章 239: Audacious

This wasn't Kaien and Ailin's first meeting. Over two decades ago, while Kaien and Kukaku Shiba were practicing Kidō at home, Ailin, passing by, had stopped for a visit. At the time, Kaien possessed the spiritual pressure of a seated officer, but lacking proper guidance, his only skill among the four Shinigami arts was the family's Kidō techniques. Ailin had offered guidance, and it was under his direction that Kaien had eventually journeyed to the Seireitei, becoming a Shinigami.

"Thank you, Captain Ailin. If it weren't for your timely arrival…"

Kaien trailed off, unable to continue. He knew that even if he and Rukia could have eventually defeated the assassins, Koganehiko, Shiroganehiko, Kukaku, and Ganju wouldn't have survived.

Swoosh! Swoosh!

As Kaien struggled to find the words to express his gratitude, two powerful spiritual pressures surged towards them.

Boom!

A blast of wind slammed into them, forcing Kaien to instinctively activate Nejibana, creating a barrier of water to shield himself and Miyako.

"What? Rukia, what are you doing here?"

As the wind dissipated, Soi Fon materialized in the air above them. She glanced down at the devastated Shiba estate, noting the burning wreckage. Her eyes narrowed as she saw the assassins dangling helplessly from Ailin's golden chains.

Before Rukia could greet her, a dark figure flashed into existence beside Soi Fon.

"Oh my, it seems I'm getting old. Even youngsters like you are faster than me now…" Shunsui Kyōraku sighed dramatically.

His words were technically true. Kyōraku, a disciple of Head-Captain Yamamoto, was over five hundred years old, the same as Jūshirō Ukitake. Soi Fon and Ailin, however, hadn't even reached two hundred. Calling them youngsters was accurate.

However, within the Soul Society, strength dictated one's standing. Once a Shinigami reached a certain level of power, even if they were less than a hundred years old, they were considered equals by their elders. Those below a hundred, regardless of their strength, were still viewed as children.

Kyōraku's statement almost felt like an admission of weakness, an acceptance of his age.

However, neither Ailin nor Soi Fon would underestimate him.

Soi Fon had used her strongest technique, "Infinite Shunkō," besides her Bankai, yet her speed was only slightly greater than Kyōraku's base form. If Kyōraku were to release his Zanpakutō, could she still keep up?

"Captain Soi Fon, Captain Kyōraku," Rukia greeted them with a bow. Kyōraku and Soi Fon nodded in acknowledgement, then Kyōraku turned to Kaien.

"Well, well, if it isn't young Kaien from the Ukitake family. Mind telling us what happened here?"

Kyōraku and Ukitake were the closest among the captains. They were both disciples of Head-Captain Yamamoto, having trained under him for over a century. Their bond was that of brothers.

Furthermore, Kyōraku was Yamamoto's chosen successor, destined to become the next Captain-Commander. The Gotei 13's primary duty was to protect the Soul King. Ukitake, as the host of the "One-Eyed God," was essentially an embodiment of the Soul King's power. Protecting Ukitake was, in a sense, protecting the Soul King.

Therefore, Kyōraku was both Ukitake's closest friend and his most loyal guardian.

The 13th and 8th Divisions, due to this connection, were also the most closely knit divisions within the Gotei 13.

It was no surprise that Kyōraku knew Kaien Shiba, the lieutenant of the 13th Division.

Kaien gently laid Miyako's body on the ground, then sighed and stood up.

"Captain Kyōraku, Captain Soi Fon… This incident… It's about the Shiba Clan's legacy."

He proceeded to explain the history of the Shiba Clan and the situation they faced. It wasn't that he didn't want to hide their status as the main family, but Miyako, before her death, had revealed everything.

The Shiba Clan's secret was out.

"So, you're from the main family, young Kaien. I had assumed you were from the branch family, like Captain Isshin."

Kyōraku adjusted his straw hat, his eyelids drooping slightly. As the head of the Kyōraku Clan, one of the upper noble families, he knew the dirty secrets of the five great noble clans. But he had never imagined that other nobles would dare to target the Shiba Clan's treasure, attempting to use it to elevate their status and become a new great noble family.

Even Rukia was surprised. After becoming Ailin's disciple and residing within the Kuchiki estate, she had learned about the five great noble clans that stood at the pinnacle of the Soul Society. She hadn't realized that Kaien was from one of those families.

Moreover, this clan, with its lineage spanning over a million years, would have been eradicated that night if not for Ailin's timely arrival.

"As for why Rukia is here…" Kaien sighed, bowing his head towards her.

"I apologize, Rukia. This has nothing to do with you. Miyako, after learning that you were Captain Ailin's disciple, wanted to use your presence to deter those who were planning to attack the Shiba Clan. However, she didn't realize… they don't even fear Captain Ailin. They knew you were here, yet they still attacked, intent on killing us all."

Miyako, before her death, had confessed everything to Kaien, even revealing her role as a spy. She had told him that if he wanted to protect the Shiba Clan, he had to achieve Bankai and become a captain as soon as possible. Only then would their enemies hesitate to act against them.

But Miyako hadn't anticipated their audacity. They were far bolder, far crueler than she had imagined.

"It seems my prolonged absence has led some to believe I've grown soft…" said Ailin menacingly.

"Captain Ailin, this matter is quite complex. Would you allow us to handle it?" Soi Fon interrupted, her tone urgent as she flashed before Ailin.

"Oh? Why?" Under Ailin's intense gaze, Soi Fon gritted her teeth.

"Captain Ailin, I believe Captain Soi Fon is right. Allow us to handle this," Shunsui Kyōraku added. His usual carefree demeanor was replaced by a seriousness that surprised even Soi Fon.