The ones surrounding Ikkaku and Yumichika were none other than the Shinigami of the 11th Division.
Moreover, among these people were Shinigami who recognized Ikkaku and Yumichika.
Seeing the two of them, how could they not be greatly shocked?
After all, the most prosperous period for the 11th Division in recent years was undoubtedly when Kyoya led it.
At that time, the 11th Division alone had two Captain-level figures.
Furthermore, both Kyoya and Zaraki were among the top ranks of the Captains in the Gotei 13.
After Kyoya left the 11th Division, apart from Zaraki and Yachiru, almost all the seated officers and some elite division members left with Kyoya.
Since then, the 11th Division's strength had significantly declined.
Moreover, after Kyoya formed the Revolutionary Army, the Shinigami of the 11th Division rarely left the Seireitei to purify Hollows invading the Soul Society.
Calculating carefully, as a combat division, the number of real battles the 11th Division had fought in the past ten-plus years could be counted on one hand.
Of course, compared to other divisions, the frequency of internal sparring matches in the 11th Division was dozens of times higher, so it wasn't too bad.
However, currently, the 11th Division was still far from what it was when Kyoya was Captain.
The 11th Division's member leading his subordinates to confront the enemy never expected that the Ryoka invading the Seireitei this time were actually Ikkaku and Yumichika, two high-ranking seated officers from twenty years ago.
'Could it be that this Ryoka invasion was Kyoya-sama bringing those seniors back to attack?'
For a moment, the hearts of these members who recognized Ikkaku and Yumichika trembled.
After all, in their view, the former Captain Kyoya had the potential to rival Yamamoto, the strongest Shinigami in a thousand years.
Now that Ikkaku and Yumichika had broken into the Seireitei, did it mean Kyoya already had the confidence to defeat Yamamoto?
"Everyone, be careful, the enemy is strong. Mitoka, Hisashi, you two go to the division immediately to request reinforcements!"
"This…"
The two young division's members hesitated for a moment, but in the end, they did not disobey the order and immediately turned to flee.
Seeing their superior act like this, the other division's members naturally understood that the enemy must be very strong, and they all immediately drew their Zanpakuto.
The Shinigami of the 11th Division only know death in battle, never retreat!
"Not bad."
Seeing their old friends like this, the corners of Ikkaku and Yumichika's mouths lifted slightly.
After all, the 11th Division was a place they had stayed.
Even after leaving, they hoped their old friends would remain as they were.
Clearly, these dozen or so 11th Division's members did not disappoint them.
"Yumichika, don't intervene."
Ikkaku stopped Yumichika with one hand while placing his other hand on the Zanpakuto at his waist.
Outside the Seireitei, his Zanpakuto's effect on damaging the barrier was unsatisfactory, which was why Yumichika had acted.
Now that they had encountered enemies, Ikkaku naturally didn't want Yumichika interfering in his fight.
"Alright."
"But, Ikkaku, don't waste too much time."
"If you delay Kyoya-sama's matters, I might get implicated along with you."
"Don't worry!"
Ikkaku's expression stiffened, then he shook his head. "My target is Lieutenant Zaraki!"
"If I hadn't met Kyoya-sama first, I might have been willing to follow Lieutenant Zaraki into battle."
"I knew it long ago..."
"It's Captain Zaraki!"
"Ikkaku, after Captain Kyoya left, Lieutenant Zaraki became the Captain of the 11th Division."
Yumichika facepalmed: "You're dragging me along so I can save you before Captain Zaraki kills you, right?"
"Hehe, you know me well, Yumichika."
"Then, I'm starting!"
…
While Ikkaku was fighting the 11th Division's members, Ichigo, separated from the others due to the Reishi Shell explosion, was falling from high altitude towards the ground of the Seireitei.
"Not good!"
Ichigo exclaimed.
If he were an ordinary Shinigami, he could condense Reishi under his feet to stand in the air.
However, Ichigo had only been a Shinigami for a short time.
When Miyako was around, she only taught him swordsmanship for fighting Hollows and the fast-moving Shunpo.
As for Kisuke, because the Reiatsu Ichigo displayed differed greatly from his expectations, during his teaching, he focused more on investigating the reason for this and actually forgot to teach Ichigo how to walk on air.
In this situation, Ichigo simply couldn't stabilize himself in the air and was falling downward.
However, Ichigo was still the protagonist after all, and he quickly thought of a way to land safely.
Ichigo gripped the Zanpakuto on his back, then slashed fiercely downward-
"Getsuga… Tensho!"
A white slash shot out from Ichigo's Zanpakuto, striking the ground and carving a deep trench.
Boom-
Using the recoil force of the Getsuga Tensho, Ichigo's falling speed decreased considerably.
Next, Ichigo gripped Zangetsu's hilt with both hands and threw the Zanpakuto forcefully, embedding it into the tallest cylindrical building beside him.
The white bandage attached to Zangetsu's hilt was firmly held in Ichigo's hand.
Whoosh-
The falling Ichigo pulled on Zangetsu's bandage. The force of the fall was distributed to his Zanpakuto, causing Zangetsu to scrape deeply down the circular building.
However, with this resistance, Ichigo's falling speed was greatly reduced again.
"Thud!"
Finally, Ichigo released Reiatsu to protect himself and crashed into the ground, creating a large crater about three meters in diameter.
Clang-
With a pull, the Zanpakuto embedded in the wall was pulled back into his hand. The long white bandage, as if sentient, began to wrap around Ichigo's Zanpakuto.
"Ryoka, the Ryoka is here!"
But before Ichigo could return his Zanpakuto to his back, he heard someone else's exclamation.
Looking up, he saw two middle-aged Shinigami looking at him in horror, loudly calling for help.
