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"If you marry into the Shihouin Family, won't you become a high-ranking noble?"
Saying that, Yoruichi Shihouin blinked at Aozaki Reiji, looking quite excited.
"Our Shihouin Family is not only noble, but also one of the Four Great Noble Clans, one of the highest-ranking families in Soul Society besides the Royal Family. How about it? Tempted?"
Aozaki Reiji pondered for a moment, then murmured, "So, doesn't that mean I could rise to the top in one go?"
"That's natural. You'd just have to change your surname. Shihouin Reiji, that name doesn't sound bad either."
"That name does sound good." Aozaki Reiji blinked back, smiling, "I don't mind changing my surname, but I still have two questions."
Yoruichi looked at Reiji for a few seconds before speaking, "Ask away."
Actually, she had been joking, but hearing Aozaki Reiji's words, she couldn't help but let the conversation continue.
"First, if I marry into the Shihouin Family, will I be marrying you?"
"Th-that's natural."
Somehow, Yoruichi felt a little nervous, stammering as she explained:
"Don't underestimate your status. Although you're not a noble, you're also the Captain-Commander's disciple."
"Besides me, who else in the Shihouin Family is qualified to marry the Captain-Commander Yamamoto's disciple?"
"You have a point, but that's good, after all, I quite like you." Aozaki Reiji thought for a moment, then nodded.
Yoruichi Shihouin looked up at the sky, not speaking.
Aozaki Reiji then asked, "Then for my second question, after I marry you, can I continue to pursue my life goals and strive for a beautiful and happy future?"
"You really are persistent." Yoruichi was dumbfounded.
She understood his character and knew that his "life goals" referred to improper things, but this wasn't the time to be saying that, was it?
"I don't want to lie to you, so is it really possible or not?" Reiji pressed.
"Nonsense, how could I possibly agree!" Yoruichi's face turned red, and she clenched her fists and shouted, drawing the attention of the servants on the road, but they quickly averted their gaze, fearing trouble.
Reiji showed a disappointed expression, shaking his head and saying, "Then forget it. My connections with this world haven't reached the point where they need to be severed yet."
Yoruichi: "..."
Although she knew it was all a joke, she couldn't help but roll her eyes.
The two arrived at an ancient manor, where the clamor from the tall buildings gradually faded, somewhat resembling a return to tranquility from the mundane world.
Aozaki Reiji and Yoruichi Shihouin were both silent, making this meaning more profound and complex.
"Lady Yoruichi."
Soon, the gatekeepers bowed, and the inexplicable, strange atmosphere was suddenly broken.
Yoruichi Shihouin looked at Reiji for a few seconds before turning to the gatekeepers and asking, "You've worked hard. Has anyone come looking for me?"
Perhaps sensing the strange atmosphere, the gatekeepers trembled slightly inside and whispered,
"Vice-Captain Ōmaeda came once and delivered some documents. The documents are in the study."
Yoruichi Shihouin: "..."
The gatekeeper lowered his voice, "Vice-Captain Ōmaeda said he has already processed the documents, and you just need to sign them after reviewing."
Yoruichi Shihouin's expression softened slightly, and she walked through the main gate.
Aozaki Reiji peeked in, and seeing her beckon, he followed.
The two walked through the long corridor in the courtyard, winding through the mansion, and finally entered a simple room.
Seeing Aozaki Reiji enter the room with Yoruichi Shihouin, the Shinigami guards and servants looked at them strangely.
This was the first time the Young Lady had allowed a man other than Young Master Yushiro Shihouin into her room.
Even the Young Lady's childhood friend, Kisuke Urahara, despite their many years of acquaintance, had never received such treatment.
Moreover, the man who entered was incomparably handsome, not like a mortal, and they wondered which noble family he belonged to.
Most importantly, their interaction seemed very intimate...
Just as the maids were about to conjure up unapprovable scenes in their minds, the door was pulled open from the inside again.
"Bring some tea and sweets," Yoruichi poked her head out and told the maids. "Oh, right, don't let that Yushiro Shihouin know I'm back."
A maid quickly responded.
Yoruichi nodded and closed the door.
Aozaki Reiji sat casually on the tatami, looking around.
The room's decor was simple, fresh, and elegant, with few pieces of furniture, all handmade with exquisite craftsmanship. Their appearance didn't seem luxurious, but they were certainly valuable.
Reiji clicked his tongue, "You brought me into your boudoir. Are you perhaps trying to show me the luxurious life of you great nobles, to seduce me, and then have ill intentions towards me?"
Yoruichi suddenly smiled, and gently blew a breath into his ear, murmuring, "If you regret it now, it's still not too late. I can give you another chance, you know."
Reiji sighed, "How about this, I don't have to marry you. When I become the Captain-Commander, you marry me instead."
Yoruichi sighed, "You just became the Captain-Commander's apprentice, and you're already thinking of usurping the throne?"
"But you're dreaming beautifully, truly unwilling to suffer any loss."
"But if I marry out, the headship of the family will definitely go to Yushiro Shihouin. I regret to tell you, your plan has fallen through."
"I don't care about the headship of the Shihouin Family; it has nothing to do with me anyway," Aozaki Reiji said indifferently.
"Then what do you care about?"
"..." Aozaki Reiji looked at her, saying nothing.
Yoruichi turned her face away, letting out a soft "hmph," with an unclear meaning.
After a while, a clear voice came from outside the door: "Lady Yoruichi, the items have been delivered."
Yoruichi seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, speaking softly, "Leave them outside; I'll get them myself."
She stood up, stretched, and carried the tea into the room, taking a deep breath and saying faintly, "Do you know Kirinjii Tenjiro?"
Aozaki Reiji was somewhat surprised, pointing to the ceiling, or perhaps a place even higher than the ceiling.
"That's right." Yoruichi nodded.
Reiji smiled, "My teacher told me that he was the former Fourth Division Captain and joined the Zero Division centuries ago, becoming a Royal Special Forces serving the Soul King."
"The method you mentioned for treating injuries and illnesses, it wouldn't be his healing hot springs, would it?"
"You know that too." Yoruichi was a little surprised.
"You don't even look at who my teacher is, the Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13." Aozaki Reiji smiled, picked up the teacup, took a sip, and showed a satisfied expression, "The tea is good."
"That's natural; this tea is the best in all of Soul Society." Yoruichi Shihouin grinned, "Reiji, let's go steal his hot springs together."
Aozaki Reiji was stunned, "You're not speaking nonsense, are you? He currently resides in the Soul King Palace, separated from the Seireitei by seventy-two layers of barriers. How can we steal it?"
"Are you planning to use Kukaku's Flower Crane Cannon? If so, I advise you to give up."
"Using that thing to air raid the Seireitei is fine, but trying to smuggle into the Soul King Palace won't succeed."
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