Yato gradually awakened, slowly opening his eyes to find himself still in Kukaku Shiba's dojo. The place seemed quieter now.
The only people in the dojo were Ganju, who was sitting at a distance, reading something in an Orihon while muttering a few words, and Ichigo, who was also sleeping in a rather comical pose.
Another thing Yato noticed was something around his neck. He realized it was a silver necklace with a five-pointed cross pendant, the Quincy's symbol, Quincy Zeichen.
Yato: '...Could be a problem if someone spots this...' - He thought, his expression filled with concern as he carefully touched the pendant.
If he suddenly appeared with a Quincy Cross, it would undoubtedly raise suspicions among everyone. So, Yato began contemplating how to conceal it in a way that no one would notice, yet he could carry it with him at all times.
Yato: 'If I recall correctly, there's a moment in the anime where Kugo Ginjo uses his Fullbring to merge his Substitute Shinigami Badge with his sword... if I concentrate, maybe I can merge the Quincy Zeichen with something... but what?' - The teenager pondered. He discreetly glanced over to check if Ganju was watching him, but the Shiba seemed deeply engrossed in his reading.
As Yato glanced quickly at his own hands, it didn't take him long to decide where to conceal the Quincy Zeichen.
The teenager took off the ring he was wearing and decided he would merge the Quincy Zeichen with the inner part of the ring. That way, the external part would remain normal while the inner part would bear a small symbol representing the Quincy Cross.
Yato glanced once more at Ganju to confirm that the man wasn't paying attention to what he was doing. He then scanned the dojo, looking around to ensure that no one would suddenly appear and catch him in the act.
Once he was sure everything was quiet around him, Yato began to concentrate on merging the two objects. However, he forgot that this process emitted a faint greenish glow from the object during the fusion.
Yato made a funny face, breaking into a nervous sweat, as he glanced sideways at Ganju, but apparently, the man hadn't noticed anything. When the teenager let out a relieved sigh, a sudden scream startled him once more.
Ichigo: "Ca-catnip!!!!"
The orange-haired Shinigami had also woken up, apparently from some crazy dream, but Yato didn't pay it much mind as he was busy calming his racing heart after the scare.
While Ichigo and Ganju were on the verge of another argument, the dojo door suddenly swung open, revealing Uryu.
Uryu: "Oh! You two finally woke up. Mr. Yoruichi is waiting upstairs. We're getting ready to leave."
Yato: ".....Guess I overslept…" - He mumbled as he got up to follow the Quincy, with Ichigo trailing behind.
It didn't take long for everyone to gather in front of that massive cannon. Kukaku stood near the cannon, while Koganehiko and Shiroganehiko were positioned a bit further ahead, one on each side.
Yoruichi: "Good, you're all here."
Ichigo: "What happened to your tail? It looks like one of those flexible toothbrushes." - He commented, annoying the cat.
Yato almost laughed but quickly covered his mouth to regain his composure.
Yoruichi: "Do you have a problem with it?" - The cat asked with a threatening look.
Uryu: "Don't you remember, Kurosaki? It was you who did that." - He muttered to Ichigo. - "When you created that cannonball, you fell asleep right after. As Mr. Yoruichi was about to explain how we would enter the Seireitei, you suddenly grabbed his tail... it took four of us to make you let go, and his tail ended up like this... I wouldn't mention it if I were you..."
Kukaku: "Where's Ganju?" - She suddenly asked.
Ichigo: "He was downstairs reading something."
Ganju: "Wait!!!" - He yelled as he rushed over to the group wearing a different attire. - "Heroes... always arrive... late..." - He said with a smile despite being quite out of breath.
Ichigo: "Why are you dressed like that?"
Ganju: "This is my own battle costume! Cool, huh? And don't bother begging, I won't lend it to you!"
Yato: ".....Okay..." - He said uninterested.
Ichigo: "And why do you need battle attire if you just came to see us off?"
Ganju's expression suddenly changed, and he walked up to Ichigo, grabbing the collar of his kimono as he approached.
Ganju: "My older brother... was killed by shinigami!!" - He said suddenly, leaving all the teenagers shocked.
Kukaku: "Ganju!!!!" - She threatened to get up, but her younger brother's next words made her stop.
Ganju: "You shut up and listen too, sis!!" - He turned his attention back to Ichigo. - "My brother was special. Even though he came from Rukongai, he graduated from the Shinigami Academy on his first try. At that time, his power was sixth class, which qualified him as an assistant captain in the Gotei 13. He completed a six-year curriculum in just two years and joined the main forces. In just five years, he became a lieutenant... Then he was killed!! He was betrayed by the shinigami he thought were his friends!!"
Everyone fell silent, listening to Ganju's story with mixed expressions, especially Yato, who already knew that Ganju was talking about Rukia, which made him somewhat uncomfortable.
