The Battle's Aftermath

Three days after the battle ended, in the Fon Clan Council Hall.

Cilian stood where the intelligence wall used to be. The original intelligence wall and the dense red-lined documents on it had been removed, replaced by a conference table and neatly organized files.

Fon Shaoling sat in the main seat, having changed back into her light blue kimono. There were still a few faint scars on her face, but her eyes were much calmer than before the battle.

Hu sat to her right, with Jiku'a lying across her lap. Thanks to the medical care provided by the logistics unit over the past few days, she had mostly recovered, but her complexion was still somewhat pale.

Sakiro and Tessai were also there; their injuries had been treated, and they were in good spirits.

Cilian opened the first file.

"The cleanup at Seireitei is complete."

His voice was steady and powerful.

"The Twenty-Four Chambers Alliance of the Central 46 has been wiped out from top to bottom. A total of nineteen members of the Central 46 who participated in the Hollowfication Experiment have all been arrested. The vacant positions in the Central 46 have been handed over to the Four Great Noble Clans and will be filled soon."

Fon Shaoling nodded.

"What about the nobles who participated in the experiment?"

"The three lower-ranking noble families," Cilian said, "The main culprit has been taken to the Maggot's Nest, and the accomplices have been handed over to the Second Division's interrogation room."

He paused.

"Also, those few who were exiled a hundred years ago..."

Fon Shaoling's fingers tightened slightly.

"Marechiyo Ōmaeda has already submitted the petition, and the results of the deliberations by the New Central 46 are not yet available. However, the Captain-Commander has personally intervened, so it shouldn't be too long."

Fon Shaoling remained silent.

She looked out the window:

More than a hundred years have passed, and finally...

Cilian continued to review the case files.

"The Withered Bamboo Hamlet has been completely cleared. All experimental facilities have been destroyed, and experimental data has been permanently sealed. The Department of Research and Development took over the matter, searched the place three times, and even packed up the bodies to take away; nothing was left behind."

He closed the file.

"With this, the Hollowfication Incident surrounding the Soul Society, which has lasted for a century, comes to an end."

The room was silent for a few seconds.

Hu breathed a sigh of relief, "Is it finally over?"

"No, not yet."

Fon Shaoling stood up, walked to the window, and opened it, letting the afternoon sunlight stream in.

"The Twenty-Four Chambers Alliance has collapsed, the Hollowfication Experiments have been banned, and there's finally hope for overturning the injustice of a century ago." She turned to look at the people in the room, "But there's one last thing we haven't finished with this, and that is—"

Her gaze swept over Cilian, over Sakiro, over Tessai, and finally landed on Hu.

"Victory celebration banquet!"

That evening, the Fon Clan was brightly decorated. The Fon Clan's Attendant were busy inside and out, and the entire mansion was filled with the aroma of food. Dozens of tables were set up in the courtyard, and all the Fon Clan family 'Attendant, including Onmitsukidō, were invited, each with their own seat.

In the Main Room, there was only one large table.

Fon Shaoling sat in the main seat, wearing a brand new red kimono, her hair tied up with the golden butterfly hairpin. It was the one that Hu had kept for her; she had specifically asked Hu for it back after the battle.

Amber sat to her right, and Cilian to her left. Shimizu sat next to Amber, her back ramrod straight, though a little stiff. Sakiro and Tessai sat opposite her, unusually not in their uniforms, but in casual clothes.

The most eye-catching person was the one sitting at the very end.

Gin Ichimaru, dressed in his ordinary Soul Reaper Shihakusho, sat there with a smile, unceremoniously pouring himself a glass of sake.

"Persimmon Bro... what are you doing here?" Hu noticed that Fon Shaoling's eyes were twitching as she sat in the main seat, so he touched her and asked in a low voice.

"It's a celebration banquet, everyone gets a share," Yin said matter-of-factly. "I did help out, so it's not unreasonable for me to have a meal, right? Besides, it wasn't like I didn't have any official business to attend to."

Yin took out two envelopes. Yin pushed one of the letters in front of Shimizu.

"Your admission notice to the Shin'ō Academy. This is for you, Shimizu."

