Chapter 349: Rukia's Confusion
Pink petals streamed across the sky like a torrent, finally converging and reforming into a Zanpakutō in Byakuya Kuchiki's hand.
Kensei Muguruma, wearing his white Captain's Haori and holding two fist blades, staggered several times.
Then, with a thud, he knelt down, blood spurting from his body as he collapsed to the ground.
Retsu Unohana Flash Stepped onto the field and checked his consciousness.
After confirming, she announced:
"Byakuya Kuchiki, seventh seat of the Sixth Division, wins!"
Byakuya let out a breath and sheathed his Zanpakutō.
Looking at Kensei Muguruma lying on the ground, he bowed his head in respect while silently offering an apology in his heart.
Sorry, Captain Kensei. It's not that I wanted to undermine your dignity—it's just that Satoru is being unreasonable.
If Satoru had lowered his requirements and asked me to defeat a vice-captain instead, I could have simply challenged my own father.
My father is so weak that I could easily handle him in a few moves.
Upon hearing Retsu Unohana's announcement, the two hundred squad members who had gathered to witness the event all showed expressions of shock.
Before coming here, none of them had expected such an outcome.
Kensei Muguruma had been a captain for a hundred years—just looking at him made it clear how strong he was.
Meanwhile, Byakuya Kuchiki was merely a low-ranking officer.
Although he belonged to one of the Five Noble Clans, how could someone so young possibly defeat Captain Kensei?
Yet the undeniable reality unfolding before their eyes forced them to accept this unbelievable result.
Byakuya Kuchiki had defeated Kensei Muguruma, and with two hundred squad members as witnesses, he had naturally completed the captain proficiency test.
After confirmation from both Retsu Unohana and Jūshirō Ukitake, this young Shinigami from the Kuchiki Clan earned the qualification to inherit the captaincy of the Ninth Division.
Receiving their acknowledgment, Byakuya Kuchiki nodded expressionlessly and left directly.
Watching Byakuya's retreating figure, the crowd felt mixed emotions.
Some were astonished, believing the Kuchiki Clan had produced a remarkable talent.
Others were displeased, viewing Byakuya Kuchiki as excessively arrogant.
The nobles were the most delighted.
Although the Kuchiki Clan had temporarily lost the Sixth Division, they had immediately seized the Ninth Division.
This was a promising sign!
Moreover... judging by Byakuya's imposing demeanor, he appeared far more reliable than his father.
Compared to Sōjun's gentle, amiable nature that seemed to make friends with everyone, Byakuya's bold and domineering approach was much more aligned with noble preferences.
This young Kuchiki Shinigami might just lead the nobles to new heights!
However, this beautiful fantasy was shattered that very night.
A shocking piece of news spread rapidly throughout the Seireitei.
The Kuchiki heir and prospective captain of the Ninth Division, Byakuya Kuchiki, had submitted a marriage application at the Noble Council.
His intended bride was the adopted daughter of the Mikami Family—Hisana Mikami!
Upon receiving the application, Satoru inquired about Hisana's wishes.
After confirming that Hisana had no objections, he gave his approval with a swift stroke of his pen.
In three days, the Kuchiki Clan would prepare the betrothal gifts.
Following that, an auspicious date would be selected for the wedding.
Originally, this process should have been more complex and drawn-out.
However, Satoru insisted that aside from maintaining grandeur, all unnecessary formalities should be minimized.
The Kuchiki elders unanimously voiced no objections.
Sōjun was quite surprised by this.
He had expected the elders to protest, arguing that simplifying the process would diminish the Kuchiki Clan's prestige.
Hearing his doubts, Ginrei Kuchiki, seated in his wheelchair, chuckled.
"That lad Satoru demonstrated power rivaling Lord Genryūsai in front of everyone. That alone is enough to intimidate anyone who might oppose him."
"More importantly, Lord Genryūsai hasn't returned since that battle."
"There are essentially only two reasons for his absence."
"First, he sustained severe injuries and needs quiet recuperation to recover."
"Second, he has some purpose for temporarily hiding himself and cannot show his face."
"If it's the first scenario, that would mean Satoru's combat power has reached its peak, making him the new 'Strongest Shinigami in Soul Society'."
"If it's the second scenario, it shows Yamamoto has complete trust in Satoru, willing to hand over the First Division's work to him in advance for practice and adaptation."
"Either way, both indicate that Satoru has now taken center stage in history."
