Yoruichi's Wine Party

The inauguration ceremony for the new captain concluded quickly.

Natsuki had served as the lieutenant of the 11th Division and had attended many captain-level meetings; he had even accompanied Kiganjo during his own inauguration just months prior. Little did he expect that another captain-level meeting would be convened so soon, all because of the title of Kenpachi.

And this time, Natsuki, who had previously been a mere observer, had become the central figure.

Once the ceremony ended, the captains and lieutenants of the various divisions began to disperse.

Some had intended to approach Natsuki to offer their greetings, but upon seeing a certain figure arrive at his side first to initiate conversation, they promptly abandoned the idea.

"Natsuki, congratulations!"

Like a gust of wind, a petite and slender figure appeared before Natsuki. Her personality was as boisterous as ever as she offered her well-wishes.

"What an enviable friendship."

Watching this scene, Kyoraku Shunsui, who had been curious about Natsuki and intended to go over and introduce himself, wore a faint smile on his lips.

"Shunsui, let's not go over and join the crowd. Let's go."

Ukitake Jushiro appeared beside Kyoraku Shunsui, beckoning him to leave.

Kyoraku Shunsui nodded.

There would be plenty of time for introductions later; for now, it seemed inappropriate to intrude.

Still, it was truly surprising that Natsuki shared such a close relationship with the heir of the Shihoin family.

Within the Soul Society, there were five great noble families that stood at the very pinnacle of society. The Shihoin family was one of them. The woman who had gone to greet Natsuki was named Yoruichi, the heir to the Shihoin family. She currently served as the lieutenant of the 2nd Division, and once the 2nd Division captain, Shihoin Utsusemi, retired, she would become the new head of the Shihoin family and the new captain of the 2nd Division.

Shihoin Yoruichi was a rising star in every sense of the word.

No one doubted that she would become one of the most powerful figures in the future of the Soul Society.

"Yoruichi, is it really alright for you to just jump out in front of me like this?"

Natsuki was a meticulous man. As Yoruichi approached him to greet the new Kenpachi, he noticed the subtle shifts in the expressions of many captains and lieutenants nearby.

"Why care about them? Do you really need to worry about what others think just to be friends with me?" Yoruichi was straightforward; she spoke her mind without hesitation.

Natsuki shook his head. "That's not it."

"To celebrate you becoming a captain, how about we find a place to have a few drinks?"

Yoruichi proposed.

Natsuki had originally intended to return to the 11th Division after the ceremony, but faced with Yoruichi's suggestion, he ultimately did not refuse. After all, he was already the lieutenant of the 11th Division; he was no stranger to the members, and he didn't need anyone to teach him the ropes of the division—he could take over immediately. Compared to a stranger taking the mantle of Kenpachi, someone like him could adapt easily, much like the legendary Gosu had, ensuring the division wouldn't undergo any drastic changes.

If there was any change at all, it was merely the shift in Natsuki's status.

And so, Natsuki followed Yoruichi as they departed.

Soon, they arrived at a secret base located beneath the Sokyoku Hill.

Sometimes, it is hard to explain how a friendship is formed between two people. Even though Natsuki and Yoruichi had not met many times, they seemed exceptionally compatible, and through one thing and another, they had become close friends.

Back when Natsuki was still a lieutenant, he would often spar with Yoruichi, and the two of them improved together.

Later, Yoruichi even brought him to this secret base beneath the Sokyoku Hill.

According to Yoruichi, she and Urahara Kisuke had excavated this place when they were children. They often hid here to train. Although the Shihoin estate had a large training ground, the difference in status between her and Urahara made it difficult for them to train together there.

Through his conversations with Yoruichi, Natsuki had also learned of Urahara Kisuke's background.

He was the youngest son of the Urahara family, a minor noble house that served the Shihoin family, much like the Fong family served Soi Fon in the original story. Because Urahara was close to Yoruichi in age and had displayed a maturity far beyond his years since childhood, Yoruichi had taken an interest in him. After they met, they became childhood friends, growing up together.

Initially, the secret base had been quite barren, but after years of renovations, it now included not only a dedicated training area but also a hot spring used for healing.

According to Yoruichi, this was a healing technique Urahara Kisuke had learned from somewhere unknown. While it differed from the Kaidō of the 4th Division, it was remarkably effective—especially after a battle, when a soak in the hot spring left one feeling completely refreshed.

When Natsuki first saw the hot spring, the first person he thought of was Tenjiro Kirinji. Yoruichi might not know where Urahara learned this hot spring healing method, but as someone who knew the plot, how could he not?

After arriving at the secret base, they waited for a short while.

A figure soon hurried over.

"Sorry to keep you waiting!"

The person who arrived was none other than Urahara Kisuke.

The current Urahara Kisuke was not yet the carefree, eccentric man from the original story. His personality was introverted, and his entire demeanor exuded a sense of decadence and insecurity. However, in the presence of Yoruichi and his new friend Natsuki, he was not overly reserved and would occasionally speak up.

As he spoke, he took out several jugs of wine and placed them before them.

"This is a fine vintage that the Shihoin family has treasured for hundreds of years. To celebrate you becoming the captain of the 11th Division, I specifically had Kisuke fetch it. Let's drink until we drop today."

Hearing this, Natsuki offered a helpless smile. "You really think highly of me, don't you? I'm not much of a drinker."

"How can you be the Kenpachi if you can't drink?" Yoruichi's eyes widened in disbelief. "I've heard that your 11th Division holds banquets all the time. Whether it's a victory or a member's birthday, as long as they can find an excuse, they'll throw a party. Even the residents living near the 11th Division have started brewing alcohol, and business at the local taverns is booming."

"And you're telling me you can't drink? How on earth did you survive in the 11th Division?"

Yoruichi had learned long ago that the members of the 11th Division loved to drink. Therefore, after Natsuki defeated Kiganjo Kenpachi and was about to be inaugurated, she had already planned how to congratulate him. She had even gone so far as to secretly steal some of the Shihoin family's prized wine and hide it away, all for this very moment.