Patching Up

10 advanced chapters on my Patreon: Fiction Haven

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Karakura was a small town with a population of 10,000 people. The Arrancar's invasion injured more than 300 people, understandably sending the city into an uproar. Soul Society was having a field day. The Shinigami quickly isolated the 300 people for special care and altered everyone's memory. The spiritual disaster was reported to the public as an unfortunate gas leak.

Even though Yoruichi and Kisuke were officially retired, they still got caught up in this mess. Soul Society needed Kisuke's device to alter the people's memories and Yoruichi's speed to locate all of the victims. They didn't do it for free, of course. Soul Society paid those whose help they required, especially those they had wronged in the past.

Retsu and her division would spend at least a month monitoring the victims. Their souls were significantly damaged, so they needed proper care. Dealing with souls was tricky, even more so with those still stuck in a human body. Captain Mayuri collaborated with Kisuke and Retsu to take care of this problem. Letting the victims die was not a solution as their souls would just disperse and not enter the reincarnation cycle.

Amidst all this, Ichigo watched his hostages at the Visored's headquarters. Tier still wouldn't talk much but already accepted her fate. Her Fracción had already calmed down except for Apacci. Ichigo had a great time riling up the hotheaded Fracción. Her scream of frustration was music to his ears. He also often silenced her with Bakudō after teasing her to irate her further.

"If what she says is true, Aizen is planning something big," Shinji remarked.

Turning to his right, Ichigo responded, "That doesn't change anything. Aizen has been planning something big for decades."

"Eh, cheeky, aren't you, Ichigo? You know what I mean."

"Of course. But there is nothing we can do."

Ichigo cast a knowing look at Shinji, eliciting a frown from the Visored. Tier told them Aizen would perfect his Hōgyoku with the artifact he made, the one that damaged the 300 human souls. Ichigo had discussed this with Kisuke two days ago. Kisuke said Hōgyoku would never be perfect but didn't say what Aizen was doing would do nothing to Hōgyoku.

Unfortunately, everyone's hands were tied at the moment. They needed to take care of the damage done by the Arrancars before thinking about what to do with Aizen. The only ones free of burdens were the Visored. They were the only ones able to do something about Aizen. Unsurprisingly, they were not so eager to do anything.

"You are putting me in a hard spot, Ichigo," Shinji grinned wryly.

"I am not forcing you. I frankly don't care about other people. As long as my family and friends are safe, that's a win in my book," Ichigo waved his hand dismissively. "Let's think about it further when the situation has calmed down."

Ichigo turned to Tier and recounted their conversation three days ago. Tier was a very cooperative hostage. She gave out everything she knew about Aizen's plans without hiding a single detail. Ichigo bluntly asked her why she easily gave out information and she gave a similar answer to Barragan's. Her affiliation had always been herself. Unlike Barragan, though, she respected Aizen and his power which was her reason for joining him.

"That respect is thrown out of the window now that you have betrayed him," Ichigo jokingly pointed out at that time.

"While I still have respect for Aizen, I don't see why I have to remain loyal to him when my Fracción's lives are at stake. Besides, anyone stronger than him is worthy of my respect," was Tier's serious response.

Ichigo was elated to hear that he was stronger than Aizen. That excitement was gone in a flash, though. Tier had never seen Aizen at his full power, so her judgment might have been wrong. Even if it was true, Aizen was on his way to perfect Hōgyoku. Aizen would be stronger than him the next time they met if he remained stagnant.

"Tier," Ichigo addressed the taciturn Espada, earning her attention. "If I release you from your bind, will you help us protect the Human World from Aizen's army?"

"What? Are you crazy, baldie? Didn't you know what this bitch did to Kensei?" Hiyori exploded.

"While we need helping hands, I don't think we can rely on a former enemy, Ichigo," Shinji chuckled wryly.

"I will, if you let go of my Fracción," Tier spoke.

Everyone turned to Ichigo. He decided their fate as the one who caught the Espada and her Fracción. The Visored could disagree but not do anything. They didn't have the power to go against Ichigo. Even if they could somehow make Ichigo bleed, an internal discord would be a huge loss for them. Of course, they also believed in Ichigo's capability to take care of Tier and her Fracción should she betray them.

"Well, I don't think I will risk it for the moment," Ichigo shook his head after a moment.

Tier nodded in understanding and the Visored heaved a sigh of relief. The silence was broken when Hachigen notified them someone was entering the warehouse. Given his lack of concern, they concluded it was someone they knew. Yoruichi entered the study chamber a few seconds later. She ignored everyone and jumped into Ichigo's arms.

