"How is it?"
Inside a spacious and bright room in the Seireitei.
Tsugikuni Yoriichi looked at Hisana, who had returned home, and seeing her joyful expression, he couldnself-defenceask, "There shouldn't be any discomfort, right?"
His gaze lightly swept over the sword hanging at Hisana's waist.
He paused.
And continued, "If there is, remember to tell me. Don't force yourself; this machine is still in the experimental stage."
"Even if there are some issues, it's reasonable."
Beside them, Yoruichi Shihouin, who had returned with the two, pouted upon hearing this.
"I say, Yoriichi, speaking ill is not a good habit. The machine definitely has no problems."
"Kisuke and I vouched for it."
"He said he would eat this sword if there were any problems, and I believe him."
"Even if you don't believe him, believe me. I wouldn't harm Hisana, would I?"
Yoriichi looked sideways. "That's not what I meant. I just think that when it comes to life safety, one must be careful."
"Since it's about to become a commodity, we must be responsible for those Shinigami."
"I know that. The Ōmaeda family does exactly that. Although we are nobles, we don't earn money against our conscience," Yoruichi Shihouin waved her hand.
Her gaze then shifted to Hisana, finally settling on the weapon at her waist.
"Try it. From the time you returned until now, enough time should have passed."
"This sword contains five reishi-absorbing devices."
"It takes three days to absorb completely."
"But to unleash a minimal sword pressure, it only takes ten minutes."
"Let Yoriichi see the strength you possess now, so he can rest assured in the future."
"Draour sword, Hisana."
"Aim it at me."
Yoruichi's voice unconsciously became serious.
The smile on Hisana's face gradually faded, replaced by a hint of worry and hesitation.
"Um… Miss Yoruichi."
"Do we really have to do this?"
"I think…"
She couldn't bring herself to do it, so her gaze inadvertently flickered towards Tsugikuni Yoriichi, seemingly seeking his opinion.
Yoruichi crossed her arms at this.
"Don't worry, Hisana. I know it's a bit difficult for you to do these things now, but this is a hurdle you must overcome."
"The Seireitei is not safe."
"And your health isn't good, so you can only rely on cleverness."
"Of course, you can also choose to live in Rukongai, but then you won't be able to see your sister."
"You've wasted more than ten years in Rukongai. Don't you want to live well with your sister?"
"Of course I do!" When Rukia was mentioned, Hisana's expression became slightly agitated.
She slowly calmed her breathing, composed herself for a while, then whispered.
"It's just… I don't understand what essential connection there is between fighting and living with my sister."
"I just want to live peacefully with Rukia in a quiet place, that's all."
"A place with no hunger, no war, no unrest, just living happily with her until the day we grow old…"
"It would be even better if my brother could be there…"
"Unfortunately, I know these are all unrealistic fantasies…"
"This is not a fantasy," Yoriichi responded in due course. "You've misunderstood one thing, Hisana. Self-preservation and combat are two completely different concepts."
"Self-preservation can involve combat, but combat cannot solely be self-preservation."
"Almost every creature has an instinct for self-protection. You don't have to resist your instincts."
"Imagine, if one day Rukia and you were harmed by others, and you had no weapons in your hands, what could you do?"
"Use your teeth, or your fists? Obviously, carrying a weapon becomes extremely important."
"You don't need to learn how to fight; you only need to learn how to unleash sword pressure and how to protect yourself from harm. That's all."
"This is also what we both hope for."
Upon hearing this, the confusion in Hisana's eyes gradually faded.
She raised her head, looked at Yoriichi, and asked, seemingly uncertainly, "Really?"
"Brother…"
"Of course it's true," Yoruichi answered first. "What Yoriichi wants to say is also what I want to say."
"A beautiful girl like you, if you don't learn one or two self-defense skills, you will suffer greatly in the future."
"Perhaps you don't know yet, but Rukia possesses considerable abilities now."
"As an older sister, you can't always let your younger sister protect you, can you?"
"No…" Hisana blurted out.
She really wanted to say that she would protect her sister, but the words got stuck in her throat.
Because the difference in strength between her and her sister was not just a little bit…
Eleven years ago, she was still a baby, and eleven years later, she could already easily defeat an adult…
As for herself… even defeating a child was difficult.
