Chapter 204: Discovery and Contact

Rukia was starting to regret her decision.

She hadn't realized that the spiritual pressure of this orange-haired kid was so strong that it completely masked the presence of a vicious Hollow nearby.

The creature's roar echoed through the night.

Lying on the ground, Rukia gritted her teeth against the pain. "So, this is how you'll become a Shinigami."

"Is this really okay?" Ichigo Kurosaki asked, his face set in a serious expression.

Rukia raised her sword. "It's been done successfully once before."

"I think... there shouldn't be any problems."

Ichigo hesitated, torn, but the terrifying scenes at the hospital—his injured father, and his missing mother and sisters—pushed him past any lingering doubts.

"Go ahead, Shinigami."

"I'm ready."

Rukia managed a small smile. "I'm not just 'Shinigami.' My name is Rukia Kuchiki. Remember it."

With those words, she gripped her sword and plunged it into Ichigo Kurosaki's chest.

Spiritual energy exploded, whipping up a powerful gust of wind.

Not far from the Kurosaki household, perched on a nearby rooftop.

Kisuke Urahara spoke softly, a slight smile tugging at his lips. "As his father, aren't you even a little worried?"

"You already checked—he has great potential." Isshin lit a cigarette, his tone casual. "Naruto also said he's very talented, even more so than I was."

"And besides... as a father, isn't it my duty to trust my child unconditionally?"

"But more importantly, have you thought about how you're going to explain this to Naruto?"

Kisuke Urahara's face tightened.

Isshin flicked the ash from his cigarette, his tone light. "I'm currently in a state of spiritual energy loss. If he asks, I'll just say I didn't know anything, and that I don't know how to explain it to Ichigo either."

"But you... not only did you hide things, but you also..."

Kisuke looked down, his expression unreadable. "Naruto is a good person."

"Even if he knows what that guy is planning, he wouldn't agree with my methods."

"But... we don't have any other choice, do we?"

"At least until this is over, we have to do what we must."

"When it's all over, I'll accept whatever consequences he has for me."

Isshin chuckled but said nothing.

The next day.

At Karakura First High School, tucked away in a corner of the schoolyard.

"What's going on?!" Ichigo Kurosaki stared at the short-haired girl in a school uniform, completely bewildered. "Why are you suddenly a transfer student?"

Rukia Kuchiki planted her hands on her hips, speaking matter-of-factly. "I've lost my Shinigami powers."

"I have to stay in the living world for now."

"Once I recover some strength, I'll return to the Soul Society."

Ichigo Kurosaki nodded slowly, deep in thought. "I see..."

He voiced the question that had been nagging at him all night. "By the way, I think I've seen someone dressed like you before."

"Probably one of the previously stationed Shinigami?" Rukia said, shrugging. "Or maybe a Substitute Shinigami?"

"He operates in Naruki City and sometimes shows up in Karakura Town."

Ichigo made a vague gesture. "That person is my uncle."

"But we're not related by blood."

"I've only met him once. He's really tall and has blond hair."

Rukia froze. That description conjured up a familiar image in her mind.

"And it's strange," Ichigo continued. "His outfit is a bit different from yours."

"You only have one sword, but he had two."

"And also... he wore a white robe over his Shihakushō."

The more details Ichigo added, the clearer the image in Rukia's mind became, until the mention of the "white robe" made her blurt out, "That's Captain Naruto!"

"You know him?" Ichigo asked, surprised.

Rukia stared at Ichigo in amazement. "Based on your description, the only Shinigami in the Soul Society who fits that image is Captain Naruto of the 7th Division."

"And he's your uncle?"

But...

Could this guy really have relatives in the Soul Society?

That face...

Aside from the hair color, he looked almost exactly like Lieutenant Kaien Shiba from her own division.

She had noticed this resemblance the night before, but the situation at the time didn't allow her to dwell on it.

Now she had the time to take a closer look.

Ichigo tilted his head. "Captain? Is that a big deal?"

Rukia nodded. "Of course, captains are the top figures in the Soul Society."

"And Captain Naruto is special. He's the youngest captain ever, and he's incredibly powerful. Even some veteran captains can't match him."

Ichigo Kurosaki fell silent.

A captain of the Soul Society...

A very important person.

But why would someone like that be his uncle, and how was he so familiar with his parents?

"Don't worry about it; you'll figure it all out eventually," Rukia said, as she pushed Ichigo's soul out of his body. "Right now, we have more important things to deal with."

"Why will I figure it out later?" Ichigo asked, confused.

