Choice and Trust

The three of them returned to the Soul Society Outskirts. Looking around, they saw rows of simple wooden shacks lining both sides of the road.

The people walking on the road were all clad in simple cloth garments, with no decent clothing to speak of.

The pedestrians on the street were varied, but the most eye-catching were the patrol officers who occasionally walked by. These individuals were all from the local district and followed the elders' arrangements. Their daily patrols were mainly to prevent troublemakers from other areas from causing disturbances in the Kakushi. Minor scuffles could be dispersed, but if any desperate individuals came here, these few would likely be unable to handle them.

"Rangiku."

"Grandma Yudai."

Along the way, a white-haired old woman smiled and waved to Rangiku.

Rangiku smiled back and bowed respectfully.

It was clear that Rangiku was very popular in the district. Because she was outgoing and sensible, she got along well with everyone.

As for Yue and Gin...

"I wish I were as popular as you," Yue said with a smile.

"Forget it... The two of you, one is less likable than the other. Besides, I've lectured you so many times, and you haven't shown any signs of changing."

Rangiku placed her hands on her hips and teased them with a hint of pride.

Yue and Gin Ichimaru exchanged smiles.

After a while, they returned to the orphanage where they were temporarily staying, stopping and starting along the way.

Calling it an orphanage was a stretch; it was essentially an empty wooden house.

Pushing the door open, they saw several simple beds inside. A group of children, younger than the three of them, were sitting and playing games. Besides that, the floor was covered with straw mats, which served as beds for the older children, along with some worn-out daily necessities.

"You're back..."

A middle-aged man with his hair tied up, a faint stubble, and a kind face looked over.

"Uncle Asakawa."

Rangiku called out politely again.

Gin Ichimaru also bowed slightly.

Yue nodded his head.

This Asakawa was one of the caretakers in the Kakushi and was under the elders.

He usually came to look after the orphans like them. He was a good person.

At least in district number 62, if nothing unexpected happened, the children could grow up safely. Therefore, with a certain guarantee of survival and safety, the kind side of human nature could be displayed. Uncle Asakawa would occasionally bring them supplies.

"It's better to stay out of the outside world recently. I heard it's very chaotic out there... Many people have died. A while ago, a Hollow even appeared near Ebisu," Uncle Asakawa warned.

"Yes."

The three of them stirred and quickly responded.

Orphans like them, not just Yue and the other two, but many children often wandered and played outside the district.

Therefore, Uncle Asakawa's visit this time was clearly a warning to all the children.

"I'm leaving now."

After a brief exchange, Asakawa left first.

"You three... you're really not afraid of death. Where did you go today? Be careful, if you run into any troublesome guys, you won't be able to come back," a boy sitting with his legs crossed, a blade of grass in his mouth, said coldly and irritably after Asakawa left.

His name was Suta. He was a bit older than the three of them and had fled from another district. He was fortunate enough to be accepted by the elders.

In his opinion, the environment of district 62 was already paradise. The place he came from was ten, even a hundred times more dangerous.

Adults didn't matter as much, but many children and teenagers like him desperately wanted to establish themselves in a safe district.

Recently, some children had gone missing in the district.

Although he meant well, his tone didn't sound very pleasant.

"Thank you."

Gin said softly.

"Hmph."

Suta snorted, turned around, and faced away from them, no longer speaking.

Currently, there were over twenty people living in this small house. Yue and the other two were in the middle age range, with a few slightly older children.

Daily life consisted of nothing more than chatting or playing some dull games, so going to the outskirts to play had become the children's main form of entertainment.

Rangiku quickly blended in with her younger brothers and sisters.

Gin Ichimaru tidied up his belongings and prepared to leave, going out again.

"Going to help again?" Yue asked when he saw this.

"Yeah."

Gin nodded.

To put it plainly, he was going to work.

Helping out neighbors or shops in the district wasn't easy to establish a foothold. Even at a young age, Gin Ichimaru understood the ways of the world. While he wasn't well-liked among children or his peers, Gin had his own methods; he always succeeded in whatever he set out to achieve.

Don't forget, he was Gin Ichimaru… the man who almost killed Aizen.

Although he couldn't match Aizen's cunning, he could easily defeat most other characters without issue.

For the current Gin Ichimaru, working outside was partly to earn money, and partly for Rangiku and Yue.

Gaining a good reputation and popularity within the district was essential.

For instance, more than once, people had wanted to adopt Gin, but he refused them all.

"If it weren't for me, perhaps… he would have had a good family."

Yue thought to himself.

His previous self should have died. If that had happened, Gin would have been alone before meeting Rangiku.

During that time, he might have been adopted.

"Have a safe trip."

A moment later, Gin Ichimaru waved goodbye to him and Rangiku and walked out the door.

However, just before he left, Yue suddenly called out.

Gin Ichimaru immediately stopped in his tracks, his narrow, fox-like eyes slowly opening a sliver to size up Yue.

This was because it was the first time Yue had offered him a blessing before he went out to work.

As childhood best friends, Gin instinctively sensed something.

Something was wrong.

Yue lay on the straw mat, picking his ear with a look of 'innocent purity.' Sensing Gin's gaze, he feigned ignorance and asked, "What? It's just a blessing, are you touched?"

"Hehehe… Yue, you're not planning to do something bad behind my back, are you?"

Gin's lips suddenly curved into an arc, his tone icy.

At this moment, he seemed to have transformed into a venomous snake, his voice laced with a smile.

