Yoriichi Tsugikuni reborn in the soul society

Two hours prior.

The Second Division barracks.

Kisuke Urahara, who was idly engaged in some minor research, suddenly received a summons from his captain.

He abandoned his current work, hastily smoothed his disheveled hair, slipped on a pair of geta sandals, and headed towards the inner courtyard.

Within the courtyard.

A dark-skinned woman sat leisurely on a lavish bench covered with soft fur, having waited for some time.

Her form-fitting black combat uniform seemed out of place in the elegant setting.

However, it accentuated her striking figure perfectly.

"Ah…"

She parted her lips slightly and bit off a grape that had been placed conveniently beside her mouth.

Whoosh

Beside her, a fair-skinned attendant stood ready to serve her every need, holding a feather fan and gently fanning her.

—Shihōin Yoruichi.

The twenty-second head of the Shihōin clan.

Captain of the Second Division of the Gotei 13.

Step, step.

Suddenly.

Several hurried, muffled footsteps echoed through the quiet courtyard.

Shihōin Yoruichi raised her head, the corners of her previously bored mouth curving into a smile.

She extended her slender fingers, slowly sat up, pointed at Urahara Kisuke as he approached, and greeted him:

"Kisuke, you've arrived."

"Yes." Urahara Kisuke lowered his head, stopped before Shihōin Yoruichi, and replied softly in a more formal tone:

"I was wondering what you required of me, Captain?"

"…Can I not summon you without a specific reason?" Shihōin Yoruichi retorted, rising from the soft cushions.

Upon reaching Urahara Kisuke, she noticed the shadow cast over his face, placed an arm around his shoulders, and said in a half-joking manner:

"I have told you countless times."

"There is no need for such formalities between us."

"We have been friends for many years."

"If it were not for the significant difference in our social standing, I would have considered marrying you into the Shihōin family."

"The reason I summoned you this time…"

She slowly removed her arm and began to pace back and forth, her voice taking on a more serious tone.

"It is not for a trivial matter."

"The Onmitsukidō reported a sudden surge of Third Grade Reiryoku within the Seireitei this morning."

"I have made inquiries, and the source of this Reiryoku is a Shinigami who recently joined the Tenth Division. His name is Tsugikuni Yoriichi. He hails from the Rukongai and has no notable lineage."

"Kisuke, I have a delicate task for you."

She stopped abruptly and fixed Urahara Kisuke with a direct gaze.

"You are aware that we noble families place great importance on bloodlines and pedigree, especially those elders among us."

"Regardless of their origins, if they possess the potential to benefit the clan, they are worth recruiting."

"This Tsugikuni Yoriichi is precisely such a high-priority individual."

"He was previously kept out of the public eye by Captain-Commander Yamamoto, and it was only today that his talent was revealed."

"Therefore, the family elders have instructed me to recruit him at all costs, even going so far as to suggest marriage into the clan and bestowing upon him noble status, if necessary."

"I need you to ascertain his preferences."

"Regarding this mission."

"Can you accomplish it?"

"This is of utmost importance."

She emphasized once more, "This concerns the future of the Shihōin clan."

"You should understand that it is not mere status that maintains the balance among the noble houses, but rather the strength of their members."

"The Shiba clan gradually lost their influence within the nobility precisely due to a decline in exceptional individuals."

Strength equates to influence.

Only with influence.

Could one possess the power to determine their own fate?

Including the distribution of resources.

As one of the Five Great Noble Houses, the Shihōin clan was no exception.

Looking into Shihōin Yoruichi's eyes and reflecting on her words, Urahara Kisuke felt a sense of the absurd…

A newcomer with Third Grade Reiryoku?

What a joke!

You must understand that he had struggled in Soul Society for over one hundred and fifty years and endured countless battles before barely progressing from Eighth to Fourth Seat.

Yet...

Suddenly, he was informed of a Shinigami who had graduated with Third Grade Reiryoku.

This news truly shattered his worldview.

If it had been a member of a high-ranking noble family, he might not have been so surprised.

However…

A Rukongai native with no lineage? Was that even possible?

Taking a deep breath, Urahara Kisuke asked Yoruichi with a hint of uncertainty, "Yoruichi, are you certain?"

"I also sensed the fluctuations in Reiryoku this morning. I assumed it was one of the captains."

"It would be preferable if it were a captain," Yoruichi sighed, interrupting him.

"If it were a captain, it would mean their allegiance was already established, and the Shihōin clan would have no cause for concern."

"It is highly probable that this individual aligns with Yamamoto Shigekuni."

"However, the fact that he is neither a member of the First Division nor the lieutenant of the Tenth Division suggests his position remains ambiguous."

"This presents an opportunity for us. Of course, it could also be a test orchestrated by Captain-Commander Yamamoto."

"Regardless, we cannot afford to remain idle."

"For if we do not act, the other noble houses will. If we fall behind, we will suffer the consequences. Did the Kuchiki clan not recruit a certain Kuchiki Kōga a few years ago? Although he ultimately vanished..."

Upon hearing this, Urahara Kisuke immediately understood the implications.

With a sense of resignation, he replied in a low and respectful tone, "I understand."

"I will begin making arrangements to approach him."

______________

Returning to the present.

Having arrived at Shiba Isshin's invitation, Urahara Kisuke initially maintained a reserved demeanor to minimize any perceived threat.

He then slowly approached Yoriichi.

Shiba Isshin was clearly intoxicated.

Seizing this opportunity.

Urahara Kisuke sat down beside the two and fanned himself in a slightly exaggerated manner, as if attempting to dispel beads of nervous sweat.

While fanning himself, he remarked:

"Oh dear, the Tenth Division's barracks are truly difficult to locate. I must have arrived late. It is a pity I missed the most lively portion of the festivities."

He slowly turned his head, offering Yoriichi a warm smile: "Ah, young man, are you also a member of the Tenth Division? I do not believe I have seen you before."

"You and Captain Shiba appear to be quite close?"

"We are not acquainted."

"I am a recent addition to the Division."

"Then why were you seated beside him? Even the other members hesitate to approach him so readily. I assumed you were also a member of the Shiba clan."

He smiled and reached to his waist, retrieving a paper fan.

Click.

The fan snapped open.

He fanned himself briefly.

Extending his right hand, he spoke in a relaxed tone:

"Allow me to introduce myself."

"My name is Urahara Kisuke, Third Seat of the Second Division. I have been acquainted with Captain Shiba for three or four years."

"Young man, I can tell you possess remarkable potential. You cannot be very old."

"How should I address you?"

Yoriichi glanced at Urahara Kisuke, politely shook his offered hand, and nodded slightly. "Please, call me Yoriichi."

"Yoriichi…" Urahara Kisuke paused for a moment, then chuckled. "I shall remember that."

Snap—

He closed his fan.

His smile remained fixed.

Though his expression was affable, his thoughts were quite different.

This individual was remarkably composed. How was he to win him over?

Yoruichi, did you truly intend to offer yourself as bait?

==============

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