Two Demands

"Yushiro, go play."

When they arrived at Kenma's study, Yoruichi waved to the little tagalong behind her.

Hearing his sister's words, Yushiro cautiously glanced at Kenma, who stood to one side with a stern face.

In his young mind, he could not say he particularly liked this brother-in-law who had suddenly appeared.

He even vaguely disliked him.

Whenever he saw Kenma's serious expression, his heart trembled. An inexplicable fear would rise in him, and he could not help becoming restrained.

He had only wanted to play with his sister. He had come by for two or three days without seeing anyone, yet today he had actually run into this brother-in-law of his.

Now that he had heard his sister Yoruichi's words, he immediately felt relieved and left with the attendant beside him.

Kenma also waved at Shisui, who vanished from sight with a whoosh.

Only he and Yoruichi remained in the room.

"Sit."

Kenma's study also had a tea room, separated by only a paper door.

After casually pointing to the seat before the table, Kenma sat in the place of honor and began making tea.

Yoruichi sat down casually and remarked, "You're acting like the master of the house, making me seem like the guest. I'm obviously the head of the family. Every house and every patch of land here belongs to me."

Kenma ignored her and simply brewed two cups of tea, pushing one in front of Yoruichi.

"Yes, you're the head of the family. But Old Lord entrusted me with managing things now, precisely to keep you from squandering the family fortune."

"Hey, aren't you underestimating me too much? When have I ever..."

Yoruichi paused for breath, and as she spoke, her momentum gradually faded.

She naturally had some awareness of her own personality. Kenma's words were blunt, but she truly could not refute them.

"Forget it, forget it. I didn't come here to argue about this."

Yoruichi got straight to the point.

"Kenma, while you were away these past few days, I thought things over. There are some matters where I was in the wrong."

"Because of Father's arrangements, I held grievances against you and unconsciously took them out on you in certain matters. That was my fault. Please forgive me."

Yoruichi's seemingly sincere admission made Kenma raise an eyebrow, finding it somewhat unbelievable.

"Did Old Lord advise you to say that, or did Urahara, Third Seat teach you?"

"This is my own realization!"

There was a trace of exasperation in Yoruichi's voice as she slapped the table, jolting two drops of tea out of the cup.

Although she had indeed received some reminders from her father and had indeed met Kisuke Urahara, who had even given her a detailed analysis of Kenma, Kenma's attitude clearly showed that he looked down on her from the bottom of his heart.

That immediately sparked a flare of anger within Yoruichi.

"You really are looking down on me, aren't you?"

For some reason, she simply did not want to show weakness before Kenma, much less let him think little of her.

Even though she knew she should lower her stance right now, there was still a stubbornness in her heart that kept her from yielding.

"How could I?" Kenma said seriously. "You are the Great Noble of the Shikokuin Family, and you are my wife. I'm an honest man, and I'm your husband. How could I possibly look down on you?"

"You're just being too sensitive, Yoruichi."

Kenma had married into the Shikokuin Family, but it was not because he wanted Yoruichi herself.

His purpose was simple. He had set his sights on the Shikokuin Family's noble status, privileges, and immense wealth.

For the sake of the Shikokuin Family, even if Kenma knew his wife Yoruichi had rocks in her head and water in her brain, he would not feel the slightest disgust toward her.

"Really? I don't believe you."

Half believing and half doubting, Yoruichi stared straight at Kenma.

Her instincts were sharp. From this fiancé's words and actions, she could sense something strange.

It was not quite contempt, yet it could not be called regard either. In short, it was simply very strange.

"Whether you believe me or not is your own business."

Kenma's expression did not change.

Yoruichi no longer dwelled on it for now. They could talk about it later.

The urgent matter was to rescue her two followers as quickly as possible.

"Tell me, what exactly do you want by forcing things this far? What do I have to do for you to spare Saeaya and Kisuke?"

Kenma took a sip of tea and said leisurely, "Come to think of it, the day of our wedding is almost here."

After all these days since their engagement, the date of their marriage was drawing near.

"Mhm, the family is already preparing for it." Yoruichi nodded and asked, "So your demand is that I cooperate with you during the wedding?"

"Don't worry. I know what matters. Even for Father's expectations, I'll complete the wedding properly and definitely won't cause trouble. Afterward, I'll treat you with mutual respect, and we'll have children."

So before this, she had actually been planning to cause trouble?

Kenma silently shook his head, lowering his expectations of Yoruichi a little further.

Still, getting Yoruichi's promise at least put Kenma more at ease.

"This is the responsibility you must fulfill as the head of the family and the duty you must fulfill as a wife, not a condition for negotiating with me."

As he spoke, Kenma suddenly felt something strange.

This situation... why did it feel like he was doing some kind of NTR?

He had used every means to force Yoruichi away from Hachishō Ryo and Kisuke Urahara, only to wedge himself in between them...

After all that, was I the Yellow Hair?

Yoruichi said bluntly, "Then what exactly do you want?"

"Well..."

Kenma pretended to think. After pondering for a moment, he slowly voiced the demand he had prepared long ago.

"After this incident, I believe Urahara, Third Seat seriously violated the division's Regulations and is no longer suitable to serve as the Supervisory Squad's squad leader."

The Supervisory Squad was the Second Division's second squad, responsible for guarding the Supervisory Tower—the Worm Nest.

Those imprisoned inside were all Shinigami judged to be threats to the Soul Society.

This time, Hachishō Ryo and Kisuke Urahara, the former squad leader, had been imprisoned there by Kenma.

"Fine. As captain, I can guarantee you that right now."

A gleam flashed through Yoruichi's eyes as realization dawned on her.

"You want to take control of the Supervisory Squad?"

"Yoruichi, you make me sound far too petty."

Kenma shook his head. "We're husband and wife, one family. How can we draw such clear lines between us? Isn't it all for the Shikokuin Family and the Second Division?"

"Oh?"

An unconvinced expression appeared on Yoruichi's face.

Kenma ignored her veiled sarcasm and continued, "But the Supervisory Squad cannot go without someone to manage its duties. I happen to have a capable person I'd like to recommend. I hope you'll agree."

"Hah, such grand words... the fox's tail has finally shown itself." Yoruichi waved a hand. "Go on. Who do you want to recommend? I definitely won't refuse."

"His name is Uchiha Fugaku. He certainly won't disappoint you in this position, Yoruichi."

"He won't disappoint you, Kenma." Yoruichi mulled over the name, then casually asked, "Uchiha? Is he Shisui's family?"

"Yes."

"Fine, no problem." Yoruichi nodded. "Then tomorrow, I'll go to the division and announce the appointment."

Previously, she had asked her father about it. Her father had explained the current situation to her and pointed out a way forward.

Now, everything was exactly as her father had predicted.

But to save those two, she could only agree to Kenma's demands. She had already prepared herself for what she would have to give up.

At present, it was only the position of squad leader, still within what she could bear.

Just as Yoruichi was about to rise and leave, Kenma stretched out a hand to stop her.

After sitting back down, Yoruichi's delicate brows furrowed, her expression turning unpleasant.

"What, you have another condition?"

"Yoruichi, there are two of them. Naturally, there are two matters," Kenma said evenly.

"You really are pushing your luck." Impatience showed on Yoruichi's face as she waved repeatedly. "Go on, say it all at once. I'll agree to everything."

Kenma said softly, "I want Kisuke Urahara and Hachishō Ryo to witness my sword release."