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"I'm so sorry, Lady Yoruichi, Third Seat Reiji. As a member of the guard, I should have been protecting you both, but instead, you had to look after me. This is truly…"
In the underground training area's resting zone, Soi Fon, now fully awake and neatly dressed, was kneeling before them in a dogeza pose.
Yoruichi waved her hand, "You don't need to apologize. I should be the one apologizing, after all, I was the one who knocked you out."
"No, Lady Yoruichi warned me. I came here of my own free will," Soi Fon said, her face flushed.
She had just been in the hot spring with Lady Yoruichi... but that man...
The happiness on Soi Fon's face gradually faded, replaced by a conflicted expression as she looked at the only man present.
What kind of expression is that? I had a hand in this hot spring too, didn't I?
Speaking of which, why hasn't she rushed over to hit me yet?
Aozaki Reiji tilted his head, thinking for a moment but still couldn't understand.
Even if you don't care about yourself, Yoruichi was seen by me at the time, so you should be angry, right?
"Lord... Lord Kaiba..." Soi Fon stammered, using honorifics to call his name, with a hint of embarrassment.
Aozaki Reiji froze, somewhat in disbelief.
Did this girl just call me 'Lord'?
Is this a 'courtesy before force' kind of thing?
"Thank you for saving my life!"
As soon as Soi Fon said this, Aozaki Reiji became even more confused.
"Saving your life? What do you mean?"
"It was in the Maggot's Nest, when you alone blocked Kenpachi Kiganjo, allowing me and the other Squad members to return to the Squad Barracks."
Soi Fon buried her head even lower, her face flushed again.
"Although I encountered a strong enemy again afterward and ended up in this state, Soi Fon has disappointed both of you, Lords."
"But your life-saving grace, Soi Fon will never forget."
"Oh, you mean Kenpachi Kiganjo."
Aozaki Reiji suddenly understood, then waved his hand, saying with a bit of embarrassment, "Saving your life or anything like that, you don't need to take it to heart at all. I didn't think that much at the time, I just instinctively rushed forward."
He had only broken through to Third-Class Reiatsu a few days prior. After seeing Kurotsuchi Mayuri and casually killing a few assassins, he stepped out of the dungeon and saw Kenpachi Kiganjo bullying Ichimaru Gin.
A true Captain as an opponent—such an opportunity was hard to find.
He didn't want to miss this chance, so he rushed forward, saving Ichimaru Gin along the way.
Asking Soi Fon to lead the Squad members away was just a spur-of-the-moment decision; he hadn't thought much about it at the time.
Things like saving a life were completely outside his consideration.
However, Soi Fon completely misunderstood him, not only did her pretty face turn even redder, but her eyes also showed a hint of admiration.
When they first met, she had been too willful, actually thinking he was a wicked villain who stole Lady Yoruichi's heart.
In fact, beneath the disguise of a lecher, he was actually an excellent Shinigami with a spirit of self-sacrifice!
She still remembered a sentence from the Shin'o Academy textbook—
One must not consider one's own life.
Aozaki Reiji had achieved it.
How could someone who instinctively helps others and dares to sacrifice himself to face strong enemies be a bad person?
No wonder a genius like Ichimaru, Third Seat, was willing to follow him as an inconspicuous subordinate, and Ryusui and Izumo, both Seated Officers, were so fervent about him.
If she weren't serving Lady Yoruichi, she might not be able to resist wanting to follow him either.
Soi Fon lowered her head, her long hair covering her cheeks, carefully disguising her emotions.
However, immediately after, she widened her eyes, first looking at her hands, then her body.
No pain!
"My body…"
The girl showed a surprised expression, a smile unconsciously rising to her lips.
Injuries that would take nearly half a year to heal, yet after only a few days, they were almost completely better?
This hot spring was too miraculous!
She couldn't help but stand up, her hands constantly searching her body, confirming this wasn't an illusion or a dream.
Yoruichi gently patted her little head and said with a smile, "If you want to thank Reiji, you can't just thank him for saving your life. This hot spring is also Reiji's doing, you know."
"Actually, I was just chatting with Captain Unohana; I didn't do anything big," Aozaki Reiji said casually.
"Yoruichi and I brought the things back together, and Kisuke made this hot spring."
Humility... Soi Fon felt she had discovered another wonderful quality he possessed, and the admiration in her eyes grew even stronger.
Aozaki Reiji probably had no idea that he was already close to becoming a model Shinigami in the young girl's heart.
Yoruichi looked at Aozaki Reiji and said helplessly, "You're quite something. After this battle, the Second Division is severely weakened."
"Especially the Inspection Team, which lost more than half of its personnel."
Soi Fon lowered her head, "Please, Lady Yoruichi, do not blame Lord Kaiba. Lord Kaiba accompanied me on a tour of the Maggot's Nest, which is why he couldn't detect the enemy in advance. This is all Soi Fon's fault."
Yoruichi raised an eyebrow and said, annoyed, "You're quick to take responsibility. I wasn't going to blame him anyway, since all the orders were given by me. If anyone's to blame, it's me, the Captain!"
Soi Fon softly said, "Lady Yoruichi…"
Yoruichi suddenly shouted, "Soi Fon!"
"Yes!" The girl quickly stood at attention, her posture straight and tall.
Yoruichi smiled slightly, her hands clasped behind her back, adopting a leadership demeanor.
"You are still my guard, but I will temporarily transfer you to the Inspection Team to assist with their work."
She glanced at Aozaki Reiji.
"The Inspection Team suffered heavy losses this time, and they might have to make a big sacrifice soon. Now is exactly when they need manpower…"
Yoruichi, like an older sister, took the hand of the little sister in front of her.
"Don't be lazy, okay~"
"Yes." Soi Fon responded quickly without any hesitation.
Early the next morning, after confirming their bodies were fine, the three returned to the Fourth Division.
This time, Yoruichi seemed to trust little Soi Fon a bit more and didn't knock her out.
Therefore, when Soi Fon discovered that the underground training ground was located beneath Sōkyoku Hill, she almost dropped her jaw.
Sōkyoku Hill is the execution ground of Seireitei, and the Sōkyoku Spear, used for executing Shinigami, is placed above it.
The true form of the Sōkyoku Spear after release, "Kikōō," is said to possess destructive power equivalent to one million Zanpakuto!
Lord Kaiba and Lady Yoruichi... and that Urahara Kisuke, they really have guts!
The three were chatting and laughing...
No, to be precise, Reiji and Yoruichi were teasing the shy Soi Fon.
They playfully returned to the Fourth Division, and the first person they saw was Unohana Retsu.
It seemed she was about to leave, and by chance, she ran into the returning trio.
Trying to sneak away under her nose was impossible, even for members of the Onmitsukidō skilled in stealth!
So, when the three returned to the infirmary, they were once again wrapped in bandages.
Fortunately, Unohana Retsu controlled her strength, and the person on night duty was Kotetsu Isane, who was relatively easy to talk to.
After some persuasion from Aozaki Reiji, Isane, blushing, moved the three of them to the same ward.
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