Bleach: The Captain of the Fifth Division Becomes Stronger Through Training.

Chapter 172 Chapter 171: You Are a Human Being

Push the door and go in.

Just two steps away, the entire interior scene is in sight.

The table and chopping board placed by the window, the calligraphy and paintings hanging on the wall, and the old man lying in bed, looking at him calmly...

The setting of this bedroom can be described as quite simple.

In just a glance, Arima Jing also fixed his gaze on the figure not far away.

The contemporary leader of the rotten wood is Rotten Wood Yinling.

He sat down under the covers, wearing a pure white robe.

There was no brilliance in his gaze from those sunken eye sockets.

Forty years of spring, summer, autumn and winter.

Each stroke left deeper marks on the old man's face.

If Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni is a vigorous and powerful pine tree.

At this moment, the rotten wood and silver ridge are just old and withered branches...

Visible signs of decay and fatigue.

But even so, his dry and skinny lips stammered for a moment, still forcing a rather forced smile.

"Long time no see, Arima Shizuya."

The person concerned responded with a respectful bow.

"As you said, Master Kuo Mu..."

Since the internal retirement ceremony of the second squad vice-captain, Oomaeda Nozomi.

"Ahem, it's been two years since we last met."

"Yeah, I didn't expect it's been so long..."

The meeting was just a small talk, and they didn't get down to business. This was also a matter of etiquette, and at this moment, the smile on Arima Shizuka's face was extremely dull.

After all, we should at least take the other person's feelings into consideration.

The boy was trying to find a topic to talk about at this moment.

"Captain Unohana should have diagnosed you a few days ago. What is your specific condition?"

Xiumu Yinling shook his head slightly, his facial expression showing no fluctuation at all.

“Still have no clue.”

That is, there is no disease.

There is no adjustment at all.

"Excuse me, please pass me a teacup."

Arima Jing did not suspect anything and hurriedly handed over the teacup.

"Thank you."

Watching the other person sipping the coffee carefully, Arima Shizuya's eyes became helpless and full of emotion.

"Although I wanted to tell the patient not to drink strong tea, but... forget it."

At this point, being happy is the most important thing.

The skin on Xiumu Yinling's face trembled, and at this moment he half raised his head, with a hint of inexplicable smile in his eyes.

"I appreciate your kindness."

"You're welcome. Just don't blame me if you have acid reflux later."

"Haha! You really can't eat too much when you get older. After all, your digestion can't keep up with when you were young."

"I got some newly cultivated tea leaves a while ago. It is said that they are still purple after being brewed and can help digestion. Do you want me to send some to you?"

"That's something from the Technology Development Bureau, right? I can't stand this bunch of people messing around with me, so forget it."

More than forty years of friendship.

The relationship between the two has gradually deepened over the years of contact and accumulation.

This is what is called friendship regardless of age.

It seemed that because his mood had improved, Xiumu Yinling's complexion looked much better at this moment.

The little old man looked out the window happily, his eyes full of emotion.

"The weather... is very nice."

Arima Shizuka also heard this and spoke up.

"How about going for a walk?"

No matter how dead and rotten the wood is, it will show some vitality after being greeted by the warmth of the sun.

However, Kuchiki Yinling declined with a smile.

"Forget it. Rats cannot stand the light of day. I... am too ashamed to appear in the light of day now."

There was a gurgling sound.

The noise came from outside the door on the other side.

At this moment, Arima Shizuka also glanced over there calmly, and couldn't help but sigh in her heart.

"Then I won't force you."

"Well, let's get down to business."

Xiumu Yinling calmly placed the teacup beside him, and at this moment slowly raised his eyes.

A slightly cloudy but resolute gaze swept across...

It was concentrated on Arima Shizuya.

"Arima Shizuya, what is the purpose of your visit today?"

"..."

The atmosphere suddenly became tense.

This also made Arima Shizuka couldn't help but reveal an embarrassed expression.

After all, this kind of straightforward speech itself is unreasonable. If you speak like this in normal times, you will inevitably be scolded, ridiculed, and accused of being impolite.