Silently exhaling, Hisana's gaze gradually became firm.
She swept her gaze over Yoruichi's slender yet explosive body.
One hand rested on the sword hilt, maintaining as much respect as possible.
"Miss Yoruichi, I will work hard."
"Now, please teach me."
Yoruichi exchanged a glance with Yoriichi upon hearing this, their eyes filled with relief.
Then, she informed Hisana how to activate the machine.
Under normal circumstances, this sword could only absorb reishi and not release it, to prevent accidental injury.
But if operated according to the instructions, the internal reishi could be released all at once.
With the blade pointed at Yoruichi, it was visible that Hisana's hands, gripping the hilt, were trembling slightly.
She tried to inhale, calming her nervousness, causing her chest to visibly rise and fall.
Finally, with a mindset of going all out, as the reishi converged and was unleashed.
Buzz!
A blue slash containing a small amount of spiritual pressure, accompanied by Hisana's slight trembling, suddenly burst forth.
The air in front was finely sliced, flying silently. The crescent-shaped blue moon looked particularly striking and dangerous.
However.
Due to excessive nervousness, the attack went off course.
Seeing it pass through the doorway and about to pierce a building, Yoruichi could only leap into the air and shatter it mid-air.
Bang!
The blue crescent-shaped sword energy was lightly crushed by a slender finger.
In the eyes of the few people, countless reishi traces, like starlight, were reflected, dazzling and brilliant.
Hisana let out a long breath, the unease in her heart finally disappearing.
But correspondingly, Yoruichi was a little helpless.
She landed like a dragonfly skimming the water, secretly thinking that Hisana's psychological resilience was not very good.
She even missed an attack at such close range.
It seems she still needs frequent practice.
Hopefully, the birthday party in two days can be held smoothly.
It's a good opportunity for Hisana to be present, and it will also make those guys understand the importance of this business.
The Shihouin Clan naturally wouldn't hoard everything.
But, only limited to their vassals.
As they chatted, a masked mobile unit member suddenly appeared.
Whoosh… A sound like wind breaking arose. Approaching Yoruichi, he quietly reported a few things.
Subsequently.
Yoruichi seemed to have caught some crucial news, and her expression suddenly changed.
Her long, slender black eyebrows gently furrowed, and when she turned to Yoriichi, a look of apology appeared on her face:
"Sorry, Yoriichi, I have something to deal with here, so I'll take my leave first."
"Hisana, remember to get along well with your brother."
"I'll come to see you again after some time."
"Take care."
After saying "Take care," she turned to leave.
As she turned, Yoriichi caught a glimpse of a serious look flashing in her eyes.
He subconsciously asked, "Is it serious?"
Step.
Yoruichi suddenly stopped.
Facing the question, she turned and gave a strained smile: "It's alright."
At these words, the Shinigami from the Second Division beside her frowned slightly.
He didn't understand why Lady Yoruichi would suddenly stop.
Were these people more important than noble affairs?
He was about to scold these commoners for wasting Lady Yoruichi's time, but the next second, Yoruichi, sensing his intent, glared at him.
That wild gaze, like a leopard's, carried immense pressure, pressing down like a mountain, sending a chill down his spine.
He swallowed twice, and subconsciously, he swallowed all his words.
Immediately after.
Yoruichi turned her head as if nothing had happened, her smile still present: "It's nothing major, just a noble meeting."
"It's held three, five, or six times a year. This time, it's probably because of Kuchiki Sōjun's attack."
"The next head of the Kuchiki Clan was almost forcibly killed in Rukongai, and those nobles in the Kuchiki faction were on the verge of erupting in violence."
"Speaking of which, this matter is related to you."
"Yoriichi."
Hearing Yoruichi mention Kuchiki Sōjun, Yoriichi nodded lightly.
Noble meeting… Was it because of this?
But the problem is, shouldn't the culprit have already been found?
Unaware of the details, Yoriichi asked briefly, and his short question instantly made Yoruichi look helpless:
"The culprit…"
"That's hard to find. There's no evidence at the scene proving the Tsunayashiro Clan is the culprit. That clan is very cautious in their actions."
"The residual reishi, after verification, showed no matches in the Seireitei. Unless he reappears, this matter will remain a mystery."
