The reconstruction project of the Underworld was steadily progressing.
A few days after leaving the Demon Slayer world, Yoriichi received news from Yoruichi Shihouin.
Because he had severely wounded Aizen and successfully thwarted Aizen's plot to overthrow the Soul Society and destroy the Seireitei, the Tsugikuni Clan Clan was successfully elevated to the ranks of Upper-Class Nobles through a joint resolution of several major noble families.
Although there were distinctions of rank even among Upper-Class Nobles, Yoriichi didn't particularly care about it.
In his view, the status of a noble was far less intimidating than the position of a Captain.
However, considering that it would allow his family to live a better life, he accepted it.
Matsumoto Rangiku was especially happy about this.
All of a sudden, she spoke with full confidence within the Ninth Division.
Uta, however, was filled with melancholy.
This sudden increase in status left her at a loss.
In her eyes, the former Lower-Class Nobles were like the lords of the Edo period.
Now that she had become an Upper-Class Noble, in her opinion, this status was almost comparable to that of a Shogun.
She wasn't clear about the difference between ordinary Upper-Class Nobles and top-tier Upper-Class Nobles.
Fortunately, during Yoriichi's absence, Hisana timely provided her with assistance, which barely kept the situation stable.
As the family's industries grew, days passed, and Uta gradually integrated into this three-person group.
She became increasingly composed when handling matters, gradually showing the demeanor of a family matriarch.
...
Time flew by, and in a blink of an eye, it was time for Matsumoto Rangiku to enroll.
Outside the Spiritual Arts Academy, Yoriichi Tsugikuni quietly watched Matsumoto Rangiku walk into the school, a strange sense of nostalgia welling up in his heart.
Perhaps, this was what people often called déjà vu.
He had wanted to send Rukia in as well, but considering her young age, he decided to postpone it for a few years.
Coincidentally, Rukia's friend Hinamori Momo had recently reconnected with her.
Hinamori Momo often came to Rukia to discuss Shinigami combat methods, eager to compensate for her shortcomings through diligent effort.
Yoriichi did not object to this.
In his opinion, the more friends, the better.
Moreover, according to Rukia, after becoming an Upper-Class Noble, an invisible barrier suddenly appeared between her and the other noble girls.
This barrier was like a thick wall, making the joy she had felt before disappear without a trace.
In its place was their deference towards her.
This feeling made Rukia very uncomfortable.
Fortunately, Hinamori Momo still treated her with the same normal attitude as before...
Yoriichi knew well that this was a result of the disparity in status.
Gently exhaling, Matsumoto Rangiku's figure had already vanished from Yoriichi's sight.
He was about to leave when a teacher suddenly appeared before him.
"Captain Tsugikuni, please wait."
It turned out to be the Dean of Students from the Spiritual Arts Academy.
Yoriichi quietly looked at him and asked in a calm tone, "Is something wrong?"
The Dean of Students looked hesitant:
"Captain Tsugikuni, regarding your sister, Miss Matsumoto Rangiku, isn't it a bit unsuitable for her to be in the first-year class?"
"I heard that her strength is already capable of defeating ordinary Shinigami soldiers, and she is proficient in all three aspects of Zanjutsu, Hakuda, and Hoho."
"How about I make the decision to let her skip directly to the sixth year?"
"..."
Yoriichi was silent for a moment, then shook his head slightly:
"No need. Whether she skips a grade should be decided by her. Combat power does not represent overall quality."
"Even if she becomes a sixth-year student, if she lacks cooperative ability, she will ultimately find it difficult to qualify."
"The one who taught her Zanjutsu, Hakuda, and Hoho was a Seat Officer from the Second Division, and as you all know, the Second Division excels in solo combat."
"It is precisely with this consideration in mind that I sent her here, to cultivate her spirit of cooperation."
Ever since Ichimaru Gin confessed, Yoriichi knew that Matsumoto Rangiku's enemy was no longer him.
Therefore, there was no need to forget the other duties of a Shinigami for the sake of pursuing combat power.
As long as she could be taught the spirit of cooperation, graduating later would still be worthwhile.
Anyway, it wouldn't exceed six years.
