In another ward not far from Unohana.
Bang!
With a loud crash, a figure suddenly flew out the window.
"Good, next!"
Ikkaku pointed his wooden sword at the remaining few 11th Division's members.
However, under Ikkaku's 'tyranny', these 11th Division's members trembled with fear, looking at each other, none daring to step forward.
"Hey, what's wrong with you guys? No one dares to step up? A bunch of useless cowards. Can't be helped, then..."
"I'll do it!"
Seeing no one dared to spar with Ikkaku, Ichigo nearby shouldered a wooden sword and sat up.
"Ha! You've got some nerve, Ichigo. But is this really okay? You've just recovered from a serious illness, but I won't go easy on you."
Ikkaku said somewhat 'arrogantly'.
"Likewise! You're the same, aren't you? Besides, I'm just injured, not sick."
Ichigo said dismissively.
"What's the difference? Just recovering from an injury is also recovering from a serious illness!"
"Who says so!"
"Then tell me, what else can you call just recovering from an injury?"
"Hmm, how should I know!"
"See, you don't know, do you? Go back and retake your language classes, idiot!"
"You're the one calling me an idiot! I think you're the idiot with mush for brains!"
"What!!"
"How about this… whoever wins is right!"
"Fine, bring it on! I'll show you why flowers are so red!"
Arguing, Ichigo and Ikkaku were about to fight.
Swoosh!
The door suddenly slid open, and Zaraki and Yachiru walked in.
"Good morning, everyone!"
Yachiru, riding on Zaraki's back, greeted energetically.
Except for Ikkaku, who was confronting Ichigo, all the other 11th Division's members bowed in unison: "Good morning, Captain! Lieutenant!"
"Mm."
Zaraki responded, then looked at Ichigo with some surprise.
"No way, you recovered this fast? Are your injuries all better, Ichigo?"
Ichigo nodded: "Pretty much, thanks to you all, I'm fine."
Hearing Ichigo's words, Zaraki grinned, revealing a ferocious and terrifying smile: "Is that so? That's great..."
"Then I can fight you without any worries!"
As he spoke, Zaraki got excited, immediately drew his Zanpakuto, and was about to slash at Ichigo.
Bang!
"Enough!!"
Toshiro, who had been sitting silently in a corner, couldn't take it anymore. He slammed the ground and roared angrily: "Haven't you all caused enough trouble! This is my ward! If you want to fight, go outside!!"
Toshiro had been resting peacefully in his own ward when Ichigo from the next ward came to chat.
That was fine, but then Ikkaku and other injured members of the 11th Division, who were also recovering in the 4th Division, came over as well.
A bunch of violent people from the 11th Division gathered together. Before they could even say two words, they started fighting, turning Toshiro's ward upside down and making it almost unrecognizable. It irritated Toshiro and made it impossible for him to rest properly.
Now, if Zaraki and Ichigo fought here, the two of them could tear Toshiro's ward apart, let alone let him rest.
"Oh? Toshiro, you're here too."
Zaraki looked at Toshiro with some surprise.
"Nonsense! This is my ward. Where else would I be?"
Toshiro twitched the corner of his mouth and said irritably.
"Ah, sorry, sorry. I sensed Ichigo and Ikkaku's Reiatsu and came directly. I didn't sense yours, and since you were sitting in the corner, I didn't notice..."
Zaraki apologized without any sincerity.
"But speaking of which, I haven't fought you in a long time. This is perfect. Let's all have a good fight today!"
Zaraki said excitedly.
"Tch, boring."
Toshiro said with little interest.
Before, when Toshiro's strength was only at the Captain-level, he didn't mind fighting Zaraki. After all, fighting someone as tough as Zaraki could help Toshiro improve his strength and combat experience.
But now, Toshiro had little interest in doing so. For the current Toshiro, defeating Zaraki wasn't really a difficult task. Fighting him no longer benefited Toshiro.
Moreover, Zaraki often pestered Toshiro to fight, and Toshiro was starting to get annoyed.
"By the way, Ichigo, now that Aizen has defected and everything has come to light, Rukia's matter has also been cleared up. The Soul Society has lifted her punishment. Your goal in coming to the Soul Society is basically achieved."
"Plus, your injuries are healed. There's no point in staying here any longer. So, when are you planning to go back?"
Toshiro asked.
"You mean going back? I've already discussed this with Chad and the others. We decided to leave tomorrow. I came to your place earlier to tell you, but then Ikkaku and the others suddenly started fighting, and I completely forgot why I came."
