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

Chapter 597 Mirror Flowers and Moon in the Water

"Speaking of which, why haven't I seen that kid these past few days?"

Yoruichi, with a piece of fruit in her mouth and a calm expression, looked at the sky and asked Yuuko, who was drawing on a scroll with a brush in the corridor.

Yu Zi crossed out a line of text and said calmly, "In the library."

Yoruichi turned her head in surprise and looked at Yuuko: "The library? Isn't it a bit late to start reading at this age?"

“It’s never too late to start studying, and besides…” Yu Zi said without looking up, “Didn’t you tell him to break free of the binding spell on his own?”

"Uh..." Yoruichi blinked blankly, then exclaimed in surprise, "How many days has it been?"

"Is that kid really that bad?"

"They can't even break a mere No. 61 binding spell."

"By the way, is yours a weaker version that forgoes chanting?"

“Singing has indeed been abandoned.”

As for whether it's weakened or not, she doesn't know. Anyway, she hasn't tried it. If you can cast it instantly, why do you have to chant it completely? Isn't that just giving others a chance?

Yoruichi curled his lip in displeasure: "Looks like that kid has slacked off on his training again lately."

"I don't know if he's fallen behind in his training, but if you don't go check on him soon, I reckon he's not far from death."

"It's because you're cursing him!" Yoruichi retorted, somewhat speechless as she watched Yoruichi fiddling with the Zanpakuto's Bankai true name again. "By the way, have you finished reading the books about Kido?"

"I finished reading it a long time ago. Although my memory isn't very good, it's still much better than that guy who can even forget his own brother."

Yoruichi was about to retort when she saw Yuuko calmly put away the scroll, tuck it into her bosom, and stand up from the corridor.

Yoruichi swallowed back the retort that was on the tip of her tongue and asked again, "Are you going to see him?"

“No, we’re patrolling the Maggot Nest today.” Yuko gave her a strange look and explained, “Isn’t that your younger brother?”

"Take on the responsibilities of being a sister."

I forgot about them in the back hill before.

"Hey, hey, hey, I was just joking with you, wasn't I?" Yoruichi's face darkened, and she said with displeasure, "You don't really think I've forgotten, do you?"

"hope so."

Yu Zi rolled her eyes at her, then turned and left.

After becoming the third seat of the second division, Yuuko had a public identity in Seireitei, and she could go to most places in Seireitei as long as they weren't classified.

It's quite strange, really. It's only been a few months, yet Mr. Yamamoto is already so at ease with her.

Or is there someone she can't sense secretly monitoring her?

Or perhaps she was overthinking it, and the other person simply didn't care.

According to Yoruichi, Yamamoto is the most likely person to kill her. His Zanpakuto is called Ryujin Jakka, which is said to have the power to destroy the world after its Bankai. It could vaporize Yuuko instantly, leaving not a single cell behind.

Of course, Yuko thought that was bragging.

There's nothing wrong with vaporization. Yuko wasn't some arrogant person who thought she was invincible just because she had a little talent and power. But what do you mean by destroying the world?

Sorry, you've gone too far with your boasting.

Of all the captains she knows so far, although she hasn't seen any Bankai, compared to their spiritual pressure, her strength is at most enough to destroy a city in a short time.

Let alone destroying the world, even destroying a small country would require a lot of effort, and that's assuming no one stops them.

……

As usual, Yuko headed to the maggot's nest, a secluded spot located northwest of the Second Division's barracks.

But today, Yuko heard the crisp sound of clashing weapons.

Although the sounds of weapons clashing were frequent, they didn't feel like a direct confrontation. Instead, it was a one-sided attack and defense, more like... instruction.

Is this the kind of place that provides guidance?

Yuko didn't react much, nor did she have any intention of taking a detour; instead, she walked straight ahead.

After passing through a grove of trees, Yuko saw two people in a clearing behind the grove.

Yu Zi paused for a moment, then quickly calmed down.

"stop."

Aizen's gentle voice rang out, and the Shunpo of the person fighting him came to an abrupt halt. The tip of the blade stopped half an inch in front of Aizen's throat, and the sharp wind from the blade blew the wisps of hair on Aizen's forehead, but he himself did not move an inch, not even blinking.

"Not bad speed, Gin." Aizen commented with a smile, then turned around apologetically, "Excuse me, did I disturb you?"

“Miss Yuko…or rather, the third seat of the Tsugikuni family.”

