When Hirako Shinji saw Kyōraku Shunsui approaching, a smile immediately appeared on his face and he waved:
"Hey, Captain Kyōraku, you're here. Hurry up, take me in, and teach me how to chat with the gentlemen inside without being rude. I don't want to accidentally make someone Great Nobles's beard crooked."
"Captain Hirako is so humble." Kyōraku Shunsui pressed the hat, showed a gentle smile, and glanced at Kensei and Yan Si.
"Captain Kensei came quite early too."
"Captain Kyōraku." Kensei nodded in greeting.
After a brief exchange of greetings, the three captains naturally walked together towards the Kuchiki family gate.
Yan Si now understood, Hirako Shinji arrived early and was lingering at the door, waiting for Kyōraku Shunsui.
Kyōraku Nobles is from a middle-class background and is the captain himself. Having him as a companion can save a lot of unnecessary politeness and testing.
At least those Nobles who rely on their status and like to measure others by "level" will not easily disturb their team.
Yan Si and Aizen consciously fell a few steps behind, followed the three captains, and stepped into Kuchiki family's Estate.
Stepping into it, you will be greeted by a very wide welcoming entrance hall made of a whole piece of sapphire.
There are simple stone lanterns standing on both sides, with the everlasting Reishi flame burning inside, emitting a warm, bright but not dazzling halo.
The shiny black terrazzo floor beneath your feet reflects the patio murals depicting the four seasons above, and the air is filled with a light and elegant atmosphere.
The silence stone group covered with moss all reflects the ancient Nobles's ultimate pursuit of "elegance" and "silence".
Occasionally, you can see servants dressed in elegant clothes and acting silently, standing in the corridor with their heads bowed respectfully.
However, in this seemingly peaceful and elegant atmosphere, since they entered, there were many eyes quietly coming from all directions.
Most of these gazes passed over the three captains in front and fell more on Yan Si and Aizen who followed closely behind.
Aizen tilted his head slightly and showed a gentle smile to Yan Si. His voice was neither high nor low. "Brother Yan Si is always so eye-catching no matter where he goes."
Yan Si stared straight ahead, walked steadily, and responded calmly, "I'm afraid they are looking at you, brother Aizen."
One is cold and the other is hot, the same young, the same position of Fifth Seat, the same ability to follow the Captain-level character into Kuchiki family, and still maintain a calm and unhurried attitude.
This combination itself was enough to arouse the interest of many Nobles present.
Kuchiki family's great fanfare this time set a precedent for attracting top talents from civilians, which undoubtedly provided new ideas for other Nobles.
If you can recruit outstanding young Shinigami into the family, it is a good way to strengthen your strength.
As for Fifth Seat, who was personally brought to this occasion by the captain, its potential and importance are self-evident.
Aizen seemed not to notice the essence of those glances and continued to ask in a friendly tone:
"Brother Yan Si, why did you suddenly change your title? It seems so strange. Could it be that I have done something inappropriate recently to make brother Yan Si unhappy?"
Yan Si rolled his eyes in his heart, but his face remained cold:
"Brother Aizen is no longer a student of the Central Spirit Arts Academy, nor is he a recent graduate. He is Fifth Division, the dignified Fifth Seat. According to the rules, it is natural to use a more formal title."
What he said was not only addressed to Aizen, but also to Hirako Shinji in front of him.
I'm not familiar with Aizen, we're just colleagues, so don't make wild guesses.
"Such a strict hierarchy and system always makes people feel less humane." Aizen sighed softly, with a sincere tone, "However, I personally still hope that I can be friends with brother Yan Si."
Yan Si's expression remained unchanged, but his words were as standard as a textbook:
"The balance of Soul Society and even Three Realms is based on this strict system and can be maintained for thousands of years."
Here we go again, Aizen is digging holes all the time.
The sigh about the "strict system" just now, if it fell into the ears of the first three captains, would probably be interpreted as an implicit criticism of the current Nobles, Shinigami hierarchy.
"Really? I thought that with Brother Yan Si's temperament, he would yearn for unfettered "freedom" more."
Aizen said with a smile, the words were like the spring breeze blowing on his face.
"The value of "freedom" lies precisely in being confirmed and guaranteed within the institutional framework." Yan Si's answer was watertight.
After chatting like this all the way, they finally arrived at the core area of the trip, Kuchiki family Main Hall, which is used for large banquets.
The hall is extremely spacious, with several huge and gorgeous palace lanterns made of jade and colored glaze hanging from the high dome. The soft light falls and illuminates the entire space.
