By now most people seemed to have "lost interest" in the small gathering of some of Soul Societies most powerful members.
Hardly surprising when they were clearly discussing stuff far above their pay grade.
Due to the nature of the Seireitei most of the people there worked under those three captains; first of all was the obvious fact that most people in an establishment would be soul reapers. Only two groups of people were allowed to freely roam around. Soul reapers and those related to noble families.
Even facilities like the bar were manned by servants of some family or other soul reapers. As for which squad in particular was responsible for actually managing the place the three captains were currently drinking at? That would be none other than the 8th division that was in charge of "utilities".
That meant their squad members didn't see the outside of soul society nearly as much while also having the lowest "common" requirements to join them. Not that it was easy to get in. Instead it required one to rank fairly decently in less combat focused topics that helped with the correct distribution of resources.
Since they were also in charge of supplies - a role that was taken very importantly in a military organisation like the Gotei 13.
…
At least by everyone but their ever relaxed captain; the very same Shunsui Kyōraku who was currently sat down with two other captains and a handful of seated officers.
Then there was Isshin Shiba's squad (the tenth division of the 13 court guards) which was often nicknamed the rescue squad. Their primary duty was to back up the other squads. That also meant that they had no real jobs to do when there was no trouble going on.
Of course they didn't just remain passive. Coming to the "rescue" by taking the pressure of other squads by taking away some of their non-special duty related jobs. Still didn't help get rid of their "other" nickname of the squad hoppers due to constantly working with different squads.
Last was of course the most obvious, Cheshire, whose job as the research division was known to just about everyone even if they hadn't seen inside the walls of the Seireitei. Only truly moving past mere creation to invention with the appearance of the cat. Helped along by her trusty lieutenant.
Long story short… They were captains of the three squads more likely to be regulars there.
Although those in Cheshire's squad could be quite the workaholic bunch.
Not wanting to upset their bosses led to them deciding to cut off for the night… Yet, though the most common, they weren't the only squads represented in the bar. One of the few remaining shinigami couldn't help looking over his shoulder every few seconds as he poorly tried hiding his spying.
As a member of the sixth squad he sat by himself; since squad 6 was in charge of "noble matters" they were as snooty as one could imagine.
However the captains didn't particularly care.about some random squad member.
Kisuke, ever the inquisitive man, couldn't help make note that said soul reaper seemed to perk up more at the mention of his captain's ever mysterious "family".
"Well it isn't like the pair are being lowkey in their actions of late~."
"Maybe you should get some tips from them?"
The 10th captain sat at the table again, having found his chair again, teasingly poked towards his flamboyantly garbed comrade. Though he was promptly waved off byShunsui. Clearly not caring to accept the "advice" from his friend as that snooping shinigami leaned closer towards them.
"The old man would have my ass if I tried introducing that shit into the vaunted Seireitei!"
"Doesn't stop our ever pure nobles from taking trips outside to feed their vices chehehe~."
"What do you mean?"
It was the ex-lieutenant that quickly found herself confused by the conversation (the actual lieutenant who started the conversation having checked out upon noticing their observer).
"Ah~ I suppose I've unfortunately kept you so busy that you don't get out of the labs much; I must apologise for relying on my beautiful reliable lil' assistant so much!"
Clapping her hands together in a praying motion which caused her subordinate to quickly get flustered at the heavy praise she lobbed in with her apology. Causing the girl to quickly fly up from her seat with flushed cheeks. Waving her hands in front of herself as she spoke with a trembling voice.
"N-no I'm h-happy to work under someone so amazing!"
"Oh my~ my sweet lil' Hiyori is too kind to me~!"
Her fellow captains could only blaunch.
"Like putty…"
Mumbling faintly to himself while they also couldn't help feeling some respect for how well Cheshire could manage her people.
"Let me make it up to you by telling you what my fellows have been up to in the Rukon - honestly I do not think it's anything too big - the both of them have brought order."
A sudden seriousness overtook her voice as she looked down into the cup rested in front of her.
"Order? Isn't that our-"
"You and many other soul reapers seem to have a misunderstanding about what the Gotei 13 are; we don't maintain order in our own backyard but between the three worlds. As long as the souls within the districts don't vanish we don't act. No matter how much chaos is unleashed there."
Shaking her head as she cupped her hand around the sake bowl.
For a moment the only sound was the faint defeated sigh of the other two good natured captains who knew for a fact she spoke the truth.
