"Lieutenant Ōmaeda, Suì-Fēng, Yoruichi will be staying home to recuperate for a while. I'll have to trouble you both with the squad's duties."
"You aren't outsiders. If any issues arise, come to the Shihoin estate to find Yoruichi or me."
Inside the drawing room of the Shihoin manor.
Ren sat at the head of the room, cross-legged and relaxed. Beside him was an even lazier Yoruichi, nearly reclined on the tatami mat, propping her head up with one hand.
Knowing she wouldn't have to work for a long time, Yoruichi was inwardly cheering. She nodded repeatedly to the two below.
"Ōmaeda, Suì-Fēng, I'm leaving the squad affairs to you."
"Don't bother me with those trifles anymore. I need to have a good time... cough, I mean, recuperate."
Below them, Suì-Fēng and Ōmaeda Marechiyo sat upright, though their expressions were quite relaxed.
Hearing Yoruichi's words, Ōmaeda maintained a calm face, but a joy he couldn't suppress flickered in his eyes.
"Lady Yoruichi, Lord Ren, leaving the squad duties to us is no problem. After all, that's how it usually goes."
"However, Lady Yoruichi taking nearly a year of leave might cause some controversy outside..."
Ōmaeda's voice trailed off. He glanced at Suì-Fēng beside him and lowered his tone significantly.
"I heard that Lady Yoruichi is..."
"Suì-Fēng told you, didn't she?"
Yoruichi cut him off before he could finish. It was phrased as a question, but her tone carried absolute certainty.
Her golden eyes swept over the two of them. She subconsciously stroked her lower abdomen, a smile appearing on her exquisite face.
"To tell you the truth, I... the Shihoin family will have an heir."
"Don't tell anyone else about this."
Having received confirmation from Yoruichi, Ōmaeda couldn't help but look delighted. He was about to smile but forced himself to hold back, maintaining a calm demeanor.
"This is truly a joyous occasion for the Shihoin family!"
"Please rest assured, my Lords. My lips are sealed. I won't breathe a word to any outsider."
An heir for the Shihoin Head was good news for those subordinate to the family, but not necessarily for others.
Currently, the Shihoin family was at the height of its power, even secretly controlling the Central 46. Yet, they didn't fully dominate the Seireitei. There were surely many people harboring resentment in the shadows, waiting for a chance to pull the Shihoin family down.
If such major news leaked, it would provide a rare opportunity for those hidden enemies and might even bring great trouble to the Shihoin family.
Success depends on secrecy. Naturally, the fewer people who knew, the better.
Ōmaeda Marechiyo knew that because his family had served the Shihoin for generations, his background was clean. Moreover, he was reliable and indispensable for squad duties, which was why he was permitted to know.
Ren instructed, "As for external opinions, release several false rumors to cloud the issue. Don't let anyone guess Yoruichi's condition."
He had considerable trust in Ōmaeda's professional capabilities.
"Understood."
After a few more instructions, Ōmaeda withdrew. Ren slowly stood up, stretching his stiff body.
"Yoruichi, I'm heading over to the Stealth Force."
Yoruichi sat up and blinked, looking puzzled. "What are you going to the Stealth Force for?"
"What else? My vacation is over, so I'm going back to work."
Ren looked at his wife on the floor, speechless.
They say pregnancy makes you scatterbrained for three years. Was Yoruichi starting already?
"The Stealth Force can't function without me right now."
"On the other hand, you took a whole year's leave without a word. And Yamamoto Shigekuni actually agreed?"
Yoruichi laughed. "Don't let Old Man Yamamoto's stiff exterior fool you. He's surprisingly understanding."
"Forget it, I'm not going to argue with you."
Ren sighed and walked outside.
What Yamamoto Shigekuni cared about was maintaining the stability of the Seireitei and the three realms. He knew the priorities and would never trigger a large-scale upheaval among the nobility.
Besides, he rarely participated in noble disputes, so telling him wouldn't hurt.
"Suì-Fēng, take good care of Yoruichi."
As he passed Suì-Fēng, Ren paused. His gaze fell on the petite figure kneeling on the floor, his deep voice echoing through the room.
Suì-Fēng's tone was unwavering.
"Please rest easy, Lord Ren!"
Once Ren's silhouette left the room and disappeared around a corner, Yoruichi instantly became lively, springing up from the tatami mat.
