For generations, the Fon clan—one of the lower noble houses—had dedicated itself to assassination and executions. Every member served in the Onmitsukidō, and their fates had long been tied to that path.
Among them, the title "Sui-Feng" was the clan's greatest honor—bestowed only on the strongest of each generation.
The current Sui-Feng, captain of the Second Division, originally named Fon Shaolin, inherited the title from her grandmother.
—
"...The Fon clan?"
A hint of puzzlement crossed Shimo's face.
"Don't tell me they're also planning to meddle in the Central 46 selection?"
Kira Izuru hesitated.
"I don't think this visit is about the Central 46 at all."
"More likely… they're here specifically for you."
Shimo frowned.
"What does that mean?"
Kira explained:
"The visitor is the current head of the Fon family—Fon Ri'e."
"She's come under the pretense of an elder wishing to speak with you."
Shimo rose from his seat and left the captain's office.
Every division had its own reception hall; the Third Division was no exception.
When Shimo arrived, the first thing he saw was a silver-haired old woman seated at a red tea table.
She was small in stature, plainly dressed, her wrinkled face still bearing faint traces of Soi Fon's features.
Her expression was tight. Long, slender fingers tapped rhythmically against the table.
"Head of the Fon clan."
After weighing several forms of address, Shimo settled on this one.
"Captain Shimo," she replied with quiet confidence.
"The purpose of my visit should already be clear to you."
Before he could respond, she continued on her own:
"That girl Soi Fon already told me about you some time ago.
Originally, the Fon clan intended to test you."
She paused briefly.
"But after much consideration, I abandoned that thought.
There is no young man in all of Seireitei more promising than you."
Kira Izuru stood rigid beside them, wearing an expression of indifference—except his left ear had clearly perked up.
Shimo noticed immediately.
He lifted a foot and kicked Kira straight out of the hall.
"Please continue."
Fon Ri'e froze for a moment, startled by his decisiveness.
"I want to hear the Fon clan's intentions," Shimo said warmly, showing no arrogance.
Fon Ri'e hesitated, then spoke again:
"And recently, you've even become captain of the Third Division."
"So, as Soi Fon's elder… I came to ask you one thing."
Shimo lifted a teacup, curious to sample tea meant for a division captain.
"Ask away."
Fon Ri'e glanced around sharply—her movements far too quick for someone her age.
If she had once served in the Onmitsukidō, she might even have been squad commander.
Shimo did not underestimate her.
At last, she asked:
"When are you planning to marry that girl Soi Fon?"
"PFF—!!"
Tea sprayed out of Shimo's mouth in a full mist.
Luckily, he reacted fast enough not to soak her with it.
"Ahem—tea was too hot."
He coughed lightly, masking his embarrassment.
Why were all these elders in such a hurry to marry off their daughters?
Did they think no one would want them?
Shimo had no idea how to respond.
He had expected a test, maybe political ties…
Not a marriage proposal.
After a long moment, he spoke honestly.
"Clan Head Fon… surely you already know I'm engaged."
"To Shiba Kukaku—the sister of the Shiba clan head."
Fon Ri'e's expression tightened with urgency.
"Of course I know.
But that is not a valid reason to refuse my Soi Fon.
Or do you intend to take advantage of her and pretend nothing happened?!"
THUD!
A heavy crash sounded from outside, followed by a pained yelp—someone had clearly been eavesdropping.
Footsteps scrambled away, then silence.
Shimo didn't even bother checking.
If people wanted to listen, let them. Rumors about him had already swept through Seireitei.
But seriously—what was with this "take advantage and deny responsibility" nonsense?
"Clan Head Fon… please mind your phrasing."
Shimo tried to straighten the conversation.
"I never said I wouldn't marry Soi Fon. It's simply not the right time yet."
Fon Ri'e let out a long breath of relief.
"No matter—as long as you still have the intention.
If not for hearing that Lady Yoruichi had returned, I wouldn't be this anxious."
Shimo's eyes narrowed.
"What do you mean?"
Fon Ri'e's wrinkles folded together, her expression extremely grave.
"As her family, how could I not notice that Soi Fon's admiration for Lady Yoruichi… long ago surpassed the boundaries of gender?"
"Fortunately, you appeared—and corrected her course."
"So while she still likes you, hurry up and marry her!"
