"Yoruichi, you understand the situation back then perfectly well. Captain after Captain was being killed by Kuchiki Kōga; I couldn't let you take that risk."
"If Kuchiki Kōga actually caught an opening, he wouldn't have shown any mercy."
After Kuchiki Kōga started his killing spree from the Eleventh Division and took down three Captains within two days, Kenma had immediately sought out Shihoin Shun'gen that very night.
Shun'gen placed a confinement order on Yoruichi, while Kenma had Mikoto and Suì-Fēng join forces to keep a strict watch over her.
Suì-Fēng was equally worried that Kuchiki Kōga, who was slaughtering people indiscriminately outside, would one day harm Yoruichi.
Although she didn't agree verbally, in her actions, Suì-Fēng watched Yoruichi like a hawk, terrified that she might sneak out.
It wasn't until Kuchiki Kōga was sealed by the combined efforts of Yamamoto Shigokuni and Kuchiki Ginrei, reducing the risk outside, that Yoruichi's confinement officially ended.
Hearing Kenma's concerns, Yoruichi curled her lips, revealing her annoyance.
"Mr. Uptight, aren't you underestimating me a bit too much?"
"No matter how powerful that Kuchiki Kōga is, I gave up my Zanpakutō long ago. His ability is useless against me."
"Relying on my Hakuda and Shunpo is enough to deal with him!"
How could Yoruichi not see the worry of her father, her husband, and even Suì-Fēng and Mikoto?
But aside from being a daughter of the Shihoin family, she was also a Shinigami, shouldering duties that had to be fulfilled!
"Kenma, I can feel your care for me, and I know you are worried about my safety."
"But I am a Shinigami of the Gotei 13, and the Captain of the Second Division. I have that dignity and glory!"
"For the majestic Captain of the Second Division and Commander-in-Chief of the Onmitsukidō to flee from battle when facing an enemy—what kind of thing is that? A deserter?"
"My colleagues in the other divisions of the Gotei 13 are risking their lives in mortal combat, while I hide at home, enjoying peace and safety, watching helplessly as others are slaughtered by Kuchiki Kōga..."
"I can't do something like that... I'm not that unbearable!"
That was why Yoruichi had been in such a bad mood during her confinement. Whenever she spoke to Kenma, her words were filled with sarcasm and pointed jabs.
It was nothing more than expressing dissatisfaction and venting her emotions.
Her father was seriously ill, so she didn't dare speak to him.
Mikoto and Suì-Fēng were merely retainers following orders, so she felt bad about holding them accountable.
That only left Kenma, her husband, for her to complain to.
"Yoruichi, are you finished?"
Kenma's voice was dull, revealing a trace of impatience.
He looked at his wife's exquisite features, which were currently scrunched together in a rather unhappy expression.
"Is it my turn to say a few words now?"
"Yoruichi, do you really think that with your current level, you could stop Kuchiki Kōga?"
"Even if you don't use a Zanpakutō, Kuchiki Kōga has no weaknesses in Kidō, Shunpo, or Hakuda, aside from his blade. He is absolutely not some ordinary mediocrity."
"Otherwise, why would those Captains have been so easily harmed by him? Do you really think the battle record he achieved was just for show?"
"Even someone as strong as Captain-Commander Yamamoto didn't dare to be so careless when facing Kuchiki Kōga!"
"Yet here you sit, boasting. How arrogant!"
Yoruichi's expression became increasingly unpleasant, and she immediately retorted, "Even if I'm not his match, I am a Shinigami. I absolutely cannot—"
"So what if you're a Shinigami!"
Before Yoruichi could finish, Kenma interrupted her.
He stood up abruptly, his voice like a low growl, the disdain in his tone almost undisguised.
"Mere Shinigami are nothing but a bunch of trash executioners!"
"Things no better than pigs or dogs—where do they get off talking about glory and dignity!"
"Do you really think that just by saying a few words about maintaining the balance of the three worlds, you can treat it as something to show off?"
"Especially you, Yoruichi. Hearing you mention the duty of a Shinigami makes me want to laugh my head off!"
'In the original story, to save Urahara Kisuke, you directly rebelled against Soul Society. Why didn't you talk about the glory of a Shinigami then?'
'You abandoned the duties on your shoulders, along with the entire Shihoin family and your younger brother Yūshirō. Why didn't you speak of your dignity as the Captain of the Second Division then?'
'If you really cared about that, how could you have been so decisive when you left, discarding it all like a worn-out shoe!'
'And now you keep a straight face talking about the duties of a Shinigami...'
'You're just using these things as a convenient fig leaf. Yet you put on such a righteous appearance—do you really think I'd believe it?'
Having vented the thoughts in his heart in one breath, Kenma panted heavily.
He immediately realized that what he had just said seemed to have gone a little overboard.
Yoruichi, upon hearing her husband's heartfelt revelation, couldn't help but freeze.
She was frightened by her husband's words, and even the negative emotions that had piled up in her heart over the past few days were completely washed away.
After reacting, Yoruichi's golden eyes trembled slightly, reflecting the sight of her husband's gently heaving shoulders.
"Kenma, you..."
"Sorry, Yoruichi. I've been busy and tired lately; my temper is off," Kenma forcibly suppressed his emotions and said in a deep voice. "What I just said was nonsense. Don't take it to heart."
But his appearance, with his anger not yet fully subsided, made Yoruichi even more convinced that those words just now were her husband's truest thoughts.
While Yoruichi was shocked, she couldn't help but feel curious.
Kenma... why did he have such a terrible view of Shinigami?
To the point of such degradation, such disdain.
There must be something behind this.
Thinking of this, Yoruichi opened her mouth, wanting to ask something.
But seeing Kenma's current appearance, forcibly pretending to be calm, the questioning words stuck in her throat, unable to come out.
After a moment of silence, Yoruichi first scratched her messy hair as if giving up on herself.
Then, she sighed as if accepting her fate and looked up at her husband.
She saw her husband turning his head to stare at a potted plant nearby, his eyes empty and void, his thoughts drifting who knows where.
"Kenma..."
A soft sigh awakened Kenma's consciousness.
He turned to look at Yoruichi. The trace of genuine emotion on his face had been completely digested during his moment of dazing.
"What is it?"
"No, it's nothing."
Yoruichi shook her head gently, ultimately deciding not to dwell on the matter.
However, she had to express her own attitude.
She turned her head to the side, avoiding looking at Kenma, so she could open her mouth and speak the words.
"I'll pretend I didn't hear what you just said."
"I know I'm not the type who can quietly get words out of you without you noticing, so I won't do that."
Hearing Yoruichi's soft words, Kenma's eyes widened slightly. Reflecting his wife's profile, his expression involuntarily relaxed a few degrees.
"Yeah. Give me some time."
[Reviews - Power St0nes - Comments are highly appreciated to keep me going.....(+50 chapters) patre0n.c0m/talecrafter]