The next day, Soul Society, Seireitei, the Shihōin Clan training grounds.
“Shadow, let’s go!
We’re going to the Fourth Division to see Kaien!” After spending the entire morning training, Yoruichi Shihōin finally remembered that Kaien Shiba was still recovering in the Fourth Division and hurriedly called for Shadow.
“Yes, Yoruichi-sama!” …
The Fourth Division was the medical division of the Gotei 13, and its barracks possessed one of the most elegant environments in all of Seireitei.
No matter the season, flowers appropriate to spring, summer, autumn, or winter would bloom in turn, lifting the spirits of the patients recovering there and helping them heal more quickly.
Since this was not wartime, there were very few patients in the Fourth Division, and most of its members looked rather idle.
Yoruichi and Shadow had only just entered the Fourth Division barracks and were about to find someone to ask which room Kaien was staying in when a familiar, gentle voice came from behind them.
“Oh, Yoruichi.
You’re here to see Kaien, aren’t you?” The person approaching was none other than Retsu Unohana, Captain of the Fourth Division.
Her pure white captain’s haori complemented her graceful and gentle demeanor.
Her entire presence radiated a warm, almost maternal aura, and her long black braid rested over her chest.
Even as she spoke, her eyes quietly examined Shadow.
“Yes, Captain Unohana.
How is Kaien doing?” Yoruichi asked.
“He’s fine, so don’t worry, Yoruichi.” Unohana narrowed her eyes with a gentle smile.
“And this must be Shadow.” “…” Shadow said nothing.
He did not even glance at Unohana, acting as though he had not heard her at all.
Yoruichi immediately brought her knuckles down on top of his head.
“Captain Unohana is one of your seniors!
Show some respect.” “Yes, Yoruichi-sama!” Shadow answered respectfully before turning toward Unohana.
With an exceptionally cold and indifferent tone, he greeted her.
“Captain Unohana.” Yoruichi’s expression immediately went flat.
“Sorry, Captain Unohana.
Shadow is just like this.
He doesn’t mean anything by it.” “I know.” Unohana maintained her pleasant smile and nodded.
“Kaien’s room is the second one on the third floor.
You can head up yourselves.” “Thank you, Captain Unohana!” Yoruichi grabbed Shadow and immediately headed inside.
“He really is cold.” Watching the two disappear into the distance, Unohana suddenly smiled.
“But Yoruichi is quite fortunate, wouldn’t you agree, Captain Kyōraku, Captain Ukitake, Captain Hirako?” As soon as she finished speaking, three figures appeared around her.
…
Upon reaching the third floor, Yoruichi pushed open the door to the room.
Before she even saw anyone inside, Kaien Shiba’s usual hearty laughter rang out.
“Yoruichi, what took you so long?
I was starting to think you’d forgotten all about this poor injured man!” Kaien Shiba was the eldest son of the fallen Shiba Clan, one of the Four Great Noble Clans.
He had short, messy black hair and an open, cheerful personality that allowed him to get along with almost anyone.
He was currently studying at Shin’ō Academy.
Not long after enrolling, he had already awakened his Zanpakuto, marking him as an unquestionable genius.
During yesterday’s battle, he had even managed to achieve Shikai.
He was also one of Yoruichi Shihōin’s closest friends.
“I spent the whole morning training.
I’m here now, aren’t I?” Yoruichi entered the room and looked Kaien over.
“You seem to be recovering pretty well.” “Of course!
The great genius Kaien Shiba isn’t going to be brought down by a few little injuries.” Kaien spoke without the slightest trace of humility.
“Oh, really?” Yoruichi said skeptically.
“So it’s you!” Kaien suddenly noticed Shadow entering behind her and immediately exclaimed.
“You’re that ridiculously strong guy!
I’m Kaien Shiba.
One day, I’m going to surpass you!” Shadow gave him a disdainful glance.
Surpass me?
You?
When Shadow said nothing, Kaien jumped out of bed.
“At least react!
You’re seriously cold.” “Get lost.” Hearing Shadow’s icy voice, Yoruichi’s eyelid twitched.
She knew that tone.
Shadow was beginning to lose patience.
Yoruichi hurriedly stepped between them and desperately searched for a way to change the subject.
“Oh, right!
