes connected together. There was one place where the setting in this environment where Ash and Rukia entered. In the room were 13 people in black and white feudal garbs. Six filed each side while an old bald man with a long white beard in front. Ash stood in the middle of the 12 while facing the old man. The old man opened his eyes to see Ash.
"Ash, thank you for joining us," he greeted. "Where's Angie? Was she not with you?" Ash was willing to answer the concern.
"She refused to join me this time," he replied. The old man didn't reply but another man wearing a flower-print robe over his feudal garb and a weird straw hat seemed disappointed.
"You mean she didn't come like before?" he wondered. "That's a shame. She's nice, unlike that blond who did extensive damage to the prison chambers. Nanao tallied the cost for the repairs." Ouch! Ash remembered that time when Naruto helped him and whoever else escape.
"That is enough blame, Captain Kyōraku," the old man in front warned. Kyōraku tilted the hat to hide his face. "Your friend has optioned not to assist you in this mission in the new ninja world. I am not going to force those issues on your friend and whatever the reason is none of my concern. On a side note, I do apologize about some of the captains considering the events from that time. Most of us Soul Reapers do not trust Ryoka and even substitutes like Ichigo Kurosaki." Ash knew the risks but tried his best not to be fearful. Another captain with a face that had an eye-patch over his right eye and his raven-hair spiked wildly turned to the old man.
"Look, it's fun to go down memory lane but if this is a loose Hollow, why not just send one of us to take care of it?" he questioned. The old man shot a look at the big man, knowing better.
"That's a rush to judgment, Captain Zaraki. From all we know, it could be one of the creatures from his world. Going into action would result in disastrous outcomes." Zaraki snarled at the old man's denial to simply charge at the problem. "I have only limited information about the mystery that Lady Tsunade has requested you to get involved in. I suppose the 13th Captain Byakuya Kuchiki's sister presented details, did she?" Ash bobbed, knowing now about the man with raven hair who wore a white zig-zag decoration in his hair. That's Rukia's brother. Rukia hung out in the back with Pikachu, wondering if this was worth it. That's when a raven-haired female turned to the old man.
"Head General Yamamoto," she spoke with her hair in white wraps making long pigtails tucked from the back of the neck. "This is the ninja world that's being investigated, correct?" Yamamoto turned to the new speaker.
"That is correct, Captain Suì-Fēng. Something the 2nd Division would be comfortable environment wise." Suì-Fēng stepped from her post and stood by Ash. Wait a second...did EVERY female Soul Reaper want a piece of Ash Ketchum?
"By your permission, I will accompany Ash in the ninja world." Ash gulped. In a sense, Suì-Fēng was replacing Angie. "As you've pointed out, I want to use this field of work to enhance my skills." Yamamoto was now eating his own words. Suì-Fēng had high interests about this world.
"Very well. I will grant your request. Ash, have you any objection to Suì-Fēng on this mysterious trek?" Ash had a couple seconds to ponder if Suì-Fēng as company was a good move. He thought it couldn't hurt.
"No, it would actually be an honor to work alongside the captain," he responded. Yamamoto seemed satisfied with this team of Ash and Suì-Fēng.
"Then it is settled. Ash, Suì-Fēng, I entrust that you'll find out the cause of these vanishings and return the lands to normal." Pikachu felt confident that Ash could solve the caper in the ninja world. "Ash, go with Captain Kurotsuchi to Division 12 for your equipment necessary for this mission." Division 12 must be a weapons department. He looked to where Yamamoto pointed to. There was a blue-haired man with a black face but white paint around the cheeks and wearing a purple neck warmer. He also appeared to be wearing a gold piece of headgear which shielded his ears and gave him a unique beard. That's Captain Kurotsuchi?
("I'd feel more comfortable with the woman right there,") he sighed and pointed to the woman who was taller than Suì-Fēng with longer hair that was braided and shown in the front.
"Captain Unohana resides with the 4th Division which runs medicine," Rukia whispered. "But I understand how you feel." After Yamamoto's words, the captains were dismissed and Ash and Suì-Fēng followed Kurotsuchi. Unohana got to Rukia and Pikachu, fascinated with the mouse.
