Rukongai, the place where souls arriveD after Soul Reapers performed Soul Burial on them.
Upon arrival, souls are issued with a consolidation ticket, and based on the order of their death, they were allocated to one of the eighty districts in Rukongai.
The 1st district boasts good public order and ample food, making it an ideal place to livee. On the contrary, the 80th district is desolate, suffering from famine, where souls often engage in battles over food.
The 78th District, Inuzuri had poor public order. Even Soul Reapers rarely came to execute missions in this area.
The Division members from Rukongai failed to fathom the actions of the lower noble Kuragawa Clan.
When they received the detailed mission instructions, all of them was puzzled and confused.
However, Nanao Ise fluently answered the questions that arose in the minds of the Division members.
"In general, ordinary souls only need to absorb Reishi from the atmosphere and drink a small amount of water to survive."
"But for souls with higher Reiryoku, simply absorbing Reishi is not enough to stay alive. In addition to water, they also require a large amount of food."
Nanao Ise pushed the delicate glasses up her nose and explained with an expressionless face:
"These types of souls are usually the future Soul Reapers from Rukongai, and I'm sure you all understand this."
Matsumoto Rangiku nodded repeatedly. As a soul who nearly starved to death, she had vivid memories of her time in Rukongai
The rest of the Ninth Division members didn't seem to have a pleasant look on their face either.
Their days in Rukongai were not easy. While living in the higher-numbered districts was somewhat better, living in places like Inuzuri basically meant death.
That past was not worth recalling.
"One of the Kuragawa Clan's objectives is now clear."
Nanao Ise paused for a moment and glanced at Tokikaze standing beside her. Seeing that he showed no signs of interrupting, she continued:
"They are collecting souls with high Reiryoku."
Tokikaze listened quietly, and no change in expression could be seen on his face.
In his heart, he thought, "Appointing Nanao Ise as my assistant was undoubtedly the most correct decision I've made recently. It makes everything so easy."
"I don't even have to think that much."
Actually, from beginning Tokikaze never cared about the ultimate goal of the Kuragawa Clan.
In the end, those things didn't matter.
He just wanted to capture the culprits and bring them to justice.
That was all.
"I haven't figured out Kuragawa Clan's ultimate goal yet."
Nanao Ise's voice became colder, "But there is no doubt that their actions have seriously violated the regulations of the Soul Society."
Tokikaze nodded slightly, "You should all understand. Prepare to leave for Rukongai."
"Captain, should we inform the First Division that we're going to use Red Hollow Gate?" Matsumoto Rangiku asked, "If it's not an emergency mission, we need to report to the First Division."
Tokikaze glanced at her and calmly said, "Too troublesome. When you work with me, don't bother with such cumbersome procedures."
"Just pass through with Tsunayashiro Clan's name."
Saying that, he walked directly towards the direction of the Red Hollow Gate.
Hearing this, the others couldn't help but look puzzled.
They watched Tokikaze's gradually receding figure until they suddenly realized that their new Captain's style of doing things was completely different from other Captains, including the former Captain, Muguruma Kensei.
...
Red Hollow Gate
Tokikaze didn't even say a word, and the one in charge of guarding this place, Higonyudo, swiftly lifted the Red Hollow Gate gate.
As one of the four gatekeepers, Higonyudo had a towering figure, and a fierce face that could make any baby cry.
But now, when he saw Tokikaze coming, his face was full of smile.
The extreme gap in status made even such an arrogant figure bow down to reality.
"Captain Tokikaze, please proceed carefully!"
Higonyudo supported the Red Hollow Gate and didn't forget to say a farewell.
Seeing the difference in the way they were treated, Matsumoto Rangiku and the others couldn't help but feel strange.
"What a hypocrite..."
Matsumoto Rangiku walked beside Tokikaze and grumbled, "Last time, I had to present a permit from the First Division when I went out."
Tokikaze glanced at her casually and replied calmly, "The Tsunayashiro Clan's crest is much more useful than that thing."
Privileges, once used, can never be returned.
Rukongai was much bigger than the Seireitei, and even with all the members of the Ninth Division picking their pace, it still took a considerable amount of time.
...
Inuzuri.
Dirty and chaotic, with a mixture of odors and various people coming and going. In the dim corners, one could even see bizarrely positioned corpses.
Beyond the 70th District was basically a living hell. However, the appearance of Inuzuri District exceeded the imagination of some Division members.
Although they all came from Rukongai, the majority had lived in the higher-numbered Districts. Regions as harsh as Inuzuri were usually designated as forbidden areas.
Even after becoming Soul Reapers, they had never come here to carry out missions.
"Where is Kuragawa Clan's residence?"
Facing this scene, Tokikaze remained as composed as usual, not showing much change in expression. Having lived in Rukongai for some time, he was naturally more accustomed to such conditions.
"To the north, in the outskirts, a place called Fushimi Mountain."
Before departing, Nanao Ise had memorized all the information about the mission.
Fushimi Mountain was completely desolated.
Except for a courtyard, there was nothing else there.
Within it, one could find souls dressed in rags, yet with fierce faces, moving in and out.
"Captain, should we record this scene? It's the evidence of Kuragawa Clan monopolizing water resources."
"Why bother with such troubles?" Tokikaze was puzzled, "Haven't you understood my way of doing things yet?"
In the midst of their conversation, the group had already arrived at the foot of Fushimi Mountain, near the courtyard.
Tokikaze glanced at Nanao Ise on his left and said, "I remember that you're pretty good in Kido, but you haven't had a good teacher to teach you the advanced lesson about Kido."
"The lesson from Shin'o Academy is not enough to make someone truly strong."
"On that note, pay attention to what's about to happen."
With that, Tokikaze raised his right hand, pointing towards the distant courtyard. His calm voice echoed in Nanao Ise's ears:
"Sprinkled on the bones of the beast! Sharp tower, red crystal, steel ring. Move and become the wind, stop and become the calm. The sound of warring spears fills the empty castle!"
"Hado #63: Raikoho!"
A bright golden light burst forth from his palm, illuminating the somewhat dim sky.
The roaring thunder ruptured the atmosphere, and the precise and accurate lightning struck the courtyard.
Before everyone's astonished gazes, the outer perimeter of the courtyard collapsed, and rolling dust engulfed Kuragawa Clan's residence, swallowing it entirely.