Thump, thump, thump…
Urgent knocking broke the afternoon's tranquility, as several Eleventh Division Squad members, led by Izumo, stood tensely before the Aozaki Family residence.
They were on high alert, as if facing a formidable enemy, seemingly about to confront a fierce battle.
Not only that, but several Kidō Corps members followed closely behind them, each person's face permeated with an emotion called 'panic'.
These individuals were temporarily borrowed from the Kidō Corps today; due to the mission's requirements, they had to act collectively.
If an unexpected situation occurred, they could only hope they would hold on for a period, buying time to await support.
At the same time, it was also hoped that they could issue an alarm in time if they encountered danger, to obtain more help and support.
As one of Seireitei's direct units, Kidō Corps members rarely participated in actual combat.
Therefore, they seemed somewhat unaccustomed to the operational methods and rhythm of this combat Squad.
"Is anyone home? Please open the door!"
Izumo knocked hard again, his voice revealing a hint of anxiety.
Just as he began to worry, the main gate slowly opened.
Yoruichi leaned leisurely against the doorframe, arms crossed over her chest, a relaxed smile on her lips, and asked in a teasing tone:
"Izumo, it's the middle of the afternoon, why are you still working? Can't you take a break?"
Upon hearing this, Izumo was momentarily stunned.
If he didn't work in the afternoon, when was the right time to work?
He looked at Yoruichi in confusion, but then, remembering that these were the words of the Captain's wife, he found it quite normal.
For the Captain and the Captain's wives, any of the twenty-four hours in a day could be considered break time.
"Is Captain Reiji here? We are here on orders to find Reiji-sama."
Izumo tried to keep his voice calm, lest the other party detect his inner unease.
"He's busy right now. Is there something you need?"
Yoruichi still wore a faint smile, seemingly unsurprised by Izumo's arrival.
"Vice-Captain Gin sent us."
Izumo replied respectfully, not daring to show any disrespect towards this former Captain, now the Captain's wife.
Then, he cautiously inquired:
"Because the Captain hasn't been to the Squad Barracks for a long time, we specifically came to confirm if the Captain is safe and to inquire when the Captain can return to the Eleventh Division."
Upon hearing this, Yoruichi crossed her arms and tilted her head slightly, saying:
"He can't go for now."
"Why?"
Izumo's brows furrowed even more tightly.
Yoruichi, however, had no intention of concealing anything.
She simply spread her hands, explaining in a casual tone:
"He's currently handling a very important matter. If this matter succeeds, it might resolve the current crisis of the Three Worlds."
Full of suspicion, Izumo looked at the stretching Yoruichi, his brows tightly knitted.
Every time the Captain was slacking off, they would encounter this situation when they came to find him; they couldn't see Aozaki Reiji at all.
And the Captain's wife always had such an expression, as if nothing mattered.
But out of trust in the Captain, they still felt a little more at ease.
After all, at such a crucial moment, the Captain should not act carelessly; he must be seriously handling important matters.
Izumo secretly reinforced the Captain's tall and magnificent image in his heart, while also Can't help it glanced at the residence.
In this tense and crisis-filled moment, Aozaki Reiji's residence presented a different kind of tranquility.
The maids brought by the various young ladies were busy methodically in various corners of the residence, as if everything was under control.
Although these maids from outside families were not allowed to enter the core area of the Aozaki Family without permission.
But if something really happened, it would be impossible for them to be so calm and composed.
From the current situation, Reiji-sama should indeed not be in danger.
Izumo turned and exchanged glances with the others.
They knew in their hearts that the current situation did not seem to be a time to worry about Aozaki Reiji's safety.
After all, that Lord is the strongest Shinigami.
He is the first in Seireitei in every aspect, and even the Captain-Commander himself has admitted to being surpassed by him.
In the eyes of the Eleventh Division Squad members, Aozaki Reiji is an invincible existence!
Izumo's admiration for Aozaki Reiji deepened.
He turned around, nodded solemnly to Yoruichi, and said in a serious tone:
"The current situation is indeed very dangerous. Reiji-sama and the ladies should still be extra careful."
However, Yoruichi smiled and waved her hand, a comforting smile on her face, seemingly not taking the current crisis to heart.
Seeing this, Izumo could only sigh helplessly, then bowed to Yoruichi again and left with his subordinates.
Before leaving, he carefully closed the door gently, as if afraid of disturbing the people inside.
Click!!
As the sound of the lock closing echoed, Yoruichi's previously composed expression instantly became incredibly solemn.
Her gaze was fixed on the closed door, a hint of unconcealed worry on her face.
Immediately after, she quickly closed the main gate, and with a sudden Shunpo, her figure rushed like a swift wind towards the core area of the Aozaki Family.
If Izumo could see the expression on her face at this moment, he probably wouldn't have left peacefully.
He might even have called more people to completely surround the entire Aozaki Family, making it impenetrable.
"Are they gone?" Michibane Aura slowly sat up, stretched, and then yawned.
"I thought you had already fallen asleep."
Yoruichi lovingly handed over a steaming cup of tea and pointed to the drool marks on the table.
"Just a short nap."
Michibane Aura took the teacup, took a light sip, and then let out a satisfied sigh:
"Wow, the taste is really good! Sister Yoruichi's tea artistry is getting more and more exquisite."
"Although I'm very happy to hear you praise me like that."
"But being influenced by that Reiji guy, I always feel like those words aren't entirely good."
Yoruichi chuckled softly, slowly embraced Michibane Aura from behind, their bodies pressed tightly together.
She sat quietly on the chair, gently swinging her purple long hair that cascaded like a waterfall, her tone revealing a hint of curiosity and anticipation as she asked:
"However, shouldn't you tell me some truths, for example, about Reiji's actual situation?"
Michibane Aura didn't hesitate at all, pointing to the door nearby, and immediately replied:
"Reiji has already left with Ame-no-Minaka, and it should begin very soon."
The relationship between the two was intimate, like biological sisters, so there was no need to hide anything.
Yoruichi blinked slightly, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes, but she quickly regained her composure.
She whispered:
"It hasn't started yet?"
Then she smiled faintly, as if she understood something.
"Yes, after all, it's the Soul King's heart, so it needs to be handled with extra care and caution."
She said thoughtfully, then turned to Michibane Aura, and teased:
"I just don't know how long it will take him to finish this time."
☰