"Yo! Satoru, I came to see you—"
Yoruichi stood at the doorway, flashing a bright smile.
Mid-sentence, she noticed Aizen standing inside the room.
"Ah, sorry, I didn't know someone else was here."
Yoruichi grinned apologetically at Aizen, scratching her head.
"You're Satoru's classmate, right? I'm Yoruichi Shihōin, a friend of Satoru's. Nice to meet you!"
Aizen silently observed her for two seconds before giving a slight bow.
"Sōsuke Aizen, first-year at the Shin'ō Academy. The pleasure is mine."
"Sōsuke?" Yoruichi blinked, then suddenly seemed to recall something. "Oh! So you're that Sōsuke… Satoru talks about you all the time!"
Aizen raised an eyebrow.
Even without thinking too hard, he could guess that whatever Satoru said about him was probably far from flattering.
Yoruichi laughed. "Satoru always says he owes his current strength to you."
"You're the only one he's ever said that about—not even Head Captain Yamamoto has gotten such praise from him."
Hearing this, Aizen's expression shifted slightly in surprise.
Looking at the dark-skinned girl before him, he bowed again.
"I'm merely an ordinary student. Such praise is undeserved."
"I have classes at the academy this afternoon, so I must take my leave. Excuse me."
With that, he took a few steps back, straightened, and exited the room.
Watching Aizen's retreating figure, Yoruichi scratched her head.
"Satoru, your friend… seems like quite the thinker."
Satoru grinned. "Of course. He's the biggest thinker in all of Soul Society."
Yoruichi arched an eyebrow.
Truthfully, she wanted to say that Aizen seemed like a man who hid his true nature well—someone with a dangerous aura.
But considering he was Satoru's friend and they seemed to get along, she held back.
Pushing thoughts of Aizen aside for now, she walked over to the bed.
Under Satoru's slightly puzzled gaze, Yoruichi took a deep breath and suddenly bowed deeply.
"Hold on, I'm not dead yet. No need for farewells," Satoru said dryly from his spot on the bed.
Ignoring his remark, Yoruichi spoke solemnly. "Satoru, on behalf of the entire Onmitsukidō, I thank you for your help."
"Without you, the 2nd Division would have been completely overrun."
"Not only would Rennosuke Kamikawa have escaped, but countless prisoners would have fled as well."
"It's thanks to you that everyone's lives and dignity were preserved."
"As the Commander of the Onmitsukidō, please allow me to express my deepest gratitude to you!"
Seeing Yoruichi bow deeply, Satoru quickly reached out to help her up.
The lifespan of Shinigami was too long, and many in the Soul Society were relics from decades or even centuries ago, placing great importance on these strange rituals and formalities.
But for Satoru, most of these customs were nothing more than awkward and pointless.
However, as he extended his hand, his movement suddenly paused.
He waved his hand playfully beneath Yoruichi's head.
"Yoruichi, if you don't get up now, I'll have to help you with this hand. If you can bear it, then by all means, stay down."
Seeing Satoru's hand, Yoruichi's expression twisted with anguish.
Though she had known about Satoru's condition, witnessing it firsthand still filled her with overwhelming guilt.
If she hadn't been so weak, Satoru wouldn't have had to push himself beyond his limits to deliver that devastating punch.
But then, a smile crept onto her face.
"Satoru, the reason I came to see you today—aside from thanking you in person—is for these hands of yours."
Noticing Satoru's puzzled look, she lowered her voice. "Have you forgotten what we got from the 12th Division?"
Satoru's eyes widened instantly.
The Red and White Hot Springs!!
If Tenjirō Kirinji's claims about their healing properties were true, then not only could his injuries be cured, but even Soi Fon's severed arm could be restored with ease!
"I remember you mentioned last time that you'd already found a location for the springs."
"Then all we need now are the materials… I recall most of them are quite rare. Maybe I can ask my teacher—he's the Captain-Commander, so he must have some valuable resources."
Watching Satoru mutter to himself and rapidly calculate, Yoruichi couldn't help but smirk.
"You idiot," she said with mock exasperation. "Have you forgotten who I am?"
"I'm the head of the Shihōin Clan, one of the Five Great Noble Families."
"Do you really think a few rare materials are beyond my reach?"
Tilting her chin up proudly, she declared, "Come on, let's go see the surprise I've prepared for you!"
The two slipped out of the hospital room, dodging the Fourth Division nurses, and made their way to Soi Fon's room.
The short-haired girl sat on her bed, staring blankly out the window, her eyes devoid of their usual spark.
Only when the two entered did Soi Fon suddenly snap back to reality, turning her head.
At the sight of Yoruichi, her eyes instantly reddened.
"L-Lady Yoruichi…"
Then, she quickly lowered her head.
"I deeply apologize, Lady Yoruichi! I have failed you and brought shame upon you!!"
Her lips trembled as if she had struggled with these words for a long time.
Before Yoruichi could respond, Soi Fon bowed even deeper, her face nearly touching the bed.
"Lady Yoruichi, I am now crippled and can no longer fight for you."
"Tomorrow, I will report to the Onmitsukidō headquarters and request exile."
"I have betrayed your trust… I am truly sorry!"
At first, her voice carried sorrow.
But by the end, it was eerily calm.
As a child of the Fon family, her sole purpose had been to join the Onmitsukidō and dedicate everything to the Shihōin Clan.
According to family tradition, any Fon descendant who failed to serve in the Onmitsukidō would be exiled.
With one arm lost, this was her inevitable fate.
Only now did she realize that what truly devastated her wasn't the exile itself.
But from now on, I can no longer repay Lady Yoruichi's kindness...
Seeing Soi Fon bowing her head deeply, Satoru was about to say something.
"Satoru!!!"
Soi Fon suddenly spoke loudly while keeping her head bowed.
"Y-yes?!"
Satoru was startled and instinctively nodded.
"After I leave... please... take care of Lady Yoruichi!!"
Soi Fon gritted her teeth as she forced out these words bit by bit.
Satoru: "..."
This is so heavy, so terrifying!
He didn't know whether to laugh or cry and quickly tried to explain.
But before he could speak, he suddenly sensed something off about Soi Fon's presence.
Walking over to check, Satoru and Yoruichi exchanged a wry glance.
Soi Fon had passed out while still maintaining her bowing apology pose.
In the end, Yoruichi with bandaged shoulders carried the armless Soi Fon on her back, followed by Satoru with both hands heavily wrapped in bandages - the three wounded sneaked out of the 4th Division together and hurried toward the Rukongai.
Fortunately, though both Yoruichi and Satoru were injured, it didn't hinder their travel much.
Before nightfall, the trio finally reached their destination.
Following Yoruichi's lead, Satoru entered a cave.
At first it was narrow, but after walking several hundred steps, it suddenly opened up.
A small hidden grotto appeared before Satoru's eyes.
And here, someone had been waiting for them.
Yoruichi smiled and said, "Let me introduce you. Satoru, this is Tessai Tsukabishi, he's—"
"Whoa, the Great Kidō Chief?!"
Satoru blurted out in surprise.
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