CHAPTER 111: Assassin

Inside the dojo, Kazuya could be seen meditating in a lotus position, his Zanpakutō lying on his lap. His torso was bare, putting his muscular upper body on full display. Unfortunately, no one was here to witness his near-perfect stature.

Jinzen (Sword Zen) — a Shinigami technique that allowed one to enter a tranquil state and journey into the inner world, connecting their minds with the Zanpakutō. He had been refining this technique, clawing desperately at the barrier separating him and his Zanpakutō Spirit.

Zero progress happened in three months. Nami's hibernation was even longer than her supposed time in the egg. Out of desperation, he had scoured the libraries for a possible solution — a task that led him to seduce multiple instructors for deeper library access — yet nothing worked. Yoruichi and Kisuke's solution was forcibly materializing his Zanpakutō's Spirit. As if he'd interrupt Nami again during a potential evolution.

All he could do was wait and try Jinzen meditation every day.

Shaking off his concerns, he let out a sigh. "Another day. Another failure."

Wearing his kimono, he felt a sudden chill, an instinctive warning. His eyes darted, seeking the hidden danger, but the threat was already upon him. A sudden weight on his shoulder, the lethal embrace of Soi Fon's toned legs around his neck, and the cold touch of her Zanpakutō's stinger against his face. 

An assassin came for him for the first time, and he was caught off-guard.

"Soi Fon, nice way to greet an old friend."

He hadn't met her since the opening ceremony. Now she suddenly wanted to kill him. There was a big misunderstanding at play here, one that intrigued him more than threatened him.

"Kazuya," Soi Fon whispered in a cold voice. "Suzumebachi's special ability is Nigeki Kessatsu. Anyone who gets hit twice in the same spot inevitably dies."

Her words were deliberate to strike fear into his heart, yet he remained calm. Three months of gradual growth had increased his Reiatsu to a point where he could unseal a Hōgyoku on his own. Not to mention his regeneration ability served as a perfect counter to Soi Fon's Zanpakutō ability. Even without his regeneration, he could negate her ability with his Zanpakutō.

"Scary ability for such a cute woman," he said with a chuckle. "Shouldn't you tell me the reason for this?"

"You will answer my question. If you try to be smart, it's not hard for me to stab your neck twice."

"Well, what do you want to know?"

"Did you…" Soi Fon's voice trailed off, and she took a cold, steely breath as if bracing herself for an unwelcome truth. "What do you know about Yoruichi-sama?"

"Yoruichi-sama? Could you be talking about the exiled princess of Shihōin Clan? The legendary Flash Goddess who united the Second Division and Onmitsukidō Corps?"

Like a hornet's sting, her blade dug into his neck, a swift and precise movement that drew a bead of blood. A butterfly-shaped mark bloomed at the wound, only to vanish as she pulled out the stinger. His wound healed instantly, his immense spiritual power and regeneration ability neutralizing her venomous Zanpakutō.

Soi Fon's eyes, clouded by emotions, missed the disappearance of her beautiful crest.

"Do not try to lie. You have been using her Hakuda style in combat."

"We did meet a couple of times after her exile."

Her body trembled momentarily at the revelation, which didn't escape his senses. "What is your relationship?"

"Good friends is how I'd describe us."

Sensing the truth in his words, Soi Fon's tense form relaxed. Captain Unohana had been bluffing. The Yoruichi she knew would never succumb to the charms of a man.

"For now," he continued, his voice tinged with mischief. "Can't say what'll happen in the future. I have already confessed my love to her."

"You—"

"Hold your hand, Captain Soi Fon."

Rangiku arrived before him in a Shunpo flash, followed by another woman with messy silver hair. She was a head taller than Rangiku, yet she didn't possess half the confidence of Rangiku in her demeanor. The Vice Captain of the 4th Squad was a lovable tomboy no matter how he looked at her.

Rangiku's katana pointed at Soi Fon, her voice authoritative yet tempered. "It's beneath your Captain status to show killing intent for a student."

"Y-Yeah, Captain Soi Fon," Isane stammered, her smile awkward but sincere. "Let's talk things through. We'll find a solution."

Kazuya gripped Soi Fon's thighs and tried to free himself but her grip was like a vice. He didn't want to exert too much force and break her bones. "Soi Fon, please don't bully me."

Isane found herself stunned, captivated by his pleading voice. Nanao wasn't lying; she was underselling how utterly persuasive his voice was.

"You aren't innocent," Isane said with a frown. "You're a woman predator."