"Then… How did they do it?"
The girls' interest (as well as those who remained to listen in) was obvious.
"They offered entertainment to the boring lives of the masses!"
Throwing her arms out with that signature grin gracing her face yet it was at this moment where the knowledgeable 8th division captain spoke up.
Since they didn't just deal with infrastructure but also gather information the second didn't.
"One is in charge of gambling, she is the more passive of the two as her casinos are relatively less dangerous as long as you play by the rules, while the other is more nefarious. Her empire is built on a foundation of lust & debauchery. We also think she may be gathering in-"
"Heh~ let me cut you short - there is no "may" knowing that one - she is gathering up all the information she can then selling it off where she can."
Shaking her head while taking a sip from her drink before continuing.
"She has taken full advantage that there is no one to oppose her except local thugs that she could chew up with ease. I can't even say how far she's spread but I know how she operates. The drugs and sex is just a cover for her real motive… A vice grip on information that the 2nd could only dream of."
Clenching her fist in front of her face as if to illustrate her point - the bowl splintering with sake leaking from between her fingers.
"To her this is just fun 'n' games and it's only just begun."
This seemed to spook the 6th division member as he abruptly stood up from the table to the mildly confused gaze of those within the establishment. He didn't say a word, though. Instead he quickly threw a cloak over his body as he rushed out the door without caring that he barged past someone trying to enter.
As soon as he stepped outside, he used his flash step to vanish from where he stood.
He wasn't the best at it, or anything really, but it was good enough to take him far away from the trio of captains to begin feeling more relaxed. Even if they could easily catch up if they tried. Yet his destination wasn't towards the 6th division or even his own home.
Rather he found himself stepping into the Rukongai. Specifically one of the many lower numbered districts that tended to be far higher in order even before the cats moved to soul society. Partly due to it being somewhat regularly visited by nobles meaning more Ken was spent.
More ken meant better lives for those there.
Even then it wasn't nearly as orderly or bustling as ten years ago.
At first one would just think it was your regular prospering town but a significant lack of any law enforcement caused questions to quickly form. Shifting figures in the shadows quickly made such questions vanish. A shiver always went down his spine whenever he noticed them.
As such he chose to tactically not notice them - if it was mere years ago he wouldn't think anything of some Rukon scum.
Yet he knew what they did to people who thought themselves superior to her.
Soon enough he found himself in the centre of activity as he walked down a path under a veil of leaves thanks to sturdy trees on either side. At the end of the hidden path was a building far grander than anything he had seen. A colourful mix of black and gold with "Chie No Shi" written proudly above.
Depictions of voluptuous bodies on either side while a cat's face was above.
There was even a line in front of the building with even some within the line wearing clothes so fancy he could only hope to have seen let alone wear.
But he didn't have to wait in line as the one keeping the order at the door - a monstrously muscular man with a bare tattooed chest - waved him over with a smile. It was an attempt at "welcoming" however his sharp teeth and taught muscles made for a difficult sell. Still the soul reaper approached, anyway.
"No need to wait inside; boss 's expecting you like usual."
Stepping aside while pushing the door open with an outstretched arm thicker than some of those waiting.
A shiver went down his spine… Since he never told her that he was coming; there should be know way of her knowing yet he found himself being welcomed nonetheless.
With a gulp (as well as feeling his pride being tickled as the harsh glares of the nobles cut into him) he walked through into the busy hall. Right in front of him there was a little platform that had a pair of wooden doors that opened into a pair of wide stairs leading into a massive hall. That is where the fun began.
Countless tables were filled with laughing as a thick colourful smog filled the air with a mixture of sweet scents that caused his muscles to subconsciously relax. Every table had at least one bottle whether containing liquid, gas, dried leaves or powders. That wasn't even close to an exaggeration.
Beautiful men and women attended to those below while a massive stage lay on the opposite end.
As well as many smaller stages with scantily clad people grinding against them for hopes of a few ken in the form of a healthy tip.
Above the ground floor were actually more floors that overlooked the ground floor. Higher one went the more care took into what divided them from the common rabble. The second from the top floor even contained glass windows for each individual room that he knew could only be seen through on one side.
Strangely, despite looking up, he couldn't tell how many floors there were.
It wasn't a matter of him being able to count… He simply… Couldn't.
Trying caused a headache which led to his gaze turning towards the very top where a familiar set of eyes seemed to peer through everything else.
He couldn't keep her waiting.