Demon Slayer: The Journey That Began When I Became Yoriichi's Sister

Chapter 603 The person waiting

"Cough cough cough..."

Before Ikuko could reply to Unohana Retsu's voice, Yoruichi choked on her sake.

Yuko and Unohana Retsu both cast questioning glances at her, while Yoruichi coughed twice and said, "Don't mind them, you two continue."

After saying that, she lowered her head and continued drinking.

Suddenly he said he cared about her, which almost made her misunderstand.

Ikuko didn't care about Yoruichi's sudden illness and smiled at Unohana Retsu, saying, "So you already knew, Hana-nee."

Unohana Retsu paused for a moment: "What do you know?"

Yu Zi was taken aback: "What did Sister Hua mean just now?"

"Of course I'm concerned about you!" Retsu Unohana's gaze held a hint of confusion.

"..."

So you really did care!

Yu Zidu was somewhat surprised, then smiled slightly: "It's alright, although we've encountered some trouble, it's still within our control."

“I have confidence in Yuko’s abilities.” Retsu Unohana nodded with a smile, then asked curiously, “By the way, what did Yuko mean when she said I already knew?”

“Ah, you mean that?” Yuko took a sip of sake and looked up at Retsu Unohana. “The place where Yoruichi and I captured the traitor this time was in Zaraki Ward.”

"Has Sister Hua remembered anything?"

Unohana Retsu paused, her hand holding the cup still, her eyes widening slightly as she looked at Yuuko with a hint of surprise: "How did Yuuko know?"

Yuko smiled and said, "Because that weirdo was yelling about fighting and all that, he slashed at me."

"I see, Yuuko ran into him." Unohana Retsu subconsciously touched her chest, where there should have been a scar.

result……

Unohana Retsu looked up at Ikuko, but Ikuko had already noticed her movement and promptly looked away.

Don't think about such embarrassing things, okay?

Besides, wasn't it you, Sister Hua, who started this prank?

Once Retsu Unohana looked away, Yuko turned her head and said, "That big guy seems to be called Kenpachi Zaraki, and he's with a little girl named Yachiru."

"I also sensed his connection with you, Sister Hua, from the girl's name and the guy's style."

“It’s what you mentioned before, Sister Hua…” Yu Zi paused here.

“Ah, the one who left that scar on my chest.” Retsu Unohana lowered her eyelids and gently touched her chest. “He is the only man who made me experience death.”

Yuko blinked: "Is it really that amazing?"

Unohana Retsu looked at her with a smile: "Then what does Ikuko think?"

"...The feeling of spiritual pressure is strange. It seems to get stronger as the battle goes on... No, rather than getting stronger as the battle goes on, it's more like gradually releasing one's spiritual pressure." Yuko rested her finger on her chin and pondered for a moment. "Because I had a mission at the time, I didn't wait for it to be fully released. I'd say it's at the captain level."

"If I had to put it in a way, my swordsmanship has a kind of back-to-basics feel to it."

Retsu Unohana smiled and said, "Ikuko, you mean there's absolutely no skill involved, right?"

"...At least compared to us, that's the case."

"That's because that person hasn't regained their power yet." Retsu Unohana held her sake glass, her eyes slightly trembling, as if she were recalling something.

"But I'm very fortunate..."

"What are you glad about?" Yu Zi was taken aback. "Are you glad I didn't lose to him?"

Unohana Retsu shook her head with a smile: "No, I'm glad Ikuko dealt with him quickly, without giving him a chance to go all out."

Yuko's lips twitched slightly: "What do you mean by that?"

Unohana Retsu raised her glass to Ikuko: "Because if Ikuko succeeds, wouldn't all my efforts over the years seem wasted?"

Yuko picked up her wine glass and clinked it against hers: "I see. You wanted to wait until he regained his power before deciding to seal your swordsmanship."

"Probably so."

"Oh? It sounds like Ikuko had a very interesting battle." Kisuke Urahara came over at some point, wearing his signature goofy grin.

Retsu Unohana turned her head and said with a smile, "Captain Urahara, eavesdropping is not something a man should do."

Yuko and Yoruichi's conversation wasn't kept secret from others; however, the other children were too busy eating to listen, so only Urahara Kisuke and Yoruichi were able to eavesdrop on their conversation.

Kisuke Urahara opened his mouth subconsciously, but then he immediately sensed a strong, chilling killing intent from Retsu Unohana's gentle smile.

