Up For A Conquest? (2)

10 advanced chapters on my Patreon: Fiction Haven

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Yoruichi gave Ichigo a bashful smile when they separated. Ichigo grinned teasingly, deepening the shade of red tinting her face.

"So what honor do I owe for Your Majesty to grace me with your presence?"

"Your body is ready."

"I thought Kisuke told me it would take a month. I only left for three days," Ichigo mused aloud.

"It has been a week since you left," Yoruichi looked at Ichigo weirdly.

Ichigo blinked and asked, "Did you go through the Dangai?"

Realization dawned upon Yoruichi. A dark chuckle escaped her. She had gone to Soul Society through Kisuke's alternative Dangai. She should have suspected him when he said it might be unstable. Yoruichi cursed as she punched her palm. Kisuke wouldn't be alive by the time she was done with him.

"Let's go back, then," Ichigo said amused. He couldn't wait to see Yoruichi pummeling Kisuke.

Ichigo roused his Hollow power and flicked the air. The space tore, revealing the Garganta hidden inside. Taking the lead, Ichigo stepped inside. Yoruichi followed soon after. The tear closed and they disappeared from Soul Society.

Running behind Ichigo, Yoruichi noticed something. The path he created with his Reiryoku was immaculate, showing his expert control over his Reiryoku. As expected, Ichigo's growth was monstrous. Normal Shinigami took millennia to withstand his Reiatsu, but it took him roughly a year to nurture his power that far.

They reached the end of the tunnel and soon arrived at the Human World. They Shunpō to Urahara Shop and met the stationed Shinigami gathered there. The Shinigami turned their eyes to Ichigo as soon as he arrived. He saw Rangiku among the crowd, but not Tōshirō. Retsu was also there, staring at him with a serene smile.

"Is something the matter?" Ichigo asked softly.

"Well, Captain is missing," Rangiku revealed with an innocent face. Ichigo gestured with his chin, prompting Rangiku to elaborate, "We went here by Dangai but got separated because of the black smokey thing we encountered in the tunnel. I arrived here but Captain didn't."

"I think it has something to do with Kototsu," Ichigo hummed. "When did you leave from Soul Society?"

"Twenty days after you met with General Yamamoto," Rangiku said after some time.

"Interesting," Ichigo muttered as he rubbed his chin.

"That is indeed interesting," Kisuke remarked, getting out of the shop.

Yoruichi arrived at Soul Society four days late, but Rangiku arrived at the Human World six days early. The time frame didn't match. Ichigo wondered what happened with the communication line between worlds considering it used Dangai as the connector. They needed to restore Kototsu as soon as possible.

Of course, most importantly…

"Are we going to assume Tōshirō dead?"

At that moment, a Senkaimon appeared. Tōshirō came out of it with a surprised look on his face.

"You are looking at me as if I am supposed to be dead or something," he deadpanned. "How long have I been gone?"

"I just arrived," Rangiku informed. "Captain, what happened?"

"I returned to Soul Society and discovered not even a moment passed since we entered Senkaimon. I spent two days in Soul Society before leaving through Senkaimon. I didn't encounter any problem and here I am. So, what do I have to know?"

"You are six days early. This is the second week after the Second Arrancar Invasion," Ichigo informed.

Tōshirō nodded in acknowledgment before turning to Kisuke. "Urahara-san, the R&D can't contact you. It has been ten days since they lost contact with you. I guess the communication line is no longer usable given the Dangai's state."

Kisuke affirmed with a nod. Silence descended upon the group. What now? The question rang loudly in their mind. Retsu wondered if she should send her subordinates back to Soul Society. The victims had recovered enough to be left alone even though they needed to be checked once in a while. She couldn't let Soul Society lose its medics when it needed them.

While everyone was busy with their thoughts, Ichigo entered the shop. The Shinigami looked at him in wonder, but he ignored them. A moment later, he came out in his physical body. He nodded at the watching Shinigami and bade them farewell.

"I am going to see my sisters. See you!"

He was gone in the blink of an eye using Hirenkyaku. Tōshirō sighed and some like Kisuke chuckled at the nonchalant antics. The petit Captain shook his head and eventually informed the gathered Shinigami about the plan Gotei 13 came up with if the world timeline still didn't align. Everyone listened to the plan raptly and realized they needed Ichigo.

