"..."
"Eek~"
With a jolt from the sedan chair, the two people inside suddenly locked eyes.
A touch of softness, like a dragonfly skimming the water.
A few seconds later, Sōgo and a blushing Hōshō Ryo stepped out of the sedan chair and arrived at the Fon Clan's gate.
Looking at the lacquered red wooden door, Sōgo gently stroked Hōshō Ryo's little head.
Let's go~
"Or is it that you're getting nervous now that you're almost home?"
"I knew it was absolutely right for me to come with you. If you had come alone, you probably wouldn't have dared to go in!"
Sōgo looked at Hōshō Ryo, who was frozen in place, and smiled easily, trying to dispel the tension in Hōshō Ryo's heart with his smile.
"..."
After hearing Sōgo's words, Hōshō Ryo silently tugged at Sōgo's sleeve. Honestly, the reason she was so nervous was because of the man in front of her who was grinning foolishly.
If it weren't for this man grinning foolishly in front of her, she would have already gone in to complete her grandmother's test and obtain the title that her family has passed down to this day.
Let's go!
Sōgo looked at the silent Hōshō Ryo, gently took Hōshō Ryo small hand, and pulled Hōshō Ryo into the open door of the Fon Clan.
Sorry to bother you~
After entering the Fon Clan, Sōgo looked at the spacious but deserted and somewhat desolate courtyard and greeted them.
"Who are you..."
The moment Sōgo finished speaking, an elderly woman with gray hair, wearing a black Stealth Force suit and bearing a resemblance to Hōshō Ryo, appeared in front of Sōgo and Hōshō Ryo in an instant.
"Grandma, I'm Hōshō Ryo, the captain of the Sōgo Shihoin. I came home with Hōshō Ryo today to visit you."
Before Hōshō Ryo could speak, Sōgo grabbed the woman in front of him. Even though she looked old, you could still tell from her bone structure that she must have been a beauty in her youth, and he tried to get closer to her.
" Shihoin... that famous Shihōin Clan?!"
Although this beautiful old woman did not recognize Sōgo, who rarely left his Shihoin. To be precise, there was no one in the entire Soul Society who was unfamiliar with the name Shihoin. After all, to gain a foothold in Seireitei, one had to at least know the surnames of the Five Great Noble Clans.
"These are all gifts I brought for you, as a small token of my appreciation for this brief visit."
Sōgo his grandmother could say anything, Sougo waved behind him repeatedly, and immediately a group of members of the Stealth Force walked in carrying gift boxes of various sizes, including famous pastries from the aristocratic district and some jewelry that looked very expensive.
"Um?"
After glancing at the open gift boxes, Grandmother frowned slightly, a hint of doubt in her mind.
Although she was delighted to receive the jewelry, the pomp and circumstance made it seem far from a simple visit.
"These things..."
Grandmother looked at the various gifts that shone with jewels, and at Sōgo and Hōshō Ryo standing closely together, and suddenly realized something, her eyes gradually becoming moist.
" Little Ryo, you've really made something of yourself! You've even learned to bring men home."
Grandmother gently wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes and spoke with emotion.
"Grandmother... you've misunderstood. Sōgo and I aren't in that kind of relationship." Looking at her grandmother's touched face, Hōshō Ryo blushed instantly and waved her hands repeatedly, explaining, " Sōgo, you explain..."
"What do you mean by 'that kind of relationship'? Haven't we always had this kind of relationship?"
Sōgo looked at Hōshō Ryo with a puzzled expression as she spoke.
What nonsense are you talking about?
After hearing Sōgo's explanation, Shaoling Fon became even more flustered. What was originally a simple matter had become even more unclear after Sōgo's explanation.
"At your age, you shouldn't stand in the yard; you'll easily catch a cold. Come back inside, and we can chat over tea."
Sōgo Hōshō Ryo helped his grandmother walk towards the house.
"Okay, okay."
When faced with Sōgo, Hōshō Ryo's grandmother simply said "good" three times. She was completely satisfied with Sōgo; where else could she find such a wonderful grandson-in-law?!
"No... wait?!"
Hōshō Ryo looked at Sōgo and her grandmother, who had suddenly become a close family. Her eyelids twitched slightly, and her eyes were filled with disbelief and a hint of helplessness. She Mujō to offend either of them; she was simply too weak and helpless.
" Little Ryo, please accept all the gifts~ Sōgo-kun and I have something to discuss..."
Before leaving, Grandmother turned to the side and left Hōshō Ryo a light, fleeting remark.
"Who exactly is the heir of the Fon Clan?!"
Looking at Hōshō Ryo grandmother and Sōgo, who seemed like a family, and then at herself all alone, a wave of sadness washed over her. (The members of the Stealth Force weren't considered human; they were just background figures.)
