Yoriichi Tsugikuni reborn in the soul society

Soon, evening arrived.

The afterglow of the setting sun bathed the land.

Inside the spacious and brightly lit hall.

As the sounds of revelry filled the air and the aroma of grilled food permeated the atmosphere, Isshin Shiba approached Tsugikuni Yoriichi, carrying a bowl of sake, and sat beside him.

He gently swirled the sake in his bowl, causing the clear liquid to ripple.

Noticing Yoriichi's serious expression, Isshin Shiba inquired, "Why… do you not enjoy festivities?"

Even the vibrant and boisterous environment, the infectious atmosphere, and even the most entertaining Rakugo performance could not elicit a smile from Yoriichi.

In his eyes, everything seemed as commonplace as weeds.

A most unusual Shinigami…

Thus far, Isshin had only observed such behavior within the Kuchiki family…

"Come to think of it… you are not related to those stoic individuals of the Kuchiki clan, are you?"

Isshin took a sip of his sake and asked tentatively.

After posing the question, he slowly picked up the sake bottle and poured a cup for Yoriichi.

He offered a nonchalant smile:

"Haha, how could that be? Please forgive my impertinence."

"If you possessed Kuchiki blood, you would not be the Third Seat of my Tenth Division."

"I was wondering, what are your hobbies?"

"You know, as your captain, it is my responsibility to understand the mental state and preferences of my subordinates, so that I may better manage the division."

"Or so they say."

His tone was relaxed, as if this would foster a closer connection between them.

Upon hearing this.

Yoriichi's calm gaze slowly shifted, the sparkling sake in his vision catching the light.

Seeing Yoriichi's attention drawn to his prized sake, Isshin raised his palm and smiled proudly:

"Five hundred-year-old sake, specially provided by the noble families. What do you think? Would you care for a taste?"

"This is pure spirit sake."

"It is different from sake in the human world. It is said to enhance Reiryoku, though the effect is minimal."

"Ah, that reminds me."

At this juncture, he suddenly recalled something and raised his hand to briefly interrupt the festivities: "Hey, could you come here for a moment?"

His gaze swept across the gathering and finally settled upon a woman wearing gold-rimmed glasses with flowing black hair, exuding an air of cool nobility.

The woman was quietly enjoying a glass of sake by herself.

Upon hearing his voice, she slowly lifted her gaze and looked at Isshin from across the room, as if knowing he was addressing her.

A subtle twitch developed around her eyes.

Clink!

She set down her glass.

She adjusted her glasses, her composed tone tinged with a hint of irritation.

"Please mind your choice of words, Captain."

"My name is Kyōraku Chiharu. While you are my captain, do you not think such crude remarks are unbecoming of your position?"

"Haha, do not take it so seriously." Isshin waved his hand dismissively. "We are all old acquaintances; it was merely a jest."

He then turned to Tsugikuni Yoriichi and introduced the woman in a teasing manner:

"This is our Lieutenant, Lady Kyōraku Chiharu."

"Born into the esteemed Kyōraku noble family."

"The current Captain of the Eighth Division, Kyōraku Shunsui, is her cousin. I encourage you to become acquainted."

At this point, Shiba Isshin leaned closer to Tsugikuni Yoriichi and added in a hushed tone:

"She possesses the same Third Grade Reiryoku as you. Remember not to provoke her, or she might dismantle the Tenth Division, and I certainly do not have the funds to repair it."

"You two share a similar disposition, to some extent. You both prefer action over idle chatter. Speaking of which…"

He suddenly recalled something, his eyes flickering with a hint of helplessness.

"Inuno, who clashed with you earlier, has already received a… correction from her. He was thoroughly subdued and will likely be bedridden for some time."

"I truly cannot comprehend how such a… spirited individual emerged from the typically gentle and refined Kyōraku family"

"Tsk…"

A slight smirk played on his lips.

At that moment, Kyōraku Chiharu interjected, "My, Captain, are you perhaps speaking ill of me to him?"

"Do not tempt me to… correct you as well, for you would bear the full consequences."

"..."

"Understood, understood." Isshin immediately changed the subject, miming zipping his lips shut before lowering his hand, draining his sake cup, and continuing:

"Ah, it is truly arduous being a Captain."

"I am constantly pressured by the upper echelons of the nobility outside the Division, and I am also subject to the Lieutenant's… influence within the Division… I wonder when this cursed existence will finally end."

He instinctively draped an arm around Tsugikuni Yoriichi's shoulders, as if in a drunken stupor, and said with a sigh:

"You truly have it easy, free and unburdened. No one even minds if you have a perpetually blank expression."

"Like the Kuchiki clan."

"If an ordinary Shinigami displayed such a demeanor, they would have been labeled as antisocial by their captain long ago, but geniuses are different."

"No matter how aloof a genius may appear, they are still considered exceptional in the eyes of others."

"I truly envy you."

"..."

"There is nothing to envy." Yoriichi glanced at Shiba Isshin's slightly flushed cheeks and offered a rare comment, "Captain, you are intoxicated."

"Nonsense! I am not intoxicated!" Isshin straightened abruptly, though his slightly swaying posture betrayed his inebriated state.

"I am merely weary, that is all."

"Continue… continue drinking!"

With his command issued, the banquet resumed.

Seeing this, Kyōraku Chiharu raised her eyebrows slightly but remained silent, fully aware of the Shiba family's current predicament.

Though they were one of the Five Great Noble Houses, their influence had waned due to a decline in exceptional talent, and they were now being overshadowed by other noble families.

Their current circumstances.

Were not even comparable to the Kyōraku family, which held a lower position in the hierarchy.

As the head of a branch family, Shiba Isshin had the responsibility of supporting numerous family members.

Each day, he had to contend with the disdainful attitudes of other nobles. A single misstep could result in the loss of the family's holdings. The immense pressure he faced was undeniable.

Allowing him to drink was perhaps a way to alleviate some of that stress.

With this thought, Kyōraku Chiharu slowly closed her eyes.

Just then, a knock sounded at the door.

Knock knock.

"Excuse me?"

A laid-back young man with short, slightly curled light-yellow hair and a touch of stubble on his chin quietly pushed open the door of the Tenth Division barracks and peered inside with his half-closed, military-green eyes.

"Um… Is Captain Shiba present?"

"He invited me for a drink."

"Hmm?" Chiharu glanced over and immediately recognized the newcomer as a favorite of the Shihōin family and the Third Seat of the Second Division, Urahara Kisuke.

That man, Shiba Isshin…

This was the Tenth Division's banquet.

Why had he invited a Shinigami from the Second Division?

However, she did not voice her objections.

As Urahara Kisuke proceeded further into the gathering, moving forward under the seemingly questioning gazes of the assembled Shinigami.

His eyes suddenly fell upon Yoriichi, who stood beside Isshin.

A spark of recognition ignited within his otherwise listless and somewhat socially awkward eyes.

He had found him.

==============

Check out my other fanfic translation: A spy in Konoha, part-time Hokage

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