After the chaotic commotion in the laboratory subsided, the air still carried the scorched aftertaste of colliding spiritual pressures, along with an indescribable atmosphere.
Kensei Kenzuru's arms remained in their cradling position, holding Aizen... Miss Aizen? Who had shed all pretense and was somewhat exhausted.
Though he had accepted this reality, Kensei still wasn't fully adjusted.
Could it be the Soul King adjusted the parameters to bribe me into working for him?
Kensei's mind wandered wildly.
"So, are you two going to stay like that?"
Yoruichi's voice came from a few steps away. She stood with her arms crossed, her expression so complex it could open a dye shop. Three parts "I knew it," three parts "displeased at the petty one's triumph," and the rest was suppressed worry.
The Aizen in Kensei's arms seemed stirred by Yoruichi's voice. She shifted slightly, her cheek pressing against the crook of Kensei's neck, her voice lazy and husky. "Let's leave this place first, Kenzuru. Hueco Mundo's spiritual pressure environment might further activate the Hollow factor within you. And the commotion just now... I'm afraid someone may have already taken notice."
She was right. Both Yoruichi and Kensei tensed.
"She's right." Yoruichi schooled her expression. She'd already dealt with a few Hollows that came to investigate the perimeter. "The Senkaimon isn't far. I'll lead the way. As for this 'Miss' who can't move..."
Kensei caught the look Yoruichi gave Aizen, but now wasn't the time to dwell on it. He tightened his arms and smoothly scooped Aizen up in a princess carry. The action made both Aizen and Yoruichi pause.
A flash of near-exasperation crossed Aizen's pale face. "I can walk."
"Cut it out. In your state, you'd probably be slower than me crawling."
Kensei pouted. To prevent Aizen from falling, he positioned one arm properly under her back and the other firmly under her knees, not finding anything inappropriate about it at all.
We're bros. What's the big deal?
Aizen was silent for a moment, ultimately offering no objection. She simply closed her eyes, turning her face towards Kensei's chest, silently acquiescing.
Yoruichi watched the scene, her mouth twitching. She could only let out a soft snort in the end. "Let's go."
Passing through the familiar Shihōin Clan Senkaimon, the three stumbled into a secret room.
"Safe for now." Yoruichi flexed her wrist, her gaze shifting between Kensei and Aizen before settling on Aizen's face. "So, what's the plan now?"
Kensei carefully placed Aizen on a floor cushion, crouching to check her condition.
"Too much spiritual pressure was consumed during Hollowfication. She needs quiet rest."
Aizen frowned, assessing her own state. The Hollowfication had drained a significant amount of spiritual pressure, and the subsequent... exertion... had used up much of her physical strength. It was a wonder she was still conscious.
"Then I'll take you back to our room."
Kensei picked Aizen up again, preparing to return to their shared quarters. Though Kensei felt he should get a house of his own. Staying in the dorms was bound to lead to awkward situations.
"Fine. I need to check if there's anything unusual in my division after being away these few days anyway. You remember to go report to Old Man Yama."
Yoruichi raised an eyebrow, seeming uneasy, and added, "Remember, don't say anything... unnecessary."
"Don't worry. Conning Old Man Yama is my specialty."
Kensei lifted his chin proudly. Dealing with others might be tricky, but handling the old man was a piece of cake.
"Heh." Yoruichi couldn't be bothered with further talk. Her figure flickered and vanished from the room.
Carrying Aizen, Kensei used a few Shunpo to return silently to their dorm. He laid Aizen gently on the bed and pulled the covers over her.
"There's no need to lie to Captain-Commander Yamamoto. He won't harm you."
Back in familiar surroundings, Aizen's tense body relaxed. Fighting off drowsiness, she added one more piece of advice for Kensei.
Kensei gave her an odd look. It felt strange hearing this from the person who'd once forced Old Man Yama to use "Ittō Kasō."
"Rest well. Your humble servant shall return anon."
Aizen let out a soft "Mm," her breathing gradually evening out.
Once sure Aizen was asleep, Kensei turned, pushed open the dorm door, and swaggered off towards the First Division barracks.
By the time he reached the entrance, Kensei's face had fallen completely, and he walked into Old Man Yama's study with frequent sighs.
