Karakura Town, 2:23 a.m., Friday.
The moon hung high.
A girl in samurai attire stood on a utility pole, surveying her surroundings.
"So, indeed a rather intense fluctuation."
This girl standing on the utility pole, looking like a Chuunibyo character, was none other than Rukia, who had come from the Soul Society for her garrison mission.
After spending some time in the Living World, Rukia had adapted to her current life.
At this moment, Rukia was tracking a Hollow.
"To the left!"
With that, Rukia stepped on utility poles, rooftops, and such, using them as leverage to leap through the air, pursuing the Hollow...
Evening, 7:30 p.m.
Kurosaki Clinic.
"I'm home!"
Saying so, Kurosaki Ichigo pushed the door open and entered.
Bam!!
Just as Ichigo stepped inside, a whip kick struck him squarely in the face.
"You're late!!"
Shiba Isshin bellowed. Well, it's Kurosaki Isshin now.
"What time is it already, you unfilial son! Our family rule is breakfast at 7:00 every day!"
Isshin berated his son Ichigo relentlessly.
"That hurts."
Ichigo struggled to get up from the floor, then shouted angrily, "Is this the attitude you should have toward your son who worked his butt off exorcising spirits and finally made it home?!"
"Shut up! No matter the reason, anyone who dares break our family's iron-clad discipline faces bloody punishment!" Isshin yelled.
"You think you're special because you can see and talk to ghosts, secretly pleased about it, don't you?!"
Isshin stood with hands on hips.
"Shut up! You're just jealous! But I never asked to be born with this ability either!"
Ichigo shouted.
"Stop fighting! The food's getting cold!"
Kurosaki Yuzu, with her short light-brown hair and adorable face, said helplessly.
"Yuzu, ignore them. Another bowl for me."
Kurosaki Karin, with black short hair, held out her bowl.
Meanwhile, Ichigo and Isshin, having no time for Yuzu's mediation, continued arguing...
Ichigo's room.
After a 'lively' meal, Ichigo returned to his room.
Ichigo grumbled, "Really, everyone in my family is like this..."
"Huh?"
Ichigo suddenly saw a black butterfly fly past his eyes.
"A black swallowtail?"
"Where'd it come from?"
Ichigo wondered.
"Huh?"
Just then, a girl in black samurai attire also appeared in Ichigo's room.
The girl in black samurai attire was Rukia.
After entering, Rukia walked around the room, then suddenly said seriously, "It's close..."
Bam!
Before Rukia could finish, Ichigo kicked her down.
"Close your head! Are you an idiot?!"
Ichigo roared.
"Really, even thieves are so blatant these days!"
"Hmph! 'Close' refers to that, right?! The safe or something!"
Ichigo said.
"..."
At this moment, Rukia was utterly confused.
"You... you can see me?"
Rukia said incredulously.
"Of course! Otherwise, why would I kick—"
"Huh?"
Ichigo suddenly felt puzzled. "What do you mean? I don't understand. 'See' what?"
Bam!
Isshin suddenly kicked open Ichigo's door and entered.
"Ichigo, you're too loud! Stop making all that noise upstairs."
Saying so, Isshin kicked Ichigo down again.
Bam!
Ichigo returned a whip kick to Isshin.
"You're so annoying! Isn't this a normal reaction after encountering a thief?"
Then, Ichigo pointed at Rukia. "See this girl? What's with your security? Letting a thief into the house!"
"Huh?"
"See what?"
Isshin directly played dumb, pretending not to see.
Since Masaki's death, Isshin no longer needed to use his power to suppress the Hollowfication within Masaki.
Thus, not only had he regained his power, but after years of suppression, his strength had even improved upon recovery. Naturally, he wouldn't be unable to see a Shinigami.
"Uh..."
Hearing Isshin's words, Ichigo asked, puzzled, "This girl dressed in black samurai clothes. You can't see her?"
"Useless!"
"I am… a Shinigami!"
"Ordinary people can't see me!"
Rukia explained.
Later, after Ichigo sent Isshin away, Rukia briefly explained her situation to Ichigo.
"So that's it?"
"You're saying you're a Shinigami?"
"Coming all the way from a place called 'Soul Society' to exorcise evil spirits here? Well, fine, I'll believe you for now—"
Bam!
Ichigo kicked over a table. "You think I'd say that?! Idiot!"
"You! You can see ghosts but don't believe in Shinigami?!"
Rukia exclaimed in surprise.
"Of course!"
"Sorry, but in all my years, I've never seen a Shinigami!"
"And I only believe what I see with my own eyes."
"Dad can't see you, so I believe you're not human. But cut the ghost tricks, got it, kid!"
Ichigo patted Rukia's onion-shaped head.
Ichigo's attitude made Rukia feel quite irritated.
"Truly unruly..."
"Bakudo #1, Sai!"
Rukia suddenly used a Kido spell to bind Ichigo.
"Ouch, ouch, ouch..."
Ichigo felt his hands forced behind his back by an invisible force and tied together.
Bam!
Rukia kicked Ichigo to the floor, avenging the earlier kick.
"Hehehe... Can't move, can you?"
Rukia said triumphantly.
"You... what did you do to me?"
Ichigo couldn't help but panic.
Rukia explained, "This is 'Kido', advanced spell techniques only Shinigami can use."
"And don't be fooled by my youthful appearance. In terms of age, I'm over ten times older than you. So, 'kid' isn't for you to call me."
"A small fry like you should be killed, but unfortunately, you're not on the spiritual law enforcement list. So I can only immobilize you. Remember to say thank you, kid."
"Now..."
Rukia suddenly drew her Zanpakuto, pointing it at Ichigo.
Then she swung down forcefully...