"Senior Kaien, Sister Miyako, I've come to visit you."
Kurotsuki Renya arrived at the Shiba household. A few days earlier, Kaien had invited him over to properly thank him for saving Miyako.
Although Renya felt there was no need for such formality, he had readily agreed.
He stood outside the Shiba residence, and after knocking, both Shiba Kaien and Miyako Shiba came out to greet him.
The Shiba family had long since left Seireitei and lived in Rukongai.
Though both Kaien and Miyako could have lived within Seireitei, it was said that the Shiba clan had moved out generations earlier, and Kaien never planned on returning even after becoming a Shinigami.
Of course, as members of the 13th Division, they normally resided in their division dormitories, rarely leaving Seireitei, but this house remained their family home.
The Shiba residence was spacious, not yet the underground construction it would later become. Two large courtyard buildings with long corridors stretched front to back, and in the distance, the iconic cannon of the Shiba family towered above the rooftops—technology inherited by the clan, the same used to launch the Tenshintai Cannon.
"Little brother Renya, come inside," Kaien said with a warm smile.
Renya followed them into the home, where two towering figures nearly three meters tall stood guard at the gate.
"These are Jin'yan and Yin'yan, the Shiba family's retainers," Kaien introduced.
"Master Renya," both greeted respectfully, bowing.
"You're being too loud," Kaien scolded lightly, shooing them aside before bringing Renya to the living room.
Renya removed his sandals and stepped onto the tatami. Miyako went to prepare tea, while Kaien gestured for him to sit.
They knelt together on the mats. Miyako returned, serving tea and setting out senbei, konpeitō, and other sweets, before kneeling politely at Kaien's side.
"Renya," Kaien began, bowing his head deeply, "I invited you here today to thank you properly. Without you, Miyako would have died that day. You saved her life. Thank you."
Miyako leaned forward as well, smiling gently. "Yes, little brother Renya. Thank you very much."
Seeing their formal gratitude, Renya waved his hands quickly. "Senior Kaien, Sister Miyako, please—there's no need to be so formal. Truly."
Kaien raised his head, smiling wryly. "Then why do you call her 'Sister Miyako' but call me 'Senior'? Isn't that a little unfair?"
Renya thought for a moment and answered, "Because Sister Miyako is beautiful and youthful. But Senior Kaien—"
A vein bulged across Kaien's forehead. "Are you calling me old and ugly!?"
Miyako covered her mouth to stifle her laughter.
Renya chuckled nervously. "I didn't say that, Senior."
"But that's exactly what you meant," Kaien shot back, flustered.
Unable to contain herself, Miyako burst into laughter, the sound softening the mood.
After the lighthearted exchange, Kaien shifted the topic. "By the way, Renya, how many years has it been since you joined the 13th Division?"
Renya replied, "It's been eight years now."
Kaien's brows rose. "Eight years… and already your strength is near a captain's. Renya, that's incredible."
Renya shook his head modestly. "I still have shortcomings I need to work on."
He knew his main limitation was his spiritual pressure, which was still below captain level. Even Kaien's reiatsu had reached the seventh tier, surpassing his own. But in terms of Zanpakutō ability and shunpo, Renya was already stronger.
Still, Kaien's potential was undeniable. If given enough time, he could master Bankai—just as geniuses like Ichimaru Gin had.
Renya recalled the requirements: to become a captain, one must master Bankai, be recommended by another captain, and pass review by the Captain-Commander and three other captains. Gin had done so within sixty years of graduating. Hitsugaya Tōshirō achieved Bankai in less than thirty. Even Hisagi Shūhei, Renji Abarai, and Rukia Kuchiki would achieve it in about fifty to sixty years.
For Kaien, Renya believed the same timeframe applied. He hadn't reached that point yet, but in ten or twenty years, Kaien would surely stand among the captains. At that time, even Renya's shikai might not be enough to match him.
"You're too modest, Renya," Kaien said with a grin.
He was about to continue when suddenly, a voice rang out:
"Sorry I'm late! I'm dying of thirst—give me some water first!"
A tall figure rushed into the room, snatched a teacup from the table, and downed it in one gulp. Not satisfied, she eyed Renya's cup.
Renya noticed and lifted it slightly. "If you don't mind me already having—"
Before he could finish, she snatched it from his hand and drank it as well.
Renya blinked, studying her as she set the cup down.
The woman was striking—tall and athletic, her black hair tied in a turban with two thick braids falling down her back. Her features were sharp: knife-edged brows, luminous eyes, a straight nose, and full lips set against bold, confident lines.
But it was her body that stood out most. She wore a sleeveless red short jacket, her muscular arms bared. A black tattoo spiraled around her left arm, while swirling flame-like designs marked her outfit. Her jacket left her generous cleavage exposed, her waist narrow and taut. Her lower body was clad in a white skirt, cut wide at the sides to reveal her toned thighs. Bandages wrapped her legs beneath her skirt, and wooden clogs struck the floor with each step. The faint smell of gunpowder clung to her.
This was Shiba Kūkaku, Kaien's younger sister.
Unlike later history, she had not lost her arm. As Kaien's sister, she could have been healed easily within Seireitei. And since the tragedy of Kaien's death had not yet occurred, she bore no hatred of the Gotei 13. Thus, she remained whole and lively, far from the reclusive figure she would later become.
Slamming the cup down, Kūkaku dropped onto the tatami beside Renya. She glanced at him and asked bluntly, "So this is the brat who saved my sister-in-law?"
Kaien snapped, "Didn't I tell you Renya would arrive at three in the afternoon? Why are you just getting back now?"
Kūkaku waved him off. "The family who hired me to set off fireworks kept me longer than expected. Not my fault."
Renya's eyes widened slightly as he realized. "Sister Kūkaku… you're a fireworks master?"
She smirked proudly. "That's right. I'm the number one pyrotechnician in all of Soul Society!"
Kaien groaned. "More like the number one nuisance. How many complaints have we had because you blew up the backyard with your 'experiments'?"
Kūkaku ignored him, turning to Renya. "Hey, kid. Want to see my workshop?"
Renya's eyes lit up with curiosity. "Is that really okay?"
"Of course!" she grinned. "Follow me."
She stood, grabbed Renya by the wrist, and pulled him along. In a blink, the two had vanished from the room.
Kaien scratched his head. "That girl… she just took him without asking."
Miyako only smiled. "Isn't that better? Renya seemed a little uncomfortable with us. It's good for Kūkaku to entertain him."
Kaien sighed. "Still… Yoruichi hasn't returned yet either. Between Kūkaku and Ganju, my siblings really know how to worry me."
JOIN MY PATREON TO READ 30+ CHAPTERS AHEAD OF PUBLIC RELEASE
Patreon.com/HACKDWORLD