Coming Together of Rivals

This article, , is the eighth chapter of the Kagamino City arc, which is part of Bleach: Sun and Moon Chronicles. It follows Kenji Hiroshi and Van Satonaka as the primary POV characters, with Ino Choyo and Talia Kurokiri as support.

"How reliable is this information?" Ino asked. "We've been searching for hours and there's still no sign of him!"

"Reliable enough?" Kenji answered, looking dubious. "He'll be here. I hope."

She rolled her eyes at him. If it wasn't clear enough already that Ino was growing tired running this-way-and-that to accommodate Anika Shihōin and the Gotei 13, then it would in due time. All that was missing to complete her look of fury where jets of steam shooting from her ears. Kenji chuckled at the thought which earned him a stuck-out tongue from Ino in return.

"Oh, lighten up." Kenji suggested. "It's not as if we have a choice in the matter."

"It's just... Oh, I don't know. I feel like we're being used." Ino countered. And she wasn't wrong: Kenji felt the same way.

"I know. Luckily the guy we're going to recruit will feel the same way." Kenji declared with full confidence. "It's not like he bears the Soul Society any great love so he won't fight a war just to help them out of a jam."

"What other reason is there?" Ino asked. "I mean, if Van doesn't want the Gotei 13 in his debt, then why else would he fight on their behalf?"

"You'll have to ask him yourself when we find him." Kenji said. "But don't make that mistake: we aren't fighting on behalf of the Gotei 13. We're fighting for our own reasons; nothing more, nothing less."