Upon hearing this, the Dean of Students suddenly understood, and at the same time, a slight sourness welled up in his heart.
The teachers at the Spiritual Arts Academy were not very strong, because all the strong ones had gone to the Gotei 13.
Coupled with the occasional Captains and Vice-Captains who came to teach and select promising talents.
So, most of the teachers who remained here were not even as strong as Seat Officers.
Hearing that Matsumoto Rangiku had been carefully tutored by a Seat Officer before enrolling, and even the Captain Tsugikuni in front of him might have given her one-on-one guidance...
This level of teaching staff probably surpassed that of the Spiritual Arts Academy.
With guidance from famous teachers, how could one not soar to great heights?
If he had received such treatment back then, why would he have failed to even reach the strength of a Vice-Captain after hundreds of years?
Alas...
The Dean of Students' mood was very complex. He nodded, indicating his understanding, and said he would certainly make Matsumoto Rangiku realize the importance of cooperation.
After Yoriichi Tsugikuni left, he secretly pondered how to proceed.
Should he go for a dangerous, one-step solution, or a slow, gradual approach like boiling a frog in warm water?
Hopefully...
Matsumoto Rangiku wasn't one of those difficult students.
...
At the Tsugikuni residence, Yoriichi saw Uta upon his return.
At this moment, Uta was attempting to practice a Breathing Technique.
Due to the extremely high reishi concentration within the Seireitei, and Uta seemingly not experiencing any symptoms of reishi discomfort, her body gradually improved and was no longer weak in daily life.
Thus, she thought of picking up the ability Yoriichi had taught her back then, which was the introductory stance of the Breathing Technique, a weakened version of Sun Breathing suitable for her.
She had learned it back then, but unfortunately, after just one breath, she felt a burning sensation in her lungs and almost fainted. Fortunately, Yoriichi was by her side at the time.
After this incident, Yoriichi forbade her from practicing, as it was too dangerous.
But now it was different. After testing, she possessed a slight spiritual pressure, which had improved her body, making her physical quality two to three times that of her human period.
The significant improvement meant that even when she practiced the introductory stance again, she only felt slightly uncomfortable, without any fainting symptoms. She barely managed to persevere.
She believed her persistence would have some effect. Besides managing the Tsugikuni Clan Clan's finances, she also wanted to help Yoriichi in other ways.
It was just a pity that Yoriichi didn't want to accept her kind intentions.
Seeing Uta practicing the Breathing Technique, Yoriichi frowned slightly.
He then disappeared from his spot, stopping Uta's actions.
"Don't do such dangerous things anymore."
"If you really want to help me, go get an asauchi and communicate with a Zanpakuto."
"The Breathing Technique, in the end, was originally created to compensate for the deficiencies in human physical quality."
"Your body is weak, so even if you want to fight, there's no need to engage others head-on."
"Being able to protect yourself using a Zanpakuto is enough."
...
"Zanpakuto?"Uta's voice was full of confusion.
She slightly raised her eyes, looking at Yoriichi.
In that instant, she felt Yoriichi's genuine concern, a warmth like a spring breeze quietly welling up in her heart.
Afterward, her gaze slowly swept over the sword at Yoriichi's waist, a hesitant look in her eyes as she spoke:
"Isn't this something only Shinigami can master?"
Then, she asked as if to herself:
"I'm not a Shinigami, can I also awaken a Zanpakuto?"
The reason Uta had this question was that she had always been unclear about this, which was why she chose to practice the Breathing Technique.
After living for a period, she had already understood that a Zanpakuto was the source of a Shinigami's greatest power.
However, to achieve this, one must first release their Zanpakuto, but this was not easy.
There were six thousand Shinigami in the Seireitei, but at any given time, only two to three hundred at most could achieve Shikai.
That averaged out to only about ten to twenty per division.
Uta didn't think she would be one of them.
After all, her spiritual pressure wasn't very strong.
Those Shinigami with spiritual power above level fifteen couldn't achieve Shikai even after spending fifteen to twenty years with their Zanpakuto.
And she was only eighteen years old, her age not even matching the time they spent with their swords, so how could she awaken a Zanpakuto?
