Chapter 78 – Seeing Soi Fon Again
"Swish..."
Using Shunpo to follow behind Ailin, Byakuya Kuchiki's heart was filled with both sadness over his grandfather's impending death and a desire for greater strength.
If he had attained captain-level strength earlier, taking over the responsibilities of the Kuchiki Family and the Sixth Division from his grandfather, his grandfather could have retired and enjoyed his later years at home in peace.
Thinking of this, Byakuya Kuchiki couldn't help but take a deep look at his uncle Ailin in front of him.
A few years ago, when Uncle Ailin and Aunt Haruko were still with the Kuchiki Family, everyone was the most relaxed and happiest.
Unfortunately, later on, Aunt Haruko developed health problems, and to treat her, Uncle Ailin resolutely gave up his position as the captain of the Sixth Division and took her to the living world.
Seeing Uncle Ailin's current appearance, it seemed that Aunt Haruko's body had mostly recovered.
From Grandfather's perspective, Uncle Ailin had undoubtedly fallen short in his duties. But from Aunt Haruko's perspective, Byakuya felt that Uncle Ailin had done nothing wrong.
These complicated emotions made Byakuya feel very conflicted. Heaving a deep sigh, he quickened his pace and asked, "Uncle, where are you taking me?"
"We'll go to the Second Division first and find two people."
Over these years, Ailin had not been in contact with Kisuke Urahara and others. But to Ailin, since he already owed Kisuke Urahara a favor, it was almost as if he had been tied to Kisuke Urahara's war chariot, so owing him a few more favors didn't matter. After all, Ailin didn't dislike the current world and had no desire to change it.
"Who are you looking for?"
"The captain of the Second Division, Yoruichi Shihōin, and the Third Seat of the Second Division, Kisuke Urahara."
Byakuya Kuchiki's footsteps paused. Just a moment ago, he had suspected that the person who attacked his grandfather was someone from the Shihōin Family, and now he was going to seek their help, was that appropriate?
"Don't daze out, Byakuya." Ailin's speed didn't slow. "To help you complete your Bankai training within three days, we need their assistance. If you dare let me down, you'll see how I'll deal with you three days later."
Hearing Ailin's words, Byakuya instinctively shuddered. Although his strength had greatly improved after Uncle Ailin's special training, the fear of constantly teetering on the brink of death and Uncle Ailin's unfathomable spiritual pressure made him feel utterly hopeless and terrified.
Unless necessary, he didn't want to fight Uncle Ailin again.
Swish!
***
"Captain Yoruichi, I'm sorry to disturb you again."
"And Soi Fon, it's been a long time."
After being led to the captain's room of the Second Division by a Second Division member, Ailin greeted Yoruichi and Soi Fon, who were sitting in the captain's room, with a smile.
It had to be said that in the Soul Society, a person's age and mindset were closely related.
As for Soi Fon, a decade ago when Ailin first met her, she had the appearance of a young girl. Ten years later, when they met again, Byakuya had grown from a young boy into a mature and composed heartthrob, but Soi Fon still had the same little girl appearance.
Perhaps it would only be when Yoruichi defected that her body and mind would transform into the cold and beautiful "Soifon."
"Ah, it's just as you think, Captain Yoruichi." Ailin shrugged, "As you may know, Lord Ginrei was ambushed in the living world this time, and Captain Unohana said Lord Ginrei may only have a few days left.
The old man has devoted his life to the Kuchiki Family, and what he can't let go of the most is the Kuchiki Family. "To allow Lord Ginrei to pass on more peacefully, I promised him that within three days I would return a grandson to him who has achieved Bankai. "So, I have no choice but to seek the help of Captain Yoruichi and Urahara."
"Hahaha, Ailin, Urahara was right, you really are a mysterious guy."
As for Ailin's request, Yoruichi Shihōin didn't say much more, only laughing heartily. At the same time, Yoruichi Shihōin was also inwardly startled.
Previously, when Ailin had approached Yoruichi and Kisuke Urahara for Haruko Kuchiki's sake, the two of them had speculated that Ailin might have possessed some means to monitor the entire Soul Society.
Otherwise, based solely on the outward strength Kisuke Urahara had displayed, who would know that Urahara's greatest strength lay in invention and research?
Moreover, this time Ailin had directly brought the young master Byakuya to see her, even saying he would return a grandson capable of Bankai to Lord Ginrei within three days, his goal directly pointing to Kisuke Urahara's previous invention - the Tenshintai.
Only the Tenshintai could possibly allow someone to complete Bankai training within three days.
Yoruichi Shihōin remembered that when Urahara had invented and created the Tenshintai, it seemed to have been around the time when Ailin had challenged former Vice Captain Omaeda.
Yoruichi speculated that shortly after joining the Second Division, Ailin had completed the cultivation of his Zanpakutō, but perhaps due to insufficient strength, the first Zanpakutō Ailin created had the ability of observation.
After realizing this, Yoruichi Shihōin and Kisuke Urahara felt that the things they had exposed over the past thirty years seemed quite substantial.
However, Urahara had also told Yoruichi that Ailin's ability might have some flaws.
For example, the last time Urahara had created an artificial body for Haruko Kuchiki, he had done so in the living world.
When Urahara brought Ailin and Haruko before the artificial body, Ailin couldn't determine whether there were any problems with it until he released a new Zanpakutō and used some kind of investigative ability to confirm that it hadn't been tampered with before entering it.
"But Ailin, although our relationship is good, you still haven't returned the favor from when we helped you treat Lady Haruko Kuchiki last time. This time, what are you prepared to offer to make us help you?"
"Well, Captain Yoruichi, we're all so familiar with each other..." Ailin was joking around with Yoruichi here, but on the other side, Byakuya couldn't sit still anymore.
"You demon cat, if you want to request our help, it's me you should be talking to. Whatever demands you have, just tell me directly. I believe that with my status as the future head of the Kuchiki Family, I should be able to compensate you for this request."
"Um..."
Yoruichi Shihōin and Ailin were caught off guard by Byakuya's sudden interruption, leaving them at a loss for words.
The conversation they were having was not on the same frequency as what Byakuya had heard.
"Young Master Byakuya, it's not that I look down on you. What the Kuchiki Family possesses, the Shihōin Family also has. What the Kuchiki Family doesn't have, the Shihōin Family also doesn't have."
"What do you think you could use to sway me into helping you, your Bankai?"
Yoruichi Shihōin had a smile on her face, but the words she spoke were colder than the winter snow to Byakuya.
From a personal level, Yoruichi still thought highly of Byakuya. But on a family level, there were unsavory things between the Five Great Noble Families, and they were not united.
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