Starting as the mastermind behind Naruto

Chapter 615 The Kuchiki Clan and Rukia

Uehara Naraku was genuinely kind to his subordinates.

This powerful leader never seemed to blame his subordinates for their poor performance, nor did he look down on their abilities, and he never interfered with their minor actions.

Perhaps it's because his power is enough to resolve all troubles.

For Uehara Naraku…

That's enough as long as his subordinates are willing to dedicate their loyalty to him.

Even former heroes like Madara Uchiha had to admit that Uehara Naraku's unique characteristics made him undeniably charming.

They treat outsiders with the cold indifference of winter, as if they were playing with puppets; but when they treat their own people, they are as warm as spring, and sometimes even a little doting.

Seeing that Kabuto Yakushi's expression was still somewhat restrained, Uehara Naraku gently reassured him, "Alright, don't worry about Kisuke Urahara. Before you leave, go and see your life's work... I'll arrange for someone else to take over the orphanage."

"Yes."

Kabuto slowly lowered his head and said softly, "Then I entrust everything to Lord Naraku. There are many children in the orphanage who could become Shinigami..."

"Feed, feed..."

Uehara Naraku's expression grew increasingly strange: "Kabuto, I'm not like Shimura Danzo, I don't need them to supplement our fighting strength..."

"…yes."

Kabuto Yakushi smiled and explained, "But serving Lord Naraku is the best choice for them."

Not everyone is born to be on the side of the victors; only those who are like them know what it means to stand by Uehara Naraku's side.

However, Kabuto Yakushi did not say anything more. Besides, he would only carefully train a homeless child who had the potential to join Akatsuki.

The orphanage is now quite large.

However, there are fewer and fewer outstanding children like Kisuke Urahara and Gin Ichimaru.

Even Renji Abarai, another child who grew up in an orphanage, is still not qualified even though he has now entered the Shinigami Academy and even become a classmate of Naraku Uehara.

At least in Kabuto's eyes, he wasn't qualified.

After all, Kabuto Yakushi values ​​wisdom more than strength and talent.

Renji Abarai's personality is far too impulsive; he doesn't know how to control his temper at all, which doesn't meet Kabuto Yakushi's expectations for his successor.

Besides, there's the silver pearl and jade in front of me...

It's incredibly difficult to find someone even more outstanding.

The orphanage was quite lively today.

When Kabuto Yakushi arrived, a group of servants stood at the entrance of the orphanage, preventing anyone from entering. Their clothes bore the crest of the Kuchiki clan.

These are the five noble families of Soul Society today…

No, it should be said that the Rotting Wood Clan is one of the four noble clans.

Although the Kuchiki clan is not as powerful as the Uehara clan, they are able to maintain their position in a place like Rukongai, and no ghost would dare to underestimate the Kuchiki clan.

after all…

The head of the Kuchiki clan is the captain of the sixth division of the Gotei 13 for many years.

The person appearing at the orphanage now is not the current head of the Kuchiki clan, but the young head, Kuchiki Byakuya, the future patriarch of the Kuchiki clan.

The orphanage's reception room.

A big-eyed girl hurriedly brought over a pot of tea and placed it on the small table. The teapot was so full of water that it was overflowing.

Her name is Rukia.

He is now the oldest child in the orphanage.

When Kabuto is away, Rukia takes on the responsibility of being the eldest sister, helping to adopt other children and take care of the little ones in the orphanage. Fortunately, Gin Ichimaru and Rangiku Matsumoto occasionally come to help, bringing some money or daily necessities.

Furthermore, Rukia's friend Renji Abarai often comes to help, although Renji sometimes ends up making things worse.

With Kabuto, Gin Ichimaru, and Rangiku Matsumoto all absent, the Kuchiki clan comes to visit the orphanage. Among a group of little girls, Rukia has no choice but to step forward...

Byakuya Kuchiki's arrival put a lot of pressure on Rukia.

Facing Byakuya Kuchiki, the heir to a great noble family, Rukia felt a bit of pressure, but she still had to forcefully adopt the demeanor of the current leader of the orphanage…

Rukia clumsily placed the overflowing teapot on the table, and burned her hand while picking up a cup to pour tea, causing her eyes to widen instantly and her lips to twitch involuntarily…

It's burning hot!

Rukia gritted her teeth, put down her scalding teacup, and sat down in her seat, forcing herself to remain calm. Looking at Byakuya Kuchiki across from her, she put on a composed demeanor and said, "Ahem... Your Excellency, please have some tea."

