Loyalty of the Uchiha

When Yoruichi emerged from her father Chunyan's room, she immediately headed for Kenma's study.

She would not abandon Kisuke and Saeaya.

It was merely a matter of bowing her head and admitting defeat; what was that compared to the importance of her friends?

However, when she arrived at the study, she did not see anyone.

After asking the guards stationed near the study, Yoruichi learned that Kenma had already left the Second Division with his attendants.

Yoruichi dared not delay and immediately set out for the Second Division Headquarters on the mountain, where she found the vice-captain at work.

The vice-captain was named Shin'emon Maeda, a man of majestic build with a brown pompadour.

He was the father of the legendary and illustrious Omaegami.

"Shin'emon, have you seen that guy Kenma? I have something to ask him."

Yoruichi arrived before the vice-captain's office and pushed the door open without ceremony.

She asked loudly as she walked in, her face showing undisguised anxiety.

Yoruichi's sudden arrival startled Shin'emon Maeda, but upon seeing that the visitor was Captain Yoruichi, his temper vanished instantly.

In the time Yoruichi had served as captain, he had become nearly accustomed to her impulsive nature.

"Captain, as for Lord Kenma, he requested a few days of leave. He said he was taking his little protégé to the Human World to look around and broaden his horizons."

Even though he was a vice-captain, he addressed the Fourth Seat as "Lord," though Shin'emon never really cared much for such trivialities.

Previously, Kenma had brought Shisui over.

When Shisui heard that it was this Vice-Captain Maeda who had provided the land for the residence, which was later gifted to the Uchiha Clan by Kenma, he had immediately offered his thanks to this magnanimous man.

Had it not been for the vice-captain's generosity, Kenma would truly have had nowhere to settle the Uchiha Clan.

It was only right that Shisui expressed his gratitude to him.

Observing Yoruichi's expression, Shin'emon Maeda set down his pen, picked up a teacup to pour tea, and said with calm composure:

"Captain, looking at how anxious you are, is there something you need from Lord Kenma?"

He must have left at this exact time on purpose!

It was surely to keep Kisuke and Saeaya detained a little longer, just to exert enough pressure on her.

Yoruichi gritted her teeth.

Faced with the vice-captain's question, she could not speak her mind directly and could only respond stiffly.

"Nothing! I was just checking in!"

Nothing... yeah, right.

Shin'emon was a worldly man; how could he not see that something was wrong with Yoruichi?

Combined with Kenma taking leave, the imprisonment of Kisuke Urahara, and the daughter of the Hachi Family...

Sigh...

It was hard to say.

Regardless, it was a matter between the young couple, and as a subordinate, it was truly not his place to interfere.

He could only offer an awkward smile and hand the teacup to Yoruichi.

"Captain, drink some tea and let off some steam."

"If there's nothing else, come help me with some official business. I'm so busy here I can't even get away."

With the Fourth Seat on leave and the Third Seat locked up, the Patrol Corps and the Supervisory Squad were left headless; the entire Second Division currently relied on him alone to function.

Now that he had finally caught a glimpse of the captain, he naturally had to attempt to offload some work.

As soon as Yoruichi heard she might have to work, her expression changed instantly. She didn't even drink the tea and walked out.

"Anyway, I'm going to go check on Kisuke and Saeaya. You go ahead and get back to work, Shin'emon."

Watching the captain's retreating back, Shin'emon reached up to smooth his pompadour, a look of profound realization crossing his rugged face.

He could now be certain that there was definitely something going on.

And it was highly likely related to matters of the heart.

In an instant, Shin'emon mentally constructed a dramatic tale of romance and ethics.

"Forget it, forget it. What does the business of the main family have to do with a vassal like me? Better to just finish the work at hand; that's what really matters."

Meanwhile, Kenma, who was being thought of by Yoruichi, had long since returned to the Uchiha Clan with Shisui and Yashiro's group of four.

