Green Bamboo *10.
Bamboo Shoots *10.
Not long after leaving Ugendo, a pile of harvests had accumulated on the ground.
Sheathing his Asauchi, Suo Tsukasa looked at the spoils before him with great satisfaction.
"Bakudo #4: Hainawa (Crawling Rope).."
A rope of light extended, binding the harvest together. He hoisted it easily onto his shoulder and transported the batch back to his courtyard.
Tsukasa leaned the green bamboo against the kitchen wall.
First, he peeled the outer layers of the bamboo shoots, immersing the snow-white flesh in clear water.
Then, with a rise and fall of his blade, the pile of green bamboo was split into appropriately sized bamboo tubes. The courtyard filled with the crisp, clean fragrance of bamboo.
It was just past nine o'clock.
Tsukasa turned off the faucet and wiped the water droplets from his hands on a towel.
He had already completed the bulk of the pre-preparations for the banquet; he would only need to be busy for a short while longer in the evening.
Through the kitchen window, his gaze fell upon the willow tree in the garden, and a confident smile appeared on his face.
For tonight's feast by the willow tree, he would surely ensure everyone ate their fill and had a wonderful time.
Returning to the office, the atmosphere remained lively.
"If we're drinking, it has to be Hakkaisan!"
"Men ought to drink Kikumasamune—!"
Shiba Kaien was heatedly discussing which brewery to buy the sake from with Kotsubaki Sentaro, while Shiba Miyako continued to teach Kuchiki Rukia how to organize document files.
Mimaka Hikone was nowhere to be seen, likely busy arranging the tables and chairs.
As Suo Tsukasa entered, everyone's gaze immediately converged on him.
"Tsukasa, what's the word on Rukia's matter?"
Shiba Kaien was the first to speak.
"Of course, it's no problem."
Upon hearing this, Kuchiki Rukia, whose shoulders had been tense, immediately relaxed.
Shiba Miyako gently patted her shoulder and cast an appreciative look at Tsukasa.
Kuchiki Rukia walked up to Suo Tsukasa and thanked him in a thin voice.
"Third Seat Suo, thank you."
"You're welcome. Having a good time tonight is what matters most."
"However, it would be best if you didn't drink."
Tsukasa nodded, offering a casual piece of advice.
He was afraid that after the banquet ended, someone might creep to the window in the dead of night to assassinate him.
"Ah, yes!"
Though a bit puzzled by Tsukasa's instruction, Rukia nodded in agreement anyway.
Tsukasa then turned toward the two arguing men.
"Especially you, Big Brother Sentaro. Remember to drink less tonight."
"Members of the Tenth Division will be here tonight; you can't go making a fool of yourself!"
Kotsubaki Sentaro and Kotetsu Kiyone were the famous drunkards of the Thirteenth Division. While they didn't exactly become violent drunks, they did tend to get rowdy after a few drinks.
As the host of the banquet, Tsukasa naturally had to exert some control over potential mishaps.
"Then we'll go with Hakkaisan. Don't worry, I'll keep an eye on Sentaro!"
As the proposer of the banquet, Shiba Kaien made the final decision with a hearty laugh.
"Dammit, don't look at me like that!"
"The Captain will be here tonight too. I can control myself, alright!"
Becoming the center of attention, Sentaro grumbled indignantly.
"Hahahaha!"
A wave of cheerful laughter rang out in the office, and Suo Tsukasa returned to his work.
At six in the evening, just as the sun was beginning to set.
The evening sun dyed the courtyard in a warm hue.
Seating mats were arranged in two neat rows beneath the willow tree.
Kotsubaki Sentaro and Mimaka Hikone were holding stone lantern pillars, making the final adjustments to the banquet grounds.
The courtyard gate pushed open.
Suo Tsukasa carried ingredients in both hands while Shiba Kaien carried the sake; the two had just returned from shopping in the commercial district.
Crossing the threshold, Tsukasa turned and said.
"Kaien-dage, I'm heading to the kitchen to prepare."
"Just leave the sake on the stone table by the tree."
"Alright. Is there anything else you need me to do?"
Shiba Kaien nodded and asked.
