Chapter 21
Ise Nanao Who Wants to Get Stronger

Concerned about his manhood, Kyōraku Shunsui quickly denied it three times in a row:

"No, I didn't, don't talk nonsense!"

The most elegant beauty beside him quickly comforted Kyōraku Shunsui, and at the same time glared at a few giggling young geishas.

"Alright, stop denying it, drink up, old bro Kyōraku!" As soon as Uehara Shirayuki sat down, several beautiful girls immediately leaned in, happily pouring wine and tea.

Kyōraku Shunsui had a bitter look on his face, but after a few cups of wine, his mood improved.

In no time, the usual cheerful atmosphere returned.

Happy times always pass too quickly.

At this time, Uehara Shirayuki, who had entered the state of "sage," once again found Kyōraku Shunsui, only to see him lost in thought.

There were no girls around him.

"What's on your mind?" Uehara Shirayuki casually cast a barrier of sound-deadening Kidō:

"Do you still think the culprit behind the hollowification incident is someone else? Have you found any leads?"

Kyōraku Shunsui casually answered: "I have a suspect, but it should be impossible. That person is still locked up in…"

At this point, Kyōraku Shunsui changed his tone: "You know about this, don't tell anyone else."

As fellow Zanpakuto of the Illusion type, 【Sōkyoku】 is extremely sensitive to the power of 【Kyōka Suigetsu】.

Therefore, as soon as he noticed 【Sōkyoku】 becoming unusually active, Hirako Shinji was certain that Aizen had a problem.

While Kyōraku Shunsui only had a hunch and no evidence to support it.

So he couldn't take any action.

That's why Kyōraku Shunsui warned Uehara Shirayuki.

"I understand!" Uehara Shirayuki shrugged.

He knew that after this, Aizen would use his convincing acting skills to quell Kyōraku Shunsui's suspicions.

Then, when the Rukongai invasion occurred, Kyōraku Shunsui would shift his focus to Tōsen Kaname.

Uehara Shirayuki didn't have any opinions about this "trash BOSS," Tōsen Kaname.

However, he was quite interested in the Tōsen family's heirloom artifact, the Yoroizome Nonden.

In the wood-paneled room filled with intoxicating fragrance, Uehara Shirayuki picked up a cup of sake and drained it in one go.

The sake was crisp and clear upon entering his mouth, like plain water, but the aftertaste was endless.

Instantly, sweet, fragrant, and mellow Reiryoku surged into Uehara Shirayuki's throat and stomach.

A bottle of this spiritual wine was worth a million.

Ordinary civilians couldn't even afford to buy it, and a single sip would burn through their bodies, cremating them on the spot.

This was a fine wine that only high-ranking officers could enjoy.

Looking at Uehara Shirayuki, who seemed to remain calm at all times, a smile appeared in the depths of Kyōraku Shunsui's eyes beneath his straw hat:

"Hey! Little bro Shirayuki, do you have any further plans?"

Uehara Shirayuki immediately understood Kyōraku Shunsui's meaning and replied:

"Forget it, I can't stand that noble crap, but I won't refuse to lend a hand when it's time.

Looks like the peaceful days are about to end."

This period of time is a calm before the storm, "The mountain rain is about to come, and the wind is full of the building."

But in reality, the Seireitei has never truly experienced peace. It has always been a seemingly peaceful place, yet actually rife with undercurrents.

"Don't worry, the old man and I will have your back, cheers!" Kyōraku Shunsui laughed heartily and raised his cup in invitation.

In the long years, there is nothing more joyful than having another close friend.

Uehara Shirayuki muttered, "If you guys don't screw me over, I'll thank heaven and earth."

The next day, Uehara Shirayuki wisely stayed in the First Division and didn't go out.

He guessed that Sui-Feng had already deployed all the Shinigami Squads to keep an eye on him, so it was better to be careful for now.

Just as well, today's daily tasks could be completed in the First Division quarters.

"Uehara Shirayuki, you little punk really doesn't know how to relax…"

Half a day later, Ichibei Hyōsube looked at the abstract painting on the wall of the First Division headquarters and his blood pressure rose again.

"This painting has a high artistic level." The silver-haired Jūshirō Ukitake didn't seem to be angry at all, he stroked his goatee and smiled as he admired Uehara Shirayuki's masterpiece.

"How high? Can it be as high as my blood pressure, Vice-Captain Ukitake?" They were all old friends, so Ichibei didn't need to be polite to Ukitake.

"Look at this horse, it's white and black, tall and strong, and it has two horns, what does that tell you?"

"It means it's a cow…"

Uehara Shirayuki, who was strolling around the quarters, suddenly heard someone shout: "Third Seat Ichibei and Vice-Captain Ukitake are fighting! Come and see!"

He shook his head: "Such a loose management system, coupled with unreliable leadership, how can the Seireitei be properly governed?"

"Seventh Seat Uehara!" A voice, old but full of authority, sounded from behind Uehara Shirayuki.

Uehara Shirayuki trembled, quickly turning around to see a tall, bald man with a polished pine staff standing before him.

This tall old man with closed eyes and a white beard that reached his chest was the First Division Captain – Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni.

He was also the pinnacle of Pure Shinigami power!

Facing the "big boss," Uehara Shirayuki dared not be careless and quickly said:

"Reporting to the Captain, after inspection by this subordinate, the First Division quarters are very safe, there are no hidden dangers."

"No, you are the hidden danger!" The Captain still kept his eyes closed, his staff tapping, he issued an order:

"Leave the quarters and go somewhere else, come back tonight!"

"Don't do that, Captain, I'm devoted to the First Division, don't kick me out." Uehara Shirayuki never thought he would have a day where he wanted to work overtime but couldn't.

In front of the First Division quarters, seeing that the old man was determined to bar him from entry, Uehara Shirayuki shrugged and suddenly disappeared in a flash.

After he disappeared, several shadowy figures in black clothes immediately followed.

However, in just a moment, Uehara Shirayuki had arrived at the Seireitei's largest library.

He couldn't go to the Flower District or the Eighth Division for now, otherwise he would surely be caught.

These people would never guess that his true identity was that of a knowledge-loving intellectual!

Just like a certain "Queen of Egypt" after eating "bread," she would read a book.

The reason "Kars" stopped thinking wasn't it because he was lacking in culture?

If he had been as studious as "DIO," he wouldn't have been ignorant of the fact that water freezes in a vacuum.

Coincidentally, Uehara Shirayuki saw Ise Nanao in the library.

However, Ise Nanao was different today. She was also a bit absent-minded while reading, clearly having something on her mind.

Thinking of the haggard Kyōraku Shunsui, Uehara Shirayuki could only sigh, they were really like uncle and nephew, they were so in sync.

He went forward and asked, "Little Nanao, what are you thinking about?"

"…" When she saw Uehara Shirayuki, thinking about the ridiculous rumors from these past two days, Ise Nanao slightly frowned.

But then she thought of something and her frown eased: "Uehara Seventh... Shirayuki-kun, could you teach me to practice Kidō?"

"Your talent in Kidō is indeed quite good, but why are you so suddenly eager to learn?" Uehara Shirayuki knew about Ise Nanao's future.

Don't be fooled, Ise Nanao is just a girl who graduated from the Shin'ō Academy two and a half years ago.

But in the future, Ise Nanao's independently developed Kidō barrier will even be able to trap the second-in-command of the Wandenreich – Haschwalth.

Therefore, Ise Nanao is able to secure the position of Vice-Captain of the Eighth Division with only Kidō, it's definitely more than just a relationship with someone in power.