Yamamoto nodded in satisfaction. This—this was the bearing of a leader. If you had to do everything yourself with no subordinates to order around, how could you project authority?
Unfortunately, while Yamabuki had just flattened one squad of guards, another arrived just as quickly. These noble guard units existed for one purpose: protect the clan heads at all costs. If something happened to their lords, the consequences were dire—best case, they'd lose their posts; worst case, they'd lose their lives.
"More and more of them? Should we… run?" Yamabuki's tone was uncertain. The Gotei 13 didn't exist yet, but Soul Society still had no shortage of killers. Otherwise, how could the original Gotei 13 have taken down Yhwach?
The system a thousand years ago was rough—no official Captain or Vice-Captain ranks—but real monsters walked these streets, and Yamabuki knew he couldn't face them head-on.
Just as he was worrying, Yamabuki spotted a figure atop the tallest building in the distance—a dark-skinned man with stark white hair, smiling directly at him. Before he could even react, the man vanished in a flash.
So fast!!! Yamabuki's pupils shrank.
He knew Shunpo too, but his footwork compared to this man's was like a toddler crawling against a hawk in flight.
"Yamamoto! Long time no see!" the man greeted warmly as he appeared.
The surrounding noble guards instantly went pale. Without a word, they dropped to one knee, faces taut with fear.
"You don't have to keep dragging me out like this, you know," the man sighed with a laugh. "It's a headache for me too."
"What about the matter we discussed last time?" Yamamoto asked.
"Joining that Gotei 13 of yours?" The man smirked. "Bit of a problem. I am, after all, the head of one of the Five Great Noble Clans. Joining an assassin squad…" He waved it off. "Eh, enough shop talk. Have you eaten? Let's talk over food."
Yamabuki's mind worked fast. Dark skin… hereditary in the family… Could it be—?
Of course. The Shihōin Clan. One of the Five Great Noble Houses. Even Yoruichi was one of the few dark-skinned beauties in the entire Soul Society.
Yamamoto led Yamabuki boldly into Seireitei, straight to the Shihōin estate.
The man's name: Shihōin Chihiro—current head of the clan, and, Yamabuki remembered, the future Captain of Squad Two in the original Gotei 13.
The reception was grand. In the main hall, a feast waited—chicken, duck, fish, fresh seafood. Yamabuki's stomach growled at the sight, but he'd already eaten two roasted sweet potatoes earlier… and now he was too full to touch anything.
His gaze slid to Yamamoto. Could this old man have planned it? Feed him sweet potatoes so he wouldn't fight for the meat later?
Sure enough, Chihiro and Yamamoto clinked cups and dug in with gusto.
"Yamabuki," Yamamoto said between bites, "don't be so reserved just because you're in a noble house. Eat what you like. Drink what you like. Treat it like home."
Killing intent… in words.
Yamabuki smiled stiffly, silently weeping.
Chihiro himself was nothing like the stiff image of a clan head—lounging on the tatami, drinking freely, completely ignoring protocol.
"Oh, right," Chihiro said suddenly, "about that Gotei 13 invitation—yeah, I've decided. Being a noble and a Captain? Sounds fun. I like the number two, so save me the Squad Two Captain seat."
This guy… was just in it for the thrill.
Still, Yamabuki had to admit: that was a third of the Gotei 13 filled in one go.
"But I've got one condition." Chihiro leaned forward. "I'm bringing someone with me."
Yamamoto's eyes narrowed. Nobles couldn't just stuff their own people into the Gotei 13—set that precedent and the whole system would rot.
"Relax," Chihiro grinned. "This one's insane. Strong, too. SAITŌ! Get in here!"
A blur shot through the doorway. Before Chihirocould finish introducing her, the newcomer slammed his head into the floor and ground it there.
"How dare you call me your servant? You looking to die?"
The voice was female.
Yamabuki blinked. She was short, twin pigtails of dark pink hair, an eyepatch over one eye, and a Zanpakutō at her hip.
Her looks—and the power radiating from her—clicked into place instantly.
Saitō Furofushi. The original Captain of Squad Six.
"Servant? You're my servant!" Saitō snapped. "And don't drag me into some shady group without asking! Who are these two freeloaders eating at my table?" She dropped into a seat across from Yamamoto, glaring at him like she was ready to brawl on the spot.
Yamabuki's mind whirled. Two Captain-class monsters in one meeting—what a haul.
Yamamoto stayed calm. He liked troublemakers. Mediocrity was quiet; talent was loud.
"Then tell me," Yamamoto said evenly, "how can one be qualified to sit here and eat?"
"Fight me," Saitō replied without hesitation. "If you win, do whatever you want. I don't even care if I end up your slave." She leaned in until their foreheads nearly touched. "Got the guts?"
Yamamoto glanced sideways at Yamabuki.
Yamabuki froze, eyes forward like a student praying not to be called on in class. Please not me. Please not me.
The system's starter pack had given him Vice-Captain-level reiatsu, but Saitō was Captain-class at minimum. She'd fought beside Yamamoto in the original thirteen—there was no way—
"Yamabuki," Yamamoto said. "Go entertain her."
…
Damn it!!!