https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-568-Shockwaves-Through-Seireitei/12559956/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-570-Sparring-Thanks-to-the-Alliance-Leader-of-the-Great-Empire-of-Lace-/12559958/
Chapter 569: Soifon and Yoruichi
Chapter 569: Soifon and Yoruichi
In the 13th Division Barracks...
Yoruichi brought Feng Ye, Lily, and Omaeda, who should now be addressed as the third seat officer, into the inner quarters of the 2nd Division.
"Sorry for taking your vice-captain position," Feng Ye said with a smile to Omaeda, who was walking beside him.
Omaeda rubbed the back of his head and laughed heartily. "No, I always thought that if you joined the 2nd Division, you'd become a vice-captain sooner or later. I just didn't expect it to be this soon."
Having been saved by Feng Ye, a Shinigami who had mastered Bankai, Omaeda naturally had no objections to him taking over as vice-captain of the 2nd Division. He dared not voice any dissent.
Within the Gotei 13, personal capabilities were always secondary to absolute strength, as power constituted the most significant aspect of one's abilities.
"Don't be sorry," Yoruichi said, glancing at Feng Ye. "He's also the captain of the 2nd Division of the Onmitsukido. You're just helping him shoulder half the responsibilities."
Unlike all the other divisions in the Gotei 13, the 2nd Division's captain, Yoruichi Shihoin, was also the commander of the Onmitsukido.
The Onmitsukido was an organization independent of the Gotei 13, much like the Kido Corps. In the past, they were directly under the Central 46 Chambers, but now, due to Yoruichi's dual role, the Onmitsukido was gradually becoming a subordinate organization of the 2nd Division.
The Onmitsukido was divided into five squads, each with its own unique captain. Among them were individuals with extraordinary abilities, such as the captain of the 1st Squad, Soifon, whose family name may not sound familiar, but her title was passed down through the generations in the Fon family, and her title was—Commander-in-Chief Soifon.
The current captain of the 12th Division of the Gotei 13, Kisuke Urahara, was also once a member of the Onmitsukido and the captain of the 3rd Squad's Surveillance Corps.
The fact that such talented individuals belonged to the Shihoin family showcased the immense influence these elite noble families held in Soul Society.
"The 2nd Division is a bit unique, so let me introduce you to everyone first," Yoruichi said as she led Feng Ye and the others deeper into the 2nd Division barracks. "For now, you don't need to bother with everyone. Just get to know the squad members ranked 5th seat and above, as well as the captains of the Onmitsukido squads. You'll be interacting with them frequently from now on."
Due to the recent incident in Seireitei involving a Bankai-level spiritual pressure, the 2nd Division and the Onmitsukido were on standby and didn't need to be specifically summoned.
Soon, Yoruichi arrived at the central area of the 2nd Division barracks, where the captain's residence and office were located. She strolled down the corridor and entered a spacious hall directly opposite the entrance.
Kicking off her shoes casually, revealing her five delicate toes, she tossed her captain's haori to the side, transforming instantly from the dignified captain into a carefree and lazy individual. She strolled into the hall and plopped down on a large cushion, propping her legs up.
"It's really tiring to maintain the image of a captain outside..." Yoruichi stretched her limbs like a cat, then beckoned to Feng Ye with a smile. "Come in and sit. When you're at home, you don't need to worry about those formalities and rules!"
The attendants nearby seemed accustomed to this behavior, as one picked up Yoruichi's haori and hung it on a rack nearby, while another neatly arranged her shoes by the entrance.
As Feng Ye walked in, Yoruichi tidied her hair and smiled at him. "You can forget about the other division captains. If we disregard our images, the worst that can happen is a scolding from the old man. But for us noble families, we have to lead by example."
So one of them abandoned their family to become a cat in the human world, another married a Quincy and started a family, and yet another brought home a wife from the Rukongai...
Feng Ye couldn't help but silently mock them in his mind.
The Shihoin, Kuchiki, and Shiba families were the closest to the Soul King and were recognized as the most influential noble families. Yet, this generation didn't seem to have a single reliable member.
If the Soul King were still alive, he would probably be at his wit's end with these unreliable heads of noble families.
Fortunately,
With Hinamori and Rukia now under his care, he had effectively cut ties with Byakuya Kuchiki. At least the Kuchiki family would likely not face any significant issues, and he had saved a little face for these noble families and the Soul King.
"So, this is what they call high-cold on the surface, huh?"
Feng Ye sat down casually to one side.
Back in the Rukongai, when Yoruichi had tried to flirt with him, she had completely abandoned her image as a noble and a captain. Her previous display of a 'high-cold' and dignified captain in front of the other captains seemed like an act.
Leaning back, Yoruichi propped her hands behind her, tilting her body at a thirty-degree angle. "Ahaha, don't worry about those details. Although you're from the Rukongai and not of noble birth, you still need to maintain the vice-captain's image when you're outside. After all, you're destined to become a captain one day."
"I'm not sure if being a captain suits me," Feng Ye said calmly.
Yoruichi's calves, resting on her knees, swayed gently in the air, and her five delicate toes stretched leisurely. "There's never been a Shinigami who could use Bankai and not become a captain. Don't worry; just follow me, and I'll train you to be a qualified captain."