Yoriichi gently shook his head, his tone subtly encouraging:
"Don't belittle yourself. Before you obtain an asauchi, no one knows what the future will hold."
"Releasing a Zanpakuto doesn't have a strict spiritual pressure requirement. You just need the Zanpakuto to acknowledge you, and regarding this, it's not only achievable through Zankyo."
Zankyo had always been the only process for Shinigami to communicate with their Zanpakuto... at least, it was before.
Among the few tools Kisuke Urahara developed after becoming the Captain of the Twelfth Division, there was something that could directly bypass Zankyo and allow one to see the Zanpakuto itself.
This was different from the Transformed Body.
The former was about seeing and communicating, skipping the process of Zankyo.
An asauchi itself has no name, but it houses a name.
As long as it gains the Zanpakuto's acknowledgment.
One can then know its true name, and then, perform Shikai.
The two are in an equal relationship.
The latter, however, was about forced subjugation; the winner gained everything, the loser nothing.
For Uta, using the former tool could save her over a decade of time.
It was just a pity that this tool could not be mass-produced.
Otherwise, it would have long been sold out.
After all, there were far more Shinigami who couldn't achieve Shikai than those who couldn't achieve Bankai.
Uta half-understood, then followed Yoriichi's footsteps and obtained an asauchi.
The asauchi shimmered with dazzling light under the sun, leaving Uta in a daze.
Next, Yoriichi went to the Twelfth Division, originally intending to purchase those items from Kisuke Urahara.
But Kisuke Urahara claimed these items were worthless because they were accidental byproducts of developing the Transformed Body.
Yoriichi reluctantly accepted them.
Returning home, he handed them to Uta and softly said, "Try it."
"I also want to see what your Zanpakuto spirit looks like."
"There are no two identical Zanpakuto in the world."
"The moment you obtained the asauchi, its name was already destined."
"Given your personality, I think it will be a Kido-healing type."
Uta looked down at the asauchi, her dark eyes showing clear ripples.
A healing type, huh?
She looked up, a slight smile on her lips, revealing a warm expression: "I hope so."
No matter what type it was, as long as it could help Yoriichi, it was good.
Because the Captain's work was really too busy; they couldn't even see each other during the day, only now during leisure time could they chat.
Uta held the asauchi in her hand, feeling its cold touch, while applying the substances that could materialize the asauchi onto the blade, muttering to herself:
"Matsumoto Rangiku has already gone to school. I wonder what type of Zanpakuto she'll awaken."
"Hey, Yoriichi, do you know?"
"Considering her personality?"
Matsumoto Rangiku's personality was actually a bit willful.
Yoriichi thought for a moment, then replied, "She's probably more suited for Kido-type flexible attacks."
"She still has quite a while before she can release her Zanpakuto, because a Zanpakuto's personality leans towards its master's personality."
"Being too willful isn't a good thing."
"Sending her to the Spiritual Arts Academy was also to help her change her mindset."
"Then you tell me, can these things be used by her?" Uta pointed at the items in her hand that could bypass the sword meditation.
Yoriichi shook his head slightly:
"Not really. Being able to see a Zanpakuto Spirit isn't very useful. If the two cannot understand each other, it's just one more chat partner."
"Rangiku doesn't lack those."
"Uta, you don't need to worry about her anymore."
"She's already grown up. The path ahead can only be walked by her alone."
Hearing this, Uta was slightly lost in thought. Yes, if Yoriichi hadn't mentioned it, she wouldn't have remembered that Rangiku was four or five times her age.
During human times, she could have been her ancestor.
She truly didn't need to worry, because Yoriichi would handle everything.
Thinking of this, Uta gradually composed herself.
As the application was completed,Uta's power instantly poured into the asauchi.
The asauchi's form subtly changed, becoming her own Zanpakuto.
At the same time, the Zanpakuto also gained its own name, but since she hadn't yet completed communication with it, Uta didn't know it yet.
Facing all of this, Uta slowly exhaled.
Immediately after, she subtly raised her gaze.
At some unknown point, a beautiful kimono-clad woman had appeared in front of her.
The woman's black hair cascaded over her shoulders like a waterfall. She sat quietly on the ground, her eyes gentle yet somewhat complex.
