Enter the Soul Society!
Nine days later, at 1 A.M, August 8th.
"Let's see. This should do it.", Ichigo, who was awake on his bed, told himself as he opened his bedroom window remembering what Urahara told him.
'In seven days, at 1:00 am, leave your window open and wait.', This was Urahara's instruction.
"I'm getting bad vibes from this…", Ichigo commented with a scowl before noticing a nice breeze coming in. "What a nice breeze…", Ichigo claimed before being caught off-guard when a ball bearing a caricature of Urahara hurtled past him and crashed against his closet doors, where it burst open and splashed blood-like liquid on the doors.
"What's that? What's happening?!", Ichigo asked himself before being shocked at the message the blood-like liquid revealed as it glided down the door.
'Please come in front of Urahara's shop Immediately', The Message read.
"W-What the hell is he doing? This looks like a message left at a murder scene! I hope it washes off!", Ichigo said in panic at the scene before he noticed a continuation, "What's this…P.S?", Ichigo asked himself as he noticed 'P.S' written there. The message revealed more…
'P.S… If you thought that this looks like a message left at a murder scene… or something basic like that… You have no sense of humor!', The message read.
"Shut up!", Ichigo exclaimed in anger as he threw a pillow at the message.
A few minutes later, Outside the shop,
"See you later, Yuzu, Karin, Ryuji…Dad…", Ichigo said while standing after he walked out the door.
"Good Morning! Ichigo!", Isshin called out loud as he fell from the top of the house, which Ichigo dodged. "By dodging that attack, it proves that you are my son after all.", Isshin said as he picked his head up a little.
"What the hell are you up to?!", Ichigo asked Isshin, pissed off.
"B-Before you leave, I wanted to give you this.", Isshin said as he handed an amulet over to Ichigo.
"What's up with this shabby amulet?", Ichigo asked as he looked at the amulet that had 'Immortal' written on it.
"How dare you call it shabby! Your mother gave it to me long ago! It is filled with luck and divine grace!", Isshin informed Ichigo, offended by Ichigo's comment.
"What are you thinking? I can't take this!", Ichigo exclaimed in shock, realizing the value of the amulet.
"Damn right! Who said I'm giving it to you? Who?!", Isshin replied, overpowering Ichigo's words. "I'm just lending it to you for your trip. When you're done, give it back to me in person.", Isshin told Ichigo with a serious tone.
"…", Ichigo looked at the amulet again.
"Here! What do you say? You better give it back, you hear?! I'll shave my beard if you lose it!", Isshin exclaimed in his comic tone.
"Uh, Okay…", Ichigo said in disbelief. "Well, I'm off!", Ichigo said as he walked away.
"Yeah.", Isshin replied as he watched his son walk away on his 'trip'.
Shortly afterward, while walking through Karakura Town, Ichigo recalled his interactions with Rukia and remarked that a lot of things have happened and refused to let their time together be rendered irrelevant.
Time-skip to Urahara's shop,
Ichigo arrived in time to find Urahara and Chad waiting for him.
"Oh, Kurosaki-san! Right on time! Good…good.", Urahara commended Ichigo for his punctuality.
"Chad… What are you doing here?", Ichigo asked as he noticed Chad stand up from the wooden box.
"Kuchiki Rukia once saved me. I'm going too.", Chad replied to Ichigo.
"Huh? What?!", Ichigo asked in disbelief.
"What? You didn't hear?", Uryu Ishida told Ichigo from behind.
"Ishida?", Ichigo asked in surprise.
"I am not letting those Shinigami have a win over me. I'm going too.", Uryu told Ichigo.
"Huh?!", Ichigo was still in disbelief.
"Now we're all here.", Orihime commented as she arrived there.
"Inoue?!", Ichigo asked in more disbelief.
"Looking forward to working with you!", Orihime told Ichigo with a bow.
"Huh?! Hey! What's going on?!", Ichigo asked all of them in surprise.
"Pretty slow on the uptake, aren't you?", The black cat commented as it arrived there.
"Yoruichi-san?", Orihime called out.
"Kid, don't tell me that you didn't notice the increase in the hidden powers of these three. While you two were training to regain your Shinigami power, these three were also training in their own way. Instead of criticizing, bow your head and thank them.", Yoruichi told Ichigo who looked surprised.
