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Kuchiki Ginrei frowned at Yoruichi. "Is Captain Shin really with the Fourth Division?" he asked.
"You think I'd lie to you, old man?"
Yoruichi shot back, clearly in a foul mood. Otherwise, she wouldn't have been so blunt with the head of the Kuchiki clan.
Ginrei's brow furrowed even deeper. He didn't appreciate being called 'old man' repeatedly, to say the least.
But considering Shin's power, Ginrei held his tongue. He'd let her disrespect slide—for Shin's sake.
Besides, Yoruichi's own standing wasn't exactly weak. While the Kuchiki clan was the head of the Four Great Noble Clans, it wasn't as if they were leagues above the others. And Yoruichi, despite her youth, was already the head of the Shihoin family.
"Since Captain Shin isn't here, I won't linger," Ginrei said, turning to leave. But Yoruichi called out just as he was about to leave.
"Hold on a minute... You still haven't said why you're looking for Shin."
"'That doesn't concern you!" Ginrei said, refusing to elaborate before leaving.
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"Damn it. He won't tell me? Fine, I'll just go find out myself." Yoruichi's curiosity got the better of her, and she immediately abandoned her work.
This was all supposed to be Shin's work anyway.
Yoruichi's dissatisfaction with her captain was growing. He was a complete slacker, never handling his duties. She could let that slide, but his constant trips to the Fourth Division were starting to get on her nerves.
Using Flash Step, she vanished from the Second Division barracks, heading straight for the Fourth.
She paused mid-stride. 'Wait, what if that old man Ginrei just heads back to his estate?'
She shook her head. 'Forget it. Even if he does, I'm still going to the Fourth Division to drag that slacker back here.'
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When she arrived at the Fourth Division, she found Ginrei there as expected. She strode in, her gaze immediately locking onto Shin.
"..." Shin simply ignored her glare and looked at Ginrei, who had already explained he needed to speak with him. To be honest, Shin had no idea what the old man could possibly want to discuss, nor did he think they had anything to talk about. He and the stuffy old patriarch of the Kuchiki clan just didn't click. If he wanted to chat, he'd much rather find Kyoraku Shunsui.
Ginrei glanced at the newly arrived Yoruichi, his brow furrowed, but said nothing.
"Captain Kuchiki, if you have something to say, just get straight to the point. There's no need to beat around the bush," Shin said.
"This is an internal matter of the Kuchiki family. There's no need for outsiders to be involved—" Ginrei said, glancing at Yoruichi and Unohana.
"If it's an internal family matter, then what do you need me for?" Shin asked coolly.
"I wouldn't be here if I didn't have to, but this situation involves you, Captain Shin. That's why I must speak with you."
"Then just spit it out. I don't consider anyone here an outsider," Shin said. "Besides, I'm not exactly known for keeping secrets. Even if you told me in private, I'd probably just go and tell someone else anyway."
Ginrei's brow twitched again, but he finally relented.
"It concerns a... scandal within the Kuchiki family," he began. "I assume you know of my son-in-law, Kuchiki Kōga?"
"Oh, I know him. The genius Soul Reaper, right?"
Before Shin could speak, Yoruichi nodded. She didn't just know him because he was a genius—she paid attention because he was a Kuchiki.
"Kuchiki Kōga," Shin mused, a faint smile playing on his lips. Of course he knew the name. Kōga's Zanpakuto was Muramasa—an illusion-type blade with the terrifying ability to manifest itself and turn other Zanpakuto against their masters. An ability that dangerous, especially if left unchecked, was a ticking time bomb.
"Kōga was framed and imprisoned."
"Don't tell me you're asking Shin to break him out," Yoruichi cut in before Ginrei could finish. "No way. I refuse on his behalf."
Ginrei's expression soured. He shot Yoruichi a warning glance. "Shihoin Yoruichi, I would appreciate it if you did not interrupt me."
"Tch."
Yoruichi scoffed but, seeing Ginrei's genuine anger, she decided not to push her luck. If she really set him off, she might be the one at a disadvantage. The old man was powerful.
"While he was imprisoned, I tried to reason with him, hoping to secure his release. But for reasons I don't understand, he broke out... and killed three Soul Reapers," Ginrei said to Shin.
"Hmm, I sympathize with your predicament, I really do," Shin said, "but that sounds like a 'you' problem, not a 'me' problem."
"This was supposed to be a matter for the Kuchiki family to handle, it shouldn't trouble—"
"Since you've already said that, isn't this conversation over? Don't bother me here, I have important things to do. I'm a very busy man."
"Captain Shin, could you please refrain from interrupting me?"
Ginrei was genuinely angry now. Both Shin and Yoruichi were getting on his last nerve. If it weren't for his lifetime of trained discipline, he might have started shouting. Of course, such a thing would never happen. He would never allow himself to act in such an undignified manner, not even for the sake of his family. The Kuchiki clan was truly rigid, but they valued their family's honor above all else. Perhaps their noble status was less of a privilege and more of a cage.
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