Chapter 97: Kenpachi Zaraki's battle

Half a day later, Makoto witnessed firsthand what it meant to be obscenely extravagant as a noble of the highest order.

After Kuchiki Byakuya sent a message to his household to bring funds, he directly purchased three houses in South District One of Rukongai—known for its exceptional safety and environment. He placed Hisana in the middle house while leaving the other two vacant.

"Repay the money?!"

When Makoto reasonably requested his money back, Byakuya shamelessly refused, claiming the expense covered the arrangements for Makoto's ikebana instructor.

"Tch~"

Standing outside with Rukia in his arms, Makoto watched Hisana and Byakuya tidying up the house together. All he could feel was the nauseating stench of romance filling the air.

Hisana was still unaware that the house was specially prepared for her by Byakuya, assuming instead that it was simply another piece of property he had purchased.

But Makoto could tell that young Byakuya clearly intended to begin raising Hisana as his ideal partner outside the bounds of the Seireitei.

Why... Why was Byakuya so easily captivated like this?

Pondering about this situation, Makoto observed Hisana from afar.

To be fair, though Hisana wasn't a striking beauty, her every movement exuded a serene elegance, akin to a crimson-hued twilight sky. Her demeanor was refined and reserved, radiating a quiet grace that hinted at a dignified past life.

Wait a minute!

Suddenly, Makoto's eyes lit up as he realized why Byakuya was powerless against Hisana's charm.

It was because Hisana's physique and temperament were the polar opposite of Shihōin Yoruichi's.

Perhaps Byakuya's intense aversion to Yoruichi had twisted his aesthetic preferences into something entirely opposite, and Hisana just happened to fit that mold perfectly.

"So that's it~"

Just as Makoto felt he had cracked the case—concluding that Yoruichi was ultimately to blame—he suddenly felt a warm sensation on his arm.

His eyes widened in realization as he glanced down at the infant Rukia in his arms.

Rukia, still nestled snugly in her swaddling, wore a serious expression, seemingly focused on something of great importance.

The dampness was spreading…

Did she just… pee?!

Even Makoto, who prided himself on his expression management, couldn't help but let his face crumble at this moment.

Glancing at the pair inside, whose atmosphere seemed to be growing increasingly harmonious, Makoto gritted his teeth and decided to give Byakuya a little leeway for now.

Carrying Rukia to a corner of the yard, Makoto carefully unwrapped her swaddling.

"Hush~~~"

Moments later, he returned, now holding Rukia wrapped in a fresh piece of fabric fashioned from the hem of an old shihakushō. His expression betrayed an odd mix of discomfort and resignation.

Makoto couldn't shake the feeling that he had just crossed some kind of line.

However, this gave him leverage. Even if Rukia took the Kuchiki name in the future, she'd never be able to act overly dignified in his presence.

A single sentence—"Remember when I used to hold you while you peed? And now you're all grown up."—would be enough to shatter any sense of superiority she might muster.

Come to think of it… That's not such a bad thing.

As this mischievous thought crept into his mind, Makoto's face twisted into a wry grin.

Wait a second—why was he outside holding the baby while Byakuya and Hisana were inside together?

What kind of bizarre dynamic was this?

Makoto's expression grew increasingly strange.

Byakuya and Hisana remained occupied inside until dusk. Finally, Byakuya emerged, his usual stoic and aloof demeanor intact. Turning to Hisana, he said:

"From now on, you'll live here and take care of the property for me. I'll stop by periodically to inspect it."

"Yes, I understand, Lord Byakuya," Hisana replied, bowing respectfully, her tone filled with gratitude.

"Good."

Byakuya cast her a brief glance before turning and leaving with Makoto to return to the Seireitei. The two soon went their separate ways, each heading to their respective divisions.

As Makoto strolled through the Seireitei leisurely, he confirmed with Unohana that Aizen Sōsuke hadn't taken any suspicious actions, only continuing his inscrutable research as usual. Satisfied for now, Makoto began contemplating Byakuya's peculiar request:

"Can you find a way so that a fragile soul with no spiritual power withstand prolonged exposure to high-intensity spiritual pressure without being harmed?"

Although Makoto had reluctantly agreed to give it a try, solving this issue was clearly a tough challenge.

This challenge counter the very principles of the Soul Society. It was akin to figuring out how to let a human survive the crushing pressure of the ocean's depths without any adverse effects.

As Makoto immersed himself in thought, a sweet, childlike voice suddenly called out to him:

"Hey, Brother Makoto! Over here~~~"

Brother Makoto?

Makoto froze, his face stiffening as he turned toward the source of the voice. The peculiar nickname could only belong to the pink-haired little troublemaker, Kusajishi Yachiru, perched on a nearby wall.

Without hesitation, Makoto shifted his steps, intending to detour back towards the Fourth Division.

But in a blink of an eye, Yachiru leaped from the wall, latching onto Makoto's face like a playful koala.

"Brother Makoto, it's been so long!"

Her voice was brimming with excitement and joy.

Makoto hurriedly peeled the clinging pink-haired girl off his face and asked, "Yachiru, why are you here alone?"

"Oh, Ken-chan's preparing for a fight again, so I'm scouting for the best spot to watch from," Yachiru replied cheerfully. "Brother Makoto, come with me to watch Ken-chan fight!"

Kenpachi… fighting?

Makoto's interest piqued at the mention of this.

If it was a battle involving captains, a healer would likely be needed.

Although Kenpachi had adapted to the "Seeds of the Forest" Makoto was certain he'd still cause injuries to others.

"Alright, let's go."

As soon as Makoto agreed, Yachiru perched herself expertly on his head, pointing toward a vantage point.

"Dun-dun-dun! That way, Brother Makoto! That's the best spot to watch from!"

Makoto used shunpo to dash toward the indicated location, all the while wondering why Yachiru seemed so attached to him.

Logically, they had only interacted twice. And yet…

Could it be… that he had some strange ability to attract mischievous little girls?

But then a more pressing issue struck him.

"Yachiru, can you call me something else? Brother Makoto sounds awful!"

"No way! My instincts tell me you're definitely Brother Makoto," Yachiru replied with unwavering certainty.

What?!

Makoto was at a loss for words

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