Chapter 39 - Undercurrent

“Just what the hell is going on? First, Captain was cooped up inside her office for a week, and now it’s Lieutenant’s turn to coop up in that room.”

“Yeah, the first thing Captain did was took Lieutenant to that unused room. Captain herself came out of that room shortly after, but that wasn’t the case for Lieutenant. I’m confused.”

“Tell me about it! Soul Society is so restless lately.”

“At first, it was the 7th Division’s Captain, now even Captain Kuruyashiki, who has borne the title ’Kenpachi’ for several hundred years, was killed. Now we don’t know what’s up with our Captain and Lieutenant.”

······

Hiyori just looked helplessly at her fellow Division members, who seemed dispirited after discussing how restless Soul Society recently was.

“That bastard Kimura…”

Hiyori turned his head towards the room where Kimura Muyang was cooped up, and there was a hint of uneasiness in her tone, “Just what the hell is that bastard up to? I’m gonna teach him a lesson once he comes out.”

········

8th Division.

“Captain, so this is where you are slacking off this time.”

Lisa sighed helplessly at Kyōraku Shunsui, who was sleeping on the roof. How could he shove all the work on her Lieutenant while he was slacking off here?

“Yo, Lisa-chan.” Kyōraku Shunsui said below his straw hat with his usual sloven tone. “I’ve been upset lately for some reason.”

Lisa was shocked to hear Kyōraku Shunsui’s words, and with his straw hat covering his face, she couldn’t see his face clearly.

“Captain, are you still regretting about what happened to Captain Kuruyashiki?” Lisa said softly.

“There is nothing to regret. It is Kuruyashiki’s own choice. If I saved him back then, that would be disrespecting his resolve.”

“Well…” Lisa turned aside. “Everyone has their own resolve and things they can’t give up on after all.”

“Whoa, you sound so mature, Lisa-chan.” Kyōraku Shunsui immediately sat up and looked at Lisa with a smirk. “It seems that the Li’l Lisa-chan had grown up before I realized it.”

“bang!”

Kyōraku Shunsui kicked Kyōraku Shunsui’s head and left after fixing her skirt.

“Lisa-chan, why are you so cold to your Captain? I’m so sad.”

Kyōraku Shunsui mourned as he watched sassy Lisa’s slowly disappearing from his sight.

“Sigh, she’s not cute at all now ever. It must be because of Hiyori’s influence.”

Kyōraku Shunsui then gazed at the dark clouds in the sky, and after a brief pause, he profoundly said: “A storm is coming.”

···············

At the same time, 1st Division Captain’s Office.

Captain-Commander Yamamoto’s eyes were fixated on the dark clouds rumbling in the sky.

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“Captain-Commander!”

“How is the investigation going, Chōjirō?”

“Yes, according to our investigation, there’s nothing suspicious about Azashiro Kenpachi, and he’s also qualified as a Shinigami. It’s just…”

“What is it?”

“He seems too capable and too obsessed with something.”

Captain-Commander Yamamoto’s eyes that were partially closed slit most of the time was slightly opened, and then said solemnly: “If there’s no problem, remove him from our surveillance.”

····················

2nd Division Captain’s Office.

Shihōin Masaaki was deep in thought when he looked through the report from his men and murmured: “Removing the surveillance as a pretense, while having Onmitsukidō monitor him in secret, huh? This is not gonna be that easy.”

What kind of person was Azashiro Sōya? What was he planning? Did he pose any threat to Soul Society? These questions occupied Shihōin Masaaki’s mind. He couldn’t connect the dots, so at the moment, all he could do was observing to prevent any accident or problem from happening.

“Yo, dad. That’s quite a frown you got there.”

Shihōin Yoruichi was already sitting next to Shihōin Masaaki and stared at him curiously while eating a cookie in her hand.

Seeing how sloven and unladylike his daughter was, Shihōin Masaaki was at a loss for words. Shihōin Clan was one of the Four Noble Families, yet his daughter didn’t show a shred of dignity.

Even so…

“Yoruichi, your Shunpo is good as always that even I didn’t see you coming.”

Fortunately, he lived up to Shihōin Clan’s expectation when it came to talent, if anything…

“A Shunpo of this level is nothing. You’re probably the only one who didn’t see me coming, dad.”

Yoruichi blatantly said while waving her hand.

Shihōin Masaaki was speechless when he heard his daughter’s frank evaluation of himself

“I…”

“It’s alright, dad. I know what you’re going to say. I won’t laugh at you, nor will I lose respect for you, so rest assured.” Yoruichi said before Shihōin Masaaki could finish his sentence.

Shihōin Masaaki burst into tears seeing his daughter didn’t even give him a chance to defend himself.

···············

5th Division

“Captain, this is the perfect chance.”

A long, fair-haired man with a black shawl said to Watanabe Keiryū with a nonchalant look.

“Oho?” Watanabe Keiryū asked curiously, “Tell me then, Sengyo, what chance do you mean?”

“Yes, Captain.” He bowed his head respectfully, and the man named Sengyo continued: “This new Kenpachi is intriguing. He deliberately killed the 11th Division’s former Captain instead of taking the vacant Captain seat at the 7th or 10th Division. I’m sure he must have a plan.”

Watanabe Keiryū’s eyes lit up as Sengyo’s analysis seemed to be intriguing.

“Go on.”

“Besides, this man can defeat that Kuruyashiki Kenpachi, so there’s no need to doubt his capability. I suggest you ally yourself with him, Captain. That way, you can gain more influence and have a greater say among the Captains in Seireitei.”

Watanabe Keiryū’s eyes flashed with excitement, and he walked toward the man named Sengyo.

“As expected of my capable subordinate. You did a good job, Sengyo!”

“Thank you for your compliment.”

Despite thanking Watanabe Keiryū, Sengyo’s face clearly didn’t reflect a shred of gratitude as it remained indifferent.

Watanabe Keiryū knew his subordinate very well, so he didn’t mind Sengyo’s attitude as that was just how he was and simply patted his shoulder

“Then I will take my leave, Captain Watanabe.”

“Alright, — ah, I almost forgot, summon Watanabe Ichiro to my room.”

“Yes.”

After leaving the Captain’s Office, the expressionless man walked straight towards the training ground.

“Lieutenant Ryūzaki.”

“Lieutenant.”

······

Every Division member saluted him as he passed through, but he just ignored all of them. Even so, they weren’t bothered at all as they were accustomed to their Lieutenant’s attitude.

Sengyo walked through the training ground and found Watanabe Ichiro, who was sweating profusely due to rigorous training, so he walked up to him and said: “5th Seat Watanabe, Captain Watanabe is waiting for you in his office.”

Watanabe Ichiro heard it and immediately turned around.

“Understood, Lieutenant Ryūzaki. I’ll head over right away.”

Watanabe Ichiro then took a towel and wiped the sweat on his body. Even though he addressed Sengyo as Lieutenant, there was not a hint of respect in his tone.

After tucking his Zanpakuto on his sash, Watanabe Ichiro headed towards the Captain’s Office, passing by Sengyo with a condescending look.

Sengyo still seemed indifferent even after seeing Watanabe Ichiro’s condescending look as if he didn’t mind at all. However, when Watanabe Ichiro went past him, he smirked, and a glance of disdain was clear in his eyes.

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