"A…A talking cat!", Ichigo freaked out.
"It's not a cat. He's Yoruichi-san.", Orihime told Ichigo.
"It is shocking, after all!", Ishida sympathized with Ichigo.
"It's his first time meeting him, I guess.", Chad stated.
"Yes, yes…Let's end it there. We can't keep talking outside. Please come in.", Urahara clapped to grab their attention before inviting them inside.
"Hey…", Uryu called Urahara.
"Yes?", Urahara asked Uryu.
"Just now, Yoruichi-san mentioned that two people were training to regain their Shinigami powers. If Kurosaki is one then, who's the other one?", Uryu asked Urahara.
"Now that I remember…you did mention it. Yoruichi-san, who is it?", Orihime asked Yoruichi.
"…", Ichigo and Chad looked at Urahara for an answer.
"…It is just someone you all know very much.", Urahara replied.
"Huh? That doesn't tell us any-", Ichigo cut his statement in the middle as the sound of wheels stopping entered his ears.
"There he is.", Yoruichi pointed to the person 'on the road'.
"I'm here…", Ryuji announced as he got off the skateboard that he rode.
"Kurosaki-kun?", Orihime asked surprised.
"You took your time, didn't you?", Yoruichi asked Ryuji.
"Sneaking around Father is not as easy as you think, Talking Cat.", Ryuji replied.
"My name is Yoruichi.", Yoruichi told him, a vein popping from its head.
"Well, since all of us are here…Let's get started.". Urahara told all of them as he walked in.
Inside the shop, Underground Cavern,
"W-Wow! All this space beneath the shop! This is so neat…it's like a secret base!", Orihime exclaimed in surprise.
"Really?", Ichigo asked dumbfounded by her excited face.
"What…What a wonderful reaction! I, Tessai, am deeply moved!", Tessai told Orihime while holding her hand and tears flowing from his eyes.
"Don't mention it.", Orihime replied with a smile to which Ichigo gave a dumbfounded expression.
"All right! your attention, please! Here we go!", Urahara called out while clapping to get their attention before snapping his fingers, causing four large rectangular pillars wrapped in tags to emerge at 90-degree angles from the space behind him and slide into place with each other, forming a gate.
"The gate to soul society?", Ryuji asked, looking at the gate.
"Yes, this is the gate that leads to Soul Society. It's known as Senkaimon, which is written as 'Tunnel World Gate'. Now listen very carefully. But, before that…", Urahara explained before pushing Ichigo and Ryuji's Shinigami out of their bodies.
"Woah! He pops out so easily!", Orihime, Chad, and Uryu were surprised.
"Hey, at least warn me before!", Ichigo yelled at Urahara while Ryuji gave a death glare, making Urahara sweat a bit while laughing.
"So these Kurosaki in no longer inside these two Kurosaki?", Orihime asked pointing to Ichigo's body.
"Of course! Don't talk as if we're not here!", Ichigo told Orihime, pissed off.
"Let's continue. This gate has a layer of Reishihenkanki, a Spirit-particle conversion machine on top of a normal Senkaimon.", Urahara told the others.
"Spirit-particle… conversion machine?", Ichigo asked.
"Soul Society is a world of spirits. It is impossible to enter there if you are not in spirit form. Since we both are Shinigami, it is not an issue but is for the rest. This machine just converts the others into spirits.", Ryuji explained to Ichigo and the others.
"That's correct.", Urahara stated.
"In other words, We'll be able to pass through without extracting our spirits, by going through this gate.", Uryu concluded.
"Correct. You will be able to enter Soul Society like that.", Urahara stated.
"How did you know what that machine does?", Ichigo asked Ryuji.
"Studying…", Ryuji replied.
"Huh?", Everyone looked at Ryuji for an explanation.
"I sneaked into Urahara's study yesterday for some info on Soul Society that could be useful. I happened to find the notes Urahara wrote about the machine and went through them. Didn't you know?", Ryuji explained and asked Urahara.
"Oh! That's what you were doing in my study.", Urahara noted in realization.
"You told me that I could go anywhere in the shop as long as I didn't interrupt the preparation of the gate.", Ryuji mentioned.
"Yeah…that happened too. But, it's incredible that you could understand what I had written.", Urahara stated.