Shimizu's eyes widened suddenly.

"One is from Yexing Hu, I guess it's yours, little brother."

Hu was stunned. I got a share too?

Yin looked at them with a smile.

What? You don't want to go?

With trembling hands, Shimizu picked up the letter, opened it, and read it word by word. His eyes grew redder and redder until he finally pressed the letter to his chest and took a deep breath.

"I... I can get into the Shin'ō Academy."

Amber opened her letter, glanced at it, and then looked up at Gin.

"Persimmon Bro, did you bring this especially for us?"

Silver shrugged.

"Just passing by."

Fon Shaoling glanced at Silver but said nothing.

The dishes were served one after another, and the wine was poured. Fon Shaoling picked up her wine glass, and everyone fell silent.

"This victory wasn't achieved by one person alone." Her voice wasn't loud, but everyone present heard it clearly.

She looked at the Cilian.

"Sixth Seat of the Second Division, Cilian, a retainer of the Fon Clan, has been dedicated to protecting the Fon Clan in the Second Division for four hundred years without ever slacking off. In the recent Bamboo Creek Plain Battle, he took command of the front-line battlefield in the Withered Bamboo Hamlet immediately after recovering from his injuries. Later, he rushed back to the Fon Residence to use his Thousand Mechanisms to restrain Hongming, creating an opportunity for me and Amber. The Fon Clan fortunate to have you."

Cilian raised her wine glass and bowed slightly.

"Your Highness is too kind."

She looked at Sakiro.

"Sakiro, Deputy Commander of the Onmitsukidō, was the first to charge into the enemy lines during the battle at Withered Bamboo Hamlet, slaying a powerful enemy. She rushed back to Fon Residence to provide support immediately after the battle, making her an indispensable contributor to this victory."

Sakiro shook her head.

"Compared to Lady Cilian and you, I haven't done enough."

She looked at Tessai.

"Tessai, the instructor of the Onmitsukidō Investigation Corps, launched a fierce attack on the enemy lines in the Withered Bamboo Hamlet battlefield, sweeping through thousands of troops with his Vajra Prayer Beads. As the core of the Hammerfall Tactics, it was the key to the Withered Bamboo Hamlet battlefield."

Tessai smiled honestly.

"These are all things that subordinates should do."

She looked at the Shimizu.

"Shimizu, Third-Rank Guard of the Fon Clan, never gave up after the Sizhuzhai incident. In this battle, he faced off against Daku, Completed Form, at the main gate of the Tosaya Fon Residence. He unleashed his Zanpakuto, Shikai, using water to overcome fire, and defeated his opponent. He is truly a model for our Fon Clan's bodyguards. The Fon Clan thanks you for your loyalty."

Shimizu's eyes were a little red, and she stood up and bowed deeply.

"The Fon Clan saved me; my life will always Fon Clan."

She looked at Hu.

"Yexing Hu-- "

She paused.

"From an unknown soul who transmigrated here to a capable Soul Reaper, the Sizhuzhai's Shikai of the Jiku'a, severely wounding and ultimately ending the Hongming in this battle. Everyone has witnessed your growth."

Hu scratched his head.

"I... I just did my best."

Fon Shaoling didn't laugh, she just looked at him.

"No need to be modest, Hu. Without you, things wouldn't have ended like this today. I also..."

Before Fon Shaoling could finish speaking, she looked away and picked up her wine glass.

"This toast is to everyone present, and also to those comrades who gave their lives for this battle."

Everyone raised their glasses.

Yin also raised his glass, smiling as he took a sip.

After a few rounds of drinks, the atmosphere gradually warmed up.

Shimizu was forced to drink several cups of Shimizu by Tessai, his face turning bright red. Sakiro, unusually relaxed, leaned back in her chair, a smile playing on her lips. Cilian, who had also rarely drunk wine, had a slightly dazed look in her eyes, but her posture remained ramrod straight.

Hu drank a few more glasses than usual, and his head started to spin a little.

He glanced at Fon Shaoling beside him, then at Yin who was drinking alone, and suddenly remembered something, so he leaned over.

"Persimmon Bro, Shaoling's attitude towards you seems a bit different today. Did something happen on the battlefield?"

