Fate in Bleach: Unlimited Blade Works!

However now, the situation was reversed.

According to Kukaku, her sister-in-law, Miyako Shiba, had been a spy sent by the nobles to uncover the Shiba Clan's secret treasure.

However, during her time with Kaien Shiba, she had fallen deeply in love with him and confessed her true identity.

Furthermore, when the nobles had decided to attack the Shiba Clan, Miyako had invited Ailin's disciple, Rukia Kuchiki, to their home and informed the nobles of her presence. She had hoped that Ailin, fearing for his disciple's safety, would deter the nobles from attacking. It was a desperate gambit to buy time for Kaien's growth.

Miyako hadn't anticipated that her actions would backfire, convincing the nobles that Kaien was on the verge of a breakthrough.

If he achieved Bankai, their million-year plan would be for naught.

Furthermore, members of the Shihōin and Kuchiki clans had fueled their paranoia, claiming that their relationships with Ailin were stronger than his bond with his disciple. To erase the greatest stain on the five great noble clans, they argued, Ailin wouldn't hesitate to sacrifice a mere disciple.

However, no one had anticipated Ailin's fury. After the attack, he had shown no regard for the Shihōin or Kuchiki clans.

Rumor had it that Ailin and his wife had even moved out of the Kuchiki estate.

If Ailin discovered that the nobles had attacked despite knowing Rukia was present, he would undoubtedly unleash his wrath, purging every family involved.

Yoruichi, forced to take action, had contacted Urahara in the World of the Living through unconventional means. Urahara, after analyzing the situation, had proposed a solution.

…

Ailin sat by a pond with a fishing rod in his hand, watching the fish nibble at the bait on his hook. Haruko sat beside him, occasionally offering him a piece of fruit from a nearby platter.

Moving out of the Kuchiki estate didn't mean they were homeless.

After all, he had been a captain in the Gotei 13 for decades. If he couldn't even afford a small house in the Seireitei, he would be a disgrace.

Furthermore, Haruko was the eldest daughter of the Kuchiki Clan. With a single command, half the houses in the Seireitei would be at their disposal.

Haruko hadn't questioned his decision to leave the Kuchiki estate. She simply followed him.

Of course, she knew something had happened, something that had created a rift between Ailin and her family.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

"Who could it be at this hour?" Haruko's nose twitched with displeasure. She hated being interrupted when she was spending time alone with Ailin.

"Go get the door, Haruko. It's Rukia."

"Rukia?"

Haruko's displeasure vanished. She rose to her feet and hurried to open the door.

"It really is Rukia! Come, come, let your aunt give you a hug!"

Before her sister, Hisana Kuchiki, had passed away, Haruko had enjoyed spending time with her. She had naturally extended that fondness to Rukia, treating her like her own niece.

During the years Rukia had lived with them, she had been closest to Haruko, not Ailin or Byakuya.

However, after Rukia had joined the 13th Division and become a Shinigami, she had moved out of the Kuchiki estate. It had been over two years since Haruko had last seen her.

"Aunt Haruko…"

Haruko, as Ailin's wife, understood his intentions. Therefore, she never allowed Rukia to address her as "Teacher's Wife." Instead, she encouraged her to call her "Aunt Haruko," just like Hisana.

"Oh my, Rukia, you've lost weight!"

Haruko led Rukia inside, chattering away. However, she wasn't a simple woman. She knew Rukia wouldn't visit so late at night without a reason. She assumed it had something to do with Ailin, so she stopped their conversation and led Rukia towards the pond.

"Your teacher is over there. Go talk to him. I'll prepare some snacks, and we can have a drink later."

"Okay."

Rukia nodded, waiting for Haruko to leave before approaching Ailin.

"Teacher."

"Well…" Ailin let out a tired sigh. "I thought they would give me a satisfactory answer, but I never expected them to convince you instead."

"Kisuke Urahara truly is the brains of the Soul Society. Am I right, Lady Yoruichi?"

