The winds of Hueco Mundo were downright raucous.
"Tier, what are Sung-Sun, Apache, and the others doing?"
Standing on the white sands of Hueco Mundo, Higashino Shuuichi frowned as he looked into the distance at Tier's three Fracción—who were wildly pouring reiatsu (spiritual pressure) outward as they fought.
This wind was precisely the result of those Arrancar battling.
"I don't know. But Apache and the others are always roughhousing like that—should be nothing, right?"
Tier answered while meeting Higashino Shuuichi's gaze.
"Nothing?" Higashino Shuuichi's haori snapped up in the gale as two Sero (Cero) streaked past him, shooting straight toward Unohana Retsu behind him.
But that level of Sero was, to Unohana Retsu, a one-swing affair.
"You're telling me this is 'by accident' too?"
Higashino Shuuichi said, clearly dissatisfied.
If he'd known, he wouldn't have gone out of his way to introduce Unohana Retsu to Tier and the others.
Mainly because Tier and her Arrancar weren't like Kisaragi Shūsuke and those Shinigami—Shūsuke and Yushima Ōko's group were, publicly, people under Higashino Shuuichi's banner now. Tier's side wasn't. Higashino Shuuichi didn't have Aizen's kind of stone-cold heart—selling off his own people as casually as breathing.
So, in theory, letting both sides meet had no downside for Higashino Shuuichi.
It could prevent Unohana Retsu from accidentally going too far with her hand later.
Only—Higashino Shuuichi hadn't expected this. As the two main parties meeting for the first time, Unohana Retsu and Tier themselves hadn't even made a move yet, but Tier's three Fracción were visibly unhappy.
The way they looked at Unohana Retsu could only be described as openly hostile.
Especially Apache and Mila Rose—two Arrancar who hadn't even watched the battle earlier—who were outright displeased with Unohana Retsu.
"It's fine, Shuuichi. After all, I'm a Shinigami taichō, and they're Arrancar. It's normal for us to not like each other~"
At that moment, Unohana Retsu—who had casually shattered the two Sero—stepped forward, smiling toward Tier.
As a Shinigami who had lived for over a thousand years, Unohana Retsu might not have eaten pork, but she'd certainly seen pigs run—and as a fellow woman, even though Tier hadn't said anything, Unohana Retsu could still read something from the way Tier looked at Higashino Shuuichi.
And from that, she could infer why Tier's three Fracción were reacting like this.
Those same three words: perfectly normal.
If this were Unohana Retsu from before today, she would probably have offered a faint smile after noticing everything, then turned and left—returning to Soul Society.
But the Unohana Retsu of now held Tier's gaze without flinching.
"When it comes to unruly children like this, my usual method is to beat them into submission. Shuuichi, you wouldn't refuse my request to go educate those three naughty Arrancar, would you?"
Unohana Retsu spoke in the gentlest tone—saying the most overbearing thing imaginable.
"And what exactly do you think you're doing?"
The instant Unohana Retsu so much as hinted at laying hands on her three Fracción, Tier's eyes turned vicious as she locked onto Unohana Retsu.
"Nothing much. I just want to give them a lesson."
Unohana Retsu smiled.
"I won't allow it!"
Tier was completely squared up against Unohana Retsu now.
Everyone knew Tier had four absolute reverse scales. The first, without question, was Higashino Shuuichi. The remaining three weren't ranked—because to Tier, they were all equally important: her three Fracción.
The smell of gunpowder spread rapidly through the air.
Higashino Shuuichi caught a whiff of it. But from his perspective, Apache and the others had gone too far.
If they wanted to show dissatisfaction, then take it up with him, Higashino Shuuichi. Why did they dare to so blatantly strike at Unohana Retsu?
Did they really think Unohana Retsu was someone Higashino Shuuichi could beat—so she must be a weak Shinigami taichō they could bully as they pleased?
"Handle it!"
The discipline needed to be harsh.
Higashino Shuuichi gave Unohana Retsu permission on the spot.
He trusted that Unohana Retsu understood how to control her strength.
And the reason Higashino Shuuichi had been so open in telling Unohana Retsu about Tier and her Arrancar was also because of Unohana Retsu's nature.
She was a Shinigami with little regard for the traditional value system of Soul Society.
To Unohana Retsu, the greatest meaning of life was savoring a battle to her heart's content.
As for anything else—Shinigami, Hollow, Quincy—Unohana Retsu could treat them all with the same indifferent disregard.
But Tier couldn't do that.
To Tier, Sung-Sun and the others weren't merely ordinary Fracción.
They were closer to family.
So, not long after Unohana Retsu left, Tier also intended to follow.
She didn't feel at ease leaving her three Fracción alone with a powerful Shinigami taichō like Unohana Retsu—what if Unohana Retsu decided to do something truly cruel?
