Second Division
"Ōmaeda!"
Suì-Fēng sat upright on the raised platform, her gaze as sharp as a hawk's.
"Take the Second Detachment of the Executive Militia and locate a Shinigami for me immediately."
She paused.
"No. More precisely, you're searching for a black cat. Do not fail!"
"C-Captain, are you certain you want me to lead a whole unit to search for a cat?"
Below her, the round-bodied Ōmaeda Marechiyo stared with wide eyes.
"The Seireitei is full of cats! How am I supposed to know which one you want? And isn't this mission a little ridiculous?"
He opened his mouth to keep going, but the order was so absurd that for a moment he couldn't get the words out.
Maybe the shock got to him, because his foot suddenly slipped.
"Whoa—!"
With a heavy thud, his large body pitched forward and started rolling like an out-of-control ball of flesh.
He knocked over several tables, chairs, and other things along the way, drawing the attention of every nearby squad member.
After a trail of crashes and startled shouts, Ōmaeda finally rolled to an undignified stop right in front of Suì-Fēng.
"Ōmaeda Marechiyo!"
Suì-Fēng stared at him with open disgust.
"Look at yourself! Have you never considered losing some weight? If this keeps up, do you honestly believe you're still fit to serve as lieutenant of the Second Division and commander of the Executive Militia's Second Detachment?"
"Captain, you can't say that!"
Ōmaeda hurriedly climbed to his feet, his round face flushing bright red as sweat poured down his forehead.
"I may look a little heavy, but I'm still extremely agile! What you're saying is discrimination! Blatant discrimination against people with larger builds!"
He stamped his feet and waved his thick arms around, desperately trying to prove his point.
Suì-Fēng merely shook her head and covered her face, unwilling to look at him any longer.
'How did this man end up like this?'
He'd never exactly been handsome, but in the past he'd at least looked capable and efficient.
Now he looked like an enormous meatball.
Where was the dignity expected of the Second Division's lieutenant and an Onmitsukidō detachment commander?
She truly wondered whether he did any of his duties properly.
"Enough! Stop making excuses!"
Suì-Fēng glared at him again, her voice growing harsher.
"Starting today, you will strictly control your diet and increase your training. If I see no improvement the next time I inspect you, don't blame me for what comes after!"
With that, she turned sharply and walked off, leaving Ōmaeda standing alone.
He stared helplessly at her retreating back, silently mourning the miserable future now waiting for him.
...
After thoroughly venting her frustration on Ōmaeda, Suì-Fēng felt somewhat better, though a trace of irritation still lingered.
With no particular destination in mind, she wandered through the Second Division grounds.
She had no idea how long she'd been walking when she suddenly found herself standing inside a quiet bamboo grove.
Tall green stalks rose all around her, swaying gently in the breeze. Their leaves rustled softly, as though whispering secrets to one another.
"How did I end up here?"
Suì-Fēng murmured to herself.
She raised her eyes and slowly took in the familiar surroundings.
Memories came flooding back all at once.
This was where she'd first met Yoruichi.
...
Back then, Suì-Fēng had only been an ordinary member of the Executive Militia.
She'd run into several roadblocks while training her Hakuda and Shunpo, and one day, frustrated and unable to make any progress, she wandered by accident into this bamboo grove.
The moment she stepped inside, she was captivated by its peaceful atmosphere.
It was quiet, secluded, and completely free of interruption.
From that day on, it became her favorite training ground. Here, she could shut out everything else and focus entirely on improving.
One bright afternoon, a gentle breeze moved through the bamboo leaves as Suì-Fēng entered the grove for her usual Hakuda training.
The moment she stepped inside, though, she sensed something was different.
Someone else had already claimed the place.
Not far ahead, a figure moved through the bamboo at astonishing speed. Her body flickered from one spot to another like a phantom, leaving only blurred afterimages behind.
With her years of training and sharp instincts, Suì-Fēng immediately recognized an expert in Shunpo.
The stranger's Hakuda was just as impressive.
