Chapter 98: Ginrei Kuchiki's Invitation
CRACK!!
Satoru planted his hands on the floor and wrenched his head free from the wooden planks.
Rising slowly, he pulsed his reiatsu, shaking off the splinters embedded in his clothes and hair.
With a smirk, he wiped the blood trickling down his forehead and discreetly smeared it onto his shirt.
"Is this all the Captain-Commander's got?"
Yamamoto ignored his disciple's delusional rambling.
Frowning slightly, he seemed lost in thought.
Hearing Satoru speak, Yamamoto finally looked over.
"Kid, I've noticed something about you."
"Too much talent, beyond what you can teach?"
"Next week's assignments—"
"I'm sorry, I was wrong!!"
Watching Satoru bow in apology, Yamamoto felt his blood pressure rising.
Taking a deep breath to calm himself, he slowly spoke:
"Your swordsmanship has indeed improved rapidly. Every time we spar, I can feel you growing stronger."
"But... I sense no passion for the sword in your blade."
"In my two thousand years of life, this is the first time I've encountered such a strange case."
"A swordsman who lacks a burning love for the sword shouldn't, by all logic, have reached your level."
"In a way, your talent for the sword is absurdly high."
Hearing this, Satoru blinked in surprise.
"Old man, that's pure slander. I practice with the sword for at least two hours every day!"
In truth, unless he was too busy, he usually spent even more than two hours daily.
Whether in terms of style or sheer coolness, the sword far surpassed Kidō.
Take that gatekeeper, for example—his actual strength wasn't anything special, but his masterful swordsmanship gave him an air of a grandmaster.
One of Satoru's biggest motivations for daily sword practice was the dream of one day being like that gatekeeper: casually swinging his blade, the scene shifting, and his enemy collapsing in a spray of blood.
How could he lack passion when he trained so hard?
Under Satoru's indignant gaze, Yamamoto didn't waste words.
With a thought, two "paintings" formed from spiritual particles appeared beside him.
Both depicted Satoru.
One showed him neatly dressed, wielding a shinai.
The other showed him half-clothed, using Hakuda.
"This is how you looked during our fight just now—completely unaltered, an exact reproduction."
"See for yourself what the difference is."
Curious, Satoru leaned in for a closer look.
After looking around, a look of realization crossed his face.
"Clothed, she is the epitome of elegance; unclothed, she exudes wild beauty."
A dangerous glint flashed in Yamamoto's eyes.
Satoru bowed in apology.
Straightening up, he turned his gaze back to the two spirit particle diagrams.
When wielding a bamboo sword, his expression was focused, like a student taking an exam.
But when using his fists, he wore the grin of a villain—no, cough—a radiant, positive smile.
Satoru fell into deep thought.
Could it be that he preferred hand-to-hand combat over swordsmanship?
Impossible. Absolutely impossible.
A gentleman like him, who upheld elegance as his motto and kept it close to his heart, could never have such a hidden trait!
After much deliberation, Satoru concluded that his swordsmanship simply wasn't strong enough yet.
Once his swordplay improved and became more satisfying to wield, he would naturally feel that burning passion.
Starting today, he'd make sure Aizen trained harder with his sword!
...
...
Leaving the 1st Division, Satoru headed to the 2nd Division.
His destination was clear—the dormitory area.
In the courtyard, a young man with messy straw-colored hair sat cross-legged under a large tree, chatting with someone.
The one listening to him was none other than Tessai Tsukabishi, whom Satoru had met once before.
Spotting Satoru, Kisuke blinked in surprise.
Before Satoru could say anything, Kisuke quickly interjected, "I'm not slacking off! I'm just assisting with an investigation—"
Satoru ignored him.
Kisuke was a master at dodging work—eight out of ten times Satoru came looking for him, the guy was goofing off.
Instead, Satoru studied Tessai with curiosity, wondering what he was doing in the 2nd Division.
Just as Kisuke was about to introduce them, Tessai stood and gave Satoru a slight bow.
"It's been a while, Mr. Satoru."
"Huh? You two know each other?" Kisuke looked surprised.
Tessai nodded. "We've met once before."
After a brief exchange, Satoru understood why the two were together.
Like Satoru, Tessai was about to take on a new role.
To better gather intelligence on the Kidō Corps, Yoruichi had recommended Tessai to them.
After a series of tests, the Kidō Corps was thoroughly impressed and directly appointed him as their Third Seat.
Kisuke, meanwhile, was teaching him some investigative techniques.
Once Tessai established himself in the Kidō Corps, he would begin gathering intel for Yoruichi.
Hearing this, Satoru's expression cleared in understanding.
He had been curious before—why would Tessai, a retainer of the Shihōin family, later become the Grand Kidō Chief?
Turns out, he had infiltrated the organization.
This guy was practically living out the trope of "undercover for three years, only to become the boss."
Realizing they were busy, Satoru decided not to disturb them further.
After walking a short distance, he arrived at Yoruichi's office.
At the door stood Suì-Fēng, her small face set in a serious expression.
Seeing Satoru, she placed a hand on the Zanpakutō at her waist.
"Lord Satoru, please stop! Lady Yoruichi is meeting with an important guest!"
Satoru gave her a surprised look.
Normally, even when Suì-Fēng was listening to classified reports from subordinates, she didn't act this guarded.
Just who was this guest?
As he wondered, Yoruichi's voice came from inside—
"Ah, is that you, Satoru? Come in. I was just about to send for you."
Hearing Yoruichi's words, Suì-Fēng stepped aside without hesitation, clearing the way for Satoru.
Satoru walked into the room.
Inside, he saw Yoruichi sitting in the seat of honor, dressed in her Onmitsukidō uniform with her legs crossed.
A masked man wearing a straw hat stood respectfully below.
Once Suì-Fēng closed the door behind them, Yoruichi lazily said:
"Alright, everyone you wanted to see is here now. You can speak your business."
The man retrieved a letter from his sleeve and respectfully extended it.
"Lady Yoruichi Shihōin, Lord Satoru."
"By the order of the family head, Lord Ginrei Kuchiki, I humbly request your presence at the Kuchiki residence for a discussion!"
At these words, Satoru and Yoruichi instinctively exchanged glances.
Both saw a hint of surprise in each other's eyes.
The Kuchiki family... Why would they invite the two of them?
Satoru took the letter, opened it, and examined it.
The paper indeed carried Ginrei Kuchiki's Spiritual Pressure.
After reading it, he passed it to Yoruichi.
While Yoruichi read the letter, Satoru asked curiously, "What does Old Man Kuchiki want with us?"
The man bowed. "The family head said all will be revealed once you arrive."