"Who is this girl?"
Sunlight filtered through the branches, and the sounds of breaking twigs and footsteps mixed in the forest.
Captain Eiyuu's gaze inadvertently fell upon the girl beside Tsugikuni Yoriichi.
Seeing that familiar face, she couldn't help but raise her eyebrows.
"Where did you pick her up from?"
The Rukongai attire stood out remarkably among the many Shinigami.
Everyone's eyes turned towards them.
Hisana tried hard to lower her head.
It was as if she were looking at ants.
She felt her identity was somewhat awkward, wishing she could find a hole to crawl into.
Her breathing gradually became difficult, and Hisana leaned tightly against Tsugikuni Yoriichi, as if this could eliminate the pressure coming from all around her.
—So terrifying!
They were all Shinigami.
Such a formation, she wouldn't even dare to dream of it.
After all, she had no talent whatsoever; Shinigami, to her, were as dazzling as stars in the sky.
When a speck of dust approaches a star, the outcome is often annihilation.
But fortunately, she met this older brother who came from who knows where…
At this moment, Retsu also noticed the two of them. But what first caught her eye was not Hisana.
Instead, it was the calm-faced Tsugikuni Yoriichi.
Just one glance.
Her combat instincts, honed over a millennium, told her that this person was a strong one, a strong swordsman!
He was an existence that could bring her joy!
The smile on her face remained, but with a subtle change.
Her eyes flickered, and Minazuki, already sheathed at her waist, made two soft clicks.
But then, as she adjusted her breathing, it quickly returned to calm.
—Not the time.
Although she liked fighting, that was hundreds of years ago. After being wounded by Kenpachi, she realised she was too weak.
In pursuit of the ultimate swordsmanship, she had neglected other aspects.
Therefore, she voluntarily stepped down from the position of Kenpachi.
She chose the Fourth Division because, besides swordsmanship, Healing Kido was what she was best at.
During her time as Captain, she could both cultivate her mind and await the emergence of the true Kenpachi.
She looked forward to what that young man would be like when he grew up.
She also looked forward to continuing that battle from back then.
After all, she had won unfairly at that time, which was a great disgrace for a swordsman.
Admittedly, Tsugikuni Yoriichi gave her a very powerful feeling, but he was not that young man from back then after all…
Let's wait and see…
She slowly exhaled.
Not far away, Kiyonosuke Yamada, who was wholeheartedly thinking of his Captain, acutely noticed this scene.
He followed Retsu's gaze.
His brows furrowed slightly.
Captain just now…
Was she observing that child?
… …
… …
Each of them had their own thoughts.
Yoriichi held Hisana's hand, shielding her behind him, so she wouldn't be affected by the scattered spiritual pressure.
After doing all that, he looked at Captain Eiyuu and slowly replied:
"Her name is Hisana, and she should be my younger sister's biological older sister."
This relationship was a bit complicated, and Captain Eiyuu was silent for a moment.
She extended a finger, her tone hesitant: "So…"
"You are her brother?"
"Her adopted brother," Yoriichi explained, "In short, ten years ago, I found her abandoned younger sister."
"Ten years later, she was still nearby, so I met her."
"If it weren't for that, I wouldn't even know Rukia had a biological older sister…"
"Hmm…" With that explanation, Captain Eiyuu understood. She nodded, "So you're taking her back to Seireitei?"
"Aren't you going to ask Captain-Commander Yamamoto's opinion?"
"By the way, you haven't told him about coming out of Hueco Mundo, have you?"
Yoriichi responded: "Given his status and position, he should already know by now."
"I didn't intend to hide it from him… By the way, is there anything else? If not, I'll be leaving now; I still need to settle this child."
He looked back at Kuchiki Sōjun.
The latter responded with a smile.
Seeing this, Yoriichi returned the gesture and bid farewell.
He turned around:
"Captain Eiyuu, we'll meet again if fate allows."
"And Vice-Captain Sarugaki…"
Before he could finish, someone interrupted: "Wait a moment."
Retsu gracefully approached, her smile kind, her tone gentle, as she gazed at Tsugikuni Yoriichi.
"If I'm not mistaken, you must be the Shinigami who helped the Kuchiki Clan."
"Could you tell me your name? Have we met before, or had any contact?"
Although this line was a bit cliché, coming from Retsu's mouth, it sounded very natural.
She herself indeed had such a thought.
Seeing this, Yoriichi nodded: "Are you Captain Retsu?"
"You're too kind. I am Tsugikuni Yoriichi. As for meeting, no, we haven't."
"However, there was one indirect contact. I once met the Rukongai who fought with you back then in Yachiru District."
"His name is Kenpachi."
As soon as these words were spoken.
Everyone's gaze turned towards them.
Kenpachi?
What an arrogant name!
Historically, only the Captain of the Eleventh Division could be called Kenpachi.
A Rukongai dared to take such a name.
One truly didn't know whether to call him audacious or wildly ambitious…
Retsu smiled, her expression normal, but deep within her heart, long-sealed emotions were quietly stirred.
Recalling the past.
A bright glint gradually appeared in her eyes.
—Very good!
That young man truly didn't disappoint her!
Having received the answer she wanted.
She nodded slightly.
As she watched Tsugikuni Yoriichi leave with Hisana, she murmured to herself: "Kenpachi… Yachiru…"
"I should go there in person sometime soon…"
"I wonder how much his strength has progressed compared to when he was a youth…"
"Please… don't disappoint me."
"My recognised… Kenpachi!"
… …
Rukongai.
Outside One of the Districts.
Jidanbō, responsible for guarding the Byakudo Gate, was bored.
As one of the strongmen selected by Soul Society, his task was to prevent Rukongai from entering Seireitei behind him.
It had been two hundred years now.
No one had ever successfully entered.
Sometimes he felt this task was too simple, but occasionally he would hear news of other district gates being forcibly broken open by savage Rukongai.
Therefore, even if the task was simple, he approached it with a hundred per cent mental readiness.
Today, he saw a Shinigami slowly walking from the end of the street. He didn't originally want to bother, but when he saw the Rukongai beside the Shinigami…
Seeing that the two seemed to be entering Seireitei together…
He had to intervene.
And so.
The ten-meter-tall Jidanbō walked forward like a giant.
Just as he was about to speak.
The next second.
"Brother Yoriichi!"
"How is it you?!"
Jidanbō was so surprised his jaw almost dropped.
As a strongman living in this area, Jidanbō had a very good relationship with the people of one of the Districts.
Rukia often came to play with him, and over time, the two became familiar.
When Tsugikuni Yoriichi left earlier, Rukia had cried to Jidanbō, but to no avail. After all, he was just a small gatekeeper, not even a Shinigami.
Because of his low status, he couldn't offer any advice at that time.
He had thought Tsugikuni Yoriichi would take a long time to return.
He never expected…
Wait a minute.
His gaze was like lightning, and in an instant, he clearly saw the girl hiding behind Tsugikuni Yoriichi.
"Rukia!?"