Chapter 577: If Being Handsome Means Shouldering Blame
Chapter 577: If Being Handsome Means Shouldering Blame
Seireitei, Soul Society.
Inside the headquarters of the 1st Division, Fengye stood alongside Soifon before Captain-Commander Genryuusai Shigekuni Yamamoto. Dressed in the uniform of the Gotei 13, Fengye maintained a calm and collected demeanor, standing silently while Soifon briefed Yamamoto on their recent discovery.
Soifon had changed into a new set of clothes, but beneath them, she still had bandages wrapped around her body. Her skin looked pale, a sign that she, despite being a woman, had lost a significant amount of blood and was not recovering as quickly as one might expect.
"The spiritual pressure resembled that of a Gillian, yet they exhibited various distinct abilities and forms," Soifon reported. "This type of Hollow is indeed rare. While there have been similar records, the appearance of four at once is highly unusual."
Upon hearing Soifon's report, Yamamoto paused for a moment, his eyes closed in thought. Then, he opened his eyes and gave his order: "Summon the captain of the 9th Division and task them with investigating this matter."
The unusual Hollows had posed a threat to Soifon, a lieutenant of the Secret Mobile Corps, which meant that the situation was grave enough to warrant the attention of a captain.
"Yes, sir!"
One of the nearby Shinigami acknowledged the order and promptly left to deliver the message.
Yamamoto turned his gaze back to Soifon, his aged face maintaining its unwavering aura of authority. However, his tone softened slightly as he addressed her: "You should return to rest and recover."
"Yes, sir," Soifon replied.
As Soifon and Fengye left the headquarters of the 1st Division, Soifon spoke in a low voice: "I have a bad feeling about this incident. It feels like there's more to it than meets the eye."
"Perhaps," Fengye replied calmly.
The pair made their way back to the 2nd Division's barracks, and upon entering, they soon encountered Yoruichi Shihoin, who had just returned from another mission.
"Well done," Yoruichi said as she addressed Fengye and Soifon, her expression serious.
It was customary for a captain to offer words of comfort and acknowledgment when their subordinates successfully completed a mission and encountered unexpected crises in their absence. Fengye's timely rescue of Soifon and her team undoubtedly deserved recognition.
"Captain Yoruichi..." Soifon bowed her head slightly, feeling a sense of responsibility for the unexpected turn of events and the loss of multiple subordinates under her command.
Yoruichi shook her head gently as she looked at Soifon, reaching out to ruffle her hair affectionately. "You did well," she assured her. "And you too, Fengye."
Yoruichi turned her attention to Fengye, who stood calmly before her.
"This is merely the duty of a vice-captain," Fengye replied, his expression serene. "If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave."
Yoruichi nodded and watched as Fengye walked away. Then, she turned back to Soifon and led her to the captain's private quarters, entering a bedroom within.
Yoruichi closed the door behind them and turned to Soifon, asking with concern: "How are your injuries?"
"I'm fine..." Soifon replied, her head lowered slightly. But before she could finish her sentence, she felt her clothes being pulled off by Yoruichi, leaving her momentarily flustered as she tried to hold onto her clothing.
However, Yoruichi, unmoved by Soifon's attempts, removed her clothes, revealing her smooth back with a white bandage wrapped around it. Beneath the bandage, a faint trace of dark red blood could still be seen seeping through.
Seeing this, Yoruichi shook her head and sighed. "Really now..."
"If this wound isn't treated properly, it could leave a scar," she added.
Soifon's cheeks flushed, and she lowered her head shyly, her small hands tugging at her clothes. "Th-That doesn't matter..." she mumbled.
As the first lieutenant of the Secret Mobile Corps and a member of Yoruichi's personal guard, Soifon had long considered her life dedicated to serving Yoruichi. Scars meant little to her.
However, despite her dedication, Soifon was still a young woman, and it would be unnatural for her not to care at all. Thus, faced with Yoruichi's concern, she felt a mix of emotions.
"Of course, it matters," Yoruichi countered, her finger gently tracing Soifon's spine, causing her to let out a soft hiss of pain. "What if you meet someone you fancy?"
Soifon opened her mouth to respond, but her mind suddenly flashed back to the moment when Fengye had rescued her. She quickly pushed the thought aside, turning away and her face reddening further. "That won't happen. My sole purpose in life is to fight for you, Captain Yoruichi."
