The Soul Society, one of the Five Great Noble Clans—the Shihoin Clan's estate.
Rockeries, pavilions, small bridges over flowing water; everywhere the eye fell was lush green. The distant courtyards stood in orderly layers, while the golden roof tiles gleamed like gold flashing beneath the sun.
Had Kyoraku and the others not known beforehand that this was the Shihoin Clan's estate, they might have mistaken it for the palace of some Human World dynasty.
Yet at this moment, Kyoraku and the others had no mood to admire the extravagant sight before them. Their gazes were all fixed on Shihoin Yoruichi, who sat in the pavilion enjoying the cool air.
"Senior Sister Yoruichi~"
"Why don't you take a good guess? Who here still hasn't passed the captain's examination? Who still hasn't become a captain of the Gotei 13 and received a Captain's Haori from Teacher Araki?!"
Kyoraku Shunsui wore the white haori Araki had given him, with the words "8th Division" printed on its back, as he smiled at Shihoin Yoruichi and asked.
"I..."
Yoruichi had been loafing around in the pavilion, sampling pastries prepared by the servants while watching the orange koi sway through the distant artificial lake. Her mood had gradually improved, but when she saw Kyoraku's white haori, the smile on her face stiffened. Her previously wonderful mood was instantly ruined, and even the pastry in her hand no longer seemed so appealing.
"Kyoraku, how can you speak to Senior Sister Yoruichi like that? Do you know that Senior Sister Yoruichi is the legitimate young lady of the Shihoin Clan? Her status is worlds apart from ordinary people like us! With Senior Sister Yoruichi's strength, wouldn't passing the captain's examination be effortless? Don't you agree, our dear Senior Sister Yoruichi~?"
Just as Yoruichi found herself choking on her