"How did you know that? Wait... you guessed, but you weren't sure. So you were deliberately probing that idiot Ōmaeda."
Recalling the brief exchange as Ōmaeda left, Kūkaku's sharp mind immediately grasped the truth.
"Huh? What are you guys talking about? I'm lost. Can you be clearer? Who had an accident?" Ichigo was completely baffled.
"The Shinigami responsible for managing public order in this area," Yayahara answered instinctively, then sucked in a cold breath as she realized the implication.
"I get it!"
"No wonder a high-ranking officer from the Onmitsukidō came here to investigate! I thought he was just here for the missing students, but now it makes sense! A Shinigami is in trouble, that's why they were called in!"
"Otherwise, normally, one of the Gotei 13 divisions would just send someone to investigate."
"Shigū saw Ōmaeda and realized the nature of the incident had changed. So he deliberately tested him, 'reminding' Ōmaeda to find the local Shinigami. But Ōmaeda's reaction, like he was looking at an idiot, meant that option was already off the table."
And why was it off the table? Because that Shinigami was already in trouble.
Ichigo wasn't a hot-headed idiot like Naruto. He just had little experience with this kind of sudden incident, making his reactions a bit slow. But once he calmed down and heard the explanation, he quickly pieced it together.
Most Rukongai residents didn't need to eat, only drink water. A small number with spiritual potential needed food, which was a scarce resource in the Rukongai.
The Seireitei was responsible for setting up and supplying agricultural and water bases, which were managed by Shinigami.
The reason the areas near the Seireitei had good public order was largely thanks to these managers.
And now, Junrinan's manager was in trouble.
The incident was small, but its nature was sensitive.
Whether someone had attacked one of the Seireitei's "governors" in the Rukongai, or if it was an internal problem, it was a black eye for the Seireitei. That's why the Onmitsukidō had been brought in.
"So, what really happened?"
He understood the relationships, but the situation had just gotten more complicated.
"It's hard to say. But in any case, the bigger this incident gets, the worse it is for the Elder," Takeru said quietly.
"If it were just missing students, they would come looking for information. If it involves a Shinigami, they might come looking to make an arrest or an 'interrogation'."
"That's why Ms. Kūkaku is here at this exact moment. She's using her influence and intel to draw their attention, so they won't have time to bother the Elder."
That last sentence made Ichigo and the others realize what a risk had been hidden behind that seemingly comical, one-sided verbal beatdown.
"You're not just clever, are you?" Kūkaku pointed at her own head. "Let you take one look, and I feel like you can see right through me."
"But if you were really clever, kid, you'd know not to wade into this mess right now."
"That idiot Ōmaeda's words were harsh, but he was right. As students, you should go back to bed."
Takeru nodded. "Indeed. The incident just happened, so this is when the investigation will be at its peak. Running around now could get us into trouble. That's why... we just heard that a student from Junrinan went missing, and we rushed here to visit the Elder."
"Good. Stick to that story. Make sure you all have it straight," Kūkaku snapped her fingers, then changed the subject.
"Now, I'll share my intel."
"Eh?"
Ichigo and Yayahara froze.
Rindo Itaru didn't say anything, but his wide eyes showed he hadn't expected this either.
"What 'eh'? I know exactly what you kids were planning, running out here at night. If I tell you to go back now, you'll just double back and cause trouble where I can't see you. I'd rather keep you under my watch. That way, if something goes wrong, I'll at least be prepared." Kūkaku rolled her eyes.
"Big Sis Kūkaku! You're the best! Can I call you 'Onee-sama'!?"
Yayahara, excited and moved, tried to jump on her, but Kūkaku just held her back with a hand to her forehead, continuing on, completely unbothered.
"I have two pieces of intel."
"First, the disappearance of the manager and the students are both related to a Hollow."
"Second, if I'm not mistaken, that Hollow is very strong."
"And here's a bonus piece of intel."
"I just want to find the culprit and beat the crap out of it before the Gotei 13 starts tearing up my turf. That way, I get to blow off some steam and earn some bragging rights. So, I was planning on finding a few helpers who wouldn't screw things up."
"If you don't want to be used as cannon fodder, it's not too late to go home."
With those words, the atmosphere froze.
Yayahara stopped struggling, her expression a bit stiff.
"Ms. Kūkaku."
Takeru, who had unknowingly become the leader of the group, spoke, drawing the eyes of Ichigo and the others.
"Spit it out."
"You would make a very good teacher."
"Ha?"
"First, you indulge our willfulness. Then, you tell us the truth to satisfy our curiosity. Finally, you force us to weigh the pros and cons by showing us the real danger, making us overturn our good impression of you. Even if we refuse you, we probably wouldn't interfere afterward, because our curiosity would no longer be strong enough to fuel our impulses."
Takeru looked at the one-armed, Venus-like beauty and sighed.
