Captain Saitō, the Very Model of Virtue and Grace.

"Puff!"

Hikifune Kirio couldn't help but laugh out loud, "Those zombie-like guys do seem to need a freak to wake them up. That's a good idea... But is it really a good idea?"

"Of course, this is the option that maximizes the benefits for Seireitei. Every tile must be placed in the right position so that the roof can keep out the wind and rain, right?"

Iori said seriously, "The creation and management of the [Kibatsu] should ideally be handled by the 12th Division. That way, each Zanpakuto will have a corresponding record, and we won't be troubled by defection incidents in the future."

"..."

Not to mention Hikifune Kirio, even Soujun and the others were stunned. They never expected Iori to be so generous!

She's incredibly generous. You should know that just the "Knot" alone allows Iori to make a fortune every day and accumulate a lot of connections. If she continues to develop, she could become a financially powerful monopoly like the Fourth Division.

After all, Kurotsuchi Mayuri and Koga were his subordinates, so it would be easy for him to monopolize the profits.

Now, not only is Iori protecting his own interests, but he has even taken the initiative to break it up and give it to Hikifune Kirio...

"This... this favor is a bit too much."

Hikifune Kirio spoke with difficulty, and even she, who was usually optimistic and generous, hesitated.

"This is beyond what money can measure... Is there anything I can help you with?"

It seems she already owes Iori quite a few favors...

Looking back carefully, the reason why the "Research and Development Bureau" was established was because Iori Gan dared to defy convention and publicly proposed a plan at the Captain's meeting, which directly led to the 12th Division's annexation of the Noble Laboratory.

Going back further, when Kurotsuchi Mayuri got into trouble, it was clearly a scandal involving the 12th Division, but it was Iori resolved it.

Even though the two of them weren't particularly close, there was no exchange of favors... no, there wasn't any exchange at all; she was the one who owed Iori a debt!

"Could it be... that you like me?"

Hikifune Kirio pointed to himself.

"Otherwise, there's no way to explain it."

"...ah?"

Iori was stunned, and the others also froze.

"Haha~ Just kidding~"

But immediately Hikifune Kirio burst into laughter, and everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

"You already have a senior, and it seems like you don't like my type."

After saying that, Hikifune Kirio straightened her back. Her clothes were already a bit revealing, and this movement immediately made her chest ripple like waves, swaying up and down like the softest tofu.

Saito saw this scene, and then saw Iori cast his gaze over there, he silently lowered his head and touched his own meager chest.

"Hey! What do you mean?"

"Oh, don't worry, I won't steal your love. After all, you've been so proactive in expressing your affections, I can't possibly say anything cute or charming, and I couldn't possibly catch up to you even with flattery~"

"You little rascal..."

Just as Saito was about to lash out, someone suddenly pressed down on her shoulder. The familiar force and the intense body heat made her stiffen.

"I... Iori? What are you doing?"

"What the Captain Hikifune said just now bothered me."

What exactly does "acting cute" mean?

Iori leaned down and whispered in Saito's ear, "Are you afraid? But what are you afraid of... For example, that you're not as carefree as you think, and that you're actually just a love-struck little girl?"

"..."

Chapter 484 The Virtuous and Captain Saito.

"Captain Hikifune, what are you doing hiding here?"

In the World of the Living, in a room at the residence of the Grim Reaper, Kuchiki Sōjun Aoi is speechlessly watching Hikifune Kirio, who is stubbornly refusing to leave his side.

"Don't you have your own room?"

"This is just a temporary measure; let me hide for now."

Hikifune Kirio scratched his head sheepishly and chuckled.

"I don't think this is a problem that you can solve by running away from it. People will eventually have to face the consequences of their own actions."

Kuchiki Sōjun knew very well what Hikifune Kirio was afraid of, but he showed her no sympathy whatsoever, and even urged her to accept her just desserts.

"In the end, it was you who leaked the private information, so you shouldn't have any complaints when the victim comes knocking on your door. Instead of waiting here for the inevitable judgment, why not be more composed and explain to Captain Saito openly and honestly?"

"Then I guess I'm going to die!"

Hikifune Kirio's face was ashen. She Saitō Fuyōfushi had looked at her like she was a dead man after the incident was exposed yesterday.

She made up her mind that she had to get through this period no matter what, and wait until her senior calmed down before talking about it, at least not to the point of breaking her hands or feet.

"Speaking of which, Captain Hikifune, what was your motive for actively broadcasting such... private information?"

Kuchiki Sōjun was somewhat puzzled. Although he was enjoying watching the drama unfold, he was also curious about where Hikifune the audacity.

"Considering Captain Saito's personality and style... aren't you well aware of what the consequences will be?"

"Of course I understand, but..."

"Only?"

"Of course I have to tell everyone about something so interesting."

Hikifune Kirio bit his nails. "It's too painful to keep it all inside!"

"..."

This guy deserved it!

Kuchiki Sōjun was speechless for a moment, then shook his head and sighed, "Actually, it's not a big deal. A proper apology should be enough."

Moreover, Captain Aizen is always composed. Didn't he stop Captain Saito yesterday and pull him aside? With his eloquence, he must have calmed Captain Saito down.

We still have a mission to complete now that we're in the World of the Living. If we keep causing trouble like this, we'll be letting down the Captain-General's trust. We need to be united and friendly..."

As Soujun spoke, he became more and more excited, while Hikifune Kirio became increasingly uneasy. In the end, unable to bear it any longer, he had no choice but to surrender.

"Enough! I'm willing to accept the punishment, okay? Please stop talking!"

