Tsuna didn't escape Isshin's clutches after all. By the time he woke up in the Squad 10 barracks, the sun was already high in the sky.
Stepping out of his room, he saw a completely drained Hitsugaya… and right beside him, an unusually energetic Isshin.
"Yo, kid—you woke up pretty late. Here, have some water," Isshin said with a grin.
Tsuna shot him an annoyed look. Whose fault do you think this is?
He drew his Zanpakutō—still sheathed—and rested it against his forehead. Blue flames flickered along the blade as the calming property of the Rain Attribute soothed his lingering headache.
"Now that's something—you can use a Zanpakutō like that?" Isshin said in surprise.
"Where are Aunt Masaki and the others?" Tsuna asked casually.
"Oh, Rangiku took them shopping. Ichigo went along as a pack mule. Us men have our own business to handle," Isshin replied.
Ichigo being used to carry things was true—but protecting Masaki and the girls was just as important.
"You've got some nerve saying that. You knew we had something important today, and you still messed around last night," Tsuna said flatly.
"It was a rare opportunity! Once we're back in the Human World, I won't get a chance like that again," Isshin said proudly. After all, he had single-handedly drunk three people under the table—though they were all lightweights.
"Important business? What are you going to do?" Hitsugaya asked, instantly alert.
"Nothing much. The old man's reporting in. I figured I'd pay a visit to Squad 1 while I'm at it," Tsuna replied.
"Visit Squad 1? Are you going to challenge Chōjirō Sasakibe?"
Over the past two days, Hitsugaya hadn't just been watching over Hinamori—he had also pieced together everything that happened since Tsuna and the others entered Soul Society. Naturally, he knew about Tsuna's conflict with Sasakibe.
"Challenge? He's not worth that," Tsuna said dismissively. "He stabbed me once—I'll return the favor. That's all."
Tsuna said it lightly, but Hitsugaya didn't take it lightly at all. Ever since learning that Sasakibe could use Bankai, the image of him as a non-combatant lieutenant had completely vanished. In this era, Bankai still carried immense weight.
Hitsugaya followed Tsuna's example, pressing Hyōrinmaru against his forehead to stay sharp.
"…Can I come along? It'd be good experience."
For someone desperate to grow stronger, witnessing a captain-level battle could be invaluable.
"I don't mind. As long as the old man lets you in," Tsuna replied.
"What if Captain-Commander Yamamoto doesn't even let you in?" Hitsugaya asked. Someone openly looking for trouble didn't seem like the kind Yamamoto would tolerate.
"Then I'll just fight my way in," Tsuna said casually.
Hitsugaya froze.
Even though Hyōrinmaru was known as the strongest ice-type Zanpakutō—on par with Ryūjin Jakka—he knew full well that, at his current level, he stood no chance against Yamamoto.
"Hey, hey—you didn't tell me about that!" Isshin broke in, sweating nervously. "You said we were just visiting Squad 1—since when did this become storming the place?! That old man might cut me down as an accomplice!"
Isshin was already considering retreating. Honestly, going back to a peaceful life with his wife and kids sounded far more appealing.
"Relax, old man. That's just a worst-case scenario," Tsuna said.
"That's way too extreme for a 'worst-case'!" Isshin snapped. "How are you even thinking about fighting the Captain-Commander?!"
"Oh? And what if he decides to hold you accountable—for abandoning your post, and for settling down in the Human World?" Tsuna countered.
Isshin immediately sat back down, calm again.
What else could he do? If it came to that, he'd fight.
That was exactly why he had Ichigo stay close to Masaki—if his or Tsuna's Reiatsu flared up, Ichigo would immediately take everyone back to the Human World.
"…Sigh. Let's go. Hopefully the Captain-Commander stays reasonable."
If not… they'd have no place left in Soul Society.
Led by Isshin, the three of them left the Squad 10 barracks.
No sooner had they stepped outside than a laid-back voice greeted them.
"Heading out already?"
"Captain Kyōraku! Long time no see. Have you been waiting long?" Isshin greeted warmly, walking up to him. The two had always gotten along—both sharing a love for slacking off.
"Yeah, it's been a while, Isshin. Figured you'd all be hungover—I only just got here myself," Kyōraku Shunsui replied.
Isshin's expression turned cautious. "May I ask what brings you here, Captain Kyōraku?"
