Uehara Naraku really is kind to his subordinates.
This overwhelmingly powerful leader never seems to blame his subordinates for incompetence, never despises their lack of strength, and never interferes with their little schemes.
Maybe it's because his power is enough to wrap up any trouble in the end.
For Uehara Naraku…
as long as a subordinate is willing to offer him their loyalty, that's enough.
Even someone like Uchiha Madara, once a mighty hero, has to admit that this particular trait of Uehara Naraku's forces them to acknowledge the man's peculiar charm.
He treats outsiders with a winter-like coldness and cruelty, playing them like marionettes on strings; yet with his own people he is as warm as spring, and sometimes even a little doting.
Seeing Yakushi Kabuto still a bit tense, Uehara Naraku spoke softly to soothe him, "All right, don't worry about Urahara Kisuke. Before you leave, go take a look at your life's work… As for the orphanage, I'll have someone else take it over."
"Yes."
Yakushi Kabuto slowly lowered his head and said quietly, "Then I'll leave everything in your hands, Lord Naraku. There are many children in the orphanage who could become Soul Reapers…"
"Hey, hey, hey…"
Uehara Naraku's expression grew more and more odd. "Kabuto, I'm not Shimura Danzo. I don't need to use them to pad out our fighting strength…"
"…Yes."
A small smile tugged at the corner of Yakushi Kabuto's mouth. He explained with a gentle smile, "But being able to serve Lord Naraku is the best choice for them."
It's not as if anyone is born standing on the victor's side; only people like them know what it means to stand at Uehara Naraku's side.
Yakushi Kabuto simply didn't say more. Besides, unless a stray had the potential to join Akatsuki, he wouldn't bother to carefully cultivate them.
The orphanage these days was far from small.
However, children as outstanding as Urahara Kisuke and Ichimaru Gin were becoming fewer and fewer.
Even another child who grew up in the orphanage, Abarai Renji—who had now entered Shin'o Academy and even become Uehara Naraku's classmate—still wasn't qualified.
At least in Yakushi Kabuto's eyes, not qualified.
After all, compared to strength and talent, Yakushi Kabuto valued intelligence more.
Abarai Renji's personality was simply too reckless; he didn't know how to restrain his temper in the least, which did not meet Yakushi Kabuto's expectations for his successor.
Not to mention, with Ichimaru Gin as a glittering precedent…
it was really too hard to find someone more outstanding.
The orphanage was rather lively today.
When Yakushi Kabuto arrived, a group of retainers were standing at the orphanage gate, forbidding anyone to enter. Their clothes bore the crest of the Kuchiki Clan.
This was one of the Soul Society's Five Great Noble Clans…
No, it should be said, one of the Four Great Noble Clans: the Kuchiki Clan.
Compared to the great aristocratic Uehara Race, the Kuchiki Clan couldn't quite measure up, but in a place like Drifting Spirit Town they could still keep everything under control; no lost soul would dare look down on them.
After all…
the Clan Leader of the Kuchiki Clan had long served as Captain of Squad 6 of the Guardian Court Thirteen Squads.
The one who'd come to the orphanage now, however, was not the current head of the Kuchiki Clan, but the young head, Kuchiki Byakuya, the clan's future Clan Leader.
The orphanage's reception room.
A big-eyed girl hurriedly brought in a pot of tea and set it on the small table; the teapot was filled with so much water that it was already overflowing.
Her name was Rukia.
Right now she was the oldest child in the orphanage.
When Yakushi Kabuto wasn't around, Rukia would step up as the big sister in charge, helping to take in other children and look after the little ones in the home. Fortunately, Ichimaru Gin and Matsumoto Rangiku would occasionally drop by to help, bringing some money or daily necessities.
And Rukia's friend Abarai Renji also came by to help a lot, though sometimes that guy ended up making more trouble than he solved.
Now, with Yakushi Kabuto, Ichimaru Gin, and Matsumoto Rangiku all absent, and the Kuchiki Clan visiting the orphanage, among this crowd of little runts, Rukia had no choice but to stand up herself…
Kuchiki Byakuya's arrival put Rukia under great pressure.
Facing the heir of such a great noble family, Rukia felt crushed by the pressure, yet she still had to force herself to put on the airs of the current big sister of the orphanage…
Rukia clumsily set the overflowing teapot on the table, and when she picked up a cup to pour tea, she scalded her hand, making her eyes instantly widen as the corner of her mouth twitched uncontrollably…
It's burning!
Rukia gritted her teeth, put down the scalding cup, and forced herself to sit calmly in her seat. Looking at Kuchiki Byakuya opposite her, she tried her best to act composed. "Ahem, ahem… Sir, please have some tea."
"..."
Kuchiki Byakuya fell into Silence.
He had no particular interest in the orphanage's tea.
By contrast, Kuchiki Byakuya paid more attention to Rukia, this clumsy girl; he had taken note of everything she'd just done.
Gazing at Rukia's delicate face, a hint of nostalgia slowly flickered through Kuchiki Byakuya's eyes. He closed them, suppressing his emotions.
This girl…
is she really the younger sister of his wife, Kuchiki Hisana?
To tell the truth, besides their resemblance in looks as sisters, in every other regard Rukia fell far short of Kuchiki Hisana.
At least in Kuchiki Byakuya's view…
whether in manners or temperament, Rukia was a bit too careless and rough, nothing like her gentle elder sister.