The Limits of Suzumebachi  

"Really?" Soi Fon looked up, her eyes, still red from the despair moments ago, now sparkling with surprise.

This was the first change Ailin had seen in Soi Fon's eyes since their reunion. This young girl was carrying a burden far too heavy for her age.

However, as Ailin sighed, a sudden realization struck him – Soi Fon was actually around the same age as him.

Thinking back, Ailin had graduated from the Shin'ō Academy at eighteen and spent over twenty years in the 2nd Division before Soi Fon, as the next head of the Fon family, entered the division and served under Captain Yoruichi.

After that, Ailin became the vice-captain, and they worked together for five years until Ailin left the 2nd Division, severing their connection. It was just that Soi Fon had always been petite, so Ailin never really saw her as an adult.

"Yes, really," Ailin confirmed with a sigh. "You don't seem to be in good spirits right now. Why don't you go back and get some rest? I'll officially start your training tomorrow and try my best to help you achieve Bankai as soon as possible."

Although Soi Fon yearned to begin training immediately, the tension she had been holding onto for the past half-month suddenly released upon receiving Ailin's consent. All the exhaustion, bitterness, and resentment came flooding in... Her body swayed slightly, and for a moment, she lost control and nearly collapsed.

"Hey, Soi Fon..." Ailin quickly stepped forward and caught her, his brow furrowing.

It seemed the pressure Soi Fon was under was far greater than he had imagined. Otherwise, she wouldn't have fainted after getting his approval.

Bending down, Ailin scooped Soi Fon's petite form into his arms in a princess carry and vanished from the alleyway in a flash.

***

Swoosh!

Swoosh!

"Hmm?" Byakuya Kuchiki looked up and spotted his uncle.

Logically, given their simultaneous return from the 1st Division headquarters, Uncle Ailin should have reached the Kuchiki Manor long ago with his speed. Why was he only arriving at the 6th Division now?

Curious, Byakuya instantly appeared on the roof of the 6th Division captain's office. Then, his pupils constricted.

What was that?

Uncle Ailin was carrying someone in his arms!

Judging by the shihakushō, it was definitely not Aunt Haruko. After all, Aunt Haruko never even graduated from the Shin'ō Academy.

When she was assigned to the Hollow Extermination Force, Byakuya had removed her name, returned her Asauchi, and brought her back to the Kuchiki Manor. Therefore, Haruko Kuchiki was not a Shinigami!

In the "Women's Shinigami Association," Haruko was only an "honorary member," not a true member.

However, because the association's headquarters was located within the Kuchiki Manor, the members made an exception and allowed Haruko to become an "honorary member" to defend themselves against potential attacks from the Kuchiki head.

In all these years, Byakuya had never seen his uncle interact intimately with any woman other than Aunt Haruko. Witnessing this scene today made Byakuya wonder if his uncle had changed his heart?

Ailin was unaware that Soi Fon's sudden fainting had caused Byakuya to become suspicious of him.

Returning to the Kuchiki Manor, Ailin entrusted Soi Fon to Haruko, asking her to settle her in the guest room.

Ten minutes later, Haruko emerged from the guest room, closed the door, and walked down the corridor. She saw Ailin standing in the courtyard.

"Ailin-kun, Soi Fon has been settled," Haruko informed him.

"Thank you, Haruko," Ailin replied, turning to face her with a smile. "If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have known what to do."

"Hehe, I thought Ailin-kun would personally tuck Miss Soi Fon in..." Haruko teased.

"Hahaha..." Ailin broke out in a cold sweat. Although Haruko was smiling, he felt a terrifying abyss beneath that smile.

"Of course not! We have maids in the house, don't we?" Ailin vehemently denied, refusing to acknowledge Haruko's teasing.

"But this is the first time Ailin-kun has brought a girl home..."

"Haruko, this is an exception..."

"Hahaha..." Seeing Haruko clutching her stomach and laughing, Ailin realized she was just messing with him.

"Haruko!"

"Hahaha, I'm sorry, I'm sorry. Ailin-kun's flustered expression was just too adorable. I couldn't help myself..."

Ailin rolled his eyes but couldn't really do anything about Haruko.

"Miss Soi Fon is very tired," Haruko remarked as she and Ailin sat down in the courtyard. "I accidentally bumped her head while helping her to bed, but she didn't even wake up..."

The stronger a Shinigami was, the more sensitive they were to their surroundings. Even Haruko, who hadn't become a Shinigami, would wake up if there was any noise around her while she slept.

