The intervention of the Soul King Palace was naturally a major event.
Of course, it was also a good thing.
Now that the highest seat of power was empty, the fact that the immensely powerful Squad Zero was willing to step forward and take control of the situation brought a sense of reassurance to everyone's hearts.
Except for one person.
"Tch..."
Asuka raised his hand, brushing off the shoulder where the golden-white spirit butterfly had just landed with a look of disgust.
"This is completely baffling." Asuka turned his head slightly, glancing at the captains who looked as if they were facing a formidable enemy. "Why drag me into a meeting about your Seireitei's business?"
He grabbed Shinobu Kocho's hand and turned to leave. "Shinobu, let's go."
With that, he prepared to use Shunpo to leave this devastated wasteland.
"Wait, Asuka! Stop right there, you idiot!"
A black blur suddenly flashed past, blocking Asuka's path.
Yoruichi spread her arms, the look in her eyes completely different from before.
Asuka paused, his brows furrowing tightly. "Master Yoruichi, didn't you just say these matters have nothing to do with me? Why are you stopping me now?"
"The situation has changed." Yoruichi's voice was grave. "If the Gotei 13 asked you to stay, you could ignore them... but this is Squad Zero!"
"So what if it's Squad Zero?"
"You don't understand what that message just now meant... Their will represents the highest law of this world."
Yoruichi took a step forward, looking straight into Asuka's rebellious eyes. "I know you are very dissatisfied with the Seireitei, and I know you've grown much stronger through your own efforts..."
"But don't be too arrogant, kid."
"Even though Squad Zero only has five members, the combat prowess of any single one of them is enough to rival the entire Gotei 13!"
Hearing this, Asuka's expression finally changed.
Yoruichi quickly added, "If you insist on leaving now, it equates to defying the Soul King's orders. Maybe nothing will happen, or maybe it will draw down their thunderous wrath."
"Anyway, I hope you think this through carefully." She looked at Shinobu Kocho, who had remained silent by Asuka's side. "You should try to persuade him too..."
"Asuka..."
A soft touch came from his palm.
Shinobu Kocho squeezed Asuka's large hand gently.
She knew Asuka came from the Rukongai and had no fondness for Soul Reapers, so she had stood by his side from the very beginning.
But since Miss Yoruichi put it that way...
"Miss Yoruichi is right, Squad Zero's orders are no trivial matter."
"Besides, I've been staying in the Fourth Division all these years, and Lord Kagaya and the others have been living well in the Rukongai..."
"Let's just wait for three days and see what they have to say. If things don't look right, it won't be too late for us to leave then."
Seeing the pleading look in Shinobu Kocho's eyes, the violent, dark fire in Asuka's heart slowly subsided.
Come to think of it, whether it was due to the influence of his Avenger Saint Graph or because he had devoured All the World's Evils...
Asuka's emotions were particularly easy to provoke lately.
'…She's right, what's the big deal? It's just waiting a few days. Why am I getting so angry?'
He let out a long breath of stale air, calming the inexplicable restlessness in his heart.
"...I understand. I just hope it's not a waste of time."
Seeing that he had finally settled down, Yoruichi breathed a sigh of relief and rolled her eyes in exasperation. "Then it's settled. Don't cause any trouble these next few days."
Seeing the crisis averted, Shinobu Kocho gently tugged on Asuka's sleeve and said softly, "Let's go to the Rukongai for these next few days, to Lord Kagaya's home."
"Gyomei, Lady Amane, and Hinaki... Everyone has been missing you every single day all these years."
"They will be absolutely thrilled to know you've returned."
At the mention of those long-lost friends, Asuka's eyes softened completely.
"Alright, let's go home."
Like two ordinary travelers, they walked side by side down the ruined stone steps, slowly heading toward the Rukongai.
The sunlight spilled over them, stretching their shadows long until they finally merged together.
Watching Asuka and Shinobu Kocho's departing figures, Shunsui Kyoraku stepped up beside Yoruichi at some point.
He looked deeply at the former Commander-in-Chief of the Onmitsukido, his tone carrying a hint of probing. "Although the esteemed members of the Soul King Palace didn't state it explicitly, since the Soul King's order was to gather all surviving captains..."
"Then Lady Yoruichi, it would be best if you also attended the meeting in three days."
Yoruichi paused slightly. She turned her head to look at the devastated Sokyoku Hill and remained silent.
"Although in name, you and Urahara are still traitors to the Soul Society..." Shunsui Kyoraku sighed and continued, "But after what happened with Aizen today, many things are already self-evident."
"There must be hidden circumstances behind the Hollowfication incident from back then that we are unaware of."
He looked straight into Yoruichi's eyes. "I always had my doubts about the verdict back then. I never believed that you and Urahara were the kind of villains who would harm your own comrades."
"Now that the truth is about to come to light, it would be best if we could use the opportunity of Squad Zero's descent to clear the air about what happened and wash away your false charges."
"Furthermore, the Soul Society right now... desperately needs your strength."
Shunsui Kyoraku spoke these words with utmost sincerity.
If they could bring back the combat power and intellect of Yoruichi Shihoin and Kisuke Urahara, it would be a massive help to the chaotic Soul Society.
Yoruichi remained silent for a long time as the breeze brushed past her purple hair.
"...I'll discuss it with Kisuke," Yoruichi finally gave an ambiguous answer.
But immediately after, she smiled freely, her tone returning to its usual untamed nature. "However, Shunsui, don't expect too much."
"Even if I do come back to attend the meeting and clear my name, I will absolutely not take over the Second Division again or continue being a Soul Reaper captain."
She stretched her body, exuding the lazy aura of a cat. "Being a carefree cat in the World of the Living, basking in the sun every day, and occasionally teaching arrogant brats a lesson... I'm extremely satisfied with that kind of life."
"I'll leave this heavy burden for little Yushiro to carry."
Hearing this answer, Shunsui Kyoraku felt a bit of regret and could only shake his head with a bitter smile. "As you wish... As long as you're willing to attend, you've already helped immensely."
With decisions made, there was no reason for everyone to linger on this scorched earth any longer.
Toshiro didn't dare delay any further, carrying the mentally broken Momo Hinamori as he rushed toward the Fourth Division.
Kaien and Ukitake discussed their upcoming division duties, while Byakuya Kuchiki checked to see if there were any surviving members of the Executive Militia.
"Rukia..."
Ichigo Kurosaki's Bankai had faded. Leaning on the massive Zangetsu, he asked, "Are... are you okay?"
Rukia, who had just been saved by Shinobu Kocho, looked at the bloodied orange-haired boy before her, her eyes reddening.
"Ichigo, you really are an idiot." Rukia's voice trembled slightly, but it also carried the comfort of a comrade. "Didn't I tell you not to come..."
"Hah? You ungrateful jerk." Ichigo flashed a tired smile and plopped down right next to Rukia.
"Regardless, it's good that you're okay."
"If you really got roasted, Karin and Yuzu would be sad."
Rukia felt both annoyed and amused. She weakly punched him. "...Thanks, partner."