When Yoruichi came out of her father Shun'gen's room, she immediately went to Kenma's study.
She would not give up on Kisuke and Suì-Fēng.
Bowing her head and admitting defeat was nothing compared to the importance of her friends.
But when she arrived at the study, she didn't see him.
After asking the guards on duty near the study, Yoruichi learned that Kenma had already left the Squad 2 barracks with his attendants.
Not daring to delay, Yoruichi immediately set off for the Squad 2 headquarters on the hill and found the vice-captain at work.
The vice-captain's name was Ōmaeda Marechiyo, a powerfully built man with a brown pompadour.
He was the father of the legendary Ōmaeda-shin.
"Marechiyo, have you seen that guy Kenma? I need to talk to him."
Yoruichi arrived at the vice-captain's office and pushed the door open without ceremony.
She asked loudly as she walked, her face showing unconcealed anxiety.
Yoruichi's sudden arrival startled Ōmaeda Marechiyo, but seeing that it was Captain Yoruichi, his temper instantly vanished.
In the time that Yoruichi had been captain, he had more or less gotten used to her sudden surprises.
"Captain, as for Lord Kenma, he took a few days' leave. He said he was taking that little follower of his to the World of the Living for a look around, to broaden his experience."
Although he was a vice-captain, he addressed the fourth seat as "Lord," but Marechiyo had never been one to fuss over such small details.
Kenma had brought Shisui over before.
When Shisui heard that the residential land had been a gift from this Vice-Captain Ōmaeda, and had then been given to the Uchiha clan by Kenma, he had immediately expressed his gratitude to the magnanimous man.
If it weren't for this vice-captain's generosity, Kenma really wouldn't have had a place to settle the Uchiha clan.
It was only right for Shisui to express his thanks to him.
Looking at Yoruichi's face, Ōmaeda Marechiyo put down his pen, picked up a teacup to brew some tea, and said calmly:
"Captain, you seem to be in a hurry. Do you have business with Lord Kenma?"
"To leave at a time like this, he must be doing it on purpose!"
'It's just to keep Kisuke and Suì-Fēng locked up a little longer, to put enough pressure on me.'
Yoruichi gritted her teeth.
Faced with the vice-captain's question, she couldn't just say it outright and could only state forcefully.
"It's nothing! I just came to have a look!"
'Nothing... my foot.'
Marechiyo was a man of the world. How could he not see that something was wrong with Yoruichi?
Combined with Kenma's leave of absence, the imprisonment of Urahara Kisuke and the daughter of the Hachi family...
Sigh...
It was hard to say.
In any case, it was a matter between the young couple. It really wasn't his place as a subordinate to interfere.
He could only give an awkward smile and offer the teacup to Yoruichi.
"Captain, have some tea. Calm down."
"If you have nothing else to do, come and help me with some official business. I'm so busy I can't get away."
The fourth seat was on leave, the third seat was locked up, and the Patrol and Detention Corps were leaderless. The entire Squad 2 was now relying on him alone to keep it running.
Now that he had a rare sighting of the captain, he naturally had to give it a try.
But the moment Yoruichi heard there was work to be done, her expression changed. She didn't even drink the tea and left immediately.
"Well, I'm going to check on Kisuke and Suì-Fēng. You carry on, Marechiyo."
Watching the captain's departing figure, Marechiyo smoothed down his pompadour, a look of understanding on his rugged face.
Now he was certain that there was definitely something going on.
And it was very likely related to matters of the heart.
In an instant, Marechiyo had imagined a whole emotional drama.
"Forget it, forget it. What does the master's family's business have to do with a vassal like me? Getting the work at hand done is what's important."
While Yoruichi was thinking about him, Kenma had already returned to the Uchiha clan with Shisui and the other three.
"My lord is going to another world?"
When the Uchiha heard the purpose of Kenma's trip, their expressions all turned solemn.
Fugaku said with concern, "My lord's status is noble, and the situation in the other world is unknown. There is no guarantee that there won't be any danger. Why not let us servants handle it?"
"My lord, what Fugaku says is right. We Uchiha are your weapons. Now that you have an important matter, it is only right for the Uchiha clan to step forward and solve your troubles for you."
"Your kindness to the Uchiha clan is as heavy as a mountain. Now is the time for the Uchiha clan to offer our lives. Otherwise, what face would we have to continue living?"
Seeing the Uchiha's high-ranking elders show their concern, repeatedly offering to risk their lives for him, Kenma smiled inwardly.
The Uchiha clan knew how to repay kindness.
It seemed his efforts during this time had not been in vain.
However, on the surface, Kenma still wore his calm and serious expression.
"My mind is made up. There is no need for further discussion."
"As for the issue of safety, there is even less need to worry. I have been to that world before and have some understanding of it. The people there do not have the ability to harm me."
Shisui, behind Kenma, nodded slightly in agreement.
Before they came, Kenma had told him about the general situation of that world. It was clear that he had gathered intelligence in advance.
Shisui had heard from Kenma that the world was full of seas, with very little land, and pirates were rampant.
There was also an incredible fruit that, when eaten, would grant unusual superpowers.
It was a wondrous world.
Hearing Kenma's words, Fugaku and the elders exchanged a glance, then shuffled forward on their knees.
"My lord, since your mind is made up, we will naturally obey and not dare to be negligent."
"But you are only taking Shisui with you on this trip. Your guard will inevitably be insufficient. Please allow the elite of the Uchiha clan to accompany you, so that you will also have subordinates to serve you."
"We hope for your gracious approval."
With that, Uchiha Fugaku knelt on the floor, his head pressed tightly against the tatami mat.
Kenma stroked his chin, looking at the Uchiha below.
They all had their heads bowed like Fugaku, their expressions solemn, silently pleading with Kenma.
Kenma had originally planned to travel light, thinking that taking Shisui alone would be enough.
It would broaden his horizons, and he could work for him in the future.
Now, seeing this group of Uchiha acting as if they would die here if he didn't let them accompany him, he could see how much they valued this.
After some thought, Kenma nodded and gestured to Fugaku.
"Fugaku, rise. With such loyalty from all of you, it would not be right for me to refuse your wishes."
"So be it. I agree. Fugaku, you will select the guards."
More people would be better. At least someone could help him with errands.
Having received Kenma's approval, Fugaku and the others showed their delight, then went down to select the clan's elite.
After these past few days of training, the strength of the Uchiha clan had grown by leaps and bounds.
Most of them had the spiritual power of an ordinary Shinigami, and some had even reached the level of a seated officer.
They were already usable.
'This trip with Lord Kenma to another world is the perfect opportunity to show him the recent changes in our Uchiha clan.'
'I must strive to make our lord satisfied with us.'
Fugaku thought to himself.
Kenma, on the other hand, took Shisui and the others to the courtyard where the Senkaimon was kept.
The Uchiha clan was very sensible. Even though Kenma hadn't said anything, they hadn't occupied this courtyard. They had even arranged for men to guard it.
When Kenma returned to this courtyard after a long time, he saw two squads of Uchiha clansmen guarding the area around the Senkaimon.
Sensing their spiritual pressure, he noted they were all elites.
'The Uchiha are thoughtful.'
Upon seeing Kenma arrive, the two squads bowed and immediately retreated to the side.
Looking at the Senkaimon formed by the two square wooden pillars before him, Kenma stepped forward and drew the Zanpakuto from his waist.
"Sever, Kiritsugu!"
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