"I couldn't understand the technicalities behind it, attributable to my lack of knowledge in the subject. But, I found it very interesting and could make out what it was supposed to do.", Ryuji told Urahara,
"Then, you must know the limitation we are facing.", Urahara deduced.
"Yes…The time you have to open the gate and connect to Soul Society is four minutes.", Ryuji stated, shocking everyone else.
"I-Is that time enough?", Ichigo asked Urahara.
"Normally, it would be impossible.", Urahara replied.
"What?!", Ichigo asked in disbelief.
"It's a reckless idea to start with. I'll do my very best and hold it for two minutes. If you can't cross over in that time…you will be caught between Soul Society and this world.", Urahara explained, making everyone nervous.
"W-What should we do?", Orihime asked nervously.
"Just go forward. I told you that the heart and soul are connected. The important thing is what you feel in your heart and will to move forward.", Yoruichi said, standing next to her. "I will be your guide. Go forward… Only those who can do that can follow me.", Yoruichi told them.
"Are you babbling in your sleep or what? That's why we're here!", Ichigo told Yoruichi with a determined face.
"You understand, kid, that if you fail, you cannot return.", Yoruichi told Ichigo.
"Then I'll just win!", Ryuji told her, with confidence emanating from his smirk.
"…", Yoruichi gave a triumphant smile.
"Are you ready? Run in the instant it opens.", Urahara asked after activating the portal.
"Yeah!", Ichigo replied, waiting for the opportunity.
"Let's do it!", Urahara said and opened the door, prompting the others to run inside in the same instant.
In the Dangai,
Ryuji and the others were running along the path with Yoruichi leading them. The wall behind them was melting and capturing the area that they ran through.
"What's happening?! The wall's catching up to us! The place we just ran through is collapsing!", Ishida noted looking back at the wall melting.
"If you have time to look back, you have time to run! It's all over if the Restrictive Current swallows you up!", Yoruichi told them while running.
Suddenly, a tendril of the collapsing wall reached out, latched onto Uryu's short cape, and begins dragging him backward by it into itself, to Uryu's surprise.
"What's happening?!", Uryu yelled in surprise.
"Ishida! The fool! It's the crazy get-up he has on!", Ichigo said as he placed a hand on his Zanpakuto to retrieve it.
"Hold it! Do not use your Zanpakuto. This current entangles the spiritual body. If you use your Zanpakuto, you will be caught too.", Yoruichi warned Ichigo, stopping a bit.
Chad ran back and ripped off Uryu's cape, freeing him from the wall.
"Thank-", Uryu's thanks were interrupted by Chad hoisting him on his shoulder.
"Let's go!", Chad said as he ran with Uryu on his shoulders.
"Put me down, Sado! I can run on my own!", Uryu told Chad as they all resumed running.
"You being on his shoulders should make it clear you can't.", Ryuji told Uryu while running.
"That's not- Hey guys! Something's…Something's coming our way!", Uryu stated as he noticed coming from the melting wall.
With a light shining through the wall from its front, the purple train-like creature bursts into view behind the group.
"What's that?!", Uryu asked in shock.
"It's the Kototsu! It appears once in seven days! And it has to be this day! Anyway, just run! It's incredibly fast!", Yoruichi explained in frustration.
As they ran faster, they could see that the light at the end is getting nearer and nearer. Ryuji flinched at the thought of getting stuck and boosted his speed more.
"Hurry! We're close to the exit!", Yoruichi told the others as they approached the exit while the Kototsu got near them.
"It's no good! We can't outrun it!", Uryu told the others, noticing the shrinking length between the Kototsu and them.
Hearing Uryu's warning, Orihime Inoue suddenly stopped in her tracks and turned around to face the approaching Kototsu with a determined look on her face. While everyone expressed surprise at this, Orihime used Santen Kesshun to block the approach of the Kototsu, resulting in a powerful explosion of energy that sent everyone hurtling out of the exit from the Dangai.
Soul Society, Rukongenkai,
The group hurled out of the opening that was in the sky and crash-landed on the ground, giving rise to a lot of dust. As the dust cleared, it was revealed that Orihime had caught them all with her Santen Kesshun before the crash.
"Is everyone all right?", Orihime asked the others.
"…", Ryuji looked at her in disbelief.
