Meanwhile, Kisuke and Rukia, having left the alley-
'That feeling just now... as if someone was watching me from behind...'
Kisuke, walking with Rukia, suddenly glanced back.
However, Kisuke didn't spot Toshiro.
'And that Reiatsu feels familiar... Someone I've met before?'
Kisuke wondered inwardly.
"Oh right!"
"That Reiatsu... seems like Hitsugaya Toshiro's!"
Kisuke suddenly realized.
Years ago, to save Masaki, Isshin chose to stay in the Living World, forever accompanying Masaki.
Toshiro, then just the 10th Division's Third Seat, was also present. So Kisuke recognized Toshiro's Reiatsu.
'So it was him? I heard he later became a Captain, and over a year ago, even became 'Vice-Captain Commander of the Gotei 13'. Oh my, oh my, young people these days are truly remarkable...'
Kisuke sighed inwardly.
Although Kisuke had lived in the Living World all these years, he paid close attention to Soul Society's affairs. So he'd heard about Toshiro.
"But if it's him, there shouldn't be any issues, right?"
Kisuke pondered.
Although Kisuke left the Soul Society, the Soul Society had been secretly searching for him.
While ordinary Shinigami like Rukia didn't know about the covert investigation, Toshiro, as 10th Division's Captain and Vice-Captain Commander, definitely knew.
Thus, if Toshiro had acted earlier to capture him and bring him back to the Soul Society, it would have been troublesome.
"Shopkeeper Urahara, what's wrong?"
Seeing Kisuke lost in thought, Rukia couldn't help but ask.
"Oh, nothing."
Kisuke snapped back to reality.
"Alright, let's head to my shop first."
After Kisuke and Rukia left, Toshiro also departed the alley, returning to the Soul Society.
…
10th Division, Captain's Office.
After returning, Toshiro didn't immediately start handling division affairs. Instead, he contemplated matters.
'Judging from Aizen's words in the original work, the Hogyoku created by Kisuke was hidden within Rukia's soul. The reason Kisuke lent Rukia a gigai earlier was to gradually dissolve her Reiryoku using the gigai, turning her into an ordinary soul, thus completely concealing the Hogyoku's existence.'
Toshiro thought.
However, Kisuke's plan didn't succeed. Rukia was eventually discovered, and the Hogyoku was obtained by Aizen.
'So, should I prevent Aizen from obtaining the Hogyoku?'
Undoubtedly, if Aizen didn't get the Hogyoku created by Kisuke, relying only on his own incomplete Hogyoku would reduce his threat level.
…
Two months later.
Central 46, Underground Assembly Hall.
A Shinigami from the Onmitsukido was reporting to the Central 46.
"Esteemed Council, the Onmitsukido has discovered one individual in the Living World who has gone missing and committed a major violation."
The Onmitsukido Shinigami reported.
"Oh? Who dares violate Soul Society regulations?!"
A Central 46's judge said angrily.
"It is Kuchiki Rukia!"
"She was previously on a garrison mission in the Living World but suddenly went missing. Our investigation revealed she transferred her Shinigami powers to a human."
The Onmitsukido Shinigami answered.
"Kuchiki Rukia?"
Hearing the Onmitsukido's answer, the Central 46's members hesitated momentarily.
If it were just Rukia, it'd be nothing… just an ordinary Shinigami. But Rukia was from the Kuchiki Clan.
Involving the Kuchiki Clan made things somewhat troublesome.
However, if they let Rukia go, the Central 46's authority would surely suffer. So the Central 46 quickly reached a decision.
"Notify the Gotei 13. Have them send someone to the Living World to capture Kuchiki Rukia and bring her back to the Soul Society to stand trial before the Central 46!"
"If Kuchiki Rukia resists, kill her on sight!"
…
1st Division, Meeting Room.
At this moment, a Captains' Meeting was underway.
After all Gotei 13's captains assembled, Yamamoto said gravely, "Everyone, I've just received word from the Central 46. A Shinigami of the Gotei 13 has severely violated Soul Society's regulations."
"What?"
"Which division?"
"What violation?"
Everyone asked.
Toshiro's heart tightened.
'It seems Rukia's matter has been discovered.'
Toshiro thought to himself.
"Silence!"
Yamamoto then explained, "The violator is 13th Division's member, Kuchiki Rukia!"
"What?! Impossible! How could Rukia violate Soul Society's regulations?"
Ukitake said incredulously.
Hearing this news, Byakuya also trembled, his heart in turmoil.
"Quiet, Jushiro!"
Yamamoto reprimanded.
Then Yamamoto continued explaining to everyone, "According to the Onmitsukido's report, while on garrison duty in the Living World, Kuchiki Rukia transferred her Shinigami powers to a human. This indeed constitutes a severe violation of Soul Society's regulations."
For Yamamoto, who had protected the Soul Society for so many years, the Soul Society's importance outweighed everything. So no matter who violated its regulations, Yamamoto wouldn't show mercy.
Thus, toward Rukia, Yamamoto felt no sympathy.
Yamamoto continued, "The Central 46 has just issued an order. The Gotei 13 is to capture Kuchiki Rukia and bring her back to the Soul Society to stand trial before the Central 46. Moreover, during the capture, if Kuchiki Rukia resists, kill her on sight!"
Hearing Yamamoto's words, everyone's hearts tightened, knowing he wasn't joking.
"Now let's discuss who to send to the Living World to capture Kuchiki Rukia."
Yamamoto said.
"Let me go, Captain-Commander!"
A voice suddenly rang out.
Everyone looked and found it was Byakuya.
Seeing Byakuya volunteer, everyone couldn't help but be surprised.
Byakuya was Rukia's elder brother. Normally, he should recuse himself.
"Captain-Commander, please let me go. I want to personally capture Kuchiki Rukia to cleanse the disgrace she has brought upon the Kuchiki Clan."
Byakuya said with a stern expression.
Yamamoto looked deeply at Byakuya, then nodded. "Very well."