Chapter 337

    2-in-1 chapter:

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    “ow!”

    Rangiku’s body traced an arc through the air and landed hard on the ground, letting out a cry of pain.

    Kaelith stepped into the room behind her.

    “You little brat. Not training properly and making trouble again?”

    “Fooling around in the squad is one thing, but now you want to stir up other divisions too?”

    “The old man already has enough on his plate—don’t add to his headaches.”

    Soifon followed him in.

    Hearing Kaelith’s words, her gaze was cold.

    Of everyone in the Soul Society, ** are the least qualified to say that.

    A sharp critique flashed through her mind.

    Rangiku rubbed her backside and stood up.

    Under Kaelith’s gaze, she jogged over.

    “Kaelith, I’m the Third Seat now!”

    “Oh?”

    Kaelith thought for a moment about the current makeup of his squad.

    After the old man had poached a few people, Squad Eleven’s overall quality had dropped a bit.

    The main combat power now was basically Zaraki Kenpachi, Tōsen Kaname, and Gin Ichimaru.

    That little fox Gin had inherited some of Sōsuke’s cunning and never cared much about seat rankings.

    Tōsen’s Shikai ability was terrible; his damage output relied entirely on his Bankai.

    And his Bankai was the classic "first-time killer" type—once someone was prepared for it, its effectiveness dropped sharply.

    So, for a simple seat battle, he’d never reveal his Bankai.

    As for how much Rangiku’s Third Seat title was actually worth—he’d have to see for himself.

    Still, despite these thoughts, Kaelith gave Rangiku a thumbs-up.

    “Well done!”

    “Hehe~”

    Receiving Kaelith’s approval, Rangiku beamed happily.

    She looked at Kaelith, about to say something, when a shout came from outside:

    “Kaelith-aniki! Boss! You here?!”

    With the shout, a figure appeared in a flash step, poking his head inside.

    Seeing who it was, Soifon raised an eyebrow.

    **. What was he doing here?

    Spotting Kaelith, Isshin broke into a happy smile.

    “I heard you were back, boss, so I came right away!”

    Noticing the other two in the room, he gave a greeting.

    Then he stood before Kaelith, gritting his teeth.

    “Boss, give me a mission to go to the World of the Living!”

    “The World of the Living?”

    “Yes! You just got back from there, right? If there’s anything unfinished, just leave it to me!”

    Kaelith frowned and thought for a few seconds.

    Then his eyes widened in realization.

    “You punk—did you rack up gambling debts?!”

    “No way! I’m not like Rangiku.”

    “?”

    Rangiku, standing nearby, scowled in anger.

    “Oh, no, that’s not what I meant—I’m a responsible guy.”

    Realizing the person in question was right there, Isshin quickly corrected himself.

    A big vein popped up on Rangiku’s forehead.

    She jumped up and delivered a flying kick at Isshin.

    He instinctively tried to dodge but was surprised by how much faster Rangiku had become.

    In a rush, Isshin raised his arm to block.

    Bang!!

    A flash of Reiatsu burst from between Rangiku’s shoe and his arm.

    Rangiku flipped in the air, pressed her fingers together like a blade, and jabbed at Isshin’s neck.

    Isshin got serious, countering her moves blow for blow.

    Watching the fight, Soifon was a bit surprised.

    When she’d heard Rangiku had become Third Seat, she’d had the same thought as Kaelith—probably just benefiting from internal squad politics.

    But now it seemed Rangiku’s level wasn’t just Third Seat-worthy. She could probably even take on captains from lesser divisions!

    And Isshin wasn’t just any captain.

    He had studied under Sōsuke for decades.

    That alone proved his strength.

    Sensing Rangiku’s growth, Isshin gave an approving nod.

    At this level, she was upholding Squad Eleven’s reputation.

    He found an opening, feinted Rangiku into a mistake, then used the prepared Bakudō #61 Rikujōkōrō: Six Rods Prison of Light, pinning her in place and ending the match.

    Seeing her unwilling expression, he smugly tapped his head.

    “Fighting isn’t just about strength—you need to use this too.”

    Rangiku’s blood pressure spiked.

    She wanted a round two, but Isshin was already talking to Kaelith, so she had to hold back for now.

    After listening to Isshin’s explanation, Kaelith smiled and shook his head.