Yu Zi raised an eyebrow: "Just call me Yu Zi."

"But what about you? Why are you training in a place like this?"

Aizen nodded slightly in apology and explained, "Today, Lieutenant Hiyori of the 12th Division came to the team and, together with Captain Hirako, occupied the training ground."

As he spoke, he gently patted Gin Ichimaru's head.

"Because I promised this child that I would teach him swordsmanship, I had no choice but to come to this quiet place."

"If this has put Miss Yuko in a difficult position, we will leave now."

Although this place is very close to the maggot's nest, it is definitely not within the jurisdiction. It is obviously a specially selected location.

There are actually quite a few outdoor areas like this inside the Seireitei, so it doesn't seem strange.

"It's nothing, you can do as you please." Yuko glanced at the children Aizen was teaching and waved her hand.

Is it another monster?

He looks to be only about thirteen or fourteen years old, definitely no more than fifteen, yet he possesses this level of spiritual pressure.

Noticing Yuuko's attention, Aizen introduced, "This child is named Gin Ichimaru. He is a very talented child. He graduated from the Shinigami Academy in just one year. He is an absolute genius. I occasionally give him guidance in swordsmanship."

He then introduced Ichimaru Gin to her: "This is Ikuko, Tsugikuni Ikuko, the third seat of the second division."

Gin Ichimaru squinted and bowed slightly: "Third Seat of the Imperial Family."

Yu Zi nodded slightly in response.

This child's squinty eyes are like a fox's; I always feel he has a cunning nature.

Aizen changed the subject, his tone tinged with humility, "To be honest, Gin's swordsmanship has improved very quickly, while my swordsmanship is only passable. I always feel somewhat inadequate when it comes to guiding these geniuses."

“Vice-Captain Aizen, that’s an exaggeration,” Gin Ichimaru said with a smile. “My swordsmanship is far from sufficient.”

Aizen smiled and then looked at Yuuko: "I heard that Miss Yuuko displayed amazing swordsmanship and Shunpo in the seat battle. If it's convenient, could you give this child some pointers?"

It's no secret that Yuko became the third seat, especially since she defeated her opponent so easily. It's not surprising that the news got out.

"Vice-Captain Aizen is too kind," Yuko waved her hand and looked up at the sky.

There's plenty of time...

Yuko helplessly spread her hands: "But I'm sorry, I left my Zanpakuto at home because I had to patrol the Maggot Nest."

"Is that so?" Aizen's smile remained unchanged, but a barely perceptible glint flashed in his eyes behind his glasses. "That's a real shame. However, since we've run into each other by chance, why don't you stay a moment, Miss Yuko? I'll give Gin some pointers, and then Miss Yuko can point out any shortcomings."

"Given Miss Yuko's swordsmanship, she should have a deeper understanding than I do."

"Alright, since Vice-Captain Aizen has said so," Yuko smiled faintly, realizing it was really hard to refuse now.

After all, her previous suspicion that this person was a bit strange was entirely based on her own guesses, without any substantial evidence.

Perhaps, as Yoruichi said, they were just waiting for an opportunity.

"Thank you for your help." Gin Ichimaru bowed slightly, seemingly expressing his gratitude for Ikuko's assistance.

Yu Zi waved her hand and laughed, "I haven't done anything yet. If you want to thank me, wait until I actually provide substantial help."

Gin Ichimaru nodded slightly.

Yuko looked around, found a tree stump to sit on, and gestured for the two to continue.

Aizen smiled gently: "Then, Gin, continue."

As he spoke, he gripped the knife hilt again.

"Excuse me, Vice-Captain Aizen." Gin Ichimaru, ever the straightforward man, gripped his Zanpakuto and charged towards Aizen.

I have to say, is this kid really a genius?

His swordsmanship was indeed excellent, and his sword techniques were quite cunning. If I had to describe it, it would be like a venomous snake lurking in the shadows, ready to strike and kill in one blow.

However, Aizen's performance was also quite remarkable. He said that he was not good at swordsmanship, but judging from his performance, although his swordsmanship was not as good as Hana's, it was not as bad as he said. His words just now seemed more like a humble statement.

"Not bad, Gin." Aizen's voice remained gentle as he easily parried Gin Ichimaru's increasingly fierce attacks, while still having the energy to offer guidance. "Your Shunpo and slashing techniques are combined even better now, but the angle of your strikes could be a bit more tricky."

