Chapter 0031: Rukia Kuchiki

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Tap, tap, tap!

In the underground passageway of the Soul Society.

Su Jin led Orihime Inoue through the wide and dark corridor.

This was a secret passageway used by the 2nd Division's stealth force for quick movement. Now, Su Jin used it as a shortcut to the Repentance Palace.

As they climbed a set of stairs, Su Jin softly reminded her, "We're almost there."

Behind him, Orihime Inoue took a deep breath.

She looked at Su Jin, who was still disguised as Uryū Ishida, and thought about Ichigo Kurosaki and the others who risked their lives to save Rukia Kuchiki. She felt conflicted about the help from someone who seemed neither friend nor foe.

Su Jin reached the end of the corridor, tapped on the wall to unlock it with a simple kido spell, and gently pushed it open.

Dusk light streamed into the passageway as Su Jin stepped out into the central area of a cylindrical building.

Orihime Inoue followed him out of the passage, and the door automatically closed behind her.

Su Jin said nonchalantly, "Follow this spiral staircase. At the top is where Rukia Kuchiki is being held."

Orihime Inoue took a deep breath and bowed sincerely, "Thank you."

Su Jin glanced back at her and sneered, "I didn't say I would help you save her."

Orihime did not argue, replying softly, "At least thank you for giving me the chance to rescue Rukia."

Su Jin, walking ahead, asked playfully, "Do you really want to save her?"

Orihime hesitated but then nodded earnestly, "Yes, I want to save Rukia."

Her older brother had found peace partly because of Rukia Kuchiki. Now, seeing Rukia unjustly treated, Orihime truly wanted to save her, just as Rukia had once saved her from a hollow.

Hearing this, Su Jin was surprised, "I thought you wanted to save her because of Ichigo Kurosaki. Was I wrong?"

"Why would you think that? What does this have to do with Ichigo?" Orihime was puzzled.

Su Jin smirked, "Don't you like that Ichigo Kurosaki?"

"Eh, do I?" Orihime was stunned.

Su Jin looked at her, unable to tell if she was lying, but realizing he might have misjudged her intentions.

This woman genuinely wanted to save Rukia from her heart.

Thinking this, Su Jin chuckled, "I thought you were a hypocrite, but it turns out you're genuinely kind-hearted."

"Eh? Kind-hearted, me?" Orihime was confused, not understanding why Su Jin praised her so highly.

At that moment, Su Jin lost interest in further idle chatter and said plainly, "We're here."

Orihime realized they had arrived at a room with an open door.

She saw four white-clad guards standing on the wooden bridge leading to the door.

Orihime watched Su Jin walk straight into the room, then looked at the guards, unsure, "Do we just go in?"

"Relax, a certain big boss is helping us. Those guards can't see us."

With this assurance, Su Jin entered the Repentance Palace, where Rukia Kuchiki knelt on the ground with her hands nailed to the wall.

Hearing footsteps, Rukia looked up and saw Su Jin.

"Yo."

Su Jin casually greeted her, examining the onion-like hairstyle and the delicate yet strong face of the woman before him.

"You are... Ishida...?"

Rukia looked at Su Jin's disguise, feeling an intense sense of oddity.

Behind him, Orihime Inoue peeked out and greeted, "Good afternoon, Rukia. Are you okay?"

"Inoue..."

Rukia's mouth twitched, saying helplessly, "I was surprised to see that idiot Ichigo. I didn't expect he'd drag you into this too."

How reckless!

Though she knew Orihime had awakened some abilities, she didn't expect Ichigo to bring her to the Soul Society.

Wasn't this endangering her?

Rukia felt a sense of guilt, thinking she might cause a young girl's death.

Orihime stepped forward, touching the lock, "Anyway, let's escape quickly?"

"I refuse."

Rukia coldly rejected the suggestion without a second thought.

"Huh?" Orihime was confused and looked at Rukia, bewildered.

Rukia, the princess guarded by the dragon, spoke indifferently, "I came back to the Soul Society prepared to accept my punishment. Why do you all think I am wrongfully imprisoned?"

"Don't you think that, living in the Soul Society for over a hundred years, I understand its rules?"

"Well..."

Orihime was speechless, only managing some weak persuasion, "But, regardless, sentencing you to death for lending Ichigo your powers is too much, isn't it?"

"What's too much? The crime I committed warrants severe punishment. I was prepared for this from the start."

Rukia's voice was cold.

"But..." Orihime, inexperienced in persuasion, panicked.

Rukia, losing the will to continue the conversation, said, "Enough, Inoue. Go back and tell Ichigo that his actions only make things harder for me and bring shame to my family."

If these idiots kept being reckless, more people would die.

Even with a harsh tone, Rukia hoped Orihime would persuade Ichigo and the others to retreat.

They had no idea what they were up against, and if they died because of her, how could she rest in peace?

Orihime looked at Rukia and then at the chains, feeling very conflicted.

At this point, Su Jin intervened, "Are you done catching up?"

Orihime turned excitedly to Su Jin, "Um, Su Jin, can you help persuade Rukia?"

"Su Jin?" Rukia looked at the disguised 'Ishida,' confused.

He looked exactly like the effeminate Uryū Ishida, but his demeanor was different. Not the gentle, delicate feeling, but a powerful presence, like her brother Byakuya when serious.

This man was strong!

Su Jin adjusted his glasses and calmly said, "Miss Onion Head, though I understand your thoughts, could you drop the self-righteous attitude?"

"Onion head?" Rukia's face twisted slightly.

This guy's words were far harsher than Ishida's... Rukia's forehead veins bulged as she forced a smile at Su Jin.

"Who are you calling self-righteous!" Rukia growled.

"Isn't that what you are?" Su Jin smirked and continued, "A minor offense for a noble becomes a death sentence for you, and you don't find that odd?"

Rukia was taken aback by these words.

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