Renji

The moment the red-haired figure hit the ground, Rukia's face filled with deep concern. But when she saw that Renji was unharmed, she immediately said to Asano Kiyoshi, "Big Brother Asano Kiyoshi, Renji didn't do it on purpose. He was afraid I'd get hurt, so he acted impulsively! He isn't a bad person!"

Hearing Rukia's voice, Asano Kiyoshi smiled and said gently, "Don't worry, I know. He isn't hurt. I merely pinned him to the ground for the moment. Go talk to him. It's fine."

A grateful look appeared on Rukia's face at Asano Kiyoshi's words. She immediately went over to Renji and said, "You idiot, why did you attack without knowing what was going on?! Don't be so reckless next time! This lord is a good person! Hurry up, get up and apologize to him!"

Renji, who had been struggling on the ground, showed a look of excitement and relief when he heard Rukia's voice. He obediently lowered his head, stood up with Rukia's help, then sincerely bent at the waist before Asano Kiyoshi and apologized, "I'm sorry, sir! I didn't mean to! If you still haven't calmed down, you can keep beating me until you do! But this has nothing to do with Rukia. Please don't take your anger out on her. I'm begging you."

Looking at Renji, who remained bent over and refused to straighten up, as well as Rukia's worried face, Asano Kiyoshi sighed helplessly and complained, "Ah, honestly. One after another—do I really look that much like a bad guy? I'm not some murderous maniac. All right, I'm not angry at all. You should get up too."

With that, Asano Kiyoshi lightly flicked a finger, and the force binding Renji from behind vanished. Then another inexplicable force lifted Renji's bowed waist back up.

Seeing the smile on Asano Kiyoshi's face, Rukia and Renji finally smiled as well, though they still looked somewhat uneasy.

Seeing their expressions, Asano Kiyoshi knew they would not be able to adjust so quickly, so he did not force the matter. As Reishi silently circulated, Renji's data appeared upon the Scroll.

Name: Abarai Renji

Slash: 9 (Lack of food, malnutrition, poor physical development, but he is quite tall and sturdy. His strength when swinging a sword is passable.)

White: 10 (Tall and reasonably muscular. He can engage in some street-fighting like a common thug, but that is all.)

Demon: 6 (His control over Reishi is rather poor. If Rukia is someone whom heaven spoon-feeds, then Renji is the sort whom heaven makes vomit.)

Step: 10 (How should I put it? At least he grew so tall, so his legs are longer. He can run fairly fast.)

Spirit: Sixth-Seat Reiatsu (He possesses an exceptionally keen perception of Reishi, but his control is very poor.)

Overall Rating: 35 (The foolish dreams of an ape, the patience of a snake, the brute force of an ape, the obsession of a snake. A stray dog from the very bottom of Rukongai. Perhaps one day in the future, he may transform into one of the Double Kings, but for now, he is merely a "stray dog" weaker than even others his age.)

Looking at the assessment on the Scroll, Asano Kiyoshi nodded. Renji's Reiatsu rank was within his expectations.

Although Renji's Double Kings had been formidable during the Thousand-Year Blood War Arc, that was after he had undergone Zero Division's "special training" and completed a near-total transformation of his Soul Body. In the early stages, Renji's combat ability was actually about the same as Ikkaku's. Though Ikkaku was a Third Seat, he was the Third Seat of the Eleventh Division—the Soul Society's strongest combat division—so he could not be judged by the standards of an ordinary Third Seat.

Therefore, Asano Kiyoshi agreed with the Scroll's assessment of Sixth-Seat Reiatsu.

Looking at the two of them, Asano Kiyoshi remembered that they should have three more companions. He then said to Rukia, "It's getting rather late today. If you don't mind, could I stay the night at your place?"

At Asano Kiyoshi's words, an embarrassed look appeared on Rukia's face. A faint blush spread across her cheeks as she waved her hands in flustered denial.

Seeing Rukia like this, Asano Kiyoshi suddenly felt like teasing her. Thus, he pretended to be somewhat disappointed and said, "Sigh, so you don't want me there after all? Then forget it. I'll spend the night alone out in the wilderness."

Hearing Asano Kiyoshi's words, the blush on Rukia's face deepened further. Her face turned as red as the evening clouds on the horizon, beautiful beyond compare.

Watching this scene, Renji actually became transfixed.

Having finally overcome her shyness, Rukia stammered to Asano Kiyoshi, "Th-that's not what you think, Big Brother Asano Kiyoshi! We'd be very happy to have you! It's just that... our home is really too shabby... I was worried you wouldn't want to stay there, and... we don't have much food left either. If you come with us, you might even have to go hungry."

Seeing Rukia's slightly dejected expression, Asano Kiyoshi reached out and gently rubbed her head. "It's fine. No matter how run-down it is, it's still better than sleeping out in the wild. Besides, if I'm staying at your place, how could I possibly eat your food too? Don't worry, I brought plenty of food. I'll treat you all to a meal later—consider it my lodging fee. Come on, don't worry about such trivial things."

At Asano Kiyoshi's words, a lovely smile appeared on Rukia's face. Her curved brows and eyes seemed to hold all the kindness in the world.

Rukia led the way in front, with Asano Kiyoshi following behind. Glancing at Renji, who was still standing there in a daze, Asano Kiyoshi lightly tapped him on the head and said, "Let's go, red-haired brat! Oh, and a man's waist shouldn't be bent so easily. If you want to protect the stars, you'll need to work harder."

Hearing Asano Kiyoshi's slightly meaningful words, Renji nodded thoughtfully, though he did not understand their meaning for the time being.

Asano Kiyoshi said nothing more. He merely smiled faintly and followed behind Rukia.

The three of them did not walk far before arriving at the "house" where Rukia, Renji, and the others lived.

In truth, rather than a house, it was little more than four damaged walls with some broken wooden boards they had picked up laid over the top.

Three even frailer-looking children sat inside, gathered around a fire in the middle of the dilapidated house. Their faces bore the sallow yellow of chronic malnutrition.

When they saw Rukia and Renji, all three smiled. But upon seeing Asano Kiyoshi behind them, fear appeared on their faces once more.

The weak had to fear everyone. That was the most basic rule of survival in the 78th District.