"Speaking of which, why is Kuchiki Kōga slower than me at dealing with traitors? Isn't he Captain-level?"
Kensei felt that as someone with mere fourth-grade Reiatsu who had barely defeated a Captain-level opponent thanks to his newly realized Shunkō, Kuchiki Kōga, being a genuine Captain with a Zanpakutō that was the most troublesome type for Soul Reapers, shouldn't be slower than him.
"Oh, him? He's right over there."
Yoruichi, her fingers tracing the bandages on Kensei's body, gestured with her chin in a certain direction.
"Lady Yoruichi's perception remains as sharp as ever."
Kuchiki Kōga emerged from the woods, looking at Kensei with admiration in his eyes. Dealing with Shirakura Shin'ichirō hadn't taken much effort. After finishing, he had returned and been quietly observing Kensei's fight from the shadows.
Dropping the similarly unconscious Shirakura Shin'ichirō on the ground, Kuchiki Kōga prepared to take his leave.
"On behalf of the Kuchiki family, I thank you both for your assistance this time. However, it is not convenient to formally express our gratitude now. Please visit the Kuchiki residence in the future so I may properly convey our thanks. I shall return now to handle matters at the camp. Farewell for now."
After Kuchiki Kōga left, Kensei strode over to the two traitors.
"What should we do with these two?"
Looking at Kensei, who was making a horizontal slicing motion across his own neck with his hand, Yoruichi rolled her eyes.
"Disposing of Captain-level corpses is troublesome. Usually, they're thrown into the Maggot's Nest. But ultimately, it's up to Old Man Yama."
Each of them picked up a traitor and began walking unhurriedly towards the First Division barracks. On one hand, Kensei's spiritual pressure was somewhat depleted from the earlier fight. On the other hand, Kensei felt that having finally accomplished a meritorious deed, he needed to use the journey to carefully consider what reward to demand from Old Man Yama.
"Say, if I ask Old Man Yama to make me a Captain, do you think he'd agree?"
Shooting a glance at Kensei, who was already lost in fantasy, Yoruichi mercilessly crushed his daydream.
"You haven't even awakened your Zanpakutō. Go wash up and go to bed."
Zanpakutō discrimination even in the Soul Society! Outrageous! When will we physical combatants ever rise up!
"Wait, you have a Zanpakutō, Yoruichi. Why haven't you taken over as Captain of the Second Division yet?"
"You don't need to understand noble affairs so clearly."
Yoruichi could only use this excuse to brush Kensei off. She couldn't very well tell him it was because she'd been slacking off and avoiding completing her trials, could she? That would be too embarrassing.
The two bickered the whole way, trading barbs like "all-brawn brute" and "Shihōin Clan Head who's not even a Captain," only stopping when they reached the entrance of the First Division barracks. Any more and they'd likely taste the loving fist of Old Man Yama.
"Old Man Yama! Look what your dutiful disciple brought you as a surprise!"
Kensei completely forgot Yama's previous instruction not to yell in the First Division barracks. He acted like a relative arriving for New Year's with a big gift, shouting for the host to come out and greet him at the door, with the traitors in hand being the "health supplements" specially brought for the elderly.
Once again having his calligraphy ruined by Kensei's loud voice, Yama wondered if he had taken on this disciple too early. This disciple, if taken in by the nobles, would have them in chaos within days. But think was all he did. He couldn't bear to waste such a promising seedling by handing him over to the nobles. He was noisy, sure, but look, he'd brought good things!
Then Yama watched as Kensei and Yoruichi walked in, each carrying a Captain.
Even an ancient Soul Reaper like Yama, thousands of years old, was stunned for a moment, his breathing slowing for a few beats. The little girl from the Shihōin family was already lawless enough on ordinary days. Add Kensei, this bold and reckless kid, to the mix, and they were directly messing with Captains?