Kaien, didn’t Kūkaku come visit you?” “I didn’t tell her because I didn’t want her to worry.” Kaien nodded.
“I’m basically fine now anyway.
I should be able to go home soon.” “In that case, I’ll go back with you.” Yoruichi smiled.
“It’s been a long time since I last saw Kūkaku.” …
The Shiba Clan was one of the Four Great Noble Clans, though it had been in decline for many years.
The family was best known for its fireworks and had long resided in western Rukongai.
As for why they no longer lived inside Seireitei, the exact reason remained unclear.
Regardless, even in decline, the Shiba Clan still possessed the status and prestige of nobility.
By the time they reached the Shiba residence, it was already afternoon.
Shadow lowered Yoruichi from his back, bowed slightly, then vanished in a flash.
Yoruichi had long since grown accustomed to Shadow appearing and disappearing without warning, but this was Kaien’s first time seeing it firsthand.
He froze.
“Yoruichi, where’d he go?” “Who knows?” Yoruichi waved dismissively.
Ignoring Kaien’s conflicted expression, she walked straight up to the entrance and kicked open the Shiba residence’s front gate.
“Kūkaku!
Lady Yoruichi is here!
Get out here and welcome me!” “Hey!
Yoruichi!
That’s my front door!” Kaien wailed from behind her.
The two guards standing beside the entrance did not so much as blink.
In truth, they had long since grown accustomed to Yoruichi Shihōin’s unique method of opening doors.
“What are you making all that noise for, Yoruichi?” A girl around Yoruichi’s age walked out while yawning.
She held a long smoking pipe in one hand and wore an ornate white silk robe over a fitted red outfit.
Despite being young, she already carried herself with striking confidence, making it easy to imagine the imposing woman she would grow into.
Kūkaku Shiba, daughter of the Shiba Clan and Kaien Shiba’s younger sister.
She was the same age as Yoruichi, and the two had been extremely close friends since childhood.
Even the decline of the Shiba Clan had done nothing to affect their friendship.
Kūkaku had developed an interest in smoking pipes from an early age and dreamed of someday becoming the greatest fireworks expert in all of Soul Society.
Before Yoruichi could even answer, Kaien shot forward and snatched the pipe from his sister’s hand.
“Kūkaku!
Why are you smoking?!” “I wasn’t!” Kūkaku immediately stepped back, refusing to yield an inch.
With an utterly serious expression, she explained, “I was only airing it out.
If no one uses it for too long and it breaks, Father will be heartbroken.” “…” Kaien stared at his sister as she calmly delivered her perfectly confident excuse.
His expression went flat, and he looked as though he wanted to cry.
“Anyway, Big Brother, why are you only coming home today?
And why are you with Yoruichi?” Kūkaku’s tone became extremely suspicious as her gaze repeatedly shifted between Kaien and Yoruichi.
“Don’t tell me you like Yoruichi?” “KŪKAKU SHIBA!” Kaien roared.
“What kind of nonsense is that?!
Don’t try changing the subject!” “Kūkaku!” Yoruichi, who had somehow been dragged into this for no reason, looked equally annoyed.
“Is that so?” Kūkaku remained perfectly calm and gave Kaien a sideways look whose meaning could not have been more obvious.
Before Kaien could respond, a wave of Reiatsu suddenly descended upon him.
A bone-chilling cold seemed to fill the air.
The enormous pressure instantly crushed down on Kaien until he could barely breathe, and his face turned deathly pale.
“Kaien, what’s wrong?!” Perhaps it was only natural for siblings, but Kūkaku was the first to notice that something was wrong with him and hurried over.
The moment Yoruichi sensed the familiar fluctuation of Reiatsu in the air, she immediately understood what was happening.
“Shadow!” The instant she spoke, the pressure vanished.
Kaien dropped onto the ground and began gasping for breath, his forehead covered in cold sweat.
Terrifying.
Under that Reiatsu, Kaien had discovered that he could not summon even the slightest desire to resist.
Remembering how he had boldly declared earlier that he would surpass Shadow, Kaien finally understood just how enormous the gap between them truly was.
But Kaien Shiba was not someone who accepted defeat easily.
Just because he could not do it now did not mean he would never be able to.
Someday, he believed he would accomplish it.
He would surpass Shadow.