With Your Promise

Soul Society, Seireitei, First Division Barracks.

Even his broad robes could not conceal his powerful physique. His back was straight, and the long beard on his chin was bound with a purple cord. His eyes were slightly narrowed, and an unspoken majesty emanated from his aged, wrinkled face. Though both hands rested on a cane planted against the ground, he showed no sign of relying on it for support.

Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto, Captain of the Gotei 13's First Division and Captain-Commander of the Thirteen Divisions, the strongest Bleach said to have held his post for over two thousand years.

Before him stood the remaining captains of the Gotei 13, arranged in two rows.

Shihōin Shanqing, Captain of the Second Division; Nanmazhou Er, Captain of the Third Division; Retsu Unohana, Captain of the Fourth Division; Shinji Hirako, newly appointed Captain of the Fifth Division; Ginrei Kuchiki, Captain of the Sixth Division; Love Aikawa, newly appointed Captain of the Seventh Division; Shunsui Kyōraku, Captain of the Eighth Division; Wangyuan Baoren, Captain of the Ninth Division; Kitagawa Guobu, Captain of the Tenth Division; Kenpachi Kiganjō, newly appointed Captain of the Eleventh Division; Kirio Hikifune, Captain of the Twelfth Division; and Jūshirō Ukitake, Captain of the Thirteenth Division.

"Captain Shihōin, shouldn't you explain this to us?" Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto asked in a deep voice.

"Explain? What are you talking about, Captain-Commander?" Shihōin Shanqing asked, looking utterly confused. "My daughter was attacked by an Adjuchas?"

"Changing the subject isn't like you." Shunsui Kyōraku pressed down the straw hat on his head. "I'm curious too. About that boy."

"What exactly are you talking about?"

There was even a hint of innocence amid Shihōin Shanqing's confusion. That expression made it difficult not to believe him, but which captain here was a fool?

"My, my! I'm very interested," Kirio Hikifune said with a smiling face.

"A Cero from an Adjuchas-class Menos Grande." Retsu Unohana continued smiling gently. "He didn't seem injured at all. He handled it quite easily, didn't he?"

"What an incredible young man," the ever-kind Jūshirō Ukitake praised.

"Was that fleeting Reiatsu from a few days ago his?" Nanmazhou Er asked with a frown.

"Shanqing." Ginrei Kuchiki, current head of the Kuchiki, foremost among the Four Great Noble Families, spoke as well. He was very direct. "Is he from the Shihōin? He's Captain-class, isn't he?"

"That question..." Shihōin Shanqing rested his chin on his hand and rubbed it twice.

Thud...

A dull knock, carrying boundless authority, silenced everyone. Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto looked toward Shihōin Shanqing and said sternly, "Captain Shihōin..."

"Just kidding." Shihōin Shanqing waved a hand with a smile. "He's from the Kawasaki Family, not my Shihōin."

"The lower noble Kawasaki Family?" Ginrei Kuchiki frowned. "If I remember correctly, the Kawasaki Family is affiliated with the Shihōin, isn't it?"

"But he's different."

Shihōin Shanqing sighed and recounted the entire matter from beginning to end.

"That's how it was. The one he serves is Yoruichi Shihōin, not the Shihōin."

He said this because Shihōin Shanqing knew very well that while Shadow was indeed in the Shihōin, if anything happened, Shadow would never intervene without Yoruichi Shihōin's orders. That was the difference between the two.

"No reason to live, no value or meaning in living?" Jūshirō Ukitake said in surprise. "What is this child thinking?"

"What strange words." Shunsui Kyōraku's voice grew somewhat grave. "All he experienced was being an illegitimate child, his mother's death, and his father's loathing. But according to you, Shanqing, he hates his father. No matter how you look at it, those experiences seem rather far-fetched."

"And you said he had no Reiatsu since childhood," Kitagawa Guobu added. "Yet at that moment, he erupted with Reiatsu close to Captain-class. It's truly strange. Where did all his strength come from?"

"Shanqing, have you thoroughly investigated everything about him?" Ginrei Kuchiki asked solemnly.

"No." Shihōin Shanqing shook his head directly and said seriously, "I don't think it's necessary."

"But..."

"I believe in him."

His voice was not loud, yet it carried indescribable trust. Shihōin Shanqing smiled. "I've thought of everything you mentioned. Though there are things I question as well, I still choose to believe him."

"I can tell that he is truly loyal to Yoruichi. Feelings that come from the depths of one's bones cannot be faked." Shihōin Shanqing gave a helpless smile. "But that loyalty is only for Yoruichi. He doesn't give anyone else the time of day. He doesn't even give me any face at all!"

"What do you think of his strength?" Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto asked.

Shihōin Shanqing turned serious as well. "His Reiatsu is no weaker than mine. His Hakuda is very strong, and his strength is somewhat strange. I've never seen him use Kido, but that doesn't mean he is weak at it. As for his Shunpo, you've all seen it."

"I fought him some days ago. I won, but it was an ugly victory." Shihōin Shanqing's gaze was grave. "I didn't use Bankai, but I could tell that he had not gone all out either, because from beginning to end, he never drew his sword."

"Is that so?" Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto nodded and asked again, "Then what is your assessment?"

"Cold, mysterious, arrogant, and frightening," Shihōin Shanqing said in a low voice. "But as long as Yoruichi says the word, he will listen no matter what."

"Why don't I have such good luck?" Shinji Hirako scratched his head, putting on the airs of a resentful wife. No one paid him any attention.

"If that is the case, then all the better."

Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto tapped the cane in his hand and slightly opened his eyes. A sharp gleam flashed through their cloudiness.

"But if he dares act against the Seireitei, this old man will personally eliminate him!"

Soul Society, Seireitei, Shihōin.

"Shadow!"

"Lady Yoruichi!"

The bathhouse door opened, and Yoruichi Shihōin, already dressed, came out with a yawn. Tilting her little head, she looked at Shadow's still impassive face. Her eyes rolled as though she had thought of something, and a mischievous grin appeared on her face.

That smile sent chills down Shadow's spine, and he hurriedly changed the subject. "Lady Yoruichi, dinner is ready. Please go eat."

"Mm, got it."

Yoruichi Shihōin nodded and started walking forward. "Oh, right, Shadow. Has Father returned?"

"Apparently not yet." Shadow followed behind her as he answered, "Does Lady Yoruichi need something?"

"Ah, it's nothing." Yoruichi Shihōin shook her head. "Shadow, train with me tomorrow."

"Train?" Shadow froze.

"Training, obviously!" Yoruichi Shihōin said. "Zankensoki. You'll spar with me."

"I'm sorry, Lady Yoruichi." After a moment of silence, Shadow lowered his head. "No matter what, I will never stand against Lady Yoruichi. No matter what, I will never raise a hand against Lady Yoruichi, even if it is only training!"

"Shadow!" Yoruichi Shihōin stopped and turned back.

"I can kill thousands, kill tens of thousands, even kill myself, but I will never harm Lady Yoruichi!"

"I can destroy Soul Society, destroy the Seireitei, even destroy myself, but I will never destroy Lady Yoruichi!"

"Idiot."

Yoruichi Shihōin smiled, turned around, and continued onward. Yet within those golden, gemstone-like eyes flickered an unidentifiable emotion.