Ichigo explained.
"I see. Leaving tomorrow, huh? That's fine. After all, you're not from the Soul Society. Staying too long might not be a good thing. And if you're gone too long, your family will worry."
"But since you're leaving, you should go say goodbye to the others, especially Rukia."
Toshiro suggested.
"Mm, I know. I'll go find Rukia then."
Ichigo nodded.
"Go ahead. I'll see you off when you leave."
Toshiro said.
"Thanks."
Ichigo thanked him and walked out.
Seeing Ichigo about to leave, Zaraki instinctively called out, "Hey..."
"Alright, Zaraki!"
Toshiro interrupted: "Ichigo and the others are going back. Stop thinking about fighting all the time."
Although annoyed, Zaraki didn't persistently insist.
"Hmph, Toshiro, since you let Ichigo go, you'll fight me instead."
With Ichigo gone, Zaraki set his sights on Toshiro.
"Heh... If you're itching for a fight, I don't mind giving you a beating."
Toshiro chuckled mockingly.
Toshiro was already irritated by the 11th Division's commotion. Since Zaraki actively came to him, giving Toshiro a chance to vent, Toshiro didn't mind teaching him a lesson.
"Come on, let's fight outside. Don't break my ward."
On a patch of grass outside the Shiba Clan's residence in the West Rukongai.
After going through this ordeal, Rukia had become more open-minded and finally found the courage to tell Kukaku the truth about Kaien's death.
Rukia didn't expect that Kukaku had already known the truth long ago, so she easily forgave Rukia. Rukia had finally resolved a long-standing emotional burden.
After searching all over, Ichigo and Orihime finally found Rukia here.
"Hey, Rukia."
Ichigo called out.
"Ichigo, Orihime, what are you doing here?"
Rukia asked puzzledly.
"Ah, well, my injuries have mostly healed, and I've been in the Soul Society long enough. We've decided to go back tomorrow. I specifically came to tell you."
Ichigo explained.
"Is that so? Leaving tomorrow, huh?"
Rukia said with a complicated expression.
"Rukia, will you come back with us to the... no, never mind."
Ichigo actually hoped in his heart that Rukia would return to the Living World with him, but in the end, he couldn't bring himself to say it.
"Ichigo, I think..."
"I'll continue to stay in the Soul Society. I'm sorry..."
Rukia knew what Ichigo was thinking, but after hesitating for a moment, she finally decided to stay in the Soul Society.
"Is that so? Isn't that good too?"
Ichigo smiled freely.
"Huh?"
Rukia was a bit surprised.
"It's nothing. It's your own decision. You said you want to stay in the Soul Society. That's your own judgment, not something forced on you by others. Isn't that good?"
"I remember now... the reason I wanted so desperately to save you was just so you could freely choose your own life and live happily..."
In the gentle breeze, Ichigo scratched his head and grinned foolishly at Rukia.
In front of the Senkaimon in the Soul Society.
Several Captains and Lieutenants, including Toshiro, had come to see off Ichigo and the others.
"Ichigo, be careful on your way back."
Toshiro said.
"Mm, thank you, Captain Hitsugaya."
Ichigo nodded.
Ukitake beside him took out a special token from his bosom and handed it to Ichigo: "Ichigo, this is for you."
Seeing what Ukitake had taken out, a strange light flashed in Toshiro's eyes. He opened his mouth as if to say something, but after hesitating, he ultimately didn't speak.
Ichigo asked puzzledly: "Ukitake-san, what is this?"
"This is the [Shinigami Substitute Combat Permit]. Since ancient times, the Soul Society has stipulated that if an appearing Substitute Shinigami is judged to have helped the Soul Society, they will be granted this. With this, you can become a Shinigami anytime. Consider this our thanks to you."
Ukitake explained.
"Is that so? Then I won't stand on ceremony. Thank you, Ukitake-san."
Ichigo said happily.
Seeing Ichigo's grateful smile, Ukitake felt somewhat ashamed and avoided Ichigo's gaze.
"Well, we'll be going now, everyone."
Ichigo said to the group.
Saying this, Ichigo and the others walked towards the Senkaimon.
Just as he was about to enter the Senkaimon, Ichigo suddenly turned back and said, "Goodbye, Rukia."
"Mm... goodbye, Ichigo..."
Rukia smiled.
Then Ichigo no longer lingered, turned, and stepped into the Senkaimon, disappearing from sight.