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West Rukongai, District 1, Junrinan.
A man in a white haori strode grandly out of the Hakutōmon, and Jidanbō, the guardian of the Seireimon, respectfully welcomed him to his side.
As he checked the man's identification, he greeted the newcomer.
As the guardian who had protected the Hakutōmon for centuries, he naturally knew the identity of this man who frequently passed through.
However, checking identification was routine, and even when facing a Captain of the Gotei 13, he did not neglect his duties.
Nevertheless, verbal respect was indispensable.
After all, though the war had ended decades ago, many still remembered this great man's glorious achievements.
So, Jidanbō wasn't being obsequious; it was simply the respect that was due.
This was the great hero who ended the war!
Naturally, as the Seireimon's guardian, he wasn't interested in any inexplicable gains; his reverence was entirely heartfelt.
He thought this as he escorted the man into Rukongai.
As he slowly walked into the streets of Junrinan, Aozaki Reiji placed his hands on his hips with a hint of arrogance.
"Aozaki Reiji! Aozaki Reiji is back!!"
"Is Big Brother Aozaki back to see Big Sister again?"
"Big Brother Aozaki is so handsome! One day, I'll also pass the Central Shin'o Academy exam and become a Shinigami!"
Aozaki Reiji comfortably accepted the compliments from the crowd.
Given his relationship with Big Sister Shiba Kūkaku, it was natural for him to become one of Junrinan's "Big Brothers."
"Junrinan, I recall it being Tōshirō Hitsugaya's hometown, right?" Aozaki Reiji walked along the road, stroking his chin and muttering to himself, "I wonder if that kid has been born yet."
He wasn't interested in the person himself, but simply in his sword.
Surrounded by the crowd, Aozaki Reiji walked towards the Shiba residence.
...
Junrinan outskirts, the Shiba residence.
As one of the former Five Great Noble Houses, although the Shiba family had lost its exalted status, its bloodline still flowed within the bodies of its members.
Although they had lost their former power, the comfortable life they now enjoyed was inseparable from their ancestors' powerful bloodline.
It was precisely because of this that they were able to establish themselves firmly in West Rukongai and become its overlords.
Rukongai was always known for its chaos and bloodshed; if not for the Shiba family's immense strength, West Rukongai would likely not have become the safest part of Rukongai.
"We plan to get married next year," Shiba Kaien said seriously, kneeling on the ground.
"Getting married next year, I understand... But what exactly does Sister Miyako like about Big Brother?"
"He's so thoughtless, crude, not even good-looking, and his Shinigami abilities aren't great either—he's practically a walking list of flaws! I never thought anyone would actually like Big Brother!"
Shiba Kūkaku shook her head as if she had witnessed something utterly unbelievable, a long, soft strand of hair swaying before her bright, captivating eyes.
Shiba Kaien covered his face with his hand, saying helplessly, "At least consider my reputation, please? Give me some face in front of Miyako!"
After hearing this, Miyako showed a gentle smile, lightly brushed her beautiful hair behind her ear, and said softly:
"I know what you're saying is just on the surface."
"In reality, Kaien is not only kind-hearted but also deeply loyal, and many members of his Squad greatly admire and respect him; I feel the same way."
"But Big Brother, he..."
Shiba Kūkaku seemed about to say more, but her words were cut short by Shiba Kaien.
"Cough, cough... Ahem... Kukaku, sometimes you should know when to stop, even if it's me, your brother; if you go too far, I'll get angry!"
He was truly startled by his outspoken younger sister.
It wasn't easy for him to find such a wonderful wife!
"But I'm worried Sister Miyako is entrusting herself to the wrong person!"
Shiba Kūkaku smiled playfully, but also understood that jokes shouldn't go too far, so she waved her hand and said:
"Alright, those were all just jokes."
"But you've come back at just the right time today; Reiji will also be here, and I'll introduce you to each other later."
"Are you talking about Captain Reiji of the Eleventh Division?" Miyako asked, her face full of surprise, as if something had just occurred to her.
Would that important figure actually come in person?
Born into an ordinary Shinigami family, she didn't even know that the Shiba family was once one of the Five Great Noble Houses, otherwise she would have been even more surprised!
"That's right," Shiba Kūkaku nodded.
"Reiji, that guy actually dares to come?" Shiba Kaien's eyes widened, and he slammed his palm onto the tea table in front of him.
Just thinking of that man's smug smile made him feel a surge of annoyance.
How could his precious "little cabbage," whom he had painstakingly raised, be so easily snatched away by that pig?!
If he had known then, when he first met that guy, he shouldn't have listened to his honeyed words; he should have just buried him alive and been done with it.
"He comes over quite frequently, unlike you, Big Brother, who always disappears for several months or even half a year at a time."
Shiba Kūkaku said exasperatedly, with a sullen face and crossed arms.
"Maybe after a while, you'll forget both me and Shiba Ganju!"
"It's not like I don't have too many things to do.
After all, I'm a Vice-Captain now."
Shiba Kaien scratched his head, looking a bit embarrassed.
Shiba Kūkaku said discontentedly, "Reiji is still a Captain!"
"You don't understand Reiji's situation.
After he became a Captain, he's been incredibly carefree."
"He's just like Uncle Isshin, not caring about anything and leaving all the Squad's affairs for us Vice-Captains to handle."
Shiba Kaien pouted, refuting with a displeased expression, "If you don't believe me, you can ask Ichimaru; he can vouch for me."
Upon hearing this, Shiba Kūkaku found it somewhat amusing and burst into laughter, shaking with mirth.
"Haha, Big Brother, you're already so old, why are you still acting like a child?"
Shiba Kaien snorted.
He had been through countless trials and tribulations during his many years in the Gotei 13, long having forged a calm and resolute character.
Yet, whenever his thoughts touched upon that man, all his composure would instantly crumble.
He sighed helplessly, muttering to himself:
"That brat, Shiba Ganju, after all this time, he must be missing me, his Big Brother.
Sigh, I wonder where he is now..."
Shiba Kūkaku, standing nearby, casually interjected, "Oh, Shiba Ganju went to find Reiji.
They're getting along quite well now."
"Shiba Ganju is more sensible now.
Before, when we trained him, he was reluctant."
"Now he actually takes the initiative to ask Reiji to help him train; he's really grown up."
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