Death: Captain Millennium

"Yoichi-san! Where the hell is this place?"

Kurosaki Ichigo slowly woke up, his head still a little dizzy. He shook his head vigorously, trying to wake himself up. When his vision gradually cleared, he saw Yoruichi, who was dozing off beside him.

Kurosaki Ichigo, who had been knocked unconscious by Ichimaru Gin, finally regained consciousness. He struggled to sit up and looked around in confusion, trying to figure out where he was.

It was a small, meticulously constructed bamboo hut, its interior simple yet warm. Bamboo tables and chairs were neatly arranged, and a few elegant calligraphy and paintings hung on the walls. Kurosaki Ichigo endured the pain, gritted his teeth, and struggled to rise from the bed. He staggered to the window and pushed it open with all his might.

As the window slowly opened, a picturesque scene came into view. Outside the window was a large, lush bamboo forest. A gentle breeze rustled the emerald green bamboo leaves, as if whispering some secret.

Sunlight filters through the layers of bamboo leaves, creating dappled shadows that resemble a dreamscape. The air is filled with the refreshing fragrance of bamboo, evoking a sense of relaxation and well-being. This bamboo forest, tranquil and elegant, stands in stark contrast to the hustle and bustle of the outside world, akin to a secluded paradise.

"Is this...really still Seireitei? Why does everything around me feel so strange and out of place?"

Ichigo Kurosaki muttered to himself in confusion. At this moment, he had only one thought in his mind, to quickly return to the Palace of Confessions to save Rukia!

"How much time has passed? What happened while I was unconscious? Rukia should still be alive, right?"

Ichigo thought anxiously as he tried to recall his experiences before he fell into a coma.

"Yijigu, you finally woke up."

Just as Kurosaki Ichigo was immersed in reviewing the previous events, Yoichi, who had been dozing off beside him, slowly woke up. She looked at Ichigo with sleepy eyes, her cat-like eyes full of joy.

"Yoichi-san, tell me quickly, what exactly is this place? How is Rukia doing now?"

Hearing Yoruichi's voice, Ichigo grasped at straws.

"Don't worry, Ichigo. It's over now. Rukia is safe now. She has been pardoned for the crimes she was charged with."

Yoruichi softly comforted Ichigo, the seriously injured man.

"What about Orihime and the others? Are they okay?"

Ichigo's tense nerves relaxed slightly upon hearing this news, but he then continued to question.

"Haha, you're still worrying about others. But don't worry, Orihime and the others are also unharmed. You, on the other hand, have only been in Soul Society for a few days, and you've already been seriously injured countless times, yet you miraculously survive every time. You're simply an indestructible cockroach!"

Yoruichi's lips curled up slightly, revealing a rare playful smile, and began to tease the boy in front of her who surprised her so much, Kurosaki Ichigo. In recent days, Ichigo's astonishing growth rate was all in her sight.

Back when they set out from the human world, this kid had only just grasped his Zanpakutō's Shikai. Yet, in just a few short days, he'd already mastered Bankai! While his divine body had certainly contributed to this, even so, such progress was truly incredible!

What's even more amazing is that every time Ichigo is severely injured and on the verge of death, once he recovers through treatment and recuperation, his strength will soar like a rocket. First, in the fierce battle with Abarai Renji, Ichigo was beaten to the point of being half dead.

He then encountered the even more powerful Chojiro Suzuki and was beaten badly again. In the final fierce battle, he faced the Bankai-capable Gin Ichimaru, and the result was still that Ichigo was chopped to the ground.

Although he had the magical medical hot springs as an auxiliary means to help him heal his wounds quickly and restore his strength, it was really jaw-dropping that he could experience such brutal battles continuously in such a short period of time and constantly draw strength from them to achieve self-breakthrough.

"Hey, look at what you said, I'm fine."

As Ichigo spoke, he raised his hand and touched the back of his head. At the same time, a bright and harmless smile instantly bloomed on his sunny and handsome face.

"Right, Yoruichi-san, by the way, what exactly is this place? Are we no longer in Seireitei?"

There was a glint of curiosity in his eyes. This place looked quite suitable for retirement and picnics. The environment was quiet, and the occasional bird calls added a unique artistic conception.

"Who says this isn't Seireitei? Let me tell you, this is still within the realm of Seireitei."

Hearing Ichigo's question, Yoruichi licked his paws, the corners of his mouth slightly raised, revealing a barely perceptible smile, and then responded slowly.

"What? We're still in Seireitei!"

Ichigo couldn't help but widen his eyes, his face full of disbelief, and he cried out in surprise.

"Hey! I always thought the inner court of Seireitei was filled with those towering and magnificent buildings, but I didn't expect there were such quiet and peaceful corners. Compared with other places, this place is simply worlds apart. This strong contrast is really surprising!"

"Humph! That just shows how little you've seen! This is the base of the Second Division's Secret Mobile Unit! Back then, I had a soft spot for this place and loved staying here."

"The environment here is quiet and peaceful, as if I'm isolated from the world. No one will disturb me at all. You could say this is my secret base! On weekdays, whenever I have free time, I come here and concentrate on practicing my two unique skills: Hakuto and Shunpo."

Yoruichi glanced at Ichigo beside him with a hint of contempt and muttered to himself, "What a bumpkin who has never seen the world!" As she talked incessantly, her thoughts involuntarily drifted back to those unforgettable times in the past.

At that time, she was still a young girl just starting out and had not yet taken over the position of captain of the second squad. She had been full of strong interest and passion for Hakuba and Shunpo since she was a child.

Every time she stepped into this secret base, she always felt particularly relaxed, as if all her worries could instantly disappear. And now, although time has passed, those beautiful memories are still deeply engraved in her heart and are hard to forget.

"Second Squad's territory? How did you know this place? Let's go quickly! It will be terrible if they find us later!"

Ichigo said nervously. At this moment, he only listened to part of the information selectively. When he heard "the second team's territory", he took half of it and ran away. As for what Yoruichi said later, he completely ignored it.

"Oh my, what an idiot! Are you not listening to me at all? I've already told you, this is my secret base!"

Yoruichi glared at Ichigo angrily, and at the same time, she waved her cute little cat claws and scratched Ichigo randomly. Afterimages flashed by, and Yoruichi's attack speed was so fast that Ichigo was a little flustered for a while.