"Most elders prioritize interests above all else. How could they oppose Byakuya's marriage to someone with such limitless potential?"
Hearing this, Sōjun Kuchiki showed an expression of sudden understanding.
However, after thinking for a few seconds, he suddenly seemed to remember something:
"But, Father, isn't it possible that the Captain-Commander hasn't shown himself because he's taking a vacation, enjoying some leisure time?"
Ginrei Kuchiki said displeasedly:
"Foolish, how can someone your age still have such naive thoughts?"
"Lord Genryūsai is not the kind of man who would prioritize personal pleasure over the stability of Seireitei!"
"He understands better than anyone what impact his absence would have on Seireitei... Under such circumstances, he still chooses to remain hidden in the shadows, indicating he's engaged in some truly astonishing undertaking!"
Sōjun quickly lowered his head in acknowledgment.
Seeing this, Ginrei Kuchiki nodded with satisfaction and wheeled himself away.
When news of the marriage alliance between the Kuchiki and Mikami families broke out, many established nobles fainted on the spot.
That the Kuchiki family head was Satoru's classmate and close friend was already common knowledge.
Those who had hoped Kuchiki Byakuya would stand up and resist Mikami's tyranny never expected this guy would go even further than his father - actually marrying someone with the Mikami surname!
In the aristocratic world, the most trustworthy relationship is marriage alliance.
In the eyes of nobility, marriage alliance is a powerful signal released by two families, like shouting to the entire server that from now on, they'll be sharing the same pants.
At least publicly, they'll be sharing the same pants.
For a time, lamentations could be heard throughout the noble circles.
In fact, not just the nobility - even members of the Mikami Group were shocked.
In a roadside tavern after work, several figures gathered.
"Damn that Kuchiki brat... secretly becoming family with our boss!"
Madarame Ikkaku slammed his cup on the table with a dissatisfied sound.
Kaname Tōsen took a sip of his drink, seemingly deep in thought. He didn't speak, nor had he opened his eyes even once, maintaining an aura of profound depth.
Kenpachi Zaraki dug at his ear:
"What does becoming family matter? I'm not related to the boss, but I can still have passionate fights with him."
Ichimaru Gin glanced at him.
This foolish brute... among everyone present, he's probably the one who understands the boss's excellence the least.
For the boss to waste time on him is like pouring exquisite delicacies into a hippopotamus's mouth.
Komamura picked up his cup and poured the alcohol into his mouth.
His mouth structure wasn't suited for leisurely drinking; he could only pour cup after cup directly.
Of course, he could also lie on the table and lick it into his mouth with his tongue, but the image wouldn't be very appealing.
He looked at the buxom young woman sitting nearby.
"Lady Matsumoto, you seem quite calm. I thought you would be the most concerned among us."
"Hmph."
Rangiku picked up her cup and took a sip.
"What this lady wants isn't some boring identity like son-in-law."
"If you're going to do it, go all the way, directly..."
Halfway through her sentence, she hummed and stopped.
Though she had drunk some alcohol, saying such words still made her a bit embarrassed.
Yachiru, perched on Kenpachi Zaraki's shoulder, tilted her head upon hearing Rangiku's words.
"Become little Satoru's relative? Isn't that simple? Even I can do it~"
"As long as you marry little Satoru, wouldn't that solve everything?"
"?"
"?"
"???"
Everyone looked up, staring at Yachiru with expressions as if they'd seen Komamura do something unbelievable.
A vein bulged on Rangiku's forehead.
She reached out, pinched Yachiru's cheeks, and gently pulled them back and forth.
"Yachiru... you can eat recklessly, but you can't speak recklessly... This is a declaration of war!"
Ichimaru Gin rested his chin on his hand and sighed.
He couldn't choose this path himself - he lacked the qualifications.
Kenpachi Zaraki nodded: "I can do it too."
You can do what?!
Everyone looked at him with horrified expressions.
Rangiku shifted her gaze from Kenpachi Zaraki to the pink-haired girl before her.
Come to think of it, she had heard before that both Kenpachi Zaraki and Kusajishi Yachiru were thousand-year-old Shinigami.
Kenpachi Zaraki wasn't problematic - his fierce uncle face looked similar to a forty-year-old human.
But what about Yachiru?
How could someone so old look like a human child of five or six?
The appearance and age of Shinigami always matched in such mysterious ways...
That Satoru guy, though suspected of liking them young, probably wouldn't have thoughts about someone like Yachiru.
Right??
...
...
First Division, Satoru's rest room.