This was a part of his true nature, and it only showed when he faced Yue.

Normally, unless he encountered someone or something that he found interesting or wanted to play a prank on… it wasn't as obvious as it would be when he was an adult.

"Sigh… fine, I take it back, okay?"

Yue pretended to raise his hands in surrender. "Remember to bring back some dried persimmons… I took a look when I passed by earlier, and that persimmon tree at the end of the street has so many. I guess their dried persimmons won't sell out anytime soon."

Gin Ichimaru's cold aura subsided. The slivers of his eyes that had opened narrowed again. After nodding, he finally left.

"What's going on with you two?"

Rangiku, standing beside them, puffed out her cheeks indignantly.

She was clearly scolding Yue.

Although she didn't know why Gin Ichimaru was 'angry,' Yue had clearly provoked him just now.

"You really… don't understand him at all."

Yue glanced at Rangiku, a sentence flashing through his mind. He then yawned, preparing to sleep. "I've already taken back what I said, so consider it an apology."

Rangiku pouted and let out a "Tch," too lazy to bother with him anymore.

Yue turned over, seemingly resting, but his eyes were not closed.

Gin's perception was too sharp.

As expected, being able to become a captain of the Gotei 13 in the future and staying by Aizen's side for so long had its reasons.

He and Gin knew each other inside and out, and they both understood their feelings for each other, but they had never expressed them because there was no need to use words… even when Gin had taken care of him for so long, and even avenged him, Yue had never directly expressed his gratitude.

At least, the two of them were accustomed to this way of interacting.

Therefore, when he said something like "Have a safe trip," which was slightly revealing of his emotions or carried some hidden meaning, Gin found it unusual.

And in fact, Yue was indeed preparing to act.

He moved between the worlds of Naruto and Bleach, walking a very 'muddy' path. He knew the future dangers and darkness of both worlds. To reach his destination, he had to put in all his effort and couldn't waste any time.

He needed to secure all resources and ways to grow and become stronger.

He wouldn't just lie passively in this orphanage and wait for death.

Time… was precious.

Otherwise, when the day came that he needed to stand up, what he would face… would likely be despair.

Firstly, although most of the Soul Society Outskirts were ordinary civilians, it didn't mean there was nothing of value there.

Many formidable individuals had emerged from the Soul Society Outskirts. Before becoming Shinigami, these people had accumulated a vast amount of combat experience through fighting and brawling, representing the tough characters of the streets.

Most of the first generation of the Gotei 13 had fought their way through the most dangerous districts of the Soul Society Outskirts.

And in later generations, the most famous was undoubtedly Kenpachi Zaraki.

Next were those like Ikkaku Madarame.

Yue didn't expect to reach Kenpachi's level; frankly, that was a monster… a unique talent.

He just hoped he could grow to Ikkaku's standard.

Even half of it would be fine.

Fighting, brawling… it was truly a matter of life and death, and having enough combat experience could increase his chances of survival.

After all, even in Naruto, as a newly graduated Genin of Kusa Village, he hadn't killed anyone yet. He hadn't seen blood; he was a complete fledgling.

What they taught in school was completely different from actually stepping onto the battlefield.

For example, in the original story, when Sasuke first met Orochimaru, he was so overwhelmed by the killing intent emanating from Orochimaru that he could barely move, his mind going completely blank.

If it weren't for Naruto's protagonist halo… the three of them would have been easily manipulated.

Comparatively, he, who was hailed as the genius of Kusa Village, was definitely much weaker than Sasuke at that time, and he didn't have Naruto's protagonist halo either… If he were in that situation, his reaction would likely be even worse than Team 7's. And now, the Soul Society Outskirts was his best choice!

A trial ground suitable for him.

In the current Naruto world, there was no environment like this to provide him with.

"It's something I have to face sooner or later, whether for feelings or for survival. It's better to choose to accept it sooner… than to have no choice later," Yue thought to himself.

He possessed the soul and mind of an adult.

So… there were some things he knew very clearly what choices he needed to make.

Even if he knew the road ahead would be difficult.

With that thought, he closed his eyes.

Gin Ichimaru's feeling was correct… but like Gin, once Yue decided to do something, the outcome was already set.

By evening, the small room was filled with children of various ages, all of whom had fallen asleep.

The streets were also quiet.

Gin Ichimaru, who had returned, gently pushed open the door and walked in.

He was holding a bag of dried persimmons in his hand.

Without disturbing anyone else's rest, his gaze familiar scanned the straw mat where Yue slept.

It was empty.

There was only a letter.

A crumpled letter, clearly, Yue had prepared this letter for a long time… it wasn't written on impulse.

Gin Ichimaru's expression didn't change; he already had a premonition… to the point that he had been uneasy the entire time he was out.

His footsteps made no sound as he walked to Yue's straw mat, knelt, and picked up the letter to open it.

'Something came up suddenly, I'm going out for a bit, don't worry! The time of my return is undecided, it depends on the situation… Don't ask, don't look for me, this is my own choice.'

'Now that Rangiku is by your side, I can rest assured. When we meet again, I will definitely surprise you.'

'I know you're very angry, but don't be angry yet… When we reunite, I'll treat you to dried persimmons, lots and lots of dried persimmons.'

The writing on the letter was crooked, but Gin read every word.

The bag of dried persimmons in his hand was squeezed until it made a creaking sound.

His eyes opened completely, and a cold glint seemed to flash in his pupils in the darkness, "Yue!"