The Fourth Division's wards were filled with wails of agony, while the Eleventh Division's barracks were left cold and desolate.
Placed before the Captain-Commander was a list of combat power losses for the battle division. Though no one had been killed, none of them would be fit for combat for quite some time.
The good news: the newcomer, Zaraki Kenpachi, was incredibly strong—the entire Eleventh Division combined couldn't defeat him.
The bad news: because they couldn't defeat him, they were all hospitalized. Only two people in the entire Eleventh Division were still standing.
Actually, that wasn't quite right.
Technically, only one person was standing.
That was because Yachiru Kusajishi was sitting on Zaraki Kenpachi's shoulder.
"Those brats…"
Sizzle.
Unohana Retsu watched with a thin smile as red sparks began to flicker off Captain-Commander Yamamoto's body. She spoke up, her voice laced with needle-like sarcasm.
"What a fine prospect Captain Soifon brought back. This level of combat power is far greater than any previous generation of Kenpachi, wouldn't you say~?"
When it came to fanning the flames, Captain Unohana's skills were not to be underestimated. She was a veteran in every sense of the word.
Thump—
"Every single one of them… none of you will let this old man have a moment of peace…"
The poor chair groaned, a crack spiderwebbing through the wood under the pressure of the Captain-Commander's grip. This was him exercising extreme restraint over his temper.
"By the way… you just said he's stronger than any previous generation of Kenpachi?" The Captain-Commander's gaze turned deep and inscrutable. "Does that include yourself?"
"Of course… it does." Unohana Retsu lowered her gaze, her eyes falling on the thick braid resting against her chest. "It's because of that little boy that I learned Kaidō in the first place, after all…"
"Then I shall look forward to it… However, if he was such a fine prospect, why didn't you bring him back sooner?"
"Ahem, but speaking of which, Captain-Commander, regarding this bill… what are your thoughts?"
"Why are you bringing the Second Division's bills to my First Division?!"
"Because Captain Soifon has disappeared."
"Can't you just go find that Vice-Captain named Marechiyo Ōmaeda?"
In the end, the Captain-Commander was still a step ahead, pinpointing the key to the situation in a single sentence.
Wasn't the Ōmaeda family the Second Division's personal coin purse?
…
Night fell. Above the eaves of the Kuchiki Manor.
The antique architecture and meticulously manicured gardens all proclaimed the deep heritage of this ancient clan.
Using her highly stealthy form and superb Shunpo, Soifon carried Rangiku Matsumoto as they slipped into the Kuchiki Manor as if entering an uninhabited land.
One could only say that if someone saw their shadow under the moonlight, they would look like some sort of bizarre, multi-limbed creature.
Rangiku Matsumoto was clinging to Soifon's neck like a giant sloth, her legs wrapped around Soifon's waist. It was truly a case of 'heavy fruit on thin branches.'
She didn't really understand how it had happened. She only knew that Soifon had suddenly intercepted her on her way home from work and asked: "Do you want to beat up a noble lord?"
Rangiku had answered instantly: "Of course I do!"
Who was Rangiku Matsumoto?
She was a hot-blooded young woman fresh out of the Academy. Back at the Shin'ō Academy, she had hated those oppressive nobles who bullied the commoners more than anything!
And then, she had been scooped up by the waist and taken for a flight.
(What a huge garden! Even Captain Soifon's Shunpo can't clear it in one jump. Damned rich people!)
(But why did Captain Soifon and I sneak into the Kuchiki Manor specifically…)
(Captain Soifon isn't bringing me here to beat up Captain Kuchiki, is she?)
Rangiku Matsumoto buried her face against Soifon's collarbone, her warm breath occasionally brushing against the other's skin.
However, Captain Soifon's scent was quite sweet.
It smelled like honey.
It was completely different from her cold, unapproachable exterior.
Carrying Rangiku Matsumoto, Soifon landed soundlessly on the roof of one of the buildings.
"Heh!"
"Ha!"
In a secluded courtyard, a handsome young boy with his hair tied back was wielding a wooden sword, drenched in sweat.
Finally found him: Byakuya Kuchiki.
Soifon landed silently on a nearby roof, staring down at this 'Experience Baby' whose gender was almost ambiguous at this age.
Yes, Byakuya Kuchiki was a famous character in the story. If she 'guided' him a bit, she would surely receive plenty of rewards.
