Chapter 236: Byakuya's Birth
"What?!"
Satoru's expression was one of shock as he slapped the armrest of his beast-skin throne.
"Such a major event happened in the Soul Society, and you're only telling me now?!"
"Do you think the Eleventh Division has no one?!"
The messenger Shinigami was momentarily stunned.
Then, he instinctively replied, "Lord Satoru, if you leave now, I can guide you..."
"Guide me? No need!"
Satoru sprang to his feet.
"Watch as I, Satoru, flip over there in a single leap and stir up trouble for his entire clan!"
With that, his figure flashed and vanished on the spot.
...
...
The streets of the Seireitei were blanketed in a layer of pure white snow.
Many Shinigami on duty were using various snow-clearing tools to sweep the accumulated snow from the pathways.
Though it was the first snowfall of winter, it was heavy.
In just one night, several centimeters had piled up.
Satoru leaped from rooftop to rooftop. Though his current strength allowed him to tread without leaving a trace on the snow, the sight of the untouched, pristine snow on the roofs was too tempting, and he couldn't resist stomping on every one.
It felt incredibly satisfying.
Before long, Satoru descended from the sky, landing in the courtyard of the Kuchiki residence.
The guards in the courtyard were startled by the sudden intrusion.
But as soon as they recognized Satoru, they all relaxed.
Captain of the Eleventh Division, Satoru Mikami.
A close friend of Young Master Sōjun, who frequently dropped by the Kuchiki residence for meals.
The guards dared not provoke this man in the slightest.
Not long ago, Satoru had been demoted from a mid-level noble to a lower-level noble.
One of the clan's advisors had suggested that Satoru was a troublemaker who had made many enemies and that the young master should sever ties with him as soon as possible.
Within an hour, that advisor was expelled from the Kuchiki Clan.
It was said to be a direct order from Young Master Sōjun Kuchiki himself.
Everyone knew that the young master was usually gentle, kind, and approachable.
He rarely even raised his voice to the servants, let alone punished anyone.
For such a gentle young master to issue such a severe punishment showed just how much the Kuchiki Clan valued Satoru.
The guards bowed in unison.
"Lord Satoru!"
"Oh! Good morning!"
Satoru grinned and waved at them.
Then, his figure flashed and disappeared once more.
Though the Kuchiki residence was vast, he was already familiar with the locations of the main buildings.
Soon, he reached his destination.
Whoosh!!
Satoru slid open the room's sliding door.
Inside, several figures were kneeling.
Among them was Sōjun.
A woman of elegant beauty sat close to him.
Apart from the two, a few elderly women were bustling about.
The elegant woman held a crying infant in her arms.
Hearing the door open, Sōjun looked up.
Seeing Satoru, he smiled.
"Satoru, you're here."
Satoru ignored him and hurried inside, closing the door behind him.
After securing the door, he strode over with a wide grin.
"Quick, let me see the child!"
The elegant woman gave a wry smile.
As Sōjun Kuchiki's wife, she naturally knew Satoru.
Both in strength and character, her husband's friend was someone she greatly admired.
But the child in her arms, though born not long ago, was surprisingly strong.
The incessant cries pierced straight through the eardrums, making one's head spin with dizziness.
Handing this unlucky child over to Satoru felt utterly disrespectful.
Yet Satoru didn't mind in the slightest, directly reaching out to take the child in his arms.
The woman was about to offer some reminders when she was astonished to discover that the little one actually quieted down once in Satoru's embrace.
The baby blinked, gazing curiously at the man before him.
A few seconds later, he broke into a smile, stretching out both tiny hands as if wanting to touch Satoru's face.
Witnessing their harmonious interaction, the woman couldn't help but stare in surprise.
Sōjun, meanwhile, nodded repeatedly.
"As expected of Satoru, to even possess the ability to soothe a child!"
The elderly women nearby, seeing this scene, also expressed their admiration.
Meanwhile, Satoru stared at the child in his arms for a while.
Then he clicked his tongue.
"Why so ugly?"
"Ah well, even though you're ugly, I, Satoru, am not a heartless man. I should still acknowledge you."
"Come on, little one, call me grandpa!"
"?"
Sōjun couldn't help but roll his eyes.
Just then, a cough sounded from outside.
Accompanied by the cough, a servant slid open the door from outside.
Ginrei stood at the entrance, hands clasped behind his back, exuding an air of elegance.
Seeing Ginrei, Sōjun bowed slightly:
"Father."
His wife followed with a bow as well.
The elderly women all knelt down.
Ginrei gave a slight nod and opened his mouth to speak.
But Satoru interrupted him:
"Hurry in, old man! It's so cold outside, the child might catch a chill!"
"..."
Ginrei fell silent for a moment, then entered the room and closed the door.
The old man shot Satoru a displeased look.
Good grief! One moment of inattention, and he almost lost the title of grandfather to someone else!
Seeing Satoru's completely unapologetic expression, Ginrei felt his blood pressure rise.
If his own son had even half this guy's thick skin, he wouldn't have to live such a stressful life.
While he was lost in thought, Satoru lifted a corner of the small blanket and sneakily peeked at a certain unmentionable area.
Confirming it was a boy, he nodded with satisfaction.
"Sōjun, does this child have a name yet?"
Sōjun smiled and hummed in affirmation: "Yes."
"This child will be called Byakuya."
"Kuchiki Byakuya!"
Hearing this, Ginrei thought for a few seconds, then nodded, indicating his approval of the name.
Satoru also laughed.
So it really is you, Kuchiki Byakuya!
Although Shinigami have long lifespans and can live for thousands of years without issue, their growth rate during childhood is actually quite similar to humans.
In just a few years, he'd have another interesting toy by his side... ahem, another promising junior.
The thought alone was delightful.
Originally, he thought Byakuya wouldn't be born for many more years.
He never expected to meet him so soon.
Suddenly, Satoru felt a wave of emotion.
With Byakuya's birth, the wheels of history had probably already begun to turn.
By the time this kid grows up and reaches his teenage years, the original Aizen would be starting to implement some small plans.
Thinking about the Aizen of this current timeline...
Satoru fell into deep thought.
That guy Aizen has changed so much compared to the original version.
Could it be that something different happened to Aizen in this timeline, causing his personality to change?
Ah well, it probably has nothing to do with me anyway.
Satoru chuckled to himself and continued playing with little Byakuya in his arms...