But in the World of the Living there's the old story of "killing Hua Xiong before the wine cools"—and now Hueco Mundo had its own version.
Unohana Retsu was gone for less than ten minutes.
The wind stopped.
Tier's three disgraceful Fracción were brought back just like that—Unohana Retsu carrying them as easily as chicks, dropping them right in front of Tier.
"S-sorry, Tier-sama…"
Apache stared at this terrifying Shinigami taichō who had subdued all three of them in a single exchange. Even with her hair loose, Unohana Retsu's elegance was undiminished—and beneath it, a cold killing intent quietly bled through.
For once, Apache could actually reach an agreement with Mila Rose. Together with Sung-Sun, they'd wanted to fight for their Tier-sama's pride.
But their strength, in front of that Shinigami taichō, was simply… too pathetic.
Why was that Shinigami taichō so strong?! It made no sense! It wasn't like Apache had never seen other Shinigami taichō.
Even among Aizen-sama's subordinates, those two Shinigami taichō—Tōsen Kaname and Ichimaru Gin—were only so-so. Sure, Apache definitely couldn't beat them, but neither Tōsen nor Gin could beat Tier-sama either!
"I don't accept this!"
The other exotic-looking Arrancar dragged to Tier's side—Mila Rose—gathered her courage and voiced her protest toward Higashino Shuuichi.
"Mila!"
Tier seemed to anticipate what Mila Rose was about to say and immediately tried to stop her, but Higashino Shuuichi raised a hand, cutting Tier off.
"Let her talk."
Higashino Shuuichi considered himself a fairly conscientious boss. Whenever he had good food and drink, he brought Tier and the others along. The moment Aizen's improvements to Arrancar perfection had any new development, Higashino Shuuichi would always find a way to arrange it for Tier's side first.
And he never assigned them suicidal missions.
So, faced with Mila Rose's refusal to accept things, Higashino Shuuichi also wanted to hear exactly what Mila Rose was dissatisfied with.
And then—
He regretted it.
"Shuuichi-sama! Our Tier-sama has followed you for so long! And our Tier-sama's love for Shuuichi-sama is absolutely not less than any Shinigami's—so why does this Shinigami taichō, who wanted to kill you before, get this kind of special treatment from Shuuichi-sama?! You even personally gave her a gemstone! But our Tier-sama has done so many things for Shuuichi-sama, and up to now she's never received even a single gift that Shuuichi-sama personally gave with your own hands?!"
In an instant—whether it was Higashino Shuuichi, or Tier, or Unohana Retsu, or even Sung-Sun and Apache—every Shinigami and Arrancar present was struck silent by Mila Rose's "heartfelt words."
Higashino Shuuichi turned away and admired the cloudless sky.
Unohana Retsu smiled faintly as she looked at Tier.
Tier's face flushed bright red as she lowered her head.
Sung-Sun covered her face with both sleeves, leaving a thin slit to secretly watch Higashino Shuuichi and Tier.
Apache, meanwhile, grew full of regret—smacking her own head as she reflected on how stupid she'd been. She'd wanted to say the exact same thing, too! How had Mila Rose gotten there first?!
"Ahem…"
After a long while, it was Higashino Shuuichi's cough that finally broke the rare silence.
"Well—anyway, Tier, you all know now. From this point on, the Gotei 13's Fourth Division taichō, Unohana Retsu—she's one of us. If you ever go cause trouble in Soul Society again, try not to go near the Fourth Division. Even if you run into her by accident, I believe Yachiru will show you mercy."
"Hard to say, Shuuichi. If they run into me, and the fight doesn't satisfy me… the outcome might not be very pleasant~"
Unohana Retsu said, giving Higashino Shuuichi absolutely no face at all.
But when she spoke, her eyes were on Tier.
"Don't worry, Unohana-taichō. If you can run into any one of Sung-Sun, Apache, or Mila Rose—then I hope you remember this: I will definitely be nearby."
Tier showed no hint of retreat—if anything, her attitude sharpened.
"Are you saying you can let me enjoy a fight like the one just now?"
Unohana Retsu replied lightly—as if it were nothing at all.
In truth, she subtly emphasized those two words: just now.
Tier's gaze turned even uglier.
"Hard to say. Shuuichi-sama might consider many things and hold back for your sake, Unohana-taichō… but I won't. Whether from the standpoint of an Arrancar, or—"
Tier spoke gravely, but Higashino Shuuichi abruptly cut her off.
"Stop, stop, stop. If you two keep going, it'll make my decision to let you meet look unbelievably stupid. You're on the sa—"
The words died on Higashino Shuuichi's lips as he glanced at Unohana Retsu—whose eyes seemed to hold only Tier—and at Tier—whose eyes clearly held only Unohana Retsu.
Forget it.
Higashino Shuuichi was already regretting that moment of impulsiveness when he let Unohana Retsu meet Tier and her group.
How did it feel like his decision had produced the exact opposite effect?
