Hachihara subconsciously answered, then reacted, taking a sharp breath.
"I get it!"
"No wonder the Onmitsukidō's higher-ups came here to investigate. I thought from your snippets of conversation that it was about the Spirit Arts Academy students' disappearance, but now it seems a Shinigami was involved, which is why it alarmed them!"
"Otherwise, normally, sending someone from one of the Gotei 13's Divisions to investigate would suffice."
"Shimiya saw Ōmaeda and realized the nature of the incident had changed, so he deliberately probed, reminding Ōmaeda to find the Shinigami here to understand the situation. But that reaction, where he looked at us like we were idiots, showed that this method was no longer viable."
Why was it not viable? Of course, because something had happened.
Ichigo wasn't a hot-blooded idiot like Naruto; he just had little exposure to such sudden incidents, making his reaction seem a bit slow. But once he calmed down and listened to her explanation, he quickly understood the relationships involved.
Most residents of Rukongai don't need to eat; they only need to drink water. A small number of people with spiritual power aptitude require food, and this food is a scarce resource in Rukongai.
It is mainly supplied regularly by the Seireitei, which dispatches people to set up agricultural and water supply bases in Rukongai.
Needless to say, the managers are naturally Shinigami.
The good public order in the areas near the Seireitei is also due to the contributions of these managers.
Now, the manager of Junrinan has had an accident.
Though the incident is minor, its nature is quite sensitive.
Whether someone attacked an official dispatched by the Seireitei to Rukongai, or if there was an internal issue, it would easily tarnish the Seireitei's reputation, which is why the Onmitsukidō was called in.
"So what exactly happened?"
The relationships were clear, but the situation becoming more complicated was also a fact.
"Hard to say, but in any case, the bigger the incident gets, the worse it is for the Elder."
Shimiya Takeru said softly.
"If it's just missing students, those who come knocking are simply looking for information. If Shinigami are involved, those who come knocking might be looking to apprehend or investigate."
"That's why Miss Shiba Kūkaku appeared here at this particular time. Her goal is to use her influence and information to attract their attention, so they won't bother the Elder."
This last sentence made Ichigo and the others clearly realize the risks hidden behind that seemingly comical one-sided verbal abuse.
"You're not just smart, kid; with one look from you, I feel like my heart, liver, spleen, lungs, and kidneys can't hide anything."
Shiba Kūkaku pointed to her head, saying meaningfully:
"But if you're really smart, kid, you should know not to get involved in this mess right now."
"Ōmaeda that idiot's words were harsh, but they were good words. As students, it's best to go back to sleep quickly."
Shimiya Takeru nodded, saying, "Indeed, it hasn't been long since the incident, and the investigation is at its most intense. Running around could easily cause trouble. So, we only came to visit the Elder because we heard about the missing students from Junrinan."
"Excellent, stick to that story. Make sure your statements are consistent."
Shiba Kūkaku snapped her fingers, then changed the subject.
"Next, I'll share some information."
"Huh?"
Ichigo and Hachihara were stunned.
Rindo Yu didn't say anything, but from his wide eyes, it was clear he also hadn't expected Shiba Kūkaku to have this attitude.
"What 'huh'? I know exactly what you're trying to do by coming out late at night. If I tell you to go back now, you'll probably just turn around halfway and cause trouble where I can't see you. Rather than that, I'd rather keep you under my nose, so if something happens, at least you'll be mentally prepared."
Shiba Kūkaku rolled her Byakugan.
"Big Sister Kūkaku! You truly are my good big sister! Can I call you Sister-sama?!"
Hachihara, excited and moved, tried to pounce, but she held him back with a hand to his forehead, continuing to speak as if unaffected: "Currently, there are two pieces of information we have."
"First, both the disappearance of the manager and the students are related to a Hollow."
"Second, that Hollow will likely be very strong."
"And here's a bonus piece of information."
"I just hope to catch and beat the culprit before the Gotei 13 starts messing up my territory. This way, I can vent my anger and save face, so I plan to find a few helpers who won't mess things up."
"If you don't want to be used as cannon fodder, it's not too late to go home now."
As soon as these words were spoken, the atmosphere instantly froze.
Hachihara also stopped struggling, his expression a bit stiff.
"Miss Kūkaku."
Shimiya Takeru, who had unconsciously become the backbone of the four, spoke up, drawing the gazes of Ichigo and the others.
"Speak your mind."
"Miss Kūkaku would make an excellent educator."
"Ha?"
"First, you tolerate our impulsiveness, then you tell us the truth, satisfying our curiosity. Finally, you use actual danger to force us to weigh the pros and cons, overturning our good impression of you. Even if we refuse you, you might not interfere later, because curiosity is no longer enough to sustain our impulsiveness."
Shimiya Takeru looked at the one-armed beauty, like Venus, and couldn't help but sigh.
"Miss Kūkaku, you are too gentle."
"Gwah!"
Shiba Ganju, who had just arrived at the mansion, heard these words and felt his entire world twist.
And his expression twisted even more.
"?!"
Shiba Kūkaku was also a bit flustered. When she saw everyone's strange gazes, she felt as if insects were crawling all over her. Finally, noticing Ganju, who had just arrived, and his twisted expression, she was instantly filled with extreme shame and anger, directly forming a spiritual energy ball with her hand and throwing it at him.
