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Half a month later, Byakuya Kuchiki offered Shin a deep, respectful bow before departing from the 2nd Division barracks.
The half-month of Shin's tutelage had indeed elevated every aspect of his skills, from Kido and Flash Step to his swordsmanship.
As for Hakuda, Shin hadn't bothered teaching him. He figured that even if he did, Byakuya would never use it.
Hakuda was, at its core, hand-to-hand combat. Rushing in to fight with one's fists was something the Kuchiki clan would consider… undignified.
For them, appearances were everything. Shin wasn't about to waste his breath.
Shortly after Byakuya's departure, a member of the 6th Division arrived, delivering another payment to Shin.
"Leave it to the Kuchiki clan to be so loaded," Shin remarked, glancing over at Yoruichi Shihoin. "Compared to them, your Shihoin clan is practically broke."
"I hate to admit it, but the Shihoin clan has seen better days," Yoruichi conceded with a shrug. "We can't really compare ourselves to the Kuchiki clan."
Of course, she was only talking about wealth. When it came to strength, Yoruichi didn't think her Shihoin clan was any weaker. After all, she alone was more than enough to take on the entire Kuchiki clan.
"I'll take a cut of that."
Yoruichi suddenly reached out, making a grab for the money in front of Shin. Before her hand could touch the pile, Shin slapped it away.
"Ow, that hurts!"
Yoruichi glared at Shin, nursing her hand. He hadn't held back at all, and her skin was already turning red.
"This is money I earned. Trying to take a piece of it is crossing the line," Shin said pointedly.
"I really misjudged you. I didn't realize you were such a miser."
Yoruichi stared at him.
"Oh, really? And here I thought you, as the head of the Shihoin clan, would be much richer than me. Yet you're trying to get a piece of my action."
Shin looked at Yoruichi with disdain, though he didn't know that the Shihoin family's finances were actually quite tight.
"Don't think that just because I'm the head of a noble clan, I can spend money freely. I've got an entire clan to feed."
Yoruichi's voice was laced with a hint of grievance. The Shihoin clan had many expenses. Although they earned a decent amount, their expenditures were just as high. In truth, she was living on a tight budget, probably even tighter than Shin's.
"I have to go out for a bit. You can stay here in the 2nd Division," Shin said to Yoruichi. He picked up the money and turned to leave.
Just as he was leaving, Yoruichi suddenly transformed into a black cat and leaped onto his shoulder.
"Where are you going? I'm coming with you." Yoruichi had latched onto him, determined to follow him wherever he went.
"Why do you have to follow me?" Shin asked, annoyed.
"Does that even need asking? I have to make sure you don't get into any trouble. I can't have our captain falling into bad habits, so it's better if I stick with you," Yoruichi purred, settling herself on top of Shin's head.
"You're the first living thing that's ever dared to climb on top of my head," Shin remarked.
"Is that so? Then I'm quite honored," came Yoruichi's lazy reply. She sounded like a pampered, sleepy kitten.
"If you come with me, who's going to handle things in the 2nd Division?"
Shin asked her. The work still had to be done. If not, Old Man Yamamoto might personally summon him. Although Shin wasn't afraid of the old man, he didn't want to deal with his perpetually stern face. It was just too unpleasant.
"That's simple. We still have Soi Fon, don't we? She understands how the 2nd Division operates well enough by now. We can just let her handle it."
Yoruichi had already thought it through. As for whether Soi Fon wanted to do it, well, she would never refuse anything Yoruichi asked of her.
"You really know how to take advantage of Soi Fon," Shin said, casting a pitying glance at Soi Fon. Poor girl, always being taken advantage of.
"If you feel so sorry for her, then you can just stay put and handle the work yourself," Yoruichi retorted.
"Alright, Soi Fon, I'm leaving things to you," Shin said.
"Yes, Captain Shin." Soi Fon nodded. A hint of disappointment flickered in her heart; she had wanted to go with them. But with orders from Shin and Yoruichi, she would never leave. She would complete her duties without fail.
'This is a sign of their trust in me.'
Thinking this, Soi Fon suddenly felt much better. It was a classic case of mental gymnastics, and Soi Fon was well on her way to mastering the art of positive reframing.
Shin reached up, pulled the black cat off his head, and cradled her in his arms.
"Damn it, Shin, let go!" Yoruichi yelled.
"Quiet. Since when does a cat get to order me around? Behave, or I'll toss you in a stew pot," Shin shot her a glare.
Yoruichi angrily extended her claws and swiped at Shin a few times, but to him, it was completely painless. As if such a feeble attack could ever harm him. It was a pipe dream.
"Behave, or I'll leave you in the 2nd Division and go without you."
Hearing Shin's words, Yoruichi finally settled down. She knew from past experience that he wasn't bluffing. She had already angered him once before, and the result was disastrous. He had simply left her behind in the 2nd Division.
As for escaping, Shin's Kido was no joke. With her strength, she had no chance of breaking free.
Cradling Yoruichi, Shin headed toward the 4th Division barracks.
That's right, Shin was going to the 4th Division.
Yoruichi had already anticipated this. In fact, it was precisely because she knew he was going to the 4th Division that she had insisted on coming with him.
"What are you going to do in the 4th Division?" Yoruichi asked Shin.
"A pet like you doesn't need to ask so many questions." Shin glanced at Yoruichi, clearly having no intention of answering her.
"You're seriously calling me a pet?" Yoruichi was furious. Although she was currently a cat, he couldn't just treat her like one.
Shin ignored her completely and continued toward the 4th Division. Yoruichi wanted to change back, but after a quick look around at the people nearby, she decided against it. If she changed back, she'd be naked. She might dare to do it when no one was around, but not out here in public.
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