a very important mission

Byakuya had to admit that he was favourably impressed by this visitor. She was clearly of noble breeding; her features, her manner, her speech all betrayed the true aristocrat. It was a positive delight to sit and talk with her.

"What about your companion's assignment?" he asked, for form's sake. The lanky man in the long scarf and hat didn't deserve her.

"Oh, don't worry about him," the woman -- Romana -- said. "I never do."

Elsewhere, Renji wasn't sure that Hollow-hunting usually involved fishing-rods and alcohol and sitting by the river bank, but he certainly wasn't going to object.

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