"Hello, handsome," she purred.

"Hello there, Kitty. What can I do for you?" Ichigo returned coyly.

While some of the Visored reacted in exasperation like Hiyori, the others snickered in amusement. Yoruichi was notorious for her flirty nature, but they had never seen her look genuinely interested in someone. Yoruichi got down and calmed her heart. She couldn't kiss Ichigo there no matter how much she wanted to.

"Soul Society is calling you." The mood instantly plummeted. Yoruichi glanced at Tier and continued, "They want to discuss the enemy you hold hostage."

"I am going to have Mayuri's head if he insists on experimenting on Tier," Ichigo said casually, but everyone knew he was serious. "I have enough reasons to kill him for what he did to Quincy's souls."

"Well, that clown bastard won't be so stupid to challenge you. But I think the old man wants to hear some information from you," Yoruichi said carefully.

Ichigo nodded lightly and bade everyone goodbye. Yoruichi took him to Urahara Shop and met with Rangiku who was waiting for them.

"Ya-ho, Ichigo-kun!" the busty Shinigami greeted.

"Hello, there," Ichigo returned with a soft smile. "I guess you will be my escort."

Rangiku nodded enthusiastically before hugging Ichigo's arm, trapping it between her breasts. Her breasts reminded Ichigo of Orihime. Thinking about Orihime, he realized he hadn't said a word to his friends. He hadn't even come home as he had remained cooped up at the Visored headquarters for the last three days.

"Let's go, Ichigo-kun!"

"Kuhum!" Yoruichi cleared her throat. "I will accompany him too, in case you forgot."

"Of course, I don't, Shihōin-san," Rangiku responded cheerfully.

Ignoring Yoruichi's skeptical look, Rangiku put her Zanpakutō in front of her and turned it clockwise. The Senkaimon appeared, releasing Hell Butterflies that accompanied each of them. They walked into the door and sped through the Dangai. Around thirty Shinigami from the 3rd Division greeted them as soon as they arrived.

Ichigo was sure no one had seen his mask, so he didn't understand why he needed to be guarded. Unless Retsu betrayed him and spilled about his Hollow power—which was very unlikely—he didn't think Yamamoto needed to be wary of him.

'Oh, it's Tier.'

Realization dawned upon him. A few minutes later, Ichigo found himself before the Captain's meeting room. Yoruichi wished him good luck before he entered the room with Rangiku in tow. All eyes fell on him. Most of them looked at him in surprise and astonishment while some looked at him in excitement and resentment.

"Ichigo, you bastard! You have gotten stronger again. Ha-Ha-Ha! Let's fight after this!"

Ichigo wisely ignored the invitation and looked at the Shinigami General. Yamamoto slammed his cane into the ground, silencing the entire room.

"Kurosaki Ichigo, may we know your reason for protecting the enemy?" Yamamoto asked sternly.

"I don't protect the enemy, gramps," Ichigo shrugged.

"Then why…I see. Is there any reason for you to think they are not our enemies?"

"I can guarantee Tier is not my enemy, but I don't know what they think about you," Ichigo revealed, earning a grunt from the old Shinigami. "With that said, I don't plan on letting her cause havoc. Her fickle life will flicker off the moment she becomes a risk."

Yamamoto mulled over Ichigo's words before grunting in acceptance. The other captains also mulled over Ichigo's words, rendering the room silent. Yamamoto then stared at Ichigo seriously. Ichigo immediately realized the old Shinigami was getting to the point of the meeting. Ichigo didn't intend to hide any information, so he was ready to reveal what he knew.

"Why did you feel the need to go to Hueco Mundo?"

Except for that.

"Why the sudden curiosity?"

Ichigo glanced at the gathered captains. Apart from the traitor trio, only Retsu wasn't present. Ichigo realized Yamamoto had been waiting for this moment. The moment when he didn't have to honor his promise to his old friend.

"Captain Ichimaru revealed some interesting information during his interrogation. While he admitted he had been working as a spy all this time, we have enough reasons to doubt him."

"This is not part of our deal, gramps."

"It concerns the safety of Soul Society. It is within our interest to know the truth."

The atmosphere suddenly became thick as Ichigo stared Yamamoto down. Some of the captains became jittery, expecting a fight to break out. An eternity passed in silence. Then, Ichigo clawed at his face. A domineering Reiatsu descended upon everyone, forcing them to lower their heads.