"Vice-Captain, where should we put all these things that Young Master Sōgo sent?"
After Sōgo and his grandmother walked into the house chatting and laughing, the group of background figures finally started to speak.
"Let me see what's here... Ugh~ These things must be expensive, right? Sōgo's been wasting money again."
Hōshō Ryo frowned as she looked at the boxes. She walked over and opened one, gazing at the golden treasures gleaming within. Shaking her head helplessly, she realized it was just a visit to her grandmother; it really didn't need to cost so much. Besides, repairing the Second Division's barracks had already drained the Shihoin Family's resources. Now, Sōgo was spending so extravagantly. If this continued, even the mighty Shihoin Family wouldn't be able to sustain itself one day (they'd probably go bankrupt in about ten thousand years). What were they going to do?
"As expected of someone the young master has chosen; I'm already starting to worry about the Shihoin Family."
"What a wonderful woman!"
"Yeah yeah!"
These members of the Stealth Force are all soldiers who have been loyal to the Shihoin since Yoruichi's time; in short, they are all retainers of the Shihoin Family.
"You..."
Upon hearing their words, Hōshō Ryo blushed instantly. Then, an overwhelming Spiritual Pressure erupted from her body, creating waves of air that blew away the members of the Stealth Force team.
"Get out of here, all of you!"
Hōshō Ryo turned from shame to anger and immediately used Shunkō.
"Yes, sir!"
After hearing what Hōshō Ryo said, the members of the Stealth Force had been blown into the sky by the terrifying whirlwind nodded slightly and then turned into countless shadows and disappeared into the air.
" Ryo cleaned up the yard."
However, the next second, Hōshō Ryo heard her grandmother's authoritative voice.
"Yes, sir."
Upon hearing her grandmother's words, Hōshō Ryo quickly suppressed her Spiritual Pressure and respectfully nodded in agreement.
"My daughter Ryo is just like that. She's impulsive and has always been like a little boy, lacking feminine charm and being quite careless. You'll have to help her a lot."
Grandmother and Sōgo sat in the house, drinking tea and talking about Ryo.
"No, no, Little Fon is very meticulous and has a lot of feminine charm. You can rest assured about that; I can vouch for it!"
Sōgo waved his hand at his grandmother, saying, "You can't say that. I've watched my Little Fon grow up; she's incredibly charming."
"Hahahaha... Little Ryo is my granddaughter. I know her better than you do. Because of what happened to her brothers, Little Ryo has taken it upon herself to inherit the Fon Clan business since she was little, so it's no wonder that her personality is a bit more like a boy's."
The grandmother waved her hand at Sōgo and then stated what she considered to be the only flaw in her granddaughter.
"That's what makes Little Fon so cute!"
Sōgo gently shook his head at his grandmother. It was precisely because of Hōshō Ryo's fiercely competitive nature that she was able to radiate such dazzling brilliance.
"Really? Then I'll leave my Little Ryo in your care."
The grandmother bowed deeply to Sōgo, her words filled with entrustment to the Fon Clan's supreme treasure.
"No, no, no, you're exaggerating. What do you mean by entrusting her with something? Little Ryo is my person, of course I'll protect her."
Sōgo quickly lifted his grandmother up and spoke calmly, as if he were recounting a very ordinary matter.
"Hmph... The Shihoin Family is indeed reassuring."
Grandmother looked at Sōgo's calm yet powerful demeanor and smiled gently. As expected, the Shihoin Family never disappoints, just like he was hundreds of years ago. Unfortunately, she was too far removed from Shihoin back then, like the difference between a grain of rice and the bright moon.
Fortunately, his granddaughter is quite capable and has achieved great strength at a young age. If his granddaughter has accomplished what he himself could not, it is a great blessing in life.
"By the way, there's something I'd like to ask, but it's a rather private matter, and I'm not sure if it's appropriate for you to answer..."
Grandmother suddenly remembered something, a glint of cunning flashed in her eyes, and she began to speak to Sōgo with great interest.
"You said."
Sōgo nodded. He didn't have any secrets he couldn't tell others, so he nodded indifferently.
"Have you slept with Ryo?"
Grandmother raised an eyebrow and asked Sōgo.
"..."
"Ah, this... of course, I've done it."
Sōgo fell silent after hearing his grandmother's words, then nodded slightly.
"Thud..."
"No! No way!!"
Hōshō Ryo flushed face, her little face puffed up like a red, swollen balloon.
"Hey, haven't you two done it yet?"
The grandmother was shocked; her granddaughter was such a disappointment!
"No, no, no, Grandmother, why are you so surprised? Isn't it normal that Sōgo and I haven't done it?"
