"I'm going in, Yūshirō! "
The petite figure before him was none other than Hōshō Ayame, who had undergone four years of grueling training. Now, she stood ready, determination burning in her eyes as she faced Yūshirō Shihōin.
"Come! Face me head-on! "
Yūshirō hooked a finger at her, beckoning.
"Shun!"
In an instant, Ayame vanished from her spot and reappeared before him, slamming a punch toward his abdomen.
"Too slow! "
Yūshirō shifted his body slightly, dodging with ease.
"It's not over yet! "
Ayame detonated the Kidō energy wrapped around her body, sending shockwaves rippling outward through her fist.
"Good awareness, but not nearly enough damage."
Standing firm, Yūshirō felt nothing more than a spring breeze brushing past him, ruffling his hair before fading away.
"It's not over! "
Ayame released her Zanpakutō. A golden gauntlet coiled around her right arm as she lunged forward to strike.
Clink!
With a soft metallic note, Yūshirō pinched Suzumebachi's stinger between two fingers. With his other hand, he flicked her forehead.
Thump!
"Oww~!"
Ayame fell straight onto the wooden floor, clutching her reddened forehead as her eyes filled with tears.
"Not bad at all, little bee," Yūshirō said with a gentle smile.
"Is that really supposed to be praise, Young Master Yūshirō?! "
She emphasized the words "Young Master" with a touch of grievance, her gaze full of reproach.
Clap, clap, clap…
Suddenly, applause echoed through the training hall. At the open doors, a tall and striking figure leaned casually against the frame, clapping with deliberate slowness.
"Hm?"
"Lady Yoruichi! "
At once, Ayame spun around, recognizing the elegant, commanding face of Yoruichi Shihōin. She stiffened, bowing nervously.
"No need to be so formal."
"Your progress these years has been remarkable, Ayame. Among the current vice-captains of the Gotei 13, I doubt any could defeat you now."
Yoruichi patted Ayame's shoulder, her tone full of encouragement.
"No… compared to Captain-Commander's lieutenant, Chōjirō Sasakibe, I'm still far behind. Honestly, most captains in the Gotei 13 aren't on par with him. The Gotei these days… is weak to the point of being disappointing."
Yūshirō shook his head, speaking calmly after Yoruichi's words.
"You hold Sasakibe in such high regard? That's rare. You usually scoff even at the Captain-Commander."
Yoruichi raised a brow, amused.
"I admire people who uphold their own sense of justice. Lieutenant Sasakibe is such a man. As for the Captain-Commander… he's capable, yes, but that old man is far too sly and cruel to respect."
Yūshirō sighed.
"Yūshirō… you sound like you have some grudge with him. Can you tell me why? " Ayame asked curiously.
"It's nothing big, really~"
"It's just that, when a certain kid couldn't control his reiatsu, Lord Soul King confined him to his estate, forbidding him from leaving. But that certain kid kept sneaking out. And every time, the one who dragged him back was none other than the Captain-Commander."
Yoruichi smirked mischievously, clearly holding back laughter as she recounted the memory.
"Do you know what it's like? Trapped in a courtyard for decades, with nothing to do but watch the trees grow? It's a miracle I didn't go insane! "
Yūshirō groaned, remembering those years. Even someone with the strongest sense of duty would eventually break if locked away in solitude for so long.
"You've truly suffered, Young Master Yūshirō," Ayame said softly, sympathy shining in her eyes instead of laughter.
"That's my little bee—kind enough to feel for me. Unlike my sister, who only ever laughs at me."
Yūshirō pulled Ayame into a hug, comforted by her words.
"Well, you turned out fine, didn't you? No insanity after all."
Yoruichi smirked, hands on her hips.
"Easy for you to say."
Yūshirō pouted, clicking his tongue.
"By the way, how's everyone doing these days? " he asked.
"Lilynette and Harribel are working together now, guarding the gardens of Squad Two. Szayelaporro's gotten mixed up with that scoundrel Urahara, the two of them tinkering away at who-knows-what. As for little Hachi, he's learned the truth about his origins. He doesn't plan to return to Squad Eleven, but he's serving under me as a seated officer."
Yoruichi answered in a cryptic, half-playful tone.
"I see. As long as they're all doing well."
Relief softened Yūshirō's features as he nodded.
"Hm?"
Ayame listened quietly to their exchange, confused, but she didn't pry. She trusted Yūshirō completely—if he wanted her to know, he would tell her in time. If not, she didn't need to ask.
"Anyway, Sister, what brought you here today? " Yūshirō finally asked.
"Hahaha… if you hadn't reminded me, I'd have forgotten. Shutara Senjumaru is heading to the Royal Guard. Do you want to see her off? "
Yoruichi tapped her forehead, as if just remembering, then spoke seriously.
"Senjumaru… is going to the Zero Division? "
Yūshirō nodded slowly, unsurprised. To him, a genius like Shutara Senjumaru—who had crafted the Shihakushō itself—was more than qualified for the Royal Guard. Hearing the news only felt like something both unexpected and inevitable.
What did surprise him was the timing. Of all the moments she could have gone, why now?