Yin smiled and was about to speak—

"Gin Ichimaru."

Fon Shaoling's voice rang out softly.

Silver's smile froze for a moment.

Hu was momentarily stunned; why was this name appearing at this time?

"What?"

Fon Shaoling put down her wine glass and looked at Silver.

"Third Division Captain, Captain Gin Ichimaru, how long are you going to keep deceiving a Soul Reaper Trainee with a fake name?"

Yin looked at her and remained silent for a few seconds.

Then he laughed.

"Captain Soi Fon, this is no fun. I wanted to keep up this act for a few more days."

He reached up and wiped his face, removing the simple disguise and revealing his signature smiling face.

Hu's mind went blank for a moment.

"Ichi... Gin Ichimaru?"

Yin raised his glass to him.

"Little brother, oh no, Little Tiger, let's get to know each other again. Gin Ichimaru, Third Division Captain. If things aren't going well in the Second Division, you can come to the Third Division."

Hu's drunkenness was immediately dispelled; his mouth opened, closed, and opened again.

"You... aren't you stationed at Soul Reaper?"

"Ah, when the incident at Sizhuzhai broke out, it alarmed me, so I borrowed the position of the garrison commander at the time."

"Then why did you help me?"

Yin poured himself another glass of wine and took a sip.

"Didn't I just say I wanted to see if I could get you into the Third Division? You have great talent. How about it? Think about it?"

Hu turned his head and looked at Fon Shaoling.

Fon Shaoling also looked at him, giving him a look that said, "If you dare to agree, I'll kill you."

"Let's forget about it. The Second Division is pretty good."

Hu Kaidō with an awkward laugh.

Seeing the Fon Shaoling's eyes, Gin smiled and continued drinking, saying, "Oh, that's a real shame. But Koko, if you can't see any hope, you could really consider the Third Division. We come into contact with quite a few people because of our roles."

Amber looked at Gin speechlessly. Meanwhile Fon Shaoling, sensing that Gin had come with nothing but a shovel and spade, said, "Second Division, very well. If you're here to drink, you're welcome. But if you're here to poach people, I'll kick you out."

Yin still had that same smiling face. "Alright, alright, enough joking. The wine in Bamboo Creek Plain is really good."

Perhaps it was because Amber had watched the anime and had a good impression of Gin, but she Kaidō, "Then come often, my treat."

Gin was taken aback. What Kou didn't know was that Gin was very unpopular within the Gotei 13. He Isshin retrieving Rangiku's soul fragment from Aizen and didn't care much about anything else, including others. His subordinates secretly called Viper, and he thought so too. He never thought he would be popular.

"What?"

Will you come to Bamboo Creek Plain again in the future? Will you drink together again?

Yin looked at Hu and suddenly smiled.

That smile, surprisingly, was devoid of any calculation.

If you buy me a drink, I'll come.

Hu picked up his wine glass.

"Then it's a deal."

Yin also picked up her glass and clinked it against his.

Fon Shaoling watched from the side without saying a word.

Moonlight streamed through the window, falling softly on the wine in the glass.

The sounds of laughter and chatter from the Attendant and Onmitsukidō could be heard outside, and the bonfire in the courtyard was burning brightly.

That night, there was no fighting, no bloodshed, only wine, laughter, and warmth.

Three days later, Qinghui Clothing Shop

On the streets of Bamboo Creek Plain, a new shop has put up its sign.

"Qinghui Clothing Shop"

Keiko stood in the doorway, wearing a newly made kimono, a long-lost smile on her face. Shimizu stood beside her, his back ramrod straight.

Hu saw the sign from afar and walked over quickly.

Grand opening!

Keiko greeted her with a smile.

"Hu-kun, please come in and sit down."

Hu walked in. The shop wasn't big, but it was clean and tidy. All kinds of clothes hung on the racks, each one exquisitely sewn.

Shimizu followed behind him, feeling somewhat embarrassed.

"Keiko is good at sewing, so I just help her out."

Hu looked around and suddenly remembered something.

"By the way, Big Brother Tosaya, he..."

Shimizu's smile faded slightly.