"Woah! Kurosaki-kun! The way you land is so artistic!", Orihime commented, looking at the position Ichigo was in.
"Shut up.", Ichigo replied in embarrassment.
"Damn it. That was something else. This is more than I expected. I never thought I'd have to break out my spare cape so soon.", Uryu ranted as he pulled out another cape.
"H-He brought a change of clothes…", Ichigo said in disbelief.
"I'm so glad… No one seems to be hurt.", Orihime said with a smile.
"What's there to be glad about?!", Yoruichi yelled in anger as it bashed its head on Orihime's eye.
"Ouch!", Orihime cried covering her bruised eye.
"Were you not listening to me?! We're lucky the Restrictive Current made contact with the shield area. If it had been the Shun Shun Rikka themselves, you'd be dead now!", Yoruichi scolded Orihime.
"I-I'm sorry…", Orihime apologised.
"So what? Don't be so hard on her. As it turns out, thanks to Inoue, we made it out without a scratch.", Ichigo told Yoruichi, prompting Ryuji to hit himself in the head.
"You do not understand how serious this is.", Yoruichi scolded Ichigo.
*A few minutes later*
"I-Is this the Soul Society?", Ichigo asked, looking at the rural buildings around them.
"This is the place known as Rukongenkai, the Drifting Spirit town. This is where souls first live upon arrival to Soul Society and is on the perimeter of Seireitei, the place where Shinigamis live. It's the poorest area within Soul Society, but also the area with the most freedom. It also has the largest population of souls in Soul Society.", Yoruichi informed them.
"Hmm… Even with all that… there's no one around here.", Uryu observed.
"What's that? It looks completely different on that side.", Ichigo noted, looking at the gate to Seireitei.
"Oh that…", Yoruichi's answer was cut by Ichigo.
"I got it! That's where Shinigamis live… the what-ever town…right?", Ichigo said before taking towards it.
"Y-you fool!", Yoruichi yelled at Ichigo.
"Hey!", Ryuji called after Ichigo, who kept running towards the gate and brought them to fight Jidanbo.
Time-skip,
Jidanbo was on his back, lying on the ground due to the pressure release created by the clash between his axes and Ichigo's Zanpakuto. Ichigo, who became a Shinigami in five days rather than the estimated 10, fought with Urahara for 5 days and nights to gain experience, making him a force to be reckoned with.
"Didn't I tell you before? Ichigo can handle himself pretty well.", Ryuji stated with a smirk.
"That's true…", Orihime agreed.
"W-What?", Jidanbo asked as he sat up.
"Kurosaki… What did he just do? That giant…went flying!", Uryu asked astonished.
"Hah! Man, that was close! I slipped and fell on my butt!", Jidanbo said, prompting Ichigo to give a puzzled look. "What's with that look? I bet you think I went flying. Hah! What are you thinking? I can't be blown away, it's never going to happen. That's why country pumpkins are a pain. Just wait, I'll use my axes again and…", Jidanbo told Ichigo pointing a finger before looking at his axes, which were destroyed, and froze.
"Hmm…Jidanbo's axes were destroyed in one blow.", Yoruichi said as she climbed on one of the pieces of Jidanbo's gigantic axes.
"What?! Those giant axes?!", Uryu asked in disbelief.
"Hey, say something!", Ichigo asked the frozen Jidanbo.
"M-My…axes!", Jidabo began to cry.
"Huh?!", Ichigo asked in disbelief before finding himself to be jumping.
"My axes! They're broken! They're broken! My axes…They broke! They broke! They broke!", Jidanbo hit the ground with every word, making everyone jump at every thrust.
"Huh?!", Ichigo was in utter disbelief at this.
"Now, he's crying, what's going on?", Uryu asked.
"It sounds like a siren.", Orihime commented on Jidanbo's cries.
"Uh…Hey…I'm sorry about this. For breaking your axes…. I didn't have to break both of them, I know… That was mean of me.", Ichigo consoled Jidanbo.
"Y-You're…a good guy. You and I are enemies, but you're concerned about me, a loser…What a big heart…You're a great guy!", Jidanbo praised Ichigo as caught hold of him.
"Uh…Well, when someone cries that much, anyone would want to console him.", Ichigo replied.
"Meanwhile, I'm acting like a kid over axes…I'm a failure as a man! I lose!", Jidanbo said, getting up with enthusiasm before putting his head down.
