The next day.
The steam in the hot spring pool slowly dispersed around the room following the conclusion of that special 'treatment', leaving the air warm, humid, and tinged with a peculiar mingling of scents.
Yoruichi leaned against the edge of the pool, strands of purple hair plastered to her slightly flushed cheeks and collarbone. Her half-lidded eyes held a lazy, satisfied glint, like a cat lounging contentedly in the sun after a full meal.
"Haah…" Yoruichi yawned, stretching luxuriously and sending ripples across the water's surface. "Seems my investment paid off even better than I expected."
Kensei Kenzuru lifted his head from the water, wiping droplets from his face. Seeing Yoruichi's 'landlady inspecting her returns' demeanor, the corner of his mouth twitched.
While he had no idea what kind of divine elixir or secret art Yoruichi had used to 'develop' into a form that perfectly hit his preferences, Kensei had to admit he'd enjoyed himself immensely yesterday.
It was just that Yoruichi wasn't only insatiable, she also had some… peculiar little kinks. One moment it was "evil noblewoman corrupting the promising young Shinigami", the next it was "desperate husband forced to sell his charms to make ends meet because his frail wife, Soi Fon, couldn't work". One could only say it was like Kennedy in a convertible – her imagination was wide open.
It had left Soi Fon, who had witnessed the entire spectacle, utterly dumbfounded. She never imagined the Yoruichi-sama she revered so deeply in her heart would… play so extravagantly with Kensei-sama.
"What, you have a problem?" Yoruichi raised an eyebrow, her toes emerging from beneath the water to lightly nudge Kensei's calf. "You seemed pretty into it before, matching my lines beat for beat. Now you're gonna zip up and pretend nothing happened?"
"The way you say it, am I that kind of guy?"
Kensei rolled his eyes, reached out and captured Yoruichi's mischievous foot, tucking it against his chest. His fingers expertly massaged the pressure points on her sole, easing the muscle soreness from their earlier activities.
"My services come with lifetime after-sales support."
"Haha, you know what's good for you."
Yoruichi chuckled comfortably, her other leg naturally settling across him as she enjoyed the massage.
"Servant, serve your master well, and there shall be rewards!"
"Ahem…"
A cough, soft as a mosquito's hum and laced with extreme embarrassment, came from the other side of the spring, causing both Kensei and Yoruichi to turn.
Soi Fon had practically shrunk completely into the water, only her eyes and the bridge of her nose visible above the surface. Those usually sharp, cool eyes were now wide and watery, filled with a 'who am I, where am I' confusion, and a soul-crushing sense of shame at hearing her two most respected superiors so casually discussing 'after-sales service'.
At this moment, Soi Fon resembled a little bee who had accidentally stumbled into the adult world, her mind short-circuited by the overly shocking scenes.
"Oh, little Soi Fon's awake?" Yoruichi's voice carried a post-event huskiness and deep amusement. "What's wrong, sore throat? Did you yell too hard yesterday?"
"Y-Yoruichi-sama!"
Soi Fon jerked, splashing water. She stole a glance at Kensei before hurriedly lowering her head, still keeping half her face submerged.
"I… that… I wasn't…"
Her voice grew smaller and smaller, the last few words practically humming from her nose.
When it came to teasing Soi Fon, Yoruichi and Kensei were a pair of smiling tigers, two hammerhead sharks.
Seeing Soi Fon looking so shy she seemed about to boil herself alive, Kensei's mischievous streak couldn't be contained.
Ignoring Yoruichi's dissatisfied huff, Kensei released her foot and moved through the water to Soi Fon's side. Though they'd been even closer yesterday, Soi Fon's body still tensed up rigidly.
Kensei reached out and gently brushed aside the stray hairs stuck to Soi Fon's cheek, teasing, "No need to be so nervous, Soi Fon. Your performance yesterday was much better than Yoruichi's."
That was the truth. Yoruichi was more sensitive but recovered quickly. Soi Fon, likely due to her personality, had impressive endurance.
He ruffled the still-bashful Soi Fon's head and pulled her over beside Yoruichi. Any longer in the water and she really would cook.