    The guy’s reason for wanting to go to the World of the Living was simple.

    Kaien Shiba had married a woman named Miyako.

    They were inseparable and very much in love.

    Being a family member, Isshin often got visits from the couple. Every time they came, flaunting their happiness, Isshin felt like he’d just been hit by Komamura’s fist.

    Of course, directly refusing visits from family wasn’t realistic.

    So he figured the best solution was to take on a mission in the World of the Living and dodge them.

    Hueco Mundo would work too. For Isshin, going there was like returning home—lots of folks in Las Noches knew him.

    He’d also heard that Ulquiorra was doing well on his mission in the human world. Isshin, being more familiar with the place, figured he could do just as well.

    Looking at Isshin, Kaelith thought for a while, then smiled.

    “So, you want to go to the World of the Living... fine, I’ll set it up.”

    “Oh oh! Thanks, boss!” Isshin grinned.

    As he waited expectantly, Kaelith picked up a pen and wrote down an address.

    “When you get there, stay at this place.”

    “It’s the residence of the Ishida family—a Quincy family.”

    “Give this note to Ryūken Ishida. He’ll arrange everything.”

    Isshin blinked. “A Quincy family? Why there?”

    “Because your mission is to observe the current state of the Quincy in the World of the Living.”

    “The Soul Reaper previously assigned there is due to be rotated out. You’ll take over.”

    Hearing this, Isshin understood.

    It sounded easy enough—perfect for someone wanting a little vacation in the human world.

    Taking the note, he happily left.

    Watching him go, Kaelith sighed softly.

    He’d done all he could. Whether it worked out was up to Isshin himself now.

    Stretching lazily, he turned to Soifon, who stood calmly nearby.

    “Rangiku, Soifon and I have something to discuss. You can... uh... go find something else to do.”

    He waved his hand, gesturing for her to leave.

    Rangiku looked at him.

    “You two are going to do pervy stuff?”

    “Nonsense! What pervy stuff... we’re discussing matters of importance.”

    Kaelith put on a righteous expression.

    Rangiku looked at Soifon.

    Soifon silently averted her gaze.

    Seeing that, Rangiku became even more convinced.

    She pressed a hand to her chest.

    “Kaelith, I can do those things too!”

    Kaelith chuckled. “Those are things only a wife can do. Why would you—”

    “Nonsense! Soifon isn’t your wife either!”

    “Soifon’s a dowry maid. Not the same.”

    “Then I can be a dowry maid too!” Kaelith felt a wave of respect.

    Youths these days really went all in.

    He waved her off. “We’ll talk about this when you’ve grown up.”

    Almost as if she’d expected this, Rangiku puffed out her chest.

    “I’ve already grown up! I’m way bigger than Soifon-senpai. Even Shihōin Yoruichi is about the same as me!”

    At that, Kaelith glanced downward.

    Indeed, as Rangiku said.

    Her appearance and height were still at the JD level, but her figure was not inferior to Yoruichi’s.

    That kind of talent would make Soifon jealous and reduce Rukia to tears.

    Of course, bigger had its advantages, but being small had its own charms.

    Soifon’s figure might be petite, but the shape was perfect—and no matter how many times, it never got old.

    If anything, he might even prefer—

    , never mind.

    He shook his head, clearing those dangerous thoughts.

    “A kid not even a hundred years old dares say she’s grown up?” Kaelith scoffed.

    “You’re not even two hundred yourself!” Rangiku shot back.

    Kaelith blinked.

    Come to think of it, she was right.

    He’d been in the Soul Society for over a hundred years now.

    For humans, that was two lifetimes.

    Yet it didn’t feel that long. Time had passed in a blur. Without realizing it, his sense of time had become fully Shinigami-like.

    Looking at Rangiku, he beckoned.

    She walked over, puzzled.

    Kaelith suddenly grinned and flicked her forehead.

    “Ow!”

    Rangiku held her head, scowling.

    “Kyahahaha!!”

    Kaelith leapt from his chair and backed away.

    “Foolish brat! Calling yourself grown-up in front of the great Kaelith Yurei? You’ve got a thousand years to go!”

    “I’ll be an old granny by then!” Rangiku retorted. sea??h thё N?velFire.nёt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    But Kaelith had already flash-stepped out of the room.

    Watching the spot where he’d vanished, Rangiku pursed her lips.

