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After leaving the 3rd Division, Shin looked at Byakuya's still-impassive face and asked, "So, what are your thoughts now?"
"None."
Byakuya appeared calm. Even after consecutive losses to Soi Fon and Gin Ichimaru, he remained perfectly composed.
But Shin could see right through him. He knew Byakuya wasn't as calm as he pretended to be.
"I believe you know where you stand now. Go home and think about it."
Shin didn't say anything more, intending to send Byakuya on his way.
"Oh, and remember to bring the tuition fee tomorrow. I don't teach for free. Tell Ginrei Kuchiki not to be too stingy."
Shin reminded the departing Byakuya. The reason he agreed to teach him was for the tuition. Without it, Shin wouldn't have bothered.
Byakuya left and returned home. What he told Ginrei Kuchiki was his own business.
Shin returned with Soi Fon.
"Where did you two go?" Yoruichi asked them.
"Captain Shin took us to the 3rd Division and had Byakuya Kuchiki spar with Captain Gin Ichimaru," Soi Fon told Yoruichi directly, not hiding anything.
"Oh, and how did that turn out?"
Yoruichi nodded, then asked Shin about the result. She knew Byakuya's strength was not to be underestimated.
"The winner was the 3rd Division's Captain, Gin Ichimaru," Soi Fon replied. In truth, she found both of them incredibly annoying.
"Shin, I think it's ridiculous that you agreed to teach them. What's the real reason?" Yoruichi asked Shin curiously.
She knew how lazy Shin was. Agreeing to teach someone was almost unheard of. So, of course, she was puzzled.
"You've got a lot of questions. Can't I just be bored and do something nice for a change?" Shin shrugged and said to Yoruichi.
But after he said that, Yoruichi suddenly pursed her lips. 'Sorry, but I don't believe a word of that.'
"I think that's impossible. Knowing your personality, you'd never help someone for no reason. You think I don't know you?"
Yoruichi knew Shin better than anyone. It was completely out of character for him to help someone without something in it for him.
"Alright, since you put it that way, I'll tell you. It's nothing to hide. I'm just in it for the money."
Shin needed to earn some money. His captain's salary wasn't enough to cover his expenses. Was he supposed to live off a woman?
Though Yoruichi and Unohana were both wealthy, Shin had his pride. Unless he was absolutely desperate, he would never choose to be a kept man.
"I knew it."
Yoruichi nodded. No wonder he agreed. It was all about the money.
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Meanwhile, Byakuya had returned to the Kuchiki manor. Seeing his grandson return, Ginrei Kuchiki asked him, "How did it go?"
"He didn't teach me anything yet. But he had me spar with Soi Fon of the 2nd Division and Captain Gin Ichimaru of the 3rd Division."
Byakuya, facing his grandfather's question, was surprisingly talkative.
"And the result?" Though Ginrei's expression was unreadable, his eyes held a hint of anticipation. Of course, he hoped his grandson would win.
"I lost," Byakuya said to Ginrei Kuchiki. A loss was a loss, nothing to be ashamed of. Byakuya wasn't afraid to admit it.
"You lost."
Ginrei Kuchiki frowned, but he didn't criticize Byakuya. After all, he had faced Gin Ichimaru, the captain of the 3rd Division.
Though young, he had already achieved Bankai and was incredibly powerful, definitely worthy of the captain's title.
So, it wasn't surprising that Byakuya lost to him. As for Soi Fon, though she was only the third seat of the 2nd Division everyone knew that was because the people above her were ridiculously strong: Vice-Captain Yoruichi Shihouin and Captain Shin Uzumaki.
The 2nd Division was truly overflowing with talent. Even their 6th Division couldn't compare.
"Did Shin Uzumaki say anything else?"
Ginrei Kuchiki asked Byakuya again.
"Shin Uzumaki said he requires a tuition fee," Byakuya informed Ginrei Kuchiki. Ginrei nodded at this. If Shin Uzumaki truly wanted nothing, Ginrei would have been more suspicious.
"That's good. The Kuchiki clan never owes a favor."
Being able to repay this favor with money was the best outcome for him. After all, a favor from the Kuchiki clan was not something to be taken lightly.
Of course, that was just their own perception. In Shin's eyes, a favor from the Kuchiki clan was only worth some money.
If he hadn't wanted to make some cash, just as Yoruichi said, Shin would never have helped the Kuchiki clan.
"I'll give you some money to take with you. Learn well from Shin Uzumaki. His strength is formidable—there are probably few in the Seireitei who can match him."
Ginrei knew Shin's strength. Otherwise, he wouldn't have chosen Shin to teach his precious grandson.
"I understand."
Byakuya obediently nodded at Ginrei's words. He wouldn't defy his grandfather.
He was a good boy...
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The next day, Byakuya came to the 2nd Division again.
Shin stretched and said with a faint smile, "I didn't expect you to be so early."
Byakuya presented a box to Shin. Seeing it, Shin's eyes lit up.
"Not bad."
Shin took it and started examining the contents. It was full of money, and quite a lot of it.
Since the Kuchiki clan was giving it, they naturally wouldn't be stingy. And this was just a part of it. If Shin really managed to improve Byakuya's strength, there would definitely be more to come.
"I'll teach you for half a month. Don't worry, you'll get your money's worth. You won't be losing out," Shin said to Byakuya.
Though he was preparing to teach Byakuya, Shin's personality meant he wouldn't be fully focused on it. He didn't have that kind of patience.
Byakuya didn't say anything, but he felt that half a month was too short. He didn't know what he could learn from Shin Uzumaki in that time.
Afterward, Shin took Byakuya to the training ground. Since he had taken the money, Shin wouldn't be perfunctory. He would be serious when he needed to be.
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