I'm really not the number one slacker in Soul Society.

“Then please go quickly, Nie Sanshi.” Mima took a step back and said, “I still need to go to the headquarters to explain this matter to the other members, so I won’t accompany you.”

Mayuri Kurotsuchi seemed too lazy to answer, and simply walked past him, calling out as she went, "Akin, take your things, let's go."

"it is good……"

After a weak response, a man with horns on his head and a miserable look on his face from overworking came out of the room carrying a suitcase and left the Technology Development Bureau with Mayuri Kurotsuchi.

Then, Mizhen jogged away from the Technology Development Bureau.

Then he found a secluded corner, put his hand on his head, and used a powerful lightning bolt, shocking himself until he was covered in smoke. It took him several breaths to come back to his senses.

Just in case... who knows if Mayuri Kurotsuchi might put some kind of surveillance bacteria on him.

Then, he sped up and ran along the main road toward the headquarters.

He encountered many squad members on search missions along the way, and after greeting a few familiar faces, he passed by the entrance of the Fourth Division's barracks.

"What a joke!"

A loud shout came from inside.

And the voice sounded very familiar.

Mizhen subconsciously stopped and turned to look.

The side door of the Fourth Division was kicked open, and Soi Fon, wrapped in bandages, walked out with a furious expression and unsteady steps, followed by a long line of people.

Several elders of the Shihōin family, the head of the Hachi family, and a few others who seemed familiar—in short, nobles from the Shihōin lineage.

What kind of show is this...?

The head of the Bee family, almost with a forced smile, stopped Soi Fong and whispered something to her.

It was supposed to be some kind of persuasion, but it seemed to have the opposite effect, making Soi Fon even angrier after hearing it.

How could I do such a thing!

She shoved the head of the Bee family aside, mustered her strength, and ran towards the other end of the street—but she was still swaying and couldn't even use Instant Step, probably because she was too weak to move.

"Shao Ling, wait..." The head of the Feng family shouted anxiously, making a move to chase after her, but a hand pressed down on his shoulder.

He turned around and saw Ukitake standing behind him with a wry smile.

"Captain Ukitake, what's going on...?"

"Please let her calm down first. No matter what we say now, she probably won't listen."

“Of course I understand, but right now…” The head of the Bee family sighed, glancing discreetly behind him a few times, and whispered, “I have to come up with a way to get Shaoling to obey, otherwise…”

"That's true..."

Ukitake released his hand from the head of the Bee family's shoulder, and then glanced at Mima, who was watching from a distance.

Then he immediately called out Mima's name.

"..."

An ominous premonition spread through my mind.

This scene seems strangely familiar...

An hour ago, he was called that by Yixin, and then immediately got into a big problem.

But since Ukitake had already seen him, there was nothing he could do.

Damn it... I definitely need to break this habit of watching the spectacle...

Mizhen responded to Fukitake first, then braced himself and went to greet the several noble old men before walking to Fukitake's side.

"Captain Ukitake...is there something you need?"

"Watanabe, go and try to talk to Soi Fon for us..." Ukitake said with a sigh. "You have nothing to do with the Shihouin family, and you even saved her this morning. She shouldn't be angry with you."

"...What are you trying to persuade me about?" Mi Zhen's lips twitched twice. "I don't even know what happened, and I have things to do."

"matter?"

"Here's the situation."

After I explained what had just happened to Ukitake in the simplest terms, the latter frowned thoughtfully, then nodded and said, "It's alright, leave the report to me. I will explain this to Kyoraku and the Captain-Commander as soon as possible—but I'll have to trouble you with persuading Soi Fon."

"So what's the point of trying to persuade me?" Mima asked in a low voice. "It's fine to make me do the work... but at least explain the background, Captain Ukitake."

“That’s right,” Ukitake replied. “After hearing that Soi Fon had used Bankai, many people from the Shihouin faction rushed over immediately… I didn’t hear the specifics, but they demanded that Soi Fon take over the vacant position of the Second Division Captain after Yoruichi’s departure as soon as possible, and that’s what angered Soi Fon.”

"How can you get angry about something like this?" Mima asked, puzzled. "Why?"

"I don't know. When I heard the commotion and rushed over, Soi Fon was already arguing with them and firmly refused to take over as captain," Ukitake sighed. "And that's how it turned out—in my opinion, letting them try to persuade her will only make things worse. You're the right person, so I can only ask you for help."

For some reason, Ukitake seemed to be deliberately keeping Yama away from the older nobles, speaking in a very low voice, leaving the latter to watch anxiously without being able to understand what they were saying.

"This……"

Mima hesitated for a moment, then nodded with difficulty: "I'll try my best."

