How About You Think It Over?

At the sight of Sennichi's face, everyone in Central 46 was so shocked they couldn't speak. How long had it been since Shihoin Sennichi had shown his face in public? Thirty years, maybe?

No one had expected him to show up today. Alone, no less—and he'd come straight to the Council Chamber?

Everyone knew that ever since Central 46 had been established, the Four Great Noble Houses had never set foot here lightly!

What was going on?!

Shihoin Sennichi gazed at the rows of seats above him, smiled as he surveyed the room, then drawled, "I think the two people Captain-Commander Yamamoto recommended should be allowed into Shino Academy as an exception."

A faint spiritual pressure spread through the room. The members present felt as if an invisible hand had clamped around their throats. They could breathe just fine, but no matter how hard they tried, they couldn't speak.

"B-but, Lord Shihoin, I'm afraid that would be against the rules..." Even Seat One, the only one who wasn't feeling the pressure, stammered, at a loss for what to do.

If the Four Great Noble Houses hadn't relinquished some of their power and handed it over to the emerging noble families, Central 46 would never have had a chance to exist.

No matter how wealthy they were or how high their seats ranked, none of those present could compare themselves to the Four Great Noble Houses—not to mention the head of one of those houses personally attending.

What's more, the Shihoin House was the only one of the Four Great Noble Houses to join the Court Guard Squad and independently lead a squad. As one of the "Heavenly Gifted Armament," its members' individual strength was beyond question.

Even if those present disagreed, they only dared voice their objections in the gentlest tones and most tactful way.

Shihoin Sennichi continued in the same unhurried tone. "The two boys who were recommended destroyed a rebel intelligence outpost in the Danzhao District all by themselves.

"With achievements and potential like that, I think they're perfect candidates for further study at Shino Academy. If anyone has any objections, feel free to speak up!"

His voice was gentle, his words slow and measured. But to the members of Central 46, they sounded like a continuous roll of thunder, shaking the air beside their ears. It was the pressure that came from his status and the strength of his soul.

This time, even Seat One felt a hand clamped around his throat. He couldn't make a sound. Several of the members thought Sennichi was about to kill someone on the spot and were so terrified they nearly wet themselves.

Yamamoto, standing to the side, furrowed his brows impatiently. "When will you learn to speak as quickly as you move, Sennichi?"

Shihoin Sennichi didn't seem to mind. He casually brushed the snow-white hair by his ear and said with a breezy smile,

"I do move just as quickly now. Ever since my legs broke, my Hakuda's about as fast as a cow's."

"You..." The corner of Yamamoto's eye twitched almost imperceptibly.

He cleared his throat and spoke again. "Those who have done good should be rewarded, and those who have committed wrongs should be punished. Two boys taking down an intelligence outpost is a fine achievement. Sending them to Shino Academy without an entrance exam hardly seems like enough of a reward.

"Of course, if anyone present can recommend someone whose achievements surpass those of these two children, I'll gladly vote in favor of sending them to Shino Academy without an entrance exam."

Shihoin Sennichi nodded, wearing a wide, foolish grin. "Exactly, exactly. I agree.

"With achievements like theirs, none of the Four Great Noble Houses would object to making an exception and letting them enter Shino Academy without an exam. If no one objects, let's begin the vote."

Hiding behind the screen, Seat One clenched his fists, trembling with shock and anger. After a long silence, he finally said helplessly, "Let's vote by a show of hands."

Every member present raised a hand: thirty-five to zero, unanimous approval.

Shihoin Sennichi raised an eyebrow. "It passed. I'm so happy! Captain-Commander, sorry to trouble you, but could you help me out when we leave? My legs aren't working too well..."

A flash of indignation crossed Yamamoto's face, which had just returned to calm. He shot Sennichi an annoyed look. "If you can't walk, stay the night here. After all, this is one of the two safest places in Seireitei."

Shihoin Sennichi looked disappointed and hurt. "Ah, how heartless. Genryūsai, as a friend, there's something I want to tell you..."

Yamamoto slowed his steps as he headed for the exit. "What is it?"

Shihoin Sennichi leaned in with an air of solemnity. "Well, I'll tell you... My superior, the Captain-Commander, is a bastard who uses me and then throws me away!"

He tossed the words into Yamamoto's ear, then strode off, laughing loudly. His cane clattered against the ground, its rhythm growing faster and faster...

Yamamoto: ...

Meanwhile, at Kirinji's own establishment, the "Kirin Spring Bath."

"Why is it so hot..." Lin Nan, wrapped in bandages from head to toe, woke from the stifling heat and slowly opened his eyes. The moment he did, he let out a startled shout. "Holy shit!"

A gaunt, knife-like face, nearly all bone, hung upside down right in front of him. Small but lively eyes stared fixedly at him.

The face was still some distance away, yet Lin Nan felt something pressing against his chin. He took a closer look—it was an absurdly long pompadour.

A face-to-face scare was the deadliest kind. Lin Nan yelped in fright and instinctively sat up.

The man reacted incredibly fast. As soon as he saw Lin Nan move, he lightly lifted his head—but not fast enough.

Thump!

Kirinji let out a cry of pain and clutched his chin.

