"This is my son, and the future head of the Shihoin House, Shihoin Yota." Sennichi casually introduced the young man beside him, then turned and walked into the house. "Come on in!"
"Is that really how you introduce the future head of the Shihoin House? Somehow, it doesn't seem very convincing." The man's casual demeanor made Ukitake unable to resist commenting. He lowered his voice as much as he could and whispered to Lin Nan and Kyoraku beside him.
Lin Nan lowered his head slightly and replied in a quiet voice, "If it weren't for all those expensive-looking accessories, I'd think they were impostors."
Kyoraku coughed softly. "That's just how the head of the Shihoin House is. He's famous for being easygoing in the Soul Society, so you don't need to be so tense."
Shihoin Yota beamed and waved to them with a smile.
"Shunsui, you've grown taller again! And it seems you've improved a lot lately. I haven't heard your brother complain about wanting to beat you up in ages!"
Kyoraku's face fell, and he shot Yota a resentful look. "I can't tell whether you're praising me or insulting me."
"Shunsui's older brother is one of my subordinates. We're very close, so you two don't need to stand on ceremony." After exchanging a few jokes with Kyoraku Shunsui, Yota turned to Lin Nan and Ukitake. "Come along! Father is waiting. You'd better listen carefully to what we have to discuss today!"
The group followed Yota into the house.
As he walked, Lin Nan thought, There are quite a few people in the Soul Society who hold high positions but have none of the usual noble airs. Katori's just like that...
Thinking of Katori, his thoughts wandered. Where was she now? How was the 8th Division's mission going?
Sennichi gestured for them to sit, then gave Yota a meaningful glance.
Yota immediately turned around and firmly shut the doors to the main hall. Then he stood guard where he was, in case anyone suddenly came in.
Seeing this, the young men couldn't help but grow tense again.
"There's no need to be so nervous. I'm being this cautious purely to keep things confidential," Sennichi said with an easy laugh when he noticed them tensing up again.
At Sennichi's gesture, the three of them took their seats. Each small table in front of them had already been set with candied fruit and hot tea.
"May I ask why you've specially summoned us, Head?" Lin Nan asked seriously.
Since the other man had made such secretive arrangements, even going so far as to remove the guards to keep things confidential, there was no need for Lin Nan to beat around the bush.
"You've probably already heard how serious this incident is. I called you here because I want you to serve as my informants, secretly investigating and gathering information about anything suspicious happening within the Spirit Arts Academy."
"But if you give this job to newcomers like us, aren't you worried we'll mess things up?" Lin Nan immediately objected.
"Wouldn't it be better to send people with plenty of experience, who know how to operate undercover?"
"I don't have a choice. My new force isn't fully formed yet, and it can't handle the job properly." Sennichi sounded a little troubled. He picked up a piece of candied fruit from the plate beside him and chewed it noisily.
"There's some in front of you. Help yourselves. Besides, they're all unfamiliar faces at the Spirit Arts Academy, so for now they can only lie low on the outskirts. They're not quite suited to gathering intelligence.
"You're students, and you're new students at that. You can move around the Spirit Arts Academy openly, and you'll have plenty of chances to gather information. That's why I chose you."
Lin Nan and Ukitake listened quietly. Kyoraku, meanwhile, sat beside them, holding a piece of candied fruit in each hand and eating with gusto.
Lin Nan pondered for a moment, then said hesitantly, "What you say makes sense, but I'm still worried that, as students, we won't be able to get our hands on any truly useful information."
Sennichi leaned back casually in his chair. "That doesn't matter. Intelligence has to be compiled and analyzed. Just remember to report anything you hear to the members lying low as soon as possible.
"Unfortunately, the new force isn't ready, and this incident happened so suddenly that I didn't have time to plant any spies in the Spirit Arts Academy. Otherwise, I wouldn't need to trouble you."
Ukitake looked thoughtful. "Then, sir, what kind of information do you want us to look for?"
Still holding his candied fruit, Sennichi raised his free index finger and wagged it in front of him. "There are no specific requirements. Anything you hear or see that strikes you as unusual is worth reporting.
"Even rumors you hear secondhand are worth passing along. You don't need to worry about the investigation afterward. My people will take care of that."
Nearby, Kyoraku was stuffing his face. He spoke indistinctly. "So long as we don't make it too obvious that we're investigating, or act especially interested in certain things, right?"
Sennichi's eyes lit up, and he nodded. "Young Shunsui is quite clever. You've hit the nail on the head.
"But be careful not to get too involved, and keep as low a profile as possible. This incident isn't simple. Make sure you keep your heads down.
"The missing Asauchi would be enough to equip one and a half divisions. The enemy managed to switch out so many Zanpakuto without anyone noticing. They might try to harm you, too."
At that, Lin Nan suddenly asked, "If we do find a lead, how does the Seireitei plan to deal with them? Anyone capable of switching out so many Asauchi right under the Seireitei's nose must be formidable and difficult to deal with.
"What if they notice what we're doing and come after us in secret? We're only new students. We probably can't protect ourselves."
Sennichi chuckled and tossed aside the fruit pit he had finished eating.
"Don't worry. In fifteen days at most, the first batch of my Stealth Force members will have completed their intensive training. Then they'll be able to protect you at close range."
I actually made it in time to witness the founding of the Stealth Force? Lin Nan thought to himself. The feeling of "witnessing history" stirred something in him that he couldn't quite put into words.
Ukitake looked puzzled by Sennichi's words and raised his hand to ask, "Wouldn't close protection make it easier to alert the enemy?"
"Hmph, kid, why do you think I named them the 'Stealth Force'?" Sennichi took a handkerchief and wiped his hands. "The first group to complete intensive training happens to be the Punishment Force. They're perfect for protecting you in secret."
He grabbed his cane and struggled to rise, then slowly walked over to the three of them.
"Since we don't know who the enemy is yet, I went to such trouble to invite you to my home. I wanted to make sure no one knew you'd had any contact with me.
"Starting tomorrow, the three of you must keep a low profile. Leave your safety to me. This incident may well be the biggest case in the history of the Seireitei! You must be extremely careful."
Before you continue