"By order of the Captain-Commander, I've come to invite former Squad 10 Captain Shiba Isshin—and our visitor from the Human World, Sawada Tsunayoshi—to Squad 1."
Tsuna and the others had entered through the White Road Gate openly—and Tsuna had even beaten up the guards. Of course Yamamoto already knew about their arrival.
The fact that he waited until the next day to summon them suggested he held no immediate hostility.
Isshin thought the same. After glancing at Tsuna and seeing no objection, he nodded.
"Then please lead the way."
"Wait," Hitsugaya spoke up. "Did the Captain-Commander mention what this is about? Can I come as well?"
Kyōraku had already guessed part of Yamamoto's intentions. Since Hitsugaya was the current captain of Squad 10, it wouldn't be an issue.
"Come along, Captain Hitsugaya."
With Kyōraku leading the way, no one stopped them.
After several turns, they arrived at Yamamoto's tea room in Squad 1.
Inside were not only Yamamoto and his ever-present lieutenant, Sasakibe—but also Unohana Retsu and Ukitake Jūshirō. Sitting opposite them were Urahara Kisuke and Hirako Shinji.
Tsuna raised an eyebrow.
This is serious.
Small matters called for big meetings—but truly important matters were handled in small, trusted circles. Everyone present here was someone Yamamoto trusted absolutely.
And on the other side—Urahara and Hirako represented key forces in the Human World. Add Tsuna and his group, and it was clear:
Yamamoto had gathered all major factions together.
As the door opened, Yamamoto glanced briefly at Hitsugaya before calmly saying, "Sit."
Understanding immediately, Hitsugaya quietly took a seat in the corner. Today, he was just an observer.
As always, Sasakibe began serving tea. But when he noticed Tsuna staring directly at him, his hands trembled slightly.
He had witnessed Tsuna's explosive display above Sōkyoku Hill. Against that level of power, even Sasakibe wasn't confident his Bankai—Kōkō Gonryō Rikyū—would hold.
Tsuna, meanwhile, was calmly evaluating how to deal with him.
Sasakibe's Bankai was indeed formidable—its burst speed and destructive force were exceptional. After all, it had once left a scar on Yamamoto himself.
But Tsuna's own abilities didn't specialize in pure speed. Even against Unohana's near-invisible swordplay, he had relied on the calming effect of the Rain Attribute.
If he wanted to repay that stab… the best approach would be overwhelming force.
The problem was—he might accidentally kill Sasakibe.
He needed to think this through carefully.
Meanwhile, the longer Tsuna stared, the colder sweat ran down Sasakibe's back. After finishing the tea service, he quickly retreated behind Yamamoto.
Once everyone had settled, Yamamoto spoke first.
"Shiba Isshin. You have been absent from Soul Society for over a decade. Why have you returned?"
"Captain-Commander," Isshin began, "back then, while investigating the appearance of a Hollow, I went alone to the Human World…"
He recounted everything—the investigation into Aizen's artificial Hollows, his time in the Human World, how he was saved by his future wife, and how he gave up all his Shinigami powers to save her from Hollowfication.
"Recently, my son Kurosaki Ichigo awakened his Shinigami powers. With that, my own powers were no longer needed to suppress the Hollow within him—and I regained my abilities."
"I've come here today to report the truth. However, I still have a family in the Human World. I ask permission to remain there—as Kurosaki Isshin."
This was the final responsibility he needed to fulfill. A captain's disappearance couldn't remain unexplained.
As for Yamamoto's judgment—that was no longer his concern.
After all, he had already chosen his life.
"Kyōraku. What is your opinion?" Yamamoto asked.
Caught off guard, Kyōraku straightened slightly.
"By procedure, this should be handed over to the Central 46 for judgment. However… given their tendencies, Isshin likely wouldn't receive a fair outcome."
Isshin broke into a cold sweat.
If it came to that—he'd draw his blade without hesitation.
He knew exactly what kind of people Central 46 were.
And as a former member of the Shiba Clan, even a diminished one, he would almost certainly be made an example of.
"However," Kyōraku continued, "Isshin was ultimately a victim of Aizen's schemes. Additionally, Kurosaki Ichigo has rendered great service to Soul Society."
"My recommendation… is to turn a blind eye. From this point on, only Kurosaki Isshin exists."
Isshin nearly cursed out loud.
This guy really knows how to pause for dramatic effect…
He almost thought he was done for.
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