Kisuke Urahara swallowed hard, feeling that if he continued asking questions, he would die without knowing why.

Yoruichi rolled her eyes, but didn't stop her.

It's a miracle that Kisuke is still alive.

Yuko glanced at him, and instead of answering, asked, "Speaking of which, Kisuke, do you have any other questions about the theft of the soul modification data this time?"

Kisuke Urahara's smile remained unchanged, but his eyes flickered slightly: "Well, the data has been retrieved, and the traitor has been brought to justice. In terms of procedure, it is indeed over."

"Moreover, there is no evidence to prove that there are other entities behind it."

No, it should be said that there must be some unknown force behind this.

He knew perfectly well what he had set up; it was definitely not something a mere seated official could do... no, to be more confident, the number of people in Seireitei who could undo his Kido without touching him was no more than a handful.

Who on earth is it?

Stare~

Kisuke Urahara subconsciously fell into deep thought. Just as he was pondering, he suddenly felt a penetrating gaze from the outside world, as if it could see right through him.

Kisuke Urahara suddenly snapped out of his daze and realized that it was Ikuko staring at him.

It truly sees through everything in every sense of the word!

Kisuke Urahara coughed twice, and just as he was about to put on that fake smile, he saw Ikuko look away.

Yu Zi, holding her chopsticks, pointed them at him and said, "Although I know you're hiding it from me, I still believe you."

Actually, she could probably understand why Yoruichi and Kisuke Urahara kept so many things from her. It wasn't because she wasn't trustworthy, but because her identity was too special.

If you are not careful, you may be taken advantage of, and in serious cases, endangering your life is a minor matter.

Yoruichi rushed out to smooth things over, picking up a piece of tofu and putting it in Yuuko's bowl: "Oh my, Princess, try this tofu, it's super delicious."

Yu Zi looked up speechlessly: "First of all, I made this, so I know what it tastes like."

"Secondly, I don't like it when others put things on my plate."

Yoruichi's awkward smile froze as she picked up the piece of tofu again and brought it to Yuuko's lips:

"If you don't eat this, I'll commit seppuku right now!"

"...Are you crazy?"

"Are you going to eat or not?!"

Yu Zi was truly speechless, so she leaned over and gently bit the tofu.

"Don't vomit!"

"..."

Yuko ate the tofu and couldn't help but ask, "What's the point of this?"

"Of course I do! If you don't eat it, aren't you saying you don't like me?"

Hiyori's face was flushed, and she was clearly a little dizzy as she held the cup between two fingers. She smiled and said, "Is it possible that the princess is just looking down on you?"

Yu Zi broke out in a cold sweat. Hadn't she just said she wanted to have a drinking contest with her?

You can’t do this either.

This sake doesn't have much alcohol, ma'am.

Yoruichi glared at Himeji with a gloomy expression, but it was no use. The girl was already drunk. She was probably too drunk to be a mere squad leader, and she would probably even dare to grab the long white beard of the captain-general.

Retsu Unohana looked at Ikuko with great interest: "I was a little concerned earlier, what does Your Highness mean by this?"

Yoruichi's gloomy expression vanished in an instant. Having found an opportunity for revenge, she cleared her throat and said with feigned seriousness, "Captain Unohana doesn't know yet, does she?"

“Our Yuko is actually a princess of the modern world. She was stranded here and was kindly taken in by me.”

Ikuko: "..."

Hey, it's reasonable for you to exaggerate and embellish, isn't it?

Soi Fon was stunned. Was it not a joke after all?

Lord Yoruichi actually explained it so solemnly, could it be that Sister Yuko really is a princess?

Actually, it was Yoruichi who first called Yuko-nee that.

“I see. No wonder Yuuko always has such a unique and noble air about her.” Unohana Retsu nodded seriously, smiled and raised her glass. “It is my honor to dine with Her Highness the Princess.”

“Sister Hua, even you…” Yu Zi sighed and rubbed her forehead in exasperation.

The latter half of the banquet was spent in such jokes and playful banter, a mix of truth and fiction.

After a few rounds of drinks, no... these kids didn't drink much at all, so why are they all so drunk as if they've drunk eighteen bowls of wine?

Looking at the group of people who were slumped over the table, completely lacking any decorum, Yuko was speechless.

"Drink! Keep drinking! Princess... hiccup~" Suddenly, a hand landed on her shoulder, and Yoruichi, her face flushed, hiccuped at her, almost making Yuuko kick her away.

