Chapter Seventy-Six: Allow Me to Teach You

It was Ichigo Kurosaki.

Choujirou silently observed the delinquent boy with spiky orange hair, not uttering a word.

As expected of a protagonist—after just a few battles, he could already elevate his aura to such a level?

Narrowing his eyes slightly, even though he stood right beside Hanataro Yamada, he made no move to interrupt the conversation between Ichigo and Hanataro, choosing instead to let things play out for the time being.

"And then... Rukia..."

Choujirou ignored Ichigo, and Ichigo, in turn, paid no attention to Choujirou, dismissing him as nothing more than an unimportant passerby.

"I'm here to rescue you."

Although Rukia was genuinely happy that Ichigo had come for her, she would rather die than admit it, resulting in her eyes welling with tears.

Honestly, to throw a sister like this into prison and leave her to fend for herself—regardless of whatever family rules there might be—Byakuya, you truly are merciless.

Silently criticizing Byakuya in his heart, Choujirou had originally just wanted to meet Ichigo and then leave, but the protagonist, emboldened by his own aura, grew increasingly defiant.

"I'll talk after I’ve dealt with him."

"Ah..."

Choujirou, who had just started to step forward, drew his foot back.

My, my, such an overconfident brat—just because he defeated Kenpachi with the protagonist’s halo of immortality, now he’s arrogant enough not to even consider captains worthy opponents.

"Ichigo..."

Though Rukia could sense the spiritual pressure from Ichigo’s battle with Kenpachi, his next opponent was her own brother, and she couldn’t help but worry for Ichigo.

"What? I’m here to save you, so don’t tell me to leave—I’m not listening..."

Ichigo shot Rukia an impatient look, then pointed at her aggressively.

"From now on, all your opinions are vetoed! Got it?"

"What... what kind of attitude is that? Does rescuing someone mean you can ignore their wishes? Is that any way to save someone?"

"Stop whining! Don’t complain to the person who’s come to save you! All you need to do is tremble in a corner and say, ‘Please save me!’ That’s enough!"

"~~~~~~~"

"~~~~~~~"

"......"

The other four present tacitly avoided interrupting the strange exchange between the pair.

Arguing the instant they meet—just how close are these two?

"I see..."

Byakuya’s eyes reflected the image of Ichigo Kurosaki.

"I don’t know how you managed to raise your strength to this level by sheer luck, but if you think that’s enough to take Rukia away, you’re far too naïve."

"!"

A tremendous spiritual pressure instantly filled the area, causing even Choujirou to frown.

Hmm, has this kid already reached such a realm?

"Whoosh!"

Yet the protagonist’s expression only changed slightly; he immediately drew the massive blade from his back.

"Oh... to withstand this level of spiritual pressure without collapsing—it seems simple intimidation isn’t enough to make you submit."

"Tch, everyone’s so long-winded."

The boy forced a grin, then looked at Byakuya with utmost seriousness. "Once I defeat you, I’m leaving."

"......"

It was clear—just a mere human dared to speak so brazenly before him. This situation...

"Don’t get ahead of yourself, boy."

Byakuya’s eyes brimmed with murderous intent, and in the next instant, Ichigo lost sight of his figure.

"Whoosh!"

"Clang!"

"Thud!"

As expected, the clash of blades rang out, but mixed within were some strange sounds.

It was Choujirou.

He blocked Byakuya’s thrust with his zanpakuto, and placed one foot firmly on Ichigo’s huge blade behind him.

Just like that, Choujirou forcibly inserted himself into the duel.

"!"

All that remained for Byakuya and Ichigo was astonishment.

Ichigo was shocked that this man—wearing a white haori but clearly not a captain—could intercept Byakuya’s attack in an instant without him even noticing, pushing his own defense to its limit. Who was this guy?

Byakuya, on the other hand, was surprised by something else.

Just a newly promoted, captain-level human, yet Mr. Sasakibe would personally intervene?

"You should withdraw, young Byakuya."

Choujirou relaxed his stance, facing the protagonist with his invincible aura head-on.

"If it takes a captain to handle a mere human, the Gotei 13 would lose all face."

"......"

Though they held their tongues, Byakuya and Ukitake were both secretly sweating.

Did it really have to be you—whose strength surpasses the captains by who knows how much—to step in? Your words just lost all credibility!

"So, what do you say, human brat? I am Choujirou Sasakibe, vice-captain of Squad One. Pleased to meet you."

"A vice-captain? Sorry, but I’ve already..."

Once he heard "vice-captain," Ichigo instantly lost interest; he’d already defeated Abarai, another vice-captain—albeit barely at the time, but now he could definitely beat someone at that level with ease.

Surely, it was just a fluke that this man intercepted both his and Byakuya’s attacks so easily, right?

"You mean you beat Renji Abarai, vice-captain of Squad Six? Or did defeating Kenpachi Zaraki, captain of Squad Eleven, make you so full of yourself, Ichigo Kurosaki?"

"!!!"

Suddenly, an even stronger spiritual pressure than Byakuya’s pressed down upon them. This time, cold sweat broke out all over the protagonist’s brow.

Hey, come on, this has to be a joke—I drew my sword and prepared for everything—

Ichigo’s eyes were filled with disbelief.

Why am I still being crushed so completely by spiritual pressure??

"You must have heard before you got here, right?" For once, Choujirou didn’t attack immediately, instead speaking on: "About the two captains who were severely injured by an unknown assailant."

"That was me."

He had indeed heard of it—two captains of the Gotei 13 had been attacked the very day he infiltrated, and were still unconscious. Though perhaps the assailant had used underhanded means, to incapacitate two captains—there was no doubting that person’s strength.

He’d assumed it was someone trying to frame them; who would’ve thought it was this vice-captain standing before him?

"Defeating a captain makes you so arrogant, then what should I do, boy—fly up to heaven?"

"And another thing—someone who hasn’t even mastered his zanpakuto’s true power isn’t qualified to talk about rescuing a criminal from under the captains’ noses."

Choujirou glanced at the protagonist, who was still struggling under his spiritual pressure, and curled his lips into a slight smile.

"Hey, do you still remember my name, human brat?"

"......"

He couldn’t respond; though this man had introduced himself earlier, he hadn’t paid attention because he was just a vice-captain—something with "Jirou" in it...

"See, see? Not even close~~"

Shaking his head in exasperation, Choujirou looked at Ichigo as if at a poor, pitiable child.

"To be so careless in the enemy’s stronghold—it’s fatal, you know. Well, then..."

Gripping his sword tightly, the hem of his haori fluttered in waves from the force of his spiritual pressure.

"Let me give you a proper lesson, human brat."