"Miyako-jie and Rukia are in the kitchen helping; the rest of you just wait."
Tonight, only ten people from the two divisions would be eating.
Tsukasa had already finished the preliminary preparations, and with Shiba Miyako and Kuchiki Rukia helping in the kitchen, the work was light.
"Good!"
Tsukasa carried the ingredients toward the kitchen. As soon as he pulled the door open, a rich fragrance wafted out.
Inside, two figures—one tall and one short—were busy wearing aprons.
"Tsukasa, you're back."
"The soup has been prepared according to your instructions."
Following Tsukasa's directions, Shiba Miyako stood before the stove, tending to the broth in the pot.
Beside her, Kuchiki Rukia was also following orders, carefully packing washed rice into bamboo tubes and sealing them with bamboo leaves.
Her slender frame made Tsukasa's usual apron look exceptionally oversized on her.
"Let me take over from here."
Setting the ingredients on the counter by the cutting board, Tsukasa tied on his apron and nodded.
As he began to move, the rhythm of the entire kitchen fell completely under his control.
He processed the ingredients crisply and efficiently. With Miyako's assistance, Tsukasa officially began cooking the banquet dishes, and his Kido-oven made its appearance once again.
Snow-white bamboo shoot tips were chilled in ice water to maintain their crunch, then tossed with bonito flakes and sesame seeds for an appetizing cold dish.
Pork belly and bamboo shoots simmered slowly in a clay pot, gradually taking on an amber glaze.
Fresh fish, wrapped in verdant bamboo leaves, sizzled inside the oven.
Thin slices of Jinhua ham unfurled like clouds in a clear broth.
For the staple, bamboo-tube rice, the aroma of grain and bamboo blended perfectly in the steam.
"Amazing!"
"Can Kido actually be used like this!"
Having finished her assistant duties, Kuchiki Rukia stood with her mouth agape, her head turning mechanically back and forth as she watched Tsukasa's movements, dazed.
At this moment, she felt deeply that whether as a woman or as a Shinigami, she still had a long way to go.
As the twilight deepened, the lanterns erected in the courtyard were lit one after another, spreading a warm glow against the darkening sky.
Shiba Isshin, led by Mimaka Hikone, arrived at the courtyard gate with Matsumoto Rangiku and Toshiro.
The fragrance hit them full force. Taking a deep breath, Isshin's eyes flashed with pleasant surprise.
"This scent... looks like we're in for a treat tonight!"
"Indeed, Captain!"
Matsumoto Rangiku had a beaming smile on her face as she exclaimed in delight.
Toshiro maintained a reserved expression, but his gaze involuntarily drifted toward the source of the aroma.
The arrival of the guests signaled the beginning of this impromptu celebration.
It was only a short walk from the gate to the banquet area.
"Captain Ukitake, it's been a long time."
Shiba Isshin naturally walked toward Jushiro Ukitake, who was already seated, and took a place beside him.
With the help of others, exquisite dishes were being properly laid out before each person's place.
"Captain Isshin, long time no see."
The two looked at each other and smiled.
Undoubtedly, the relationship between the two Captains was quite good.
Tsukasa's banquet served merely as a bridge, naturally connecting the subordinates of the two divisions who were originally unfamiliar with one another.
"Miyako-jie, long time no see."
"And this is?"
Matsumoto Rangiku greeted her acquaintance Shiba Miyako and asked about the petite Kuchiki Rukia beside her.
The two exchanged names, and in the next moment, Matsumoto Rangiku overwhelmed her with her surging enthusiasm.
"This is my friend, Hitsugaya Toshiro."
On the other side, Suo Tsukasa introduced Toshiro to the members of his division.
Surrounded by Shiba Kaien and the others, Toshiro's expression remained calm, yet he listened intently to everyone's introductions, nodding occasionally in greeting.
Although two Captains were present at the table, the atmosphere of the banquet was not at all constrained.
The night grew deeper.
The warm light of the lanterns flowed over everyone's smiling faces, reflecting off the tables laden with delicacies.
In this warm and joyous atmosphere, the members of the two divisions naturally fused into one harmonious whole.
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