"Huh?!", Ichigo was dumbfounded.
"A complete loss! As a warrior…and as a man… I lost to you completely! It's been 300 years since I became the guard of Hakuto Gate. I've never lost once! You are the first man to defeat me.", Jidanbo accepted defeat and said as he wiped off his tears. "You may pass! I, Jidanbo, grant you permission to pass through Hakuto Gate!", Jidanbo told Ichigo.
"Huh? All right!", Ichigo said in relief.
"Can we pass too?", Uryu asked Jidanbo.
"I lost to your leader. I have no right to stop you.", Jidanbo replied.
"What?! Kurosaki is our leader? You must be joking.", Uryu asked in disbelief.
"Why're you so upset?", Ichigo asked in disbelief.
"Your name is Kurosaki?", Jidanbo asked.
"Yeah, Kurosaki Ichigo.", Ichigo replied.
"Ichigo, huh? That's quite a cute name.", Jidanbo replied.
"Shut up! Ichi means 'one' and go stands for 'protect'! It's not cute!", Ichigo replied, pissed off at Jidanbo's comment.
'You must be the only one to think that, Ichigo.', Ryuji thought to himself.
"Take care, Ichigo. I don't know why you're passing through this gate…But on the other side, they're all strong.", Jidanbo warned Ichigo.
"I know.", Ichigo replied.
"All right. As long as you know. Okay, I'll open this door now, so stay back!", Jidanbo told them before putting his arms under the door.
"Hmm…", Ryuji waited without an expression.
"Don't get scared. I'll give it one heave!", Jidanbo said before pushing the door upwards and held it.
"WOW!", Chad, Orihime, and Uryu stood in awe.
"A-Amazing!", Ichigo said, amazed by Jidanbo's strength.
"I never thought that thing could be lifted.", Orihime stated.
"Hmm.", Ichigo noticed Jidanbo sweating in fear. "What's the matter? Why are you just standing there?", Ichigo asked, getting near Jidanbo.
Jidanbo was found to be shaking in fear as a Shinigami, wearing a white haori over the Shihakusho, walked towards the gate. The Shinigami walked slowly, as how a snake would approach its prey, and stood before Ichigo and the others.
"Who's that?", Ichigo asked Jidanbo.
"The Captain of Squad 3… Ichimaru Gin.", Jidanbo replied, shaking at the man standing before them.
It was a thin, tall, and youthful man with very sharp features, giving him a skeletal appearance, and he bore unusual silver hair. His eyes were narrowed to slits like a snake's and had a wide mocking smile on his face.
'The Captain of Squad 3, Ichimaru Gin….', Yoruichi noted to herself.
"Oh, this will not do.", Gin stated before slashing the left arm of Jidanbo in a flash, making it unusable, causing the door Jidanbo held to fall on his shoulders which made him kneel.
"Jidanbo!", Ichigo called in concern.
"This is unacceptable. A guardian of the gate isn't supposed to open the gates.", Gin stated as he stood from his battle stance.
'So this is how strong a captain is.', Ryuji thought to himself as he observed Gin.
'We were careless…I didn't expect someone like him would come all this way. Even if these kids have become strong, Captain-level strength is beyond imagination. They can't fight him…We must avoid that worst possible scenario!', Yoruichi thought to herself, observing Gin.
"Ugh...I lost! Opening the gate is what is expected of a guardian who lost!", Jidanbo told Gin, finally summoning the courage to do so.
"What are you saying?", Gin asked as he walked towards Gidanbo. "A guardian who lost isn't opening any gates. When a gatekeeper loses…it means…'death'.", Gin said with a murderous smile before blocking Ichigo's attack with his Wakizashi.
"I-Ichigo.", Yoruichi called out in surprise.
"What the hell are you doing?", Ichigo asked Gin, pointing his Zanpakuto at him.
"That's my line!", Yoruichi said, a vein forming on his forehead.
"Don't try to butt in, you fox face! Anyone who attacks an unarmed guy… will be killed by me!", Ichigo told Gin with a serious face.
"Oh! You're a funny kid. You're not afraid of me?", Gin asked Ichigo with a mocking smile.
"Not at all!", Ichigo replied.
"Hey! Stop it, Ichigo! We have to retreat for now!", Yoruichi warned Ichigo.
