The barracks of the Second Division and the Stealth Force.
Ever since Yoruichi Shihōin had become Second Division Captain while also serving as commander-in-chief of the Stealth Force, the Second Division and the Stealth Force had practically become one, even moving their barracks together.
"What did you say, sis?"
"You're saying I have to go to school? Are you kidding?"
"I'm not going to school!"
In the Second Division captain's office, a hall built like an ancient emperor's palace, Sōgo Shihoin protested after hearing his sister's arrangements.
"Your objection is overruled! This is the family's decision. Just be good and go to school!"
"Besides, didn't you want me to find jobs for those four little burdens you brought back?"
"That's three Menos Grande and someone who's already been declared dead in the Soul Society. Do you know how much responsibility your sister has to shoulder because of your whims?"
Yoruichi Shihōin spoke sternly to Sōgo Shihoin. When she had learned that her brother had taken a trip to Hueco Mundo and brought back three humanoid Menos Grande, along with a former Kenpachi who had already been declared dead, even her heart had pounded nonstop. If the Central 46 Chambers found out, even the Shihoin family would face punishment.
"..."
"Fine! I understand, sis."
Seeing his sister unleash her finishing move, Sōgo Shihoin immediately shut his mouth and nodded lightly.
"That's more like it!"
"And it's not as though you're going to school alone. I know there's a lot about Shin'ō Academy you don't understand, so I specially arranged a little study companion to attend classes with you!"
Yoruichi Shihōin patiently explained things to Sōgo Shihoin.
"A study companion? Is this to keep an eye on me?"
"Seriously, sis? Don't you trust your own little brother's character?"
"Do you think your little brother is the sort of person who would skip class?"
"Don't be ridiculous. I never skip class!"
Sōgo Shihoin grew more agitated as he spoke. He felt that his character had been called into question.
"It's precisely because I know you so well that I'm having someone watch you! If nobody kept an eye on you, you wouldn't even attend the opening ceremony on the first day, would you?"
Yoruichi Shihōin stood up and refused to back down.
"Damn it! With my strength, who could possibly teach me? I should be teaching them!"
Sōgo Shihoin stubbornly retorted.
"Anyway, enough nonsense! Understand this: it's the family's decision!"
"Come in, Shaoling Fon!"
Yoruichi Shihōin beckoned toward the door.
"Yes, Lady Yoruichi!"
At Yoruichi Shihōin's call, a petite, doll-like girl came running in from outside with quick little steps and greeted her.
"This is Sōgo Shihoin, my dear little brother. You'll be classmates from now on, so get to know each other."
Yoruichi Shihōin introduced the two.
"Sigh... hello!"
Sōgo Shihoin sighed and held out his hand to Shaoling Fon.
"H-hello!"
Shaoling Fon blushed as she looked at Sōgo Shihoin. Just thinking that the person before her was Lady Yoruichi Shihōin's little brother made her heart surge.
"Both of you, be a little warmer! Warmer!"
Watching the two behave so politely, Yoruichi Shihōin huffily hooked her arms around their necks, looking impatient.
"We're being warm! Warm enough!"
Sōgo Shihoin slapped at Yoruichi Shihōin's arm as he spoke.
"Sigh..."
"Come on, I'll take you two out for a drink~"
Yoruichi Shihōin released their necks and casually tossed her Captain's Haori aside, revealing the black, backless bodysuit underneath. She stretched a little before speaking to Sōgo and Shaoling Fon.
"A drink? Alcohol?"
Hearing Yoruichi Shihōin's words, Shaoling Fon blushed and waved her hands repeatedly.
"What? Don't tell me you've never even had alcohol?"
"Tsk, tsk, tsk... what a good girl. Now that I think about it, handing you over to Sōgo just like this would be such a waste. I'm starting to feel reluctant~"
Seeing how innocent Shaoling Fon was, Yoruichi Shihōin immediately curled her lips into a mischievous smile.
"What do you mean, handing me over? Lady Yoruichi, your wording is very imprecise."
Shaoling Fon's face was as red as an apple, but she still corrected Yoruichi Shihōin with perfect seriousness.
"See? What did I tell you?"
Yoruichi smiled slightly at Shaoling Fon's words and nudged Sōgo with her elbow, as though hinting at something.
"Sis, you really know how to tease innocent girls~" Sōgo Shihoin sighed helplessly at Yoruichi's words, then walked up to Shaoling Fon and vigorously ruffled her neatly arranged hair. "Don't let my sister bully you all the time!"
"Huh? Um..."
Shaoling Fon stood there, somewhat at a loss.
"We have classes tomorrow, right? Since we have classes, we definitely can't drink today... see you tomorrow morning~"
Sōgo turned and smiled slightly at his sister, then made his arrangement with Shaoling Fon.
With that, Sōgo left the Second Division barracks without waiting for his sister or Shaoling Fon to answer.
"Y-yes, Lord Sōgo!"
Shaoling Fon bowed slightly toward Sōgo Shihoin's departing figure.
"Then I'll head back to prepare as well! Lady Yoruichi Shihōin!"
Shaoling Fon turned and bowed deeply to Yoruichi Shihōin, who was getting ready to go out drinking.
"Huh?"
"How could you two do this?"
Yoruichi Shihōin watched Sōgo and Shaoling Fon leave with an unhappy expression. She was very upset. Her adorable little brother and the junior she intended to seriously mentor had both abandoned her, leaving her all alone. That was going too far.
The tavern.
"Listen, Urahara! You know my little brother Sōgo came back... but he's not the same little brat who used to follow me everywhere! He's changed..."
Barefoot and utterly unconcerned with appearances, Yoruichi sat cross-legged on a cushion, her face slightly flushed and a sake cup in her hand, grumbling indignantly.
"I know! I know! Captain, please mind your image a little. People are watching!"
Kisuke Urahara kept trying to reason with Yoruichi while holding up a little fan to cover... his own face. He would leave all the embarrassing business to Yoruichi! He, Kisuke Urahara, one of the Soul Society's future greatest inventors, had his dignity to preserve.
Meanwhile, at the Shihoin estate.
"Isn't this whole going-to-class thing ridiculous?"
Sōgo Shihoin lay in the corridor alone, idly staring at the sky in a daze.
Because of Lilynette, Tier Harribel, Szayelaporro, and Kuruyashiki Kenpachi's unusual circumstances, the four could not appear at the Shihoin estate at all. They were all working in the Stealth Force now, as its practice of wearing masks could not have suited the four better.
That left Sōgo Shihoin bored out of his mind all alone.
Squad Zero.
"Hey, hey, hey!"
"Was it really okay to just let that brat Sōgo bring back three Vasto Lorde?"
Tenjirō Kirinji recalled how Sōgo Shihoin had popped out of a Garganta with three Vasto Lorde-class Menos Grande and Kuruyashiki Kenpachi, who should have been dead but had miraculously survived. It had startled him so badly that he had nearly released his Zanpakuto.
"Hahahaha... what's wrong with that? Isn't livening up the Soul Society fun?"
The Big-Eyed Monk laughed heartily, his big, watery eyes filled with amusement.
"Speaking of which, didn't you two notice? That kid Sōgo's Spiritual Pressure..."
Ōetsu Nimaiya reminded the two of them.
"..."
The Big-Eyed Monk and Tenjirō Kirinji remained silent. Both had clearly noticed Sōgo's Spiritual Pressure, but both chose to avoid discussing it.
Then came the academy arc.
(End of chapter)