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

Chapter 174 Chapter 173: Testify with your character
It was more than an hour later when we left the Kuchiki residence.

Considering that a troublesome matter was indeed resolved today, Arima Shizuya's expression was quite relaxed.

This feeling even infected the two people next to him.

Kyoraku Shunsui stared at Arima Shizuya's profile and said with a smile at this moment.

"It looks like it was successful, right?"

Without waiting for the other party to respond, Ukitake Jushiro took the opportunity to speak up.

"Even if it's not, there should be some progress."

——How did you two know?
"After all, your mood is written all over your face, Arima. It's so clear at a glance."

"Hmm... Mr. Yamamoto once said that."

Arima Shizuka touched her cheek thoughtfully, and finally showed a helpless expression.

Is it because of this 'boring' reason?
"Is it that obvious?"

Facing the self-doubt of the captain of the fifth squad, the two people beside him laughed.

"Well, it's not that bad, right? After all, no one hates it."

"I think this is kind of Uma-kun's style, and the Fifth Division has been very popular lately."

Forty years of operation.

It is this friendly image that makes Arima Shizuya "famous" in the Maou Spiritual Academy.

Nowadays, the number of applicants every year is quite large, and it can even be said to be the second-tier popular team.

Of course - the few veteran squads with noble status and few problems are naturally still unshakable.

The three of them left the Kuchiki family's mansion together. At the fork in the road, Kyoraku Shunsui stopped Arima Shizuya who was about to say goodbye.

"Now that everything is over, do you want to go for a couple of drinks?"

As he spoke, he raised his right hand and made a simple gesture in front of his mouth.

"Tomorrow is a day off anyway, so it doesn't matter if I drink too much. There's also a new show by a popular actress... Arima-kun should not miss it."

Like instigation in the literal sense.

Even Ukitake Jushiro looked a little unhappy.

"Chun Shui, it's better to say less such indiscreet words."

The latter waved his hand without even turning his head, with an extremely relaxed expression on his face.

"Don't worry~ Arima-kun's vice-captain is a very capable newcomer. And the people on my side are not just ordinary people, after all..."

"Captain Jingle!"

Literally word for word.

With an indescribable resentment and serious attitude, Kyoraku Shunsui, who originally had a frivolous look on his face, now showed an embarrassed expression.

This voice is...

The three captains turned their heads at the same time and saw someone slowly emerging from the shadows in the corner.

Black hair, glasses.

She has a dignified appearance and a slender figure.

At this moment, he raised his right hand and used his fingertips to straighten the frame of the glasses on his cheek.

Ise Nanao.

Compared to forty years ago, the other person looks more intellectual and generous.

The feeling of being a lady from a noble family in the literal sense is the intuitive feeling given by the other party at this moment.

It’s just that the other person’s expression was too deep.

It was as exaggerated as an executioner on the execution ground - his momentum was so strong that the three people present were unable to utter a word.

"Captain Kyoraku! Please repeat what you just said!"

"...Ah, haha! Why is Nanao-chan in a place like this? Girls shouldn't run around outside in the evening~"

"Are you planning to put aside all your work in the team and just go out for a drink and have fun?!"

"No, that..."

"As the captain of the 8th Division, where is your sense of confidentiality?"

"Uh……"

"Or do you actually despise this job?"

"Feel sorry……"

Like an eggplant hit by frost.

Kyoraku Shunsui took two steps forward dejectedly until he stood behind Ise Nanao.

Although she was the vice-captain, her temperament at this moment had completely suppressed her own captain - Ise Nanao. You are now...

So powerful!
The captain of the 8th Division's compromise seemed to have improved Ise Nanao's mood.

Her expression visibly relaxed a little, and when she turned around again and looked at Ukitake Jushiro, she looked full of apology.

Put your hands together in front of you and keep your back straight.

Ise Nanao leaned forward slightly.

"I'm sorry, Captain Kyoraku said something that bothered you."

Fuzhu is not a person who likes to take things seriously, let alone such playful behavior?
"No, no, I don't take it to heart at all... Quite the opposite. Ms. Ise, you did a great job!"

