Hiroki woke up in his mansion in the 11th District of Rukongai. The warm morning light filtered through the gaps in the sliding paper doors, spilling into the room. He shifted his body, feeling the slightly hard texture of the tatami, a stark contrast to the luxurious and soft bedding of the Shihōin Clan. Memories flooded back like a tide—the Uchiha Clan that had appeared out of thin air, filling the courtyard.
"Mmm..." He let out a lazy morning groan, habitually reaching out to feel for the head of the bed.
Almost simultaneously, the sliding paper door was gently pulled open a crack, and a slender figure entered with light steps, carrying a wooden basin filled with warm water. Still in a half-asleep, dazed state, Hiroki subconsciously took the towel handed to him and rubbed it haphazardly over his face.
The stimulation from the cool towel cleared his mind a bit. He put the towel down and rubbed his eyes, finally seeing the maid before him clearly. Her long black hair fell smoothly, and on her delicate face was a pair of timid... black eyes?
"Hmm? Uchiha Izumi?" Hiroki was somewhat surprised to recognize the young girl. At the moment, she wasn't wearing the Uchiha Clan uniform, but a clean yet simple Rukongai maid's outfit. Her iconic Three-Tomoe Sharingan was hidden, her eyes having returned to their normal color.
"Yes, my lord." Uchiha Izumi lowered her head slightly, her voice soft and respectful, but Hiroki could catch the fear and confusion that hadn't completely dissipated from the depths of her eyes—it was the disorientation of "rebirth" in a completely strange world.
"Why are you here?" Hiroki sat up and stretched his neck.
"Lady Chizuru sent me," Izumi explained quickly, nimbly taking the towel Hiroki had used, wringing it dry, and hanging it back up. "She said she is busy carrying out the tasks you assigned, arranging food and lodging for over two hundred people, as well as receiving and allocating supplies. She couldn't get away, so she had me come first to take care of your daily needs."
"Mm, alright." A faint, almost imperceptible smile touched the corner of Hiroki's mouth as he gave Tamaki Chizuru a huge thumbs-up in his heart. Not bad, not bad, Chizuru did a great job! This little girl is so thoughtful! Not only did she solve the manpower issue, but she also gave me a legitimate reason to bring Uchiha Izumi to my side. She's gentle and beautiful, with a somewhat cool and elegant temperament—just my type! This arrangement is perfect, much better than if I had asked for it myself!
However, Hiroki was also thinking about how the Uchiha Clan should live from now on.
When he married into the Shihōin Clan, he had brought a heavy "dowry"! A portion of this dowry came from the Kuroki Clan, the Lower-ranking noble family the body's original owner was born into—though they were weak, they had scraped together quite a bit to save face and forge a connection with the Shihōin Clan. A more significant portion was the many properties given to him by the wealthy Seigen Shihoin to settle his "worthy son-in-law."
Supporting the basic food and lodging for over two hundred people? With the resources allocated by the Shihōin Clan and the "all-out" dowry from the Kuroki Clan, it was completely effortless, even more than enough! It was sufficient to sustain them for a long time. As for the issue of this territory where the Uchiha were settled belonging to the Kuroki Clan, in Hiroki's view, it was a trivial matter.
His nominal father, the Head of the Kuroki Clan, had almost no interest in these remote territories in Rukongai. To the nobles of Seireitei, the land in Rukongai, especially the outer districts, was nothing more than a barren wasteland with thin spiritual power; no matter how large the area, it had little practical value. As long as the annual taxes from the territory were paid as usual and his meager profits weren't affected, he wouldn't care who lived there or who controlled what. He only cared that no major trouble occurred to tarnish the Kuroki Clan's reputation.
After washing up, Izumi carefully brought breakfast—simple meals made from local ingredients and a pot of freshly brewed tea. After eating, Hiroki picked up the teacup and took a sip.
"Pfft... Bah!" An indescribable stale, bitter taste instantly filled his mouth. Hiroki couldn't help but spit it out, his brow furrowing into a knot. "What kind of tea is this?" The quality was worlds apart from the high-grade goods of the Shihōin Clan.
"I'm sorry, Lord Hiroki!" Uchiha Izumi was so startled that she immediately knelt and bowed, her voice tinged with panic. "In the mansion... there's only this stock of tea left. It's truly disrespectful to have you drink such a thing!" Having arrived in the strange Soul Reaper World, her judgment of the value of resources here was still very vague; she only felt it was her failure to let her "lord" drink such coarse stuff.
"Forget it, forget it." Hiroki waved his hand, understanding that she wasn't to blame. "Just pour me some plain water." He just wanted to wash away the strange taste in his mouth.
"Yes, my lord." Izumi immediately rose and nimbly went to prepare some plain water.
Just then, Tamaki Chizuru's voice came from outside the room, carrying a hint of weariness after her busy work: "Young Master."
"Come in," Hiroki replied.
The paper door opened, and Chizuru entered, followed by two people—the clan head Uchiha Fugaku and Uchiha Shisui, known as "Shisui of the Body Flicker." Fugaku's face remained steady, but his eyes held a gravity regarding the clan's future; Shisui was calmer, his eyes appearing exceptionally sharp even without the Mangekyo active.