"I understand your confusion, but that's how it is among nobles. Today you kill me, tomorrow I kill him, unless you possess unparalleled strength."
"Otherwise."
"Any Shinigami could suddenly die one day."
"You need to be careful, Yoriichi. You've already been targeted by them."
As she said this, Yoruichi's tone suddenly became serious, and she admonished:
"I don't want to wake up one day and hear the news of your sudden death."
"If you have the chance, come visit my Shihouin Clan more often. Although the Tsunayashiro are crazy, they wouldn't risk being attacked by the other high-ranking nobles to attack you."
"You saved Kuchiki Sōjun, which has already earned you the goodwill of the Kuchiki Clan. And if you establish contact with my Shihouin Clan…"
"It can be said that within the Seireitei, apart from those Shinigami who are naturally high-ranking nobles, no one can surpass you in status."
Her words were spoken slowly, each word clear and distinct, as if she were stating something of utmost importance.
Yoriichi, though not interested in status or such things, still expressed his gratitude for Yoruichi Shihouin's words:
"I understand. Thank you for your reminder."
"Mm." Yoruichi nodded faintly.
She thought for a moment, and finding no other words to admonish, she turned again.
"Let's go."
Calling the Shinigami from the Second Division who had come to report the news, she instantly disappeared into the distance with a gust of wind.
The air returned to its usual quietness, and Tsugikuni Yoriichi exhaled silently.
After the Shinigami from the Second Division also disappeared, he looked sideways at Hisana beside him and said softly:
"Hisana, don't just stand there. Come inside with me."
"Your aim isn't very good. I'll accompany you to continue training this afternoon until you no longer tremble when holding the sword."
Step… Yoriichi stepped over the threshold and returned to the room.
Hisana regained her composure, watched this scene, took a deep breath, and said earnestly: "Yes!"
"I will work hard, Brother!"
...
...
In the afternoon.
Yoriichi, who was training Hisana, suddenly heard a knock at the door.
He opened the door and saw that it was Kuchiki Sōjun.
Accompanying Kuchiki Sōjun was the old Shinigami he had seen before, seemingly named Kuchiki Ginhui, one of the Kuchiki Clan's top experts.
Unsure of their purpose, he asked softly, "Is something the matter?"
Kuchiki Sōjun was about to smile but was interrupted by Kuchiki Ginhui's cough beside him:
"Cough… Young Master Sōjun, mind your demeanor."
"Within the Seireitei, your every action represents the decorum and etiquette of the Kuchiki Clan."
"What does it matter?" Kuchiki Sōjun retorted, "Demeanor and etiquette are matters for Father to consider. I'm just the next head of the family."
"The next head of the family is also the head of the family."
"Don't forget how many eyes are on you right now."
Their conversation continued, and Yoriichi was about to ask if they had come to the wrong place.
Kuchiki Sōjun suddenly said, "Uncle Ginhui, you're just too meddlesome. Don't forget our purpose for coming. Let's get back to business."
His calm and gentle eyes looked at Yoriichi, exuding an extremely approachable aura:
"We came to find you this time, Sir Yoriichi. Do you remember when you saved me from a group of rebels?"
"I originally wanted to invite you to the Kuchiki Clan's family banquet, but recently, there have been many affairs, and the banquet has been repeatedly postponed. To express my gratitude, my father specifically convened a noble meeting."
"If I'm not mistaken, you should have heard about it from Lady Yoruichi, the one this morning."
"The content of the meeting is to find the true culprit who attacked me and to nominate you to become a noble."
Noble?
As the words fell, Yoriichi's thoughts briefly froze. It felt like being struck by lightning, catching him off guard.
—No one told him about it.
Yoriichi opened his mouth, wanting to ask for details.
Kuchiki Sōjun, as if he had anticipated this, answered him:
"Hmm… We know you might be very surprised, but please calm down. These are all things you deserve."
"You saved me, indirectly recovering a large amount of loss for the Kuchiki Clan."
"With such merit, it would be unreasonable if you couldn't become a noble."
"Of course, having said that, it's a lower-ranking noble. Please don't mind it. If it weren't for the Tsunayashiro Clan interfering…"
"A middle-ranking noble would have been a sure thing."