Chapter 162 – Hisana’s Courage

Chapter 162 – Hisana’s Courage

"Receive guests?" Hisana's face paled at Ailin's words and a flicker of panic crossed her eyes. Having grown up in the Rukongai, she was far from the delicate and innocent girl she appeared to be.

After encountering Byakuya and promising to spend their lives together, she had come to this place she could only dream of before. Yet, the more she learned about Byakuya, the heavier her heart became.

The more noble Byakuya's status, the less likely it seemed that they could be together.

In their conversations, Byakuya had mentioned that as long as they received Uncle Ailin's approval, the other elders of the Kuchiki clan wouldn't object. After all, despite not involving himself in clan affairs, Ailin's strength alone was enough to silence any dissent.

Did Uncle Ailin's words imply that he disapproved of their relationship?

Ailin stood up from the corridor and smiled. "Come, Hisana, let's go inside."

"Alright."

When Byakuya returned with some stools from elsewhere, he found Ailin and Hisana sitting inside the house.

"Uncle, what is the meaning of this?" he asked, frowning slightly. He realized he had been tricked by his uncle.

"Ah, I was just giving Hisana a lesson, letting her know that you're not as clever as you seem. In fact, sometimes you act like a fool," Ailin chuckled. "Sit down."

Byakuya sat beside Hisana, his words easing the tension she had been holding.

"Byakuya, you're a grown man now," Ailin began, tapping his fingers on the table. "I understand what you meant by bringing Hisana to see me today."

His voice turned serious as he continued, "Byakuya, Hisana, do you both understand what you'll face if you choose to marry?"

"Yes, Uncle, I do," Byakuya nodded.

"And what about Hisana? Does she know?"

Byakuya fell silent. Perhaps out of selfishness, he hadn't informed Hisana of certain things that might cause her to leave him.

"That's what I mean, Byakuya. Sometimes you overthink things and end up looking like a fool," Ailin sighed.

"Uncle Ailin, I... I know too," Hisana spoke up, her voice soft but determined.

"I know that Lord Byakuya is a nobleman from one of the Great Noble Houses of Soul Society, while I'm just an ordinary person from the Rukongai. There's a vast difference in our social status... Being with Lord Byakuya will surely face opposition from his family... It will greatly hinder Lord Byakuya's future prospects."

"Pfft..." Ailin couldn't help but laugh.

"Hisana, keep those words within these walls. Don't speak them aloud outside," he waved his hand dismissively, stopping her from continuing. "However, from what you've said, it seems Byakuya hasn't even told you about his true identity, has he?"

Byakuya was stunned by Ailin's words. In all of Soul Society, there was only one Zanpakuto known as "Ryūjin Jakka" – the Zanpakuto of Captain-Commander Yamamoto, renowned as the oldest and most powerful fire-type Zanpakuto.

Its Shikai alone could unleash flames of six thousand degrees Celsius, rivaling the surface temperature of the sun.

In Bankai, its flames reached temperatures comparable to the sun's core.

It was a Zanpakuto capable of destroying all of Soul Society simply by existing in its released state.

In Byakuya's mind, Ryūjin Jakka was the epitome of power among Zanpakuto.

But what had Uncle Ailin just said? He had created a weapon even more powerful than Ryūjin Jakka?

With Uncle Ailin's strength, Byakuya had no doubt that he was aware of Captain-Commander Yamamoto's power and the might of his Zanpakuto.

Yet, even so, Uncle Ailin claimed to have created a weapon surpassing Ryūjin Jakka.

Byakuya fell silent. It was no wonder Uncle Ailin had been invited by the Royal Guard.

Clearly, his uncle's strength had long surpassed that of Captain-Commander Yamamoto.

But that weapon was now sealed within Aunt Haruko's body, preserving her existence...

Taking a deep breath, Byakuya felt lost. What would he do if Hisana's life withered away within a mere decade because of him?

"Uncle Ailin..."

Just as Byakuya's resolve wavered, Hisana gripped his hand tightly and bowed to Ailin. "Perhaps being with Byakuya will bring hardships I can't even imagine, but please believe me, I will do my best to overcome them."

"Overcome? You say overcome?" Ailin questioned, his voice stern. "Hisana, do you understand that without reiatsu, living in Soul Society will cause your soul to gradually weaken under the immense spiritual pressure, eventually leading to your death within a few years? Even I cannot overcome such a hardship. What makes you think you can?" Ailin was blunt in his assessment of their situation.

"Being with Byakuya... will cause me to die within a few years?" Hisana's body swayed slightly, a flicker of fear in her eyes.

A few years ago, Hisana's parents had brought another child into their impoverished family – a baby girl named Rukia.

Unable to support another mouth to feed, Hisana's parents had planned to abandon Rukia.

Unwilling to let her newborn sister die from neglect, Hisana had taken Rukia and left their home, determined to raise her alone.

However, she had overestimated her capabilities. Even providing for herself was a struggle, let alone caring for a baby sister.

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