Whenever she struck, brilliant blue energy flashed around her body like crackling lightning.
Every attack carried overwhelming force, sending an almost tangible wave of pressure through the grove.
Even Suì-Fēng, who'd always taken considerable pride in her own abilities, found herself staring in awe.
"Who are you? Why are you here?"
A cold voice suddenly sounded beside her.
Suì-Fēng's heart lurched.
By the time she reacted, another figure had already appeared at her side without warning.
The woman's Shunpo was so fast that Suì-Fēng hadn't even seen her move.
One hand had been shaped into a blade and now rested against Suì-Fēng's pale throat.
The slightest movement could have ended with her neck cut open.
Still shaken, Suì-Fēng carefully studied the unexpected intruder.
She looked like a young woman, but the power radiating off her was impossible to ignore.
She wore a close-fitting black shihakushō that hugged her athletic figure and allowed complete freedom of movement.
There was no captain's haori over her shoulders, yet Suì-Fēng needed only a single glance to recognize her.
The tall, striking woman standing before her was the person she admired more than anyone else.
Captain of the Second Division, Shihōin Yoruichi.
"Lady Yoruichi!"
In that desperate moment, Suì-Fēng cried out on instinct.
The instant Yoruichi heard her name, the hand pressed to Suì-Fēng's throat withdrew.
"Soifon?"
Yoruichi narrowed her eyes and looked the girl over carefully.
"What are you doing here?"
Her voice stayed calm, though a faint trace of killing intent hadn't quite left it.
"L-Lady Yoruichi, I… I came here to practice Shunpo and Hakuda."
Suì-Fēng's heart pounded so hard it felt ready to burst from her chest.
Her pretty face turned bright red, and even her speech grew unsteady.
Once she finished, she lowered her head and didn't dare meet Yoruichi's eyes.
"You came here to train too?"
Yoruichi suddenly smiled, the suspicion vanishing from her expression.
"Haha, then you have excellent taste. This place is quiet, peaceful, and out of the way, and no one ever comes here to interrupt me. I searched for quite a while before finding such a perfect training ground."
"I thought I was the only one who'd appreciate somewhere like this. It seems you stumbled across it too."
Her bright smile was as warm as spring sunlight.
Only moments earlier, she'd suspected someone had come to secretly watch and steal her techniques.
"Soifon, the youngest daughter among the ninth generation of the lower noble Fon Clan."
Yoruichi began recounting her background as though she'd known everything about her from the start.
"If I remember correctly, all five of your older brothers died carrying out missions. That makes you the Fon Clan's only surviving heir."
"I'm honestly curious. Knowing that, why would you still insist on joining the Executive Militia?"
Suì-Fēng straightened her back.
Her face was still young, but the devotion burning in her eyes was intense enough to look like a flame.
"The Fon Clan has served the Shihōin Clan faithfully for generations. Although my brothers have fallen, as long as I keep breathing, I will inherit their duty."
"I will protect the Shihōin Clan, and I will protect you, Lady Yoruichi. No matter how dangerous the path becomes, I will never retreat."
"Is protecting the Shihōin Clan — and protecting me — really that important to you?"
Yoruichi sighed, her expression carrying a mix of helplessness and sympathy.
"Your brothers already fulfilled the Fon Clan's oath. You shouldn't have joined the Executive Militia after them."
"That's why I have to train harder."
Before Yoruichi could say anything else, Suì-Fēng went on without hesitation.
"If I get stronger, I'll be able to protect the Shihōin Clan and Lady Yoruichi better."
Her clear voice carried the weight of an oath, every word coming straight from her heart.
"But the Executive Militia's work is dangerous. One mistake could cost you your life."
Yoruichi couldn't help feeling moved.
The girl in front of her looked small and fragile, yet she had astonishing determination.
"I'm not afraid!"
Suì-Fēng cut in at once, clenching both fists.
"As long as I can protect the Shihōin Clan and you, Lady Yoruichi, I won't regret it — even if I'm torn apart in the process!"