"Not good!"
Ichigo's heart jumped. Immediately, he released Reiatsu under his feet, used Shunpo, instantly appeared in front of the two Shinigami, punched the one on the left flying, and before the other Shinigami could react, spun around and kicked-
Thud-
"Pfft-"
The two Shinigami's bodies hit the wall, spat out a mouthful of blood, then slid down the wall like paintings, unable to get up!
However, their shouts still caused nearby Shinigami to quickly gather towards Ichigo's location.
Hearing the rapidly approaching footsteps, Ichigo glanced around and randomly chose a direction to escape.
He came to the Seireitei mainly to save Miyako.
So the most important thing now was to find out where Miyako was being held, not to be held up here by these Shinigami.
As for the others-
Ichigo believed his companions would also handle any enemies they encountered.
...
"Ahhhhhh..."
When the Reishi Sphere exploded, Orihime was naturally also thrown by the blast force.
Like Ichigo, Orihime also didn't have the ability to condense Reishi to walk in the air.
However, Kukaku was beside Orihime.
Reaching out to grab Orihime, Kukaku glanced at the now scattered others and decided not to regroup with them. Instead, she identified a direction and flew towards the 13th Division.
"Huh?"
"Kukaku-nee, you're amazing, we're flying!"
After screaming for a few seconds, Orihime felt that she didn't seem to be falling at high speed. Opening her eyes, she saw Kukaku holding her hand, flying through the air. She looked at Kukaku with stars in her eyes, amazed.
"Heh, it's just a little trick."
Kukaku felt somewhat proud under Orihime's gaze.
This feeling was somewhat novel to Kukaku.
The soldiers in her army would admire and revere her for her great strength.
'But this young girl was so excited just because I could fly in the air. How would she react if she knew my true strength?'
...
"Cough, cough..."
In the 13th Division, Ukitake covered his mouth and coughed a few times, then pushed open the Captain's office door.
Outside the Captain's office, Kaien was kneeling.
"Kaien..."
"Captain Ukitake."
"I'm sorry, Captain."
"I've disappointed you."
Kaien bowed to Ukitake, "But, Miyako is my wife."
"No matter what crime she has committed, I must face it together with her."
"Kaien, don't act impulsively yet."
Ukitake detected the meaning in Shiba Kaien's words and quickly spoke up, "These past few days, Kyoraku and I have been investigating Miyako's case."
"We found that the Central 46's handling of Miyako's case this time is very unreasonable."
"Right now, Kyoraku and I are trying to find a way to reduce Miyako's punishment or have her exempted from punishment."
"Don't worry, Miyako is also my subordinate."
"If we truly cannot change the Central 46's will in the end, then I will also stand by your side."
"Captain Ukitake..."
Hearing Ukitake say this, Kaien felt extremely grateful.
"It is mine and Miyako's honor to be your subordinates!"
"However, we cannot implicate you further."
"Please forgive me for being willful this time."
As the head of the Shiba Clan, Kaien naturally knew what a judgment from the Central 46 meant.
Not to mention a lower noble like Ukitake, even an upper noble like Kyoraku, or a great noble family like the Kuchiki, could not defy a judgment made by the Central 46.
Otherwise, Yoruichi wouldn't have been expelled from the Seireitei over a hundred years ago.
Great noble families were indeed the 'most noble' existence in the Seireitei.
However, the Central 46 represented the collective will of all the nobles.
Going against a judgment issued by the Central 46 meant opposing all the nobles.
The so-called nobility of 'great noble families' had to be built upon the system.
If the great noble families themselves didn't follow the system they established, how could they expect others to abide by the nobility system and regard them as the most noble existence?
Therefore, Kaien didn't want to implicate Ukitake.
At that moment, both Kaien and Ukitake seemed to sense something and looked up at the sky.
Whoosh-
The shattering of the barrier made Ukitake and Kaien's expressions change.
The subsequent temporary lifting of restrictions announced by the 1st Division also made the two realize that this Ryoka invasion was not simple.
"Kaien, although saying this now makes me feel somewhat despicable-"
"Please stay in the 13th Division for now. After this Ryoka incident is over, no matter what you want to do, I will support you."
Ukitake said solemnly to Kaien.
Although he also knew that a Ryoka invasion was the best opportunity to save Miyako-
As a Captain of the Gotei 13, his duty required him to prioritize the safety of the Seireitei when it was under attack.
"This..."
Kaien hesitated for a moment, but ultimately, he nodded.
"I understand, Captain Ukitake."
"I will stay."
Although Miyako's sentence had been changed several times, each judgment heavier than the last-
At least, before the final judgment was issued, Miyako, imprisoned in the Repentance Cell, was safe.
He could go to be with Miyako anytime.
But now the Seireitei was under attack, and Ukitake's health was just at a critical period of illness-
In this situation, if he left the 13th Division, Ukitake might get injured during this suppression of the Ryoka.
After all, Yamamoto had even lifted the ban on Captains using Bankai, indicating that there were Captain-level figures among the Ryoka.
Given Ukitake's current condition, facing a Captain-level opponent, regardless of winning or losing, would definitely worsen his illness and make him suffer more.
Whoosh whoosh-
Just as Kaien made his decision, Ukitake and Kaien looked at each other, both seeing surprise in each other's eyes.
Looking up, soon, the figures of Kukaku and Orihime came into view of Kaien and Ukitake.
"Long time no see, Nii-san."
Landing in the small courtyard of the 13th Division Captain's office, Kukaku looked at Kaien.
"Kukaku?"
"How could it be you?"
Seeing Kukaku, Kaien's expression changed.
He never expected that among the Ryoka invading the Seireitei this time was his own sister.