He cleared his throat. "Lady Soi Fon, please let me go. I have to clear this misunderstanding."

He was a bit depressed after Nami's disappearance and ended up sleeping around more than necessary. However, he only seduced the teachers, the senior students came to him on their own out of curiosity. He, of course, welcomed the desserts that kept knocking at his doorstep. Not that anyone involved with him took the relationship seriously — it was just a transaction to find a solution to his Zanpakutō problem. No serious relationships.

Suddenly, Soi Fon tightened her legs around his neck and growled at Rangiku and Isane. "Stay out of my business, Vice Captains."

She clung to him, desperation and determination in her eyes, still hoping to make him reveal Yoruichi's location.

Rangiku's jaw dropped at Soi Fon's overbearing tone. "You don't get to order us around. Stop this before we file an official report against you."

Soi Fon gritted her teeth, her Reiatsu revolting around her. "You leave now."

Rangiku scoffed. "Isane, get your Zanpakutō out. We might have to use force against her."

Isane shook her head. "Ugh, we're colleagues. Let's just sit down and talk…"

He clicked his tongue. "Soi Fon, listen to Vice Captain Isane. Let's talk like adults."

Instead of acquiescence, she grabbed his chin, her bladed gauntlet grazing his neck with a dangerous promise. "I will—"

His grip, steely and relentless, tightened on her ankles as he pried her hold with unsettling ease, her joints creaking ominously in protest. Seizing her butt with an audacity that defied his earlier delicate tone, he flung her meters away like a sack.

"Get off me, idiot."

Soi Fon, ever graceful, stabilized her posture and landed like a fierce cat, her eyes blazing. Then she froze, stunned — the absence of the butterfly crest on his neck unraveled her composure, leaving her in sheer astonishment. Even Yoruichi had not been immune to her Zanpakutō's effect.

Caught in her shock, she couldn't register his Shunpo movement as he appeared before her, his hand clutching her throat, lifting her with cruel ease.

"I was being nice, but you mistook my kindness for weakness," he spat, his voice as cold as ice, his fingers tightening menacingly. "Soi Fon, let's test if a Captain can suffocate to death."

Soi Fon clutched his hand but there was no chance she could overpower him in this position. Mustering her core strength, she raised her legs and coiled them around his neck, trying to strangle him in reverse.

He didn't even flinch at her desperate attempt to choke him. "Laughable."

Isane felt her spine shiver at the sight. A first-year student was overpowering Soi Fon who was known for her exceptional combat skills among the Captains. She rushed at him, grabbing his arm. "S-Stop. Don't hurt her."

Rangiku also joined Isane from the other side. "Just let go already. What is wrong with you two?!"

She was starting to believe that Unohana's previous reputation wasn't unwarranted — she was a devil in setting up unanticipated conflicts.

With an air of indifference, Kazyya tossed Soi Fon on the floor. Soi Fon grasped her aching throat and coughed violently. Despite her vulnerable position, her eyes were filled with a dangerous fire. Her emotions reached unbelievable heights once Yoruichi was involved in any capacity. The fact that she could meet Yoruichi again filled her with unrelenting willpower.

She was determined to fight him, despite her odds.

Turning to Rangiku, he shrugged. "She tried to kill me first. You witnessed that with your own eyes."

Rangiku had nothing to say against him. She was there when Captain Unohana provoked Soi Fon into chasing Kazuya and she was present when Soi Fon pressed her Zanpakutō against his neck. "Let's just forget this happened. Isane, heal Captain Soi Fon."

Soi Fon slapped Isane's helping hand away. "Just tell me where Yoruichi-sama is," Soi Fon roared, her hoarse voice cracking, and tears threatening to spill from her eyes. "WHERE IS SHE?!"

As if summoned by her emotions, a black cat landed gracefully beside Kazuya, purring affectionately against his leg. "Meow~."

He chuckled and cradled Yoruichi in his arms, stroking her chin. "Yoruichi is in the Seireitei. Do whatever you must with that information."

Soi Fon stared at him with wide eyes. Then, with a flash, she vanished from the scene, hurrying over to the 2nd Squad's Barracks.

Kazuya's face softened at Soi Fon's desperation, a gentle smile replacing the earlier menacing look. "Ladies, do you mind joining me for lunch?"

From pleading for his life to threatening a Captain to extending a casual lunch invitation — his mood swings were like a tempest, unpredictable and more dangerous than ninety-nine percent of women.

...

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