Chapter 2: Kidnapped?

Do you have any ideas on where he could've gone?

I'm sure Captain Komamura's already searched around the barracks and their usual walking route.

We should look for other places that might be of interest to dogs.

Somewhere a dog might go...

I've heard there's a park in the Rukon District where wild dogs like to gather.

I doubt he'd go outside of the Seireitei, though.

You're probably right. The only other thing I can think of is...maybe he was kidnapped.

Kidnapped?! Who would do such a thing?!

It could be someone who would benefit from black-mailing Captain Komamura or...

You idiot! I know of many people who respect our Captain, but what kind of ignorant fool would think of threatening him?!

I'm just putting it out there as a possibility.

Anyway, let's start by searching near the other squads' barracks.

Goro!

Hey, Goro!

Finding him isn't as easy as I thought.

What was that?

It sounded like a dog!

Damn.

Renji?! What are you doing here?

Huh? Lieutenant Iba and Shuhei?!

Wait, is that Goro?!

Renji, don't tell me you're the one who kidnapped Goro.

What are you two talking about?

I don't want to hear excuses! Fess up!

Huhhhhh?!!!

Wait! Hold on a sec!

Who's Goro anyway?!

It's the name our Captain's pet dog! He went missing this morning, so we're looking all over for him.

Huh?! This is Captain Komamura's dog?

That's what I've been trying to tell...

...Wait. What is this dog?

I think he was taking a nap here, but I accidently stepped on his tail.

It's got black fur and it's rather...big. It looks nothing like Goro.

I was startled when it barked at me, but that's when you guys came rushing in.

Well, uh, sorry about that.

Then where could Goro have gone?

We've searched all over the Seireitei and we still can't find him. Could he really have been kidnapped?

Just out of curiosity, does this dog have brown fur with a white belly?

Yeah, that's exactly it! How did you know?

Last night, when I got back to the Seireitei from a mission, a dog came rushing out the moment I opened the gates.

I remember he was brown, so I thought that might be him.

Where did he go after you saw him?

He went running straight towards the Rukon District.

Why didn't you stop him?!

I-I'm sorry! He jumped out and it caught me off guard.

That just sounds like an excuse. You need to stop being surprised by dogs, Renji.

You let him out. You're going to help us find him.

R-Right.