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Chapter 321 B
🕑 Added 2025-04-17 15:00:08 +0000 UTCChapter 321
2-in-1 chapter:
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“Over there! Over there!”
“All who can use Shikai, charge in first! The rest stay outside to harass and pin them!”
“Big Bro’s watching us! Anyone who messes up now can prepare for seppuku when we get back!!”
“Roarrrrr!!”
In the North 49th District of the Rukongai, Eleventh Division members formed a ring around several Hollows, which hissed and snarled at the center. After a quick division of roles, the Shinigami let out loud battle cries and leaped into the fight.
From a small hill nearby, Kaelith watched in satisfaction.
“They’re a bit reckless – haven’t quite mastered my cautious approach – but overall, their tactics are acceptable.”
Standing beside him, Aizen said, “Most of the training regimen you designed these past few years is aimed at Quincy confrontation.
“I found some records in the Great Spirit Book Gallery about Yhwach. Indeed he’s a formidable foe; in the early Gotei 13 era, several captains died fighting his forces.
“But now, Soul Society has Yamamoto, plus the young soldiers you’ve raised, along with you and me. No matter how formidable Yhwach is, I’ll help you take him down.”
Kaelith grinned and raised a fist toward Aizen. Aizen regarded that fist with mild exasperation, then raised his own hand to tap knuckles.
Suddenly, Kaelith twitched, glancing into the distance.
“Soifon, check that area. Feels like someone’s in trouble.”
“Yes.”
She vanished with a Shunpo. Ten seconds later, she returned carrying a young woman over her shoulder.
“Lord Kaelith, it’s just a normal soul. She probably fainted from the Reiatsu shockwaves of the battle.”
Aizen shook his head minutely.
If she’s this weak, she’d be worthless even as an experimental specimen.
Kaelith nodded, about to tell Soifon to send the woman for basic care, then have her back on her way. But as he was about to speak, he noticed the woman’s hairstyle.
“Huh?”
Soifon watched curiously as Kaelith stepped forward and took the unconscious woman from her arms. When he saw her face, Kaelith’s eyes went wide.
“No way…”
Soifon’s gaze turned cold.
Is this reprobate so shameless he gets turned on by any random woman he picks up on the roadside? Perhaps I should jab him a few times with Suzumebachi to cleanse his filthy brain…
But Kaelith, staring at the woman, temporarily forgot about commanding the squad. He quickly formed a small barrier of Reiatsu around them, then knelt and began applying Kaidō to stabilize her spiritual power.
Outside the barrier, Aizen frowned.
Did I misjudge her? Could she be another “diamond in the rough” like Ichimaru Gin or Tōsen Kaname? Usually, Kaelith only fusses like this over an SR-level find from Rukongai…
Under Kaelith’s healing, the woman slowly opened her eyes. Seeing a Shinigami in standard uniform, she looked momentarily confused, then alarmed.
“S-so sorry, Lord Shinigami… I didn’t mean any offense… I—I…”
She scrambled to her knees, head down and hands pressed together in apology.
Kaelith waved a hand, using a gentle burst of Reiatsu to lift her upright.
“No need to grovel. I just want to ask you a few questions. Answer truthfully.”
“Yes…?” The woman nodded uncertainly. She was just a plain soul, no spiritual talent, so she had no idea why a Shinigami would want anything from her.
Kaelith’s tone turned solemn. “What’s your name?”
“My name is Hisana,” the woman answered quietly.
Sure enough…
Kaelith rubbed his chin.
“You have a younger sister?”
“?!”
Her eyes shot open, stunned. After a moment, she nodded in anguish, confirming Kaelith’s suspicions:
Hisana: in canon, Kuchiki Byakuya’s wife from Rukongai. Because she had almost no spiritual talent, she’d been too weak to endure life in the Seireitei after marriage, and eventually her health deteriorated. She also regretted all her life the inability to care for her younger sister, whom she’d abandoned as an infant—who turned out to be Rukia, the story’s heroine. Byakuya took Rukia in as his adopted sister to fulfill Hisana’s dying wish.
Now Hisana’s face shifted through guilt, surprise, sadness, and pain, all at once.
Kaelith waved a dismissive hand.
“No need to explain—I’m not here to judge whether what you did was right or wrong. Everyone has their own difficulties.
“In fact, I won’t criticize you.”
He simply disagreed with the act, that was all.
“All I want is for you to tell me: where exactly did you leave your sister?”
“Then let me handle the rest.”
Hisana stared at him, feeling as if she were dreaming.
This Shinigami…he’s going to rescue Rukia? But why? He seems to know me, and about Rukia. How can that be?
She didn’t understand, but she still told him the spot where she had abandoned Rukia.
