On the other side.
As Ichimaru Gin slowly walked out of the room, Tsugikuni Yoriichi's words still echoed in his mind.
Those words were like a heavy hammer, striking his soul again and again, leaving him with an inexplicable feeling.
Whether it was the shock he felt when he was completely seen through.
Or Tsugikuni Yoriichi's subsequent guesses about his actions.
Almost every word seemed like an arrow, striking directly at the essence.
Unbelievable…
Does he read minds?
Even… such a perfect disguise.
Ichimaru Gin let out a heavy breath, the white mist vanishing in the air in an instant.
Suddenly, his gaze was drawn to the two girls sitting on the veranda.
The two girls, their shoulders bathed in the golden sunset, both turned to look at him.
Their expressions and movements were quiet, but their eyes seemed to say the words "scum."
Ichimaru Gin felt quite helpless about this.
Hoo…
He forced a smile onto his face, making himself forget these things.
He judged the time by the sun in the sky, then turned and walked towards the door.
Just then, a clear voice suddenly rang out behind him.
"Hey!"
That was Rukia's voice, full of accusation.
"Why didn't you even apologize?"
"Are you even a man?"
"You abandoned Rangiku Sis in the wilderness, can you just say it was for power and leave it at that?"
"Why are you so heartless?"
Listening to these questions, Ichimaru Gin's steps paused slightly.
It was as if something had violently struck his heart, but very quickly, he regained his composure.
Then, he turned around, his narrowed eyes making his smile appear somewhat chilling:
"A snake is inherently cold-blooded and heartless."
"Are you Rukia?"
"Yes, what do you want?" Rukia frowned slightly.
"Nothing." Ichimaru Gin shook his head:
"But please remember these words today very well."
"My name is Ichimaru Gin, I am a snake, my skin is cold, I have no emotions, and my purpose in life is to find prey and swallow it whole."
"This is also one of my life creeds; a child as young as you probably won't understand, just know that anyone who obstructs my path, I will mercilessly kill them."
"No matter who it is."
Hearing this, Rukia subconsciously retorted: "Even the Captain-Commander is no exception?"
"Yes, the Captain-Commander…" Ichimaru Gin's voice suddenly froze.
He rolled his eyes at Rukia inwardly, suddenly disliking this brat.
If he could take down Yamamoto Genryusai, would he still need to play along with Aizen?
What a joke.
Without saying anything more, Ichimaru Gin turned and walked out of the house.
As he moved, several voices came from Rukia behind him again:
"Sis, he's scared."
"I told you he's a coward, only daring to be harsh with weak girls."
"If he's a Third Seat."
"When I become a Shinigami, I'll definitely be able to become a Third Seat too."
Although these were all truths, and the innocent remarks of a child, for some reason, they made Ichimaru Gin extremely annoyed.
His carefully feigned expression almost broke.
Damn it…
Ichimaru Gin's brows furrowed, and he took a few deep breaths before his expression gradually returned to its original state.
He didn't look back, nor did he listen to Rukia and Hisana's evaluations of him.
He firmly believed that as long as he endured enough…
He would definitely achieve his plan.
Sorry… Rangiku.
…
"He's gone."
Sensing Ichimaru Gin's departure, Yoriichi's gentle and bright voice slowly sounded in the room.
He looked at Matsumoto Rangiku:
"Before you become a Shinigami, stay here for now and keep Hisana and them company."
"How long will I stay?" Matsumoto Rangiku's emotions gradually calmed down with the passage of time.
She already understood that she couldn't rely on others to make Ichimaru Gin change his mind.
Since, on the surface, Ichimaru Gin left her to pursue power.
Then she would use power to knock him back to his senses.
Matsumoto Rangiku thought so.
Yoriichi pondered for a moment and slowly said: "As short as one year, as long as six years."
"Huh?" Matsumoto Rangiku was slightly startled.
"Six years?" She widened her eyes, filled with surprise and confusion.
"Why so long?"
She hadn't even been looking for Ichimaru Gin for six years yet.
In less than two years, Ichimaru Gin had transformed from an ordinary Rukongai resident into a Third Seat.
Although she didn't know the status and strength of a Third Seat, it shouldn't be much different from a Captain.
After six years, would she still be able to catch up to him?
Yoriichi glanced at Rangiku and said softly: "This isn't my rule, it's the school's rule."
"Of course, if you are exceptionally talented, you can apply to graduate in one year, like Ichimaru Gin."
"Or even shorter, like me."
"How do you think your talent is?"
…
Matsumoto Rangiku couldn't answer, because she didn't understand the definition of talent.
Spiritual pressure talent and learning talent have no direct relationship.
Even if one only possesses spiritual pressure but cannot learn swordsmanship or Kido, even if they become a Shinigami, they will only be beaten.
Therefore, Shinigami of this type, when placed in the Spiritual Arts Academy, find it difficult to even graduate and can only engage in logistical work, like the Fourth Division's corpse transportation.
In the silent air, Matsumoto Rangiku slightly raised her eyes, with a hint of expectation: "Can't you teach me?"
"Yes, but I am a Captain."
Captains are sometimes busy, sometimes not; in uncertain situations, it's better to leave it to the Spiritual Arts Academy.
At this point, Matsumoto Rangiku realized she had no other choice.
She could only pursue a slim chance by attending school.
Speaking of which…
Her thoughts returned.
A crucial question surfaced in Matsumoto Rangiku's mind.
What is a school?
…
After a period of explanation, Matsumoto Rangiku finally understood the meaning of a school, and the series of learning steps required to become a Shinigami.
Zanjutsu, Hakuda, Hoho, Kido.
Currently, she only knew Hakuda.
And this Hakuda was something she learned through fighting wild beasts; it was fine for teaching ordinary people a lesson, but for teaching Shinigami… it was far from enough.
Considering that there was still some time before the Spiritual Arts Academy started, and Matsumoto Rangiku had no foundation, Yoriichi planned to take her to the Ninth Division to properly train her.
Although she wouldn't master all Shinigami techniques within a short month, it would be enough to give her a lead over some academy students when school started.
Judging by her current spiritual pressure, she should be able to be assigned to the Elite Class.
Matsumoto Rangiku was somewhat reluctant, as she felt that the so-called training would be quite tiring.
But when she thought of Ichimaru Gin's heartlessness, she gritted her teeth and agreed.
However, it was only for a month.
And so, the day's events largely concluded.
That day, Matsumoto Rangiku became friends with Hisana and Rukia, claiming to be the big sister.
Because she was indeed very big.
Twice Hisana's size.
Eight times Rukia's size.
To be honest, Matsumoto Rangiku believed that if she weren't younger than Tsugikuni Yoriichi, she could even become the big sister of the three of them.
Unfortunately, due to being born a few years later, this thought of hers would never be realized, and she was forced to call him 'Brother', as the Tsugikuni household gradually became livelier