This time, when entering the Seireitei, Tsuna and the others didn't choose the reckless method of using the Flower Crane Cannon. Instead, they passed properly through West Rukongai and arrived at the West White Road Gate.
The journey through Rukongai was an eye-opening experience for Ichigo's two younger sisters. It gave them a chance to witness scenery reminiscent of Japan's Edo period—something they could never experience in the Human World.
At the gate stood a towering giant—
Jidanbō Ikkanzaka.
Tsuna had no intention of forcing his way in. Holding the pass Kyōraku had given him, he stepped forward.
"Hello, I'm Sawada Tsunayoshi . These are my friends—we'd like to enter the Seireitei. Please open the gate."
As he spoke, he tossed the permit to Jidanbō.
Jidanbō caught it and confirmed it was legitimate—but he didn't open the gate.
Instead, he asked:
"You're the Ryoka who invaded the Seireitei a few days ago, aren't you?"
Tsuna frowned slightly.
After everything they'd done, being called Ryoka again was… irritating.
"You can think of it that way. Got a problem?" Tsuna replied calmly.
Suddenly—
A massive axe came crashing down toward his head, accompanied by Jidanbō's furious roar:
"You're the ones who injured my brother!"
Clang!
The axe stopped mid-air.
Tsuna raised G's Bow Shield, lightning spreading across its surface, easily blocking the attack.
…Too weak.
He didn't even feel like drawing his Zanpakutō.
Maintaining his Fullbring, Tsuna calmly tried to recall—
When exactly had he injured this guy's brother?
"Damn it! Damn it!"
Jidanbō kept swinging wildly. The repeated clashes echoed loudly.
The sheer impact startled Yuzu, who instinctively hid behind Karin.
That alone was enough to irritate Tsuna.
"Enough."
Lightning extended from the shield, forming four horn-like bolts—
White Fang Lightning Horns.
They shot toward Jidanbō's limbs.
Tsuna held back, only aiming to disable him.
Moments later, the giant collapsed.
"I've never injured your brother," Tsuna said coldly. "Check your facts before attacking."
Tsuna was certain—everyone he had fought in the Seireitei had been notable figures.
Someone like this "brother"… he didn't even remember the name.
…Which meant it probably wasn't him.
But seeing Jidanbō on the verge of tears, Tsuna softened slightly.
"…Fine. What's your brother's name?"
"…Jirōbō Ikkanzaka…" Jidanbō replied, voice trembling.
Tsuna slapped his forehead.
Ah.
That guy.
He glanced sideways at Ichigo.
"The gatekeeper's down. Go open the gate."
"Why me?" Ichigo protested.
"Because Orihime was the one who beat his brother. You're lucky I'm not making you apologize."
With a kick to Ichigo's backside, Tsuna sent him flying straight into the gate.
Then he turned back to Jidanbō.
"Fights have winners and losers. Your brother picked on the weakest-looking girl in our group."
"After he lost, we even treated him and saved his life. And you still come here complaining?"
"You're too naïve—believing whatever he says."
"And remember this—we are not Ryoka."
"If I killed you for attacking us today, even Yamamoto wouldn't have anything to say about it."
Tsuna shot him a glance and ignored him afterward.
Frankly, if not for Jidanbō's indulgence, his brother wouldn't have turned out like that.
"Ichigo, how are you going to open such a big gate?" Karin asked, already fascinated.
"Simple—lift it!"
Ichigo flexed and wedged his hands under the gate.
He strained—veins bulging—
…but the gate barely moved.
"Is Ichigo failing?" Yuzu asked innocently.
…Critical hit.
Ichigo couldn't take that.
A Hollow mask formed over his face, crimson Reiatsu surging.
With a roar—
He lifted the gate halfway open.
"See? Your big brother's still amazing!"
…Just as he finished bragging—
Tsuna grabbed Karin and Yuzu, Isshin held Masaki, and they all flashed past him.
Before Ichigo could react—
BOOM!
The gate dropped.
"…Huh?"
Instinctively, Ichigo tried to catch it—
But Tsuna had already cuffed his ankle with Alaude's Handcuffs while passing by.
With a tug—
Ichigo was dragged safely inside.
The rest of the journey was smooth.
With Isshin leading the way, they quickly arrived at the Squad 10 barracks.
Looking at the familiar gate, Isshin felt a surge of emotion.
Back then, when he abandoned his powers to save Masaki, he never thought he'd return.
Now—
He had come back with his entire family.
Just as he was about to say something heartfelt—
Tsuna had already walked in.
Everyone followed.
…No one gave him the chance.
"Who are you?" a squad member asked immediately.
"Let Hitsugaya know—an old acquaintance of Squad 10 is here," Tsuna said.
"…'Shiro'?"
The squad member immediately understood.
That nickname—
had been spread by Rangiku.
And every time she used it, their captain would lose his temper.
Without hesitation, he went to report.
"Huh? Tsuna-kun? You could've just come in—no need to report…"
Before she appeared, her voice arrived first.
Matsumoto Rangiku seemed in good spirits.
Ever since the incident, Squad 10 had been eerily quiet. Everyone spoke cautiously, afraid of angering their captain.
Tsuna's arrival felt like a breath of fresh air.
But—
The real change came from someone else.
The moment Rangiku saw Isshin—
She froze.
Then—
She vanished.
Shunpo.
She reappeared in front of Isshin—
and punched him in the stomach.
"You bastard of a captain—you still dare come back?! Take this!"
Punch after punch—
All her pent-up frustration exploded.
Meanwhile—
The Kurosaki family collectively looked up at the sky.
They heard nothing.
Saw nothing.
"Who's making all this noise?! Didn't I say not to bother me?!"
A deliberately mature—but still childish—voice rang out.
Hitsugaya Tōshirō stepped into the courtyard.
He saw Rangiku beating Isshin.
…And decided not to interfere.
Honestly—
He wanted to join in.
Back then, he had just achieved Bankai when Isshin casually mentioned grooming him as successor—
Then disappeared.
And just like that—
Hitsugaya was forced into the captain position.
Daytime: paperwork.
Nighttime: Bankai training.
Body exhausted. Mind exhausted.
That experience alone forced him to act more mature than his age.
Hitsugaya glanced at the chaos… and gave up.
He turned instead to Tsuna and the others.
After Ichigo's introduction, he learned these were Isshin's family.
A vein popped on his forehead.
…While he suffered—
That irresponsible former captain was out there living a full family life?!
He snapped.
"Rangiku—hit him harder!"
"Got it!"
With official approval, Rangiku became even more enthusiastic.
As the current captain, Hitsugaya had to host the guests.
But as he poured tea—
His gaze kept drifting toward one person.
Karin.
Tsuna noticed everything.
He said nothing—
Just sat in the corner, sipping tea and watching the show.
If he remembered correctly…
These two—
had quite the "encounter" in canon.
Something about… soccer.
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