"Then hurry up. Soi Fon is in bad shape right now and can't run far. You should be able to find her soon." Ukitake nodded with relief. "I'll set off immediately to the headquarters to deliver the message for you."

After saying that, Ukitake pushed Mima forward as if he were in a hurry to do something, and then turned around to explain to the elder nobles.

Mima glanced back and saw an elder from the Shihōin family about to come up and say something to him, but he was immediately stopped by Ukitake, who kept saying something like, "It's easier for young people to handle their own affairs," and wouldn't let anyone speak to Mima.

"Could it be that……"

Ukitake's attitude gave him a subtle idea.

It is known that Ukitake and Shunsui are inseparable best friends, and Shunsui has always wanted to reduce the power of the nobility.

The Shihouin family's purpose is easy to guess: to train Soi Fon into a puppet that can be easily manipulated, so that the power of the Second Division and the Onmitsukido (Secret Service) will not leak out.

Soi Fon is currently at a critical juncture of mental vulnerability—to put it bluntly, she is easily influenced by others. Under such circumstances, Ukitake deliberately sent him, a member of the Shunsui faction, to make contact, and his purpose is quite obvious!

Chapter 91: A New Rebel is Being Prepared

After figuring out the details, Mima was immediately stunned by Ukitake's actions.

You're so naughty, I love it!

How could I not lend a hand in something like this?

He immediately nodded, stomped one foot on the ground, unleashed a Shokuto, and chased after the spiritual pressure left behind by Soi Fon.

..........................................

A few minutes later, Mima found Soi Fon in a courtyard.

If I remember correctly, this should be a teahouse under the Shihōin family.

It went bankrupt a few years ago due to a business accident and has been abandoned ever since.

For Soi Fon, this is a significant advantage.

That means Yoruichi has been here many times.

Mizhen stood outside the wall and cautiously peeked inside.

Soi Fon sat under a tree by the wall, burying her head between her knees, her shoulders shaking incessantly.

Although there was no sobbing, she was clearly crying.

"I can't handle this kind of situation..."

Mi Zhen's lips twitched twice, then she took a few deep breaths, stuck her head in, and coughed, saying, "Cough... Sorry to bother you."

"Who?!"

Soi Fon suddenly raised her head, her eyes slightly red, and a few water droplets were flicked away, but even so, her eyes still glistened with tears.

"I am Watanabe Yama, the fifth seat of the Eighth Division."

Mima shrugged and stepped into the courtyard: "So, I guess you're... here on orders?"

"Order?"

Upon hearing this, Soi Fon immediately became alert, raising her hand to assume a fighting stance: "I can't possibly take over as captain! Forget about it!"

"No... I don't understand what you're saying either."

Mima scratched his head and said, "Although Captain Ukitake sent me to check on you, I don't even know what happened."

"..."

Soi Fon sniffed rather unceremoniously, frowned as she thought for a moment, and then slowly lowered her hand:

"This morning...it was you..."

“Yes, I’m the unlucky guy who got hit.” Mi Zhen spread his hands and said, “By the way, I was also one of the victims of the accident three days ago. You should remember me.”

“…I remember now, you participated in that mission too.” Soi Fon bit her lip. “You were also caught up in that Urahara bastard’s…”

At this point, she clenched her fists, as if she was so angry that even her teeth were itching.

However, their vigilance towards him has indeed relaxed a bit.

That's the benefit of having common ground among the conversation participants.

Thank you, Urahara.

"Let's not talk about that kind of thing now..."

Mizhen scratched her cheek with her index finger and said, "Since I've run into this situation, I can't just ignore it... If you have any troubles, you can talk to me about them. Don't let my appearance fool you, I'm actually quite good at being a listener."

Soi Fon didn't speak, but simply lowered her head quietly.

Mima, however, stared at her without saying a word.

After a long silence, Soi Fon sighed somewhat bewilderedly, lowered her head, and said in a muffled voice, "The elders of the Shihouin family... require me to inherit Yoruichi's... captain position."

"Isn't this a good thing?" Mima tilted his head in confusion. "The captain of the second division... that position is basically at the pinnacle of power in Soul Society. I don't understand why you're angry about it."

"That is……"

Soi Fon raised her voice urgently, but stopped after saying only two words. After a long silence, she sighed and said, "It's nothing, I just don't want to."

"Well... I've heard about the Shihouin team... well, I've also heard about what happened between Yoruichi Shihouin and her little follower, so I can guess what you're thinking." Mima spread his hands and said, "Let me guess, you think the Shihouin family doesn't care about the former captain at all, which is why they're in such a hurry to put a new person in her place after her 'defection'?"

"not me……"