On the other side, Kisuke Urahara was also slumped over the table, holding up a glass of wine and shouting to continue, though it was unclear who he was drinking with.

It seemed that only she and Sister Hua were still conscious at the scene.

Unohana Retsu couldn't help but laugh: "Let me help you carry them back to the house."

"Thank you so much, Sister Hua."

"No need!"

Yuko and Yoruichi spoke at the same time.

Yuko's lips twitched, and she glanced at Yoruichi, who was draped over her shoulder: "You can go back by yourself?"

"Help me back," Ye Yi waved his hand. "I've taken care of you for so long, what's wrong with helping me back?"

“…” Yuko shook her head, feeling speechless. “Alright, I’ll help you up after I take Shoya back to her room.”

Just as she was about to stand up, Yoruichi pulled her back down.

Yoruichi blushed and asked, "Can't you... hiccup, create clones?"

Yuko replied dejectedly, "When can I split myself into two?"

"Aren't you the one who can... split, divide?"

"I am a split, not a clone."

"Aren't they the same?"

"Because there can only be one consciousness." Yuko didn't even know why she was trying to reason with a drunkard.

"Is that not allowed?"

Yu Zi rubbed her chin: "It's not that it's impossible, but it's just unnecessary."

She can control the body as long as it is within her perception range. Even if it is just a split-off puppet without consciousness, she can control it to do things in two ways.

But... is it really necessary to go to so much trouble just to help someone up?!

"No, no, no~" Yoruichi slapped the table and said coquettishly, "I want it."

Yu Zi turned around expressionlessly: "Sister Hua, please be my witness when I use this to mock her in the future."

"No problem." Retsu Unohana gave an OK sign, then picked up Hiyori and Soi Fon with both hands.

Yuko ultimately rejected Yoruichi cruelly, helping her back to her room while listening to her incessant rambling.

When they got to the room, they could still hear her yelling. Yu Zi gave her a quick chop to the back of the neck, and she immediately rolled her eyes and stopped making a fuss.

"It still looks better this way." Yu Zi nodded silently, tossed Yoruichi onto the bed, took two steps away, frowned, and then came back to cover her with the blanket.

Yuko walked into the courtyard, where Unohana Retsu was standing, preparing to say goodbye.

Unohana Retsu bowed slightly: "Thank you for your hospitality."

Yu Zi returned the greeting: "Let's have dinner together again next time, Sister Hua."

Retsu Unohana smiled faintly: "If I had known that Yuuko's cooking skills were so good, I would have insisted on getting Yuuko into my squad."

The two looked at each other and smiled.

"Well then, I'll take my leave now. Please give my thanks to Captain Yoruichi."

"Ah."

...Meanwhile, in an underground laboratory somewhere in Rukongai.

Aizen Sousuke was wearing a white lab coat and white gloves, looking like a scholar conducting research.

He casually instructed, "Just put the silver over there."

"Yes, Vice-Captain Aizen."

With a smile, Gin Ichimaru placed Ikuko's severed hair into a transparent box.

"Don't come back late today, or Captain Hirako will cause trouble again, and might even discover your secret, Lieutenant Aizen~"

Aizen, already used to Gin Ichimaru's way of speaking, smiled and said, "No, he wouldn't."

Aizen then waved for him to leave.

A hint of melancholy flashed in Gin Ichimaru's eyes; he still hadn't gained trust.

However... there is still plenty of time.

"Well, I'll take my leave then."

After Gin Ichimaru left, only Aizen remained in the laboratory. He stared at the box, lost in thought.

The theft of the soul modification data was part of a scheme he orchestrated from beginning to end, with two objectives.

First, they used this opportunity to shift suspicion to Urahara, laying the groundwork for their future plans.

Secondly, and most importantly, he wanted to force Yuko to take action, giving him the opportunity to observe her abilities and obtain research samples.

The original plan was for him to take action himself to ensure everything went smoothly, but unexpectedly, even God was on his side, and he encountered a ferocious beast in that kind of place.

So far, the plan has gone quite smoothly in terms of results.

Kisuke Urahara will inevitably be suspected by the Central 46 this time.

That man possessed wisdom that was no less than... and perhaps even surpassed his.

Aizen let out a long breath and began to focus his gaze on the broken hair in the box.

He carefully picked out the broken hair with tweezers, preparing to begin his investigation.