"Lord Kenma is going to another world?"

When the Uchiha heard the purpose of Kenma's trip, their expressions immediately turned solemn.

Fugaku said with concern: "Lord Kenma's status is noble, and the conditions of the other world are unknown. It is hard to guarantee there won't be any danger. It would be better to let us servants handle it."

"Lord, Fugaku is right. We Uchiha are your blades. Now that you have important business, the Uchiha Clan will naturally step forward to resolve your troubles and share your burdens."

"Lord Kenma's grace toward the Uchiha Clan is as heavy as a mountain. This is the very moment for the Uchiha to lay down our lives; otherwise, how would we have the face to continue living?"

Watching the high-ranking Elders of the Uchiha express their concern one after another, repeatedly vowing to risk their lives to share his burden, Kenma smiled inwardly.

The Uchiha Clan knew how to repay kindness.

It seemed his efforts over this period had not been in vain.

However, Kenma maintained his calm and serious expression on the surface.

"My mind is made up. Say no more."

"As for safety, there is no need to worry. I have set foot in that world before and have some understanding of it. The people there do not have the ability to harm me."

Shisui, standing behind Kenma, nodded in agreement.

Before they came, Kenma had told him the general situation of that world, clearly having scouted the intelligence in advance.

Shisui heard Kenma say that the world was filled with vast oceans, with very little land, and that pirates were rampant.

There was also a mysterious Fruit; eating it granted extraordinary superpowers.

It was a marvelous world.

Hearing Kenma's words, Fugaku and the Elders exchanged glances before moving forward on their knees.

"Lord, since your mind is set, we will naturally obey and not dare to be negligent."

"But since you are only taking Shisui on this trip, the defensive strength will inevitably be insufficient. Please allow the elites of the Uchiha Clan to accompany you so that you have subordinates to serve you."

"We hope for your grace."

Having said this, Uchiha Fugaku knelt on the ground, his head pressed tightly against the tatami.

Kenma rubbed his chin, looking down at the Uchiha men.

Like Fugaku, they all lowered their heads with solemn expressions, silently pleading with Kenma.

Kenma had originally intended to travel light, thinking that taking only Shisui would be enough.

It would allow him to gain experience so he could work for him in the future.

Now, seeing the attitude of these Uchiha, who seemed ready to die if they weren't allowed to accompany him, he could see how much they valued him.

After thinking it over, Kenma nodded and gestured for Fugaku to rise.

"Fugaku, get up. I cannot ignore such loyalty from all of you."

"Very well, I agree. You shall be the one to select the guards, Fugaku."

Having more people was fine; at least there would be someone to help him with the chores.

Having received Kenma's approval, Fugaku and the others showed pleasant surprise before going off to select the elites from within the clan.

After these days of training, the strength of the Uchiha Clan had seen a leap in growth.

Most of them possessed the Spiritual Might of ordinary Shinigami, and some had even reached the level of a Seated Officer.

They were now truly usable.

Accompanying Lord Kenma to another world this time is the perfect chance to demonstrate the recent changes in our Uchiha Clan before him.

I must strive to make him feel satisfied with us.

Fugaku thought silently to himself.

Meanwhile, Kenma took Shisui and the others to the courtyard where the Senkaimon was kept.

The Uchiha Clan was very sensible; even though Kenma hadn't said anything, they hadn't occupied this courtyard and had even specifically arranged for people to protect it.

When Kenma arrived at this courtyard after a long time, he saw two squads of Uchiha clansmen guarding the area around the Senkaimon.

Sensing them, he realized they were all elites with a certain level of Spiritual Pressure.

"Uchiha, you have been thoughtful."

Seeing Kenma arrive, these two squads of Uchiha bowed, then immediately stepped aside.

Looking at the Senkaimon, which consisted of two square wooden pillars, Kenma stepped forward and drew the Zanpakuto from his waist.

"Sever them, Kiritsugu!"