Feng Ye smiled in response. "To be honest, I'm not that interested in becoming a captain.
Becoming a captain was a dream that many Shinigami dared not even think of. For those who achieved this rank, even if they had humble origins from the Rukongai, their newfound status would grant them a place among the nobility of Seireitei.
If they established a family and produced successive generations of talented individuals, with two or even three captains in a row, they could rise to the middle nobility of Seireitei, second only to the four great noble families. This was something many lower noble families aspired to attain.
It was rare to find someone who didn't aspire to become a captain.
Feng Ye chuckled lightly, "I'm curious about what will become of you, myself, and this world in the future. Will it flourish, decline, or remain stagnant?"
"What...?"
Yoruichi's lips twitched, "What kind of interest is that? Only those low-level souls would bother thinking about such things."
Feng Ye smiled casually, "No, even those at the very top would contemplate these matters."
Yoruichi picked up a cup of tea that a servant brought over and took a sip, letting out a soft laugh, "So, you consider yourself at the very top now? You've only achieved Bankai, don't get too full of yourself, young man."
Achieving Bankai on the first day of wielding a Zanpakuto was indeed an accomplishment that could make one arrogant. Yoruichi wasn't surprised, as guiding Feng Ye was her mission. She figured she'd find an opportunity to spar with him later on to give him a reality check.
Perhaps Feng Ye was the most talented one in the past few millennia, but Soul Society had a million-year history. In such a long and ancient history, there were countless more talented individuals, but only five stood at the very top.
The five members of the Zero Squad.
And beyond them, there was only—the Soul King.
Just as Yoruichi finished her tea and put down her cup, several figures walked in from outside. They were the former third and fourth seat officers of the 2nd Division and the division captains of the 1st, 3rd, 4th, and 5th squads of the Onmitsukido, who had been summoned.
"Captain."
"Lady Yoruichi."
"Legion Commander."
Everyone who entered the room knelt on one knee and greeted Yoruichi. The members of the 2nd Division addressed her as 'Captain', while the members of the Onmitsukido called her 'Legion Commander'.
The only one who used a different title, 'Lady Yoruichi', was a petite figure kneeling at the very front. She was the head of the Legion Commander's personal guard and the captain of the 1st squad of the Punishment Army—Soifon.
"You may all rise."
Yoruichi sat there, her left hand fist propping up her left cheek, and lazily tilted her head, "I've gathered you all here to introduce you to two new members."
As Yoruichi's words fell, Soifon and the others turned their gazes towards Feng Ye, who was sitting to the side, and Lily, who was kneeling behind him.
Feng Ye and Lily were the only strangers here, so the new members Yoruichi mentioned must be referring to them.
"This is Hatake Feng Ye, who will be the new vice-captain of the 2nd Division. This is his sister, Lily, who will be the ninth seat officer of the 2nd Division."
Yoruichi first introduced Feng Ye and Lily, and then proceeded to introduce the others to Feng Ye, "This is my subordinate, Soifon, captain of the 1st squad of the Onmitsukido and my personal guard. And this is the captain of the 3rd squad of the Onmitsukido..."
Hearing that Feng Ye was the new vice-captain of the 2nd Division, replacing Omaeda, everyone except Soifon was slightly taken aback, though their expressions remained unchanged.
After Yoruichi finished her introductions, the others greeted Feng Ye one by one. Soifon merely nodded slightly at Feng Ye, while the other squad captains were more formal. The former third and fourth seat officers bowed directly to Feng Ye.
As the captain of the 1st squad of the Punishment Army and Yoruichi's personal guard, Soifon held a position in the 2nd Division equivalent to that of the previous vice-captain, Omaeda. The other squad captains held slightly lower positions, and the remaining third and fourth seats were Feng Ye's direct subordinates, who would be under his direct command and jurisdiction.
As they greeted Feng Ye and discreetly sized him up, Feng Ye also took the opportunity to observe them, though his attention was solely on Soifon.
His slight interest in Soifon wasn't because she was the only female among the squad captains and seat officers, but because she was the only one present, besides Yoruichi, who had achieved Bankai and would eventually succeed Yoruichi as the captain of the 2nd Division.
Of course,
Another reason was Soifon's cold attitude. She basically ignored him, her attention seemingly focused entirely on Yoruichi.
Feng Ye was well aware that his aura and handsome looks attracted many young women, but it was also true that there would be those who didn't react to him, especially in Soul Society, where life was long. However, the way Soifon looked at Yoruichi... Hmm, that young woman's heart was heading in the wrong direction.
"Oh, right."
As Soifon and the others finished greeting Feng Ye, Yoruichi suddenly remembered something, "I forgot to mention earlier, Feng Ye is a Shinigami who can use Bankai."
This statement caused the Shinigami who had just greeted Feng Ye to pause, their eyes widening in shock as they looked at him with a mix of emotions.
Even Soifon's gaze towards Feng Ye held a hint of surprise.
Bankai!
Every Shinigami knew what this meant and what it represented for one who had achieved it.
No wonder Feng Ye could directly replace Omaeda as the vice-captain!
"Please take care of me."
Feng Ye smiled gently.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
