บท 31: Agreement

"Invite me to attend Sōjun Kuchiki's funeral service?" Ailin was somewhat surprised.

Soul Society was originally the world where human souls resided after death, belonging to the "afterlife". The people of Soul Society, rather than people, were all "souls".

Only because they had "Reishi", a transcendent energy that could absorb more Reishi, and use that Reishi in various ways, were they called "Shinigami".

Generally after the souls of Rukongai died, their souls would disperse into Reishi. Because Shinigami had Reiatsu, absorbing Reishi, their souls were much stronger compared to ordinary souls. Therefore, when Shinigami died, their bodies could still be preserved as corpses for a period before dispersing completely into Reishi.

Moreover, after Reiatsu reached a certain level, even after death, the corpse wouldn't disperse into Reishi for hundreds of years.

In Soul Society, people commonly believed that after souls dispersed into Reishi, they would become new, pure souls reborn into the Human World. If the corpse after death never dispersed into Reishi, it meant that person could never reincarnate.

Thus, no one knew since when, but within Seireitei came an idea for a "funeral ceremony" to allow sacrificed Shinigami to reincarnate faster.

The so-called "funeral ceremony" was to cremate the corpses of sacrificed Shinigami to quicken dispersion into Reishi.

To Shinigami, the faster the body dispersed after death, the faster the rebirth into the Human World.

Although Ginrei Kuchiki was heartbroken over his son's death, he didn't want to delay his child's reincarnation. Hence he decided that tomorrow, the third day after Sōjun Kuchiki's death, to hold a "funeral ceremony" for Sōjun.

Naturally at that time, the Kuchiki family would invite some relatives and friends to see Sōjun Kuchiki off. Ailin just never expected that he would also receive an invitation.

"Since Captain Kuchiki invited me, it would be too ungracious for me to decline."

"By then, I will attend together with Captain Yoruichi."

Although some unpleasantness had happened between Ailin and Ginrei Kuchiki over Haruko Kuchiki, now that Ginrei was extending goodwill, Ailin wouldn't act aloof either.

"No, that's not..."

Hearing Ailin's reply, Haruko Kuchiki was startled, soon shaking her head, somewhat flustered.

After a long while, Haruko Kuchiki finally mustered her courage, face flushed red as she said to Ailin: "Ailin-kun, what my father said was to have you accompany me as a friend to receive the guests who've come to mourn."

In truth, what Ginrei Kuchiki said was to have Haruko invite Ailin under the identity of her fiancé to receive guests.

Now, Ginrei Kuchiki had confirmed Kōga was the murderer who killed his son Sōjun. No matter how much he valued Kōga before, wanting Kōga to marry into the family, it had all become bubbles now.

With Sōjun Kuchiki's death now, signs of the Kuchiki family's decline were showing. If the Kuchikis didn't want to follow the Shihōin clan's footsteps, they had to swiftly give outsiders a sign that the Kuchiki family was still powerful. Otherwise, those nobles would be like bloodthirsty sharks, eyeing the Kuchiki family greedily.

Once Ginrei Kuchiki passed away, one could imagine the terrifying outcome awaiting the Kuchiki family.

The battle between Ailin and Kōga a few nights ago had also significantly raised Ailin's fame. If Ailin became the Kuchiki family's son-in-law, he could deter most ill-intentioned people.

And once Ailin completed his Bankai training, the Kuchiki family would have no worries for the next few hundred years.

Only, Haruko Kuchiki was too shy, not daring to directly tell Ailin to become her fiancé. Also, afraid of rejection, she could only say Ailin would accompany her as a "friend".

"Accompany you to receive guests as a friend?"

Although Haruko hadn't stated it clearly, Ailin wasn't an idiot. What kind of person could accompany Haruko to receive guests?

Ailin raised a brow, looking Haruko up and down. He had to admit, Haruko had inherited excellent genes from the Kuchiki family. Although still somewhat immature, one could foresee ample room for future growth.

Should he agree?

Ailin stroked his chin.

As leader of the four great nobles, for Sōjun Kuchiki the eldest son's funeral service, practically all of Seireitei's top brass would come to mourn.

This naturally included Captain-Commander Yamamoto and the other twelve Captains. If he could meet these prominent figures, his Unlimited Blade Works would surely gain many more powerful weapons.

This included Captain-Commander Yamamoto's Zanpakutō, the oldest and strongest fire-type Zanpakutō in Soul Society - Ryūjin Jakka.

As well as the strongest lightning-type Zanpakutō - Gonryōmaru.

If he missed this chance, wanting to meet Captain-Commander Yamamoto again would probably take until Sōsuke Aizen's Hollowfication experiments over a hundred years later that caused Soul Society to lose six Captains.

Agree!

Only an idiot wouldn't!

Thinking so, Ailin finally nodded under Haruko's anxious gaze, smiling.

"Aren't we already friends? If accompanying you to receive guests can help, I'm very willing to oblige."

"Ok, see you tomorrow morning then, Ailin-kun."

Having obtained Ailin's consent, Haruko patted her chest in relief, letting out a breath. She then smiled and waved at Ailin before turning to head back to the Kuchiki residence in small quick steps. She was going to notify her father that Ailin had agreed to accompany her in receiving guests.

"Hehe..."

Only after Haruko Kuchiki's figure disappeared around the corner did Ailin withdraw his gaze.

"Perhaps having such a cute wife isn't a bad thing..."

"But..."

Thinking of the crisis awaiting Seireitei later, Ailin eventually shook his head and sighed. If he couldn't even ensure his own survival in the Thousand Year Blood War, the more people he cared about, the more anguish when that time arrived.

Considering the enemies he might face in the future: Sōsuke Aizen fused with the Hōgyoku; Yhwach, Quincy Emperor and Founder of the Wandenreich and his Sternritters; and the 8th generation Kenpachi, Sōya Azashiro ...

Ailin even treated Captain-Commander Yamamoto and the few from Squad Zero as hypothetical enemies.

In comparison, no one knew what might happen tomorrow. Only through self-strengthening could he ensure protecting everything he cherished.

Casting these thoughts aside, Ailin headed towards 2nd Division. All extra considerations now were redundant. Seizing every opportunity to grow stronger was the correct approach.

Just think. If he already had his present strength that night, disregarding Ginrei noticing him, even if Ginrei and Kōga came at him together, so what?

His ability dictated he could only silently work hard, then shock everyone later. The day he gained invincible power, even going against the whole world would be fine!