Gosuke Shigure did not know the exact moment when Kurosaki Ichigo and his companions entered Soul Society.
Recently, he had very little contact with Kisuke Urahara and Yoruichi Shihōin, so there was no way for him to know their precise movements.
After all, traveling from the World of the Living to Rukongai through a Senkaimon did not normally create any large-scale disturbance.
However, Ichigo and his companions were hardly the type to quietly follow the rules.
The moment Gosuke heard about the incident at the West Gate, Hakutōmon, he immediately realized that the Ryoka had already arrived in Soul Society.
"After the incident at Hakutōmon, entering Seireitei through the Four Great Gates is no longer possible."
"Following Yoruichi's plan, they should be heading to the Shiba residence next."
"With the help of the Shiba Clan's techniques, they'll use the Kūkaku Cannon to break through the Shakonmaku and enter Seireitei directly."
Gosuke silently analyzed the situation.
The secret techniques of the Shiba Clan were indeed extraordinary.
Their cannon techniques were famous throughout Soul Society.
The same principles that could launch someone through the Shakonmaku could, in theory, be adapted for even more incredible feats.
Of course, the success of such methods depended entirely upon the "projectile" being used.
To break through the Shakonmaku surrounding Seireitei, the spiritual power of the passengers themselves was sufficient.
But if one wished to reach the Royal Palace high above Soul Society, ordinary methods were meaningless.
Only the Tenchūren the Heavenly Pillar Chariot created by the Royal Guard could safely pass through the barriers protecting the Soul King's realm.
Anything else would likely be torn apart the instant it touched those defenses.
"Even with the Shiba Clan's cannon, breaking through the Shakonmaku causes a tremendous disturbance."
"I really wonder what you're thinking, Yoruichi."
"There were quieter ways to bring Kurosaki Ichigo into Seireitei."
"Or perhaps creating chaos is exactly part of your plan and Urahara Kisuke's as well."
Gosuke narrowed his eyes thoughtfully.
From another perspective, however, chaos was not necessarily a bad thing.
Seireitei had remained peaceful for far too long.
When the water was calm, many things remained hidden beneath the surface.
Only when the water became turbulent would those concealed truths finally reveal themselves.
The incident at Hakutōmon had become a popular topic throughout Seireitei.
Yet before people could discuss it for very long, an even greater disturbance occurred.
On that day, the vast Shakonmaku covering Seireitei suddenly trembled.
Then it cracked.
A massive tear appeared in the spiritual barrier.
Several figures shot through the opening and entered Seireitei.
For countless years, the Shakonmaku had protected Seireitei from intrusion.
Whether Hollow, Shinigami, or wandering souls, all were required to enter through the Four Great Gates.
That was the proper path.
Anyone who bypassed those gates by forcibly breaching the Shakonmaku had only one designation.
Ryoka.
The invasion had begun.
Almost instantly, the entire Gotei Thirteenmobilized.
Orders spread through every division.
Patrols increased.
Search parties were dispatched.
The hunt for the invading Ryoka commenced.
Within the barracks of the Eleventh Division, one man immediately became excited.
Zaraki Kenpachi.
"A Ryoka invasion?"
A savage grin spread across his face.
"I don't know who they are, but they'd better not disappoint me."
Zaraki lived for battle.
In recent years, Soul Society had become almost unbearably peaceful.
Even Hollows that managed to cause trouble had become increasingly rare.
As a result, life inside Seireitei had become painfully dull.
Many Captains already understood Zaraki's personality and generally avoided provoking him into unnecessary fights.
That only made matters worse.
Now, however, something interesting had finally happened.
There was no way he intended to miss it.
For Ichigo and his companions, the invasion itself was far from pleasant.
After being launched from Kūkaku Shiba's cannon, they slammed directly through the Shakonmaku.
The impact was far more violent than any of them expected.
By the time they broke through, everyone was dizzy.
As a result, they completely failed to follow Yoruichi's instructions.
Instead of landing together, they were scattered throughout Seireitei.
Ichigo's luck was especially poor.
The moment he climbed out of the crater where he landed, he sensed two spiritual pressures nearby.
Looking up, he found two Shinigami staring directly at him.
One was bald and carried himself like a veteran warrior.
The other possessed delicate features and an almost theatrical elegance.
They were none other than Ikkaku Madarame, Third Seat of the Eleventh Division, and Yumichika Ayasegawa, Fifth Seat of the Eleventh Division.
Unlike in the original timeline, the current structure of the Eleventh Division differed somewhat due to changes brought about by previous events. Nevertheless, both men remained among Zaraki's most trusted subordinates.
The pair had known each other since their days wandering Rukongai.
Even after joining the Gotei Thirteen, they were rarely seen apart.
Today, they had been returning from a drinking excursion when they received reports concerning the Ryoka invasion.
Neither of them initially paid much attention to it.
Then fate delivered a Ryoka directly in front of them.
Looking at Ichigo, the two exchanged glances.
Their eyes immediately locked onto their target.
Ichigo felt a headache coming on.
Seriously?
I just landed and already ran into enemy Shinigami?
His luck was truly terrible.
In the original course of events, Ganju Shiba had accompanied Ichigo into Seireitei.
As a result, encounters and circumstances had unfolded somewhat differently.
Now, however, with Kaien Shiba still alive and the Shiba Clan remaining closely connected to Soul Society, many events had changed.
This time, Ichigo was completely alone.
Still, he showed no fear.
Gripping Zangetsu, he immediately charged forward.
The sight brought smiles to the faces of both Eleventh Division officers.
Interesting.
Rather than attack together, they allowed Ikkaku to step forward alone.
To them, this was merely a Ryoka.
One opponent was enough.
At least, that was what they thought.
Very quickly, however, they realized something was wrong.
Ichigo was far stronger than expected.
Ikkaku's initial assaults failed to gain any advantage.
Instead, Ichigo met every attack head-on.
His instincts in battle were surprisingly sharp.
More importantly, his swordsmanship was far beyond what a newly awakened Shinigami should possess.
During one exchange, Ikkaku overcommitted slightly.
Ichigo instantly seized the opening.
Zangetsu flashed.
The strike forced Ikkaku backward.
Yumichika's eyes narrowed.
"That sword style…"
He stared carefully at Ichigo.
Ikkaku was obviously not fighting seriously yet.
As a warrior capable of achieving Bankai, his true strength remained hidden.
Nevertheless, that was not what attracted Yumichika's attention.
What interested him was Ichigo himself.
The young Ryoka's swordsmanship looked strangely familiar.
It was rough in some places.
Unpolished in others.
Yet hidden within it was a foundation that felt unmistakably recognizable.
Yumichika searched his memories.
Someone.
He had definitely seen that style before.
But for the moment, he could not remember where.
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