True Strength

"It... it was nothing of the sort. How could I address you, Commander, in such a way...?"

Hearing Yoruichi Shihōin's words, Soi Fon hurriedly raised her head and flusteredly tried to explain herself. But when she saw the faint disappointment in Yoruichi Shihōin's eyes, she froze.

"Th-then!"

Soi Fon closed her eyes and lowered her head. When she raised it again, the firmness in her eyes had vanished, replaced by shy hesitation. "Like Lord Shadow, I will address you as Lady Yoruichi... Would that be acceptable?"

"Hah!" Yoruichi Shihōin tilted her head back and said helplessly, "You really are a stubborn one. Fine, call me whatever you like!"

She seemed somewhat dissatisfied with Soi Fon's form of address, but the upturned corners of her lips showed that Yoruichi Shihōin was not truly angry.

Leaning forward slightly, Yoruichi Shihōin said, "I called you here because I value your strength. Your form of address does not matter. I have great expectations for you, Soi Fon!"

"Yes!"

Joy filled Soi Fon's small body. This was Lady Yoruichi, whom she had always admired and yearned for! She was overjoyed that Yoruichi Shihōin would address her with such trust.

"You need only live for that lady!"

Her father's words from many years ago echoed in her ears once more. Soi Fon gazed at Yoruichi Shihōin, still seated there, with fervent admiration and longing, making a vow that would last her entire life.

"Yes, everything I have will be for Miss Yoruichi..."

Without the slightest hesitation...

"Lady Yoruichi! If there is nothing else, Soi Fon will take her leave!"

Soi Fon bowed respectfully as she spoke.

Although Yoruichi Shihōin did not usually involve herself much in division affairs, everyone in the Second Division and the Stealth Force understood that this only applied to routine paperwork. Whenever things became especially busy or difficult missions arose, Yoruichi Shihōin would always personally take action, fighting at the very forefront.

Thus, no matter how much Yoruichi Shihōin loved to play and fool around, she remained the spiritual pillar of the Second Division and the Stealth Force. Over the years, with Shadow's assistance, her prestige had surpassed even that of Shihōin Shanqing.

"Ah! You may go now!"

Seeing Soi Fon's expression, Yoruichi Shihōin waved her off with a light smile.

"Yes, Lady Yoruichi!"

"Soi Fon!"

Shadow suddenly lifted his head from the documents and called out to Soi Fon, who was about to leave. His cold voice carried bone-piercing chill. "One last reminder: do not call me lord again!"

Bang!

Yoruichi Shihōin rapped Shadow on the head, then said without looking back, "Ignore him, Soi Fon. You may leave first!"

"Yes!"

Kneeling on the ground, Soi Fon cautiously looked up at Shadow, who still seemed to radiate coldness. Then, with the agility of a hummingbird, she vanished from the division barracks entrance.

Watching Soi Fon use Shunpo with such practiced mastery, Yoruichi Shihōin nodded in satisfaction. Her foundation was solid, and she possessed exceptional talent in Shunpo and Hakuda. She was diligent and hardworking.

"Hey! Put away that cold air of yours!" Yoruichi Shihōin turned to him. "Tell me, Shadow, why are you so opposed to the word 'lord'? I think it sounds quite nice!"

"I am not a lord! Only Lady Yoruichi is!"

Shadow stubbornly insisted. In truth, his form of address had always been a problem over the years. If they called him lord, he would not allow it. If they did not call him lord and simply used his name, that did not seem right either. Besides, no one dared to do so.

Having walked quite a distance away, Soi Fon was still brimming with excitement when she thought of her family—the Bee Family, a lower noble house that had served for generations as executioners and assassins.

Such noble houses were common in the Seireitei. Their clan members had to join the Punishment Force and dedicate their lives to it; strength was their only value. Anyone unable to enter the Punishment Force would be cast out by their family, because keeping such a person would only waste the family's scarce resources.

Soi Fon was a ninth-generation member of the Bee Family and the youngest of six siblings. Of her five older brothers, two died on their first mission, two on their second, and the last on his sixth. Though she had grieved deeply, Soi Fon worked even harder. Finally, in her seventh year after joining the Punishment Force, she was appointed as a member of the Punishment Force commander's personal guard.

She swore that she would spend her life protecting... Lady Yoruichi!

The next day, Soul Society, Seireitei, Kuchiki Estate, rear courtyard.

"Hah!"

"Hah!"

Mashiro Kuchiki was diligently practicing Swordsmanship. Not far away, Shadow stood with an expressionless face, while Yoruichi Shihōin and Ginrei Kuchiki sat beneath a tree at a stone table, drinking tea as they watched.

"Mashiro has grown much stronger. I truly have to thank you, Yoruichi!" Ginrei Kuchiki said.

"Hah! There is no need to fuss over something so small!" Yoruichi Shihōin laughed heartily. Then her tone shifted. "But I heard the Kuchiki family has acquired quite a few fine wines recently..."

"I already had someone send them to the Shihōin family." Ginrei Kuchiki looked as if he had expected this all along.

"Then thanks, old man Ginrei!" Yoruichi Shihōin laughed loudly.

"Stop!" Shadow called out to Byakuya Kuchiki and asked coldly, "What are you swinging?"

"A sword!"

Mashiro Kuchiki answered as if it were only natural, then looked at Shadow in confusion.

"Is that so?"

Shadow casually broke off a branch from the tree and pointed it at Byakuya Kuchiki.

In an instant, killing intent as tangible as substance surged toward him. That immense, terrifying killing intent nearly drove Byakuya Kuchiki to collapse. Just as he could no longer endure it, the killing intent vanished in an instant.

With a thud, Byakuya Kuchiki sat on the ground, his face pale. Cold sweat born of lingering fear covered his forehead, along with a trace of terror.

"Do you still think what you are swinging is a sword?" Shadow tossed the branch aside and asked coldly.

Hearing this, Byakuya Kuchiki panted as he gradually calmed his chaotic breathing. "What was that? It was incredible—so powerful!"

"Powerful?" Shadow snorted disdainfully. "That is what you consider powerful?"

"Is it not? Just a single branch was already so terrifying..."

"Terrifying?" Shadow sneered. "Tell me, Byakuya Kuchiki, what do you believe is true strength? What do you believe is truly terrifying?"

"This..." Mashiro Kuchiki fell silent.

"Is it difficult to answer?" Shadow said. "The strongest thing is your heart. The most terrifying thing is your sword!"

"A sword..."

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