Kaelith nodded. “Soifon, dispatch the Onmitsukidō immediately. Center the search around North District 63 for a soul called Rukia. Focus on any gang of kids. Look for someone who resembles Hisana.”
“Yes, sir!”
….....
..
.
That same night, a group of street urchins were brought before Kaelith. Among the filthy, ragged children, he instantly singled out the one he sought.
The little girl wore her hair in an onion-bunch style similar to Hisana’s, clad in a tattered purple yukata. She was struggling fiercely.
“Damn you, let me go!”
Kaelith watched in amusement.
This wild feral kid shows no sign of the “level-headed and reliable” Rukia from the original story…
Rukia noticed the man seated on a large fur-lined chair, brimming with authority. She glared up at him:
“You’re their boss? Everything was my doing—let the others go. Kill me if you want, I won’t beg for mercy.”
At that declaration, the surrounding Eleventh Division members broke into laughter.
Huh, not bad. This little brat’s got the style of the Eleventh.
Kaelith also smiled, leaning forward with elbows on his knees:
“Not bad—lots of backbone. Since you’re so tough, from tomorrow on, you’ll join Squad 3—er, the Third Unit—and see how long that backbone lasts!”
“Inform Komamura to take good care of her. Let’s see how long her spirit endures!” he told Soifon.
Rukia’s face blanched, scowling, obviously confused.
Kaelith added:
“Oh, by the way, your group doesn’t have any redheaded kid named Renji, do you?”
At that, Rukia frowned. “Who’d tell you anything?”
She was defiant, but from the uncertain looks in the other kid’s eyes, Kaelith concluded they hadn’t heard of him. The timeline must be too early—Renji probably wasn’t with them yet.
All right, guess I’ll catch him later.
…
Two female Shinigami escorted Rukia to a dorm room. They had her bathe, change into a clean training uniform, and even fed her.
Presented with real food, Rukia’s eyes glistened. Confirming it wasn’t some trick, she devoured it greedily. Even though it was just a simple meal—rice, tofu miso soup, pickles—it was heaven for a starving urchin like Rukia.
Seeing her eat so ravenously, the two Shinigami were pleased. With an appetite like that, she’d go far—great potential. After dinner, they brought her to a sleeping mat. Rukia was flustered. In Rukongai, she’d always slept on cold, broken planks with a rag to cover her. Here she had clean tatami, a soft futon, pillow, blanket…
She was torn. Am I here to be punished, or pampered? Is that “Kaelith” some pervert who toys with me so I’ll let my guard down, then torture me at the last moment?
She didn’t get it, but escape was impossible with so many Shinigami around.
So, might as well see how it played out.
She dozed off, hoping this wouldn’t vanish come morning.
But the next day, the same lavish “punishment” repeated.
After a week, Kaelith summoned her with a sly grin, wanting to see how the “punishment” had worn her down. In the Eleventh Division, the daily training regimen was harsh enough to kill. Surely he’d see her sobbing for mercy.
When Rukia was led in, she faced Kaelith, inhaling deeply.
“All right! I’m ready now! A week of comfort is enough payoff. If the real torture starts now, bring it!”
Kaelith: “…?”
.................
..
.
Rain poured in torrents, as though uniting heaven and earth into a single gray mass.
Although it was daytime, thick clouds transformed the entire Seireitei into early night.
Kaelith sat under a gallery eave, sipping tea in comfort.
“Mmm… no wonder tea brewed by little Soifon tastes so good.”
“You flatter me,” Soifon replied, bowing her head.
Noting his loyal “maid” acting so polite, Kaelith felt a twinge of appreciation.
Indeed, she’d been schooled as a servant from a young age. Her solemn, no-nonsense nature and occasional flashes of icy stares made private “bad” moments all the more thrilling.
He swirled the teacup, as though it were a wineglass.
Soifon chose to ignore his total lack of proper ceremony; Lord Kaelith would only play the noble card when it suited him – the rest of the time, he didn’t care in the slightest.
Kaelith took another sip.
“Weather like this, perfect for sneaking off with Ryūjin Jakka. You could brew tea and warm yourself by it – a truly perfect Zanpakutō.”
Soifon: “…”
She thought, If the others knew that the oldest, strongest Zanpakutō was being eyed just to boil water and stay cozy, I can’t imagine how they’d react.
Just then, she sensed Kaelith’s hand rest on her shoulder.
Is this reprobate about to do something weird? she wondered, resigned. She was about to remind him they were still outside, not to try anything funny, but then realized he was stepping in front, shielding her.
A split-second later, Soifon noticed a figure had silently appeared before them.
Comments
Isegoni683
It could be early if Aizen wishes so.
N
Only 100 more years or so till Ichigo appears. Yay...
Striker
what do you mean? Its a new scene. We are done with Ginrei for the moment.
Justin Z
What's with the massive jump from last chapter to the beginning of this chapter?