She gazed silently at Uta, then let out a soft sigh.
...
Yoriichi listened to their conversation, when he suddenly received a message from the Ninth Division.
A prisoner had escaped Seireitei and needed to be apprehended immediately.
The prisoner's name was Hinoshita Makoto, a second-grade spiritual power.
Upon hearing the name, Yoriichi knew it was those unyielding nobles causing trouble again.
If he remembered correctly, this person was the Shinigami he had severely wounded previously.
He had failed in his assassination attempt on Kuchiki Sōjun, due to his loyalty to the Tsunayashiro Clan. Due to the temporary annihilation of the Forty-Six Chambers, he had no one to judge him and was temporarily held in the Sixth Division.
He was personally guarded by Kuchiki Ginhui.
Logically speaking, having lost an arm, his strength was less than half of what it was.
How did he manage to escape?
Yoriichi didn't have time to delve into these reasons. He apologized to Uta, then quickly rushed to the mission location.
The opponent had second-grade spiritual power, so only a Captain could capture him.
Zaraki Kenpachi had already gone after him, but he often got lost.
Along the way, Yoriichi received a message from the Sixth Division, getting all the information.
The Forty-Six Chambers had been rebuilt. After the judgment, on the way to be imprisoned in the Mugen, the escort team was attacked by an unknown individual.
A centipede may die, but it never falls over, but fortunately, the attacker was killed on the spot.
Although Hinoshita Makoto escaped, he shouldn't have gotten far.
This was merely a final struggle before death.
...
Things were exactly as Yoriichi Tsugikuni had expected.
Hinoshita Makoto, having lost an arm, was nothing to fear.
Even if someone had unlocked the sealed stone sealing his spiritual pressure.
He could never escape the elaborate net laid out by Seireitei.
In just three minutes, Yoriichi easily found him and re-arrested him.
The process was extremely simple.
However, Hinoshita Makoto's behavior was truly strange.
When Yoriichi found him, he was standing quietly in an open space, as if waiting for something.
When he was captured, he didn't curse like other prisoners. Instead, there was a deep tranquility, a feeling akin to despair.
—Despair?
Yoriichi used [This Rope] to bind him, his doubts growing stronger.
But he didn't delve deeper, as no one knew what had transpired between Hinoshita Makoto and the Tsunayashiro Clan.
Perhaps, he had been abandoned.
With these thoughts, Yoriichi hadn't walked far when he saw the Sixth Division members who had come to meet him.
Yoriichi handed Hinoshita Makoto over to them and earnestly instructed them to be extra careful this time, and not to repeat the previous mistake.
Once a second-grade Shinigami goes berserk, it will cause immense destruction to the surrounding people and things.
Hearing this, the squad members nodded repeatedly in response.
The Kuchiki Clan member leading them bowed:
"We are truly sorry, Captain Tsugikuni."
"It was supposed to be a sure thing, but we didn't expect him to escape. We apologize for troubling you to come out."
As they spoke, they wrapped chains forged from sealed stone, circle after circle, around Hinoshita Makoto's body.
They only felt somewhat relieved after binding him like a zongzi and using several locks.
After gently exhaling, the Sixth Division completed the handover procedure and quickly left the area with Hinoshita Makoto.
At this point, Yoriichi looked at the sky, just about to leave.
Suddenly, a faint spatial fluctuation appeared behind him.
Turning around, a black void—a Black Cavity—suddenly appeared in the previously empty space.
A figure slowly emerged from the Black Cavity. No... this wasn't a person, but a Hollow, a Vasto Lorde-level Menos Grande.
He was tall and slender, his skin as pale as paper, and his dark green pupils were unruffled, like a bottomless lake.
His black, jagged hair, though seemingly ordinary, added a calm and steady demeanor to him.
Yoriichi frowned slightly. The moment he saw this Hollow, a thought emerged in his mind—this was likely Aizen's doing.
Hinoshita Makoto had just been standing here motionless, probably waiting for this Hollow to appear, intending to betray Soul Society.
He just hadn't expected him to arrive so early.
Thud.
The Menos Grande slowly landed, stirring up a bit of dust.