'Ichigo? So, he's the one…', Gin thought to himself.
"Huh? What's the matter? I'll be fine. I'll just end this-", Ichigo's response to Yoruichi was interrupted by Gin.
"So you're Kurosaki Ichigo?", Gin asked Ichigo.
"You know about me?", Ichigo asked surprised.
"Oh, just as I thought.", Gin stated before turning around and walking back towards Seireitei.
"Huh?! Hey! Where're you going? Hey wait!", Ichigo called out to Gin as Gin kept of walking.
"All the more reason I can't let you pass!", Gin stated as he stopped in his tracks and extended his arm, holding his blade.
"Why are you standing so far back? Are you going to throw your Wakizashi?", Ichigo asked Gin.
"It's not a Wakizashi. This is my Zanpakuto, you see…", Gin told Ichigo before getting into a battle stance, his Reiatsu quelling the wind.
"Ichigo! Dodge!", Ryuji warned Ichigo.
"Huh?!", Ichigo heard it too late.
"Shoot Him Dead, Shinso!", Gin spelled out, making the blade glow white and extend at high speed toward Ichigo.
"Ugh!", Ichigo blocked the edge of the blade with the broad side of Zangetsu and was pushed backward into Jidanbo as the two are sent hurtling out of the gate and into the Rukongai.
"Kurosaki!", Uryu and Orihime called out before Orihime and Chad went to help Ichigo.
"Damn it! The Gate!", Yoruichi noted in frustration as the gate descended and Gin's blade retracted itself to Gin, who walked towards the gate.
"Bye by… What the?!", Gin's goodbye to Ichigo was cut off as he dodged a slash from Ryuji to his head.
"Grr!", Ryuji growled at the fact that his Zanpakuto missed Gin's head by an inch.
'That was close!', Gin thought to himself as the gate closed, giving Gin only the luxury of seeing a man with red eyes containing two tomoe in each. 'If I had dodged it a second late… it would've been fatal.', Gin thought to himself after noticing pieces of hair on the ground.
(On the other side of the gate…)
"Damn it! I was close!", Ryuji grunted as he stabbed the gate with his Zanpakuto in anger.
"Ouch! Ouch! Ouch!", Ichigo rubbed his head, trying to dull the pain while sitting beside an unconscious Jidanbo.
"Are you all right, Kurosaki-kun?", Orihime asked Ichigo as she knelt beside him
"Kurosaki!", Uryu called out in concern.
"How's the gate?", Ichigo asked them, turning his head around to look at the gate. "Damn it!", Ichigo cursed as he saw that the gate was closed.
"Tch.", Ryuji's lips twitched in frustration.
"It seems you're all right.", Yoruichi stated, standing in front of Ichigo.
"Sorry… the gate got closed because of me…", Ichigo apologized to Yoruichi.
"No, your opponent was Ichimaru Gin. It couldn't be helped. Be glad you weren't hurt.", Yoruichi told Ichigo, who gripped his hands in frustration and stood up to pick up his blade.
"Inoue…", Ichigo called Orihime as he held his blade on his shoulder.
"Huh?", Orihime asked Ichigo.
"Take care of him.", Ichigo told her, referring to Jidanbo.
"Okay", Orihime nodded before turning around to see that the villagers have appeared after hearing their whispers.
"Who are they?", Ichigo asked.
"The citizens of Rukongenkai who were hiding until now.", Ryuji answered, standing next to them.
"Why?", Orihime asked at the prospect of them hiding.
"They were afraid of us. Souls who illegitimately arrive at Soul Society without the aid of Shinigami are known as Ryoka, and they are said to be the cause of all kinds of calamities.", Yoruichi explained.
"They think we are enemies?", Ichigo asked, prompting the others to be alert.
"Please wait.", An elderly man who stepped forward from the assembled villagers said.
"Huh?", Ryuji noticed the man.
"I am the elder of Rukongenkai. I witnessed everything that happened now. We want to welcome you as Jidanbo's saviors.", The elder stated with a bow.
Time-skip, In one of the houses of Rukongenkai,
Ryuji sat around a fire with the elder, Yoruichi, Ichigo, and all the others, searching for a plan to get inside Soul Society. Ryuji had heard of the bullying that Shinigamis do to Rukongai's citizens. Ryuji's idea of a Shinigami kept taking a toss when information like this reached his ears. He had cleansed many hollows and saved many souls. To know that Shinigamis not only refuse to help you reunite with their family members, but they also bully these souls.
