CHAPTER 265: Pride

Soi Fon clung to the wall like a spider, holding onto the roof that slanted downwards just above the window. As an assassin, she had been trained to conceal her Reiatsu and take cover in unexpected places. She never thought she'd put her skills to hide from Kazuya of all men.

She had no one to blame but her own impatience. The important task of monitoring Aizen had kept her occupied. But she couldn't take it anymore today — she had to conclude her business with Yoruichi as soon as possible, or she'd lose her mind.

So, after leaving her underlings to monitor Aizen, she arrived at Kazuya's new home in hopes of finalizing a date for their battle. She ended up getting there before Kazuya left for his new job with the 4th Squad, leading to her current predicament.

Tap. Tap. Tap. She heard footsteps close in the window and quickly held her breath. She may not like Kazuya very much but she respected his strength — his only redeeming quality in her eyes. Someone of his caliber would be perceptive enough to sense the slightest of movements.

'He must be opening it for sunlight.'

Kazuya opened the window and peaked his head out, looking for something or someone. "Huh? I swear I heard something… Was it my imagination?"

'Go!' Soi Fon yelled in her head. 'Leave so I can talk to Yoruichi-sama!'

Kazuya closed the window, letting her relax, as much as she could in her position.

'He is perceptive.'

She had never met someone who was sharp as a blade, yet dumb as a rock. Her former mistress truly found an interesting person to teach.

Depending on Kazuya's next actions, she'd have to reposition. Of course, her original intention had been to hide in the courtyard and wait for her opportunity. The presence of Momo and Rukia had piqued her curiosity. But before she had the chance to get a look at the two, Rangiku arrived to ruin her plans.

Soi Fon had pounced on the chance to eavesdrop on them. What she learned baffled her.

Swish! The window suddenly flipped open, and Kazuya leaned out again. This time he wasn't looking down, rather, he looked straight into her eyes.

"Long time no see… you look cute in that, Barefeet Barry."

It was rare for Soi Fon to be seen outside of her Shihakushō, and a miracle to catch her in a black skin-tight sleeveless top and matching tights. A black scarf covered the lower half of her face, adding an alluring mystery to her presence. He had to admit that she looked like a competent assassin in her new clothes.

Soi Fon stared at him, barely a hint of surprise across her face. "I received a confidential mission from the Captain Commander. The tuck tuck sound of footwear would've blown my cover."

"I see."

"How did you discover me?"

He pointed at his own heart. "You can control your breathing but you can't control your pounding heart."

She shut her eyes and drew a long breath. Opening her eyes again, she showed her brightest smile. "Hah. I got you last time, but you didn't fall for it today. You've been improving every day, it seems. Give yourself a pat on the back."

Her obviously fake acting earned a blank stare from Kazuya. "I'll get Yoruichi to do it—after you tell me why are you here?"

"I just told you—"

He grabbed her ankle and yanked her off the wall, hanging her upside down. "You're sneaking around my property. Speak up unless you want this matter to reach Captain Yamamoto."

Hearing his blatant threat, her brow twitched in annoyance. He was the only man to threaten her openly, slap her in the face, beat her up without any consequences.

Kazuya looked down at the stubborn girl who showed no signs of panic even when hung upside down — she had been in this position before. "Masochist Soi Fon, I don't have all day."

She was on a spy mission. Her target wasn't him or he'd have felt her eyes on him. Still, he had to know the identity of the person on Yamamoto's radar. For the sake of being informed about the happenings in the Soul Society.

'I need to get Soi Fon on my side.'

With Unohana, Shunsui, Byakuya, and possibly Isane, he had plenty of firepower. He still fell behind Aizen in the field of information. This hot-headed "lesbian" was the current head of Onmitsukidō, the eyes and ears of the Soul Society. Assassinations, infiltration, and information gathering were some of the specialties of her department.

She might be a big help in finding Muramasa and keeping those close to him safe behind his back.

{You're doing a convincing job to get her on our side — by hanging her like a bat.}

'She'll freak out if I start treating her normally.'

Nami giggled. {I can imagine that happening. Why don't you just seduce her with your voice?}

'It's not mind control. Every—'

He cut off his conversation with Nami and stared at Soi Fon, who seemed to be ready to execute her escape plan.

***

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