"Ah!"
The burly man, hit in the face by the spiritual energy ball and sent flying, let out a miserable scream.
"Is that guy okay?"
Ichigo's mouth twitched slightly.
"Hmph, don't mind him. That's my younger brother, Ganju. He's thick-skinned, so this much will only make his eyebrows disappear for a week. Let's talk about serious matters instead."
Shiba Kūkaku waved her hand. Thanks to Ganju, she had calmed down again, but this very ungentle side of her left a deep impression on Ichigo and the others, and their respect for her soared.
"Actually, I completely agree with Miss Kūkaku's point of view, but we also have our own convictions."
"Convictions? What kind of proper resolve can a few kids have?"
Shiba Kūkaku scoffed at Shimiya Takeru's statement.
"Resolve, we don't have."
Shimiya Takeru patted Ichigo's slightly angry shoulder to soothe him, saying with a very natural expression:
"But, since we're already here."
"..."
Shiba Kūkaku narrowed her eyes and stared at him for a long while.
"Your name is Shimiya Takeru, right? If you don't die, you'll definitely become a great person in the future."
"I'm not as formidable as Miss Kūkaku says. I just have more confidence in the few of us, otherwise, I wouldn't say this."
"It's precisely because of this. Reckless fools who simply don't value their lives are unreliable, but those who are confident in themselves, yet don't pound their chests promising to fix everything, are often more dependable—at least, that's what I believe."
"Since both sides have reached a consensus, when do we depart? Miss Kūkaku, having chased Ōmaeda away, must have already pinpointed the enemy's whereabouts, right?"
Shimiya Takeru said, seemingly questioning but actually asserting.
"You're right. My understanding of Rukongai is far superior to the Onmitsukidō's. They certainly don't know how many secret bases I have in Rukongai."
Shiba Kūkaku proudly raised her chin.
"Then let's hurry and leave! Let's resolve this quickly, lest more people get hurt!"
Ichigo suddenly stood up.
Shimiya Takeru glanced at him and said to Shiba Kūkaku, "Although this guy easily gets hot-headed, what he said makes sense. I also hope to return to the Spirit Arts Academy before dawn."
"Oh? It sounds like you have some good suggestions."
"Allow me to confirm first: in Miss Kūkaku's opinion, can Vice-Captain Ōmaeda handle that Hollow?"
"It'll be tough."
Shiba Kūkaku shook her head.
"Part of me genuinely meant for him to go back and call for reinforcements."
"But he definitely won't do it."
"That's why he's an idiot."
"Then let's just tell that idiot the information about that Hollow."
"What?"
Shimiya Takeru's words left everyone momentarily unable to react.
"...Tsk, as expected, those who can become great people in the future are not without their devious schemes."
Shiba Kūkaku teased.
She had clearly grasped his idea.
"I was thinking of Miss Kūkaku."
Shimiya Takeru refused to take the blame.
"Let Ōmaeda scout ahead. Anyway, he definitely won't call for help out of pride. When he eagerly rushes in and hits a wall, we'll resolve the incident right in front of him."
"This way, we'll have manpower, we'll vent our anger, we'll save face, and we weak Spirit Arts Academy students won't have to be cannon fodder. Our goal in participating in the incident will also be achieved. Even if it's a bit unfriendly to Ōmaeda, his mission will still be accomplished. It's a win-win for everyone."
"Heh."
Shiba Kūkaku stood up, leaning on her knee, looking down at Shimiya Takeru, who seemed harmless.
"I'm once again certain you will become a great person, because your hearts are equally dirty."
"Wait."
Calling out to Shiba Kūkaku, who was about to leave to handle things, Shimiya Takeru kindly reminded her, "Just in case, it's better to let Mr. Ganju, who just returned from running errands, 'accidentally' leak the information while talking to others in an alley."
"..."
Shiba Kūkaku stopped and turned her head, staring at Shimiya Takeru with the same look of disgust as everyone else.
"Ōmaeda knows Miss Kūkaku has information, and Mr. Ganju rushed back. If the information is accidentally leaked during a casual conversation at this time, Ōmaeda definitely won't suspect it's false. Instead, he'll be overjoyed, feeling like he's stumbled upon a great advantage, and he'll set off immediately, hoping to claim credit before Miss Kūkaku, then smugly mock Miss Kūkaku and get back at her for earlier."
"If we told him directly, he might become suspicious and try to be clever, wasting our time."
"—That's my idea."
"What's wrong? Is something amiss?"
Shimiya Takeru frowned, feeling insulted.
"...Nothing's amiss. It just feels like my assessment of you was too conservative."
Shiba Kūkaku took a deep breath, turned her head, and left, unwilling to look at him again, fearing her own heart would be defiled by a schemer.
Although it wasn't a profound scheme, calculating even Ōmaeda's limited intelligence was truly a bit deranged.
At such a young age, who knows who he learned it from.
In a corner of Junrinan, where the dim, secluded lights flickered.
"What did you say? You found the culprit?!"
Ōmaeda's eyes widened, looking somewhat frightening.
The patrol member standing in front of him had a slight sheen of sweat on his forehead and quickly described in more detail how he had unintentionally overheard Shiba Ganju talking to a subordinate during his undercover investigation.
Ōmaeda listened, stunned, unable to believe his ears.