Chapter 238: Fierce Maiden
"Becoming one of the Five Noble Clans..."
"Indeed, just hearing it sounds tempting."
"If I became one of the Five Noble Clans, I'd be equal in status to Yoruichi. I could pressure her directly and take her up the mountain to be this king's trophy wife."
"Moreover, I could lord over my teacher, commanding him to do this and that."
"Most importantly, once I become one of the Five Noble Clans, establishing a grand harem would be perfectly reasonable. The Soul Society paradise plan would be within reach!"
Satoru narrowed his eyes as if already seeing that beautiful future.
Ginrei nodded gently: "So, you agree?"
"No, I refuse."
Under Ginrei's astonished gaze, Satoru showed a triumphant expression, leaning back in his chair with tactical flair.
"I, Satoru, operate in this world based on loyalty!"
"If anyone dares to harbor ill intentions toward Sōjun just because the Kuchiki Clan lost its elder, then I, Satoru, will make them know whether my blade is sharp!"
Ginrei's eye twitched.
"Sōjun is my sworn brother. If anything happens to him, I, Satoru, will never stand aside."
"But if I accept benefits from you for this reason, the bond between us brothers would become a meaningless transaction."
"Old man, let's not speak of this matter again!"
After saying this, he picked up the teacup before him, drained it in one gulp, clasped his hands in farewell, and left.
Watching Satoru's retreating figure, Ginrei stood up, his eyes contemplative.
Satoru had said that if anything happened to Sōjun, he would definitely help.
Ginrei believed these words were sincere and genuine.
But... regarding the position among the Five Noble Clans, Satoru's firm refusal made him feel as if there was something left unsaid.
After pondering for a long time, Ginrei couldn't think of any reason that would make someone refuse to become one of the Five Noble Clans.
For any Shinigami, this was the highest honor.
In the end, he could only conclude that Satoru's thinking was unconventional, beyond ordinary comprehension.
Leaving the Kuchiki Clan, Satoru returned to the Eleventh Division.
Recently, Aizen had been visiting frequently to help supervise Komamura and Tōsen's training.
Unfortunately, today he came up empty.
Aizen hadn't shown up, and Tōsen and Komamura had gone to Shin'ō Academy for cultural classes.
Satoru checked the calendar and realized today was when Aizen went to his laboratory in Rukongai.
Although he had a private lab at the Mikami Technical Bureau, Aizen always felt that place wasn't secure enough.
What if Kisuke or Mayuri's curiosity got the better of them one day, and they secretly broke into his lab to see things they shouldn't? Would he have to kill them or not?
To avoid such awkward situations, he conducted most of his dangerous experiments at the Rukongai laboratory.
After confirming Aizen's location, Satoru left the Eleventh Division and headed toward Rukongai.
He wasn't in a good mood.
Tsunayashiro Tokinada—a despicable piece of trash, as foul as frog piss—could act high and mighty, abuse power, and even place himself above the law, all because of his noble status.
Earlier, when Ginrei discussed the deal, though he maintained politeness and grace throughout, his underlying belief in the supreme status of nobility was clearly visible.
When he first crossed over to this world, his thinking had been simple.
Become a Shinigami, rise above his class, and live off the people of Rukongai.
But as time passed, his perspective gradually changed.
Becoming a noble, joining this rule system that had lasted for millions of years, transforming from a "worker" to a parasitic class—was this really the life he wanted?
Talking to others about these thoughts would be useless.
Social norms that had persisted for millions of years had long become part of everyone's daily life.
Throughout the entire Soul Society, the only person he could discuss this with was probably Aizen.
In terms of intelligence and wisdom, he was certainly far superior to Aizen.
But when it came to being unorthodox, that guy far surpassed him.
At times like this, he really wanted to hear Aizen's opinion on his actions.
Driven by curiosity, Satoru hurried through Rukongai.
After running for a while, he suddenly stopped.
Turning his head, he looked toward a nearby mountain forest.
A faint, unstable Reiatsu, carrying a sense of panic, was moving there.
Bandits ambushing travelers?
Satoru raised an eyebrow and rushed toward the source of the Reiatsu.
If they were bandits, that would be perfect.
He was in a bad mood—beating up some bandits to vent would be quite satisfying.
In just a few breaths, Satoru arrived at the scene.
He landed lightly on a tree branch, causing some snow to fall from above.
Under the tree, a small figure was running desperately.
Behind, over a dozen wolves were in pursuit.
So it was wolves...
Satoru showed a slightly disappointed expression.
The one being chased by the wolves was a young girl, appearing around twelve or thirteen years old, with short golden-orange hair rarely seen in Seireitei.
Although it had already snowed, she wore only a thin yukata.
In fact, resources were extremely scarce in Rukongai.
In areas beyond the fortieth district, even in winter, it was difficult to obtain decent clothing.
Satoru frowned, the inexplicable discomfort in his heart growing a bit more.
While running, the girl seized opportunities to pick up stones and similar objects from areas with less snow and threw them backward.
She possessed some Reiatsu, and though she hadn't trained in it, she was much stronger than an average child.
The wolves, dodging the stones she threw, were slightly slowed down.
However, this was actually a feint of weakness.
Satoru could sense that several wolves had already swiftly flanked her from the sides.
Sure enough, after running a short distance, the girl looked ahead in horror to see several wolves had appeared in front of her!
A flash of despair crossed her eyes.
Glancing left and right, she took a deep breath, leaned against a tree, broke off a branch, and gripped it tightly with both hands, waiting for the wolves to approach.
Satoru had already intended to intervene, but seeing her actions, he paused.
This girl has quite some backbone...
With the courage to face a pack of wolves and fight with her back against the wall, she would be qualified to join the Eleventh Division in the future.
Standing on a tree branch, Satoru formed a hand seal for Kidō.
If the girl couldn't hold her ground and was about to be injured by the wolves, he would cast a defensive Kidō on her.
Under Satoru's watchful gaze, the girl leaned against the tree, staring intently at the wolves.
A dozen seconds later, the first wolf charged at her.
"Eek!!"
Facing the wolf lunging at her, the girl swung the branch fiercely.
Seeing her movements, Satoru shook his head slightly.
No good, it's completely reckless.
If her Reiatsu were stronger, she might overpower them with brute force.
But with her current Reiatsu, using such unskilled methods, she couldn't win.
Just as he was about to step in and help, he suddenly froze.
For a moment, a powerful surge of spiritual energy erupted from the girl's hand.
Thwack!!!
The wolf, mid-lunge, was struck by the wooden branch and sent flying sideways, crashing hard into a large tree!
"Whoa..."
Satoru was astonished.