"Suì-Fēng, bring over those snacks and the games."
"But Lady Yoruichi..."
"No 'buts.' Ren has been home these past few days, controlling what I eat and play. It's been so stifling. Now that he's gone, are you going to try and control me too?"
"...As you wish."
Meanwhile, after Ren stepped out of the room, a slightly lean figure stood at the corner of the corridor.
The man stood tall, his neat black suit giving him a sharp look. His long black hair was meticulously tied back, and his face was slender with refined features. A monocle rested over his left eye, but it couldn't mask the sharpness in his gaze.
He wore half-gloves, and his fingers moved habitually.
It was Walter.
Ren walked over and asked softly, "Walter, how are the arrangements for the estate?"
"The personnel reassigned from the Stealth Force have been positioned. Shisui is also protecting from the shadows. Lady Yoruichi will not be in any danger."
Walter followed behind Ren, his voice full of earnestness.
"Mhm."
Ren expanded his senses, silently searching for the nearly imperceptible presences hidden throughout the manor. He followed the connecting threads to find Shisui's location.
Mapping these presences onto the mental layout of the estate, Ren nodded slightly, satisfied.
Seeing Walter about to leave after his report, Ren called out to him. "By the way, Walter, come with me to the Stealth Force."
"We're going to see the weapons the R&D department recently developed today. I recall you had a hand in developing those firearms."
Walter said, "Yes. I have a bit of knowledge regarding firearms, so I gave them a few suggestions."
"Walter..."
Walking along the stone path in the courtyard, Ren's voice lacked its usual steadiness, sounding somewhat unanchored.
Walter asked curiously, "My Lord, is something the matter?"
"Walter, you know Yoruichi is pregnant. I'm going to be a father..."
Ren's pace slowed. He looked around the Shihoin estate. Beneath his fiery, rising eyebrows, a trace of distraction appeared in his phoenix-like eyes.
"But right now, I don't have any sense of reality, let alone the joy a normal person would feel when becoming a father for the first time..."
"Even though a few days have passed and I've accepted the fact that I'll be a father, emotionally, I remain completely unmoved. It's as if it's an irrelevant matter."
"Tell me... isn't that a bit strange?"
Walter raised an eyebrow, his gaze falling on the tall figure beside him.
He could see that the square-jawed face no longer wore its usual serious expression, but was instead filled with confusion.
"My Lord, have you been pondering this for the past few days?"
"Though I don't have children and don't know the thoughts of a parent, I've experienced a thing or two. Your current inner conflict seems quite normal to me."
Ren withdrew his gaze and looked sideways at Walter.
"Normal?"
"Perhaps you are naturally a person of detached emotions, which is why you feel nothing. Yet, you understand your duties and obligations, so you feel dissatisfied with your own coldness."
Walter pulled a cigarette case from his pocket and shook it in front of Ren.
Seeing no objection from Ren, he lit one for himself.
"Phew—"
Taking a deep drag, Walter turned his head and slowly exhaled the smoke.
"From a biological perspective, a man's role is just a momentary shudder. It's the woman who suffers through the pregnancy. From that standpoint, there's nothing much to linger on."
"Even as souls in the Soul Society, the physical structure isn't much different from living beings in the World of the Living."
"Aside from that bit of blood connection, a father and child have no other link. And since a man can sow seeds with many people many times, that layer of bloodline is further diluted."
"Whether in life or death, or in any other world, society adds various connections to a man beyond blood—things like fatherly responsibility, the duty to provide, the legacy of the bloodline, or familial love..."
"Therefore, indifference is the natural baseline for a father. There isn't much emotion between father and son to begin with; so-called paternal affection is something that builds gradually by living together later on."
"You've traveled through many worlds. You've seen and heard of fathers killing sons and sons murdering fathers. If there was inherent emotion, how could things end up like that?"
Hearing Walter's words, Ren looked thoughtful.
"I think I understand what you mean, Walter."
Walter took out a metal tin, snuffed out his cigarette, and put the butt inside.
"Your current inner conflict is a good sign in my eyes. It shows that in your heart, you do care about your child."
"The fact that you've reassigned so many people to protect Lady Yoruichi and the child these past few days is proof enough."
"Walter, in your words, my detached emotions are actually quite commonplace."
