Fortunately, Yoruichi didn't suffer a complete loss. At least all the dishes the two made were given to Yoruichi to handle, which not only satisfied Yoruichi's appetite but also increased her spirit particles by a sliver.
"Oh, young man, you are truly extraordinary. To know so many dishes, I have truly benefited greatly today."
"If I weren't about to take up a position in Squad Zero, I would truly want you to join my squad, so it would be convenient for me to study every day."
Hikifune Kirio sighed, speaking with considerable regret.
"When will Captain Kiryu officially take up her post?"
"Hmm, let me think..." Hearing Yoruichi's question, Hikifune Kirio gently tapped her cheek with her finger, "It seems there are still more than ten years, and no later than a hundred years."
"That's quite fast indeed."
Jie Chengxian watched speechlessly as Hikifune and Yoruichi seemed to lament the fleeting time. A hundred years, for Shinigami like them, was just a slightly longer period. After all, the stronger the Shinigami, the longer they could live; a typical example was Old Man Yamamoto, who had lived for at least several millennia.
Perhaps it was a female instinct, but when they sat together in the afternoon with desserts, they automatically entered chatter mode. Jie Chengxian, who had listened for a few sentences and felt like he was listening to gibberish, was already getting sleepy. Suddenly, the spiritual power that rushed into the room woke up the still drowsy Jie Chengxian. There was no destructive Kido, so it seemed to be a communication Tenkū Kuroko.
"What happened?"
Looking at Yoruichi, whose expression had changed drastically after seemingly receiving some news, Jie Chengxian guessed it wouldn't be good.
"These bastards!" Yoruichi slammed the table heavily, gritting her teeth as she continued, "Maggots Nest has been attacked. Those two traitorous Captains were just imprisoned yesterday, and today someone attacked Maggots Nest. This is simply not putting our Shihōin Clan in their eyes."
"I have to go first."
As the head of the Shihōin Clan, responsible for the Execution Force and the Second Division, Yoruichi would certainly rush over immediately in such a situation.
"I'll take you two there."
Hikifune Kirio, with the highest spiritual power, was naturally much faster than Yoruichi and Jie Chengxian. Moreover, the enemy capable of invading Maggots Nest must also have high-level combat power, so Hikifune Kirio going along was an added layer of security.
Grabbing one in each hand, Hikifune Kirio swiftly headed towards Maggots Nest, located within the moat northwest of the Second Division barracks.
---
Maggots Nest, managed by the Second Division and specifically used to imprison Shinigami criminals, was specially constructed with Sakki-seki that could completely block spirit particles, preventing prisoners from escaping from within. The exterior of Maggots Nest was surrounded by multiple defensive fortifications, guarded daily by the Onmitsukidō's Supervision Squad. However, this prison, which could be called an impregnable fortress, was breached today by a group of uninvited guests.
The strength of the Supervision Squad was like paper in front of these uninvited guests; they could only barely delay the enemy's attack by virtue of their numbers.
"Damn it, have you reported the matter to the Seireitei?"
"The enemy seems to have prepared means to intercept some Tenkū Kuroko transmissions. Currently, it has only been relayed to the family head."
If it weren't for the timely support from the Execution Force, their Supervision Squad would have been completely wiped out. The Supervision Squad Captain watched as the enemies across the moat charged again, and could only raise his sword to meet them once more.
Hozuki Aya, who came to support as a member of the Execution Force, continuously inflicted serious injuries on the enemies with the killing techniques honed through her daily diligent training, and even managed to spare some stamina to help her colleagues nearby. Those around her looked at Hozuki Aya's petite figure with awe, unclear how such astonishing power was hidden within her small frame.
"Bang—"
Hozuki Aya sent an attacking enemy flying with a side kick. The high-intensity combat had already made her feel somewhat tired, but as a member of the Execution Force, even if she had to stake her life, she absolutely could not bring shame to Lady Yoruichi.
Adjusting her slightly disordered breathing, Hozuki Aya once again firmly blocked the enemy's advance.
However, what the Onmitsukidō didn't know was that a middle-aged man wearing a mask had already infiltrated the interior of Maggots Nest, slowly treading the spiral long staircase towards the cells where criminals were held.
"My lord, are you here to rescue us?"
