Even with his towering ego, Haru had to admit the man standing next to Yoruichi was handsome.
He was only a few dozen Byakuyas short of matching Haru’s own peerless good looks.
Wearing the standard black Shihakushō, the man sported a lieutenant’s armband emblazoned with a camellia flower and the kanji for ‘Six’.
“Haru Shimizu,” the solemn Head Captain spoke, his voice a low, rumbling baritone.
This was the first time since coming to this world that Haru had actually seen the Head Captain in person.
He silently marveled at the sight.
As expected of the strongest Soul Reaper in a thousand years!
‘He really hit the anime powerhouse trifecta,’ Haru thought.
‘Bald, elderly, and perpetually squinting!’
“Yes, sir,” Haru bowed respectfully.
“Lieutenant Sōjun Kuchiki of the Sixth Division is currently leading his squad in battle against the rebel factions.
He has requested reinforcements.”
The incredibly handsome man—adorned with the noble Kenseikan headpiece and a pristine white Ginpaku Kazahana no Sash wrapped around his neck—offered Haru a polite, smiling nod.
“Chōjirō has already briefed me on your unique abilities, and I have consulted Yoruichi for her opinion on the matter,” Yamamoto added, nodding slightly toward the dark-skinned girl.
At this point in time, Yoruichi had not yet officially taken over as the Captain of the Second Division.
However, her status was still immense.
She was the Head of the Shihōin Clan and the Commander-in-Chief of the Onmitsukidō.
Theoretically, the Commander of the Onmitsukidō stood on equal footing with the Head Captain of the Gotei 13.
Even a proud, ancient warrior like Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni showed her a degree of professional respect.
“I called you here today to ask for your personal consent,” Yamamoto said.
“Are you willing to contribute your strength to the peace of the Soul Society?”
Haru was momentarily speechless.
He pointed a finger at the grinning Yoruichi.
“Head Captain…
why on earth are you asking her about this?”
Yamamoto cleared his throat.
“Given your…
special relationship with Yoruichi, I believed it was necessary to consult her.”
‘Good lord!’ Haru thought, his eyes widening slightly.
‘Who knew a several-thousand-year-old man was such a massive gossip?!’
“I have no objections!” Yoruichi chirped cheerfully, though a flicker of genuine concern crossed her golden eyes.
“But you need to think this through.
This isn’t a game.
There’s a very real chance you could lose your life.”
She lowered her head, hiding her expression before suddenly adding with uncharacteristic fierceness, “If you don’t want to go, just tell me.
No one can force you.”
Haru blinked in surprise.
This girl…
she was actually pretty sweet when it counted.
Setting Yoruichi aside, Yamamoto’s attitude was also surprisingly strange.
In Haru’s mind, as the absolute strongest being in the Soul Society, Yamamoto should have been far more dictatorial.
If he needed Haru for a mission, why not just issue a direct military order?
Why go out of his way to politely ask for his consent?
Was the Soul Society really this democratic?
In reality, Haru simply didn’t fully grasp his own standing.
The Shin’ō Academy was originally founded as Yamamoto’s private school, and the old man still served as its honorary headmaster.
By becoming an instructor there, Haru had essentially become part of the Emperor’s personal guard.
The Head Captain was fiercely protective of his own people; no matter how chaotic the political storms outside raged, not a single drop of rain was ever allowed to fall on the Academy.
Furthermore, Yamamoto recognized that Haru was an exceptional seed.
He had a unique ability and solid strength.
With a bit of combat tempering, he was absolutely Captain material.
Yamamoto had a gut feeling that once this rebellion was fully crushed, the Gotei 13 was going to have quite a few empty Captain seats.
He needed to prepare the next generation now.
After a moment of thought, Haru decisively agreed.
He puffed his chest out and delivered an incredibly passionate, patriotic speech about his burning desire to lay down his life for the peace of the Soul Society.
In truth, this was just a fantastic networking opportunity.
Building strong ties with the upper echelon of the Gotei 13 would make his inevitable ascent to the top much smoother.
Plus, it was the perfect excuse to test the limits of his Zanpakutō in real combat.
“Very well.
You are dismissed,” Yamamoto said, watching them turn to leave.
“You are temporarily assigned to Lieutenant Kuchiki’s squad.
And do not forget to teach your classes when you are off duty.”
“Yes, sir…”
‘The capitalist exploitation never ends,’ Haru grumbled internally.
Once the three of them stepped out of the office and into the tranquil courtyard of the First Division, the handsome noble reached out to shake Haru’s hand.
“Hello, Mr.
Shimizu.