Rukia responded with confidence. "Because eventually, you'll die."

"And when you get to the Soul Society, you can just ask Captain Naruto."

Ichigo's face darkened immediately. "What kind of morbid talk is that?"

Rukia looked back at him, unfazed. "Life and death are natural parts of existence."

Two months later...

In the 13th Division, Ukitake had invited both Byakuya Kuchiki and Naruto to his office.

He looked guilty and uneasy. "I'm really sorry."

"It seems Rukia... has gone missing."

Byakuya frowned slightly.

Naruto remained calm. Before he arrived, Soi Fon had already briefed him.

Recently, there had been a "Menos Grande" incursion in Karakura Town.

But...

It was repelled by an unregistered Shinigami, and in the footage sent back, "Rukia Kuchiki" was identified.

Central 46's critique was that "an unregistered and major violator had been found."

This was in line with the rules.

After "Ginjo Kugo," Seireitei had revised the regulations regarding "Substitute Shinigami," including one that restricted Shinigami from transferring their powers to ordinary people. If special circumstances required transferring Shinigami powers, and the person didn't die afterward, a report had to be sent immediately, and the Shinigami had to return to the Soul Society for investigation.

But...

Rukia had been missing for over two months, far exceeding the "immediate" timeframe required.

"I don't know the full details," Ukitake continued, "But since it involves Rukia, I wanted to discuss how to handle this with you."

Kaien Shiba, sitting nearby, spoke urgently. "I think we should bring Rukia back to the Soul Society as soon as possible."

"She doesn't seem to be in good shape."

"She might have been kidnapped!"

"Otherwise, she wouldn't have gone this long without contacting us."

Byakuya Kuchiki frowned, his voice low. "Let me handle this."

"She is, after all, my sister."

Naruto shook his head. "I'll take care of it."

Byakuya turned to look at him.

"This situation is a bit complicated," Naruto said, glancing at Kaien Shiba, "But don't worry, Rukia likely hasn't been kidnapped."

"It's probably just some unexpected circumstances."

"Did you see the footage from the surveillance room?"

Ukitake nodded.

Kaien shook his head.

"You should take a look, Kaien. Then you'll understand why it's better for me to handle this," Naruto hinted.

Ukitake hesitated, then turned his gaze to Kaien's face, suddenly realizing. "So that's how it is?"

"In that case, Naruto, it would be best if you handle it."

Byakuya narrowed his eyes, puzzled.

"It's related to the Shiba family," Ukitake said with a slight smile.

Byakuya nodded, understanding.

Unlike the clear moon in the Soul Society, the moon in the living world was much hazier, perhaps due to environmental changes over the years.

But its light was just as cold.

It shone into the alley.

Rukia walked along the road, with Ichigo Kurosaki by her side.

"What's been up with you lately?" the orange-haired boy yawned. "You seem distracted."

"Didn't we already deal with that Menos Grande?"

"And there don't seem to be any aftereffects."

Rukia shook her head. "No, I just find it strange..."

Lately, she had been trying to contact the Soul Society but had received no response.

Although it was the Quincy kid's fault that the Menos Grande appeared...

But...

Could that "bait" really have been that effective?

This unusual situation made her uneasy.

At that moment...

Ichigo Kurosaki suddenly looked up. "There's a strong spiritual pressure coming."

Rukia was confused and looked up with him.

But the voice came from behind them.

"Rukia, you're not in good shape right now."

They quickly turned around, and a blonde figure came into view.

"Captain Naruto!"

"Uncle Naruto!"

They both greeted him in unison, though they used different titles.

Naruto focused on Rukia.

He could see through her artificial body, noting her empty and weak spiritual form. Compared to her original strength, she was now even weaker than the rookies in the Shin'o Academy.

"Have you been trying to contact Seireitei recently?" Naruto asked her.

Rukia nodded. "Of course I have."

"I see..." Naruto shifted his gaze to Ichigo Kurosaki, deep in thought. "But Seireitei hasn't received any of your messages."

"It seems someone has interfered."

Ichigo couldn't help himself; now was the perfect time, so he asked decisively. "Uncle Naruto, are you also a Shinigami?"

"My dad said you used to be his colleague. Does that mean he was a Shinigami too?"

"But... my dad is a living person."

"Was he a Substitute Shinigami?"

Over the past few weeks, Ichigo had learned a bit about Shinigami. It was a job that almost no living person could take on.

"That..." Naruto smiled slightly, "You should ask Isshin."

"If you're willing to ask, he'll definitely tell you."

"But for now..."

"Let's focus on the important matters at hand."