A short while later, all three had changed into dry clothes and were relaxing seated in the villa's tea room.
"Let's talk business," Yoruichi's expression turned slightly more serious. "You remember the conditions I mentioned yesterday, right, Kenzuru?"
Kensei nodded, his fingers still playing with a strand of Soi Fon's hair. "Of course I remember. But how do you plan to get the resources to Sōsuke under everyone's noses?"
Even with a cheating hypnotic sword like Kyōka Suigetsu, she couldn't very well go move all those instruments herself.
"That's the easy part," Yoruichi said, sitting cross-legged with her arms resting on her knees. "The Shihōin clan owns several research institutes, all properly licensed. We pick a remote one."
"Then, that institute 'accidentally' discovers a highly valuable anonymous research proposal. After that, all materials will flow to Aizen legally and by the book."
One could only say noble families had many methods. Kensei gave an impressed nod.
"No problems on my end. As for Sōsuke's side…"
"I'll talk to her myself, don't worry."
Yoruichi's lips curled into a smirk. Heh, if she doesn't agree, I'll just threaten her with her secret.
And last time she was so high and mighty, saying only she could stand by Kenzuru's side. Well, I've taken Kenzuru's 'first time' now. Let's see how that woman acts all arrogant after this.
Soi Fon listened quietly beside them. While she didn't fully understand the content of their discussion, she knew her duty was simply to obey orders.
Seeing Kensei and Yoruichi shake hands with smiles, Soi Fon judged their business talk was concluded. She retrieved a sealed document from within her clothes and respectfully presented it to Kensei.
"Kensei-sama, as you previously ordered me to go to that guy Urahara Kisuke daily to inquire about the Bankai training progress of the individuals you selected, this is the report he previously compiled."
Kensei took it, opened it, and scanned the contents. The report was unmistakably written by Urahara—pages upon pages detailing his own hardships and dedication, before briefly mentioning that Rose and Love had completed their Bankai training. He didn't forget to remind Kensei about his promised vacation and the position of Captain of the Research and Development Institute.
Kensei nodded with satisfaction. Even while relaxing, he could manage these trivial matters properly.
More and more like a Captain-Commander. I think it's about time for the old man to step down!
But then Kensei remembered the Tsunayashiro clan and the impending Wandenreich, and suddenly felt that whether he became Captain-Commander or not seemed rather unimportant.
"Let me see." Yoruichi took the report from Kensei's hand and skimmed it, a smile playing on her lips. "Not bad, Kenzuru. You have a good eye. These few managed to master Bankai in such a short time."
"Of course. In all of Soul Society, I can tell at a glance who's loyal and who's treacherous."
Kensei proudly thumped his chest. Unless they were unknown nobodies like Kishita and Shirakura, he was practically a mini-Soul King, possessing minor omniscience.
Yoruichi shot Kensei a sideways glance. If he could really see through everything, how come he didn't know Aizen was a woman? It was probably another 'Soul King dream revelation'.
"Looks like the old man will be happy for a while." Yoruichi placed the report on the table, imagining the Captain-Commander's reaction. "Three new Captain-level combatants should be enough to fill the vacancies for now."
"After all, I am his most respectful, best-behaved, good disciple."
I wonder who it was that kept swearing on Yamamoto's arm before.
Shooting Kensei another look, Yoruichi gathered her things and led the two out of the hidden retreat.
Once outside, Soi Fon resumed her usual efficient demeanor, though the tips of her ears still flushed faintly pink whenever her gaze briefly met Kensei's.
Yoruichi, however, openly slung an arm around Kensei's shoulder—this was, after all, her most familiar way of interacting with him.
"Oh, right, Kenzuru." Yoruichi leaned close to his ear, lowering her voice. "Now that the Gotei 13 has three new Captains, plus you, some people might be getting restless."
"I hope they are." Kensei shrugged. "This operation will be the perfect chance to round them all up. Anyway, the old man will cover for us. We just need to go all out."
Speaking of which, after I left Sōsuke yesterday, I should have gone to report the Tsunayashiro matter to the old man first. But then Yoruichi…
Ah, I was led astray by wine and lust, forgetting such important business. From today, no more drinking!
***
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