"…"
The atmosphere suddenly fell silent.
Become a part of the Shihouin Clan?
It was a bit sudden.
Yoriichi understood that the status of an Upper Noble in the Warring States period was comparable to that of a Shogun.
Unless it was a marriage between nobles, no matter how talented a male was, he would have to become a live-in son-in-law.
And as for becoming a live-in son-in-law…
Tsugikuni Yoriichi clasped his hands without hesitation and bowed, "I apologise, Miss Shihouin, but allow me to refuse."
"I know your invitation is extremely rare, but it does not align with my ideals."
"Besides, I have a wife…"
"What are your ideals?" Yoruichi Shihouin asked.
After speaking, she looked Tsugikuni Yoriichi up and down:
"As for your wife, I know about her, but didn't she die three hundred years ago?"
"Three hundred years have passed, and you still can't forget her?"
"Since you know my invitation is extremely rare, why do you still refuse?"
"Becoming an Upper Noble is something many Shinigami can only dream of but never achieve. So far, only Kōga Kuchiki, decades ago, managed to do it."
"He was a genius like you, and a commoner, yet, on the eve of his marriage, he disappeared."
"Although I don't know what happened, if you are willing to join my Shihouin Clan, you will become the first Shinigami in Soul Society in two hundred years to achieve a class leap."
"Your parents would certainly be deeply honoured."
—No.
They would only crawl out of the underworld.
Especially his father.
His prejudice against him was deeply ingrained.
Of course, Tsugikuni Yoriichi understood.
Therefore.
It became even more difficult to accept Yoruichi Shihouin's invitation.
Seeing him politely refuse again, the smile on Yoruichi's face gradually faded.
She slowly stroked her chin, her gaze fixed on Tsugikuni Yoriichi, and gently shook her head:
"Something's not right, at least nine-tenths of you isn't right."
"At the very least, your reason for refusing me is not for your wife."
"It's been so long, even if your wife were still alive, she would have reincarnated several times by now."
"It's hard to say if she'd even recognise you."
The lifespan of an ordinary soul is only fifty to one hundred years.
Like in the plot, Rukia Kuchiki's three childhood playmates were all buried in graves in less than fifty years.
Only Abarai Renji, who possessed spiritual pressure, was still alive.
Spiritual pressure… is the key to a Shinigami's longevity.
Whether Tsugikuni Yoriichi's wife had spiritual pressure or not was unknown, but she was certainly not a significant figure.
Otherwise, when he made his request to Yamamoto Genryusai, the Gotei 13 would have found the detailed identity and location of his wife.
However, the reality was this:
No results.
As if this person did not exist in Soul Society.
—This is impossible.
It should be that they didn't investigate thoroughly enough; after all, millions of souls enter Soul Society every year, and there are thousands, if not tens of thousands, of people with the same name.
To investigate each one under such numbers would be impossible without a certain amount of effort.
And even with effort, there would still be omissions and other issues.
That's why Yoruichi Shihouin was so certain.
Thinking of this, she slowly said, "Aside from these reasons, perhaps it's just your convictions at play…"
"That's right, there are always those Shinigami in the world who don't go along with the nobles."
"Or rather, Shinigami who don't want to be bothered by power and responsibility. Upper Nobles are noble, but living their lives is also very troublesome."
"I understand your reason, but are you not going to reconsider?"
"This kind of opportunity doesn't come around all the time. The Shihouin Clan has existed for tens of thousands of years, and its continuous existence without decline for all those years is proof enough of everything."
Her tone was profound.
Making Tsugikuni Yoriichi frown again.
He was about to refuse for the third time.
At this moment…
Thump-thump.
A series of knocks echoed in the spacious hall.
"Come in."
Yoruichi Shihouin's gaze passed over Tsugikuni Yoriichi and looked at the door behind him.
A member of the Onmitsukidō, dressed in black combat attire, pushed the door open.
And instantly appeared before her.
He respectfully whispered, "Captain, an urgent order. Captain-Commander Yamamoto requests your immediate presence at the First Division; there are important matters to discuss."
"Now?"
Yoruichi Shihouin raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised by this sudden invitation.
She had to admit, it was a very subtle timing…
It seemed.
That which she had entrusted to Kisuke to Urahara to do had been exposed…
That's right, after all, he was the Captain-Commander; it would be strange if he didn't react at all…
"Yes, Captain, right now."
The Onmitsukidō member confirmed again.
Yoruichi Shihouin nodded slightly, indicating that she understood:
"Alright, you may withdraw first. I'll be there shortly."
After the person left, Yoruichi turned her head, smiled slightly at Tsugikuni Yoriichi, and then sighed softly:
"Oh, you know, why is my life so difficult?"
"Everyone can order me around."
"As for what happened today…"
She looked around, stepped forward, and patted Tsugikuni Yoriichi's shoulder, her tone relaxed:
"I think we'll leave it here for now."
"Don't rush to refuse; I'll give you some time to think it over carefully."
"If you receive an invitation from the Kuchiki Clan, definitely don't accept it. That family is full of boring people you'll be bored to death if you go there."
"As for the Tsunayashiro Clan, I'll give you a free piece of advice: if you don't want to be an enemy of Captain-Commander Yamamoto, then never side with them."
"As for the other nobles… with your talent, going there would be too much of a waste."
"Although I'm not sure what the Captain-Commander's plans are for you, you should also leave yourself a way out."
"Being a noble isn't bad at all."
"See you around."
She lightly brushed past Tsugikuni Yoriichi, leaving a faint farewell, and then instantly vanished from the spot like a gust of wind.
Seeing this, Kisuke Urahara could only give a helpless wry smile.
He subconsciously opened his fan, covering his eyes…
He secretly thought to himself.
If it could succeed…
Presumably… he would also be able to relax a little.
…
"…"
Leaving the Second Division and walking on a secluded path, Tsugikuni Yoriichi was truly puzzled by Yoruichi Shihouin's repeated invitations.
Did they just have to choose him?
To the extent that.
They still wouldn't give up after being refused twice.
Moreover, from her words, besides them, others wanted to invite him…
What exactly was the situation in Soul Society?
Factional struggles were truly troublesome.
Nobles were also troublesome.
Far less free than a samurai.
If his wife were by his side, it would be great.
He couldn't help but sigh, reminiscing, and quickly returned to the street where the Tenth Division was located.
At the end of the street, from a distance, he saw a person lingering at the entrance of the division barracks, not leaving for a long time, seemingly waiting for someone.
That figure was very familiar.
He quickened his steps, gradually approaching, and found that it was none other than the Vice-Captain, Kyōraku Chiharu.
Just then, Kyōraku Chiharu also looked at him, and the two coincidentally met each other's gaze.
Then.
Bang!
Kyōraku Chiharu's figure flickered, instantly appearing in front of Tsugikuni Yoriichi.