Hōshō Ryo was confused; she was starting to get bewildered. This was nothing like her grandmother, who followed ancient rules and adhered to traditions!
" Little Ryo, you're still too young. It wouldn't matter if it were anyone else, but if it's the Shihoin Family, you need to be more careful. You can't let those alluring little vixens from other families snatch her away."
"The first child of the next generation of the Shihoin Family will definitely be born into our Fon Clan."
Grandmother knelt before Hōshō Ryo and spoke in a serious and solemn manner.
"..."
At this point, Hōshō Ryo was no longer just blushing; she was completely stunned. What had happened to her grandmother? Was she giving her back the strict grandmother she had when she was a child?!
"Don't worry, Grandmother! We'll work hard tonight when we get back!"
Sōgo pulled the increasingly hot Hōshō Ryo into his arms and spoke in a serious tone.
"Are you... are you kidding me?"
After hearing Sōgo's words, Hōshō Ryo was dumbfounded. "So this is the kind of Sōgo you are?!"
"That puts my mind at ease."
After hearing Sōgo's assurance, Grandma was finally relieved. That's the right thing to do!
"Grandmother, what exactly are you up to?"
Hōshō Ryo's eyelids twitched wildly. She felt like she had been tricked. This wasn't her home at all; it was Sōgo Daimaou's Demon King's cave.
" Little Ryo, you'll soon become the most promising person in the Fon Clan's history of a thousand years."
The grandmother looked at her little darling with joy. After countless sacrifices, her family had finally produced someone worthy of their respect.
"I don't want to become the greatest person in the history of the Fon Clan this way."
Hōshō Ryo was somewhat speechless. She had indeed always dreamed of becoming the most outstanding person in the Fon Clan, someone who would never bring shame to the Fon Clan. However, her excellence was not achieved by climbing the social ladder through men, but by relying on her own strength to become a truly respected and powerful individual.
"Grandmother knows that you Young Master Sōgo's heart through your own abilities. This is the result of your own hard work, and you must have paid a lot for it. That's why I said, Little Ryo, you've made something of yourself."
As Grandma spoke, she began to wipe away tears again; she was simply too moved...
Ah! This damn touching moment!
Ah! This damn heartache!
"Oh, this..."
Hōshō Ryo was at a loss for words; her grandmother had been Sōgo.
Is this the young, wealthy, and powerful heir of a tycoon? I'm in love! I'm in love!
" Sōgo, you have to do your best! You have to come a few more times tonight so that Little Ryo can get pregnant with Shihoin's child as soon as possible. The first child of the next generation of Shihoin must be from our Fon Clan."
Grandma grasped Sōgo's hand tightly and spoke excitedly.
"Don't worry, Grandmother! My title of 'ten times a night' isn't for nothing." (Me too.)
Sōgo proudly puffed out his chest.
"I didn't realize you were so strong~"
Grandmother covered her mouth and chuckled softly, then patted Sōgo on the shoulder.
Of course!
Sōgo nodded slightly, indicating that he was the strongest in the world.
"That's enough, you two!"
Unable to bear it any longer, Hōshō Ryo finally snapped and exploded.
"Grandmother, I didn't come here with Sōgo to make such vulgar jokes."
"My real purpose is to inherit that title."
Hōshō Ryo earnestly spoke to her grandmother.
"So Little Ryo thought we were joking..."
Grandmother wanted to say something more, but seeing Hōshō Ryo's flushed cheeks and the look that seemed like she was about to cry, she softened in the end. Perhaps she was too hasty. She didn't continue on this topic, but gradually became serious.
" Hōshō Ryo, do you really know what you're saying?"
Grandmother sat up straight and looked at the Hōshō Rin, speaking solemnly.
"Certainly!"
Hōshō Ryo knew that the important matter had arrived. Her expression turned serious, the rosy complexion gradually disappeared, and her eyes became sharp.
"Since you know what you're saying, that's good... But I'll still say this upfront: I won't go easy on you because of your status. If you choose to take the test, I will treat you as the heir of the Fon Clan, not just because you're my granddaughter or the vice-captain of the Second Division... A slight mistake could lead to death."
Grandmother's expression was unusually serious, Hōshō Ryo knew she wasn't joking.
But so what? Since she had decided to follow Sōgo, how could she do without enough power? She had already made preparations.
"I see!"
The three simple words from Hōshō Ryo's mouth conveyed her determination to her grandmother.
"Really? You've really grown up, Ryo."
Listening to Hōshō Ryo's words and seeing her resolute eyes, the grandmother knew that the girl in front of her was no longer just her granddaughter; she was a 'warrior,' a qualified assassin.
(End of this chapter)