"What? Give up on breaking the gate?", Ichigo asked loudly, breaking Ryuji's flow of thought.
"Not give up. Once the gate has been opened, the security on the inside becomes tighter. Which means the same strategy is not the best one.", Yoruichi explained.
"I agree.", Uryu said.
"What about the other gates?", Chad asked, pointing to the map in front of them.
"There won't be much difference than this one.", Yoruichi replied.
"Then, what do we do?", Ichigo asked with his arms crossed.
"If we can't use the gate, we must find another way.", Yoruichi explained.
"…", Ryuji observed Yoruichi's words carefully.
"Lord Elder, do you know Shiba Kukaku?", Yoruichi asked the elder.
"W-What?!", The Elder asked in shock.
"I understand she constantly changes residencies. I haven't been able to find out where she lives now.", Yoruichi stated.
"Shiba…Kukaku…You're not planning to go through the wall with that?", The elder asked.
"That?", Orihime asked.
"Huh? What's that noise?", Ichigo asked as they noticed the sound of some animal's footsteps.
"What is it?", Orihime asked, noticing it as well.
'What the', Ryuji asked himself as he saw a guy fly into the room, breaking through the door while rolling in like a ball and fell flat onto his face.
"What's happening?!", Orihime asked in shock.
"Ouch!", The guy said as he rubbed his head.
"W-Who is this guy?!", Ichigo asked, looking at the guy.
'…', Ryuji stood in disbelief as he saw a wild boar walk into the house.
"Huh? A wild boar?! Why? What's a wild boar doing here?!", Ichigo asked in disbelief.
"Ouch! Darn… thrown again by my Bonnie. Hey! It's been a long time, Old man.", The man greeted the elder with a lame salute after dusting off his injuries.
"Ganju! What are you doing here?! Go home!", The elder replied.
"Some greeting! I come up to visit after a long time and I get that? Your guests are shocked. Oh…", Ganju said before noticing Ichigo and Ryuji standing there.
'Who is this joker?', Ryuji asked himself.
"What do we have here?! What are dirty Shinigami like you doing here?", Ganju asked, looking at Ichigo and Ryuji.
"What of it?", Ichigo asked.
"Not 'what?'. I asked what are dirty Shinigami like you doing here.", Ganju asked, keeping his hand on Ichigo's cheek.
"Huh?!", Ichigo stared into Ganju's eyes seriously.
"Huh?! Say something, you dandelion he-", Ganju asked holding Ichigo's chin before Ichigo punched him towards the door, surprising everyone.
"W-What're you doing? You pickin' a fight?", Ganju asked, holding his punched cheek.
"That's my line! Try to provoke me like that! You prehistoric boar!", Ichigo replied, pissed off as hell.
"'Prehistoric boar?' how dare you!", Ganju shouted at Ichigo which turned into a banter between the two.
"What should we do?! We should stop them.", Orihime said in concern.
"Good grief… Just as I expected.", The elder noted and took a sip of his tea.
"This is no time to drink tea! Who is that time?", Uryu told the elder.
"You don't know who I am?", Ganju asked Uryu.
"I don't.", Uryu replied.
"Neither do I.", Orihime added.
"Don't know.", Chad added.
"Don't want to know.", Ichigo added.
"Don't give a damn.", Ryuji finished.
"Hah… too bad, I'll tell you.", Ganju stated before continuing, "My name is Ganju! The Self-Proclaimed Deep Red Bullet of West Rukon! And Self-Proclaimed: The Most Likely to be Called Big Boss Candidate for 14 Years Running! And… Self-Proclaimed Number One Shinigami Hater of West Rukon!". Ganju listed.
'All Self-Proclaimed!', The others thought in disbelief.
"Hah! You're hopeless.", Ichigo dismissed.
"What?", Ganju asked.
"What?", Ichigo asked back, making Ganju yell before pushing Ichigo out of the house for a fight.
'How many more Idiots are we going to encounter?', Ryuji thought to himself while keeping a hand on his face as Ichigo and Ganju start fighting.
End of Chapter - 8