Seeing Soifon's reaction, Yoruichi couldn't help but smile gently. "You're right. You've pledged your life to me... But enemies like these mutated Hollows aren't worth remembering through scars. I won't allow such significant marks on your body."
With that, Yoruichi pushed the door open and stepped out, saying, "Get dressed and come with me."
Moments later, Yoruichi led Soifon to the 4th Division's barracks.
"Captain Unohana!"
Since the 4th Division was the medical unit, its main gate was usually open all year round to avoid delays in treating patients. Moreover, as it was already morning, the Shinigami on guard at the entrance immediately greeted Yoruichi and granted them passage.
Yoruichi and Soifon made their way into the barracks and soon arrived at the central area, which housed the captain's quarters.
"Good morning, Captain Unohana," Yoruichi greeted warmly.
Retsu Unohana had already been informed by her subordinates and stood at the entrance, her demeanor gentle as she looked towards the approaching Yoruichi and Soifon.
Yoruichi offered a friendly smile and said, "Good morning, Captain Unohana. Apologies for the early disturbance, but this is my subordinate, Soifon..."
As they walked inside, Yoruichi briefly explained Soifon's condition to Unohana.
Captain Unohana listened attentively, her expression remaining gentle even when she heard about the mutated Hollow. As a captain since the Gotei 13's establishment, she had encountered all sorts of enemies and monsters over the millennia, so mutated Hollows didn't surprise her.
The only thing that caused her eyes to pause briefly was when Yoruichi mentioned that Vice-Captain Fengye had arrived in time to rescue Soifon.
However, she didn't show any unusual reaction and maintained her warm and gracious demeanor as she led them into the inner room. Turning to Soifon, she said, "Let's have a look at the wound, then."
Soifon calmly took off her jacket, revealing her back, which was simply bandaged with a wound underneath.
Upon seeing Soifon's injury, Unohana let out a soft exclamation and placed her hand over the wound. A green glow emanated from her hand, causing the bandage to tremble and fall off in segments.
This process caused Soifon some pain, but she maintained her composure, only showing signs of discomposure in front of Yoruichi. A little pain was nothing to her.
"..."
Unohana frowned slightly as she examined Soifon's back wound.
Seeing Unohana's expression, Yoruichi's heart sank a little, and she asked, "Is there a problem, Captain Unohana?"
Unohana extended her finger and gently traced along Soifon's wound, then closed her eyes slightly to sense the injury. "The spiritual pressure that caused this wound is abnormal. It doesn't belong to a regular Hollow," she explained.
"Then..."
Yoruichi sensed that the situation was not favorable.
As expected, Unohana shook her head. "While rapid healing is not difficult, the abnormal spiritual pressure has left its mark on the surface of the spiritual body. It will be very challenging, almost impossible, to completely remove the scar unless we can get our hands on the mutated Hollow so I can thoroughly study its spiritual pressure."
Hearing Unohana's words, Yoruichi furrowed her brows slightly, a headache forming. "Those mutated Hollows were completely destroyed..."
"Then it's problematic," Unohana said as she slowly withdrew her hand.
Soifon remained composed and said to Yoruichi, "Night One, just heal the injury. Scars won't affect my combat abilities."
Yoruichi rubbed her temples in frustration. She had assumed that Captain Unohana's medical skills would easily heal the wound and erase any scars, but she hadn't anticipated the complication caused by the mutated Hollow's unusual spiritual pressure.
Noticing the looks on Soifon's and Yoruichi's faces, a faint glimmer flashed in the depths of Unohana's eyes, and she said softly, "The mutated Hollow was defeated by Vice-Captain Kakashi, right? Kakashi should be quite familiar with that mutated Hollow's spiritual pressure. Perhaps I can find a solution by consulting with him."
"Oh, that would be great, Captain Unohana. I'll go find him now," Yoruichi said, her eyes lighting up with hope. She thanked Unohana and turned to leave the room, quickly disappearing from view.
...
After a moment, in the courtyard where Vice-Captain Fengye resided within the 2nd Division's barracks, in a modest yet elegantly decorated living room, Fengye sat in a wooden chair, holding a book in his left hand. Seeing Yoruichi appear before him, he couldn't help but smile.
