"Although the foundation of a noble family's rise doesn't exactly lie in secret manuals or hidden knowledge…"
"Those things are still treated as the highest level of secrecy, buried deep within — places no outsider could ever reach."
"That's why I can say with certainty that you definitely didn't learn that technique by flipping through the archives of my Shihōin House."
It had been two hours since that moment of "intimacy" that could make anyone's heart race.
After that, Yoruichi simply gave Arima Shinya a meaningful pat on the shoulder, let out an enigmatic "enjoy the feast," and vanished.
The banquet organized by the Ōmaeda clan was indeed magnificent.
The porcelain bowls alone seemed worth a fortune, and both the food and drinks were of enviable sophistication.
The kind of feast where, if a dish could be served raw, they wouldn't even bother to cook it — and the more refined the presentation, the better.
Regardless of flavor, at least the experience itself was impeccable.
After eating and drinking his fill, Ōmaeda withdrew with his subordinates, including Yoshiro, his closest aide.
Thus, only Arima Shinya and Yoruichi remained in that spacious reception hall — and that was when the eccentric head of the Shihōin family decided to bring up the matter.
"You're wondering how I found out, aren't you?"
"…"
Honestly, Arima wasn't particularly interested.
After all, what was done was done — insisting on the topic would only make him look awkward and pathetic.
But when he saw that playful grin spreading across her face, he quickly straightened his posture and thought of a new way to respond.
"Could you please elaborate a bit more?"
"Oh~ clever boy. Alright then, first fill my cup!"
It was like petting a cat — it always worked better to go with the fur than against it.
In moments like that, the best thing to do was to please Yoruichi first… then think about the rest later.
She downed the cup in one gulp. Her face, slightly flushed, looked a little tipsy as she laughed and said:
"Actually, it was the captain of the 4th Division, Unohana Retsu, who told me."
Huh?
What did the 4th Division have to do with this?
"Well, after all, everyone who truly belonged to the 11th Division has already been kicked out by him. Even the medics on his team are now a bunch of useless fools."
Yoruichi seemed to read Arima's thoughts.
Her smile never faltered, the corner of her mouth curling even higher.
"Because the wound on that Kiganjō Kenpachi's back was quite clear — and that kind of cut isn't ordinary."
She raised her right index finger and made a light motion in the air, as if tracing something invisible.
"The technique was incredibly precise — slicing exactly through the muscular connections of the back while severing nerves and blood vessels."
"The strike was delivered on a superficial layer — not deep enough to hit bone, yet not shallow enough to lose its effect. A perfect execution."
"Let me see… yes, it's exactly the same as an assassination move described in a certain manual."
Yoruichi's eyes narrowed, and her entire aura shifted.
"The Hidden Shunpō is a secret technique passed down only within the Shihōin family. I'm sure you understand what that means."
"Of course, that alone wouldn't be enough to prove something's off about you."
"Every person has their own style, their own habits, their own angles of attack… maybe you were simply born with a natural talent for killing."
Up until that point, Yoruichi still seemed uncertain.
"I wasn't sure — until I asked you directly. And when I did, I confirmed it: yes, there's something off."
She grinned mischievously, raised her left hand, and poked Arima Shinya's chest with her finger.
"Even if your face gives nothing away, the body doesn't lie. The moment I mentioned it, your heartbeat spiked."
"Ah, good thing I'm clever. I sent Yoshiro out first — otherwise, if he heard that something that took him three years to learn, you mastered just by watching once…"
"He'd cry himself unconscious."
Arima groaned inwardly.
What could he possibly say now? Her judgment had already been passed.
These damn ancient monsters… they don't leave anyone a chance to breathe!
It was impossible to hide something like that — once they suspected, they'd find out eventually.
But thinking about it, the result wasn't all that surprising.
In the end, this was proof of the weight of experience and connections.
As a thousand-year-old captain, Unohana certainly knew both the technique and the angle of attack. When she treated the wound, naturally she recognized it.
And even then — if she hadn't chosen to tell Yoruichi, the latter might never have pieced it together.
No matter how cautious Arima was, professionally speaking, he was still at a disadvantage before these legendary veterans.
So that "arm over the shoulder" was just to feel my heartbeat?!
It was then that he finally understood.
The network of relationships and interests, combined with individual strength and experience — that was the true, invisible power of a captain.
And that's exactly why Aizen needed to plan and prepare everything so meticulously.
Because, at its core, the enemy he faced was never just a single person.
It was the full weight of the old order.
Members of the Gotei 13 might share the same rank, but the gap between them… was sometimes greater than that between a man and a dog.
"All right then~ since you've basically admitted it, things get simpler."
Yoruichi's voice pulled him back to reality.
She looked at him with that ever-enigmatic smile.
"Without permission, you stole and mastered the secret techniques of the Shihōin family."
"According to the laws of the Soul Society, as head of the clan, I have the right to judge and punish you however I wish."
"That's the privilege of nobility, boy. Quite enviable, don't you think?"
She swirled the small cup of sake in her hand, her tone teasing.
"Secret execution or public punishment — which would you prefer?"
"…"
No third option?
Even if her tone sounded casual, Arima Shinya was certain Yoruichi wasn't joking.
After all, this unpredictable woman was impossible to read.
He was already beginning to sweat on his forehead…
But suddenly, Yoruichi burst out laughing and gave him a carefree slap on the shoulder.
"Ahahaha! Heart almost jumped out of your chest, huh? What a pale face, kid!"
Her laughter was loud and unrestrained.
After a while, she set her cup down and let out a light sigh, as if ending the joke.
"All right, enough teasing. Let's talk about something serious… yes, something serious."
Leaning halfway over the table, Yoruichi rested her chin on her right hand, her eyes scanning Arima from head to toe.
"Arima Shinya… you really have no interest in working with me — or rather, with us?"
(End of Chapter)
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