Dozens of long tables covered with white tablecloths have been placed in the hall, with exquisite utensils, wine and food displayed on them.
The seating arrangement in the hall is quite meaningful.
Most of the people gathered in the left area are Thirteen Court Guard Squads members wearing Shinigami uniform, ranging from the captain to Lieutenant and Seat Officer.
In the area on the right, there are Nobless in gorgeous clothes, clearly distinguishable from each other.
This seemingly natural distribution vaguely reveals the invisible boundary between Shinigami and Nobles.
Yan Si followed the three captains and took a seat near the front on the left.
As soon as he sat down, Hirako Shinji lazily moved his mouth in the direction of him and Aizen, with a teasing tone in his tone:
"Here, the opportunity has come. There are some gentlemen over there who seem to be very interested in you. The shortcut to reach the sky in one step is right in front of you."
Sure enough, not long after Hirako Shinji finished speaking, three middle-aged men in luxurious clothes stood up and walked towards them in the Nobles seat on the right.
Their goals were clear, and their eyes passed directly over the captains and landed on Yan Si and Aizen.
The three of them first saluted the three captains Kyōraku, Hirako, and Kensei, and exchanged a few polite words to express their respect for Thirteen Court Guard Squads's hard work.
Then, the topic turned to the two young Fifth Seat without any trace.
"This is Fifth Seat Yan Si from Ninth Division, right? I've heard the nickname "Your Majesty" for a long time, and when I saw him today, he really has an extraordinary temperament."
The first one, Nobles, who had a short beard, had a pleasant smile, but his eyes were appraising.
"Aizen Fifth Seat is so valued by Captain Hirako at such a young age. He has a bright future." Another Nobles with a fair face responded with a warmer tone.
Their intentions gradually became clear in the following words. First, they praised the two of them for their young talents and being Soul Society Future pillars.
Then he lamented that the inheritance of a large family needs to recruit talents in order to last for a long time.
Finally, he euphemistically mentioned that there may be a girl of the right age in the family who is very good-looking. It would be a great thing to be associated with such a talented person.
Although he didn't explicitly say "bringing into the family", the intention of recruiting her was already obvious.
Compared to Yan Si's expressionless face, it even looked a little distant and cold.
The three Nobles were obviously more interested in Aizen, who always had a gentle smile and responded appropriately, making people feel like spring breeze, and their enthusiasm for conversation was obviously higher.
When faced with the recruitment, Aizen responded humbly and appropriately. He not only thanked the other party for their appreciation, but also said that he had little talent and knowledge. At the moment, he just wanted to focus on team affairs and repay Captain Hirako for his kindness.
He gently blocked the topic, but people couldn't fault him. Instead, they thought he was steady and polite.
When it was Yan Si's turn, his response was much more concise and straightforward, and could even be said to be a bit "low EQ":
"Thank you for your love. I am a commoner and have loose habits. It may be difficult for me to adapt to the rules of the Nobles family. If I do not have this ambition, I will not be able to obey my orders."
The tone was calm, causing the smiles on the faces of the three Nobles to freeze slightly.
The leader, the short-bearded Nobles, frowned, his tone unconsciously filled with displeasure:
"Fifth Seat Yan Si These words are wrong. Master Kuchiki has set a precedent for us, showing my Nobles thirst for talents.
It is time for ordinary people and talents to take this opportunity to reach a higher level so that they can live up to what they have learned. Are you stubborn about so-called "habits"? Are you a bit... ignorant of current affairs?"
These words have a hint of condescension and ridicule.
Kensei Muguruma, who was sitting next to Yan Si, his face darkened and he instinctively wanted to speak.
He brought Yan Si here to help deal with the situation, not to let him suffer.
However, Hirako Shinji, who was sitting on the other side of Kensei, put his hand on Kensei's forearm seemingly casually, and stopped him by pressing it lightly.
Hirako Shinji himself still looked like he was lazily watching the show, as if it had nothing to do with him.
Yan Si's eyes were slightly cold, and he was about to reply with a few words in a more "elegant" way...
"Yeah, it's quite lively here!"
A clear, bright, and slightly smiling female voice suddenly interrupted.
Everyone looked around and saw a figure that had appeared at the entrance of the hall and walked straight towards them.
Her long purple hair is tied into a neat ponytail, her light brown skin glows with a healthy glow under the palace lantern, and she is casually covered with Captain's Haori, which represents her identity.
Exactly Second Division Captain, Yoruichi Shihōin.