After learning that Ichigo planned to go to Soul Society to rescue Rukia, their classmates with supernatural abilities immediately volunteered to join him. During this time, Rukia had become both a good classmate and a close friend to them. Their reason for going to Soul Society was perfectly justified.
That very night, Tsuna gathered everyone at the Urahara Shop for a pre-battle meeting.
"Ichigo, why can't you just say everything quickly?" Ichigo complained. "I'm in a hurry."
He wanted to go train. After realizing that Byakuya had been fighting under restrictions earlier, Ichigo was desperate to obtain more power.
"That kind of thing can't be rushed," Tsuna said. "Once you overcome the fear in your heart, it'll happen naturally."
"Easy for you to say," Ichigo replied, giving Tsuna a disdainful gesture.
"This is an intelligence briefing before entering Soul Society," Tsuna said.
"That's not something you explain in two sentences."
He used Shunpo to appear behind Ichigo and kicked him straight into the tea room.
The tea room of the Urahara Shop was pitch black. Only one wall glowed faintly like a projection screen.
"Oho? How did Ichigo roll in here?" came Urahara's teasing voice.
Before Ichigo could even stand up, he tried to protest—
But another kick landed.
He rolled into the corner in a miserable ball.
"Idiot Ichigo. Don't block the way."
The one who kicked him this time was Arisawa Tatsuki.
Only she and Tsuna could rough him up like that without Ichigo truly getting angry.
Inoue Orihime walked in behind Tatsuki calmly, completely used to the scene. With Ichigo's current physical durability, this kind of roughhousing couldn't hurt him anyway.
"You two gang up on me all the time!" Ichigo complained while rubbing his chest.
"Ishida, Chad, say something!"
But Ishida Uryū and Sado Yasutora—who entered last—simply ignored him, just like Orihime.
"If you're in a hurry, then listen carefully," Tsuna said, slapping the table.
"If you want to rescue Rukia, you need to know who in Soul Society you can fight and who you absolutely cannot provoke."
At the mention of Rukia, Ichigo finally sat up properly.
Seeing everyone ready to listen, Tsuna signaled Urahara to begin the presentation.
"We're about to enter Soul Society."
"And when talking about its true military power, we cannot ignore the Gotei 13."
"Tonight's briefing is about them."
The screen changed.
"First—people you absolutely cannot afford to fight."
"If you encounter them, do not resist, do not run. Just surrender. That's the only way you'll survive."
Two figures appeared on the screen:
A long-bearded old man and a black-haired woman.
"These two are the Captain of the 1st Division and the Captain of the 4th Division."
"In simple terms—if they decide to attack you, you have no chance whatsoever."
"So surrender immediately."
"But don't worry," Tsuna added. "The old man from the 1st Division rarely leaves headquarters. The chance of encountering him is extremely low."
"As for the 4th Division captain, Unohana Retsu—she's a gentle-looking but secretly terrifying woman."
"She mainly handles medical work and rarely fights."
"Question!"
Tatsuki raised her hand, squinting suspiciously.
"Why do you seem to know so much about that 'terrifying big sister'?"
"We've never met," Tsuna replied quickly.
He definitely couldn't tell her that in his previous life he had been fascinated by Unohana.
"…Fine, I'll let it slide."
"Next," Tsuna continued, "the mastermind group behind this incident."
Three more images appeared:
A smiling man with closed eyes
A gentle-looking man with glasses
A blind man wearing goggles
"These are the Captains of the 3rd, 5th, and 9th Divisions."
"If you run into them, run away."
"To hide their own schemes, they won't openly fight you."
"Detailed information is on the screen. Read it yourselves."
Every time Tsuna clicked a profile, detailed information appeared.
Everyone except Tsuna immediately started taking notes.
"Among the remaining captains, a few have troublesome abilities."
"Let me highlight them."
The screen changed again.
"Captain of the 2nd Division."
"Her ability is two-hit kill."
"If she strikes the same spot twice, you die."
"Captain of the 11th Division."
"That squad lives for battle."
"He gets stronger when facing strong opponents and weaker against weak ones."
"If necessary, pretend to be weak. Let him slash you once and he might lose interest."
"Hey! Getting slashed still sounds terrifying!" Ichigo protested.
"You're all still high school students, you know!"
"Next, Captain of the 12th Division."
"A research fanatic."
"He has endless tricks."
"Best strategy: defeat him instantly."
"If not, you might already be poisoned without realizing it."
Tsuna pointed specifically at Uryū.
"Uryū, that's the man who experimented on your grandfather."
"If possible, don't drag out the fight."
"But try to leave him alive."
