Chapter 167: Partnership
Yoruichi Shihoin accepted the clothing from Suoh's hands with considerable interest.
Quite naturally she stood and began changing.
Paying no mind to Suoh beside her, she directly proceeded with the action.
"You don't seem surprised at all, or curious about who I am."
"Ever seen a talking cat? Or someone materialize from thin air?"
Watching Suoh's calm expression beside her, Yoruichi slipped her arms into the sleeves while turning her head to ask with confusion.
"First time witnessing either with my own eyes."
"And as you said, senior, perhaps my courage is relatively large."
"Besides, you bear no ill intent and you're friends with Kukaku. If I deliberately acted shocked and defensive, that would seem hypocritical and affected instead."
"I've heard of Yoruichi Shihoin's thunderous reputation."
Suoh smiled slightly.
"Hmph, you certainly know how to talk."
Yoruichi tilted her head, accepting the hair tie Suoh passed over, gathering purple hair from both shoulders to secure it.
"Senior came specifically to find me—it shouldn't be merely to test my courage, right?"
Suoh walked to the low table on the room's other side, pouring a cup of clear water that he slightly heated before passing it over.
"How considerate."
"You carry a familiar scent on you. I was curious, so I came to look."
"The little base beneath Sokyoku Hill—you've managed it quite impressively."
"Small house, medicinal fields, flower beds—to create such scenery in that place, you're quite capable of making things happen."
Yoruichi accepted the water cup, turning it in her hands before taking a simple sip.
Upon their first meeting, she'd already noticed.
His daily mannerisms and bearing carried hints of the Captain-Commander's training, walking habits bearing some traces of Stealth Force style.
Plus the familiar scent from long soaking in the underground space's medical hot springs faintly clinging to him.
From last night's appearance until now, she'd seemed casual but had actually already investigated Suoh inside and out because of these factors.
For this she'd even specifically braved the cold to return to Seireitei once.
Impressive strength, complicated background, interweaving connections, bold actions, fairly meticulous thinking.
Most critically, this composure exceeding his age.
She'd reached a conclusion.
A kid with considerable strength and decent status who, like her, possessed audacious courage.
A rare find!
When had Seireitei quietly produced such a strange newcomer?
And this represented the fundamental reason she'd come seeking Suoh.
Instinct told her the mysteries entangling this kid and his latent possibilities proved far more interesting than surface appearances suggested.
"You're too kind, senior. I merely wanted to find myself a stable place for training and relaxation."
"Seireitei has numerous rules, division affairs prove complicated—having a reliable private space naturally provides more freedom."
"Just some small efforts—made senior laugh."
Suoh responded with relaxed expression.
"Since you know me, you're also familiar with the name Urahara Kisuke, right?"
Yoruichi set down the water cup, body leaning slightly forward, golden eyes tightly locking onto Suoh.
Her gaze proved sharp, wanting to see clearly into his innermost thoughts.
"Yes, former Twelfth Division Captain, founder of the Technology Development Bureau, a legendary figure combining wisdom and strength."
"A great criminal exiled by Central 46."
Suoh didn't avoid this question, nodding.
Since Yoruichi had spoken to this extent, what followed would inevitably involve more important matters.
A certain degree of honesty proved necessary.
"Very good—seems you know even more than I thought."
"We need an assistant."
After properly fastening the male clothing, Yoruichi's entire body possessed a wild quality transcending gender, combining both strength and beauty.
Her bright gaze locked onto Suoh once more, this time carrying invitation-like probing.
Hearing Suoh's recent answer, she neither pursued who told him nor cared how he discovered and occupied the underground space.
For her, process details never represented the key point.
This youth could stand here conversing with her in such a composed manner.
This itself proved he possessed ability to access certain levels of information, plus sufficient judgment and action capability to transform it into actual advantages.
What mattered was results, current status, the strength and possibilities he currently displayed.
She didn't question or doubt, merely tossed out an open-ended probing invitation.
This attitude itself represented extremely high recognition.
"No problem."
"What do you need me to do, and what can I obtain?"
Suoh didn't mind either, nodding in acceptance.
"Very good."
Yoruichi's smile grew considerably warmer, carrying the straightforwardness of reaching consensus plus the relaxation of soon lightening her burden.
She liked dealing with smart people, especially smart people without ambition.
Having lived so long, she considered herself possessing some ability to judge people.
"Kisuke and I are in the Living World with some research requiring continuation."
"But many key materials can only be obtained from Soul Society, especially inside Seireitei."
"Kukaku can help solve part of what can be acquired from Rukongai, but some things her channels can't reach."
"Don't worry—nothing particularly prohibited, just numerous varieties."
She concisely indicated the core requirement.
"A stable supply channel."
Suoh immediately grasped her meaning. This wasn't one-time assistance but long-term cross-realm transportation.
He understood clearly.
Her plus Urahara Kisuke, plus former Kidoshu Grand Kidou Chief Tessai Tsukabishi—three captain-level figures.
Just living in the Living World and maintaining spiritual body activity's normal consumption required considerable resources.
Moreover they still needed to maintain necessary investigation and research opposing Aizen.
Aizen's objective was ascending to the Soul King Palace—his actual threat to Suoh wasn't particularly large.
But the later Vandenreich represented all-out war between Quincy and Shinigami—identical objectives but completely different meaning.
The scope of involvement and scale of destruction far exceeded earlier Aizen's rebellion.
So even for himself and those around him, drawing closer to Urahara Kisuke early could invisibly obtain some additional safeguards for those around him in the future.
As for how to resolve future threats and how to respond—could only adapt flexibly depending on his own strength.
"Excellent!"
She sat before Suoh, golden eyes flashing with excited light, patting his shoulder as she promised.
"Don't worry—we won't let you help for nothing either."
"Kisuke has plenty of good things in hand. Helping you quickly master Bankai isn't impossible either. I can also provide some guidance regarding strength."
"As long as it doesn't violate our principles, what you need that we can provide—all can serve as future compensation."
"I've felt senior's sincerity."
Suoh nodded slightly, tone sincere.
"Regarding compensation, I currently have nothing particularly urgent."
"However, if I need certain special support in the future, I'll speak up."
He clearly understood favors proved most expensive. The Tenshintai that forcibly extracted zanpakuto's true form and materialized it to facilitate Bankai training held no meaning for him.
What he currently lacked wasn't methods but spiritual pressure.
However, Yoruichi's promise truly proved tempting. Urahara Kisuke's technical capabilities required no questioning—some technologies he knew of were precisely what Suoh craved.
Just now wasn't the appropriate timing.
"No problem."
"Then it's settled. Pleasant cooperation, Suoh Tsukasa."
Yoruichi smiled with satisfaction. She extended her hand, palm spread open, facing upward.
Suoh looked at her extended hand, unhesitatingly extending his own to lightly grasp her palm.
"Pleasant cooperation, Miss Yoruichi."
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