"Oh? So, you still remember me after all these years?"

A black cat leaped down from the courtyard wall, landing gracefully before Ailin. A deep, masculine voice rumbled from its throat.

"Mr Yoruichi?" Rukia gasped.. It was this black cat who had approached her, sharing certain information and prompting her to visit her teacher.

"Mr Yoruichi?" Ailin chuckled. "Rukia, why are you addressing her as 'Mister'?"

"Is something wrong, Teacher? Is there something wrong with this title?"

"Well, her gender is wrong."

Since Yoruichi had chosen to appear in her feline form, clearly to conceal her identity and avoid alerting Aizen, Ailin decided to play along.

Witnessing the clash of intellects between these two master strategists was one of his few remaining sources of amusement.

"You should address her as 'Miss Yoruichi.'"

"What?"

Rukia looked at the black cat, confused. "But Teacher, Mr Yoruichi's voice… It's a man's voice."

"Manipulating one's voice is a simple matter for those who have mastered reiatsu control. It's not a particularly advanced technique."

Ailin hadn't spoken aloud, but his voice echoed in the minds of both Rukia and Yoruichi. Yoruichi's surprise was no less than Rukia's.

"Miss… Yoruichi?"

Rukia hesitated, then addressed Yoruichi with her newly acquired knowledge.

"Don't worry, Rukia. I am indeed female."

Yoruichi's true voice, a soft, feminine tone, emerged from the cat's mouth, easing Rukia's anxiety.

At least she hadn't gotten the gender wrong this time.

But how did her teacher know?

Did he…?

An image flashed in Rukia's mind. Ailin, holding the black cat by its paws, inspecting its underside. She shuddered.

No, no, no! Don't think about it!

"Rukia's presence confirms that you've persuaded her, but I'm still curious. How did you convince her to dissuade me?"

"It wasn't difficult." Yoruichi flicked her tail while looking at the fish swarming around the bait in the pond.

Rukia knelt behind Ailin in a rigid posture. She still couldn't grasp the situation. She had been attacked at Kaien's home, and this cat… this Miss Yoruichi… had claimed that she was the only one who could save the Soul Society?

It was absurd!

"Urahara simply asked me to explain certain things to Rukia and then have her relay a message to you."

"What message?"

"Rukia, why don't you tell Captain Ailin yourself?"

"?" Rukia looked at the black cat, confused. Wasn't this message something they had asked her to relay? Why, even after coming here in person, did Yoruichi still want her to be the one to deliver it?

Sensing Rukia's confusion, Yoruichi explained, "Rukia, some words must be spoken by the right person to have the desired effect. If I were to say them, and I failed to fulfill my promise, your teacher might kill me."

"Haha, impossible!" Rukia shook her head. "Teacher would never harm Miss Yoruichi for no reason."

"Indeed, Lady Yoruichi. You think I'm that dangerous?"

Ailin picked up a handful of fish food from a nearby bowl and scattered it across the pond.

"After all, you and Urahara have both helped me, and I'm still indebted to him. How could I possibly kill you?"

"Who knows? You're unpredictable, Ailin." Yoruichi shook her head, neither confirming nor denying his statement. "Rukia, just tell him what I told you to say."

"Okay." Rukia cleared her throat, and straightened her posture.

"Teacher, I ask that you refrain from interfering in the attack on Kaien's home. I've entrusted Miss Yoruichi with the task of investigating those who attacked me. Once I'm strong enough, I'll personally confront those responsible. I'll restore your honor and elevate your reputation even further!"

Having delivered the message, Rukia seemed to deflate. She settled back into her kneeling position.

"I've said my piece, Teacher."

"Heh, so, that's your solution." Ailin scoffed.

'Those two… they truly are the most cunning individuals in the Soul Society. If they can't solve the problem, they'll eliminate the source. They know my anger stems from those I care about being harmed. They also know I won't interfere in my disciples' growth.'