Yoruichi Shihōin's greatest regret in life was, a few days ago, returning from Hueco Mundo and arrogantly deciding to handle clan affairs.
Now, in the Shihōin Clan Head's study, Yoruichi propped her cheek on one hand while the other impatiently scribbled on documents, performing the clan head's reviews.
Before long, drowsiness overtook her. Her head drooped, then drooped further.
BAM!
Her forehead slammed into the desk. Yoruichi sucked in air, rubbing her reddened forehead, casting a helpless glance at the still-undiminished pile of documents.
How long had she even been gone? How had so much accumulated?
Yoruichi tossed her brush aside, leaning back to stare at the ceiling, giving her brain a momentary reprieve.
Maybe she should just hand this position to Kensei...
"No." Considering the consequences, she decisively vetoed that dangerous idea.
She took a deep breath, forcing herself to refocus on these damn reports.
She, Yoruichi Shihōin, swore to be a qualified clan head! At least for today!
"Well, well, Sister Yoruichi. Didn't expect to catch you actually working."
Just as Yoruichi forced herself to concentrate, a familiar voice sounded. Kensei vaulted through the window, curiously observing her at work.
"None of your business!" Yoruichi shot him a glare, waving a document. "Want to help?"
"Absolutely not."
Kensei knew his limitations. Sitting still processing documents? He'd rather march into the Wandenreich and drag Yhwach out right now.
"Hmph. Spit it out—I'm busy being a responsible clan head!"
Damn this Kensei brat. Showing up now, of all times—the one moment she'd decided to be dutiful.
"Trip to Hueco Mundo?"
"Let's go."
Yoruichi shoved the papers aside without a second glance, already out the door ahead of Kensei.
"What about being a responsible clan head?"
"Since when do clan heads actually work? Stop dawdling."
After last time's导航 disaster returning from Hueco Mundo, Yoruichi flatly refused Kensei's teleportation method. Who knew where they'd end up?
Hueco Mundo was vast. Finding their way would be a nightmare.
They reactivated the Senkaimon, stepping through one after another.
The moment they entered Hueco Mundo, both sensed the difference.
Though still distant, they could see a towering palace—in a familiar location: the ruins of Baraggan's original Las Noches.
Kensei and Yoruichi exchanged glances, mutual surprise evident.
In barely ten days, Aizen had erected such an immense structure in Hueco Mundo. She'd clearly put those free Hollow laborers to work.
"Not bad. She actually pulled it off."
Yoruichi whistled, surveying the scattered Arrancars on the periphery. With their speed, the distance was negligible.
"Of course. My judgment's never wrong."
Kensei swelled with pride. Even he—the Three Realms' most unruly resident—couldn't help but straighten his spine knowing Aizen managed Hueco Mundo with such order.
They approached the new Las Noches unopposed.
Newly-formed Arrancars merely bowed slightly as they passed—no "looking down on the mighty," no dramatic scene of Aizen emerging to proclaim Kensei as King of Hueco Mundo while surrounding Arrancars knelt.
Kensei considered. Well... that would have been kinda satisfying.
In the main hall, Aizen awaited. She'd placed monitoring devices throughout most of Hueco Mundo, enabling immediate detection of visitors and anomalies.
"You didn't tell Captain-Commander Yamamoto about your exploits here? Before he retires, he might yet have a natural Shinigami-Hollow hybrid grand-disciple to hold."
Kensei's mouth twitched. A few days apart, and Sōsuke was already teasing him.
Sigh. The romance was fading. The galgame didn't mention favorability dropping!
Yoruichi snorted. "If that happened, Old Man Yama would probably rage at Kensei while doting on the child."
Old men were all the same. A thousand wrongs, all Kensei's fault. No matter how reluctant, he'd still fight to babysit.
"Enough of that. Sōsuke, I brought you a precious gift."
Kensei coughed, quickly changing the subject. He produced the Ura Kidō principles, offering them to Aizen.
"The Royal Guard's Monk gave me this. Far stronger than ordinary Kidō. I got it especially for you."
Aizen accepted the scroll, her gaze falling on the densely packed special characters. Her brow furrowed.
She instinctively distrusted that Monk. Though Kensei had returned safely from the Soul King's Palace, Aizen knew he possessed powers akin to the Soul King's.
And that Monk harbored impure intentions toward those like Kensei.
"Have you studied this?"
"No. Can't understand it."
Kensei scratched his head. Why were Old Man Yama and Sōsuke both so wary of this Ura Kidō? This wasn't some xianxia world—studying it wouldn't let the Monk possess him.
"Since you can't understand it, don't study it. You don't lack for power anyway."
Aizen carefully stored the scroll. Though Ura Kidō exceeded ordinary Kidō, for those like Yamamoto and Kensei—who already possessed ample offensive capabilities—it was barely even a luxury.
For Aizen, however—possessing high spiritual pressure but lacking suitable attack methods—it was perfect.
"Fair enough."
Kensei shrugged. He had little interest in the Monk's Ura Kidō anyway. In the manga, its user got oneshotted by Yhwach. Better to stick with Kūkon.
Aizen noticed the additional Zanpakutō at Kensei's waist. "The blade forged from Baraggan?"
At this, Kensei perked up with pride. He drew Kūjaku and demonstrated. Where the blade passed, the ground visibly aged and decayed.
"Well? A weapon specifically forged against the Quincies."
Yoruichi recalled Baraggan's ability in action, eyeing Kensei skeptically. "Seems considerably weakened. Did the Royal Guard cheat you?"
"Material activity affects the outcome—perfectly normal." Aizen observed carefully. "For Quincies, merely exposure Hollow energy spells death. Excessive power is unnecessary."
"How do you know so much?"
Kensei didn't recall explaining this in such detail. He wasn't even certain himself.
"You think I've spent my time in Hueco Mundo merely creating Arrancars and construction?"
Aizen's lips curled slightly, gesturing for Kensei and Yoruichi to follow her to the laboratory.