Chapter 230

Skin color... that doesn't seem to be a problem, after all, Byakuya's skin color doesn't look like that of someone from the Shihoin Clan.

Speaking of which...

After the liberation of Seisen, perhaps influenced by the spirit of the Yugram family, Haruto's skin tone had become much lighter than before, now only a light brownish-white leaning towards wheat... Damn it, he inexplicably lost in such an unimportant area!

What is the political examination?

Simply put, it's a matter of stance or inclination.

"That's not necessary."

"?"

"Now that you've taken the Shihoin, are you worried about not doing things for the family in the future?"

What if it really exists?

"Do you think the Fourth Squad's Schutzstaffel has any other work to do?"

"... I see."

Being chosen by the Shihoin Clan already indicates they wouldn't have much of a problem from a noble standpoint—as a top-tier noble family in Soul Society, the chances of them being won over are extremely low, especially with a dedicated team monitoring them...

There's really no need to worry about that.

"Oh, right."

Yoruichi was about to step inside when she suddenly stopped, as if on a whim.

"Is there anything else the captain would like to add?"

"As I just said, the Shihoin Clan does not have branch families."

"Yes, I'm listening."

Haruto nodded to indicate that he understood.

"Considering your gender, even if you get past your grandmother's approval later, your future child won't be able to take the surname Shihoin."

"No problem."

"... You didn't even hesitate?"

"I don't really care about these things."

For many, the seriousness of this matter comes first; especially for those noble families with long-standing traditions, who value the continuation of their bloodline above all else.

But with Haruto...

It's really impossible to take it seriously even if we want to.

"Oh~"

Yoruichi small step closer and patted Haruto's shoulder firmly.

"Smack!"

"I knew I hadn't misjudged you; this is something I really like about you."

"Alright."

Haruto made way for Yoruichi to walk ahead.

"The message was sent a while ago, so let's not keep Grandma waiting."

"I agree."

"Ah?"

Haruto entered this magnificent (crossed out) furry side hall.

He had initially wondered what kind of stubborn, old-fashioned character Yoruichi's grandmother would be, but after seeing her in person—

If it weren't for her slightly loli-like figure, people would believe she was Yoruichi's older sister... If she didn't use the "this old lady" verbal tic, they might even believe she was Yoruichi's younger sister.

It's worth mentioning that Yoruichi's grandmother, who has a house full of cats, is even older than Ginrei Kuchiki in terms of seniority. Her husband was the First Generation Gotei 13, the Second Division Captain, Senjitsu Shihoin.

"So hasty?"

While Haruto was still standing there, unsure of which part to be shocked about, Yoruichi had already expressed her dissatisfaction with her grandmother's "too fast" actions.

"Senya, won't you reconsider?"

Yoruichi addresses her elders by their first names.

It's unclear whether this is a tradition of the Shihoin Clan or a unique requirement of this grandmother.

"Are you the head of the family, or am I?"

"You have to come and ask for my opinion on such a small matter?"

"..."

This sentence structure is so familiar that you can hear it in many situations; the problem is that the speakers seem to have reversed roles.

"As long as this kid passes the test, I'll add him to the foreign family genealogy."

"Um..."

Senya Shihoin stroked the cat in her arms while looking Haruto up and down.

Do you want to change your name?

"Ah?"

"That's good, then it saves me some trouble."

Before Haruto could say anything, he was interrupted by this grandmother.

Yoruichi.

"You hurry to the training ground and get ready. Don't keep me from playing with the little ones."

Senya Shihoin had already started to shoo people away.

"... Haven't you packed up yet?"

Yoruichi's face was filled with disbelief, as if to say, "Didn't I already report that?"

"You send a letter and I have to prepare? Are you the elder and am I the elder?"

"..."

Yoruichi's silence was deafening—she had said both the truth and the sarcasm, and anyone in her position would have to swallow their pride.

I'll wait for you in the backyard.

"Whoosh!"

"Then I'll..."

Seeing that Yoruichi, who was usually the one teasing others, had moved so quickly, Haruto also quickly took two steps back to prepare to leave.

"Kid!"

Haruto had been called back, stopped somewhat awkwardly.

"... Is there anything else you need?"

"Yoruichi seems quite interested in you?"

"So-so?"

Yoruichi did give him a lot of power, but Haruto wasn't entirely sure whether that fell within the scope of his interest.

Has she ever teased you?

"... have."

They not only played pranks on him, but also on his own Schutzstaffel.

"Good, as long as you're interested... Show some courage and take down this tomboy."

"Ah?"

Haruto suspected there was something wrong with his ears.

"This guy actually picked up some bad things from me when he was little, and Yūshirō idolizes his sister so much that he tries to imitate Yoruichi in everything he does."

Haruto was genuinely a little uneasy about the senior's quick humbly admitting to his past.

"If this continues, I'm worried that both members of the Shihoin Clan will remain bachelors in this generation."

"... From a noble perspective, this should be considered a good thing for me?"

"You have this plan?"

"No."

"That solves it, doesn't it?"

Senya Shihoin released the chubby orange cat from her arms.

"But..."

"Shouldn't there have been better candidates for this?"

Haruto still refused to be involved in matchmaking... even though she might be the one to benefit from it.

You mean that kid Kisuke?

"Ah?"

What's going on? Doesn't Yoruichi's grandmother know this perfectly?

"Don't count on it!"

Senya Shihoin's tone sounded like she was sulking.

"Kisuke spends all his time tinkering with his crappy inventions; he doesn't even care about the Heavenly Bestowed Armaments of our Shihoin Clan."

"That kid even refers to his Zanpakuto 'her.' Joking around is one thing, but to actually expect him to be interested in women is probably something I'll have to wait until I die of old age."

"..."

Haruto was completely speechless in the face of Senya Shihoin's complaints.

Speaking of which...

Kisuke Urahara the impression that he does indeed have that kind of inclination... after all, he can actually hand-mold a "child".

By the way...

Senya Shihoin seemed extremely confident that she could live a long time.

There's a saying in the World of the Living, "A childhood sweetheart is not as good as one that falls from the sky."

Listen to my advice, and you won't regret it in the future.

Before Haruto could even retort, Senya Shihoin had already waved him away.

Go!

Thump.

"..."

Looking at the tightly closed door of the side hall, and hearing the meowing sounds coming from inside—

"They say Yoruichi learned it from her..."

"I believe it now."

The Shihoin Clan.

The backyard serves as a training ground for martial arts practice.

"Isn't this place pretty good?"

Haruto walked through the barrier set up around him and entered.

"It seems like we don't need to prepare anything?"

Compared to the Kuchiki Clan's or the one underground at the Shin'ō Academy, the Shihoin Clan's training ground stands out for its durability: the large tree at the entrance is already ten thousand years old, and the barrier's strength exceeds the upper limit of an ordinary Captain-level, the kind that Second-Class Spiritual Pressure Bankai might not be able to break through.