"Yes, Lieutenant Aizen." A strange light flashed in Gin Ichimaru's narrowed eyes, and his attack suddenly changed.

He mastered the Shunpo technique to its fullest extent, his figure flashing left and right around Aizen, his blades attacking from all sorts of unexpected angles, as if they had transformed into several silver venomous snakes.

"Oh?" Aizen's lips curled into an approving smile. "You've already reached this level? It seems I can't be too casual about it."

Just as Gin Ichimaru reappeared to Aizen's left, the tip of his blade about to touch Aizen's neck, Aizen softly chanted:

"Break it into pieces, Jing Hua Shui Yue."

Accompanied by the release command, an extremely subtle spiritual pressure fluctuation emanated from Aizen, flashing by like a ripple.

Has the initial solution been reached?

Yuko stared intently; the Zanpakuto seemed unchanged.

It feels like a Kido-type ability.

As Aizen released his first release, a thin mist spread out from Aizen's center, and the air seemed to be distorted by the refraction of the water vapor.

Gin Ichimaru's seemingly inevitable strike passed right through Aizen's body, as if striking an illusion.

Aizen's afterimage quickly dissipated.

“What…” Gin Ichimaru seemed stunned as well. He abruptly withdrew his sword and looked around warily.

In the thin mist, Aizen's figure became blurred. Then, one, two... several identical Aizens appeared in different locations on the field.

Each one wore that gentle smile, making it hard to tell which was genuine and which was fake.

Without hesitation, Gin Ichimaru immediately attacked the closest Aizen, but as soon as the blade passed through, the figure dissipated like water vapor.

He attacked several more times, but the result was the same.

"Very decisive, Gin." The real Aizen stood still, his Zanpakuto already pressed against Gin Ichimaru's neck.

Gin Ichimaru stiffened and slowly lowered his head: "I lost."

Aizen gently sheathed his Zanpakuto and said, "You can't see through my Kyoka Suigetsu just by relying on your intuition."

He turned his head to look at Yuko beside him and nodded slightly: "You flatter me. My Zanpakuto is not the type that can fight head-on."

Yuko tilted her head: "It looks like some kind of illusion?"

Aizen gently shook his head: "No, Kyoka Suigetsu is a water-type Zanpakuto. It has the ability to confuse the enemy's vision by using the chaotic reflections of mist and water."

Therefore, they are not good at direct combat.

“Really?” Yu Zi rubbed her chin. “I feel that if it were on a battlefield, in a chaotic battle, this ability would be able to play an amazing role.”

“Miss Yuko is indeed clever.” Aizen nodded with a smile. “That is precisely the area that Kyoka Suigetsu excels at. If used properly, it can even make enemies kill each other.”

He looked at Gin Ichimaru: "Gin, how are you feeling?"

Gin Ichimaru squinted and scratched his head, seemingly still shaken: "Completely indistinguishable. Lieutenant Aizen's abilities are terrifying."

“Well then, Miss Yuko,” Aizen said noncommittally, turning his gaze back to Yuko, “could you please offer some guidance on Gin’s performance just now? After all, you are the true master when it comes to swordsmanship.”

He skillfully steered the conversation back on track, as if everything that had just happened was truly just a teaching demonstration.

“We are all flattered. This child’s basic skills are quite solid, and there is basically nothing that needs to be corrected. However…” Yuko pondered for a moment, her gaze falling on Ichimaru Gin, “Am I just imagining things?”

"I sense a strong murderous aura about this child."

Gin Ichimaru paused for a moment.

Aizen asked with great interest, "Oh? How do you explain that?"

"It feels like every strike is aimed at killing." Yuko looked up at Aizen. "Doesn't Vice-Captain Aizen know that?"

Aizen shook his head slightly and simply said, "This child comes from Rukongai."

……

In the back of Rukongai, without the ability to kill, it's indeed difficult to survive.

However... Yuko felt that something was not quite right.

Yu Zi waved her hand: "I was just saying it casually. Alright, my patrol time is almost up, so I won't bother you any longer."

After saying goodbye to the two men, she left without lingering and headed towards the maggot's nest.

Only after Yuko's figure completely disappeared into the depths of the forest did Aizen's gentle smile slowly fade, replaced by a profound calm.

Gin Ichimaru said with a hint of amusement, "That's wonderful, Vice-Captain Aizen~"

"I didn't expect it to go so smoothly."

“Ah, indeed.” Aizen pushed up his glasses.