Old Man Yama was so angry he nearly moved to clean up his own house. Fortunately, the old Soul Reaper had ample composure. He slightly narrowed his eyes, preparing to hear their explanation. If they didn't have a suitable reason, then don't blame him for being ruthless.
"Old Man Yama, this time you have to give me a Captai—"
Having dealt with Yama on numerous occasions, Yoruichi could tell from the Captain-Commander's expression that the old man was in a foul mood. She quickly wrapped her legs around Kensei's waist and clamped a hand over his mouth, which was sure to spout nonsense, and began explaining the whole situation to Yama herself.
"Hmm. I understand the general situation. You two did well this time. As for these two, hand them over to Central 46."
Even if Central 46 was also involved in this matter, the facade of judicial procedure had to be maintained. For those caught red-handed like this, the destination was the Maggot's Nest.
"Furthermore! What is the meaning of you two pulling and dragging at each other in public, dressed so improperly?! Stand properly!"
Seeing the young lady Yoruichi and the half-naked Kensei clinging to each other, Yama, that old-fashioned Soul Reaper, naturally couldn't tolerate it. Kensei and Yoruichi immediately snapped to attention, standing ramrod straight like students caught being intimate during a break by the strict principal.
"Kensei. Show me the technique you created that fuses Kidō and Hakuda."
As his teacher, Yama also needed to be concerned with Kensei's growth. It would be embarrassing if he knew less about his own disciple than the little girl from the Shihōin family.
"Sir, yes sir!"
Bellowing with full force, Kensei activated Shunkō amidst another explosion. Good thing he hadn't changed clothes, or he'd have wasted another set.
Squinting, Yama first looked at Kensei, then gave Yoruichi a strange look. Why does this move resemble the hypothesis Yoruichi mentioned before? Did she complete it and teach it to Kensei?
Under Yama's gaze, Yoruichi quickly shook her head and explained Shunkō's origins to him.
"Hmm... I understand, more or less. However, Kensei, remember this: every technique has its pros and cons. Your Shunkō's advantages lie in its high power and speed, and it has considerable potential for further development. But its disadvantages?"
"But its disadvantages have crashed... uh, I mean, using Shunkō causes the clothes on the back to explode, and the power produced depends heavily on one's control over spirit particles."
Hearing Kensei spout more incomprehensible nonsense, Yama simply chalked it up to the kid's brain being unusual due to the Soul Reaper who guided him to the Soul Society hitting him too hard with the sword hilt. Fortunately, the latter part of his explanation was normal.
"Although you two have performed a meritorious service this time, going to the Rukongai without permission is also a serious offense. Merits and faults cannot cancel each other out. Both of you, go reflect on your actions under the waterfall tomorrow!"
This was just Old Man Yama finding fault. While Soul Reapers were generally not allowed to go to the Rukongai, it was fine as long as you didn't get caught. Yoruichi and Kensei had essentially turned themselves in to Yama.
"Old Man Yama! I've shed blood for the Soul Society! I demand to see—"
Kensei couldn't stand Yama trying to kill the donkey after it's done milling and angrily shouted for justice, only to trail off mid-sentence. Who could he possibly see who had more authority than Yama? Deflated, he exchanged a look with Yoruichi and silently walked out of the barracks.
"Chōjirō. Take these two to Central 46. Tell them it's a belated gift from my dutiful disciple to his teacher."
Watching the two leave, Yama spoke to the empty study. Chōjirō Sasakibe emerged from the shadows of the room. As Yama's loyal lieutenant, he was always ready to serve.
"It seems you are quite satisfied with your new student, Captain-Commander."
"Heh. That brat still has a long way to go."
Hearing Yama's words, Chōjirō inwardly smirked, wanting to remind the Captain-Commander that he might want to hide the smile curling at the corner of his mouth when saying such things. But as Yama's attendant, it was better not to spoil his good mood.
This is good too, Chōjirō thought. The once scorching flames that could only bring destruction, having grown still to protect the Soul Society, can now radiate a warm temperature to care for others.