The four of them walked out of the 2nd Division's training valley.
Their destination was singular—the Shihōin estate.
Walking along the path, Shigure told them everything he'd discussed with Byakuya Kuchiki that morning without reservation.
After hearing it, Soi Fon nodded. Said with some worry:
"Byakuya Kuchiki is right. Once they've said such things, borrowing it will indeed be difficult for you..."
She'd dealt with those elders of the Shihōin family before. She naturally knew their personalities.
Since they'd explicitly said those things to Byakuya Kuchiki, it meant they definitely wouldn't lend it to Shigure.
"Even if Lady Yoruichi goes, getting it from them might be somewhat tricky..."
Soi Fon said carefully.
But after hearing this, Yoruichi instead burst out laughing.
"Hahahahahaha..."
Seeing this, not just Soi Fon but even Shigure's expression froze slightly. He said:
"Miss Yoruichi, did you think of some method?"
Soi Fon also looked at Yoruichi with some confusion.
Only then did Yoruichi stop her loud laughter. She turned to look at Shigure and Soi Fon with a mysterious smile:
"Hehe, since you say you need this thing no matter what, Segawa, then..."
"Why should we grovel to borrow it?"
"Eh... hm?"
Soi Fon froze. Her gaze looked somewhat blank. Not understanding what she meant.
The smile on Yoruichi's face became sly. She lowered her voice:
"The Frostburn Valley barrier was sealed by my father back then into a Heavenly Gift Armament called the 'Shihōin Ring.'"
"But for nearly two hundred years now, it hasn't been used at all."
"And artifacts like this that aren't frequently used are generally sealed away in the Shihōin estate. In the armament vault at the very bottom of the innermost area."
"That place has been sealed year-round by several layers of precise Kidō barriers. It's almost never been opened."
"Even if it suddenly went missing at some point, no one would notice..."
Saying this, Yoruichi paused slightly. Her smile deepened as her gaze swept across Soi Fon and Shigure's faces. She said in a low voice:
"Hehe, in other words, we can completely... steal it!!"
As her words fell, Soi Fon's eyes immediately widened. Her gaze showed some disbelief.
Shigure's eyes flickered slightly. He suddenly showed a trace of a smile.
Immediately after, Soi Fon said carefully:
"Lady Yoruichi... is this really okay... if we're discovered..."
She'd always adhered strictly to regulations. She naturally knew the risks of this approach.
After all, stealing from one of the Four Great Noble Houses was already a first-class felony under Seireitei law.
Hearing Soi Fon's words, Yoruichi naturally understood her concerns. So she explained with a light laugh:
"Heh, don't worry. That thing isn't important to the Shihōin family anymore. Keeping it serves no purpose. Better to give it to Segawa."
"Moreover... we have a method that can completely conceal our forms and ensure we're absolutely not discovered... right?"
Saying this, she looked at Shigure with a mysterious smile.
Hearing this, Shigure immediately nodded with a light laugh.
The instant he heard Yoruichi's words, he understood the method she meant.
It was precisely the item developed by Kisuke Urahara that could completely mask one's figure and spiritual pressure—
The Spirit-Concealing Cloak.
Using it, stealing a sealed-away object really wasn't a big problem.
"I won't wait for you to keep thinking, Soi Fon."
Yoruichi suddenly interrupted Soi Fon's thoughts. Speaking with a light laugh.
Before Soi Fon could react, Yoruichi suddenly looked at Shigure:
"Segawa, you just wait here for a bit. I'll go get it right now, hehe..."
Saying this, Yoruichi directly turned around. Preparing to use Shunpo.
Shigure thought briefly. Then spoke:
"Do you need me to come along... if there are barrier seals inside you can't handle, I might be able to help."
He naturally hoped to obtain that armament with absolute certainty.
Unexpectedly, hearing this, Yoruichi suddenly turned her face back. Saying with a light laugh:
"Though I know you're very strong, don't underestimate me either... Segawa."
Finishing, before her smile had faded, her figure vanished from the spot.
Clearly she'd already used Shunpo. Leaving here and heading toward the distant Shihōin estate.
Seeing this, Aning beside them immediately opened her mouth slightly. Beginning to look around curiously.
Without doubt, Yoruichi's speed amazed her. She couldn't quite comprehend it.
Shigure's heart stirred as well.
Truly worthy of Yoruichi with her title of Flash Goddess. This speed was already faster than anyone he'd seen so far. And... with a clear gap.
After Yoruichi left, only the three of them remained on the hilltop.
Aning was always quiet. While Shigure and Soi Fon suddenly had nothing to say for the moment. Instead, the place fell into an odd silence.
After a moment, Shigure broke the silence. He chuckled lightly:
"Miss Yoruichi really can always think of methods that break convention..."
Hearing this, Soi Fon's gaze trembled slightly. Then she nodded lightly.
The wind blew past. Slightly stirring her short hair. She gazed toward the Shihōin estate's direction. Murmuring softly:
"Lady Yoruichi... she's been like this... since long ago."
"So stubborn..."
"Always stubbornly believing in everything she trusts..."
"And always stubbornly believing in her own heart. Then... doing anything for it..."
Saying this, she suddenly lowered her head slightly. Dropping her eyes.
Light seemed to flicker in her eyes.
Seeing this, Shigure's heart stirred. He was about to speak.
But just then, Soi Fon suddenly raised her head again. Looking toward Shigure.
Their gazes met once more.
Shigure had originally wanted to speak. In this moment, looking at Soi Fon's eyes, he suddenly stopped.
The next moment, Soi Fon's face showed that rare gentle smile again. She said softly:
"Before, I always worked hard to chase Lady Yoruichi's footsteps. Trying to learn and imitate everything about her."
"Because I thought that was what my heart wanted."
"But later, just because she left me once, I denied my own heart..."
Saying this, Soi Fon suddenly took a light step forward. Moving closer to Shigure.
Her face flushed slightly red. She looked up at Shigure with her head tilted slightly. Still wearing that faint smile. Saying softly:
"Until now. Until just now."
"I suddenly understood. What I should learn from her most is actually this kind of 'stubbornness.'"
"So."
"No matter what happens from now on, can I... always believe in you..."
"Shi... gure?"
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