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Gosuke Shigure, Kyōraku Shunsui, and Jūshirō Ukitake were certainly not foolish men.
After hearing one of Shihōin Kongchan's remarks, they praised the ancestor of the Shihōin family.
Even if the comment was self-referential, in Kongchan's ears, it was clearly a commendation of the legacy and values of the Shihōin clan itself.
"Captains, I've had some drinks prepared—why don't we continue our conversation over a few cups?"
Shihōin Kongchan spoke with warm familiarity.
Despite being the heir of a prestigious noble family, he displayed no arrogance and came across as exceptionally approachable.
He gestured for the three of them to follow.
Although there were only a few people present, the setting exuded a formality befitting their status.
Perhaps when the Gotei 13 was first founded, the rank of captain meant little in the larger structure of Soul Society.
But after their decisive victory over the Quincy 800 years ago, the Gotei 13 was legitimized and firmly established within the Seireitei.
In turn, the influence of the traditional noble houses began to wane ever so slightly.
This power shift gave rise to the Kuchiki family's association with the 6th Division
and the Shiba family's historical link to the 10th Division.
Over time, these divisions became more or less "affiliated" with their respective houses,
with family members frequently serving as captains.
These affiliations, though not officially hereditary, became traditions in practice.
In all honesty, Shihōin Kongchan privately held some disdain for how the Kuchiki and Shiba families
attached themselves to divisions only after witnessing the rise and significance of the Gotei 13.
But the Shihōin were different.
Their commitment dated back to the earliest days—when the Gotei 13 was still dismissed as a rogue force,
little more than a lethal militia.
Kongchan's ancestor was the one who stepped forward.
Not only did he join the original thirteen captains under Genryūsai Yamamoto,
he laid the foundations of what would become the 2nd Division—a legacy passed down through generations.
That made the 2nd Division truly their family's own.
In contrast, the affiliations of the Kuchiki and Shiba families were comparatively late and politically motivated.
With these thoughts passing quietly through his mind,
Shihōin Kongchan led the three captains into the grand hall of the Shihōin estate.
Inside, a banquet had been prepared.
The wine on display came from the Shihōin family's private stores.
A few jars were clearly centuries old, and the fragrance of well-aged sake filled the room.
Such vintage spirits would be a waste in casual gatherings—
but for close comrades, even the rarest bottles could be opened without regret.
However, as Kongchan's eyes fell on one particular jar of sake, his brow furrowed.
It had been tampered with.
Although the culprit had hidden their tracks well, they had underestimated the vigilance of the Shihōin family.
The 2nd Division—home of the Onmitsukidō, or Secret Mobile Corps—was known for covert operations.
As captain, Kongchan had honed his senses to instinctively detect even the most discreet disturbances.
The conclusion came quickly.
"Yoruichi!" he snapped, his voice laced with exasperated amusement.
He turned his gaze toward a shadowed corner of the room.
A sleek black cat darted out with astounding speed, heading toward the exit in a blur of motion.
But someone moved faster.
Gosuke Shigure executed Shunpo—the Flash Step—with masterful precision.
In an instant, he appeared directly in the cat's escape path and gently seized it by the scruff of the neck before it could react.
The other captains—Shunsui, Ukitake, and Kongchan—watched, visibly impressed.
Kyōraku and Ukitake knew the cat's true identity.
They had long been acquainted with the Shihōin family and had encountered this particular feline more than once.
As for Kongchan, he was stunned by Gosuke Shigure's sheer speed and accuracy.
The Shihōin clan had cultivated Shunpo and Hakuda (hand-to-hand combat) for generations.
Unlike other divisions that emphasized all four core disciplines of Shinigami—Zanjutsu, Hakuda, Hohō, and Kidō—
the Shihōin prized only Hakuda and Shunpo.
To them, Kidō and even a powerful Zanpakutō were secondary to pure speed and skill.
Shihōin Kongchan himself had advanced Shunpo into a higher art form.
He had created a unique technique named "Kongchan",
a variant of Shunpo that pushed the boundaries of speed and control.
The fact that Gosuke Shigure could act faster than the cat—even in her transformed state—spoke volumes.
All eyes were now on Shigure, who was calmly holding the cat.
He peered down curiously.
"So this black cat is called Yoruichi? That's quite the name."
Shihōin Kongchan snapped out of his amazement.
"Captain Gosuke, please… you can let her go."
Before Shigure could respond, the black cat growled irritably,
"That's right! Let go of me already!"
Shigure blinked. He tilted his head with feigned confusion.
"Wait… you can talk?"
He studied the feline more intently.
"Are you… some kind of spirit beast? A transformed Hollow? A monster, maybe?"
"You're the monster!" the cat snapped back, clearly offended.
In truth, Gosuke Shigure knew exactly who she was.
But it was their first formal meeting, and he decided to play along, keeping the tone light.
After a brief beat, and seeing the cat's growing irritation,
he obeyed Kongchan's earlier request and gently set the feline down.
The black cat immediately prepared to flee.
But Shihōin Kongchan's voice rang out again—this time stern and commanding.
"Change your clothes and come back. If you don't, you know what will happen."
The cat froze mid-step.
Then, with a swish of its tail, it vanished from the hall.
Kongchan's stern demeanor softened, and he returned to pouring drinks with a familiar smile.
He invited the others to join him again at the low table, as if nothing unusual had occurred.
Shigure, however, still wore a look of amused curiosity, clearly intrigued by the odd exchange.
But neither Kyōraku nor Ukitake offered any clarification.
After a short while, a clear voice called out from the entrance.
"I understand!"
Kongchan didn't bother to look back.
"Come in," he said, tone even.
A young woman entered the room, dressed in a sleek combat outfit that fit her frame perfectly.
Her long, dark purple hair was tied into a high ponytail.
Her black skin—a signature trait of the Shihōin bloodline—accentuated her athletic build,
making her presence feel both dignified and formidable.
Her beauty was undeniable.
But more than that, she radiated a powerful aura of confidence and competence.
She was none other than Shihōin Yoruichi—
heir of the clan, former head of the Onmitsukidō, and former captain of the 2nd Division.
And now, she had finally revealed herself.
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