Trouble arises over succession rights
in one of Soul Society’s high-ranking aristocratic families, the Kasumiohji Clan.
Their princess, Rurichiyo Kasumiohji, traveled to the World of the Living.
Ichigo reluctantly agrees to become her bodyguard.
Rurichiyo, who is unaware that her life is being targeted,
turns Ichigo’s life upside down with her naive behavior.
One day she runs away from the house
over a trivial argument with her stewards, Kenryu and Enryu,
and encounters an enemy assassin in town.
Orihime, who happened to be near, makes an attempt to fight him alone.
But Orihime and Rurichiyo are in great danger against this assassin,
who has a strange Zanpakuto.
Then Ichigo appears just in time to save them.
Ichigo Kurosaki! Ichigo Kurosaki!
What is it, so early in the morning?
Huh?
W-What are you doing?!
That doesn’t matter!
Lady Rurichiyo has disappeared again!
What is it?
Is someone returning from the World of the Living?
There’s no one here.
A malfunction?
Princess…
Oh, it’s you, Kumoi.
Princess!
Oh! It’s the princess!
I’m glad to see you are well.
Princess…
Where have you been all this time, without telling me?
I was with Kenryu and Enryu.
I do not need your permission for everything I do.
I beg to differ.
If anything should happen to you,
you are not the one who will be put to shame.
The shame will be on the Kasumiohji Clan.
Namely, your late mother and father.
I know that without you telling me.
Then you must behave like a princess of the Kasumiohji Clan.
Do you understand?
O-Oh yes, prepare my palanquin.
And where are you off to this time?
A tea ceremony!
Are you there, Hanza?
Yes, Sir Kumoi.
For some unknown reason,
she has returned from the World of the Living.
Furthermore, without Kenryu or Enryu.
Do not let this opportunity pass.
Understood.
Not again!
Be prepared.
What?!
What’s going on?!
What is this? Stand back!
– Yes sir! – Yes sir!
You should be aware that this Senkaimon
is used only by the princess or the inspectors.
B-But Sir Kenryu…
The gate opened earlier and no one was there.
So she went back after all.
I’m sorry. We can’t go to Soul Society through this gate.
There’s also a chance
that Miss Kasumiohji will return here before you.
So we’ll keep a tight watch on this side.
Right. Thanks. I’m counting on you.
We’ll be off.
Let’s hurry.
She probably snuck in
while the gatekeepers weren’t paying attention.
Yeah.
You guys painstakingly find refuge in the World of the Living
and she comes right back.
All your troubles were for nothing.
Cripes…
That’s what you get for being caretakers of a spoiled princess.
W-What was that for?!
Talk!
To be blunt,
it is not the place of a low-life like you to criticize the princess.
But it’s true that she’s spoiled.
What if she’s discovered by that guy named Kumoi,
the very one who’s after her life?
You won’t get me a second time!
What did you do that for?!
You’re at fault for carelessly saying the name of the enemy.
It’s her fault for wandering around carelessly!
But, it stands that Lady Rurichiyo is still a young child.
It can’t be helped.
Let’s split up and search for her.
We will search inside the mansion.
Damn. Where did Rurichiyo go?
She’ll get it when I find her.
Yo!
Why are you in a hurry?
Long time no see!
Captain Zaraki… and Lieutenant Kusajishi!
What’re you doing here?
Oh. That’s true.
Weren’t you in the World of the Living?
Uh…
Um…
Err…
Is Ichigo here too?
Um…uh…
So he’s here.
Yup, he’s here!
And he’s pretty worked up about something.
Yup! He seems worked up.
N-No… That’s…
He’s here and hasn’t come to greet me?
Oh well. I’ll go to him then.
C-Captain Zaraki!
This is bad. This thing about Ririchiyo is a secret.
If I allow Ichigo and Captain Zaraki to meet,
things can get out of hand.
She’s not on the castle grounds anymore.
What’s the matter, Enryu?
That’s…
It belongs to the princess!
The door closed by itself! Enryu, where are you?!
It’s too dark to see!
Huh?! What?! Something just touched me!
Stay there for a while.
Just until I get rid of the princess.
Princess, we have arrived.
Lady Rurichiyo Kasumiohji has arrived.
I thank you for your invitation today.
Thank you for coming so far.
You wait here.
Yes!
That’s…
Why you…
You may leave us.
– Yes sir! – Yes sir!
Ruricchi…
Sacchi…
– It’s been so long! – It’s been so long!
Come on. Everyone is already here!
It really has been so long.