Seriously—having too much charm was a problem too.
And yet back in the World of the Living, Kabuma Sayako and Matsumoto Rangiku had gotten along just fine!
He didn't get it. Truly didn't.
Thankfully, right then, Higashino Shuuichi received a message from Yushima Ōko.
Yamada Seinosuke—handled!
While Higashino Shuuichi and Unohana Retsu were clashing, back in Soul Society's Seireitei, within the pocket space Yushima Ōko had constructed, Yamada Seinosuke—without any surprises—had all his reiatsu completely absorbed and converted by Yushima Ōko.
Yamada Seinosuke's spiritual power was inferior to Yushima Ōko to begin with. Facing the domineering ability of Yushima Ōko's Zanpakutō, he was practically unable to resist at all.
"I knew it. Higashino Shuuichi's identity was never that simple—otherwise how could he, after being hunted as a traitor by Soul Society for more than ten years, suddenly turn around and become some special taichō?
Heh… hehahahaha…
The Five Great Noble Houses… the Tsunayashiro clan… Tokinada Tsunayashiro…
If that's the case, then everything makes sense!"
Inside the space, after finally "patiently" hearing out Yushima Ōko's explanation, Yamada Seinosuke sat on the ground in a sorry state, laughing wildly without any dignity.
What Yushima Ōko called the truth was enough to erase nearly every doubt surrounding Higashino Shuuichi up to this point.
If he had been serving that Tsunayashiro member from the very beginning… if he truly had ties that close to the Five Great Noble Houses… then was it absurd that Higashino Shuuichi had enjoyed so many privileges and grown into what he was today?
Not absurd at all!
More importantly—what about Unohana-taichō?
Was she also serving the nobles in secret?
Was it on Tokinada Tsunayashiro's instructions that Unohana-taichō had so tirelessly nurtured Higashino Shuuichi?
Yes. It had to be.
Because then everything fit perfectly!
Yamada Seinosuke laughed without restraint. All the riddles of the past were finally, in this moment, completely freed.
And what made Yamada Seinosuke even happier was this:
Everything he had done before had been correct.
If he hadn't stubbornly insisted on those experiments, that Tsunayashiro member would never have noticed him. He would still be that Fourth Division fukutaichō who could never enter Unohana-taichō's eyes.
Not the next… Director-General of the Shin'ō Shiyakuin.
Yes—he accepted Yushima Ōko's offer.
To Yamada Seinosuke, it wasn't even something that required consideration.
The moment he saw that research reference material from the Tsunayashiro member, Yamada Seinosuke understood: that man's plan needed him. Yamada Seinosuke was unquestionably the core.
Even Higashino Shuuichi—the Katana-gari-shū (Blade-Hunting Corps) Grand Blade-Hunting Chief who was blazing like the sun in Soul Society—would only be there to assist him and cover for him.
What kind of exquisite feeling would that be?
Yamada Seinosuke didn't know yet.
But just imagining it made his whole body tremble with excitement.
He even saw it—when the plan to create a Soul King candidate finally succeeded, and he stood before Unohana-taichō with the Soul King candidate he had personally made with his own hands…
…and Unohana-taichō looked at him with that approving gaze.
This was a plan that, among all Shinigami in Soul Society, only Yamada Seinosuke was qualified to complete!
He had to do it!
"Just you wait, taichō!
It won't be long before you look at me with new eyes!"
Yamada Seinosuke dreamed of the future—
While Yushima Ōko looked at him like he was an idiot.
At himself too.
Because in Yushima Ōko's hands was a thick stack of plans—seventy-three different contingencies—painstakingly revised, reorganized, and finalized after he stayed up all night for an entire week, ever since Shuuichi-sama said he'd hand this task to him.
To successfully persuade Yamada Seinosuke to join Tokinada Tsunayashiro's camp, Yushima Ōko felt he truly deserved the phrase "working himself to the bone."
But Yamada Seinosuke's performance right now made Yushima Ōko feel like his heart was bleeding.
Why?
Why did he prepare so carefully for so long, only to end up with this kind of person?!
He just said a few sentences and the guy agreed!
Then how was Yushima Ōko supposed to prove his competence to Shuuichi-sama?!
Couldn't you at least be picky? Complain about salary! Working conditions! Negotiate hours, days off—anything! Just drag it out a little!
To be honest, in that moment, Yushima Ōko truly wanted to kill Yamada Seinosuke.
Unfortunately, he couldn't.
And he also knew Shuuichi-sama was probably waiting for progress on this end.
So after confirming once again that Yamada Seinosuke truly agreed to join, Yushima Ōko—utterly unwilling—sent a message to Higashino Shuuichi.
On the other side, Higashino Shuuichi finally felt relief.
He took Unohana Retsu's small hand, activated Kyoka (Hollowfication), tore open Garuganta (Garganta), and hurried home!
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