"I take it that's Ash's mouse?" she guessed. Rukia gulped, slightly panicked. Pikachu confirmed Unohana's suspicions. "I see. I would like to give you a thorough examination before you go with Captain Suì-Fēng and Ash to the ninja world." A checkup didn't sound so bad. Pikachu jumped onto the captain's shoulder before going to get examined. Ash and Suì-Fēng followed behind Kurotsuchi with a ponder about why the 2nd Division captain desired to journey with the Pallet Town trainer.
"I have to say that this is a first for you, Captain Suì-Fēng," Kurotsuchi awed through the yellow teeth. "Is it all right if I ask what prompted your decision?" Suì-Fēng dipped her head, slightly shamed.
"I need distance from him," she muttered lowly. Kurotsuchi had a feeling on who.
"Lt. Ōmaeda's pestering you again, huh? I see what you mean." Soon enough, they reached an area where Soul Reapers bowed, greeting their captain and his associated. "How goes the ninja equipment?"
"It's ready to go," one Soul Reaper reported. "Two ninja suits ready!" Apparently, word doesn't get around as fast as other stories go. Angie's not coming! God...!
"We had trainer uniforms for the vice versa, in case it was your world that was in trouble. Remember when we confiscated your tools in the past? Well, we've studied your equipment from the headbands the ninjas wore to the hand-held devices you had. As you can see, we've made perfectly scaled replicas of kunais, paper bombs and blank scrolls." On a table was paper slips, throwing knives, scrolls and blue headbands with carvings of a down-facing tulip on a steel plate. That's different to the print of the leaf Naruto had.
"Captain, I hate to criticize you but this doesn't look like the Hidden Leaf Village's emblem," Ash pointed out. Kurotsuchi wasn't bothered.
"Well, are you ninjas from the Hidden Leaf Village?" For a few seconds, it dawned on Ash. He wasn't a ninja, let alone from Konohagakure.
"Point taken." One Soul Reaper brought a ninja outfit to Ash. It was a blue ninja suit with black hems and linens. There were even the same open-toe boots that Naruto wore. Ash entered a dressing room where he traded his clothes for the suit.
"I must say, Suì-Fēng, you're taking a rather unique task in taking a former Ryoka under your wing." Suì-Fēng hissed at this task that she herself requested.
"Don't get the wrong ideas, Captain Kurotsuchi," she spat. "I'm not a babysitter, I'm a Soul Reaper. All he is...is just a boy. I'm not going to act like Lt. Matsumoto and chase a human male." Harsh. Ash stepped out in the new duds. He didn't look to shabby. The fishnet sleeve over his right arm might have been a little off but otherwise, he was ready.
"Might take me a couple days to get use to this," he judged. "Thanks, captain."
"My- Our pleasure," Kurotsuchi snickered. Disgusted with the interaction of the Soul Reapers and the solo Ryoka, Suì-Fēng entered the changing room and outfitted herself in a ninja suit with a face mask that only revealed her eyes. She was in all black. She wrapped the headband around her neck while Ash donned his normally on his head. "Now that you are outfitted, I'll open the gate to the ninja world. One moment." So this was it. In a short matter of time, Ash will have gone from his home in Pallet Town to the Seiretei and to the Ninja World for a reunion with Naruto and Hinata.
"Ash!" Rukia called. Ash and Suì-Fēng turned where Pikachu, now wrapped in a tiny blue robe, jumped onto Ash's shoulder. "Take it easy." Ash nodded before a flash caught everyone. A swirling vortex had opened.
"The gate to the ninja world is opened. Ash, Suì-Fēng...and you, little pet...Godspeed." With that, the trio entered the vortex, exiting the Seiretei. Ash, Pikachu and Suì-Fēng were now on a hill viewing Konohagakure, the village hidden in the leaves. Soon, they're going to receive information about the mysterious missing chunin. This was Ash's first moment in a new world.
"After dealing with the Arancarr, this may be easier for me," she mumbled. Ash didn't hear her as he strolled onto the village. Suì-Fēng stayed close. What awaited them could change their lives.
TO BE CONTINUED...
(I do apologize for any confusion but after a little study, Soi Fon is really named Suì-Fēng.)