Soi Fon's strength was hundreds of times greater than Haruko's. The fact that she didn't wake up even after bumping her head against the door showed how exhausted she was.

"Indeed," Ailin nodded. "Lady Yoruichi was sentenced to exile in the World of the Living by Central 46 for breaking into their chambers and rescuing Kisuke Urahara and the others. Now the entire burden of the 2nd Division rests on Soi Fon's shoulders..."

"If she were stronger, it wouldn't be so bad."

"But..." Ailin trailed off, shaking his head.

It was only due to Yoruichi's father asking Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto to acknowledge Soi Fon's position that she was even allowed to be the "acting captain." Although it was just "acting," Yamamoto had stated that once Soi Fon mastered Bankai, the "acting" part would naturally disappear.

"Now, with the captains of all but the 7th Division in place, if Soi Fon can't master Bankai soon and officially become the 2nd Division captain before the 7th Division captain is appointed, how will the Shinigami of other divisions view the 2nd Division?"

"Respecting the strong and bullying the weak is the true mentality of most people. In the long run, the 2nd Division will inevitably decline under Soi Fon's leadership. If she weren't desperate, with Soi Fon's personality, she wouldn't have come to me."

"Sigh, Lady Yoruichi really..." Haruko couldn't help but blame Yoruichi after hearing about the pressure Soi Fon was facing.

"Alright, Haruko, what others do is their own choice. We shouldn't judge," Ailin said. "However, since Soi Fon has come to me, I will do everything in my power to help her master Bankai as quickly as possible!"

"Yes."

***

The next day, Soi Fon woke up after a good night's sleep. She was confused for a few moments, then recalled fainting while asking Ailin for help. She pulled the blanket over her face and let out a muffled whimper.

It was too embarrassing.

Hearing the movement in the guest room, Haruko entered with breakfast.

"You're awake, Miss Soi Fon."

"Hmm?"

"Miss Kuchiki?" Soi Fon pulled down the blanket and realized she wasn't in her familiar room. "Where is this?"

"You were too tired yesterday, Miss Soi Fon, so I arranged for you to rest in the guest room," Haruko explained.

"I apologize for the trouble, Miss Kuchiki," Soi Fon said, getting out of bed and kneeling to bow to Haruko.

"Oh no, Miss Soi Fon, please don't say that..." Haruko quickly put down the tray with breakfast and helped Soi Fon up. "Miss Soi Fon, please have some breakfast first. Ailin-kun said he'll come and take you to train after you've eaten."

Although Soi Fon was eager to find Ailin and start training immediately, she nodded after looking at Haruko and the breakfast she had prepared.

Since she had already obtained Captain Ailin's consent, there was no harm in taking the time to eat breakfast.

However, despite her words, Soi Fon couldn't help but eat faster, wanting to begin training sooner.

Then, under Haruko's guidance, Soi Fon saw Ailin, who had been waiting for some time, in the Kuchiki Manor's front yard.

"You're here."

"Yes." Soi Fon nodded and took a deep breath. "Captain Ailin, let's begin. I'm ready."

"Soi Fon, before we start, I want to ask you something," Ailin said, walking up to Soi Fon and looking down at her, his expression serious. "Are you learning from me to increase your strength or to achieve Bankai faster?"

"Hmm?" Soi Fon asked, puzzled. "Captain Ailin, aren't those two things the same?"

"Well, not exactly. Increasing your strength isn't limited to mastering Bankai. Conversely, mastering Bankai is just one way to increase your strength.

Take Captain Yoruichi, for example. Although she has a Zanpakutō, she doesn't use it because its ability doesn't suit her fighting style. But no one would dare say that Captain Yoruichi without her Zanpakutō is weaker than Captain Yoruichi with it.

Soi Fon, your Zanpakutō's ability is 'Nigeki Kessatsu,' (Two-Hit Kill) which sounds powerful, but in practice, it has significant limitations."

Soi Fon pursed her lips and remained silent. She didn't think her Zanpakutō's ability was bad at all.

Nigeki Kessatsu – as long as she struck the same spot on her opponent twice consecutively, she could kill them instantly.

And Ailin considered this ability "sounds powerful"?

Although Soi Fon didn't say anything, Ailin had worked with her for some years and understood her well enough.

He patiently explained, "Soi Fon, your Zanpakutō's ability is to kill an opponent by striking the same spot twice in a row. But in reality, it's not your attack that kills the enemy, but the 'Hōmonka' you leave on them after each strike."