Chapter 23: A Family Reunion

"Shanks, it's been so long. Did you miss me?" Renji smiled, playfully pinching Shanks' little nose before lifting him onto his shoulders.

"H-how could I... I-I didn't miss you at all!" Shanks turned his head away, his cheeks flushed red, though the joy on his face was unmistakable.

"Is that so? That makes me really sad," Renji said, pretending to be heartbroken, though he could clearly see Shanks' true feelings.

Hearing the sadness in Renji's voice, Shanks panicked. "W-well... maybe I missed you a little..."

Ginny and Bear watched the two with a mix of amusement and exasperation. One was a tsundere brother-obsessed kid, and the other was a mischievous older brother who loved teasing his sibling. They truly were a perfect match.

"Thank you both for taking care of Shanks while I was away," Renji said, feeling a bit guilty. He had thought he'd only be gone for an afternoon, but it had turned into over a month.

Ginny's expression turned serious, her tone flat. "Well, when the Captain gives an order, how could we not obey?"

"Just make sure to comfort the kid properly next time. Don't let him worry so much about you."

Hearing the edge in Ginny's voice, Bear quickly interjected, "She doesn't mean it like that... Don't be mad at Ginny..."

Renji laughed, giving Bear a playful slap on the head. "Bear, you're going to be completely wrapped around Ginny's finger in the future."

"As for my strength, don't worry about it. If I can't win a fight, I can always run away."

The three of them had lived together for so many years that they were more like family than friends. Ginny's earlier comment was her way of scolding Renji for being so absorbed in his work that he neglected his family. She had a lot she wanted to say but was too shy to express it directly.

Shanks tilted his head, a curious look on his face. "Bear, are you getting flustered because you care too much?"

He had understood the underlying meaning in Ginny and Renji's words. It seemed like Bear and Ginny had something going on.

Ginny's face turned bright red. "What are you all talking about? If you keep this up, I'm ignoring you..."

Over the years, she and Bear had come to see Renji as an older brother. Their bond was unshakable. With Renji and Shanks' playful banter, the unease in her heart began to fade. Like Bear, she had been deeply worried about Renji's safety but hadn't wanted to show it in front of Shanks.

"Huh?" Bear looked confused. He understood the words individually, but when put together, they made no sense to him.

"Let's head home. I'll cook a big feast for everyone tonight," Renji declared with enthusiasm.

"..."

"Captain Renji, where should I go?"

Hitsugaya, who had been following Renji, felt bad interrupting the family's warm reunion, but if he didn't speak up, he'd have nowhere to go.

"Ah, Hitsugaya, I almost forgot about you," Renji said, smacking his forehead. Shanks, perched on his shoulders, wobbled slightly. "See that tallest building on the island?"

Hitsugaya nodded obediently. "Yes, I see it."

He had noticed it earlier when they arrived. The grandest structure on the island was hard to miss.

"Head there and report in. I've already spoken to Kuzan about you."

With that, Renji waved Hitsugaya off and continued walking home with Bear and the others.

"Was I just abandoned...?" Hitsugaya muttered to himself.

The ship that had brought them to Sorbert Kingdom had already departed, leaving him standing alone in the sea breeze.

"..."

"Are you Hitsugaya?"

A cheerful voice broke through the wind, sounding almost melodious.

"Yes, that's me."

Hitsugaya turned to see a soldier approaching him, his heart swelling with excitement. Someone here actually knew him! He wasn't just a lone traveler anymore.

The man stepped forward eagerly, grabbing Hitsugaya's hand as if reuniting with a long-lost brother.

"It's great to finally meet you! I'm Kuzan. Welcome to the Sorbert Kingdom branch."

"Captain Renji must have already told you about me, right?"

Hitsugaya, slightly overwhelmed by Kuzan's enthusiasm, nodded instinctively.

Kuzan looked at Hitsugaya with relief. Finally, a savior had arrived. He had been working overtime for a month straight and was on the verge of collapsing. Someone recommended by Captain Renji would undoubtedly be competent and able to share the workload.

Hitsugaya, however, was internally panicking. He discreetly pulled his hand back and wiped it behind his back.

Did I just meet a weirdo? My preferences are very normal, thank you very much.

But this person had been assigned by Captain Renji. He couldn't just refuse. The more Hitsugaya thought about it, the darker his future seemed.

Is there no other option but to go along with this?

After a moment of internal struggle, Hitsugaya reluctantly placed his hand back in Kuzan's grip.

Mom... I'm not pure anymore...

Kuzan, mistaking Hitsugaya's hesitation for shared excitement, grabbed his hand and started running. Finally, he had a helper!!!

...

"Ginny, let me tell you, Bear's a bit slow on the uptake and can be stubborn... You need to be direct with him, or else... (even a dog would shake its head at him)."

On the way back, Renji spoke earnestly. He could see Ginny's feelings but also understood Bear's personality.

"Renji, what are you talking about...?" Ginny's face turned red, but she chose to play dumb.

"Sigh..."

Bear had always been afraid that his identity would bring trouble to others, so he kept his feelings hidden and maintained a certain distance, which made him quiet and reserved.

Renji felt like he was worrying too much, but it seemed they still weren't ready to open up.

"Let things take their natural course..."

"What? What?" Shanks, who had been running around happily, seemed to catch a keyword and rushed over to Renji.

"Kids, go play somewhere else," Renji said, giving Shanks a head pat and shooing him away.

Shanks puffed up his chest in protest. "I'm not a kid anymore!"

"Alright, alright, I get it. I'll give you some BC calcium milk when we get home. Now go play," Renji nodded dismissively.

He really couldn't understand why this little brat was so obsessed with acting like an adult.

As Shanks ran off, he suddenly realized something and gritted his teeth. "He's still treating me like a kid..."

"One day, I'll show him how strong I am... Hmph!"

"But that BC calcium milk is really good..."

Ginny, standing nearby, smirked. And here he is trying to lecture us. He can't even figure out Shanks' thoughts.

All Shanks wanted was to grow up so he could help Renji.

Ginny watched Renji's back. His frame wasn't particularly strong, but it gave them all a sense of security, allowing them to grow up carefree.

"Sometimes, you can rely on us too, you idiot big brother..."

...

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