Chapter 254 254 Mayuri Comes With Ill Intent
After Unohana left, only Toshiro, Rangiku, and the unconscious Chad remained in the treatment room.
"Captain... why are you helping the Ryoka?"
Rangiku asked hesitantly.
Although she trusted Toshiro and knew he must have a special reason, Rangiku couldn't help but want to know the reason.
Toshiro glanced at Rangiku, thought for a moment, and finally said, "Do you know who the leader of these Ryoka is?"
"Probably that 'Ichigo' this Sado mentioned earlier, right?"
Rangiku guessed.
Earlier, Chad had said he came to the Soul Society because 'Ichigo' wanted to rescue Rukia, appearing to follow 'Ichigo's' lead. So, Rangiku guessed this 'Ichigo' was the leader of the Ryoka.
"You're right. The leader of these Ryoka is indeed the person Chad Sado called 'Ichigo'. But do you know who this 'Ichigo' is?"
Toshiro smiled.
"Who is he? Isn't he just a Ryoka? Oh, right! Before, they said Rukia's powers were taken by a human. Could it be this 'Ichigo'?"
Rangiku suddenly thought.
"Well, that's partly true. But what I'm talking about is this 'Ichigo's' background."
Toshiro said.
"Background?"
Rangiku asked, puzzled.
"This 'Ichigo's' full name is Kurosaki Ichigo. He is Captain Shiba's son."
Toshiro said with a serious expression.
"Captain Shiba's son?!"
Rangiku exclaimed in shock.
"But... shouldn't Captain Shiba's son be named Shiba?"
Rangiku asked, confused.
"Cough, well... Back when Captain Shiba left the Soul Society and lived in the Living World, he married a human named Kurosaki Masaki and then changed his surname to Kurosaki."
Toshiro explained.
"Captain Shiba... He really loved his wife that much?!"
Rangiku said, somewhat speechless.
In Japan, women traditionally change their surname to their husband's after marriage. But Isshin changed his surname to his wife's, essentially meaning he married into the Kurosaki Family.
And Isshin was once the Captain of the 10th Division and the head of the Shiba Clan's branch family, one of the Soul Society's Four Great Noble Houses.
Marrying into a human family was practically 'disgracing' the Shiba family's noble status. If the Shiba Clan's ancestors knew, they'd probably rise from their graves to strangle him.
"To think the leader of these Ryoka is Captain Shiba's son..."
Rangiku said with some emotion.
It had been many years since she last saw Isshin after he left the Soul Society.
"Although Kurosaki Ichigo is Captain Shiba's son, if he violates the Soul Society's laws, I wouldn't easily decide to help him."
Toshiro said gravely.
Although it sounded somewhat cold, if Ichigo truly violated the Soul Society's rules without reason, Toshiro, as the Vice-Captain Commander and future Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13, couldn't disregard the Soul Society's laws to actively help Ichigo and the others.
"The reason I agreed to help Kurosaki Ichigo is that there are hidden circumstances regarding Rukia's situation."
Toshiro explained.
"Hidden circumstances?"
Rangiku tensed.
"Yes. This matter with Rukia is being manipulated by someone behind the scenes, trying to take advantage of the situation for their own nefarious purposes."
Toshiro said with a serious expression.
"How could that be?!"
Rangiku looked incredulous.
"Anyway, don't worry about this for now. The truth will come to light soon enough."
Toshiro didn't plan to reveal everything to Rangiku now. The matter was too shocking, and no one would believe it without seeing it firsthand.
Rangiku wanted to ask more, but seeing Toshiro's demeanor, he didn't intend to explain in detail, so she didn't press further.
"Hmm?"
At that moment, Toshiro suddenly seemed to sense something and looked towards the First Treatment Room next door, separated by a wall.
"This is... Madarame Ikkaku's Reiatsu?"
Toshiro said in surprise.
"Ikkaku? The 3rd Seat of the 11th Division?"
Rangiku said.
"Come, Rangiku, let's go take a look."
Toshiro instructed.
First Treatment Room, next to the Second Treatment Room.
Ikkaku had been brought here and was being treated by members of the 4th Division.
"Yo, Ikkaku. You look really pathetic!"
Toshiro walked in and 'mocked' directly.
"Captain Hitsugaya? Why are you here?"
Ikkaku, lying there, was surprised to see Toshiro.
"Several members of our 10th Division and a captured Ryoka were injured, so I sent them here for treatment."
Toshiro explained.
"Captured? Not killed?"
Ikkaku said, somewhat surprised.
During his fight with Ichigo, Ikkaku had also sensed Toshiro's battle with another Ryoka. As expected, Toshiro won, and the Ryoka's Reiatsu vanished.
Ikkaku originally thought the Ryoka fighting Toshiro had died. He never expected Toshiro not only didn't kill the Ryoka but even sent him to the 4th Division for treatment.
Seeing Ikkaku covered in bandages, Rangiku couldn't help but exclaim, "Ikkaku, you're all bandaged up like this... Were you defeated by a Ryoka?"
Rangiku didn't know Ikkaku could use Bankai. But even then, in Rangiku's view, although Ikkaku was only a 3rd Seat, his actual strength wasn't inferior to hers, a Lieutenant.
So she never expected Ikkaku to be in such a sorry state.
"Yeah, he was a really strong guy!"
Ikkaku said seriously.
At the start of the battle, Ikkaku and Ichigo fought fiercely. Later, when Ichigo sensed Chad's Reiatsu suddenly disappear, he stopped, and Ikkaku didn't take advantage.
But after Ichigo sensed Chad's Reiatsu again and knew he was alive, he became invigorated. His morale soared, and his strength exploded, directly overpowering Ikkaku.
And Ikkaku, not wanting more people to know he could use Bankai, didn't use it in his fight with Ichigo.
Even if he had used Bankai, he might have still been overpowered by the plot-armored Ichigo. But regardless, if Ikkaku had used Bankai, his chances of winning would have greatly increased.
Then, Rangiku asked curiously, "Ikkaku, the Ryoka who defeated you was...?"
"Hehe... Madarame Ikkaku, how pathetic. To be defeated by a mere Ryoka."
A voice suddenly rang out, interrupting Rangiku.
And unlike Toshiro's earlier teasing, the newcomer's tone was blatantly mocking.
Toshiro and the others turned to see Mayuri entering with his Lieutenant, Kurotsuchi Nemu, clearly with ill intent.
"Madarame Ikkaku, you waste. Since you lost to a Ryoka, at least be useful and tell me the Ryoka's information!"
Mayuri said arrogantly.