But this statement also depends on the situation.

The other party is the current head of the Kuchiki family, and he is also a real patient...

It's not uncommon to have some 'privileges' at times like this.

Even Arima Shizuka, who was receiving the challenge, felt a little embarrassed.

"Ahahaha, I was going to be polite again..."

"I don't have much time left, so I don't have the time to spare."

"It's better to say less unlucky words, old man."

After saying this, Arima Shizuka also adjusted her breathing.

Since you've chosen to be straightforward, we can only respond to your moves as they come.

"I'm here because of that guy Byakuya."

Xiumu Yinling stared at the cup in his hand and just responded calmly at this moment.

"Well, I can guess it more or less."

So the focus should be on what comes after that.

The old man raised his eyes slightly, and looked straight at the young man in front of him with an expression neither happy nor sad.

"You wanted to say something."

"Can you help the Byakuya child?"

……

Time seemed to have stood still.

Arima Jing also looked at the old man in front of him and stopped moving. After pausing for three breaths, he raised his head slightly.

Then slowly, he looked towards this side.

The old man's eyes were as calm as water, without the slightest sign of fluctuation.

"Do you know how much weight this sentence carries?"

Answer questions with questions.

From a rational point of view, this kind of behavior is absolutely undesirable - it can easily make people feel unhappy.

But at this moment, Arima Jing had no emotions at all.

"Of course I understand..."

For the Kuchiki family, which is known for its pride, tradition, and self-conceit.

"This behavior is to let you abandon your dignity."

“Departing from one’s own beliefs and the multiple viewpoints that have been passed down.”

"We even have to bear the stigma and rumors that shouldn't exist."

Soul Society has a long history.

The history of Seireitei is very short.

But even so, the regulations and rules that have been established have formed a moat of their own that is enough to deter people.

The implications of crossing this boundary line are...self-evident.

Kuchiki Ginrei's gaze suddenly became three times sharper. He just stared at Arima Shizuya and spoke slowly.

"You want me to break tradition?"

As these words came out.

The atmosphere was heavy enough to make water drip out of the scene, and at this moment it all gathered on Arima Shizuya.

I have to say, it's very stressful.

But having experienced more severe situations than this, how could Arima Shizuka possibly back down at a time like this?

Arima Jing also pondered for a moment, and then said with a smile.

"Grandpa, tell me the truth... do you really still care about these things?" Xiumu Yinling's eyes trembled for a moment.

"What's the meaning."

"Literally, old man."

Arima Shizuka also turned her gaze and stared out the window at this moment.

“Are old things necessarily good? Are so-called traditions necessarily right?”

“You must have thought about these things before.”

"But the final answer is probably self-evident."

If the two had communicated like that in the guest room more than forty years ago.

The scene is replayed today, and the moods of both sides... seem to have undergone some subtle changes.

"Old man, I can understand that you insist on doing these things for the sake of your family's inheritance."

Making compromises for yourself and your family is not a sign of weakness.

On the contrary, this is a responsibility that only people with a sense of responsibility can shoulder.

"I don't think your reasons for disagreeing with Byakuya are righteous words."

The two are not a match.

What kind of thinking led to this conclusion?

“There is an inequality in status.”

"It brings rumors and pressure from many sides."

"There may even be other lesser nobles who are eyeing the throne and waiting for it."

The situation is far from as calm as it appears on the surface.

Even within the Soul Society, these intrigues are still not uncommon - Arima Shizuka has learned too much about this in the past forty years.

Although he is a spirit, although he is in Soul Society.

The individuals living here all have their own long lifespans, but even so, these rigid and stubborn things.

But it will still circulate among the people and become popular...

Therefore, there are reasons why Xiumu Yinling insists on his own opinion.

"After all, in essence, the old man is not trying to embarrass anyone."

If I have to describe it in one or two words.

correct.

"The word 'protection' is the most appropriate way to describe it."

He didn't want to put Byakuya in an awkward and dangerous situation.