"Yes, Captain Hikifune's courage to take this step is truly admirable."

Soujun immediately stood up and said gently, "It's alright, I'll go with you. If anything happens, we'll have one more person to help."

Thanks!

True to his word, Hikifune Kirio set off with Soujun, his face long and mournful, towards Saito's residence.

"People really shouldn't do bad things... I regret it now. I shouldn't have believed those gossipy women's lies, like 'I'm very tight-lipped and won't tell anyone,' but in just a day or two, everyone knows!"

Expecting a woman to keep a secret is itself a kind of foolishness— Soujun remained silent.

The two attracted a lot of attention from the team members along the way. After greeting them, they went outside and were about to knock on the door when they saw a group of death figures Earth Flow out, their faces pale as if they had seen a ghost.

"Captain Kuchiki, Captain Hikifune... Good day."

"Good day... What happened? You all look terrible."

"No... she just came to report to Captain Saito, she..."

Are you in a bad mood?

Hikifune Kirio immediately tensed up, "What exactly is the extent of it? Do you want to hit someone or chop someone up?"

"In a bad mood? No, of course not... Rather... well, you two will know for yourselves when you see them."

The team member hesitated for a moment, then finally said tentatively, "Don't worry... there shouldn't be anything to worry about."

What's going on? This subtle reaction—the two captains became increasingly uneasy.

Even Kuchiki Sōjun, who was under no pressure, sensed something was amiss.

However, he is, after all, the Captain of the First Division. Even if the place ahead is a den of dragons and tigers, a battlefield of carnage, there is absolutely no reason for him to be scared away!

Taking a deep breath, the two prepared themselves and stepped through the door, walking down the corridor to the reception room—

"Is it just for such a small matter? You two are making a mountain out of a molehill."

Saitō Fuyōfushi, the Shinigami uniform, sat at the head of the table with a peaceful and calm expression. After listening to Hikifune's purpose and apology, he not only did not get angry, but chuckled and covered the corner of his mouth with his hand.

The two people who saw this action felt a chill run down their spines.

"It was just a joke between colleagues, nothing serious. Although it was embarrassing, there was no need to hide it. I was just overthinking it."

"Captain Hikifune, I accept your apology. I hope you remember this lesson and don't act so frivolously again. Otherwise, it can easily cause trouble for others."

Saito wasn't wearing her Captain's Haori today, and her hair was now straight and smooth. Removing her eye patch revealed slightly heterochromatic eyes. She sat upright, her voice soft, and her demeanor virtuous.

He's completely changed!

What on earth happened? Is the world about to end? Or have I somehow ended up in a parallel world? — Hikifune Kirio's throat bobbed.

She subconsciously turned to look at Soujun, seeking answers and support, but Soujun, covered in sweat, was in no better shape, looking even more exhausted than when fighting Vastolorde.

"Any other questions?"

Instead, Saito spoke first, asking with concern, "You don't look too well?"

"No, I just didn't expect... what actually happened... cough!"

Hikifune Kirio suddenly snapped out of his daze, immediately lowered his head, and sincerely apologized again before pulling Kuchiki Sōjun away from the room, leaving behind the somewhat bewildered Saitō Fuyōfushi.

... The two walked along the road in silence for a long time.

"Is this the work of the Quincy?"

Kuchiki Sōjun asked in a daze, "Is Captain Saito under some kind of curse?"

"No, that should be..."

Hikifune Kirio thoughtful. "It seems... after Captain Aizen took her away yesterday, the two of them haven't shown up again, have they?"

"...ah?"

Soujun was stunned. "What?"

"If that's the case... then that doesn't make sense! I've never heard of anything with such remarkable effects!"

Hikifune Kirio grabbed his hair in a state of near collapse, utterly bewildered. "This can't be done by simply regulating hormones. How do we do it like brainwashing, to completely change her into a different person?!"

"What are you talking about...?"

Their married life had always been harmonious, and he had never quarreled with his docile wife— Kuchiki Sōjun looked at her with a puzzled expression, half understanding.

"That's amazing!"

Hikifune Kirio bit his nails again. "It makes me curious... Could it be that the technique is too advanced... Damn it, there's no way to conduct experiments to verify this!"

Women are truly unpredictable and ever-changing creatures— Kuchiki Sōjun silently distanced himself from the seemingly mad captain of the 12th Division.

My childhood sweetheart, my gentle wife, is the best!

People can change...

People who once thought they would never change might discover another side of themselves at some moment or by some opportunity, and from then on open up a new world.

Saito wasn't brainwashed and had his personality changed; rather, he simply had no more anger left to vent on Hikifune Kirio.

All anger, shyness, pride, disgust... these emotions generated by the brain have been burned away as fuel, so one can only face the crowd with a saintly, unflappable mentality.

Ultimately, I was just exhausted and couldn't even remember the anger I had before.

"Don't get me wrong! I was just joking around, I didn't mean it at all..."

Laugh if you want! If you think I'm too embarrassing, then just cut me in two. All I need in this life is my Zanpakuto!

"Why did things suddenly turn out like this...? I'm not planning on breaking up."

"If people find out about this, we'll be pointed at and talked about every time we walk down the street, with people saying things like, 'Look at that woman, she's actually so pretentious behind your back'—I can't stand it!"

Saito turned his gaze to another deserted spot, his voice somewhat hurried. "I am a bloodless, tearless, and unrestrained Grim Reaper, completely unbound by matters of men and women. I never intended to marry you; it was merely to balance the yin and yang."

"Ah?"