"Hey, Jie Cheng Little Brother, you're not allowed to teach the Transformation Technique to anyone else."
Although Yoruichi herself didn't care about noble status, the Transformation Technique was still a family heirloom. Teaching it to Jie Chengxian was acceptable—after all, he was Yamamoto's chosen successor, and passing it to him would only benefit the Shihōin Clan. Anyone else was out of the question.
Jie Chengxian, now dressed, nodded. The fewer people who knew a technique like Transformation, the better; otherwise its value as a hidden ace would be lost.
"What are we learning today?"
Yoruichi was struck speechless. Trust Jie Cheng Little Brother to ask the one question she dreaded. She'd planned to stall for days with the high-level Transformation Technique, yet he'd mastered it in half a day.
Teaching a genius really wasn't easy. She'd have to bill old man Yamamoto for emotional damages.
Still, she couldn't just say, "Master has nothing left to teach—be on your way," or her clan would chain her to daily drills again.
"A-hem. I've shown you plenty of techniques lately, but real experience has to be earned. So I'm taking you to Rukongai."
Thinking on her feet, Yoruichi decided to show Jie Chengxian the rebel forces in Rukongai. Last time, old man Yamamoto had dispatched three Captain-level fighters to crush them. Instead, several Captain-level opponents had appeared out of nowhere, and the rebels seemed to predict every Special Forces Unit move. The two sides were still locked in stalemate.
Rebels in Rukongai shouldn't have Captain-level strength; some noble backing the uprising must be involved. What exactly was rattling around in the skulls of those old geezers from the Tsunayashiro Clan?
"Jie Cheng Little Brother, what do you think of Soul Society's nobles?"
The Kuchiki, Shihōin, Shiba, Tsunayashiro, and one unseen family form the Five Great Noble Families. The Kuchiki Clan prizes Soul Society's order; the Shihōin Clan commands the Execution Force and guards the realm; the Shiba are single-minded blockheads. Apart from the mysterious fifth house, only the Tsunayashiro codgers obsess over greater power. She feared Jie Chengxian might condemn all nobles because of their nonsense and ruin everything.
"Normally I'd stay out of power struggles, but old man Yamamoto's been good to me, so I'll help him. As for the future… once I snatch the old bird's perch, I'll be the top noble. Then I'll spend my days drinking flower wine with a beauty on each arm—who could say a thing?"
Watching Jie Chengxian grow more excited as he pictured that life, Yoruichi wondered if Yamamoto had picked the wrong heir. Still, at least he wouldn't blindly hate nobles—good news.
"Brat, you're barely grown and already dreaming of two beauties—aren't you afraid you'll burn out?"
"Heh, don't pretend you didn't notice earlier."
Yoruichi clicked her tongue, kicked him in annoyance, and blamed his eye-catching package—she hadn't looked on purpose.
"Enough, let's move."
They flash-stepped toward Rukongai. After training, Jie Chengxian's Shunpo speed had soared; he could now keep pace with Yoruichi.
Soul Society is vast, and Rukongai, sprawling across much of it, is chaotic. Without Shinigami's high-speed Shunpo, the trek from Seireitei would take forever.
Seeing District 80 of the West in ruins, Jie Chengxian sighed. He felt little for this place he'd landed in. District 80 epitomized chaos—daily looting and brawls. Anyone raised here could hardly love it. Still, ordinary Souls would reincarnate after death, and the dead were strangers.
"Over there's the First Division's Special Forces Unit assigned to quell the riot. That Kuchiki son-in-law who became a captain got chewed out by his clan head for poor results."
Gossip among nobles travels fast—too much free time, no doubt.
Yoruichi led him to a hidden spot. Jie Chengxian didn't get it: they could see their allies' camp, so why not go straight in?
"If the old man finds out I dragged you to the front line, he'll flip."
Reading his puzzled look, Yoruichi snapped. Yamamoto clearly doted on the boy, always shielding him from high-level strife.
"We're here so you can feel what lethal combat is like, so you won't hesitate when you meet the enemy."
Jie Chengxian almost said he was cautious—he wouldn't stop until the enemy was ash—but let it go; she meant well.
After a short rest, Yoruichi took him deeper, looking for a stray rebel band. As head of the Shihōin Clan and commander of the Execution Force, she could read tracks like a book. Soon she spotted a small outpost—barely a dozen men, perfect for practice.
"By the way, has your asauchi achieved Shikai yet?"
Though Yoruichi relied on Hakuda, she possessed Bankai; she just avoided her Zanpakuto because it weakened her. Normally, achieving Shikai is easy—speak with your asauchi, resonate, learn the blade's name. A talent like Jie Chengxian should have been told the name already.
"Who knows."
He shrugged; he too wondered why his Zanpakuto stayed silent. Was it saving a big surprise?
"Enough, clear the rebels first."
Yoruichi shoved him; he dropped square into the outpost while she flashed aside to watch for Captain-level enemies. Seeing him wield Zan, Kaku, Ho, Gi in flawless harmony, she nodded. These rebels were weak, but even a lesser captain might struggle against such seamless combinations.
The one-sided fight ended quickly. No Captain-level foe appeared—Yoruichi exhaled in relief. Battles of that level made noise, and old man Yamamoto would scold her.
"Yoruichi, look at this letter."
Searching the camp, Jie Chengxian found a letter ordering a night raid on the Special Forces Unit camp. They exchanged glances—why send bottom-tier Sekikan-level grunts on such a mission?
"Something's off; this letter's wrong."
Yoruichi studied the detailed timetable of the Special Forces Unit's guard changes. Someone inside was leaking intel.