"..."

Kuchiki Byakuya fell silent.

He wasn't particularly interested in the tea served at the orphanage.

In comparison, Byakuya Kuchiki paid more attention to Rukia, the clumsy girl, and he had seen everything that had just happened.

Kuchiki Byakuya gazed at Rukia's delicate face, a hint of nostalgia slowly flashing in his eyes. He closed his eyes to suppress his emotions.

This girl…

Is she the younger sister of his wife, Kuchiki Hisama?

To be honest, apart from their appearances, Rukia is very different from Hisa Kuchiki in every other aspect.

At least in Byakuya Kuchiki's opinion...

Whether in terms of etiquette or temperament, Rukia is a bit too carefree, quite unlike her gentle older sister.

Not long ago, Hisa Kuchiki passed away.

Before her death, Hisa Kuchiki left behind her only wish: that Byakuya Kuchiki would take care of her younger sister, Rukia.

In fact, Hisa Kuchiki knew that Rukia was at Kabuto Yakushi's orphanage because when she was forced to abandon her sister for survival, she left her sister Rukia at the orphanage's gate.

However, when Hisana Kuchiki married into the Kuchiki clan and wanted to take her younger sister back, she dared not approach her, perhaps because she felt ashamed to face anyone due to her past guilt.

However, almost every day, Hisa Kuchiki would secretly appear at the orphanage, secretly observing Rukia's every move, and even secretly donating funds or daily necessities to the orphanage, but never daring to appear in front of her sister.

Until the time when he was about to die…

Kuchiki Hisashi finally dared to face this matter directly.

Taking care of Rukia was the only wish left by Byakuya Kuchiki's deceased wife, and he would not refuse, or rather, he would never refuse anything his wife did.

"..."

Kuchiki Byakuya slowly composed himself, reopened his eyes, and scrutinized the girl sitting opposite him. His voice was colder than ever before: "Ms. Rukia, would you like to join the Kuchiki clan?"

"Huh? What?"

Rukia blinked her large eyes, scratching her head curiously. "Lord Kuchiki, you're joking, right?"

"no."

Kuchiki Byakuya calmly shook his head.

Byakuya Kuchiki did not reveal his true reason for inviting Rukia to join the Kuchiki clan. He only mentioned that the Kuchiki clan saw her potential to become a Shinigami and her talent for cultivating spiritual power, and proposed to adopt Rukia as his sister and give her the Kuchiki clan surname.

Unfortunately…

Kuchiki Byakuya was met with rejection.

To be honest, Rukia isn't really interested in joining the Kuchiki clan right now.

This orphanage is where she grew up, and her life isn't actually that difficult right now. Kabuto Yakushi will probably send her to the Spirit Arts Academy in the future.

Rukia doesn't think she needs any other brothers because she already has a headmaster who has taken care of them like a father and brother.

Compared to the aloof Byakuya Kuchiki…

The friendly Kabuto is indeed easier to get along with.

Even though Rukia knew in her heart that joining the Kuchiki clan meant better living conditions and resources, it was not enough to change her mind.

This orphanage…

That's her real home.

Rukia rejected Byakuya Kuchiki almost without thinking, even waving her hand dismissively: "Hahaha...excuse me, I refuse, I'm not interested..."

"This orphanage will be closed down soon."

Byakuya Kuchiki's words caused Rukia's expression to change drastically, but his expression remained calm and even cold: "I know that the director of this orphanage is Kabuto Yakushi, but he is about to go to another place to train and will no longer have the energy to take care of this orphanage."

Kabuto Yakushi joining the Zero Division was no secret to the four major families.

In particular, the Central 46 Chambers hope that Kabuto Yakushi will fulfill his promise as soon as possible and not provoke the Uehara clan in Soul Society, which will require Kabuto Yakushi to stay in the Soul King Palace for the foreseeable future and not be allowed to go out.

These things…

Kuchiki Byakuya, who was about to succeed the Kuchiki clan, knew this perfectly well.

Byakuya Kuchiki, unconcerned by Rukia's expression, calmly continued, "As children who grew up here, you should know very well who Kabuto Yakushi has offended..."

That's the Uehara clan...

Even the Rotting Wood Clan is far inferior to this powerful clan!

"Kabuto Yakushi offended the Uehara clan, and it seems I don't need to elaborate on what fate awaits the orphanage he founded after he leaves..."