    Soifon sighed.

    “Rangiku... though that scound—though Kaelith keeps talking about some ‘paradise plan,’ he’s not a man who’s easily won over.”

    “If you really like him, you need to show it through daily actions, little details that make him feel it.”

    “If you can’t manage that, you’ll never open his heart.”

    Rangiku looked at her in surprise.

    “Soifon-senpai... aren’t you friends with Shihōin Yoruichi? Why are you telling me this?”

    “I just can’t stand seeing Kaelith act so smug.”

    Soifon replied flatly.

    Looking at her, Rangiku seemed to think of something.

    She stepped closer, curiosity in her eyes.

    “Soifon-senpai, how did you and Kaelith first develop feelings?”

    Soifon frowned slightly, as if recalling something.

    Gradually, she narrowed her eyes, her expression turning cold.

    “Sorry, Rangiku. I misspoke earlier.”

    “It’s not that Kaelith’s hard to win over .”

    “Back then... he was just a simple scoundrel.”

    Rangiku: “...”

    ……

    ……

    Walking the streets of Seireitei, Kaelith sneezed.

    He headed to Squad Five, planning to chat with Sōsuke, but found he wasn’t there.

    As he was about to leave, he ran into another familiar face.

    Shinji Hirako—sporting a shiny bald head—saw Kaelith and immediately turned to leave.

    Watching his retreating figure, Kaelith was a bit surprised.

    He’d expected Sōsuke to keep Shinji captive for at least ten days or so.

    He hadn’t thought he’d let him go after just a few days.

    Feeling nostalgic, Kaelith wandered into Shinji’s study and casually grabbed a box of snacks.

    Carrying the snacks, he headed to the Kuchiki estate.

    Ginrei Kuchiki seemed in good health. Despite looking ready to drop dead a few years ago, ever since stepping down as captain, he’d only gotten more vigorous.

    Apparently, being a captain was a high-risk job. Kaelith figured he should ask the old man for a pay raise sometime.

    He sat by the bed, chatting with Ginrei while they finished off the snacks.

    Afterward, he stood to leave.

    Watching him go, Ginrei wondered:

    ……

    ……

    In the Kuchiki estate’s courtyard, Kaelith strolled along when someone stopped him.

    It was Byakuya Kuchiki—still young, but already strikingly handsome.

    “Heh heh... Stopping me in such a secluded spot. Planning to assassinate me, are you?”

    “Though foolish, I’ll grant you three moves for your courage.”

    Hands behind his back, Kaelith struck a lofty pose.

    Byakuya almost wanted to retort.

    But, remembering why he’d come, he held his tongue.

    “Kaelith, I... I need your help.”

    “Not an assassination?” Kaelith looked disappointed.

    “Besides the Captain-Commander, who would try that alone...” Byakuya muttered.

    He took a deep breath, seeming to steel himself.

    Under Kaelith’s gaze, he gathered his courage.

    “Kaelith, the lady you brought to Squad Eleven—Hisana... does she have a suitor?”

    “Hisana?”

    Kaelith blinked, then remembered.

    He’d been thinking of Hisana as just Rukia’s sister and had forgotten her other identity.

    Byakuya, the sly dog.

    Though he rarely visited Squad Eleven, he’d still noticed the woman who, in the original timeline, was supposed to become his wife.

    Kaelith grinned.

    “What’s this? Got your eye on Hisana?”

    Byakuya’s face turned bright red.

    He opened his mouth to deny it.

    But after a few seconds, he seemed to realize something and nodded firmly.

    “Yes.”

    “Why so honest all of a sudden?”

    Kaelith was a bit surprised.

    Byakuya smirked proudly.

    “I may not understand girls well, but I understand you.”

    “You like people with responsibility and courage. Acting like this gives me a better chance of getting your help.”

    Kaelith couldn’t help but laugh.

    This kid’s personality seemed to have gone a bit astray.

    Seeing Byakuya’s serious expression, Kaelith gave him a reminder.

    “Listen, kid. Don’t say I didn’t warn you—Hisana’s a commoner. You’re the heir of the Kuchiki clan.”

    “Marrying her won’t be easy.”

    As soon as he finished, Byakuya raised his chin.

    “I’ve already thought of that.”

    “Kaelith, grant her the surname Yurei. Then there’ll be no problem!”

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