The middle-aged man coldly looked at the dispirited Kinoshita and Shirakura, cursing the two good-for-nothings in his heart. If it weren't for the two Captains he had finally managed to turn against Yamamoto, no one would care about their lives.
"Come out."
With a casual swing of his sword, he cut off the chains on the door. The middle-aged man ignored the continuous shouts for help from the other prisoners still in their cells, turned, and prepared to leave with the two Captains.
"Interesting, I didn't expect someone from the nobility to come here to rescue two weak Captains."
The man, whose body was as pale as a corpse and whose eyes were painted with black graffiti, looked at the three leaving figures, a strange smile spreading across his lips.
"Who are you people?!"
Hozuki Aya had noticed from the enemy's actions that they were intentionally holding back her side, guessing that someone might be taking the opportunity to release the prisoners in Maggots Nest. After rushing over, she saw three people walking out of the prison.
"Another brat."
Kinoshita Hanta was captured because of Jie Chengxian, whom he regarded as a brat. Now, whenever he saw a brat, he felt an inexplicable surge of anger. Captain-level spirit particles erupted from Kinoshita's body, the immense spirit particles difference making Hozuki Aya gasp for breath.
"It seems today won't be easy."
The middle-aged man seemed to sense something, frowned, and muttered softly, his hand already resting on the Zanpakuto at his waist.
Kinoshita's Zanpakuto instantly approached Hozuki Aya's immobile neck. The spirit particles-infused blade hadn't even struck yet, but it had already caused a tiny wound on Hozuki Aya's neck.
"After being defeated by me, do you only pick on children now? How disgraceful, Kinoshita."
Hozuki Aya, her face filled with despair, only felt a hand grab her and throw her backward, then heard a mocking voice.
"Sure enough, protagonists like me always appear at critical moments." Jie Chengxian pointed at Kinoshita Hanta and Shirakura Shinichiro, then ignored the middle-aged man who he felt he couldn't beat—that had to be left to Sister Kiryu to solve. "You two are still thinking of breaking out of prison? It seems the Soul Society's punishment is too lenient. Don't worry, this time I'll make sure you two are completely out of the picture."
Yoruichi caught Hozuki Aya, who had been thrown by Jie Chengxian, and was quite speechless at Jie Chengxian's remark.
"You're that child from the Hozuki family, aren't you? You've done very well."
"Lady Yoruichi!"
"But now is not the time for small talk."
Hozuki Aya, thrilled to see her idol, was interrupted by her idol before she could even greet her.
"Jie Cheng Little Brother, do you need help?"
"You should first deal with your Onmitsukidō, lest you become a commander without troops after succeeding as Captain."
Looking at Jie Chengxian, who completely disregarded them, Kinoshita's already limited sanity completely vanished. Hikifune Kirio stared at the middle-aged man opposite, having chosen her opponent. As for Yoruichi, she took Hozuki Aya to deal with the enemies of the Execution Force first, lest Jie Chengxian's words come true, which would be a huge embarrassment for her.
"Did your lucky victory over me last time give you such confidence? You've become arrogant enough to challenge two Captains."
"Do you feel stressed when there's one more speck of dust to clean?"
Calmly looking at Kinoshita and Shirakura, Jie Chengxian tossed his asauchi aside, assumed a Hakuda stance, and instantly engaged in battle with the two.
"This isn't a good place for a fight, how about we change locations?"
The middle-aged man looked at Hikifune Kirio, who had already locked onto him, knowing that her strength was unfathomable. He cautiously used Shunpo to leave, attempting to escape Hikifune Kirio. However, his speed was clearly not as fast as Hikifune Kirio's. He drew his sword to block Hikifune Kirio's attack, and the immense force knocked him down onto a nearby street.
"Young man, be careful."
After entrusting a word to Jie Chengxian, Hikifune Kirio disappeared from sight.
Looking at Jie Chengxian, who still seemed to be at ease under their combined assault, Kinoshita and Shirakura found him troublesome. Exchanging glances, the two simultaneously shouted "Bankai!" preparing to kill Jie Chengxian right there.
Feeling the erupting spirit particles blow across his face, Jie Chengxian's eyes became serious, ready to meet their upcoming attacks.