The night was late when the group stepped out of the shop.
The streets of Rukongai were sparse, with only a few shops still keeping their lanterns lit.
"We'll head back now," Kaien said with a wave. "Today was a blast. You should head back soon too, Senior. Let's get together again next time."
"Sure."
The group waved goodbye to one another.
After seeing the Shiba siblings off, Hasumi Ren prepared to return to the Spiritual Arts Academy.
After a few steps, he suddenly stopped.
He saw a cat perched on the wall of a nearby courtyard.
It was pitch black all over, save for its eyes which glowed gold under the moonlight, watching Ren quietly.
Its posture was elegant and composed; it did not look like a stray, but rather like a lord surveying its territory.
Ren blinked in surprise.
Then, he reached out toward the cat.
"Pspsps, here kitty..."
The cat watched his actions silently, showing no reaction at all.
Ren clicked his tongue.
'No way...'
After a thought, he turned back to the new Ichiraku shop. He asked the kitchen for a few skewers of freshly grilled yakitori, wrapped them in a greaseproof paper bag, and returned.
The black cat was indeed still there. Seeing him return, its tail gave a light flick.
Ren walked to the base of the wall and held up the yakitori skewers.
"Want some?"
The black cat tilted its head, seemingly sizing him up.
A few seconds later, it leaped gracefully off the wall onto a nearby stone platform, looking at Ren expectantly.
Taking the hint, Ren placed the skewers on the paper over the clean stone platform. The black cat stepped forward, sniffed them, and bit into a piece of chicken.
It ate slowly and elegantly, savoring every bite. Its golden eyes narrowed, revealing a nearly human-like sense of satisfaction.
After finishing a whole skewer, the black cat licked its paws and looked up at Ren.
Ren squatted down and tentatively reached out to pet its head.
The cat deftly stepped back, avoiding his hand.
It gave Ren one last look—a look that seemed to hold a deeper meaning, part scrutiny and part approval.
Then, it nimbly snatched the paper bag containing the remaining skewers and vanished into the night with a few bounds over the wall.
Ren stood there staring at the empty wall, a strange feeling rising in his heart.
'That cat... it is definitely not ordinary.'
'It could not really be her, could it?'
'Well, whatever.'
Ren yawned, put the thought aside, and turned to leave.
On a flat rooftop in the distance, a dark shadow flashed by, so fast it seemed like an illusion.
In the next moment, a lithe figure appeared, holding a skewer of yakitori and eating with gusto.
"The taste isn't bad."
Shihoin Yoruichi licked the sauce from the corner of her mouth, her golden eyes shimmering in the moonlight.
"The kid's quite sensible."
Beside her, Soi Fon crouched with Yoruichi's clothes in her arms, her face full of distress.
"Lady Yoruichi, acting like this... it is beneath your status."
"What does it matter? You care too much about worldly appearances, Soi Fon. Be careful or you'll turn into a stick-in-the-mud."
'A... a stick-in-the-mud?'
'Me?'
Soi Fon was stunned.
Yoruichi laughed as she put on the clothes Soi Fon handed her.
"Anyway, it's rare to come out for a stroll; I didn't expect to run into that boy."
Soi Fon remained silent for a moment. Looking at Yoruichi's casual expression, she did not think this was a purely chance encounter.
Soi Fon spoke softly.
"What do you think of him?"
Yoruichi's smile remained, but her gaze deepened.
"He hides himself well. Despite clearly possessing seated-officer level strength, he had the patience to pose as an ordinary student at the academy for years. His temperament, endurance, and acting skills are all top-tier."
"Then why recruit him into our ranks?" the young Soi Fon asked, confused. "Doesn't that make such a person even more dangerous?"
"Soi Fon, only a blade you cannot see is truly terrifying. At least for now, I know where the blade is kept and how sharp it is."
"Precisely because he is dangerous, he must be kept under our noses. And don't you think he fits the Onmitsukido perfectly?"
Yoruichi patted Soi Fon on the shoulder.
"Furthermore, we have not yet discovered why Hasegawa sought him out. You remember the testimony, don't you? Hasegawa left him alone specifically. Do you think that was just a coincidence?"
Soi Fon's eyes sharpened. Though she could not fully grasp Lady Yoruichi's deep intent, it did not stop her from seeing the complex threads of this matter.
Yoruichi flipped off the roof, her movements as light as a cat's.
She glanced toward the academy, then toward where the Shiba siblings had gone, a smile curving her lips.
"Alright, I am going to visit some old friends. You head back first."
"Understood, Lady Yoruichi. But... please, stop turning into a cat..."
"...Just go."
"Yes..."
Soi Fon turned and left. After walking a short distance, she stole a glance back.
Yoruichi stood where she was, quietly watching her go.
Startled, Soi Fon didn't dare look back again and hurried away.
Once Soi Fon was far enough away, Yoruichi's lips quirked. Her form shifted, transforming back into a black cat.
She hid her clothes in a nearby bush before padding off nimbly into the distance.
Yoruichi moved through the night in West Rukongai until she saw the Shiba family's iconic giant stone arms casting silent shadows in the moonlight.
Deep within the estate, Kaien and Kukaku, who had just returned, were chatting over tea and reminiscing about tonight's dinner.
Ganju, exhausted from delivering food all day, had already gone to his room to rest.
Suddenly, Koganehiko and Shiroganehiko, standing guard in the foyer, raised their heads almost simultaneously, their sharp gazes fixed on the stairs leading to the surface.
As loyal servants of a former Great Noble House, their perception of spiritual pressure was far keener than that of ordinary souls in Rukongai.
"We have a guest,"
Koganehiko said in a low, steady voice.
"Their movements are light. Shall we investigate?"
Shiroganehiko replied. The brothers shared a glance and stood up silently, their bodies tensing into a combat-ready state.
They climbed the steps and gently pulled open the heavy door.
Moonlight spilled like mercury onto the open ground before the gate.
Outside, an elegant black figure sat quietly, golden eyes shining brilliantly in the darkness.
Although it was looking up at them, its expression carried an air of condescension.
Koganehiko and Shiroganehiko were both stunned, but realization soon followed. Their faces filled with respect as they immediately bowed.
"So it is Lady Yoruichi,"
Koganehiko whispered with a tone of reverence.
"It has been a long time; please forgive us for not welcoming you sooner. The Master and the Second are inside. Please, come in."
Yoruichi, in her cat form, gave a slight nod in response.
She descended the steps gracefully and without a sound, following unhurriedly behind the brothers as they entered the peculiar underground mansion.
"Lord Kaien, Lady Kukaku, Lady Yoruichi is here!"
Koganehiko announced loudly.
Kaien and Kukaku both froze at the announcement. Only when Yoruichi's figure appeared at the hall entrance did they snap out of it.
"Yoruichi?"
Kukaku cried out in surprise, while Kaien's hand holding his teacup faltered slightly.
"Yo. Long time no see, Kaien, Kukaku."
""