"Byakuya..."
"I'm sorry, Captain Hitsugaya. I'd like to be alone for a while."
Before Toshiro could speak, Byakuya cut him off, then turned and walked away.
"Really, these people..."
Toshiro said helplessly.
'But why did Kenpachi and Ichimaru suddenly show up here?'
Toshiro then pondered.
Zaraki and Gin wouldn't come looking for Byakuya for no reason. So, they must have had some purpose for being here.
'Kenpachi, despite saying he wanted to cut down Rukia, based on his personality, he's never had much interest in the weak. So, he naturally wouldn't attack Rukia, who isn't strong. The reason he said that was probably to provoke Byakuya, hoping for a chance to fight him.'
Toshiro guessed internally.
Zaraki, that battle maniac, was completely capable of doing such a thing.
'As for Ichimaru, it was likely Aizen who sent him to test Byakuya's attitude. According to the Central 46's verdict, Rukia is undoubtedly sentenced to death. But if Byakuya, as Rukia's older brother, were determined to protect her, it could potentially cause some trouble for Aizen's plans.'
Toshiro contemplated.
As the head of the Kuchiki Clan, the foremost of the Four Great Noble Houses, Byakuya held significant influence in the Soul Society. If he were determined to save Rukia, there was indeed a slim chance he might succeed.
If Rukia's sentence truly came from the Central 46, then as long as the Central 46 remained firm, Byakuya would be powerless even if he wanted to save Rukia.
But the problem was that the Central 46 had already been wiped out by Aizen. Rukia's sentence was merely issued by Aizen in the name of the Central 46.
In that case, if Byakuya became determined to mobilize the Kuchiki Clan's power to rescue Rukia, and the Kuchiki family then negotiated with the Central 46, it could very well expose the fact that the Central 46 had been annihilated.
So the reason Gin appeared here was probably that Aizen sent him to test Byakuya's attitude towards Rukia's execution. Then, based on Byakuya's attitude, Aizen could formulate different plans.
And the reason Gin came with Zaraki was probably because Zaraki was also duped into coming by Gin.
Then, Gin had Zaraki provoke Byakuya, drawing everyone's attention. This way, even if something happened, people would focus on Zaraki.
Gin, who came with Zaraki, would instead escape notice.
'Hmm, if my guess is correct, then that's definitely how it is.'
Toshiro murmured to himself.
"Toshiro! Huff... huff... What happened?"
A voice suddenly interrupted Toshiro's thoughts.
Toshiro looked up to see Ukitake, accompanied by two 3rd Seats of the 13th Division, Kiyone and Sentaro, running over quickly.
"Jushiro, you caught up?"
Toshiro said.
Earlier, Toshiro had come with Ukitake to see Rukia. However, upon arriving at the 6th Division, Toshiro suddenly noticed Byakuya and Zaraki in a standoff, looking like they might fight at any moment.
So, Toshiro left Ukitake and the others behind, using Shunkuho to instantly appear on the scene.
"Toshiro, what happened between Kenpachi and Byakuya just now? Why did it look like they were about to fight?"
Ukitake asked.
"It's nothing. Kenpachi was just causing trouble for no reason, wanting to fight Byakuya."
Toshiro explained.
"Is that so? That's just Kenpachi's personality. There's really no helping it."
Ukitake also said helplessly.
"Alright, Jushiro, the matter is resolved. Let's go see Rukia."
Toshiro said.
"You're right. About Rukia this time..."
"Sigh! It's all my fault! If I hadn't sent Rukia to the Living World back then, maybe none of this would have happened."
Ukitake sighed, sounding somewhat self-reproachful.
"Alright, Jushiro, don't blame yourself. This matter isn't really your fault."
Toshiro comforted him.
"Let's go visit Rukia."
Toshiro then added.
Chamber 46 Compound, Underground Council Chamber.
Gin, who had appeared at the 6th Division earlier, did not return to the 3rd Division but came here instead.
"How did it go, Gin?"
Aizen asked.
"Ara ara, Captain Aizen, everything is as you predicted. Kuchiki Byakuya has no intention of using the Kuchiki Clan's power to rescue Kuchiki Rukia."
Gin replied.
"Is that so? Good. In that case, I won't need to specifically modify the plan further."
Although Aizen had guessed Byakuya's decision beforehand, out of caution, he still had Gin test Byakuya's attitude.
"Oh, right. When I went to the 6th Division this time, I also encountered Hitsugaya Toshiro."
Gin suddenly mentioned.
"Oh?"
Aizen expressed surprise.
"Originally, based on the situation at the time, Zaraki Kenpachi and Kuchiki Byakuya were about to fight. But then Hitsugaya Toshiro suddenly appeared and stopped them both."
Gin said.
"Is that so? What was he doing at the 6th Division?"
Aizen asked.
"Probably to see Kuchiki Rukia. I recall he and Kuchiki Rukia entered the Shin'o Academy in the same year. They were friends with a decent relationship."
Gin guessed.
"That is indeed the case. However, this time you suddenly and inexplicably went to the 6th Division to find Kuchiki Byakuya. Could it arouse his suspicion?"
Aizen pondered.
Aizen held Toshiro in extremely high regard. So, he was well aware that despite his young age, Toshiro was composed, calm, and possessed sharp observational skills.
This time, Gin going to the 6th Division for no apparent reason… others might find it strange but wouldn't think much of it.
But if it were Toshiro, that might not be the case.
However, a moment later, Aizen smiled with a strange expression. "Well, never mind. If Hitsugaya Toshiro becomes suspicious of you, that might not necessarily be a bad thing..."
…
More than ten days later, Living World.
1:00 a.m., Kurosaki Household.
Creak!
Ichigo carefully opened the front door and stepped outside.
Then, Ichigo looked back at his home and said somewhat sadly, "I'm leaving... Yuzu, Karin... Dad."