Watching helplessly as Rukia left with Byakuya, Ichigo couldn't do anything.
At that moment, rain began to fall from the sky.
Smack!
Ichigo slammed his hand against the ground.
"She... saved me... again...!"
Transparent droplets slid down Ichigo's face, indistinguishable as rain or tears.
Ichigo understood clearly in his heart. Whether Rukia treated him coldly or willingly returned to the Soul Society with Byakuya, it was all to save him.
"Arrrgggghhhhh...!!"
Ichigo shouted with all his might, venting his frustration and helplessness.
For the first time, Ichigo truly hated his own powerlessness and weakness from the bottom of his heart!
Ichigo didn't know how much time had passed before he finally quieted down.
"So painful..."
"My body is so heavy... so cold..."
"Blood... keeps flowing..."
"I... am I going to die...?"
Ichigo's consciousness began to blur.
Tap, tap, tap...
Footsteps sounded.
Kisuke walked up to Ichigo holding an umbrella, shielding him from the rain.
"Ah... did the rain stop...?" The fading Ichigo felt the raindrops no longer falling on him.
Not far away, hidden in the shadows, two figures had observed everything that transpired from beginning to end.
"Aren't you going over there, Captain? That's your precious son," One of them asked.
"No, Toshiro. It's not yet time for Ichigo to know about me. Besides, Urahara-san has already gone. With Urahara-san's abilities, Ichigo will definitely be fine," The other person replied.
The two figures hidden in the shadows, watching everything unfold, were none other than Toshiro and Isshin.
Isshin was naturally here because he was worried about his son, Ichigo.
When he saw Byakuya attacking Ichigo earlier, Isshin almost couldn't hold back from intervening. However, upon realizing Byakuya's strikes targeted Ichigo's Saketsu and Hakusui, Isshin managed to restrain himself.
Because Isshin also knew that the Shinigami power within Ichigo wasn't his own. For Ichigo to awaken his own power, piercing the Saketsu and Hakusui to expel Rukia's power was necessary.
As for Toshiro, he was here because he wanted to witness firsthand. If Byakuya and Renji intended to deliver a killing blow, Toshiro could intervene in time to stop them.
Although, from the original work, Ichigo came out of this unscathed, there was always the risk of a butterfly effect due to Toshiro's presence. If Byakuya and Renji actually decided to kill Ichigo, it would be a tragedy.
After all, Ichigo was the protagonist of the original work and couldn't be allowed to come to harm. Otherwise, if Toshiro couldn't handle the big bosses later, they'd have to rely on Ichigo.
Moreover, regardless, Ichigo was Isshin's son. As Isshin's close friend, Toshiro couldn't just stand by and watch Ichigo come to harm.
In short, whether for public or private reasons, Ichigo couldn't be allowed to die. So, Toshiro specifically followed Byakuya and the others to the Living World.
Upon arriving, Toshiro discovered Isshin and Kisuke were also secretly observing Ichigo's confrontation with Byakuya and Renji. Toshiro then revealed himself and greeted Isshin.
"Speaking of which, the 'friendship' between Rukia and Ichigo is truly touching," Toshiro suddenly remarked with emotion.
Earlier, watching Ichigo and Rukia disregard their own lives for each other, Toshiro couldn't help but feel moved for a moment.
Toshiro remembered that in his previous life, it was this very event that made him an [IchiRuki] shipper. Experiencing this scene firsthand now was even more moving than simply watching the anime.
'Sigh, it's a shame Rukia ended up with Renji in the end.' Although Renji was Toshiro's friend in this life, Toshiro still couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
At that moment, Isshin also praised, "Hmm, Rukia is a good girl. It would be a good thing if she and Ichigo got together."
The fact that Rukia had been staying in Ichigo's room these past days naturally couldn't escape Isshin's notice. After this period of observation, Isshin believed Rukia was a good girl.
Moreover, back when Isshin was still in the Soul Society, although he hadn't met Rukia directly, he had heard about her from Kaien.
"Never mind. Matters of the heart should be left to fate. There's no point for outsiders like us to worry," Toshiro said.
"Alright, Captain, it's getting late. I'll head back to the Soul Society first," Toshiro bid farewell to Isshin.
"Wait!"
Isshin suddenly spoke up. "Toshiro, there's something I'd like to ask of you."
"Just say it. No need to be polite with me," Toshiro agreed readily.
"It's like this. I understand Ichigo's personality very well. With Rukia being taken back to the Soul Society this time, Ichigo definitely won't just give up. He will definitely find a way to go to the Soul Society to rescue Rukia. In fact, Urahara-san and I anticipated this would happen, so we will also help Ichigo get to the Soul Society when the time comes."
"However, once we're in the Soul Society, Urahara-san and I won't be able to help much. So, when that time comes, if Ichigo truly faces mortal danger, I ask that you definitely step in to help him." Isshin requested.
"I know from your position, helping Ichigo, an 'intruder', would put you in a difficult spot. But, you are the only person I can turn to. Please grant me this excessive request!" As he spoke, Isshin actually bowed to Toshiro.
Toshiro quickly stopped Isshin. "There's no need for that, Captain. Ichigo is your son. Naturally, I won't stand by and watch him come to harm."
"Then, thank you, Toshiro."
Seeing Toshiro agree, Isshin couldn't help but feel relieved. With Toshiro's strength, even if Ichigo truly encountered some mishap, Toshiro could certainly ensure his safety.
"Oh, right, Toshiro. From now on, don't call me 'Captain'. I haven't been a Captain for a long time. You are the Captain of the 10th Division now, so just call me Isshin from now on," Isshin said.
"Is it really appropriate to call you 'Isshin' directly, Captain?" Toshiro asked hesitantly.
Ever since Toshiro joined the 10th Division years ago, he had always called Isshin 'Captain'. Over the years, Toshiro had long grown accustomed to it, even though Isshin was no longer a Captain.
Isshin, however, didn't mind at all. "It's perfectly fine. Given our relationship, calling each other by name is normal."
"And since you've agreed to help Ichigo this time, as a token of gratitude, I'll have Ichigo recognize you as his 'godfather' in the future," Isshin added casually.
"Godfather?!" Toshiro was instantly stunned.
'However, being the protagonist's godfather... thinking about it, that's really... awesome!' Toshiro thought to himself.