"Tomorrow at noon, come to the First Division to find me; I have something to give you."
After leaving that sentence, Yamamoto Genryusai stood up to bid farewell.
Click.
When the room door closed, Tsugikuni Yoriichi went to see him off.
Inside the house, Yoruichi Shihouin revealed a passable smile.
One must know that Yamamoto Genryusai's disciple and a Captain of the Gotei 13 are not the same identity.
The former, if one were to delve deeper, is equivalent to a minor noble; ordinary nobles would not dare to provoke Yamamoto Genryusai.
As for the latter, any lower-ranking noble could disregard them.
This is the difference.
As status improves, relationships naturally become much closer, because the class barrier no longer exists.
Even if Yoruichi Shihouin came frequently, those elders in her family would no longer say anything.
She exhaled, her gaze sweeping over Rukia and Hisana beside her, then she turned to reveal a hint of an interested smile:
"Little Rukia, aren't you going to introduce your elder sister?"
"You two aren't twins, are you? Why do you look so alike?"
Regarding this question, it was also what Rukia wanted to ask.
Although the two of them were so many years apart in age, their appearances were identical…
She carefully looked at her elder sister, seemingly wanting to ask who their parents were.
She had no memories of her previous life because she was an infant when she was born…
Seemingly sensing the emotion in Rukia's eyes, Hisana slowly looked up, a hint of apology flashing in her eyes: "I'm sorry, Rukia."
"Regarding our parents, I can't remember clearly either, I only vaguely recall that my mother was a very gentle person, but my father…"
A difficult scene flashed through her mind, and her voice abruptly stopped, clearly unwilling to say more.
A moment later, she changed the subject:
"At this point, there's no need to dwell on these things. You've already found family who care about you, why cling to matters from your previous life…"
"Besides my brother, I will also always be with you; after all, you are my younger sister…"
"Yoruichi-sama."
She turned her gaze to Yoruichi Shihouin, bowing in thanks:
"Is it all right if I address you this way? Thank you so much for taking care of Rukia."
"Hey." Yoruichi waved her hand dismissively, "It's nothing. Just call me by my name; honorifics are too formal."
"You're little Rukia's elder sister."
"My brother Yoriichi and I hit it off immediately, so his younger sister is my younger sister. Taking care of my younger sister is only natural."
As she spoke, she flashed a brilliant smile, completely unconcerned by the difference in their statuses.
Hisana's words were caught in her throat, her gaze fixed on the white teeth Yoruichi revealed, unsure how to comment on the matter.
Are all the people around her brother so amiable?
Clearly… they had only just met and it hadn't even been a few minutes.
The feeling she got was like that of long-time friends, so familiar.
Speechless.
At this moment.
Creak—
Yoriichi pushed open the door and walked in.
Yoruichi Shihouin saw this and asked: "Has the Captain-Commander left?"
"Congratulations, my brother Yoriichi."
"I didn't expect the Captain-Commander to actively take you as his disciple. It seems he truly appreciates you."
Entering the room, Yoriichi nodded gently in response to Yoruichi Shihouin's congratulations.
The warm light from behind shone in, creating a somewhat cosy atmosphere, and he said softly:
"It was just luck, but still, thank you for your reminder, Yoruichi-sama."
Yoruichi waved her hand: "No need to be so polite with me."
She stood up, her white haori lined with black combat attire looking quite dashing and heroic.
Swish.
Her robes fluttering, she looked directly at Tsugikuni Yoriichi, her tone casual:
"The Captain-Commander is a very composed person to begin with. Even if you hadn't responded in time, there wouldn't have been a different outcome."
"Are you interested in coming to my Second Division again sometime soon?"
"My Second Division's current Vice-Captain is retiring, and we're planning a three-day banquet. If you're free, bring Hisana and Rukia along to mingle."
"It's easier to get things done when you have more friends."
"Also…"
Her gaze gradually shifted to Hisana; at some point, a noticeable blush appeared on Hisana's cheeks.
Staring at those two blushes, Yoruichi Shihouin frowned:
"Maybe I saw wrong, or maybe it's another reason, but I feel there's something wrong with Hisana's body."
"She seems to have some reishi intolerance, which is what's called reishi poisoning."
"This is not a small matter."
"If it's true, it's best to have Captain Retsu Unohana examine her before the condition develops further."
"If that doesn't work, my Shihouin Clan also has some offerings skilled in Healing Kido."
"Don't think what I'm saying is alarmist. My Second Division members have more or less read some medical books, because we are an assassination mobile unit…"
"As the Captain of the Second Division, I understand the human body extremely well. Rukia is fine, but…"
Yoruichi Shihouin's words were not yet finished when Yoriichi's gaze suddenly became serious.
Reishi poisoning?
He had heard of it.
It was said to be a very common ailment in the Seireitei.
Patients often felt unwell due to a significant increase in the surrounding reishi concentration.
Ultimately, their bodies would be gradually eroded, leading to soul decay and death.
Hisana was poisoned?
His mood gradually sank, and the previous joy vanished.
However, Yoruichi Shihouin's subsequent words made Yoriichi suddenly snap back to reality:
"Of course, you don't need to worry too much. She just arrived in Seireitei, and the reishi concentration in the air is far less dense than in the centre."
"Generally speaking, even if it develops, it won't be this fast."
"But to be safe, it's best to take her out first. My Shihouin family also has properties in Rukongai. Settle her there, let her rest for a few days, and she should be fine."
Yoruichi looked up and quickly offered a suggestion.
Yoriichi agreed without hesitation.
A moment later.
When the group arrived at the place Yoruichi Shihouin mentioned.
An old man named Taro, a retainer of the Shihouin family, examined Hisana's condition and delivered good news to everyone:
"The symptoms of reishi poisoning have not spread throughout her body. I have suppressed the affected areas in her limbs and fingertips."
"Barring any surprises, she should fully recover after about a month of recuperation. However, I do not recommend that she re-enter Seireitei."
"Judging by her attire, she shouldn't be a Shinigami, right, Yoruichi-sama? Is she your friend?" Taro asked.
Yoruichi replied: "More or less. She's my nominal younger sister. She can't enter Seireitei… Can she not even reside in remote areas?"
"No."
Taro shook his head, "You should know what Seireitei is like. The reishi concentration there is more than five times higher than here."
"Short periods are fine, but over time… never mind me, even Tenjiro Kirinji, who invented Healing Kido, wouldn't be able to save her."
"Yoruichi-sama, for the sake of your younger sister's safety, it's best to have her stay with me for now."
This place is located in one of the Districts of East Rukongai, not far from Seireitei… Thinking of this, Taro paused, then added:
"Of course, it would be a different story if there were a machine that could dilute the surrounding reishi."
"However, such a machine can only exist in imagination. Basically, no one would specifically commission one."
The last sentence was essentially a clear hint.
Hearing this, Yoruichi understood. The first person she thought of was Hikifune Kirio of the Twelfth Division.
However, since Hikifune Kirio was being promoted to Squad Zero tomorrow, there wasn't enough time, so she could only resort to a second option.
She recalled her friend and the Second Division's Third Seat—Kisuke Urahara.
Yoruichi remembered that he often made small, very practical inventions.
Those inventions looked simple but actually required extremely profound technology.
In other words, no one was better suited to complete this task than Kisuke Urahara.
Thinking of this, she nodded and said: "I understand, Grandpa Taro. Hisana will stay with you for a few days for now, that should be fine, right?"
"No problem. This place was originally a converted hospital. Never mind a few days, dozens or hundreds of days are fine, as long as you don't forget her…"