"Stop talking about not wanting to live anymore. I've gotten a lot stronger. I'll defeat every single person here and I will definitely save you."
Ichigo spoke with absolute conviction. Rukia could tell he wasn't just acting tough; the current him might actually be able to pull it off. But why did his words sound a bit off?
"Including that guy who looks exactly like me. It's really pissing me off!"
*Sure enough,* Rukia thought, clutching her head. *Even if he's gotten stronger, an idiot is still an idiot!*
"You idiot! That is Lord Kaien!!" Rukia kicked Ichigo, who looked like he had just realized something. Staring at his spiky orange hair, an inexplicable surge of anger rose in her chest. "Apologize to him right now, you hear me?!"
Ichigo was completely bewildered for a moment. Was he supposed to know who this 'Lord Kaien' was? He had no clue!
"Is this how you treat your savior? How was I supposed to know if this guy is a friend or an enemy?!"
"Did you just call Lord Kaien 'this guy'?!"
*So, this newcomer who looks exactly like me is supposed to be a friend, right?* Kaien thought, looking at Ichigo. It felt like looking into a mirror, though he had never realized his own face looked so punchable...
*So this is the human to whom Rukia transferred her powers in the World of the Living,* Ukitake thought, unable to hold back a smile. He certainly knew how to liven up the atmosphere. It was easy to imagine that Rukia must have had a very happy time in the World of the Living.
Byakuya couldn't help but glare at the chuckling Ukitake. He didn't find the scene unfolding before him amusing in the slightest. On the contrary, the brat currently bickering with Rukia was even more irritating than Shiba Kaien.
"Hey, now really isn't the time to be arguing over such trivial things," Kaien finally interjected, trying to smooth things over. He strongly suspected that if they kept bickering, both of them would completely forget their current predicament. Hell, maybe even he would forget.
*I almost let Rukia distract me!* Ichigo smacked his forehead. Kaien's words finally reminded him of his actual purpose. He was here to save Rukia from *that* guy.
"That guy is the one trying to stop you from taking Rukia away, right?"
Although he didn't name any names, following Ichigo's gaze, Kaien knew he was talking about Kuchiki Byakuya, so he nodded.
"I'll take him down. I'm leaving Rukia's protection to you."
He beat him to the punch. That was exactly what Kaien had wanted to say. Compared to the clueless Ichigo, he understood Byakuya much better; it stood to reason that he should be the one to hold Byakuya off.
What he hadn't expected was for Ichigo to act so swiftly. Not only did the boy arrange everything before he could, but in the brief moment Kaien was caught off guard, Ichigo had already initiated a verbal spar with Byakuya.
"Looks like you aren't taking this seriously at all. Rukia and I were arguing for so long, and you just stood there doing nothing."
Kaien felt like he could finally understand Rukia's feelings a bit. This orange-haired brat really did have a certain charm—a charm that made people incredibly angry...
*What does he mean, 'arguing for so long, and you just stood there'? Is he implying that Byakuya should have taken the opportunity to launch a sneak attack? Saying something like that to the prideful Byakuya?!*
"Who do you think you are speaking to? Do you truly believe I would need to exploit an opening against someone like you?" Byakuya's tone remained even, but anyone familiar with him could hear the faint trace of fury lacing his words. "Do not get arrogant, brat."
It no longer required someone familiar with him to notice. Byakuya abruptly unleashed a suffocating Reiatsu. Rukia, Ganju, and the others instantly dropped to their knees, as if that was the only way they could draw breath.
A bead of sweat slid down Kaien's cheek from his temple. Unsurprisingly, the boy had managed to enrage Kuchiki Byakuya, and the effect was even better than what Kaien—a disgrace to the nobility in Byakuya's eyes—could achieve. *Could this also be considered a strange talent?!*
However, that brat named Ichigo was indeed extraordinary. Under such oppressive Reiatsu, his performance was actually no worse than Kaien's. In fact, it seemed to be even better?
Yet, this undeniably excellent display left a bitter taste in Byakuya's mouth.
Rukia dying for the sake of a piece of trash would have dissatisfied him, but if she had created a genius with her own hands, wouldn't that only further prove that Central 46 was right in their judgment?
"To be able to withstand this level of Reiatsu, you have indeed improved significantly. You could have simply stayed in the World of the Living and lived out your peaceful days. Traveling all this way just to throw your life away is truly foolish."
"I'm not here to throw my life away." Ichigo scoffed at Byakuya's words, utterly despising the man's condescending attitude. "Once I beat you, I'll be heading right back."
"Do not get arrogant. I warned you, brat." Before his voice even faded, Byakuya vanished from everyone's line of sight.
Kaien was just about to cover Ichigo when he saw the boy move with blinding speed, bringing his Zanpakutō up behind his back to block. It seemed there was no need to worry about this kid after all.
Accompanied by a crisp clang, Byakuya reappeared behind Ichigo. The tip of Senbonzakura was pressed against the broad blade of Ichigo's sword, unable to advance even a single inch further.
A flash of surprise crossed Byakuya's eyes. Ichigo accurately caught the reaction, the corners of his mouth curling up in a smug grin. "I saw everything, Kuchiki Byakuya."
Back in the World of the Living, he had nearly been killed by this exact strike from Byakuya. But now, he could finally see his opponent's movements and block them. This man was not invincible!
The two did not remain locked in combat, simultaneously swinging their blades and leaping back.
"It seems I underestimated you. Very well. Before you become too intoxicated by your own abilities, I shall let you witness it."
Byakuya suddenly raised his Zanpakutō. Just as Kaien was about to warn Ichigo to watch out for his Shikai, Byakuya twisted his wrist, pointing the blade vertically downward.
*He's actually using Bankai!* Kaien suddenly used Shunpo to step in front of Ichigo. Seeing this, Ichigo said with a hint of displeasure, "I can take him down by myself!"
"Shut up!" Kaien angrily cut Ichigo off. "Use Yoruichi's tool and get Rukia out of here first!"
"I said it before. None of you will leave here alive." Byakuya's voice rang out again, sounding like an absolute command that brooked no defiance. "Look closely at the decisive gap in strength between us—a gap you could not bridge even if you trained bitterly for a thousand years."
"Scatter..."
Byakuya's five fingers slowly opened, as if he were about to drop the Zanpakutō in his hand. *What exactly is he trying to do?* Ichigo's mind was full of questions, but unfortunately, a slender figure suddenly blocked his line of sight.
"Yoruichi..."
Byakuya slowly uttered the name of the person who had stopped him. This was his second most hated person in the Seireitei.
"Need some help, Captain Kuchiki?" His shoulder was suddenly patted. He didn't even need to turn his head; just from that frivolous tone alone, Byakuya knew exactly who it was. "If I say I don't need it, will you leave?"
"Don't be so cold. If some sort of accident were to happen to you, I wouldn't be able to escape the blame either. So, just consider it as doing me a favor!"
His third most hated person in the Seireitei...
"Kōe Shihouin!"