Lin Nan held his forehead and turned to look at the man behind him, who was rubbing his chin with tears in his eyes. He suddenly froze.

Was that... Kirinji Tenjiro? Had he come to the Royal Palace?!

In the original story, Kirinji Tenjiro was the Eastern God General of Squad Zero, known as the "Hot Spring Demon."

"You're..." Lin Nan nearly blurted out the man's name, but caught himself and forced the words back.

Kirinji didn't answer. Instead, he continued to grimace in pain. "Why's your head so hard, brat? You nearly flattened my handsome chin!"

Curious, Lin Nan glanced around. He found himself in a tall wooden building, sparsely furnished. There was a coat rack against the wall, along with a row of towel racks.

He wasn't lying in a bed, but on a broad bench. Kirinji had been bent over at the other end, watching him from up close. Otherwise, Lin Nan wouldn't have been able to hit him.

Was this the Royal Palace? He peered outside, but it was already dark and he couldn't see a thing.

"Where am I?"

Kirinji finally recovered from the pain and stuffed the piece of grass in his hand into his mouth. "I saved your life, and you can't even say thank you first? Huh?!" He pointed a thumb at his chest, put one hand on his hip, and tilted his face toward the sky.

"Kid, the man who spent an entire afternoon saving your life is none other than the greatest genius in Seireitei—or even all of Soul Society—Lord Kirinji Tenjiro! You're in my residence!"

The pose and booming voice left Lin Nan stunned. He thanked him a little woodenly, then looked at the towering pompadour and asked hesitantly,

"Hey, man, I've been meaning to ask... why do you have a bicycle seat on your head?"

"I told you to thank me, not ask about that!" Kirinji immediately lost his composure, veins bulging on his forehead. "I like it! And I'm the greatest genius in Soul Society! What's a bicycle seat?"

"That's not important." Lin Nan blinked curiously. "The greatest? Stronger than Unohana Kenpachi? Stronger than Captain-Commander Yamamoto?"

After thinking it over, he was certain that Kirinji hadn't joined Squad Zero yet.

The bodies of Squad Zero's five members had all been modified by the Oken, making them extraordinarily durable. There was no way one headbutt from Lin Nan would leave him in pain and unable to straighten up for ages.

Lin Nan was very interested in the Kirinji of this era. After all, Unohana had learned Kaidō from him. A Kaidō expert who was renowned as "Thunder Swift" for his mastery of Shunpo was like a famous doctor who was also an excellent long-distance runner.

It was hard to imagine what Kirinji had gone through in his career to master Shunpo so well. Maybe his patients were all fast runners?

At the mention of Unohana, Kirinji's confidence faltered. "Why bring her up?"

He still couldn't forget frantically using Shunpo to dodge Unohana's relentless attacks.

Lin Nan shook his head. "No reason. They're the only two I've heard called the strongest. But I've never seen Captain-Commander Yamamoto fight. I do know a little about Captain Unohana..."

Kirinji clicked his tongue. "You're just a kid. What the hell do you know?"

"Not much, since I didn't fight her for long..."

Kirinji whipped around to look at Lin Nan, his pompadour swinging wildly. He looked so ridiculous it was hard not to laugh. "What did you say?! You fought her? How? Rock-paper-scissors?"

Lin Nan made a slashing motion with his hand. "With a sword."

Kirinji's eyes widened instinctively, confusion filling his tiny pupils. "You mean you can fight that crazy woman? And you're still alive?"

Lin Nan nodded.

"No wonder Yamamoto came in person at noon and insisted I save your life!" The piece of grass in Kirinji's mouth nearly fell out. "You're not just a genius—you're a monster!"

With that hairstyle, you're the monster, Lin Nan thought.

Kirinji patted Lin Nan on the shoulder. "Enough chatting. Time to continue your treatment."

He led the way outside, guiding Lin Nan through the building.

In the middle of the courtyard, steam rose from a hot spring, four meters square and enclosed by stone.

Kirinji bit down on the piece of grass. His earlier embarrassment was gone, and he looked rather pleased with himself. "This is the treatment method I just came up with: the [Spirit Hot Spring]! From now on, you'll soak in here for a day! I guarantee you'll be as fit as a fiddle afterward."

Then his expression darkened, and he seemed a little uneasy. "I have a favor to ask. Could you write down exactly how the bath feels?"

Lin Nan had known about Kirinji's hot spring treatment from the original story. Still, he couldn't help asking, "What do you need that for? Planning to open a hot spring bathhouse later? Gathering customer feedback in advance?"

Kirinji looked at Lin Nan with grave sincerity. "No. No one's ever used this Spirit Hot Spring since I designed it. You're the first test subject, so your experience is very important to me!"

Then, despite his usual arrogance, he forced himself to bow to Lin Nan, frowning with discomfort. "Please!"

Looking at his expression, Lin Nan felt as if someone were bowing to him at a perfect ninety-degree angle while asking, "Is this watermelon ripe?"

Lin Nan was silent for a long time.

He'd thought he'd ended up in a top-notch hospital room. He hadn't expected to be a guinea pig.

He swallowed and asked quietly, "I don't think I'm all that unhealthy right now. Is this really necessary?

"Maybe... you should think it over?"