CHAPTER 300: This is Sparta!

When Kazuya walked into the cave, he saw Yoruichi's golden eyes glowing in the dark like a cat. She walked up to him, took off her robe, and put it around him.

"It did its job—" Her words were cut short when he gently tilted her chin and pecked her lips. The gesture was so swift and unexpected that it took her a moment to process what had happened.

She stared at him, speechless, before bursting into laughter. "You caught me by surprise. I'll let this one slide."

"Haha. The worries for your husband made you sluggish. I knew I could steal one."

"You're quite clever for a man of your size."

"I'm not that tall. You're just a shortie." He placed a hand on her head and patted her cat ears. "Doesn't make me love you less, though."

She slapped his hand away before gesturing to Soi Fon with meaningful glances. He nodded his head in understanding.

As she transformed into her cat form, he moved to sit beside Soi Fon. "Let me use Kaido on you."

Yoruichi hadn't used enough Kaido to completely heal Soi Fon. The petite assassin wasn't in her top condition, both physically and mentally.

Sou Fon turned her head away. "Just say what you're thinking. I know you're dying to spit in my face for my loss."

His lips curved into a gentle smile. "And why would I do that?"

"Because I boasted I'll beat Ulquiorra. I couldn't. Then you had to intervene and save me. I was all bark no bite… my arrogance is making me mad; it must have pissed you off too, right?"

"You put up a phenomenal fight. Only a loser will dismiss your effort."

Soi Fon whipped her head around to stare at him. The wide-eyed 'Why do you have to do this?' look on her face puzzled him. "Stop saying stuff you don't mean. Deep down in your heart, you look down on me for challenging Ulquiorra. I'm the least deserving Captain in your eyes... Just be honest with me — I can handle it."

Kazuya studied her carefully, noting how she seemed almost desperate for his criticism, desperate for him to bully her. However, he had no intention to say anything mean out of pure respect. Even when Ulquiorra was about to kill her, she hadn't begged for help. She'd been ready to accept the consequences of defeat with dignity.

"Well, the only aspect I can criticize about you is your impatience," he said thoughtfully. "But even that might be unfair. You needed to end the battle quickly before Ulquiorra wore you down. A Vasto Lorde Arrancar will always have better endurance than a Shinigami."

Soi Fon's shoulders slumped in defeat. "Why is it like this…?"

"Why do you want me to be mean? Have you finally accepted your masochism?" He narrowed his eyes sharply. "Or you made a bet with someone that I'll bully you?"

The slight flicker in her expression confirmed his suspicion — she had made a bet with either Yoruichi or her Zanpakutō Spirit. With how unconcerned Yoruichi seemed about their conversation, his judgment leaned toward Suzumebachi.

Soi Fon buried her face in her knees, refusing to meet his gaze.

He glanced at Yoruichi. "Yor, did something happen when I wasn't around?"

"Nothing worth mentioning," Yoruichi replied lazily. "Fon Fon probably lost her marbles from that fight."

He looked between the two before shaking his head slightly. "I'll head out for a bit. Stay together, alright?"

"Take care." Yoruichi let out a yawn. "I was going to take a nap anyway."

Soi Fon waved her hand without bothering to lift her gaze from her knees.

…

Rangiku Matsumoto strolled through the quiet corridors of the 4th Squad's barracks, her wooden sandals clacking softly against the floors. She hummed a light tune, her long blonde hair swaying with each step. Her spirit had greatly reinvigorated ever since the incident at Karakura Town. The missing Zanpakutō Spirit couldn't dampen her mood. It wasn't like she talked to Haineko everyday.

Today, she was on a mission here—not an official one, of course. She came to meet Kazuya and convince him to brew her a serving or two of his delightfully delicious tea. Slacking off in good company was always better than doing it alone. She'd use this chance to improve her relationship with him. Captain Shiba had already voiced his decision to make Kazuya the next captain of the 10th Squad. With his support, she'd get even more chances to procrastinate on her work.

It was all for the sake of lazing around.

She cheerfully climbed the stairs and slid open the door to Unohana's office. Unohana sat there with her usual serene smile, hands folded neatly in her lap. She was the picture of Japanese beauty.

Isane Kotetsu fidgeted slightly, tucking a stray lock of silver hair behind her ear, her eyes darting between Unohana and Rangiku.

Momo Hinamori sat nearby, absentmindedly tracing patterns on the low table with her finger, clearly lost in her thoughts.

Near the window, Rukia Kuchiki leaned with her arms crossed tightly over her chest. Her knitted brows revealed her frustrated state as she gazed out of the window.

Rangiku knocked on the wall. "Oh my, a gathering and I wasn't invited."

Unohana inclined her head gently. "Matsumoto-san, welcome."

"I was in the neighborhood," Rangiku replied with a casual shrug. "Thought I'd drop by and see Kazuya and Isane."

Isane glanced at Unohana before speaking softly. "He isn't here right now."

Rangiku raised an eyebrow, noticing the slight shift in the room's atmosphere at the mention of Kazuya's name. Rukia and Momo dropped their previous attitude and shifted their attention to her. "Where is he then?"

"He went on a confidential assignment," Unohana said dismissively, her eyes closing as if she wanted this to be her final answer. "I'm not at liberty to discuss his whereabouts."

The mention of a 'confidential assignment' made Rangiku's eyes lit up like a starving cat who finally stumbled into a mouse. "Not even to me?"

"Only those permitted by Captain Commander are."

"Come now, Unohana-san," Rangiku purred, leaning forward slightly. "I thought we were like friends. Are you forgetting the drinks we shared on those moonlit nights? Is this all the time we shared amounts to?"

A gentle, almost imperceptible smile played on Unohana's lips. "Matsumoto-san, there are boundaries that must be respected between our personal and professional lives."

Rangiku's playful manipulation failed to stir anything in the ever-so gently smiling Unohana. She felt like she was looking at an empathyless demon rather than the most gentle healer of the 4th Squad.

'Always knew she was a bit of a demon.'

***

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