It can be seen that the two people have some resonance...

As for Arima Shizuya.

Ise Nanao did not turn her head to look over here, she just kept leaning sideways and spoke in a flat tone.

"Captain Arima, you too... I'm sorry to have embarrassed you."

……Um?

Why is your attitude towards me different?
This strange feeling was so prominent and obvious that even the dazed captain of Squad 13 noticed it.

Arima Shizuka and Ukitake stared at each other, but before the person concerned could speak, Kyoraku Shunsui's laughter could be heard.

"Oh, I'm really ashamed. Being scolded by the vice-captain in the street... I almost cried in my bed at night."

"So, it would be too unreasonable to continue like this. It's better to go back to work as soon as possible."

"Ukitake, Arima. I'm sorry, it looks like we'll have to make an appointment next time~"

He pulled his straw hat down, and patted Ise Nanao's shoulder with his big, broad hand.

"Nanao-chan, say hello to the two captains. We should be leaving now."

The intellectual-looking woman came back to her senses and lowered her head at this moment.

"Captain Ukitake, Captain Arima...we'll be leaving now!"

The two figures, one in front and one behind, quickly disappeared.

Ukitake Jushiro and Arima Shizuka were also not going the same way, so they said goodbye at this moment.

When they were about to leave, Ukitake's gaze was quite amused... and now he was also glancing up and down at Arima Shizuya.

The person involved was stared at so hard that he felt a little nervous.

"Um... Captain Ukitake? What are you looking at?"

"Haha, nothing. But Arima-kun, do you remember what Mr. Yamamoto said to you before?"

The old man said a lot, so it's hard to say whether he has forgotten or not at this moment.

"You, boy, look like a woman in trouble."

……

Walking on the way back to the team.

Ise Nanao's expression always seemed a little tense.

Although due to her personal characteristics, she did not carry a sword...

However, relying on his own level of ghost skills, his current position as deputy captain has also been recognized by many team members.

Intelligent and decisive.

This is how many people evaluate her.

——Speaking only of leadership, it makes me feel at ease to work under Ise-senpai.

After all, the other captain of the 8th Division looks very unreliable...

But at this moment, this woman who enjoys great prestige in the team looks like she is troubled.

Kyoraku Shunsui stared at the other person's back, and a rather emotional expression appeared on his bearded face.

"Nanao-chan?"

"..."

"You look listless, are you hungry?"

"..."

"I know an eel restaurant nearby. Although the price is not low, it's still a good idea to spend some money once in a while..."

I couldn't finish my words.

Because Ise Nanao stopped suddenly.

"Captain Kyoraku! What do you want to say?!"

Seeing the other person's angry expression, Kyoraku Shunsui smiled helplessly. Hmm... how should I describe it?

The momentum is strong and the tone is aggressive.

But it is more like a self-defense behavior, like a hedgehog curling up its body.

There was no aggression at all, it was just a knee-jerk reaction in self-defense.

"Um, Nanao-chan, don't be so nervous at a time like this. After all, our relationship shouldn't be that awkward, right?"

Ise Nanao's complexion improved a little, but her brows were still furrowed.

"What exactly do you want to say."

How should I answer?

Adults always use a series of roundabout tactics on the premise of not losing face.

But if the person is one of your own, it is a good idea to be a little willful and get straight to the point.

The corners of Kyoraku Shunsui's mouth curled up.

"You still have some feelings for Captain Arima, right?"

"...?!!!"

Ise Nanao's breathing obviously stagnated for a moment.

He was so nervous that he unconsciously took more than half a step back.

While clenching his fists, he subconsciously brought them to his chest and clenched them tightly.

The panic was visible to the naked eye - but it didn't last long.

Because Ise Nanao seemed to come to her senses and replied in a stern voice.

"Nonsense!"

"is it?"

Kyoraku Shunsui looked away, rubbed his chin with his free right hand, and spoke thoughtfully.

"Although I don't think so, but... this hesitation itself is enough to explain the problem, right?"

All are adults.

There's no point just talking.

