Crossover Anime: Starting with Bankai from Demon Slayer

Chapter 271 Death and Strawberries

Chapter 271 Death and Strawberries

My thoughts returned to the prison cell in the Palace of Penitence.

Shinobu Kocho looked at the girl in front of her who was willing to silently die for others, and her heart was touched.

She reached out and gently stroked Rukia's hair.

"Rukia, you are really brave."

"Sister Shinobu..."

'

"I do know Ichigo Kurosaki." Shinobu Kocho's voice was soft, only the two of them could hear it: "I have indeed been keeping an eye on the situation in the human world."

Rukia's eyes lit up: "Then..."

"However, I cannot help you deliver the message."

"Why...why?!" Rukia cried out anxiously, "If it's because you're afraid of being implicated, I can..."

"It's not because of that."

Shinobu Kocho shook her head, her expression turning somewhat serious.

"It's because...it's too late."

"?"

'

"That boy, Ichigo Kurosaki, he's here."

Rukia froze, her mind blank: "What...did you say?"

"Mr. Urahara... that is, the cunning shopkeeper who helped you in the real world, has already sent the message in through some means."

Shinobu Kocho stood up, walked to the cell window, and turned her back to Rukia.

She glanced at the sky and estimated the time.

"Ichigo Kurosaki and his companions have broken through the Transcendental Gate... They should be entering Rukongai soon."

""

"How could this be...?"

Rukia stared wide-eyed in disbelief: "What an idiot... Why did you come here to die...?"

1

"Because he's Ichigo Kurosaki, your comrade."

Shinobu Kocho said softly, "Just like... that guy, even knowing it's a desperate situation, he would still charge forward without hesitation for the sake of those he cares about."

"I guess this is what people call the common trait of idiots."

She turned around, looked at the helpless Rukia, and patted her head: "Rukia, don't despair too soon."

"Perhaps that orange-haired boy really can be like a whirlwind, completely shattering the illusion of peace in the Soul Society."

"?" Rukia was somewhat confused by the deeper meaning behind Shinobu's words.

Shinobu picked up her medicine box, strolled to the door, and gently knocked on the iron gate to signal the jailer to open it.

"Get some rest and conserve your energy... The days ahead are going to be quite eventful."

"Shinobu-neechan!" Rukia called out from behind her, "So... whose side are you on?"

Shinobu Kocho paused for a moment.

She didn't turn around or reply; she simply walked out of the Palace of Repentance in silence.

Which side...?

She walked on the long bridge in front of the Palace of Repentance, unable to explain herself.

Emotionally, she still hoped that Ichigo Kurosaki could rescue Rukia.

Rukia knows more inside information than most people, and it will probably be very difficult for her to find out about this matter.

That swindler Urahara...

To conceal the existence of the Hogyoku, they actually hid it inside Rukia's body...

"Sigh..." She sighed deeply, not knowing what to say.

However, the execution of Shuangji is probably not that simple.

Could it be that Aizen was behind this, trying to use this power to dig out something hidden deep within Rukia's soul?

Or is it just a coincidence?

"Hogyoku..."

""

Butterfly murmured the name, her fingers unconsciously clenching.

"Oh my, isn't this the Butterfly Seat? What a coincidence!"

Shinobu Kocho's muscles tensed instantly.

But the next second, a perfect, gentle smile appeared on her face.

She raised her head and looked ahead.

The man wearing black-rimmed glasses and the haori of the Fifth Division Captain was standing at the bridgehead, looking at her with a warm expression.

Aizen Sousuke.

Behind him followed Gin Ichimaru, who always squinted, and Kaname Tosen, who had a serious expression.

The appearance of this trio made the surrounding air feel somewhat stagnant.

"Captain Aizen, good day." Shinobu Kocho bowed respectfully. "And Captain Ichimaru and Captain Tosen."

"Oh, little butterfly, you're still so energetic today~" Gin Ichimaru greeted him with a smile, his hands tucked into his sleeves.

Tosen Kaname remained silent, only nodding quietly.

"Good day, Fourth Seat of the Butterfly Clan." Aizen approached with a smile. "You just came from the Penitentiary Palace, huh? How is Rukia's health?"

"Thanks to everyone, although I am a little weak, my spirits are still pretty good." Shinobu's answer was impeccable.

"Is that so... That's good then." Aizen pushed up his glasses, his gaze seemingly casually falling on Shinobu Kocho's face through the lenses.

"Speaking of which, the Fourth Division seems to be quite busy lately. How are the two kids from the Ubuyashiki family who joined the Fourth Division doing?"

Shinobu's heart skipped a beat.

After Hinai Shin's graduation from the Spiritual Arts Academy several years ago, Shinobu Kocho requested Captain Unohana to recruit her into the Fourth Division.

Nika was exceptionally talented and graduated early. She worked as an intern in many squads, but in the end, Shinobu Kocho insisted on bringing her to the Fourth Squad. Even now, people still joke about this, calling her a "moving squad leader."

Both of them have relatively average talent in the path of cultivation, and logically speaking, they should perform better in other squads.

However, Shinobu Kocho was worried that Aizen might have some kind of conspiracy against them, so she forcibly kept them by her side and carefully protected them.

Why did Aizen suddenly bring them up?

"Yes, they hope to become healers like me, capable of saving lives," Butterfly replied calmly.

"That's a truly admirable ambition," Aizen remarked. "Those two children have very special talents, especially Hinata's ability to sense spirit particles..."

"6

"I still remember the time I taught them, it feels like it was just yesterday."

He walked up to Shinobu Kocho, so close that she could smell the faint scent of tea emanating from him.

"Miss Butterfly".

Aizen lowered his voice, his voice filled with genuine worry.

"It's been over a decade since you last asked me for help... Haven't you found that person named Asuka yet?"

Shinobu's gaze was obscured by her bangs, concealing her inner unease.

Is this a test? Or is there some other intention?

She suppressed the surging emotions in her heart and looked up to meet Aizen's eyes.

"Thank you for your concern... Not yet, but I believe he will come back."

Shinobu Kocho smiled bravely: "No matter how long it takes, I will wait."

Aizen looked at her, his smile deepening.

"Really... That's something to look forward to."

He didn't say anything more, turned to the side, and walked past Shinobu Kocho with Gin Ichimaru and Kaname Tosen.

As they brushed past each other, Gin Ichimaru smiled on his fox-like face: "Oh dear, what's with that suddenly scary look in your eyes, Fourth Seat of the Butterfly?"

Shinobu Kocho ignored them and stood respectfully in place until the three figures completely disappeared from sight.

Her back was soaked with cold sweat.

"Asuka... if you can hear me..."

"Come back soon."

66

"...The Soul Society is about to change."

At this moment, outside the west gate of Rukongai.

A massive portal appeared out of thin air, violently shattering the space around it.

boom!

With a loud bang, several strangely dressed figures fell from the sky and crashed heavily onto the ground of Rukongai.

The smoke and dust cleared.

"Is this... Soul Society?"

"Rukia, wait for me!"