"You rasc—"
Seeing Kensei, who'd disappeared for days, Yamamoto initially wanted to scold him. But seeing Kensei listless and seemingly detached from his own spirit, Yamamoto's eyes instantly sharpened.
Something's off!
"Sigh..."
Kensei sighed long and hard, shaking his head as he walked up to Yamamoto's low table. As if weighed down by immense sorrow, he poured himself a cup of tea and downed it in one gulp.
"What trouble have you gotten into now, you troublesome disciple?"
Could this troublesome disciple have had a falling out with the Shihōin girl?
After all, this was his student. Yamamoto felt it necessary to show some concern.
"Sigh, Old Man Yama, you'll understand when you're my age."
Kensei used the tea as if it were wine, determined to drown his sorrows right there in front of the old man.
"Nonsense!"
Yamamoto thought to himself that if he were Kensei's age now, the other Shinigami wouldn't stand a chance.
"You can tell me your problems. In all my years, what haven't I seen?"
Yamamoto stroked his beard calmly, confident that with his lifetime of experience, helping Kensei handle a little girl would be child's play.
"Old Man Yama, what's your relationship with Sasakibe like?"
"Naturally, we are the closest of comrades."
Though puzzled by the sudden question, Yamamoto answered honestly. He and Sasakibe were old friends who understood each other well.
"And if one day Sasakibe suddenly told you he was a woman... how would you react?"
"Hiss—"
Yamamoto initially thought Kensei was making fun of his friendship. But seeing the complex look in Kensei's eyes, he seemed to sense something, sucking in a sharp breath.
Why does this troublesome disciple always encounter such bizarre situations? In Soul Society's millions of years of history, no Shinigami has ever had to answer this question.
"The mysterious person?" Yamamoto ventured.
Kensei nodded, then poured himself another cup of tea.
If Yamamoto hadn't lived so long and hadn't had his heart "re-tempered" by Kensei before, he definitely wouldn't be able to maintain his calm expression now.
It seems I'm truly old. I can no longer comprehend the world of the young. Perhaps I should just resign as Captain-Commander and retire in peace.
"And the key is... she drugged me before, and then..."
Kensei didn't finish, but his meaning was clear.
The corner of Yamamoto's eye twitched violently. For a moment, he even considered handing Kensei over to Yhwach. That might subdue him without a fight.
"Your... emotional affairs are not for this old man to inquire about. First, report what you were doing in Hueco Mundo these past few days."
Yamamoto cleared his throat lightly, deciding he couldn't ponder this matter further, and steered the conversation to official business.
"I'm in this state, Old Man Yama. Can't you just let me off the hook?"
Kensei pouted, thinking the old man had no heart.
"If you don't wish for me to explicitly name this 'mysterious person,' then speak frankly."
Yamamoto reclaimed his precious teapot from Kensei's hands, pouring himself a cup to savor slowly. The mysterious person's identity wasn't hard to guess, given the limited number of people connected to this brat.
I just never expected such a thing to happen... Though this kid probably isn't complaining.
Seeing no way out, Kensei could only pick out what he could say, briefly reporting Baraggan's unusual activities in Hueco Mundo and the preliminary success of the Hollowfication experiment.
"No wonder you were researching Shinigami Hollowfication." Yamamoto studied Kensei carefully, relaxing only after confirming no physical abnormalities. "But still, be mindful. Refrain from going to Hueco Mundo for a while."
"Don't worry, Old Man Yama. I would never joke with my own life."
Kensei confidently made the promise. Are you kidding? I haven't even fully enjoyed... things yet. No way am I dying young.
"Enough. I will not inquire about other matters." Yamamoto rose, fetched a box of sweets from a cupboard, and placed it before Kensei. "Now, tell this old man in detail about... what happened between you two."
Kensei's eyes widened, looking at the old man incredulously. "No way, Teacher! At your age, you're still this gossipy?"
"This is to enrich one's experience as a Shinigami."
Yamamoto replied nonchalantly, pointing to the wooden staff leaning against the corner of the desk. The meaning was clear: either talk today, or don't think about leaving.
"Sigh. To think I, the Crown Prince of Soul Society, must bow to tyranny today."
Kensei sighed dramatically at the heavens, then obediently began satisfying his teacher's curiosity.
***
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