This room was originally used by Yamamoto for meditation practice and calming his mind.
Since the original owner hadn't returned for too long, it had been appropriated by Satoru.
At this moment, he lay comfortably on the cushion, enjoying Suì-Fēng's service.
The young girl knelt expressionlessly above Satoru's head, letting him rest on her knees as she massaged his temples.
"Ohh... I like it here, press a bit longer."
Satoru narrowed his eyes, making comfortable sounds like a big cat.
Speaking of cats, he thought of the Cat Transformation Technique.
Speaking of the Cat Transformation Technique, he thought of a certain background character who hadn't appeared for a long time...
Suì-Fng clicked her tongue.
This scum of an adult - even his "daughter" was almost married off, yet he still hadn't gone to welcome Lady Yoruichi.
It was truly maddening.
Watching Satoru's comfortable demeanor, she couldn't resist the urge to use Suzumebachi and give him a couple of stings.
Just then, she suddenly sensed something and turned to look at the door.
A voice came from outside:
"Captain, Eleventh Division member, Rukia Mikami requests an audience."
Rukia?
Suì-Fēng knew this girl.
Satoru's adopted daughter, Hisana's younger sister.
Soon, the door slid open, and the young girl in Shinigami uniform walked in somewhat timidly.
The girl knelt down and looked at Satoru.
"Captain... I apologize for disturbing you."
"I have some questions that I truly cannot find answers to, so I wished to consult with you."
Hearing this, Satoru, who was lying on Suì-Fēng's lap, turned his head.
"Hoho, you've come to the right person then."
"Throughout the entire Soul Society, who doesn't know that I, Satoru Mikami, possess wisdom that surpasses all past and present, surpassing even Aizen and Urahara?"
"Speak quickly, what is your question!"
Rukia nodded.
She took a deep breath and said seriously:
"Captain, I want to know what my sister and I have done to deserve such care from you."
"My sister was just an ordinary soul from Rukongai, with no particular talents."
"Although I have Shinigami potential, in the Eleventh Division, I'm nothing special—there are many more powerful than me."
"Before coming to Seireitei, I was just an insignificant wild child... If you simply pitied us and acted out of compassion, then making me a Shinigami would have been enough to change my and my sister's fate."
"When I first arrived at Seireitei, I didn't understand what it meant to become an adopted member of the Mikami Family."
"After learning about the immense power and deep background you possess, Captain, I couldn't help but ask myself countless times."
"What virtue or ability do I have to become an adopted member of the Mikami Family?"
"Please enlighten me."
Seeing the serious, determined look in Rukia's eyes, Suì-Fng gave an almost imperceptible nod.
An ordinary person, even if they didn't understand these things, probably wouldn't dare to ask.
If they asked something inappropriate, they might lose their hard-won current life.
This girl named Rukia, fully aware of such risks, still came determined to seek answers. This alone made her worthy of the scoundrel's regard.
Under Rukia's gaze, Satoru chuckled.
"Rukia, do you know why I possess such power?"
"...?"
The girl was slightly taken aback.
Was this answer related to her question?
She gently shook her head:
"I don't know."
"Of course you don't know, because this is a shocking secret I've never told anyone."
Satoru's expression turned solemn, as if lines had appeared on his face and tires had grown on his shoulders.
"The reason for my immense power is partly due to my own efforts, and partly due to my Clairvoyance of the Crown that knows five thousand years past and five thousand years future!"
Clairvoyance... of the Crown?
Hearing this strange name mixing Eastern and Western elements, Rukia felt somewhat confused.
Under the girl's gaze, Satoru rubbed against Suì-Fēng's leg: "In my eyes, there are no secrets in this world."
"I can know everything in the world. As long as I advance according to the prescribed methods, I can become the supreme powerhouse!"
"And you, Rukia, are one of the key cornerstones for achieving my supreme path!"
"As long as you remain by my side, I can advance step by step to become that existence standing in the heavens!"
Hearing Satoru's words, Rukia widened her eyes, showing an expression of disbelief.
Suì-Fēng first furrowed her brows, seemingly pondering something.
A few seconds later, she revealed a speechless expression.
If this scumbag-sama truly had such abilities, he wouldn't have tried so many times before to save everything by sacrificing himself.
She cast a cold gaze toward Satoru.
Truly worthy of being scumbag-sama, able to casually spout such boring lies even to a serious girl like Rukia.
Seeing Suì-Fēng's look, Satoru showed a pleased expression.