Shihōin Shanqing's Decision

Soul Society, Seireitei, Shihōin, conference room.

"My lord, this can't go on! Lady Yoruichi hasn't trained in days!"

"My lord, ever since that Shadow arrived, Lady Yoruichi hasn't properly attended a single lesson!"

"My lord, Lady Yoruichi's behavior now lacks even the slightest noble etiquette! If this continues, people will laugh at us!"

"My lord..."

"My lord..."

"..."

The vast conference room was as noisy as a marketplace. Everyone present was an elder of the Shihōin Clan or one of the instructors responsible for teaching Yoruichi Shihōin, such as the old butler and the old scholar. Naturally, the topic was Shadow and Yoruichi Shihōin.

They all knew Yoruichi Shihōin was mischievous and disliked noble rules and etiquette. But they had been able to keep her under control. No matter how unwilling she was, she still had to learn.

However, ever since Shadow arrived, this group had been in for a miserable time. With someone of Captain-class strength backing her up, Yoruichi Shihōin had been granted a pardon. She stopped attending lessons and training, doing nothing but play every day.

The old men were furious. They went to question Shadow about what he was trying to do, but before they could say more than a few words, they were thrown out. How could they possibly stand against Shadow's strength? If Yoruichi Shihōin had not forbidden him from hurting anyone, then given Shadow's temperament, they would have been lucky to escape with only crippling injuries.

Captain-class was already the highest level in Soul Society, and there were only a handful of such people. It was not something easily attained. Thus, within Shihōin, aside from Shihōin Shanqing, Shadow was unquestionably the strongest.

In a world where the strong devoured the weak, a clan's development and stability could never be separated from powerful figures. Everyone understood that. How could the Shihōin Clan bear to drive away a supreme expert like Shadow, especially one so young?

Although Shadow had long made it clear that the one he served was Yoruichi Shihōin, not Shihōin, wasn't she still a Shihōin?

Yoruichi Shihōin was Shihōin's sole heir. No matter how reluctant they were, as long as Yoruichi Shihōin remained, Shadow would still bear the Shihōin name.

Therefore, regarding Shadow and Yoruichi Shihōin, they could only rely on wit and find a way to resolve the matter. They could not confront him by force—though even if they tried, they would not win.

"Enough!"

Listening to the clamorous discussion below, Shihōin Shanqing's anger flared. He slammed his hand on the table and roared, "If you want to argue, get outside! Stop bothering me here! And quit coming up with rotten ideas. If you truly anger Shadow, figure out how to deal with it yourselves!"

The conference room fell silent. The previously noisy crowd all stopped talking, their expressions turning terribly grim. Shadow might have been young, but he was exceptionally cold and impervious to both soft and hard approaches. Aside from Yoruichi Shihōin, he listened to no one. If they truly provoked him, even with Yoruichi Shihōin present, there was no guarantee he would not kill them. It was entirely possible.

On the third day after Shadow arrived, a Shihōin clansman with the strength of a Lieutenant had enraged him while Yoruichi Shihōin was away. Shadow had severely injured him in a single move. At the time, Shihōin Shanqing had been with his division and had no way to return in time.

The Bleaches of Shihōin had swarmed forward, intending to capture Shadow first and discuss the matter later. But the outcome completely exceeded everyone's expectations. If Yoruichi Shihōin had not heard the commotion and rushed out in time, they had no doubt that Shadow truly would have killed them.

After that, the terrified members of Shihōin would immediately turn and flee whenever they saw Shadow. That day became a nightmare etched into their hearts.

That incident had also shown them Shadow's power and ruthlessness. Whenever they recalled it, they still felt lingering fear.

God of Slaughter was the name everyone in Shihōin used for Shadow.

"But, my lord, this isn't a solution either. Lady Yoruichi is Shihōin's sole future heir!"

At last, one of Shihōin's elders could not help but speak up.

Shihōin Shanqing rubbed his brow in frustration. How could he not know that? He cursed Shadow up and down in his heart, yet there was nothing he could do.

Thinking about everything that had happened over the past few days, there had been more trouble than in the previous month combined. Shihōin Shanqing was furious. Since no one else could handle it, he had gone to talk with him himself. But after that conversation, he had nearly smoked with rage.

Because from beginning to end, Shihōin Shanqing had rambled on and on, only for Shadow to calmly shut him down with a single sentence, leaving him speechless.

"I only care that Lady Yoruichi is happy. Everything else has nothing to do with me."

Those words left Shihōin Shanqing deeply frustrated. After some thought, he decided to speak with Yoruichi Shihōin instead. He reasoned with her and appealed to her emotions, but Yoruichi Shihōin simply would not listen.

Playing was a child's nature, wasn't it? She had once been forced to learn things she disliked. Now that she had finally been freed, how could Shihōin Shanqing possibly persuade her?

In the end, a furious Shihōin Shanqing and Shadow fought in the training grounds built from Sakki-seki, exchanging bangs! and booms!

Afterward, Shihōin Shanqing emerged first with a livid face. Without saying a word, he turned and left. What could he even say? That he had nearly fought a little brat to a draw?

Although he had won and Shadow had suffered some injuries, Shihōin Shanqing was still enraged. After all, Shadow was only a child.

After that fight, Yoruichi Shihōin finally behaved herself a little more. But she was still the type to train for three days and slack off for two, leaving everyone with a headache.

"Right!"

Just as everyone was at a loss, a middle-aged elder suddenly spoke. "In a few days, isn't Shin'ō Academy recruiting students? We can send Lady Yoruichi there!"

Shihōin Shanqing's eyes lit up.

"That's right! Doesn't Yoruichi love to play? Then let her go to Shin'ō Academy. With her competitive personality, perhaps she'll study properly amid the competition!"

"Once she graduates from Shin'ō Academy, it would be good for her to join the Punishment Force for training as well!" Shihōin Shanqing laughed heartily. "Good idea. We'll do that!"

Just as everyone sighed in relief, the conference room doors were violently pushed open. A servant rushed inside in a panic, gasping for breath. "My lord, this is bad! Lord Shadow and Lady Yoruichi have left again without permission! We don't know where they went!"

"Forget it." Shihōin Shanqing sighed helplessly and waved his hand. "Let her go wherever she wants. With Shadow there, nothing will go wrong."