Death: Captain Millennium

Ever since Shiba Kaiyan was sealed away, life for the Shiba family has become increasingly difficult. The once glorious family has gradually lost its former glory, and it can even be said that it is getting worse day by day.

However, this was only the beginning, as fate seemed to have no intention of letting this already troubled family go. Just then, tragic news arrived: more than 20 years ago, the head of the branch family, Shiba Isshin, had unfortunately passed away while on a mission to the human world.

This news was like a bolt from the blue, plunging the already shaky Shiba family into complete despair.

Shiba Kūkaku originally had the ambition to restore the glory of her family, but reality dealt her a heavy blow. She found that without strong support, no one cared about her family at all, and even her former allies and friends now turned a blind eye to them.

Faced with this reality, Shiba Kūkaku felt extremely painful and helpless. Now, she can only hide in her laboratory every day, immersed in the research of various fireworks.

Although these colorful fireworks can bring people short-term joy, they cannot change the declining fate of the Shiba family.

Shiba Kūkaku was mixing the amount of gunpowder for fireworks in the laboratory. As she worked, she muttered, "When will this day end?"

Suddenly, there was a rapid knock on the door. "Master, I have something important to report." An anxious voice came from outside the door.

Hearing the knock on the door, Kong He frowned, his mood suddenly becoming irritable. He almost made a mistake with his movements and almost got the gunpowder ratio wrong. She shouted impatiently, "Didn't I tell you not to disturb me unless it's important? My experiment is very important."

The person outside the door seemed a little hesitant, but still said cautiously: "Head...Head, there is a young man who calls himself Shiba Ichigo and is holding the badge of Shiba Isshin, the head of the branch family, asking to see you. We can't confirm his authenticity, so we came to disturb you."

Shiba Kūkaku couldn't believe her ears, wondering if she had heard correctly, and kicked the door open. "What the hell? Uncle Isshin's badge, are you sure you're seeing it right?"

The guard trembled as he handed the badge to Kūkaku. Kūkaku took it and examined it carefully, finally confirming that it was indeed authentic. "Where is that young man now?"

"He and his companions are waiting outside the base."

"Hurry and lead them to the reception room, then inform Gan Jiu to come over as well. I'll pack up and be there soon."

"Master Yanjiu is not in the clan."

"If he's not at home, go out and find him for me immediately!!!"

Shiba Kūkaku's words made the people of the Shiba family start to get busy.

The guard who came to report was jogging all the way, so fast that it seemed as if the wind was flying under his feet. By the time he finally ran to Ichigo and the others, he was already exhausted and said breathlessly: "Master... Master Ichigo, the head of the family asks you to go to the reception room and wait for her first. She will be here soon." After that, he could not wait to lead Ichigo and the other three towards the family residence, his steps hurried but firm.

As he walked, Ichigo unabashedly complained about the Shiba family's house. "Aren't they supposed to be noble? Why do they look so destitute? Are all Soul Society nobles like this? It's truly speechless." His words made the guard leading the way look awkward.

Indeed, it's truly sad that the Shiba family, one of Soul Society's five great noble families, has fallen to such a state. If our ancestors knew about this, they would probably die of rage.

When they finally entered the reception room, Ichigo immediately noticed a massive, sky-falling, collapsing spiral pattern hanging on the wall. This pattern gave off a solemn and awe-inspiring feeling, while also emitting a powerful aura.

"It's quite impressive..." Ichigo couldn't help but mutter to himself, with a hint of admiration in his eyes. Just as he was looking around the layout of the reception room with interest, a burst of hearty laughter suddenly broke the silence in the room.

Ichigo looked in the direction of the laughter and saw a hot woman wearing a headscarf and extremely revealing clothes. She was wearing a red short top with the Shiba family crest tattooed in the middle of the clothes, a slit white long skirt, and a tattoo of the word "Kora" on her left arm.

Before Ichigo could ask, Kūkaku started muttering to himself, "Same! Really so similar! Just like what Brother Haiyan looked like when he was young."

"You are Kūkaku's cousin, right? I am Shiba Ichigo, the son of Shiba Isshin. Thank you for your guidance as it's our first meeting!" Ichigo's words pulled Kūkaku's thoughts back from her memories.

Kūkaku was so eager to learn the truth about the past that she didn't even have time to greet Ichigo's friends. She eagerly asked, "Cousin Ichigo, from what I understand, didn't Uncle Isshin die in the rebellion twenty years ago? Could he still be alive?"

However, Ichigo also knew nothing about the events of that year, and could only tell Kūkaku what he knew. He replied, "My father didn't tell me the specific details about what happened back then. I only know that he has now become an ordinary human, has long lost his power as a Shinigami, and has been living in the human world ever since."

Hearing this, Kong He finally felt relieved. As long as her family was still alive, everything would be fine. She asked with concern, "So, how is Uncle doing now?"

Ichigo said with a silly smile, not realizing anything was wrong. "My father is a good person, but he changed his name to Kurosaki after my mother, so to be precise, I should be called Kurosaki Ichigo."

Orihime, Uryu and the others looked at each other, looking at Ichigo as if he were a fool, wondering if he had been kicked in the head by a donkey. Is it okay to say such things to his face?

Kūkaku sighed, "I see... Changing my name isn't a big deal. But now that my uncle and aunt are doing well, I can rest assured."

Then, she glanced at the people behind Ichigo, "Are these all your friends? It seems like you all have a pretty good relationship."

Ichigo smiled and introduced everyone to Kūkaku, and everyone greeted Kūkaku in return.

"By the way, cousin Kūkaku, people have always said that I look alike to Brother Haiyan. How similar are we?" Ichigo asked curiously.

Kūkaku's eyes suddenly softened, she raised her hand and gently stroked Ichigo's hair, "Brother Haiyan is a very outstanding Shinigami and the pride of the Shiba family, but it's a pity..." After saying that, she took out a portrait of Shiba Haiyan.

Orihime looked at the man in the painting and covered her mouth in amazement. "Ah! Ichigo, you really look exactly like the man in the painting, only the hair color is different."