What's more, he didn't want to let this "useless" grandson bear the pressure and risks that he shouldn't have to bear.

It seems inhumane, full of rationality and considerations of gains and losses.

But in the final analysis, this is love in another sense.

Old, withered, rotten wood.

Before losing my life and completely collapsing...

It will also bring the last bit of shade to the young seedlings around it.

As he stopped talking, there was another gurgling sound from outside the door.

But at this moment, the two of them had no reaction at all. They just looked at each other calmly and let Arima Shizuka continue speaking.

"This feeling is indeed sincere and straightforward."

"But ah..."

"Seedlings will grow up, too, old man."

As elders, their perception in this regard may seem a little dull.

"Bai Ya has grown up. Although he may not be able to take on the position of head of the family yet, I recognize his potential."

"So try to believe him, after all..."

"He is the next generation head of the Kuchiki family."

Was it because he couldn't let go, or was it simply because he hated it? It was impossible to find out the reason at this moment.

But no matter what.

Both Xiumu Yinling's expressions became a little melancholy at this moment.

The old man seemed to have suddenly become much weaker, and even the corners of his mouth drooped.

"Yeah……"

Just like Ma Jingye’s behavior just now.

At this moment, Xiumu Yinling stared out the window.

"Old man, I'm already a little..."

"I don't know what to do..."

"That's the correct thing..."

Like a whisper in a dream.

"The child whom I taught with all my heart has gone astray and has no where to return to."

"The child I forced to teach died in battle at such a young age."

"I have made too many mistakes, and I don't want to let this mistake continue..."

and so.

"I have never really forced Byakuya to do anything he was unwilling to do."

"I think this is the most correct choice."

"But... now that things have come to this, I find that I was wrong."

There is no universal theory, only the right medicine for the right disease.

Just a pity.

"I only understood this truth at the end..."

After a moment of sighing, Xiumu Yinling turned his head. The skin on his face trembled slightly for a moment, and then...

He gave a very indifferent smile.

"Choose to believe that Byakuya..."

"To be honest, it really makes people feel a little uneasy."

"This child is extreme and stubborn. In many cases, he only looks easy to talk to, but in fact he has many ideas of his own and won't even listen to other people's advice."

To put it simply, he has a lot of bad habits.

It would take more than a day and a night to finish.

"But just as you said, this may just be me thinking too much."

Maybe Byakuya could handle it.

perhaps……

I really should stop worrying so much.

"Ahem, ahem...Arima Shizuya."

"Old man, I'm here."

Wiping the embarrassment from the corner of his mouth, Kuchiki Yinling straightened his back slightly.

"Can I ask you a favor?"

Although I really want to say the above sentence, it doesn’t hurt to say it.

But after all, he is facing the head of the Kuchiki family, so he still needs to give some consideration at this time.

"You tell me, I'll do my best."

"That's a really conservative statement. It's not something you would say."

"Hehe... people have to grow up after all."

Xiumu Yinling nodded without comment, and then spoke in a sincere and accurate tone.

"Can you please help that child... until he can stand on his own?"

Arima Shizuka did not answer immediately. Instead, he scratched the corner of his mouth as if in distress.

And folded his hands over his chest.

"You asked the same question forty years ago..."

"But the meaning is different, I think you can understand it without me emphasizing it."

indeed so.

Given the current situation, this statement is more like entrusting an orphan to someone else.

Whether it was rational or emotional, there was absolutely no reason for Arima Shizuka to refuse at this moment.

Just for now.

There are other things that Arima Shizuka also wants to know.

He frowned slightly and spoke after thinking for a while.

"You...really trust me so much?"

Faced with such self-doubting remarks, Kuchiki Ginling responded with a calm smile.

"Well, I trust you as a person."

"I have misjudged many people and things in my life, but this is the last time..."

"I still believe in my own judgment."

Xiumu Yinling took a deep breath and spoke word by word at this moment.

"Arima Shizuya, I'll leave Byakuya's child in your care, is that okay?"

(End of this chapter)