Yeah.
Everyone, Ruricchi is here!
– Ruricchi, it’s been so long! – How have you been?
Fine. And how have you all been?
Hey, Ruricchi…
Okay!
I’m so glad that you remembered.
How could I forget?
It is proof of our friendship.
There! Just a bit more, Enryu!
Good! We’re almost there!
We won’t let Kumoi have his way!
Hey! We can get through!
We did it, Enryu!
We’ll be right there, Lady Rurichiyo!
I think she went in here.
Who are you?!
Hey wait! I’m Substitute Soul Reaper, Ichigo Kurosaki!
Rurichiyo went in there just a while ago, didn’t she?
Substitute Soul Reaper?
How dare you address Lady Rurichiyo so casually!
You’re suspicious!
W-Wait! I’m a Substitute Soul Reaper who was asked by Kenryu…
You dare mention Sir Kenryu’s name too?!
I’ve never heard of a Substitute Soul Reaper!
He disappeared?!
Where’d he go?
I guess “Substitute” Soul Reaper ain’t gonna work.
There he is! Above the wall!
Oops!
Ruricchi…
This was made with the year’s first batch of tea leaves.
Thank you.
What the heck? How filthy!
I-Ichigo! What are you doing here?
That’s my line!
Coming here on a whim…
Come on, let’s go back. Everyone’s waiting.
You shouldn’t have followed me here!
This is an important tea ceremony!
Rurichiyo, quit acting so spoiled.
Huh? What’s this?
What’s going on?!
I beg your pardon, Princess.
A message was brought by a vassal of the Kasumiohji Clan
that a robber had infiltrated the grounds.
W-Wait! I’m not a suspicious guy!
Rurichiyo!
I don’t know this man.
Ruricchi! Wait!
Rurichiyo!
Damn it!
– He disappeared! – Where’d he go?!
Find him!
That way!
I’m in no mood to enjoy the tea ceremony now that Ichigo appeared.
What’s wrong?
Are you the child of one of the servants?
Did your mother scold you?
Now come.
Is there something over there?
What about this place?
Die!
Ichigo!
Rurichiyo! Are you all right?!
Rather… Who is she?!
Over there!
There he is!
Lady Rurichiyo is in danger!
How dare you point your blade at a helpless child!
No, wait!
This is…
Get him!
Hold on, you see…
Wait a minute! That kid is the…
Princess Rurichiyo, are you hurt?
That’s wrong!
Damn it!
Kenpachi?!
So, Ichigo… You’re here, after all.
Yoo-hoo! Itchy!
C-Captain Zaraki of Squad 11!
Captain Zaraki!
Ichigo… What are you doing?
Now then, Lady Rurichiyo, please get in.
Please don’t scold Rurichiyo.
Umm…I’m going to be wed shortly.
Oh, that’s great news.
No!
She doesn’t even love him.
She’s being forced to marry someone she’s never met!
It’s a marriage that was sealed between two noble families
since they were children.
Don’t look like that.
I plan to accept it as part of my fate.
So this is my final tea ceremony.
Ruricchi knew that,
so she went through great pains to come and see me.
Because we may never be able to meet again.
You must be marrying into a very strict family.
Yes.
Oh my… How strange. It’s not as though I’m sad.
Sacchi…
I guess aristocratic families have no freedom.
Without a doubt,
it’s a totally different place from the World of the Living.
Captain Zaraki…
Due to certain circumstances, we are working under secrecy.
May I ask you to keep this incident to yourself for now?
I don’t know what your reason is, and besides,
I’m too busy to remember what’s what.
Kenny, you’re not too smart.
Thank you very much.
I was amused today.
Bring Ichigo back again. I’ll wear him ragged.
Ragged, you know!
Ragged?
See ya.
Jeez…
We’re going back as well.
Yeah.
What’re you doing?
Yeah…
He didn’t even quiver when he felt my Spiritual Pressure.
Seems like an interesting fellow.
That Kenpachi…
I wonder if he’s really gonna keep the secret about us.
Don’t worry.
Kenny always says it’s too much of a bother
and he never reports a thing.
Huh? Then who’s been preparing the Squad 11 reports?
I dunno.
Is that okay?!
Illustrated Guide to Soul Reapers!
What are you doing?
Baldy made this scooter for my birthday!
Why are you in my mansion?
Because it’s so big!
I guess it's useless to tell her to stop.
Madam Chairman, it’s time for tea.
Oh, what’s the snack today?
The Madam Chairman has confetti candy.
Yay!