I am Sōjun Kuchiki.
Please, just call me Sōjun.
I look forward to working with you.”
Haru nodded approvingly.
This guy was as gentle as water.
Despite his incredibly high status, he didn’t put on any arrogant airs, and he even respectfully referred to Haru as ‘Mr.
Shimizu’.
‘Byakuya, oh Byakuya!’ Haru mentally sighed.
‘Look at your dad!
Sōjun actually knows how to act like a decent human being!’
Sōjun was the very first person Haru had met in the Soul Society who actually behaved the way a proper, elegant noble should.
Since the man was giving him face, Haru naturally returned the courtesy.
“You’re too kind, Lieutenant Kuchiki.
Let’s learn from each other.”
“Hey, hey!” Yoruichi jumped between them, looking incredibly thoroughly annoyed.
“Why are you being so sweet and polite to Big Brother Sōjun, but you refuse to call me ‘Lady Yoruichi’?!
Didn’t you see the Head Captain nodding to me out of respect back there?!”
The Four Great Noble Clans maintained close ties, and the Shihōin and Kuchiki families had always been on excellent terms.
Since Yoruichi and Sōjun were close in age, they naturally had a good relationship.
“Just wait until you officially take over as Captain.
You’ll be working like a dog under the Head Captain anyway,” Haru shot back, refusing to indulge her.
Yoruichi’s face scrunched up into a bitter grimace.
Annoyingly, she knew he was completely right.
“Hahaha, you two really are…
a perfect match,” Sōjun laughed gently.
He was obviously aware of the Seireitei’s latest gossip regarding their broken engagement, but seeing them bicker like an old married couple made him realize the rumors of their bitter hatred were entirely false.
“Hmph!” Both Haru and Yoruichi snorted at exactly the same time, turning their heads away and refusing to make eye contact.
After saying goodbye to Sōjun—who promised to send a messenger when it was time to deploy—Haru turned to head home.
Yoruichi immediately darted forward and grabbed his sleeve, dragging him in the opposite direction.
“Hey, let go!
Don’t drag me around in the middle of the street!
People are watching!” Haru complained.
“It might not matter to the great Lady Shihōin, but I’m an innocent, single young man!
If the single female Soul Reapers see this, how am I supposed to achieve my harem dream?!”
“What kind of garbage are you spouting?!
Just come with me!” Yoruichi snapped.
“That idiot Yūshirō is crying his eyes out and refusing to stop until he sees you!”
“Wait, what?” Haru frowned.
His little brother-in-law was definitely on the softer side, but he wasn’t a total crybaby.
“What did you do to him?”
Yoruichi refused to look him in the eye, muttering guiltily under her breath.
“He was handing over our clan’s most heavily guarded secret techniques to an outsider!
Was I not supposed to beat him up?!
But after I hit him, he just started bawling and screaming that he wanted to see his big sis—I mean, you!”
‘Well…
that’s very Yūshirō.
And very Yoruichi,’ Haru thought with a sigh.
The two of them used Shunpo, quickly arriving at the sprawling Shihōin estate.
Yoruichi dragged Haru straight through the front gates without a shred of hesitation, completely ignoring the shocked stares of the household staff.
Haru had lived in this estate for ten years.
The servants were honestly far more familiar with him than they were with Yoruichi, who had spent most of her time hiding in the World of the Living.
“Is that…
Young Master Haru?!”
“Why is Young Master Haru back?!”
“Lady Yoruichi is actually holding his hand!”
“Could it be…?!
Did they secretly make up?!”
“Oh my god!”
“Someone call the Seireitei Communication!”
Listening to the frantic whispers of the servants, Haru felt a massive wave of smug satisfaction wash over him.
Was this what it felt like to be the underdog protagonist making his triumphant, face-slapping return?
The legendary ‘discarded fiancé returns in glory’ trope?
The tides of fortune really had turned!
Not gonna lie, it felt pretty damn good.
Though, wasn’t the pacing a bit too fast?
It had only been a few months, and he was already strutting back in like a conquering Dragon King.
“What are you standing there grinning about?!
Hurry up!” Yoruichi yelled from the doorway of her private quarters, instantly shattering his heroic delusions.
“Kana!
Where’s Kana?!”
“Coming!
Yes, My La—ah!” Kana rushed into the hallway, only to jump in fright when she saw Haru.
She froze for a second before hastily bowing deeply.
“Y-Young Master Haru!”
Yoruichi glared at her but didn’t say anything to correct the title.
“Go pour two cups of tea.
And go drag Yūshirō over here.”
“Right away!”