"We had some contact in the academy, and since then, because of the relationship between ghosts, we have had a lot of contact with each other, right?"

"Come to think of it, Nanao-chan is also her Kidō-senpai, right? If we use this as an excuse to contact her again, it will seem like a legitimate reason."

"So maybe it's a good idea to be a little more cheerful once in a while?"

Nonsense!

Despite feeling this in her heart, Ise Nanao was speechless.

There is no point in talking back, and the other party won't listen to your rebuttal.

So the best option is to shut up and pretend you don't care...

She just frowned, closed her eyes, and shook her head gently.

"Please just treat this kind of thing as a joke after dinner."

Not presentable.

Not even worth mentioning.

Yes, my feelings are so meaningless.

"Ah~ This won't do, Nanao-chan."

Giving up on yourself is not a good thing.

What's more.

"In order to make Nanao-chan happy, there are other people in this world who have made a lot of efforts in places you can't see."

Visible and invisible.

Like a glacier, what floats on the surface is a thin illusion.

It is the deep entity that is sunk in the shadows.

It’s a pity that Ise Nanao doesn’t seem to be able to experience this feeling at this moment.

She clenched her teeth and subconsciously tried to break free...at the same time she spoke quite stubbornly.

"This kind of..."

Unfortunately... the words were not finished.

Because at the same time, Ise Nanao saw the man in front of her.

At this moment, a very rare expression was revealed.

Sad? Uncomfortable?
Helplessness? Pity?

An indescribable look...

Kyoraku Shunsui had maintained a cynical expression until now, but now he suddenly showed such a deep look.

Even Ise Nanao felt a little overwhelmed.

No matter how she tried to say the words that were stuck in her throat, her instinct told her that it might hurt the man in front of her.

Don't want the other person to get hurt.

That’s all…

Ise Nanao took a half step back, looked away, and her tone became much softer.

"I, I understand... I'm sorry, Captain Kyoraku."

"Oh~ You're very obedient. Very good, very good. This is how the vice-captain of our 8th Division should be. You can bend and stretch as you like."

Seeing Kyoraku Shunsui return to his playful look, Ise Nanao couldn't help but feel dazed for a moment.

hard to imagine.

This man looks frivolous and dissolute.

She actually showed such a sad and delicate expression.

So which one is the real Kyoraku Shunsui?

Or is it that, like the two swords of different lengths... the so-called two sides of one coin, is the truth?
Not sure.

But there is no need to pursue it further.

Ise Nanao's work experience in the Eighth Division and what she has seen and heard have given her an instinctive tendency to think rationally.

Just don’t know what you don’t know.

Just wait for time to weather the vines, and when the brittle material slowly falls off, it is only a matter of time before the full picture is revealed.

Confidentiality and the pursuit of knowledge are not mutually exclusive, and at this moment, Ise Nanao doesn't mind waiting patiently.

"Let's go, Captain Kyoraku."

Seeing Ise Nanao return to her previous state, Kyoraku Shunsui's expression changed slightly.

--a little.

Just a little bit.

Compared to before, I have made some progress.

It is really touching. It turns out that watching the younger generations grow up is such an exciting thing.

Although compared to that more dazzling guy, this flash can't even be called "dazzling".

But it's enough.

Because the purpose is different, compared to strength, the secret buried deep under the flower tree is the most important thing.

But... coming back to the point.

Big brother, big sister...

I……

Did you really do it right?

However, this doubt will never get a response. After all, the so-called adult is such a helpless title.

Self-dissolution, self-hypnosis.

Now that you have embarked on this path, you can only believe that you are right.

There is no other way than to find your own answer among confusion and stumbling.

While thinking, Kyoraku Shunsui heard a familiar voice coming from in front of him.

"Have a meal……"

The decadent uncle came back to his senses slightly.

"Ok?"

Ise Nanao stopped and half turned her head, with an indescribable awkwardness on her face.

"That eel restaurant, is it delicious..."

Need I ask?
Kyoraku Shunsui smiled happily.

"As a testament to my character, Nanao-chan will definitely be satisfied~"

"That's really worrying, Captain Kyoraku."

(End of this chapter)