Hibiki Hoshino

One was the current head of the Kuchiki Clan and Captain of the Sixth Division, Ginrei Kuchiki!

The other was the current commander of the First Division's Special Forces and the newly appointed Third Seat of the First Division after Kisaragi Taiho's death, Hibiki Hoshino!

And, naturally, the future husband of the Kuchiki Clan's Young Lady.

Judging by Haruko Kuchiki's behavior today, Hibiki Hoshino and Haruko Kuchiki would likely become engaged tonight.

Of course, under normal circumstances, if they encountered each other, they would at most exchange greetings as fellow members of the Gotei 13.

But the current situation was like Ailin being caught red-handed by the father and fiancé of the Kuchiki Clan's Young Lady while stalking her.

In their eyes, Ailin had already been branded with negative labels such as "creep," "disgusting," and "toad dreaming of swan meat."

"Vice-Captain Ailin of the Second Division. Greetings, Captain Kuchiki."

"Oh?"

Ailin's introduction made Ginrei Kuchiki frown.

"The Vice-Captain of the Second Division... I recall you assumed the post five years ago."

"Yet instead of carrying out your duties in the Second Division, Vice-Captain Ailin, you were skulking about and following my daughter. I would ask that you provide me with a reasonable explanation."

"Otherwise, I will personally arrest you, then go to the Second Division and ask Captain Shihōin whether my Kuchiki Clan has been placed under the Second Division's surveillance."

"This..."

Hearing Ginrei Kuchiki's words, Ailin was left speechless.

How was he supposed to explain this?

Setting aside whether Ginrei Kuchiki and Hibiki Hoshino would believe him if he told them that he had escorted the Kuchiki Clan's Young Lady home from the Izakaya—a matter that would damage the Kuchiki Clan's reputation—

Even if they believed him, to protect the Kuchiki Clan's good name, Ailin could not be certain whether the Kuchiki Clan would simply silence him.

Well, of course, the Kuchiki Clan could also silence Haruko Kuchiki.

But between a "creepy" stalker and his own daughter, it was obvious who would be dealt with.

"Hmph!"

Seeing that Ailin remained silent, Ginrei Kuchiki snorted coldly and placed a hand on the Zanpakuto at his waist.

Though advanced in years and far weaker than before, Ginrei Kuchiki had not fallen below Captain-level.

Taking down a Vice-Captain would take Ginrei Kuchiki no effort at all.

However, before Ginrei Kuchiki could make a move, Hibiki Hoshino behind him spoke.

"Lord Kuchiki, he is merely a disgusting maggot stalking Lady Haruko. How could I let such filth dirty your hands?"

"Why not allow me to handle it for you and capture this fellow?"

This period was perhaps the proudest time in Hibiki Hoshino's life.

Five years ago, Kisaragi Taiho, commander of the First Division's Special Forces, had attacked the Captain-Commander and been personally slain by him. Hibiki Hoshino then became the new commander of the Special Forces.

Not only that, but due to his handsome appearance and formidable strength, Hibiki Hoshino had caught the eye of Ginrei Kuchiki, Captain of the Sixth Division.

Afterward, under the matchmaking of Captain-Commander Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto, Ginrei Kuchiki and Hibiki Hoshino became quite close.

As the foremost of the Four Great Noble Houses standing at the pinnacle of the Seireitei, the Kuchiki Clan had found itself in an awkward position over the past century.

Ginrei Kuchiki was already advanced in years. His end might come within the next twenty to fifty years.

Yet of Ginrei Kuchiki's two children, his eldest son, Sōjun Kuchiki, possessed the talent of a Soul Reaper but was in poor health. Though he had trained under Ginrei Kuchiki for centuries and was now Vice-Captain of the Sixth Division, without Ginrei Kuchiki holding things down above him, he might be challenged and driven from his position within days.

His eldest daughter, Haruko Kuchiki, was deeply loved by Ginrei Kuchiki. However, she had been born only twenty years ago. Though healthy, her talent as a Soul Reaper was weak, and she could not become a Soul Reaper at all.

His eldest grandson, Byakuya Kuchiki, on the other hand, possessed outstanding talent and a healthy body. He would undoubtedly grow into a pillar of the Kuchiki Clan in the future.

But...

There was not enough time!

Ginrei Kuchiki believed that he could live for at most another thirty to fifty years.

Within those decades, Byakuya could at best develop to the level of a Vice-Captain.

To become a true Captain-level powerhouse, he would need at least another fifty to a hundred years.

If the Kuchiki Clan had no pillar during that period, how could it continue serving as the "model" among the Seireitei's nobles?

By then, the other great noble houses would likely swarm in and devour the Kuchiki Clan whole!

Therefore, while he was still alive, Ginrei Kuchiki wanted to find a new pillar for the Kuchiki Clan.

As it happened, his daughter had already come of age, so he could consider taking in a son-in-law.

Hibiki Hoshino was the candidate Ginrei Kuchiki had selected after much consideration.

Naturally, Hibiki Hoshino understood all of this.

And naturally, Hibiki Hoshino himself was willing.

In the First Division, Hibiki Hoshino had already reached his peak.

As for the position of Captain of the First Division, even if Captain-Commander Yamamoto stepped down, it would never be his turn.

Hibiki Hoshino knew that much about himself.

And the position of Vice-Captain of the First Division...

People from other divisions might not know, but as someone from the same division, Hibiki Hoshino knew full well how powerful that man was.

The wielder of the strongest lightning-type Zanpakuto, Genryūmaru—his spiritual pressure alone surpassed that of most Captains.

More importantly, Hibiki Hoshino knew deeply just how much Captain-Commander Yamamoto trusted Vice-Captain Chōjirō Sasakibe.

Even if he ultimately defeated Vice-Captain Chōjirō Sasakibe in a challenge, he would not become Vice-Captain of the First Division.

Third Seat was the limit for every Soul Reaper in the First Division.

But in another environment, things would be different.

In the Sixth Division, Ginrei Kuchiki was old and frail, while Sōjun Kuchiki was nothing but useless trash.

If he successfully married into the Kuchiki Clan, then once Ginrei Kuchiki died, would not both the captaincy of the Sixth Division and the position of head of the Kuchiki Clan fall into Hibiki Hoshino's hands?

Haruko Kuchiki—though Hibiki Hoshino had not truly met her yet—was still his future wife. How could he allow someone as filthy as Ailin to covet her?

Thus, compared to Ginrei Kuchiki, Hibiki Hoshino wanted even more to make a move against Ailin.

Hibiki Hoshino's words made Ginrei Kuchiki stop.

"Very well. I'll leave it to you, Hyōga!"

"Yes. Hyōga will not disappoint Lord Ginrei."

Hibiki Hoshino respectfully bowed to Ginrei Kuchiki.

He also referred to himself as "Hyōga."

Because once he successfully married into the Kuchiki Clan, he would have to abandon his own surname and take the surname "Kuchiki."

At that time, he would no longer be Hibiki Hoshino, but—Kuchiki Hyōga!

After taking several steps forward to stand before Ginrei Kuchiki, Hibiki Hoshino looked at Ailin with eyes brimming with killing intent.

Whoosh!

Hibiki Hoshino moved like lightning, instantly closing in on Ailin. His Zanpakuto slashed down at him.

Clang!

Ailin instantly drew his blade and blocked Hibiki Hoshino's attack.