"Young Master, the Uchiha Clan has been initially settled," Chizuru reported quickly after bowing. "Living quarters have been arranged by family in the vacant rooms of the mansion. It's a bit cramped, but they can manage. Food and water reserves have also been confirmed. I have arranged a purchasing plan, and supplies will be continuously replenished. Maintaining daily expenses is no problem; the funds are being drawn from the dowry and the Shihōin Clan's accounts." Her tone was clear and fluent, showing that everything had been handled in an orderly fashion.
"Mm, that's good." Hiroki nodded, very satisfied with Chizuru's efficiency. His gaze fell on Fugaku; clearly, the man had more to say.
Sure enough, Fugaku took a step forward and bowed deeply to Hiroki. "My lord, there is one more request. The clan has decided that Shisui and I are willing to join your Guard Unit, to remain by your side and ensure your absolute safety!"
"Guard Unit?" Hiroki almost choked. When did I have a Guard Unit??? I only have those eight Onmitsukidō members following the carriage, and they belong to the Shihōin Clan, don't they? Besides, Fugaku, you and Shisui are Captain-level in strength! Is it appropriate to wander around with two Captain-levels??? It would be way too conspicuous in Seireitei! Wouldn't it be like blatantly telling everyone I have a problem? And that scheming guy Captain Aizen is probably watching from some corner! Keep a low profile, must keep a low profile!
"No need," Hiroki tried to keep his tone as calm and natural as possible. "I usually have Shihōin guards in Seireitei. I don't need extra guards; being too flashy would only be inconvenient." He habitually maintained his "steady" persona.
"But, my lord!" Fugaku seemed a bit urgent, his speech quickening. "Your safety is tied to the future survival of our entire clan! In this completely unknown world filled with powerful beings, danger could strike at any moment. Even if you don't often need us as personal guards, at the very least, let Shisui, who has the fastest reactions, accompany you, or let me personally guard you nearby to put the clansmen's hearts at ease! I implore you, my lord!" His posture was humble, but his attitude was exceptionally firm.
"Hmm..." Hiroki didn't refuse immediately this time. Fugaku's words hit a sore spot—the Soul Reaper World was truly dangerous! Aizen Sōsuke was a hidden madman, Yhwach was like a sword hanging over everyone's head, and one day walking down the street, a Menos Grande might suddenly pop out. With his "low-ranking Seat Officer" strength, he'd probably be finished on the spot. Having a Captain-level protecting him in the shadows would be good, especially someone like Shisui who excels at Shunpo. Survival was the priority; he could figure out how to explain it to maintain his persona later... "Alright," Hiroki compromised, but made a middle-ground choice. "Let Shisui follow me; his Shunpo is indeed the most suitable for handling sudden situations. As for you, Fugaku..." He looked at the Uchiha Clan head. "Your people have just been reborn in this world; they also need you, their patriarch, to comfort, guide, and protect them. The threats in this world are not just visible Hollows, but also various invisible pressures. As you said, this world is not safe; Hollows can appear anywhere, at any time, and there are even more terrifying things. Protecting the entire Uchiha Clan, letting them truly take root and recover their strength here, is your primary responsibility." He needed the Uchiha to become his power, not just act as two bodyguards.
Fugaku heard the importance and expectations for the Uchiha's future in Hiroki's words. Complex emotions surged in his eyes, eventually turning into a deeper solemnity and a hint of gratitude. "Yes! My lord! Fugaku will not fail your trust; I will protect the clansmen!" He bowed deeply once more.
After a brief silence, Fugaku seemed to deliberate for a moment before speaking again, this time with a hint of subtle "human touch" in his tone: "My lord, there is one more matter. Lady Chizuru has worked hard and achieved much; she must coordinate your properties and affairs while also looking after your daily needs. It's inevitable she'll be spread too thin. Uchiha Izumi of our clan has decent strength and a gentle temperament. Letting her stay by your side to serve you personally would both share Lady Chizuru's burden and provide... an extra layer of protection." He glanced at Izumi, who was standing to the side. "I wonder... what is your opinion, my lord?"
"This..." Hiroki's gaze involuntarily drifted to Uchiha Izumi, who was kneeling nearby with a look of nervousness and expectation on her delicate face. The morning sun outlined her soft features. Heh, Fugaku, you're quite sensible! This level of insight... is exactly what I like! Izumi is just the type—fair-skinned, cool, and elegant—and her strength is decent. Keeping her around is both pleasing to the eye and safe. Plus, having an Uchiha by my side makes it easier to keep track of the clan's situation at any time.
"Alright," Hiroki suppressed his inner smugness and nodded solemnly. "That way, Chizuru can indeed have it a bit easier. Let Izumi follow me."
"Thank you for your kindness, my lord!" A look of relief finally appeared on Fugaku's face, and his voice grew much louder.
Izumi also immediately bowed. "Thank you for not casting me aside, my lord. Izumi will certainly serve you with all her heart!"
Watching this scene while drinking the plain water Uchiha Izumi had poured at just the right temperature, Hiroki felt that this Soul Reaper World didn't seem so bad after all.