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Within the First Division's barracks, in the Commander-General's office, the air was still and heavy with the scent of old parchment and ink.
"You wish to go to the present world?" Yamamoto Genryūsai raised a white brow, his ancient voice carrying quiet weight.
Su Li inclined his head.
The Commander-General studied him in silence. The boy before him was no ordinary soldier. He was the one who had stood in the shadows of Aizen's betrayal, whose blade had tilted the balance when chaos threatened to consume Seireitei. Yamamoto owed him more than words could repay.
In recent days, the old man had wrestled with the thought of reward. But what could be given to someone who already seemed to lack for nothing? Now the request came—not wealth, not position, but permission. A journey to the human world. A small thing on the surface, yet...
"Ah Li," Yamamoto began slowly, "I have no wish to refuse you. Yet you understand we are in a time of unease. Aizen and his cohorts move in shadow, their conspiracy still unfolding. The battle may erupt at any time, and fear already grips the Court of Pure Souls. For you to leave now—"
Su Li cut him off with quiet conviction. "That is precisely why I must go. My purpose in the world of the living is Aizen."
Yamamoto's eyes narrowed.
"Urahara Kisuke has found intelligence. I am to discuss it with him." Su Li's tone was steady, his fabrication smooth.
The old man's expression softened. "I see. Very well." A faint nod. His stern face warmed with an almost grandfatherly kindness. "A month... will that suffice? If not, I shall grant you two."
Such leniency was rare. Travel to the world of the living was bound by strict regulations for captains—time limits, spiritual suppression, constraints designed to protect the balance and to keep Seireitei's strongest within reach. Yet here was Yamamoto, breaking his own law, bending the weight of the Gotei's command for one youth.
Two months... Su Li almost sighed. By then, Karakura's war would be finished. "One month will do."
The Commander-General considered, then exhaled slowly. "So be it. But you must report swiftly if you uncover anything. And if crisis strikes Seireitei, you are to return without delay. I trust you understand—there is no need to say more." His voice grew warm. "Go, then."
Su Li bowed. "Yes, teacher." With a faint smile, he turned and departed.
In the corridor, his steps slowed as a large shadow approached.
"Captain Su Li. It has been a while."
Komamura Sajin's deep voice carried both relief and respect.
"Indeed. It has," Su Li replied politely, preparing to move on.
Yet the wolf-headed captain did not step aside. His gaze lingered, heavy with sincerity. "Before you go... there is something I must say. Once, I doubted you. Suspected you of treachery. For that, I am deeply sorry." His head bowed.
Su Li's answer was simple. "You were not the only one."
Komamura's chest tightened. His respect deepened. "Such a heart..."
But Su Li had no patience for flattery. "Captain Komamura, we'll speak again when time permits. I have matters to attend to."
The wolf captain inclined his head. "Of course. Then I shall not delay you further."
Su Li left without another word.
---
In the Second Division's barracks, within the captain's office, a different tension simmered.
Byakuya Kuchiki sat silently in the guest chair, posture perfect, face carved in stone. Before him, Omaeda Marechiyo poured tea with trembling hands, filling the noble's cup again and again.
"Captain Kuchiki," Omaeda muttered, sweat forming at his temples, "you have waited here ten days straight. I truly do not know where Captain Su Li has gone... perhaps you should rest?"
"If I do not see him, I will not leave," Byakuya replied, voice like cold steel.
A sharper tone sliced the air. "If it is a fight you seek, I can send you to him in pieces."
Soi-Fon stepped into the room, her gaze icy, her presence sharp as a drawn blade.
Byakuya's eyes did not move. "The one I wait for is not you."
Her voice was low and deadly. "You cannot defeat me. What right do you have to challenge him?"
Finally, his eyes shifted, calm but burning. "Then test it, if you dare."
Their stares locked, sparks colliding in silence.
Omaeda's hands shook. His mind raced: if these two fought, where could he hide?
But before the pressure could snap, a familiar voice broke the tension. "Bee. Omaeda."
The heavy air vanished.
"Captain Su Li!" Omaeda almost wept in relief.
Soi-Fon's cold face melted instantly into quiet obedience. "Ah Li..."
Byakuya's gaze deepened, complicated, unreadable.
"Dabai? Why are you here?" Su Li blinked in mild surprise.
"Captain, Captain Kuchiki has waited every day," Omaeda blurted. "Drank all the tea in the office—nearly emptied the leaves!"
"I have sent oranges every day," Byakuya said flatly.
"Oranges..." Omaeda's lips twitched. "They're worthless."
"I can replace your tea. In any amount," Byakuya replied without emotion, though his gaze cut like a blade.
Omaeda's heart pounded, yet with Su Li present, he forced himself to hold his ground.
But Su Li's voice cut short the brewing quarrel. "Enough. Dabai, we'll speak later. For now, I'm leaving for the present world."
All three froze.
"You're going... to the living world?" Soi-Fon's voice broke her usual composure.
"Why so suddenly, Captain?" Omaeda stammered.
Byakuya's eyes narrowed. "For what purpose?"
Su Li answered simply. "To investigate Aizen's plans."
Silence followed. His words carried enough weight to end all protest.
"...I see," Byakuya said at last, a thread of disappointment in his tone.
Soi-Fon's eyes softened with worry. "Then be careful, Ah Li."
"Captain, please return quickly," Omaeda added, voice faltering.
Su Li gave a faint smile. "I will. Until then." With that, he left the room.
The silence that followed was crushing.
Omaeda tugged at Soi-Fon's sleeve, whispering urgently. "Captain... keep your eye on him." He darted a glance at Byakuya. "I swear he might kill me in my sleep. I'm scared."
Cold eyes met his, merciless.
"Don't worry," Soi-Fon said with a thin sneer. "If he does not kill you..."
Her gaze sharpened. "I will."
Omaeda's blood ran cold. His heart shrank. Never in his life had he missed someone more than Su Li in that moment.
"Waaaaaahhhhhh…"
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