Uncaring to what happened at the shop, Ichigo arrived home. He cheerfully announced his return, getting a tackle from his sisters. He smiled softly as he caressed their heads. He felt a little bad for them. He had been so caught up in fighting that he forgot to spend time with them.

"Do you guys want to hang out?"

"Of course!" his sisters answered in unison.

They changed into more stylish clothes before leaving. Ichigo briefly wondered where Isshin was but didn't care enough to look for him. They got a taxi and went to the mall. They shopped, got some ice creams, explored the place, and ate at the food court when they were famished. Despite already buying a lot of stuff, they shopped again after meals.

Ichigo only bought three pairs of clothes which, in his opinion, was too much. Karin also bought three pairs but bought many accessories, sports-related and girly. Yuzu bought more than three pairs of clothes and some cooking utensils. It was a sight to see her so excited about her new pan.

Ichigo was over 100,000 yen short but didn't regret it. He didn't mind spoiling his sisters rotten. He had been a douchebag to his first sister. He didn't wouldn't hurt his new sisters. Ichigo looked at his watch and found it was a few minutes to seven. He asked his sisters if they wanted to go to the game center and received a positive response.

The trio went to the deposit counter and left their stuff there. They went to the game center and had fun. Yuzu was attracted to cute games whereas Karin was inclined to cool games. Ichigo watched them have fun, joining them once in a while. He only refused Yuzu's invitation to join her in a dance game. That was not for him even though his reflex allowed him to get a perfect score.

"Ichigo…"

A familiar voice called him, making him turn to face the caller. A beautiful black-haired mature woman stared at him in surprise. She wore a pink blouse that hugged her figure tightly and a pair of black jeans coupled with a pair of black boots. Ichigo looked down and found a boy looking at him with wide eyes. He instantly recalled who the woman was.

"Ikumi. It has been some time," Ichigo greeted with a smile. "How are you and young Kaoru doing?"

"We are doing well," Ikumi said after some time. "I heard you are busy." That was what Nova told her whenever she asked him how he was doing. "Are you free now that you can loiter around the game center?"

Ichigo gestured at his sisters who were watching the interaction curiously. "Not even the apocalypse can stop me from spending some time with my sisters."

Ikumi smiled and then appeared hesitant. Ichigo quirked an eyebrow and gestured with his head. Ikumi sighed and straightened her tidy clothes. She eventually spoke after clenching and unclenching her hands a couple of times.

"When will you be free for a cup of tea?" she asked and waited for his answer with bated breath.

Ichigo mulled over her words and hummed to himself. He wanted to say 'whenever you want' but knew it was impossible given the current situation. Problems could happen anytime. Aizen could reappear and conquer the world when they were sleeping. Could he relax? No.

"Sooner than you think but I can't tell you right now," Ichigo said with a smile. "Don't look so dejected. I won't miss the chance to have a date with a hot lady," Ichigo winked, causing Ikumi to snort while blushing. "Anyway, my sisters and I are going to have dinner. Do you want to join us?"

"We don't want to impose—"

"You won't," Ichigo interjected. "Guys, we will have Ikumi and Kaoru with us. Do you guys mind?" he asked his sisters.

"Nope," Karin answered nonchalantly.

"The more the merrier," was Yuzu's cheerful response.

The Kurosaki and the Unagiya had their meals together that evening. The Kurosaki twins managed to open up Kaoru much to Ikumi's amusement. Ichigo was silently enjoying their interaction. Ikumi occasionally asked Ichigo about himself, engaging him in a conversation. Yuzu and Karin didn't miss that Ikumi was very close to eating his face.

They bade farewell and went home after the dinner. The day had been fun and they wanted to complete it by lazing on the sofa at home. Retsu greeted them when they arrived. Isshin was nowhere in sight. Ichigo knew something was up by the look Retsu gave him. He smiled at the angelic demoness and told his sisters to go to their room.

"What does Gotei 13 have in store for me?"

Retsu smiled wryly. "They are requesting you to lead an invasion in Hueco Mundo."

"Sure."

Ichigo shrugged. He planned to conquer Hueco Mundo alone anyway; he just didn't expect Gotei 13 to aid him.