"Ms. Kūkaku, you're too kind."
"Gwah!"
Shiba Ganjū, who had just arrived at the house, heard that line and felt his entire world twist.
His expression twisted even more.
"?!"
Kūkaku herself was thrown off. When she saw the strange looks from the others, she felt like insects were crawling all over her. Finally, she noticed the newly-arrived Ganjū and his twisted face. She hit her limit of embarrassment and anger, conjuring a Kido blast in her hand and hurling it.
"Aaargh!"
The large man who took the blast to the face went flying, letting out a miserable shriek.
"Is... is he okay?" Ichigo's lip twitched.
"Hmph. Don't worry about him. That's my little brother, Ganjū. He's tough. That'll just make his eyebrows disappear for a week. More importantly, let's talk business."
Kūkaku waved her hand. Thanks to Ganjū, she had calmed down. However, this "not-so-gentle" side of hers left a deep impression on Ichigo and the others, and their respect for her shot up.
"Actually, I completely agree with your points, Ms. Kūkaku. It's just... we have our own principles."
"Principles? What kind of 'resolve' could a bunch of brats have?" Kūkaku scoffed.
"We don't have any resolve."
Takeru patted an indignant Ichigo on the shoulder to calm him, speaking with a perfectly natural expression:
"But... we're already here."
"..."
Kūkaku squinted, staring at him for a long, long time.
"You're Shigū Takeru, right? If you don't get yourself killed, you're going to be a big shot one day."
"You praise me too much, Ms. Kūkaku. I'm just very confident in our group. I wouldn't have said it otherwise."
"That's exactly it. A reckless idiot who doesn't value his own life is useless. But someone who is confident, yet doesn't beat his chest and guarantee he'll solve everything... those types are usually more reliable. At least, that's what I think."
"Since we're in agreement, when do we leave? You must have already tracked the enemy, which is why you sent Ōmaeda packing." Takeru stated it as a fact, not a question.
"Damn right. I know the Rukongai far better than the Onmitsukidō. They have no idea how many secret bases I have out here," Kūkaku said, jutting her chin out proudly.
"Then let's go! The sooner we solve this, the sooner we can stop more people from getting hurt!" Ichigo shot to his feet.
Takeru glanced at him, then turned to Kūkaku. "He gets fired up easily, but he has a point. I'd also like to be back at the Academy before sunrise."
"Oh? Sounds like you have a good suggestion."
"Let me confirm one thing first. In your opinion, Ms. Kūkaku, can Vice-Captain Ōmaeda handle that Hollow?"
"Doubtful," Kūkaku shook her head. "When I told him to go get help, I was actually being partly serious."
"But he definitely won't."
"That's why he's an idiot."
"Then let's just give that idiot the intel on the Hollow."
"What?"
Takeru's words didn't register with the group for a moment.
"...Tch. Figures. Anyone destined to be a 'big shot' has to have a nasty streak," Kūkaku said, amused. She clearly understood his idea.
"I was just thinking of what's best for you, Ms. Kūkaku," Takeru said, refusing to take the blame.
"Let Ōmaeda go scout it out. He's too proud to call for backup. When he rushes over and hits a wall, we'll show up and solve the problem right in front of him."
"That way, we have an extra hand, you get to blow off steam, and you get the credit. We don't have to be used as cannon fodder, and we get to be involved. Even if it's a little rough on Ōmaeda, his mission still gets completed. It's a win-win-win."
"Heh."
Kūkaku propped herself up on her knee and stood, looking down at the seemingly harmless Takeru.
"I am now certain you'll be a big shot. Because your hearts are all just as dirty."
"Wait."
Takeru stopped Kūkaku as she was heading for the door. "Just in case... it would be better to have Ganjū-san, who just happened to come back from an errand, 'accidentally' leak the information while talking to someone else in an alley."
"..."
Kūkaku stopped and turned, joining the others in staring at Takeru as if he were something filthy.
"Ōmaeda knows you have intel, Ms. Kūkaku. And Ganjū-san just came rushing back. If the info is 'accidentally' leaked at this exact moment, Ōmaeda won't suspect it's fake. In fact, he'll be ecstatic, thinking he lucked out. He'll rush off immediately, trying to get the credit before you can, just so he can rub it in your face and get his pride back."
"If you tell him directly, he'll probably get suspicious, overthink it, and waste our time."
"—That's my idea."
"What? Is something wrong?" Takeru frowned, feeling insulted.
"...Nothing's wrong. I just feel my evaluation of you was... too conservative."
Kūkaku took a deep breath, turned, and left. She didn't want to look at him for a second longer, afraid her own soul would be tainted by the schemer.
It wasn't a complex plan, but to factor in even Ōmaeda's tiny bit of "cleverness" was truly depraved.
Who on earth did he learn this from at such a young age?
-------
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