"I erected a cenotaph for him behind the shop," he said softly. "Although his body was destroyed... I think he would have wanted to see this."

Hu patted him on the shoulder.

"He will."

Shimizu nodded, took a deep breath, and smiled again.

"Let's not talk about that. It's opening day, my treat!"

He brought out a jar of wine and poured a bowl for Hu.

"Good wine!"

Keiko covered her mouth and laughed beside her.

The three people sat at the entrance of the shop, bathed in the warm sunlight.

In the distance, the gates of the Fon Clan's house were wide open, with Attendant occasionally going in and out.

Everything is slowly getting better.

Eight days after the end of the battle, Seireitei, First Division Barracks.

Captains' Meeting.

Fon Shaoling, dressed in a white haori, stood in the center of the conference hall. Her hair was tied into two braids, with Suzumebachi hanging down her back, and her posture was ramrod straight.

Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryūsai in the main seat, old but dignified.

"Captain Soi Fon, report on the Bamboo Creek Plain Battle."

Fon Shaoling bowed slightly.

"Yes."

Her voice was steady and powerful.

"In this operation, the Second Division, in conjunction with the Third Division, Eighth Division, and Ninth Divisions, conducted a comprehensive purge of the Central 46 Twenty-Four Chambers Alliance. A total of nineteen members of the Central 46, three noble families, and one hundred and twenty-seven researchers and experimental personnel were arrested."

She paused.

"All data from the Hollowfication Experiment has been sealed and the experimental facilities have been handed over to the Twelfth Division for destruction. The Withered Bamboo Hamlet has been completely destroyed and cleared."

Yamamoto nodded.

The meeting room fell silent for a moment.

Yamamoto looked at Fon Shaoling and spoke slowly.

"The New Central 46 has made a final decision on the century-old case."

Soi Fon's breath hitched for a moment.

"The captains and Lieutenant who were forcibly expelled back then have been searched and detected by the Thirteenth Division over the past period, but their Reiatsu fluctuations have not been found in the World of the Living. It can be almost confirmed that they died in the line of duty. Their memorial tablets will be enshrined in the Hall of Heroes the Gotei 13."

Soi Fon's fingers tightened slightly.

"Kisuke Urahara-- "

Yamamoto's voice was flat.

"The Hollowfication Incident stemmed from his thesis, and that cannot be changed. The New Central 46 maintains its original sentence, continuing his exile and prohibiting him from setting foot on Soul Society soil. However, considering the considerable assistance he provided to the Soul Reaper stationed in the World of the Living after his exile, he is permitted to maintain regular contact and trade with Soul Society. Monitoring of his activities will be jointly carried out by the Second Division and Thirteenth Divisions."

Fon Shaoling's brows furrowed slightly.

As for Yoruichi Shihōin--

Yamamoto paused.

Fon Shaoling's breathing became very light.

"The verdict has been revoked. The New Central 46 has permitted him to return to Soul Society."

Her eyes lit up slightly as the Captain-Commander spoke.

"But two or three Hell Butterflies went to deliver the message, and none of them brought back a reply."

Soi Fon's expression froze.

"He was deemed to lack the will to return to Soul Society."

The conference room was eerily quiet.

Even Shunsui Kyōraku put away his smile and looked at her with unusual seriousness. Many senior captains knew that the core purpose of Fon Shaoling personally handling this case was to get Yoruichi back to Soul Society, but now that the expulsion order had been withdrawn, she herself was unwilling to return.

Fon Shaoling stood there, her face expressionless. But her fingers, clenched white inside her sleeves, were white with tension.

Yamamoto looked at her and remained silent for a long time.

"Captain Soi Fon, is there anything else you need to report?"

Soi Fon took a deep breath.

"There is none left."

She bowed slightly and returned to her seat.

The meeting continued.

She sat there, listening to the other team leaders' reports, but her thoughts had already drifted back to a long time ago.

Lady Yoruichi...

Why don't you come back?

It's been a hundred years.

Perhaps you already have your own life now...

In the conference room, the afternoon sun shone through the high windows, falling on her white haori, warm yet unable to conceal her loneliness.