"How could I remember the spiritual pressure of a mutated Hollow?" he asked with a chuckle. "Even if I could remember it, how could I possibly describe it verbally? Imitating it would be out of the question."
"But that's what Captain Unohana said," Yoruichi replied. "Besides, you defeated that mutated Hollow, so you must have some familiarity with its spiritual energy."
Yoruichi picked up a duster from somewhere and waved it in front of Fengye, blocking his view of the book. "Alright, I'm counting on you to make another trip."
Yoruichi jumped up, reaching for the swaying duster with both hands.
Fengye lifted his hand, causing Yoruichi to grasp at thin air, and then continued to shake the duster.
Yoruichi leaped up again, pouncing over Fengye's head, but still failed to capture the duster's end. This time, she didn't persist and instead wrapped her arms around Fengye's neck from behind, tightening her grip as she threatened, "Hey! That's enough!"
"Alright, alright," Fengye conceded.
Yoruichi's sudden 'feline transformation' amused Fengye, and he smiled at her antics. He tossed the duster aside, stood up, and called out to the back, "Hinamori, Rukia, I'm heading out."
After greeting Hinamori and Rukia, Fengye and Yoruichi made their way out of the courtyard.
Yoruichi glanced back and said to Fengye, "I've suddenly realized you seem to have quite a few 'sisters.' Is it common for someone with a biological sister to also adopt a foster sister?"
Fengye maintained a peaceful demeanor and replied, "It's just a coincidence."
Yoruichi shot Fengye a sideways glance and said, "In that case, stop trying to poach my vice-captain."
Fengye: "?"
Is being too handsome a curse that brings unwarranted blame? If so, this is a burden he would have to bear.
As they walked forward, they encountered three female members of the Second Division walking together. Upon seeing Fengye and Yoruichi, they immediately bowed.
"Good morning, Captain and Vice-Captain!"
"Morning," Fengye replied with a gentle wave.
The three girls, under Fengye's gaze, blushed involuntarily and lowered their heads in embarrassment as they passed by Fengye and Yoruichi.
Seeing the reaction of her squad members, Yoruichi shook her head and sighed. Turning to Fengye, she asked, "Isn't your popularity a bit too high among the female members?"
Fengye shrugged.
Yoruichi exhaled in resignation. She had sensed that Soifon's earlier behavior was slightly off, and it had made her suspect something.
On the surface, it didn't seem like a problem if Soifon had developed feelings for Fengye, given his immense popularity and his dependable nature. However, that was precisely what made Yoruichi doubtful.
He was too perfect.
Whether it was talent, intellect, demeanor, or personality, while Fengye might not be absolutely perfect in every aspect, his overall score was undoubtedly the highest.
And that was precisely why Yoruichi felt that Fengye might not be so simple. She didn't think he was someone who could be easily fooled by appearances. What he was like on the inside remained a mystery to her.
Especially this time.
Soifon had coincidentally encountered the mutated Hollow while completing her mission and was then rescued by Fengye, who had arrived at the nick of time. These two coincidences made her suspicious.
If the coincidences weren't coincidental, then many things would warrant deeper contemplation.
Moreover, Unohana's request to meet with Fengye to discuss the mutated Hollow seemed harmless on the surface, but she felt that Unohana's intentions might not be so pure.
Perhaps Unohana had her doubts about Fengye after hearing Soifon's description? In any case, thus far, she hadn't been able to detect any flaws in Fengye's behavior.
"I have a feeling that something isn't quite right," Yoruichi muttered to herself. Over the past few years, several incidents had occurred: the spiritual energy fluctuations in Soul Society and Hueco Mundo, Unohana's battle with an unknown individual over their Bankai, the disappearance of souls in Rukongai, and now Fengye's arrival and Soifon's attack.
These events seemed unrelated at first glance, but when connected, they gave her an ominous feeling that something significant was about to happen.
Despite her suspicions, Yoruichi couldn't come to a conclusion, partly because everything that seemed abnormal could somehow be linked back to Fengye.
It sounded contradictory, but that was the reality. People who appeared problematic might not actually be an issue, while those who seemed fine could turn out to be the biggest problem.
Since his arrival, Fengye's actions had been normal, but the events surrounding him were not.
Therefore,
What role was Fengye truly playing in all of this?
(End of Chapter)
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