Her expression hardened with fierce determination.
"Once the rice is cooked, she'll give up any improper thoughts!"
Shimo stared, stunned speechless.
This development had gone far beyond anything he prepared for.
Fon Ri'e left decisively.
Having confirmed that Shimo still cared for Soi Fon, she left completely reassured.
As her silhouette disappeared, Shimo rubbed his forehead, conflicted.
Should he tell the Fon clan the truth about Yoruichi?
He'd just escaped one disaster, only to walk straight into another.
Forget it.
"Let things take their course."
---
Over the next few days, nobles visited one after another.
Because of Shimo's unusual status, he had become a prime target for political recruitment.
If not for his terrifying combat feats, some nobles might have even used force.
But faced with a man who had killed captains and defeated monsters,
they could only resort to bribes and persuasion.
Shimo met only a few, rejecting the rest.
He mentally crossed off every single one from his list of acceptable candidates.
He had no intention of allowing such people into the new Central 46.
In the end, he was surprised to find only one name left.
"The sole candidate from Rukongai, huh…?
Then I might as well help create a proper judge."
He'd heard of this candidate—a kind man who oversaw trade in West Rukongai, improving its living conditions far more than the other districts.
After submitting his votes to Yamamoto, Shimo finally severed himself from the Central 46 selection.
...
In his office, Shimo tapped the table rhythmically.
"With Aizen's crimes exposed, the ryoka's charges have been cleared.
Kurosaki Ichigo and the others have mostly recovered."
He muttered to himself:
"Maybe it's time to bring Nel to Soul Society."
He felt pity for the innocent, affectionate Nel.
And since she had already formed an attachment to him, leaving her in the human world wasn't ideal.
Urahara Kisuke had complained numerous times—Nel had been destroying his research equipment.
As her spiritual injuries healed, her destructive power grew by the day despite her unchanged innocence.
For many reasons, Shimo needed to bring her over.
"First, I'll check with Fourth Division… see if the ryoka are ready to leave."
After notifying Kira, Shimo left the Third Division.
---
At the General Relief Ward...
Shimo entered, he saw a peaceful scene:
All four ryoka were hunched over a desk—seriously doing schoolwork.
Curious, Shimo leaned in.
Number theory.
Sets.
Quadratic functions.
Traumatic memories rushed through his mind.
His head throbbed instantly.
"Who brought these?!"
Only when he spoke did the four realize someone else was in the room.
"Shimo-san!"
The four looked startled.
"You came to Soul Society on a rescue… and brought your homework?"
Shimo began to doubt whether their thought processes were normal.
Ishida pushed up his glasses.
"We were worried we might fall behind when school starts.
This is called planning ahead."
Ichigo cut him off, expression serious.
"When are you letting us go home?"
Shimo waved a hand and sat beside them.
"With Aizen exposed, you committed no crimes.
On the contrary—you'll be commended for helping oppose him."
He pulled out a small object and tossed it to Ichigo.
"What's this?"
A pentagon-shaped badge with a skull crossed by two lines.
"A Substitute Shinigami Badge," Shimo said casually.
"It lets you leave your body, detect Hollows, communicate with Soul Society—and allows us to monitor you."
Unlike Ukitake, Shimo explained everything openly.
There was no need to hide anything from Ichigo—not with his personality.
Ichigo frowned.
"I don't think I need something like this."
"…Hah?"
Shimo knocked on his forehead.
"You seriously think your soul isn't a beacon for Hollows?
And do you think Soul Society is fine with a captain-level fighter roaming the human world freely?
You're a walking disaster, Ichigo."
Shimo continued:
"Even the Thirteenth Division needs authorization to operate in the human world.
You? You're far more dangerous."
After processing this, Ichigo finally nodded.
"…I get it."
He carefully placed the badge away.
It concerned the safety of his family—he couldn't take it lightly.
"Thank you, Shimo-san."
As a smart person, Ichigo understood the weight of this gift.
And although Shimo felt strange to him, his instincts said Shimo wasn't dangerous.
Of course, even if Shimo were dangerous, Ichigo knew he couldn't beat him.
Shimo clapped his hands lightly.
"Alright, that's enough talk.
If your wounds are healed, you should return to the human world soon."
The four brightened immediately.
"And—"
Shimo smiled.
"I'll be going with you."
----------------------------///
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