The name "Lin Xuan" struck them as odd too.
For a moment, they even wondered if this man was playing them for fools.
But judging by his expression, he didn't seem to be lying.
In the end, Yoruichi and the others didn't press the point. Perhaps such an organization really did exist—they just hadn't heard of it.
"What kind of partnership are you talking about? What do we have to cooperate on?" Kūkaku asked grimly.
Lin Xuan looked at them and smiled. "Cooperation might be putting it too strongly. I'd like to ask Miss Kūkaku for a favor.
I know you're the foremost pyrotechnician in Rukongai. I need you to get me into the Seireitei three days from now. I'll pay you accordingly."
Everyone's expression changed.
"You want to enter the Seireitei? To do what?" Yoruichi narrowed her eyes, her tone turning cold.
She had once been captain of the Second Division and Commander of the Onmitsukidō. Though she'd stepped down, she remained head of the Shihōin family—one of the Four Great Noble Clans.
At heart, she was still a citizen of the Soul Society. She had no wish to see the Seireitei thrown into chaos.
Especially not from a powerful stranger of unknown origin.
Lin Xuan saw her concern and explained, "Don't worry. I'm not going in to cause trouble. I'm going to save someone—and pick a fight with someone while I'm at it."
"Save someone?" Yoruichi was startled.
Lin Xuan smiled faintly. "That's right. The person I'm saving is Rukia Kuchiki, lieutenant of the Thirteenth Division.
You probably know her."
Yoruichi and Kūkaku exchanged glances, surprise on both their faces.
Yoruichi had come to Kūkaku precisely hoping to break into the Seireitei and save Rukia before her execution.
Now Lin Xuan was saying he wanted to enter the Seireitei for the same reason?
Yoruichi's first instinct was suspicion—had their conversation been overheard? Was Lin Xuan trying to exploit that to earn their trust and get inside?
"Hmph. You expect us to believe you?" Yoruichi said coldly.
Lin Xuan thought for a moment, then didn't answer directly. Instead he asked, "The charge against Rukia is colluding with Ryōka. Don't you find that at all strange?"
"And as I said, besides saving her, I'm also here to fight someone—the man who likes turning Shinigami into Hollows and Hollows into Shinigami, and who drove his own family out of the Seireitei."
Yoruichi's pupils contracted sharply.
Before coming to the Soul Society, she and Kisuke Urahara had discussed this very question. Their conclusion: someone was manipulating events from behind the scenes.
Only one person had both the capability and the motive—the man who had framed Urahara 110 years ago.
If he was after the Hōgyoku, he had to be involved in this. Another reason Yoruichi had come to the Soul Society was to find out who.
Hearing Lin Xuan's words, the same person immediately came to mind.
But before she could speak, Kūkaku suddenly grew agitated.
"What do you know? Who is it?" Kūkaku stared at Lin Xuan.
She'd reacted so strongly because Lin Xuan had mentioned turning Shinigami into Hollows.
It reminded her of her brother Kaien Shiba, consumed and Hollowfied by a Hollow years ago. She'd always felt something was wrong—but never found a single useful clue.
Lin Xuan watched their reactions, the corner of his mouth curling up. "That's my condition for working with you. You get me into the Seireitei, and I'll tell you everything I know.
Deal?"
Kūkaku looked at Yoruichi.
She desperately wanted to know who Lin Xuan was talking about—but she hadn't lost her head.
Yoruichi hesitated, then said firmly, "Fine. We accept."
She'd thought it through carefully. She still didn't fully trust Lin Xuan or his words—but she'd agreed anyway.
First, she wanted the information he claimed to have. If Lin Xuan wanted to cooperate, he wouldn't feed them complete lies—they'd see through that easily.
Second, she wanted to use Lin Xuan's strength to save Rukia. An extra powerful ally would make the rescue far easier.
Most importantly, she didn't believe Lin Xuan couldn't enter the Seireitei without Kūkaku's help anyway.
So why not agree?
Besides, Captain-Commander Yamamoto was still in the Seireitei. However strong Lin Xuan seemed, he couldn't possibly match Yamamoto.
If anything went wrong, let the Captain-Commander handle it.
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T/N:
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