His hands were casually tucked into his pockets, and his cold gaze first nonchalantly surveyed his surroundings.
The thin reishi in Rukongai made him frown slightly, and a dull sensation welled up in his chest.
Finally, his gaze slowly fixed on Yoriichi.
Ulquiorra Cifer gazed at Yoriichi's white haori fluttering in the wind, and slowly spoke:
"Am I a step late?"
"Captain?"
"You must be the strongest combatant in Soul Society, as Lord Aizen mentioned."
His voice was extremely calm; even when facing a Captain, his emotions showed no ripples.
"What is your name?"
Ulquiorra continued, attempting to gather some information from Yoriichi.
Since Hinoshita Makoto wasn't here, and a Captain was in his place, it meant he was gone.
A Shinigami who was imprisoned, or a Shinigami who was dead, held no value.
The reason Lord Aizen valued him was because of his unique constitution; a tiny fragment of the Soul King was hidden deep within his soul.
Unfortunately, he had lost an arm. For this reason, he was given a chance to see if he had the ability to escape from Seireitei.
If he could escape, it meant he still had some value, and perhaps he would be given a new arm.
But clearly, he had failed...
Ulquiorra quickly assessed everything before him, quietly awaiting Yoriichi Tsugikuni's answer.
He didn't have much time to remain here, so even if Yoriichi Tsugikuni said nothing, he wouldn't force it.
Life was long, and they would surely meet again in the future.
According to Lord Aizen's plan, he would eventually fight his way back into Soul Society.
However, much to Ulquiorra Cifer's surprise, Yoriichi slowly stated his name, then instantly appeared before him, slashing at his neck.
Since he was Aizen's subordinate, there was no need to hold back.
Some changes must have occurred in Hueco Mundo; even a Vasto Lorde had been subdued by Aizen. Given time, who knew what might happen.
Fortunately, he had appeared here today and seen this Menos Grande, otherwise he might have thought this was merely an internal struggle among the nobles.
"Whoosh!"
Yoriichi's attack caught Ulquiorra off guard.
Although he was a Vasto Lorde-level Menos Grande, he had actually only been promoted a few years ago.
Moreover, for some unknown reason, he had been promoted. After sleeping in a quartz tree grove, the mask on his face had shattered.
Without the mask to obscure it, his pupils could be clearly seen contracting instantly.
Instinctively, he stomped the ground, and with a "bang," Sonido activated.
But he was still a step too slow.
When he appeared in another location, his neck was half-severed, and blood gushed out between his fingers, staining the ground.
His expression was grave, and his eyes reflected Yoriichi disappearing again and slashing again, which instantly tensed his mind.
Although his enhanced ability was ultra-regeneration, if every slash was a fatal blow, even the fastest speed would be useless.
Ulquiorra knew he had encountered a formidable enemy. Since his promotion to Vasto Lorde, this was the first time he had met such an opponent.
Their spiritual pressures were equal, yet his Hierro was easily cut through.
His speed was inferior, leading to his defense being breached, almost getting instantly killed... Shinigami!?
If every Captain possessed such strength, how had Hueco Mundo survived until now?!
Even Baraggan, the former King of Hueco Mundo conquered by Lord Aizen, probably couldn't withstand one of his slashes.
Yoriichi Tsugikuni... he remembered him.
Of course, now was not the time to think. These thoughts flashed through his mind for only an instant before Ulquiorra instinctively rushed towards the Black Cavity.
The wound on his neck had already healed.
"Bang!"
His rapidly moving body became a fleeting afterimage. Almost in the blink of an eye, he reached the Black Cavity.
The reishi concentration nearby was too low, severely affecting his performance.
Only by going to Hueco Mundo could he find a glimmer of hope!
However, Yoriichi saw through his intentions.
Before he could enter, with a sudden "whoosh," a cold, sharp blade flashed like the wind and vanished.
Like cutting paper, his legs were instantly severed!
Although his body surged into the Black Cavity due to inertia, the pain still made him clench his teeth.
Grind...
His brows were also deeply furrowed, but Ulquiorra did not let out a single groan, for such was his nature.
He would firmly remember today's lesson.
Yoriichi Tsugikuni...
Soul Society...