When Kuchiki Byakuya reached this point, he calmly continued, "Furthermore, as far as I know, the Uehara clan has always been narrow-minded and petty. Anyone who offends them will not have a good ending..."

This is not a baseless claim.

For thousands of years, the Uehara clan has treated its enemies with the same ruthlessness as autumn wind sweeping away fallen leaves, and many people dare not easily offend the Uehara clan.

Even the four great noble families wouldn't easily provoke a tiger's whiskers!

Looking at Rukia's expression, Byakuya Kuchiki continued, "After Kabuto Yakushi left, this orphanage didn't even need their personal intervention. Some Shinigami who wanted to curry favor with the Uehara clan could easily destroy it..."

Even Gin Ichimaru and Rangiku Matsumoto couldn't possibly protect this orphanage; in fact, they would need to rely on their status as members of the Gotei 13 to protect themselves.

The suppression by a powerful clan is definitely not that simple!

Hearing Byakuya Kuchiki's words, Rukia remained silent for a moment, then slowly lowered her head and whispered, "I'm sorry, but then I can't leave even more... If I leave, how will the other little ones here live?"

Regardless of whether Byakuya Kuchiki's words were true or false, the fact remains that he abandoned the children at the orphanage who called her "Big Sister"...

This is absolutely not something she should have done!

"..."

Kuchiki Byakuya glanced at Rukia with surprise.

Just as Byakuya Kuchiki was slightly surprised by Rukia's loyalty and even began to admire the girl, Rukia's words completely ruined his image...

"but…"

The girl rubbed her hands together, a fawning smile flashing across her face: "Um... I heard the Kuchiki clan is one of the four great noble clans of Soul Society. If Kabuto really leaves this place, and I join the Kuchiki clan, could I protect this place?"

"..."

Byakuya Kuchiki's eyes twitched involuntarily, and his face darkened instinctively. He forced himself to remain calm and slowly shook his head.

This little girl…

That's a bit too thick-skinned!

Apart from her looks, she's not even nearly as good as her sister in terms of personality!

"no."

Byakuya Kuchiki coldly rejected Rukia's suggestion, continuing with an indifferent expression, "Once you bear the Kuchiki surname, you must consider the Kuchiki clan..."

Kuchiki Byakuya's refusal was not without reason.

Because Byakuya Kuchiki only wanted to adopt Rukia according to his wife's last wish, not to risk offending the Uehara clan to protect the group of little ones in the orphanage!

Rukia only knew that the Uehara clan was extremely powerful...

However, Byakuya Kuchiki was very clear about just how powerful the Uehara clan was. They were the only powerful clan in Soul Society, a powerful clan that even the Central 46 and the Zero Division would never dare to underestimate!

Even the smallest trouble becomes a huge problem in the eyes of the Uehara clan.

Who knows if they might think that the Kuchiki clan's protection of Kabuto Yakushi's orphanage is an attempt to usurp the status of powerful clans?

"Oh well, never mind then."

Rukia's face betrayed her disappointment.

"..."

Byakuya Kuchiki felt a strange unease creeping into his heart.

That's way too obvious!

She should at least try to conceal her feelings! Doesn't she realize how rude it is to him to do something so obvious?

However, when Byakuya Kuchiki saw the sorrow on Rukia's face, he thought of his deceased wife again and couldn't help but say, "There are ways to protect this orphanage. If you can train hard and become a Shinigami powerful enough that even the Uehara clan cannot ignore you..."

The chances of success in this matter are actually slim.

To this day, for thousands of years, apart from Captain-Commander Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni, no one else in the entire Gotei 13 has ever been taken seriously by the Uehara clan.

"Is that so?"

Rukia fell into deep thought.

The girl's face immediately showed a look of confusion.

Even if she didn't understand just how strong she needed to be for the Uehara clan to not dare to ignore her wishes, there was no doubt that even Byakuya Kuchiki wouldn't dare to easily offend the Uehara clan...

she…

Is it really possible to do that?

Just as Rukia was frowning in thought, Kabuto Yakushi's voice appeared in their ears: "Go do what you want to do, Rukia. I've arranged everything."

There's no need to worry about retaliation from the Uehara clan. Lord Naraku is actually more magnanimous than the young master of the Kuchiki clan imagines.

Happy Chinese New Year... Happy... Happy, so tiring!

I was so tired yesterday... Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

Thank you for the generous donation from Youxue Shanshanluo!

(End of this chapter)