Just after stepping out of the courtyard, Yoruichi, cradled in Kenma's arms, couldn't help but sigh with emotion.
"What a rowdy bunch of people."
"And every one of them looks so strange."
While Kenma and Whitebeard were talking earlier, Yoruichi had taken a detailed look at everyone in the courtyard. Each one had an eccentric posture and a fierce, menacing appearance. Yet, despite their intimidating looks, their actions gave Yoruichi the impression that they weren't particularly bright.
Truly a group of oddballs.
"Especially that Whitebeard. I never imagined his 'beard' would look like that."
"When I first heard the name, I thought he'd have a long, flowing beard like Captain-Commander Yamamoto."
After her lament, Yoruichi extended her sharp claws and hooked onto Kenma's sleeve.
"Mr. Serious, where on earth did you find these bizarre people?"
"And what was that talk between you and Whitebeard about 'Fruits' and the 'Underworld'?"
Kenma stroked Yoruichi's back to soothe her as he led her toward the palace housing the Senkaimon.
"Don't be in such a hurry. You'll find out everything soon enough."
As he spoke, Kenma used Shunpo, his figure vanishing instantly.
In a flash, Yoruichi felt the scenery blur before her eyes. She and Kenma appeared in front of another courtyard gate.
"Mr. Serious, when did your Shunpo become so fast?"
Feeling the distance they had crossed in that single instant, Yoruichi's face was filled with curiosity. The Shunpo Kenma just displayed was no longer inferior to her own. One must remember she held the title of Goddess of Flash. To say her Shunpo was the best among all Soul Reapers in the Seireitei was no exaggeration.
Kenma said softly, "When did you start thinking my Shunpo wasn't this fast?"
At those words, Yoruichi raised an eyebrow.
"That's the result of you hiding things from me. Isn't it normal for me not to know your true level?"
Kenma felt a subtle shift in his heart but chose not to argue with her. If they kept at it, he would eventually be the one in the wrong. Holding Yoruichi under her front legs, he lifted her up and pointed her toward the courtyard ahead.
"The things I've been hiding are right inside this courtyard."
Yoruichi's amber eyes scanned the courtyard before them. She could sense that this ordinary-looking courtyard was covered by a Kido barrier. With such secrecy, she wouldn't believe it if there was nothing inside.
"Let's go. I'll take you in to see."
Yoruichi was pulled back into his warm embrace. Shifting slightly into a more comfortable position, she was carried through the gate and across the barrier.
The scenery before them changed abruptly.
A tall, wide palace came into view. The foundation alone was over ten meters high, and elite guards patrolled both sides. These guards were all dressed in Uchiha attire, their expressions cold and filled with a killing intent.
Kenma carried her up the steps. Above the high palace hung a plaque with three characters written in Kanji: Gate Palace.
"Gate Palace? What does that mean?"
"You'll know once you go in."
Kenma pushed the doors open, and the interior was revealed to the man and the cat.
The hall was exceptionally spacious, with over a dozen thick pillars standing on either side, and several squads of Uchiha elites on duty. In the center of the hall stood four Senkaimon. In front of them, a group of young children were huddled over desks, writing and drawing. An Uchiha, holding a teaching pointer, stood before a portable blackboard.
Beside the children sat a maid, supervising them.
This scene was completely unexpected for Yoruichi. In her mind, she had anticipated the hall would contain some secret treasure, a divine artifact, or at the very least, a group of people undergoing hellish training, surrounded by blood and tears.
But this heartwarming scene of education looked like nothing more than an ordinary private school. It was a far cry from what she had imagined.
She looked up, her face full of confusion as she turned to Kenma. "Mr. Serious, is this what you were hiding?"
"Or are you just playing a prank on me?"
"Of course not. What comes next is the real secret. Don't be too shocked in a moment."
Kenma stroked the black cat's smooth fur as he walked further into the hall.
The people inside noticed the movement and looked toward the entrance, their faces lighting up with surprise.
"It's Lord Kenma!"
"Lord Kenma, is there another mission?"
"Oh, what a cute kitty!"
The children's excitement immediately spiked. They left their seats in unison and swarmed toward him. The teacher and the supervising maid immediately called out to stop them, ordering the children to quiet down.
Amanai Riko asked curiously, "My Lord, why the sudden visit? Is something the matter?"
Kenma scanned the room, seeing that the children's spirits were quite high and they were uninjured. It seemed their previous exploration of that world hadn't posed a threat to them. However, the Uchiha teacher and the maid looked a bit haggard.
"I came here today to introduce someone to all of you."
He lifted Yoruichi and placed her on the table next to the blackboard. Under the gaze of the numerous children, Yoruichi lifted a paw and waved.
"Yo, little brats. How are you all doing?"
Hearing the black cat speak human words, Amanai Riko couldn't help but cry out in shock.
"A cat—"
"The cat is actually talking!"
Compared to her shock, her Uchiha companions were much calmer. There was almost no reaction on their faces.
Amanai Riko looked at her companions, her face filled with bewilderment.
"What? Don't you find it strange?"
"Izumi, this black cat is talking!"
Uchiha Izumi blinked, looking a bit puzzled. "A cat talking? What's so strange about that?"
The other Uchihas nearby also chimed in softly.
"Yeah, cats, dogs, and even crows... those animals usually know how to talk."
"Ah, though of course, there are some small animals that don't talk."
Seeing their reaction, Amanai Riko finally realized. She clutched her forehead and shook her head.
"I forgot you guys come from different worlds."
"It's very different from where I'm from."
In her world, no animals other than humans could speak. It seemed the differences between worlds were incredibly vast.
Yoruichi extended a paw and cupped Amanai Riko's small hand with her pad, her cute face already teary with emotion.
"After meeting so many people today, I've finally found it."
"This reaction... this is exactly what I wanted to see!"
"Sniff, sniff... this old one is truly moved."
Being held by the hand, Amanai Riko didn't know the black cat's identity, but since she was brought here personally by Kenma, she had to be someone important. She turned a questioning gaze toward Kenma.
"Lord Kenma, this cat is..."
Seeing Yoruichi like this, Kenma chuckled inwardly. He walked over and scooped her back into his arms.
He spoke to everyone in the hall, "Let me introduce her. This is my wife, Yoruichi."
The black cat's amber eyes swept over everyone present, a smile playing on the corners of her mouth.
"Little brats, this old one is Kenma's wife."
"I'll be taking good care of you from now on."
[Reviews - Power St0nes - Comments are highly appreciated to keep me going.....(+50 chapters) patre0n.c0m/talecrafter]