"See that, Rangiku?"
"That's the next head of the Kuchiki Clan, one of the greatest noble lords in the Seireitei."
Soifon patted Rangiku's rear as she lay buried in her embrace and spoke softly.
"…" Rangiku Matsumoto glanced at the sword-practicing Byakuya, then back at Soifon. "Is it too late to regret this?"
"At this stage, you must be joking."
By bringing Rangiku along, even if Ginrei Kuchiki discovered her bullying Byakuya later, it wouldn't matter. She could just say she was investigating the Adjuchas case.
What? You say the Adjuchas has already been killed by her?
Then she'd just say she found a new one.
Today, she was determined to grind this Byakuya Kuchiki quest.
Poor Rangiku Matsumoto had become Soifon's shield.
Swish—
Soifon's figure flickered, vanishing from the roof.
At the same time, Byakuya Kuchiki was enjoying a rare moment of peaceful cultivation.
Without Yoruichi Shihōin's harassment, he could finally practice his swordsmanship in peace. It was wonderful…
Swing!
Byakuya Kuchiki gripped the wooden sword with both hands and slashed forward…
Wait? Where did my long wooden sword go?
His eyes widened as he looked at his empty hands, instinctively glancing at the ground.
Nothing!
The wooden sword hadn't fallen to the ground!
Cold sweat slowly dripped down Byakuya Kuchiki's neck. He could feel a familiar, cold object pressed against his throat.
—It was his own wooden sword.
"So weak. Is this really the next head of the Kuchiki Clan?"
Tossing the wooden sword onto the ground, Soifon appeared openly before him.
"Who are you?!"
Byakuya Kuchiki looked at the female Shinigami before him wearing a Captain's Haori. She looked around his age and seemed somewhat familiar.
"Second Division Captain, Soifon."
Soifon never bothered hiding her name or title.
(Wait, wait, wait?!)
Rangiku Matsumoto, lying on the roof, was horrified. Why did you just give him your real name!
"Stop joking! How could a shrimp like you be a Captain!"
To her surprise, Byakuya Kuchiki waved his hand dismissively, looking irritated.
"Which family's child are you? To have the audacity to impersonate a Captain and break into the Kuchiki Manor to cause trouble…"
So what if she was short?
Boom—
A Spiritual Pressure far exceeding a 3rd Spiritual Rank erupted from Soifon's small body, pressing down on Byakuya Kuchiki.
As someone with a preference for women, Soifon wasn't going to go easy on Byakuya just because he was good-looking. After all, he wasn't a beautiful girl; handsome men had no special privileges with her.
Byakuya Kuchiki felt a weight as heavy as a mountain crash down on him. The surrounding air squeezed his body and soul.
He let out a muffled groan. His knees bent slightly against his will, and his entire skeleton creaked under the unbearable load. Even speaking became difficult.
(I… I can barely even stay standing?)
This quality of intense Spiritual Pressure was something Byakuya had only ever felt from his grandfather.
This person… she really was a genuine Captain!
Soifon's features gradually overlapped with a figure in his memory. Byakuya finally remembered who she was.
—It was that little girl Yoruichi Shihōin always had by her side!
It's you!
A powerful sense of absurdity and an indescribable feeling of defeat washed over Byakuya like ice water, causing him to lower his head.
Calmed down now?
Soifon withdrew her Reiatsu. Byakuya Kuchiki stumbled instantly, barely managing to steady himself.
"…I lost."
Byakuya squeezed those two words through his teeth, his voice dry.
Soifon was slightly stunned—he gave up just like that? I haven't even started 'guiding' you yet…
If you stop me from finishing my mission, I'm going to get angry!
Just as Soifon was trying to think of an excuse to make him spar with her, the system text appeared before her eyes once more.
[Mission Triggered: Something this tiny counts as a Bankai?]
[Mission Completed]
[Mission Reward: Jashaku Raikōben missile size reduced by 50%, flight speed increased by 100% (Note: You have trampled upon Byakuya Kuchiki's dignity)]
Hm?
That works too?
…
Next door, Sōsuke Aizen, who had just finished peeking into the Great Log Gallery, was currently using Kyōka Suigetsu to hypnotize an unlucky member of the Tsunayashiro family.
What's this? Soifon's Reiatsu?
Could it be that his intrusion into the Great Log Gallery has been exposed?
____
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