Chapter 86: Letter
The excited Shiba Kaien had truly forgotten about this.
He suddenly slapped his forehead, looking at Suoh.
"Right, I almost forgot!"
"Then it's settled! I'll accompany you shopping later. Tonight, let everyone properly taste the skills of you, Terada-ya's head chef!"
"No problem!"
Suoh, who hadn't held a banquet in quite some time, also became interested.
After moving from Rukongai to the Seireitei, he'd been busy training and hadn't brought this good habit to the Thirteenth Division.
It was time to properly utilize his courtyard and kitchen. He then turned to look at Mitaka Hiko beside him.
"By the way, Hiko, I'll need your help arranging banquet tables and chairs. We'll need eleven sets."
"From now on, everyone can gather more often when free."
"Leave it to me!"
Mitaka Hiko first patted his chest in acceptance, then reacted.
"Eleven sets—isn't that quantity a bit much?"
"Even adding Kiyone who's not here and the captain, that's only eight people total?"
Mitaka Hiko's eyes circled around as he counted the present personnel, asking puzzled.
"Yesterday I took leave to visit the Tenth Division."
"I met Captain Shiba Isshin, Lieutenant Matsumoto Rangiku, and 3rd Seat Hitsugaya Toshiro."
"Captain Isshin is already related to Kaien-niisan as uncle and nephew. The other two are also my friends."
"Since we're rarely holding a banquet, I thought to take this opportunity for everyone to meet each other. More people makes it livelier."
Suoh had no intention of being mysterious, answering very directly.
Rashly inviting three others to the Thirteenth Division's internal banquet—Suoh hadn't done so without consideration. Those invited were all relatives or friends.
This wasn't a bad thing either. It could add more color to the banquet.
"I see, no problem!"
Mitaka Hiko understood suddenly. He'd merely been curious who the extra people would be.
The Thirteenth Division already had much exchange with the Eighth Division. No resistance existed to meeting and interacting with people from new, different divisions.
"Good thinking, kid! Excellent idea!"
"You don't need to make a special trip. I'll just send a message to the Tenth Division shortly."
Shiba Kaien's eyes brightened, not hiding his approval of this idea.
Then meeting everyone's gazes, he continued.
"Alright, everyone finish your work during the day, then properly enjoy yourselves tonight."
"Alright!"
As his words fell, everyone harboring anticipation for the evening returned to their positions one after another.
After the crowd dispersed, Kuchiki Rukia looked dejected, deeply lowering her head as she spoke to Suoh.
"That—Suoh 3rd Seat, tonight's banquet—I'm afraid I won't be able to attend."
"I'm sorry!"
Actually, she'd wanted to explain the situation earlier, but couldn't bear to dampen everyone's high spirits in that joyful atmosphere, so she'd delayed until now.
"Rukia, it's fine."
Shiba Miyako beside her gently approached, lightly placing her hand on her slightly trembling shoulder.
As Kuchiki Rukia's leader, Shiba Miyako was the person most able to empathize with and understand her complex emotions at this moment.
Without needing explanation, Suoh could also guess the reason.
The Kuchiki family, as one of the Four Great Noble Houses, maintained strict household rules.
For family members, especially adopted members like Rukia, their speech, conduct, and social interactions outside had far stricter regulations than ordinary clan members.
Attending a hastily decided banquet without advance notice would most likely not be allowed.
The corner of Suoh's mouth lifted as he consoled.
"It's fine. I understand your situation. This isn't a difficult problem."
"Captain Ukitake and Captain Kuchiki are acquainted."
"Shortly, I need to visit Ugendo to meet the captain. I can conveniently ask him to relay a message explaining the situation."
"Though your brother is strict, he's not unreasonable. This small matter shouldn't be a problem."
Suoh felt quite confident about this idea.
With Captain Ukitake intervening plus this being an activity held within the Thirteenth Division, emotionally and logically, Kuchiki Byakuya—that sister-complex—wouldn't go so far as to run to the Thirteenth Division to drag his sister home.
Just needed to be careful not to let Kuchiki Rukia drink alcohol tonight.
"Really?"
Hearing Suoh say this, Kuchiki Rukia raised her head full of hope.
Deep in her heart, she certainly held anticipation for tonight's banquet.
"No problem."
"Tsukasa, your consideration is thorough as always."
Shiba Miyako appropriately affirmed Suoh's statement, casting him an approving gaze.
The small incident thus settled.
Thinking that message delivery and reply would require time, Suoh directly left the duty office, heading toward Ugendo.
Inside Ugendo.
Moist breezes passed through the hall.
Ukitake Jushiro sat behind his desk wearing his white haori. The time was still early. Documents requiring his review hadn't been delivered yet.
He was resting against the desk.
Hearing footsteps stopping outside the door, he raised his pale face, revealing a gentle smile.
"Tsukasa, come in."
"Captain."
Suoh responded and entered the room, respectfully saluting and greeting before Ukitake.
Before he could speak, Ukitake Jushiro had already gently asked.
"What brings you to see me?"
"Last night I successfully achieved Shikai. Everyone in the division said we should celebrate. Tonight I'm hosting a banquet at my courtyard. I hope the captain can also honor us with his presence."
"Additionally, there's another matter I'd like the captain's help with."
"The banquet was decided hastily. Due to household rules, Kuchiki Rukia cannot directly accept the invitation. I'd like to ask the captain to relay a message to Captain Kuchiki explaining the situation."
Suoh then explained his purpose in detail, also extending his invitation.
Ukitake Jushiro quietly listened to Suoh's account, his eyes flashing with deep relief as he nodded.
"Good!"
"I'll explain the situation to Byakuya on your behalf."
"As it happens, there's also something I'd like your opinion on. Tsukasa, come sit."
Speaking, he straightened, his large haori billowing with the movement as he beckoned to Suoh.
His tone remained gentle but carried several degrees more solemnity than before.
"Yes."
Hearing this, Suoh took a seat beside him.
Ukitake Jushiro looked at the gentle, respectful Suoh beside him with a satisfied smile.
Coughing lightly, he retrieved an already-opened letter from beneath the desk.
"Tsukasa, due to this body of mine, I'm afraid I can't provide much guidance in your training."
"Some time ago, I wrote to my teacher—Captain-Commander Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni—humbly requesting he train you on my behalf."
"The reply I received previously has already granted this request."
"My teacher hasn't taken disciples in many years. That he agreed to make an exception and periodically guide you is truly a rare opportunity."
Ukitake Jushiro never hesitated to use his abilities to help those he valued.
To help Suoh—whom he valued highly—gain better growth, he'd not only completed Kido text annotations despite illness.
He'd also personally written the Captain-Commander to secure this rare opportunity for Suoh, living up to his identity as Suoh's captain.
Slowly pushing the letter toward Suoh, he continued.
"Of course, this ultimately depends on your own wishes. First, take a look at this letter."
"This is a path toward higher realms, but also accompanied by corresponding trials. If you're unwilling, there's no need to force yourself."
Ukitake Jushiro's profound gaze fell on Suoh, quietly awaiting his choice.
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