Ganju: "I was just a kid back then, and I don't know all the details, but... there are two things I'll never forget... The demon-like face of the shinigami who brought my older brother's dying body... and my older brother's happy face... thanking the shinigami... I don't know why my older brother did that... but one thing is for sure... he never hated the shinigamis!! I want to know why! If I go with you guys, maybe I'll find out something... That's why... I'll help you! I'm willing to go into the heart of enemy territory to learn...What a shinigami really is!!!"
Kukaku: "Heh...Sounds like your mind's made up... Just don't come crying back to me, you little turd." She muttered more to herself with a smile. "Once you go there, you better be ready to die!!" She said loudly to her brother.
Ganju: "I am!!! Wait... what—"
Kukaku: "You better get ready!! Because there's no turning back now, kiddies!!"
# Seireitei - 1st Division Barracks | Captains Assembly Hall #
Captain Gin Ichimaru stood in front of the grand gates of the Assembly Hall. As the gates opened, an old yet imposing voice addressed the captain before he could enter.
Yamamoto: "There you are. So! What do you have to say for yourself, Captain of the 3rd Division, Gin Ichimaru?"
Gin: "What's going on? I was wondering why I've been summoned..." - He casually remarked without losing his trademark smile. - "The captains that run the Soul Society... assembling because of me? Or maybe not? I noticed the captain of the 13th Division is absent."
Tosen: "He's sick."
Gin: "Again? Poor thing..."
Zaraki: "Enough. You think we were summoned to discuss a sick captain?" - He said, annoyed. - "We heard you went to play with the Ryoka without permission and let them escape. What happened? A captain should easily kill about five or six Ryoka."
Gin: "What? They're not dead?" - He tried to act surprised, still wearing his enigmatic smile.
Zaraki: "What?!"
Gin: "Gosh... I thought they were dead. Are my instincts failing me?" - He scratched his head.
Mayuri: "Heheh... Don't pretend you don't know... captains like us can easily sense when someone's spiritual energy disappears completely. Are you saying you were negligent enough not to notice that?"
Gin: "Oh, are you suggesting I let them go on purpose?" - He responded with that same smile.
Mayuri: "That's exactly what I'm saying."
Zaraki: "Shut up, Kurotsuchi! Or do you want me to cut you down first?"
Toshiro: "Here we go again... stupid old man bickering." - The young captain sighed.
Soi Fon: "Fools." - She muttered.
Kyoraku: "Oh boy..." - He said with a small smile as he shielded his eyes with his straw hat.
Yamamoto: "That's enough. Captain Zaraki and Captain Kurotsuchi, stand down," - He said sternly, waiting for the captains to step back so he could refocus his attention on Gin. - "Captain Ichimaru, you acted without permission, and by allowing your target to escape, you committed a blunder unworthy of your rank! That's why I convened this meeting. Now, what is your explanation, Captain Ichimaru?"
# Rukongai - Shiba House #
After a brief demonstration of Yoruichi using the Reishukaku, Kukaku opened a passage in the cannon for the small black cat to enter along with Yato, Ichigo, Tatsuki, Orihime, Chad, Uryu, and Ganju. They all held a single Reishukaku at the center of the cannon while the black cat stood atop the orb.
Kukaku: "The Sun will be up soon. That's our cue to start the launching ceremony," -She said, standing outside the cannon and using a large brush to paint the ground around the cannon.
Yoruichi: "Listen up," - The feline caught the attention of the young group and Ganju. - "Stay close together once we're inside the Seireitei. If you encounter a captain, flee immediately. Our mission is to rescue Rukia Kuchiki. Don't take unnecessary risks."
Yato: "And...how exactly do you expect us to run from a captain?" - He asked with a slightly ironic tone. Yato was still coming to terms with the whole situation and had his share of doubts and concerns.
Yoruichi: "Do whatever is within your power," - She replied vaguely.
Before Yato could further question some of the plan's flaws, they all heard Kukaku begin the launch ceremony.
Kukaku: "Far away! Copper-colored greed desires the domination of 36 degrees!" - She drew her sword and drove it into the ground.
Yoruichi: "It's starting! Combine your spiritual energies!"
Kukaku: "Seventy-two pairs of illusions! Thirteen pairs of horns! The right hand of the monkey grabs the star!" - She removed the bandage from her hair and the bandage wraps itself around her left arm, suddenly igniting with flames.
With her arm engulfed in flames, she punched the area she had painted around the cannon.
Kukaku: "Embraced by the 25 wheels of the sun, the cradle of sand bleeds! Flower-Crane Cannon Launch Method Two!! Kagizaki!!"
With the ceremony completed, the cannon launched the group inside the cannonball with tremendous force.
Shiroganehiko: "You did it, Kukaku-dono!"
Koganehiko: "The ceremony was a success!"
For a brief moment, Kukaku looked up at the sky, in the direction where her brother had been launched along with the teenagers.
Kukaku: "Be careful, Ganju." - She said solemnly, showing her concern.