"I've been away from the Seireitei for long enough. It's time I returned to the Shihoin clan. I'll be back in a few days."
"When I return, I will bring some books for study, as well as some weapons. Your task during this time is to select those with outstanding aptitude and begin their training."
"Shisui, the method I taught you for condensing spiritual pressure, you may also teach it to them."
After giving his instructions, Kenma was about to leave, but he suddenly paused and said without turning back, "For now, your clan will continue to be led by Fugaku."
"As you command!" the four said in unison. This was what they had intended to do anyway.
Among all the Uchiha present, the only person suitable to be the leader was Fugaku.
First, in a new and unfamiliar environment, survival was the priority. Maintaining a stable clan structure and reducing internal friction was of utmost importance.
Second, there was no one else in the clan who could command the respect of the masses. The two elders represented two opposing factions; if one took the lead, the other would surely object. While Shisui was strong enough, he was too young and his thinking was too immature for management. As for Yashiro and the younger generation, their strength was insufficient to win over the clan.
Watching Kenma's departing figure, Fugaku asked respectfully, "My lord is traveling alone. Do you require a guard? We of the Uchiha clan swear to protect you with our lives!"
Kenma didn't stop walking, merely waving a hand. "Unnecessary. You are no longer ninja. What power do you have to protect me?"
Hearing this, Fugaku and the others had a look of realization, followed by a bitter smile.
"It was our crudeness, my lord. We have been presumptuous."
As souls, the fact that their sensations were no different from when they were alive had disoriented them, making them momentarily forget they were dead. Under the force of mental habit, their mindset had not yet shifted.
Now that they realized it, they were dead. They were soul bodies, unable to knead chakra without a physical form, basically no different from ordinary people.
Besides, Lord Shinigami was so powerful, why would he need protection from mortals like them?
They had truly been arrogant.
The four of them watched Kenma's figure disappear into the night. Fugaku turned to the three beside him, "Shisui, Elder Setsuna, Elder Kakkaku, let's have a brief talk..."
"We are all dead men. Our factions and assertions from when we were alive are no longer suitable for our current situation. This world is completely alien to us. The problem we now face is how the Uchiha will survive here... I ask that you all temporarily set aside past grievances and first establish a baseline for the future."
"You're one to talk, when your son..."
Setsuna stopped himself mid-sentence and said no more, just giving a slight nod.
Even with the help of the great Lord Shinigami, the Uchiha were still completely in the dark about the Soul Society. For the sake of the Uchiha's continued existence, he could only reluctantly agree to Fugaku's request, despite the resentment in his heart.
Shisui and Kakkaku, standing to the side, could also see the situation clearly.
"That is only natural."
"First question: what is our new lord's character and personality like? And what are his views on our Uchiha clan?"
Fugaku's gaze turned to Shisui. "Shisui, you were the first to meet him. You should have some understanding."
Shisui said, "Yes. I believe our lord..."
While the Uchiha were facing the new world with a mixture of trepidation and excitement, Kenma was already using Shunpo under the cover of night, passing through the Rukongai and arriving at the West Gate of the Seireitei.
'This trip to the ninja world took three or four days. I wonder how many days have passed in the Soul Society...'
After all, they were two different worlds. He didn't know if the flow of time was the same.
He showed his Shihoin clan noble's certificate to the guard at the gate.
"Jidanbō, open the gate."
"Oh, Lord Kenma! Please wait a moment."
The guard at the gate was an unusually large man. Even with Kenma's height of one meter ninety, he seemed rather short in front of him.
After a routine check, Jidanbō gave a shout and lifted the great Shakonmaku gate, which could block spiritual power.
He suddenly asked, "Jidanbō, how long was I gone?"
"Well... I don't remember exactly, but it couldn't have been more than four or five days at most," Jidanbō said, scratching the back of his head.
"Thank you."
Kenma gave him a slight nod and entered the Seireitei.
Judging by Jidanbō's answer, the flow of time between the two worlds should be about the same, which wasn't too bad.
At night in the Seireitei, there were also seated Shinigami officers patrolling, but with Kenma's noble's certificate, his path was unobstructed, and he returned to the Shihoin estate smoothly.
The Soul Society was, on the whole, a rather feudal society. The difference in status between nobles and commoners was vast, and this was especially prominent in the Seireitei, the heart of the Soul Society.
The Shihoin clan, which Kenma was marrying into, was one of the Four Great Noble Clans at the very top.
Even though he was just a son-in-law, he had leaped several social strata in a single step, becoming a member of the highest nobility.
Within the Seireitei, nobles held considerable privileges!
The guards at the gate of the Shihoin estate immediately opened the gate upon seeing Kenma. One of the leaders said to him:
"Lord Kenma, the clan head has given instructions that upon seeing you, we are to inform you to go and see her."
"Lord Shun'gen?"
"No, it is Lady Yoruichi."
"I understand."
After acknowledging the guards at the gate, Kenma walked into the residence.
The Shihoin Shun'gen he mentioned was the previous clan head, and also Kenma's prospective father-in-law.
Although he and the current head of the Shihoin clan had not yet held their wedding ceremony, he had been specially permitted by his prospective father-in-law to live in the Shihoin mansion to get an early taste of the so-called noble life.
He was also asked to try his hand at managing some of the miscellaneous affairs of the Shihoin clan.
Just as he was heading towards his room, a female voice, tinged with teasing and a hint of annoyance, suddenly rang out from behind him in the corridor.
"Oho, who do we have here? If it isn't the grand son-in-law of the Shihoin clan. You've been gone for days without a trace. Spit it out, what have you been up to?"
The sudden, familiar voice didn't cause any change in Kenma's expression. He remained as calm as ever. He turned around, and by the candlelight illuminating the corridor, he could clearly see the person who had appeared.
The newcomer had a tall, somewhat slender figure, not very tall, reaching only to Kenma's shoulder. She had short purple hair, delicate features, and was stunningly beautiful. Her brow held a heroic and bold air, different from that of ordinary women.
Even with her dark brown skin, it didn't hide her beauty but rather added a unique charm to her.
She was dressed in the special Shihakusho of the Onmitsukidō, with a brand-new captain's haori over it. She had appeared in the corridor at some point and was now leaning against a pillar, her arms crossed over her chest. Her golden eyes were exceptionally bright in the candlelight as she looked at Kenma with interest.
"Yoruichi, it's you. Your Shunpo has improved again."
Seeing the newcomer, a sharp glint flashed in Kenma's eyes, but his voice remained deep, showing no hint of emotional fluctuation.
The person before him was the current head of the Shihoin clan, and also Kenma's fiancée—Shihoin Yoruichi!