Ren smiled inwardly. His tone was noticeably higher than before, losing its previous unanchored quality.
Even his footsteps became steadier and quickened slightly.
He knew Walter was just being kind, specifically trying to comfort him.
But after Walter's explanation, Ren felt much better, no longer so conflicted about the matter.
"Our conversation stays between us. Don't tell anyone."
"Of course."
Walter bowed slightly and kept pace with Ren.
"It is a butler's duty to ease his master's worries."
"Let's go."
Leading Walter, Ren moved quickly past the scenery. The two arrived at the mountain cavern where the Stealth Force was located.
Although Walter was a steward of the Shihoin family, he was also a member of the Stealth Force with his own personnel file.
With Ren leading the way, they proceeded without hindrance, passing through layers of Kido barriers and sentry posts to reach the depths of the Stealth Force headquarters.
After the headquarters was completed, Ren had ordered the excavation of a massive underground space beneath the ground floor to serve as a secret base for things that couldn't see the light of day.
Only those who possessed Ren's deep trust were granted permission to enter.
The entire space was built with great solemnity. Despite being underground, there wasn't a hint of gloom; it was as bright as day, though no obvious light source could be seen.
The architectural style mirrored the Seireitei, with yellow bricks and white tiles. It was divided into several large sectors, not only surrounded by layers of high-level Kido barriers but also strictly guarded with sentries everywhere and constant patrols.
This wasn't Walter's first time here. He appeared quite composed upon entering.
After passing inspection at the guard post, the two went straight to the Weapons Development Bureau of the R&D department.
As soon as they entered, a very distinctive voice reached them.
"If it isn't my esteemed Commander-in-Chief. I came to welcome you the moment I heard the sentry's report."
Hearing that voice—which sounded exactly like Lord Frieza—Ren turned his head to see two figures come into view.
Mayuri Kurotsuchi was wearing a baggy white research lab coat. He still wore that bizarre and grotesque makeup, a broad grin on his face revealing a mouthful of yellowed teeth.
Behind him stood a tall, thin man with shoulder-length blonde hair. He wore a pair of glasses on his face with six lenses fully deployed, obscuring most of his features.
At the sight of this man, Walter's brow furrowed, and he didn't hide his look of disgust, as if he were looking at non-recyclable trash.
Looking at the two of them, Ren raised a hand slightly in greeting.
"Long time no see, Mayuri. And you too, Doctor."
Upon hearing Ren call him that, Mayuri's smile instantly vanished, replaced by an indescribable expression.
"My dear Commander-in-Chief, could you please not call me that? I always get the feeling you're up to no good when you use that name."
"No problem, Mayuri."
Ren continued to address him that way. Mayuri sighed, looking helpless.
He knew the man was doing it on purpose.
He called him that every time they met and never changed even when asked. Mayuri was almost getting used to the name.
He hadn't expected his usually serious and somber superior to have such a mischievous streak.
"Fine, whatever."
Mayuri had been in a good mood lately, so he didn't obsess over such trivial matters.
The tall, thin Doctor behind him said respectfully, "It has been a while. May I ask the purpose of your inspection visit, my Lord?"
Ren asked directly, "I'm here to check on the progress of weapon development. How is it going?"
Hearing this, the six lenses on the tall Doctor's face glinted with white light. "The detailed reports have already been submitted; I assume you've seen them. We've developed the basic firearm models, which can be fitted with Kido warheads up to level seventy."
"In addition, we've developed a more powerful Kido Cannon. Not only can it use modern shells, but it can also fire high-density spiritual pressure attacks similar to a Cero. When disassembled, it can serve as an individual weapon suited for larger soldiers."
"As for the Barrier Armor... the current results aren't ideal."
The Doctor paused, the light on his six lenses dimming.
"Because the armor is assembled from multiple parts, it's impossible to form a stable and effective barrier defense. Even when inscribed on a single component, the material issues make it too bulky. We are currently looking for ways to shrink it."
"A Railgun...?"
Ren started.
Then he realized he must have misheard. The Doctor had said 'Kido Cannon'.
Still, it sounded quite promising.
"Take me to see it."
"Yes. Please follow me, my Lord. We're conducting tests at the firing range."
The Doctor replied, leading the way alongside Mayuri.
"Lord Shimazu, Lord Nobunaga, and the others are also at the firing range, testing the firearms."
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