"His research ability will still be useful later."
Tsuna offered advice but didn't push further.
This was Uryū's personal vendetta.
Uryū said nothing.
His eyes were locked on the image of Mayuri Kurotsuchi.
His gentle grandfather had died because of this man.
The hatred in his heart was ice-cold.
He wanted nothing more than to tear Mayuri apart.
"Lastly, two special cases."
The screen changed again.
"Captain of the 8th Division and Captain of the 13th Division."
"They won't attack immediately."
"If you explain your intentions, they might even help you."
"That's about it."
Tsuna sat down cross-legged.
"For the rest—fight if you want, run if you don't. The information is all there."
Ichigo frowned.
"Wait… Byakuya isn't even on your list?"
Tsuna shrugged.
"The remaining captains aren't broken and their abilities aren't tricky."
"Treat them like Kensei."
"Good sparring partners."
In Tsuna's view, Byakuya, Komamura, and Hitsugaya were perfect training opponents.
Ichigo looked at him strangely.
He still had no idea just how strong Tsuna really was.
Even captain-level Shinigami seemed insignificant to him.
"So," Tsuna said, "any questions?"
Tatsuki raised her hand.
"We're humans. Can we even enter Soul Society?"
"Normally no," Tsuna replied.
"But the shopkeeper will prepare a Reishi Conversion Device for us—like the bracelet I use."
"As for Ichigo…"
"We'll just kick his soul out of his body."
"Hold on!" Ichigo protested.
"Why do you get a device while I have to get my soul kicked out?!"
"I'm tired of that!"
"Of course we can prepare one," Urahara said, rubbing his fingers together.
"But the cost…"
Ichigo immediately turned to Tsuna.
Tsuna shrugged.
"You know… I get plenty of allowance."
Ichigo collapsed to the floor in defeat.
Tsuna's parents weren't home and he had a girlfriend to support—his rich father naturally gave him generous spending money.
"Just get along with Kon," Tsuna said comfortingly.
"Damn it!"
Seeing Ichigo's jealous expression, Tsuna suddenly added:
"Fine."
"If you defeat a captain during this trip to Soul Society…"
"I'll give you a Reishi Conversion Device."
"Deal!"
Ichigo instantly vanished with Shunpo.
Now that he knew the situation, the only thing left was training.
"I'll head back as well," Uryū said.
"My mother said she'll teach me a special combat technique."
Beneath his calm tone burned endless anger.
"Yoruichi, do you have time?" Tatsuki asked.
"Let's see the results of your training," Yoruichi replied, walking away gracefully in cat form.
Tatsuki followed immediately.
"I'll go find Kensei," Chad said.
"Orihime, go with Chad," Tsuna suggested.
"Let Kensei use Bankai."
"Orihime heals him while he fights."
"Chad… going back and forth between life and death is extremely painful."
"Can you endure it?"
"I can," Chad replied firmly.
"But…" Orihime hesitated.
"Orihime," Tsuna said gently.
"If you want to stand beside Ichigo, your power can't remain weak."
"You must become his strongest support."
"Take every chance to grow stronger."
"And besides—Ichigo is also training with the Visored."
Orihime's hesitation disappeared instantly.
"I understand."
"Thank you, Tsuna."
Soon everyone had left.
"Everyone's gone," Urahara said.
"You still here, Tsuna? Something you want to discuss privately?"
"Have you found a way to deal with Negación yet?" Tsuna asked.
Urahara narrowed his eyes.
"So… Aizen plans to escape using Negación?"
"If you've been hiding for so many years," Tsuna replied, "wouldn't you want to step onto the stage in front of everyone?"
"Without a grand entrance, what's the point?"
Urahara chuckled.
"True. Geniuses always want their moment in the spotlight."
"Negación is an ability used by Menos-class Hollows to rescue their comrades."
"Once someone is enveloped by it, their destination becomes Hueco Mundo."
"In essence, the target enters a different spatial layer."
"They escape danger through that space and travel to Hueco Mundo."
"It's similar to the Dangai—a dimensional passage connecting realms."
"Since the target no longer exists in the same space, all attacks become ineffective."
"A spatial barrier separates them completely."
"So Negación avoids all damage and allows Aizen to make a dramatic appearance."
"Very fitting."
Tsuna stared at him with deadpan eyes.
"So after researching for years, that's your conclusion?"
Urahara smiled.
"Tsuna, remember—"
"There's no such thing as absolute defense in this world."
"Not even spatial barriers."
"If an attack fails, it only means the attack wasn't strong enough."
"All you need…"
"…is a strike powerful enough to tear space itself apart."
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