"Hey!"
"Third Seat Tsugikuni, did you just go to the Shihouin?"
As soon as she arrived, Kyōraku Chiharu asked her a question.
She looked Tsugikuni Yoriichi up and down, her brows tightly furrowed: "I never thought the Shihouin would target you so quickly."
"They even 'invited' you over while the Captain was away…"
"Damn it."
She was following her brother's orders to keep an eye on Tsugikuni Yoriichi.
But as soon as she returned to the Tenth Division, she found he was gone.
This sent her on a frantic search.
If it weren't for some clues from the Shinigami guarding the gate,
If Tsugikuni Yoriichi hadn't returned after a while longer, she probably would have had to go to the Eighth Division to apologise.
These high-ranking nobles are truly quick-witted.
"Is something wrong?"
Tsugikuni Yoriichi stopped, his gaze gently falling on Kyōraku Chiharu.
He then briefly glanced at Ichinisan Ichi-moku, who was guarding the gate with a somewhat timid expression, and shook his head:
"It shouldn't be a big deal."
"Isn't Kisuke Urahara the Captain's friend?"
"Besides, I only went to the Second Division, not the Shihouin; it's not a den of dragons or a tiger's lair."
"They didn't do anything out of line eitherWorthth your the making such a fuss?"
"Making a fuss?" Kyōraku Chiharu raised an eyebrow, a hint of helplessness in her tone,
"By the time you realise they've gone too far, it might already be too late."
"Moreover, the Shihouin are one of the top noble families in the Seireitei. Is any of their actions a small matter?"
"What about the Second Division? The Second Division is the Shihouin's exclusive division… It has been for a thousand years. Everyone who enters is, without exception, a genius."
She paused, her tone growing serious:
"Why exactly did they seek you out? To recruit you into their faction, or… do they have other plans?"
"Whatever it is, you must be careful."
"The Captain specifically warned me before he left that the Seireitei is very deep, and the conflicts between nobles are even more complex."
"As a Shinigami with no background, avoid it if you can, lest you get caught in some whirlpool."
"…"
"Is that so?"
Yoriichi pondered for a few seconds, then nodded:
"Understood, but please rest assured."
"I don't care much for noble status."
"If there's a chance, please tell the Captain for me that I appreciate his concern."
"You should go yourself." Kyōraku Chiharu sighed, "I'm going to be transferred from the Tenth Division soon, and it's uncertain if I'll see him again after this."
"It's not just the Captain; my brother also told me to have you be careful."
"It's about the one from the Eighth Division…"
She pushed up her gold-rimmed glasses, a complex look in her eyes:
"I've said all I can."
"I'm only telling you more because you're a squad member."
"After this, how much you understand is no longer my concern."
"Farewell."
With that, she nodded slightly.
And disappeared in a flash.
After the air returned to silence, Yoriichi looked at the empty street with a touch of helplessness, pondering her words.
Once he had fully processed them, he continued forward.
Passing by Ichinisan Ichi-moku.
"Wait, Third Seat Tsugikuni!"
Ichimoku called out to him.
"I am sorry. The matter of you being pulled to the Second Division by Third Seat Urahara was something I took it upon myself to reveal."
"If you want to punish me, please do so; I will not utter a single word of protest!"
"Why would I punish you?"
Yoriichi stopped, looking at him sideways.
"Because… because…" Ichimoku couldn't quite articulate it, only feeling that the division's hierarchical system was extremely strict.
In such a situation, apologising was the best course of action.
He still remembered the last time he was beaten half to death with a Kenpachi by Inuno, Fourth Seat, for leaking information about him going out to drink.
The pain from that time still made him shudder.
Just as he was recalling this incident, Yoriichi gently patted his shoulder, his voice as warm as a spring breeze:
"It's just a small matter; there's no need to worry about it."
"I don't know what you've been through, but with me, no unreasonable treatment will ever happen."
"Ah…" The gentle voice was like a warm current flowing into Ichimoku's heart.
He lifted his head in a daze, seeing the blazing sunlight from above shining on Tsugikuni Yoriichi's shoulders.
Gold and crimson intertwined, like a holy light, illuminating his world.
Finally… an indescribable excitement surged in Ichimoku's heart.
He had finally found a normal Shinigami superior!
Recalling all his past experiences.
—The cynical Captain, the cold-faced and violent Vice-Captain, and that former Third Seat who would hit people at the slightest provocation…
He couldn't help but be filled with emotion.
It was as if all his suffering had vanished, leaving only boundless anticipation and hope for the future.
Taking a deep breath.
"Third Seat Tsugikuni." He mustered his courage, his voice firm:
"Thank you so very much!"
"…Oh, right."
He suddenly remembered something:
"A few minutes ago, the communication room delivered a letter for you."
"It's in your office."
"You can go take a look when you have time."
…
The quiet office.
A white letter, adorned with a pink rabbit design, lay quietly on the desk.
Yoriichi walked over to it.
He scanned it silently.
Even before opening it, he knew who had sent the letter.
—Rukia.
Among the people he knew, only she liked Chappy the Rabbit. Chappy was a type of Soul Candy packaging.
As a product developed decades ago, it was deeply loved by many female Shinigami.
Yoriichi had heard about it from some female Shinigami when he was studying at the Reiatsu Academy.
During his holidays, he had bought some Seireitei specialities, along with models of it, and sent them back to West Rukongai.
He knew Rukia might like it, but he didn't expect her to be so fond of it…
"She's truly a child, but this is good too."
Yoriichi sighed, slowly sat down, his gaze on the letter, and softly mused:
"This kind of innocence and happiness is what she should have at her age."
"Next time, I'll buy her some more Chappy the Rabbit merchandise."
Sitting upright, Yoriichi gently picked up the letter.
After tearing open the envelope, a letter adorned with Chappy the Rabbit appeared.
He carefully unfolded the letter and slowly read it.
Although the handwriting was childish,
Yoriichi could understand what she had written.
It was roughly about her befriending a girl named Hinamori Momo. They were similar in age and both possessed spiritual pressure.
They had agreed to enrol in the Reiatsu Academy together in the future.
The exact time was not yet confirmed.
However… Yoriichi could already discern Rukia's excited expression from the handwriting.
"A girl her age…"
After reading the letter, Yoriichi felt a sense of relief.
He knew that the childhood of a Shinigami was incredibly long.
Ichimaru Gin's seemingly youthful appearance, despite being nearly a hundred years old, was clear proof.
Having a friend of the same age…
Growing together, progressing together.
That would be good.