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Shin now understood just how fierce the competition was among the great noble families of the Seireitei.
If the Shihōin clan lost its main pillar, even as one of the great noble houses, it would inevitably decline. Kiyotaka was hoping Shin could support the family.
Shin didn't really have a problem with that. He had a good impression of Kiyotaka Shihōin, so helping him out was no big deal.
"Thank you, Shin. I'll be on my way, then. I'll leave this child, Yoruichi, in your care." Kiyotaka Shihōin coughed a few times before speaking to Shin.
At the same time, he couldn't help but sigh. His son was a disappointment, lacking talent and strength. He was in no position to inherit the clan leadership, leaving all their hopes pinned on Yoruichi, who was born with immense spiritual power.
With that, Kiyotaka Shihōin departed, and the previously prim and proper Yoruichi let out a huge sigh of relief.
"Whew, Grandpa's finally gone. I can finally relax."
Because she was seen as the family's last hope, her training was exceptionally strict, forcing Yoruichi to be extremely reserved in Kiyotaka's presence.
"Hey, what can you even teach me?" Yoruichi hopped right onto the table, looking at Shin with a curious expression.
Shin simply lifted a finger and flicked her on the forehead. A red welt instantly appeared.
"From now on, remember to call me 'Sensei'."
"Ow, that hurt! I'm not calling you Sensei! I'm gonna tell my grandpa you're bullying me!" Yoruichi whined, clutching her forehead with crocodile tears in her eyes.
"Telling him won't do you any good," Shin said, pinching Yoruichi's small cheek.
"Since your grandfather asked me to train you, I'll be very strict. I hope you can handle it."
Hearing Shin's words, Yoruichi felt a shiver of fear and instinctively took a few steps back.
"Don't worry, you won't get hurt during training. My Kidō is quite good. And if your injuries are too severe to heal, I know the captain of the 4th Division," Shin said with a smile.
Yoruichi found this even more terrifying and retreated further, watching Shin with extreme caution.
"Relax, I'm just messing with you. I'm actually quite gentle with little girls."
Seeing that he had genuinely scared her, Shin said with a laugh. He really was just trying to tease her.
"Oh, what's this? Another kid? Shin, where did you find this one? If Captain Unohana finds out, you're toast."
Shunsui Kyoraku's somewhat lazy voice drifted in.
"What the hell are you doing in my squad's barracks?" Shin looked up, shooting Shunsui Kyoraku an annoyed glare.
"To take you out for some sake and women, of course," Shunsui said, a sleazy grin spreading across his face.
"..." Yoruichi shot a disdainful look at Shunsui, and while she was at it, she gave Shin one too.
In Yoruichi's eyes, Shin was suddenly no better than the sleazy captain. Though she was young, she knew exactly what "sake and women" meant.
Noticing Yoruichi's gaze, Shin's glare at Shunsui turned even darker. It was all this guy's fault—now he was being looked down on by Yoruichi.
"Have some decency. If you're not going to think about yourself, at least think about the members of the 8th Division," Shin said to Shunsui.
Besides, Shin had no interest in Shunsui's idea of a good time. He'd gone with him a few times before, and it was just drinking while watching some geishas sing and dance—a far cry from what he had imagined. So, he had no interest.
But because of this, Shunsui and the entire 8th Division were now on Retsu Unohana's blacklist.
The 4th Division refused to treat any member of the 8th Division, which meant the members of the 8th Division were terrified of getting injured. They were starting to resent their captain, Shunsui Kyoraku. Of all the people to offend, why did you have to piss off the 4th Division? Don't you know you never mess with the doctors? They were the ones who patched you up.
"You must be from the Shihōin clan, right?" Shunsui, seeing Shin ignore him, turned his attention to Yoruichi.
"Hmph, you creep."
Yoruichi gave Shunsui a disdainful look, then turned away, as if looking at him would dirty her eyes.
Shunsui was incredibly embarrassed.
"Not a very cute kid, are you? I prefer the cute ones."
"Heh. I feel sorry for anyone you actually like,"
Yoruichi shot back, her tongue as sharp as a blade. The insult left Shunsui even more embarrassed.
"Forget it. I'm not going to stoop to your level and argue with a child." Shunsui didn't want to bicker with Yoruichi. After all, if he won, he'd be bullying a kid. If he lost, it would be even more humiliating.
"By the way, why is she here?" Shunsui asked Shin.
"I'm her teacher now. I'll be training her to get stronger," Shin said, not hiding anything from Shunsui.
Hearing this, Shunsui became thoughtful. Don't let his lazy exterior fool you—he was incredibly sharp. Otherwise, he never would have become the Head-Captain in the future.
"I see."
"I haven't acknowledged you as my teacher yet," Yoruichi said to Shin, dissatisfied. In her eyes, Shin didn't seem strong at all.
Sure, he had a captain's haori, but his gentle smile and relatively slender build didn't exactly scream power. Not like some guys who looked intimidating at a glance.
But often, the most dangerous people were the ones who seemed harmless—like Aizen. Shin had met Aizen, who was now just a regular member of the 5th Division. He was completely unremarkable, showing no hint of his true nature.
"This is a rare opportunity. My treat. Are you sure you don't want to go?" Shunsui asked Shin again.
"Forget it. If you want someone to go with you, go find Jushiro Ukitake," Shin said, waving him off.
"How could that guy ever go with me?" Shunsui shook his head. Jushiro would never go with him. After all, he was an honest man who would never go to such a place. Shunsui had asked him several times, but he had never been able to persuade him.
"Alright, don't disturb my work here. It seems the 8th Division is too idle. I'll have to tell Old Man Yamamoto to give you more work," Shin said, glancing at Shunsui.
"Don't, Shin, please don't stir up trouble! I was wrong, I'll leave right now. I won't bother you anymore. I was just trying to be nice, and you're treating me like I'm trying to ruin you." Shunsui quickly left.
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