Two hours ago.
Second Division barracks.
Kisuke Urahara, who was slacking off, suddenly received a message from his Captain.
He didn't care about the small research project he was working on, quickly tidied his messy hair, put on a pair of geta, and hurried towards the inner court.
Inside the inner court.
A dark-skinned young woman was leisurely leaning on a luxurious long chair covered with soft fur, having waited for a long time.
Her slightly tight black combat uniform was out of place with the elegant surroundings.
However, it perfectly highlighted her curvaceous, devilish figure.
"Ah…"
Her thin lips parted slightly as she bit into a grape held to her mouth.
Whoosh, whoosh~
Beside her, a fair-skinned young woman attended to her, holding a feather fan and fanning her.
—Yoruichi Shihouin.
The twenty-second head of the Shihouin Family.
And, Captain of the Gotei 13's Second Division.
Thump, thump.
Suddenly.
Several hurried, muffled footsteps echoed in the quiet hall.
Yoruichi Shihouin looked up, and the bored expression on her face suddenly lifted into a smile.
Extending a slender finger, she slowly sat up, pointed at Kisuke Urahara who was hurrying over, and smiled sweetly:
"Kisuke, you're here."
"Yes." Kisuke Urahara lowered his head, stood in front of Yoruichi Shihouin, and said softly in a more formal tone:
"May I ask what Captain-Commander summoned me for?"
"...Can't I look for you if there's nothing wrong?" Yoruichi Shihouin said, standing up from the soft carpet.
When she reached Kisuke Urahara, seeing his face shrouded in shadow, she immediately put an arm around his shoulder and said jokingly:
"How many times have I told you?"
"There's no need to use honorifics with me."
"How many years have we been friends?"
"If it weren't for the disparity in our statuses, I would have considered bringing you into the Four Great Noble Clans as a son-in-law."
"The reason I called you here this time…"
She slowly released his shoulder, pacing back and forth, her voice slightly serious.
"It's not for anything else."
"The Mobile Corps once told me that there was a level three spiritual pressure burst in Seireitei this morning."
"I inquired with those who knew, and the one who unleashed the spiritual pressure was a Shinigami who had just joined the Tenth Division, named Tsugikuni Yoriichi, from Rukongai, with no background."
"Kisuke, I have a difficult task for you."
She suddenly stopped, her eyes fixed on Kisuke Urahara,
"You also know that we, the upper nobility, value bloodline and aptitude the most, especially those old fogeys at the top."
"No matter where they come from, as long as they can bring benefits to the family, they are worth winning over."
"That Tsugikuni Yoriichi is precisely the Shinigami with the highest priority."
"Previously, he was hidden by Captain-Commander Yamamoto, only showing his brilliance today."
"Therefore, the elders in the family demand that I recruit him at all costs, and if necessary, even have him marry into the family and grant him the status of an upper noble."
"I need you to find out his preferences."
"Regarding this task."
"Can you do it?"
"This is very important."
She emphasised again, "It concerns the future of the Shihouin Clan."
"You should be clear that what truly checks the upper nobility has never been their status or position, but the strength of their family members."
"The Shiba Family gradually faded from the ranks of the upper nobility precisely because of the decline in talent."
Strength means influence.
Only by having influence.
Can one have the ability to decide everything?
Including the distribution of benefits.
As an upper noble, the Shihouin Clan is no exception.
Looking at Yoruichi Shihouin's eyes, recalling her words, Kisuke Urahara felt that the world was too absurd…
A newcomer with level three spiritual power?
What a joke!
He had been scrambling in the Soul Society for over one hundred and fifty years, experiencing countless battles, only to barely rise from level eight spiritual power to level four spiritual power.
And now…
Suddenly, someone told him that there was a Shinigami who graduated at level three…
This sudden news truly shattered his worldview.
If it were a member of an upper noble family, he might not have been surprised.
But…
A Rukongai native with no background? Is that possible?
Taking a deep breath, Kisuke Urahara said with some uncertainty: "Yoruichi, are you serious?"
"I also felt the spiritual pressure fluctuation this morning; I thought it was a Captain…"
"If only it were a Captain." Yoruichi sighed, interrupting him,
"If he were a Captain, it would mean his allegiance is already set, and the Shihouin Clan would have no need to worry."
"Most likely, he would be on Yamamoto Genryusai's side."
"However, he belongs neither to the First Division nor is he the Vice-Captain of the Tenth Division, indicating that his stance is still unclear."
"This is our opportunity, and of course, it could also be a test from Captain-Commander Yamamoto for him."
"However, no matter what, we cannot let this go."
"Because if we don't act, other upper nobles will."
"To fall behind is to be beaten; didn't the Kuchiki Clan recruit a Kōga Kuchiki a few years ago? Although he later disappeared…"
Upon hearing this, Kisuke Urahara immediately understood.
Feeling a bit helpless, he respectfully whispered: "I understand."
"I will begin preparing a plan to approach him right away…"
…
Time returns to the present.
Having come at Captain Shiba's invitation, Kisuke Urahara first adopted a reserved attitude, lowering his perceived threat in others' eyes.
Only then did he slowly walk in front of Tsugikuni Yoriichi.
Shiba Isshin was completely drunk.
Taking this opportunity.
Kisuke Urahara smoothly sat down beside the two, fanning himself with a slightly exaggerated posture, as if to evaporate the cold sweat that had appeared on his forehead from nervousness.
While fanning, he also spoke:
"Oh my, the Tenth Division's location is hard to find. I must have arrived late, what a pity, I missed the most exciting opening."
He slowly turned his head, looking at Yoriichi with a kind smile: "Young man, are you also a member of the Tenth Division? Why haven't I seen you before?"
"Are you very close with Captain Shiba?"
"…Not close."
"I'm a new member."
"Then why are you sitting next to him? Even others don't dare to approach him. I thought you were also a member of the Shiba Family."
He smiled, reaching for a paper fan from his waist.
Snap.
The paper fan opened.
He fanned himself.
Extended his right hand.
His tone was amiable:
"Let's get acquainted."
"I am Kisuke Urahara, Third Seat of the Second Division, and a friend of Captain Shiba for three or four years."
"Young man, I see you have extraordinary bones; you must not be very old."
"What should I call you?"
Yoriichi's gaze swept over Kisuke Urahara's eyes, then he politely shook hands and nodded slightly: "You can just call me by my name. I am Tsugikuni Yoriichi."
"Tsugikuni-kun, huh…" Kisuke Urahara mused for two seconds, then chuckled, "Got it."
Snap—
He closed his paper fan.
His smile remained.
Though his expression was sunny, his mood was quite the opposite.
This guy is too aloof… How am I supposed to win him over?
Yoruichi, are you perhaps planning to sacrifice yourself?