Chapter 29

After a full day of training, Kaelith Yurei stepped out of the First Division's main gate.

He had spent the entire afternoon practicing Ikkotsu, and now all he wanted was to get back to his dorm, take a shower, and get some much-needed rest.

However, he hadn't walked far before he sensed someone approaching.

Turning around, he saw a familiar figure.

"Hey! Finally done? I've been waiting quite a while!"

A young girl with short purple hair flashed a bright smile at Kaelith.

It was none other than Yoruichi Shihōin, someone he hadn't seen in some time.

Seeing her, Kaelith asked, "Where have you been these past few days?"

"Where else? Training with the Onmitsukidō" she replied with a dismissive wave, wearing a slightly annoyed expression.

Before Kaelith could say anything further, Yoruichi extended her hand and grabbed his wrist.

"Enough talk; follow me!" she exclaimed.

With a swift movement, Yoruichi used Shunpo, pulling Kaelith along as they sped through the streets of the Seireitei.

In no time, they arrived in front of an old, elegant mansion.

On the plaque above the gate were the characters: Shihōin.

Seeing Yoruichi appear suddenly didn't seem to surprise the two Shinigami standing guard at the entrance. They both bowed their heads in respect.

"Lady Yoruichi!"

"Oh, thank you for your hard work," Yoruichi replied with a smile and a wave.

She led Kaelith inside, guiding him through the long corridors of the courtyard until they reached a room.

As they entered, several attendants glanced over in surprise.

This was Yoruichi's private study, a place off-limits to all but the cleaning staff. Even those reporting to Yoruichi usually knelt outside the paper doors to speak.

Today, however, she had brought someone in personally.

More surprising still was the comfortable familiarity between them, given they were close in age.

Just then, Yoruichi popped her head out the door, calling, "Haruna, bring out the tea that Omaeda Hisagi gifted last time and brew a pot for us!"

Hearing this, Haruna quickly nodded and set off.

Omaeda Hisagi, besides being the lieutenant of the Second Division, was also known as one of the wealthiest men in the Seireitei. Even among the nobility, his tea was considered a rare treasure.

That Yoruichi would serve this tea for a guest... Who was this young man?

Inside the room, Kaelith glanced around.

"What's going on? Why did you suddenly drag me here… Don't tell me you have some ulterior motive?" he teased.

Yoruichi chuckled. "Of course! Here I am, a noble lady from one of the Four Great Noble Houses, inviting a commoner from Rukongai to be my suitor, only to be rejected every time. Today, I had no choice but to bring you here by force!"

Kaelith: "..."

Was this really something a young woman should say?

Seeing him at a loss for words, Yoruichi grinned with satisfaction.

She sat down across from him on the floor, while Kaelith, yawning, lay down on his side.

"I've been training all day with the Captain-Commander. I'm exhausted. If you have something to say, get it over with quickly. I still need to sleep."

Watching Kaelith's casual demeanor, Yoruichi raised an eyebrow. "Just one day of training, and you're like this?"

"With stamina like that, how are you going to achieve your so-called 'harem dream'?"

Startled, Kaelith quickly sat up.

Seeing his reaction, Yoruichi couldn't help but smile.

As they spoke, an attendant entered with the freshly brewed tea and placed it in front of them.

Taking a sip, Kaelith smiled in appreciation. "Not bad tea."

"Of course, only a handful of people in the entire Soul Society get to enjoy tea this good," Yoruichi replied, taking a sip herself before adopting a serious expression.

"Kaelith, I need your help with something."

"What is it?" Kaelith asked, looking at her in curiosity.

Grinning, Yoruichi leaned closer and whispered, "Come with me to the Twelfth Division to steal something!"

Kaelith: "???"

Seeing she wasn't joking, he asked, "What do you want to steal?"

Moving closer, Yoruichi whispered the details into his ear.

After listening, Kaelith began to understand.

The former Captain of the Second Division, Tenjirō Kirinji, had developed two special hot springs, one red and one white. These springs had extraordinary healing properties, capable of swiftly mending any injury.

In addition to healing, the springs could cleanse Spirit Pressure and strengthen the body. It was, in a sense, a "rebirth and renewal."

Thanks to these innovations, Tenjirō Kirinji had been invited to join the Royal Guard and had left the Seireitei.

Before departing, Yoruichi had asked him to teach her the method for creating these springs. Tenjirō had agreed, but he didn't give her the instructions directly. Instead, he stored the formula in the Twelfth Division, entrusting Captain Kirio Hikifune to safeguard it.

He said she could retrieve it once she assumed the role of Captain.

Initially, Yoruichi didn't think much of this condition. As the head of the Shihōin family, it was assumed that she would soon take over the Second Division after Tenjirō's promotion.

However, just then, a rebellion had begun to stir.

To ensure her safety, the Shihōin elders had reached a consensus: until Yoruichi attained true Captain-level strength, the position would remain vacant. The division's responsibilities were entrusted to Lieutenant Omaeda Hisagi.

This decision shattered her plans to claim the hot spring formula.

To Yoruichi, missing out on this opportunity was intolerable.

Since the formula would ultimately be hers anyway, what harm was there in sneaking it out a bit early?

She had initially worried she couldn't do it alone, but during a recent mission with Kaelith, she'd seen his potential.

With Kaelith's help, Yoruichi felt confident that the hot spring formula was as good as theirs.

After hearing her out, Kaelith appeared deep in thought.

Tenjirō Kirinji… If he remembered correctly, this character appeared during the Thousand-Year Blood War arc. He had only read the beginning of that arc, so he wasn't entirely sure if the springs were as miraculous as Yoruichi claimed.

But it sounded plausible enough.

Seeing him pondering, Yoruichi thought he was hesitating and quickly persuaded him.

"Hey, Kaelith, with these springs, you could recover from injuries on your own and wouldn't need to visit the Fourth Division anymore."

At this, Kaelith felt a flicker of interest.

He was just about to agree when he suddenly remembered something.

Looking at Yoruichi, he asked, "Yoruichi, I heard you have a special skill that lets you transform into a cat?"

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