https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-445-Yecheng-This-is-called-Two-Fingers-Barehanded-Against-the-Blade-/12944209/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-447-Trouble-Brewing-the-Brother-Loving-Lady-Comes-Calling-/12944211/
Chapter 446: Renji: Even the Captain Can't Guarantee Defeating Nightshade, Third Seat?
Chapter 446: Renji: Even the Captain Can't Guarantee Defeating Nightshade, Third Seat?
The playful smile, the casual tone, and the silvery hair that shone under the moonlight—the person who appeared before Black Zaki Ichigo was none other than Nightshade himself.
"Nightshade, what's the meaning of this? Are you also planning to help this human?"
As he looked at Nightshade, who had suddenly appeared before Black Zaki Ichigo, Rukia Byakuya, who had been calm and composed all along, couldn't help but furrow his brows slightly.
Rukia Byakuya had no idea what relationship Nightshade had with that human boy, but he was well aware that if Nightshade truly intended to stop them tonight, it would be difficult for them to bring Rukia back.
This wasn't Rukia Byakuya being overly modest; on the contrary, as the head of the Kuchiki Clan, he was always confident and proud.
But Byakuya was also clear that Nightshade's true strength was not proportional to his position, despite being just a Third Seat on the surface.
"Don't misunderstand. Although Rukia is a member of the Thirteenth Division, she violated the rules of the Seireitei. As her senior in the same division, I already bear the responsibility of inadequate supervision. So, I don't intend to shield her.
But, just as Rukia said, this human boy is unaware of everything. Can you do me a favor and let him go this time?"
Upon hearing Nightshade's first half of the statement, both Byakuya and Renji couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. But when they heard Nightshade's intention to let Black Zaki Ichigo go, Byakuya couldn't help but furrow his brows again.
If anyone else had said such words, Rukia Byakuya's Thousand Petals would have already been unleashed on their face.
As the head of the Kuchiki Clan, one of the Five Great Nobles in the Soul Society, and the captain of the Sixth Division, there were very few people in the entire Soul Society who could ask for a favor from Rukia Byakuya.
But if this person was Nightshade, then Rukia Byakuya had no choice but to grant this favor.
He had no other option; regarding the matter of Rukia Hizuru, Nightshade had done him and the Kuchiki Clan a huge favor.
Not to mention Nightshade's care and management of his wife, Rukia Hizuru, for over a hundred years, he was also the only friend of his wife.
For so many years, Nightshade had never actively asked the Kuchiki Clan for any favors, so Byakuya always remembered his gratitude.
Now that Nightshade had asked for a favor for the first time, if he refused, it would seem rather ungrateful. But if he let the human go, then Rukia would...
"This human boy is probably just a nobody in the eyes of the Seireitei.
So, why don't you just report that you've already beaten him to a pulp?"
Nightshade released his grip on Serpent Tail, and Serpent Tail returned to Renji's hand due to its retracting ability.
Looking at Serpent Tail in his hand and then at Nightshade before him, Renji didn't dare to attack recklessly again.
Although he was indeed impulsive, he wasn't a fool. Nightshade wasn't Black Zaki Ichigo, and he was well aware of the gap in strength between them. Charging forward now was no different from asking for a beating.
"I'm curious as to why you're helping this human boy. It can't be just because of Rukia, right?"
Byakuya wasn't surprised by Nightshade's willingness to repay a favor and protect Black Zaki Ichigo.
In his eyes, Black Zaki Ichigo was just a small fry, despite having decent spiritual pressure.
Nightshade was from the Soul Street and had joined the Gotei 13 over a hundred years ago. Logically, there shouldn't be anyone in the Human World related to him.
In the blink of an eye, Yecheng, who had been standing in front of Ichigo, suddenly appeared beside Rukia Byakuya.
The astonishing speed he displayed left Renji, who was standing nearby, utterly astonished. Renji, having known Yecheng for a long time, was well aware of his monstrous abilities.
However, Ichigo was not as composed. He realized that Yecheng's speed was far superior to that of the red-haired Shinigami.
If Yecheng had intended to eliminate him just now, even with his exceptional intuition, Ichigo would have had no chance to resist.
What Yecheng said to Byakuya was unknown to Rukia and Renji, but they were surprised to find that after Yecheng's whispered conversation, Byakuya silently glanced at Ichigo and then spoke to Vice-Captain Akaneji Renji, "Renji, take Rukia and let's return to the Soul Society."
Clearly, Byakuya's words meant he was letting Ichigo off the hook.
"Yecheng, the Captain Commander has ordered you to return to the Soul Society as soon as possible. You also bear some responsibility for this matter."
Before they entered the gateway with Rukia and Renji, Byakuya turned back to address Yecheng one last time, and only then did he gracefully turn and leave.
Once they were through the gateway, Renji couldn't hold back his curiosity any longer, "Captain, what did Yecheng, the Third Seat, say to you? Are we really letting go of the one who took Rukia's Shinigami powers?"
Having failed to eliminate his potential romantic rival, Renji couldn't help but feel a sense of unease about this matter. What if Rukia secretly returned to the Human World to find him again?
"You don't need to concern yourself with this. Just focus on your duties.
Besides, if Yecheng wanted to forcefully protect that boy, it would be difficult for us to capture him."
Byakuya hadn't expected that the human boy named Ichigo Kurosaki was actually from the Shiba family, one of the former Five Great Noble Houses.
Although the Shiba family had declined, being a member of such a prestigious lineage meant Ichigo couldn't be treated like a mere minor Hollow.
The entire Soul Society was aware of the close relationship between Yecheng and the Shiba family, as if they were wearing the same pants.
So, it was understandable that Yecheng would go to great lengths to protect Ichigo.
"Is the Third Seat of Yecheng truly that powerful? Even the Captain doesn't have full confidence?"
Ever since joining the Sixth Division, Renji had idolized Byakuya, not only for his formidable strength but also because he was Rukia's brother.
But even Renji, who had always known of Yecheng's prowess, was surprised by Byakuya's words. He hadn't realized that even the captain he admired the most lacked absolute certainty when facing Yecheng.
"Renji, don't be deceived by Yecheng's outward appearance. His strength far surpasses your imagination.
Before I became the captain of the Sixth Division, he was already a seated officer in the Thirteenth Division.
My grandfather once told me that the Captain Commander had wanted Yecheng to fill the captain's position long ago, but he had always refused.
In the world of Shinigami, those who reach the pinnacle of 'Soul Slashing Dance' in a single field can become powerful. Yecheng's 'Soul Slashing Dance' is among the top in all of Gotei 13.
And his Zanpakuto's abilities are truly terrifying!"
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
