An antique serving tray held delicate sweets, with a jug of sake set beside it. A hairy hand rested casually on the jug. The scruffy, bearded middle-aged man wore a captain's Haori, and over it draped a long pink robe patterned with intricate designs.
His medium-length brown hair, slightly wavy, was tied into a ponytail and adorned with two ornate Kenseikan. The straw hat he had been wearing sat off to the side.
Captain of the 8th Division, Shunsui Kyōraku, sat along the veranda, gazing at the flowers and plants in the courtyard. He looked utterly at ease, as if the Ryoka had never even appeared in Seireitei.
"Are you really not going to take a look?"
The slender woman's smooth black hair was fastened neatly at the back with a barrette, revealing the pale curve of her neck. Her bangs fell to the right side of her face, and her rimless glasses gave her an air of quiet intelligence.
"The disturbance in Seireitei is getting worse."
As the 8th Division's Lieutenant, Nanao Ise had a responsibility to urge her captain to do his job.
Especially when that captain was putting so much effort into slacking off.
"It's nothing more than a farce," Shunsui Kyōraku said, lifting the sake jug. "It'll be over soon."
Nanao Ise's brows knit slightly as her violet eyes turned toward a certain direction.
The Reiatsu there was steadily calming. It seemed the battle had already ended.
"Nanao-chan~" Shunsui Kyōraku gave the jug a shake. "It's empty. Could you get me some more sake?"
Nanao Ise shot him a flat look. "You finished this month's allotment twenty-eight days ahead of schedule."
"So that means I can start on next month's?"
"After you finish your work." Nanao Ise's face remained stern. "Since you're not going to apprehend the Ryoka, you can at least deal with the backlog you've accumulated."
"Backlog?" Shunsui Kyōraku scratched his head vaguely. "Is that a thing? I've never seen such a thing in my life…"
Thud!
His answer came in the form of a thick stack of documents smacking him square in the face.
"Now you have."
"Ah~" Shunsui Kyōraku flopped backward dramatically. "I'm injured. I'm dying. I can only be saved by the sake Nanao-chan personally brings me…"
Thud!
Another stack hit him.
"Finish your work before you die."
"My Nanao-chan is so heartless~"
Nanao Ise raised her hand to throw a third stack.
It missed.
Shunsui Kyōraku's figure vanished from the veranda in an instant. Nanao Ise sensed something and turned sharply, fixing her gaze on the black cat perched atop the wall. Her pale, slender fingers curled slightly as a strange Reiatsu melted into the surrounding air, faint, indistinct murmurs echoing within it.
"Don't be nervous." Shunsui Kyōraku suddenly appeared behind her and caught her wrist. "Long time no see, Yoruichi."
"You really are taking it easy," the black cat Yoruichi said as she leapt down from the wall. "As if the Ryoka have nothing to do with you."
"The Ryoka have nothing to do with you either…" Shunsui Kyōraku smiled lazily. "Yet you're just as relaxed."
"I'm very busy." The black cat Yoruichi padded over to the tray and bit into one of the sweets.
"That's too much," Shunsui Kyōraku complained. "Nanao-chan made that for me herself."
Nanao Ise shot him a sharp look and shook off his hand. "I don't recall ever doing such a thing."
"Ah, Nanao-chan's so cold today. That's exactly what I like about you…"
Nanao Ise stomped hard on his foot, cutting off the rest of his words.
"Nanao's all grown up." The black cat Yoruichi brushed the crumbs from her mouth with a paw. "Do you still like reading?"
Shunsui Kyōraku stepped in front of Nanao Ise, shielding her.
"If we're going to reminisce, let's at least have a drink first."
"I need to borrow something."
"Then I won't see you off."
"You go get it."
"Perhaps you came too late to notice," Shunsui Kyōraku said, spreading his hands. "I was seriously wounded just now."
Nanao Ise had the urge to pinch him hard, but with an outsider present, she restrained herself.
"Have it sent to Ukitake."
"…Though it pains me, you should finish it all," Shunsui Kyōraku sighed. "Once you're full, you'll have the strength to fetch it yourself."
Yoruichi's voice dropped into a low chant.
"Do not seek aesthetics in war
Do not seek virtue in death
Your life is not your own
If you wish to protect the king and the five heads, then slaughter your foes from beneath the shadow of the leaves."
"That's been revised already," Shunsui Kyōraku said with a light chuckle. "Don't… what was it again?"
Nanao Ise answered calmly,
"Do not seek aesthetics in war, Do not seek virtue in death, Your life is not your own,
If you wish to protect that which is worth protecting, then cut down your enemies from behind."
Shunsui Kyōraku looked immensely proud.
"My memory really is impressive."
"After the Shiba Clan was removed, the Five Great Noble Houses became the Four Great Noble Houses. Even the contents of the Grand Compendium of Spiritual Insights were altered." The black cat Yoruichi's tail swayed lazily. "But only the contents were changed."
"What else would you have?"
"It shouldn't stop at words alone." Yoruichi's golden eyes gleamed with depth. "If the deep pit once used for vile amusement could be discarded, then other things can be discarded as well."
Shunsui Kyōraku frowned slightly.
"Ukitake's body…"
"He has a special medicine."
"Captain Unohana…" Shunsui Kyōraku let out a long breath. "Muten Unohana…"
Nanao Ise glanced aside for only a moment. When she looked back, the black cat had already disappeared from the veranda.
"Captain?"
"It's fine… it's fine." Shunsui Kyōraku gently rubbed Nanao Ise's head. "It's just… a farce."
A masked figure with a backpack appeared.
"Captain Kyōraku."
"What business does the Onmitsukidō have here?" Nanao Ise brushed Shunsui Kyōraku's hand away. "If it's merely a message, a Jigokuchō would have sufficed."
"This message is jointly issued by Captain-Commander Yamamoto and Captain Hitsugaya of the 10th Division," the Onmitsukidō member replied evenly.
"Jointly issued by two captains?" Nanao Ise's expression changed. "Could it be a Level One Martial Law Order?"
"Yes. Captain Aizen has unfortunately passed away. The cause of death was—"
…
"The cause of death was fatal wounds inflicted by a Zanpakutō, with the Saketsu and Hakusui removed, along with a lethal injury to the heart."
Retsu Unohana lowered her gaze slightly.
"We also considered whether a Gigai had been used to mislead others. However, after thorough investigation, it has been confirmed that he is truly dead. This is the final conclusion. The position of 5th Division Captain will be decided by the Central 46 and the Captains' Assembly once this conflict ends."
Retsu Unohana lifted her Zanpakutō and looked at her lieutenant, Isane Kotetsu.
"We must prepare to depart for the front lines as well."
The tall, white-haired Isane Kotetsu nodded.
"Are we going to find Muten?"
"We are going to find the wounded," Retsu Unohana corrected gently. "Our duty is to treat those who require healing."
Isane Kotetsu froze for a moment, then straightened.
"I… I understand!"
..
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