A Noble's Code, Byakuya Kuchiki's Hesitation

Byakuya paused, silently turning back to look at his friend. "Is it finally time for your illness to be treated?"

If someone's not mentally unstable, why would they constantly subtly ask themselves if they have a daughter or sister named Rukia?

The two sat facing each other, with Byakuya Kuchiki meticulously brewing tea for Dōsan Hanyū.

Since his grandfather fell ill, Byakuya Kuchiki has taken over from Kuchiki Ginrei as the academy's calligraphy teacher.

The two met when Dōsan Hanyū had just joined the Second Division as a vice-captain, and were introduced by Kaien Shiba.

Kaien is Byakuya's only friend.

Even so, the two are not actually the same age; Kaien is several decades older than Byakuya.

After that, due to Dōsan Hanyū's frequent and proactive contact, their relationship slowly warmed up.

At that time, Dōsan Hanyū was already very famous and had taken on the role of acting captain.

Moreover, once you get to know him, you'll find that Byakuya Kuchiki isn't as cold and unapproachable as you might imagine.

Byakuya Kuchiki may be arrogant and aloof, but if you really know him, Byakuya isn't as difficult to get along with as you might imagine.

As for why Dōsan Hanyū came into contact with Byakuya Kuchiki, it was because Dōsan Hanyū had a vague memory of a name— Rukia Kuchiki.

However, he did not obtain any useful information from Byakuya.

"After being locked up for so long, your body hasn't rusted, has it?" Byakuya raised his teacup and took a sip.

As Five Great Noble Clans, he certainly wouldn't disregard the laws of the Central 46 like Soi Fon did.

"Sure, same place tonight. I happen to have something I want to test out."

Dōsan wasn't used to it; he opened his mouth and drank the whole cup of tea in one gulp.

At this time, Byakuya Kuchiki was known as a genius and was hailed as the only man among the Five Great Noble Clans who could inherit the title of "noble Young Master" after Jin'ya Tsunayashiro.

However, Byakuya Kuchiki only learned Bankai about ten years ago, and now, he needs at least fifty more years of training to fully master Bankai.

The former First Lieutenant of the Sixth Division, Ichimonji Tsunayashiro, was Byakuya's target, but the difference in age and strength between the two was simply too great.

After Ichimonji was promoted to captain of the Shin'ō Noble Guard, Byakuya Kuchiki, as the captain of the Sixth Division of the noble squad, could only be him from then on.

As Kuchiki Ginrei's health gradually deteriorated, Byakuya began to take over the Captain-level missions assigned by the Thirteenth Division.

However, his skills and experience are still far from being at the Captain-level.

It wasn't just him; this latest batch of captains were all somewhat rushed into their roles, and some Captain-level missions were too early for them.

Byakuya raised his head, his cool eyes sweeping over Dōsan Hanyū before unconsciously lowering them again.

During this period, it was Dōsan Hanyū who accompanied him during training.

While it may be a bit of an exaggeration, to be honest, in just a few short practice sessions, Byakuya Kuchiki felt that it was more effective than his own hard training of more than ten years.

It's quite interesting, isn't it? His grandfather, Kuchiki Ginrei of the Five Great Noble Clans, also trained him, but the results were not as good as those of Dōsan Hanyū.

Byakuya Kuchiki later noticed the reason as well.

Sensitive.

Dōsan Hanyū possesses a special sensitivity to Spiritual Pressure and the composition of Reishi.

This is the reason why he possesses such extraordinary talent in the art of Kidō, and it is also a gift from heaven.

After they became acquainted, Byakuya Kuchiki witnessed Dōsan Hanyū improve at a monstrous speed in just a few months, even though their relationship was nominally a sparring match.

But in reality, especially in recent times, it could already be called guidance.

Dōsan Hanyū fingers.

However, Byakuya Kuchiki would never admit to such a thing.

Actually, when he saw Byakuya Kuchiki, Dōsan Hanyū felt a kind of inexplicable joy.

Just three months ago, Dōsan Hanyū still had many friends.

Whether they were nobles, Soul Reaper, or students of the Shin'ō Academy of Spiritual Arts, Dōsan Hanyū knew that many people admired him back then.

But after they were dismissed, not only did they leave, but some even took a bad look at them when they were just passing by.

Dōsan Hanyū never expected that on his first day out of prison, Byakuya Kuchiki, one of the Five Great Noble Clans, would be willing to come and see him.

"Dōsan Hanyū, have you ever thought about leaving Seireitei?" A complex emotion flashed in Byakuya's eyes, which he concealed well.

"Leave Seireitei?" Dōsan Hanyū muttered, though he did find the place rather awful. "Probably not, my friends are all here."

Byakuya gripped the teacup tightly, his head tilted back even though it was empty.

Dōsan Hanyū was his friend, and as a friend, he should have reminded and informed his friend when he encountered a crisis.

But he is also Soul Reaper, a nobleman, and the duties of Soul Reaper and the rights of a nobleman are both warning Byakuya Kuchiki not to mention these things again.

"Let's go, Dōsan Hanyū, let's have a battle."

"Senbonzakura, you'll tell me what to do!" Byakuya Kuchiki, walking ahead, silently drew his Zanpakuto and stared into his own heart.

"Making a move against Byakuya Kuchiki at this time would attract Aizen's attention." At the Thirteenth Division base, Gin Ichimaru squinted at the Hollow, who was soaking in an experimental vessel, wearing a mask and looking like a lump of mud.

Beside the Hollow was a pink-haired girl, the second lieutenant of the Thirteenth Division, Tachikawa Magaki. "If you come here less often, practice your Bankai modifications more, and you won't have to worry about Aizen finding out."

However, Kagome showed more patience towards this ally on the anti -Aizen front. "The Spiritual Pressure of the Five Great Noble Clans is very special. After the experimental subject absorbs Byakuya Kuchiki, his mutation will be even more interesting."

The void inside the experimental dish swayed slightly.

'So this time, my name will be Byakuya Kuchiki?'

Neither of them cared about the emotions hidden inside the vessel.

Gin was somewhat disdainful; he didn't think such a small gadget could threaten Aizen.

Turning around, Gin took two steps, then stopped. "I've investigated Miroku of the Shiba Clan. Before the previous head of the Shiba Clan died, Miroku passed the mantle to Kaien Shiba, and his whereabouts afterward are a mystery."

Upon hearing Miroku, Tachikawa stopped what he was doing and replied, "Understood."

"But are you aware of Miroku's abilities?"

"A complete copy," Li replied calmly.

"A complete copy, the Tsunayashiro Clan?"

The Nine Heavens Mirror Valley of the Tsunayashiro Clan possesses a similar ability—the ability to copy multiple Zanpakuto.

Yin has already shared the Nine Heavens Mirror Valley's abilities with Tachikawa.

"No, they're different. Its ability should be a more realistic and complete absolute copy, and Aizen's target for copying Miroku he wanted to seize, is undoubtedly that person."

"Dōsan Hanyū." Gin turned his head and, together with the Tachikawa members, called out the name in unison.