Yoruichi's mind was filled with racing thoughts as she swiftly traveled through the soul society. She couldn't help but ponder over Fugaku's words and acknowledge their truth. However, she wondered how he had obtained such knowledge about her actions.
Could it be that Unohana had mentioned it to him and Mikoto? If so, she would have to arrange a conversation with the fourth captain. Another thought struck her, reflecting on how unnecessary it seemed for everyone in the soul society to involve themselves in matters that did not concern them.
She continued her rapid flash-stepping until she arrived at a solitary house that stood out among the absence of other residences. Landing on a patch of dirt, the purple-haired woman surveyed the surroundings.
A confident smirk illuminated her face when a loud explosion echoed from behind the house. The synchronized voices of Koganehiko and Shiroganehiko exclaiming "That's very impressive, Kakuku!" reached her ears.
Yoruichi promptly flash-stepped to the back of the house, just in time to witness Ganju being propelled into a tree with smoke trailing behind him. The dark-skinned goddess couldn't resist but allow laughter to escape her.
Yoruichi observed as Ganju rose from the ground, expressing frustration towards Kakuku's actions. 'Must you do that each time?' he called out to his older sister, who responded with a smirk. 'Certainly, I must,' Kakuku replied with laughter.
Shaking her head, Yoruichi approached Kakuku. 'You know it is not appropriate to use your brother as a target,' she stated, capturing the attention of the Shiba woman. 'Ah, Yoruichi. How may I assist you?' Kakuku inquired, acknowledging her as a friend.
'Hey Yoruichi, if you're here, isn't Ichigo accompanying you?' Ganju interjected as he approached the two women. 'No, I came alone and I will be overseeing Soifon's squad until she returns from her mission,' Yoruichi explained.
'So the tiny captain isn't present to handle your antics?' Kakuku taunted with a smirk, earning a glare from Yoruichi. 'Soifon holds affection for me,' Yoruichi playfully replied, sticking her tongue out at her friend.
Kakuku laughed, causing Yoruichi to glare at her. 'Are you certain? It seems as though that woman has not expressed her feelings or attempted to reconcile with you.'
Yoruichi looked at Kakuku and responded, "No, she has not yet come around, but either she will eventually or I will continue my efforts to reconcile with her." Yoruichi frowned as she thought about her former student and remarked, "Unfortunately, it seems like she is only growing more distant from me." She let out a sigh of frustration.
Yoruichi followed Kakuku inside the house, and as they walked together with Ganju, Kakuku offered some advice, "You just have to persist and fight harder, Yoruichi." Kakuku observed, "I also get the sense that the captain holds some affection for you, given her blushing and infatuated behavior whenever you're around."
Yoruichi laughed in response to Kakuku's words, finding them amusing. "She is indeed stubborn, and I am doing my best to fight for her," Yoruichi admitted, "but it seems that the situation has become even more challenging." The dark-skinned woman let out a sigh.
Curious, Kakuku asked as she led Yoruichi to her spacious room, "In what way has it become harder? I find it difficult to believe that anything can truly challenge you, unless you are already giving up." Kakuku smirked teasingly. Yoruichi glared back at Kakuku and retorted, "Very amusing, Kakuku."
Kakuku chuckled, extending her laughter at Yoruichi for a few more moments. "Regardless, what do you mean when you say it has become more difficult for you to get close to your former student?" she inquired, taking a seat on her mat while Yoruichi settled across from her.
With a tray of sake, Koganehiko and Shiroganehiko approached and placed it beside the two women. "Thank you, Koganehiko and Shiroganehiko," Kakuku expressed her gratitude as she grabbed a cup from the tray, as did Yoruichi.
After sipping her sake, Yoruichi responded to Kakuku, "Well, you see, the head captain assigned me, Unohana, and two other captains to go to the Rukon District to recruit this individual, as the head captain intends for him to become the third captain."
As Yoruichi observed Kakuku nodding, she reached for her long pipe and took a hit. "So, how does this relate to your pursuit of Soifon?" Kakuku asked.
"Well, this person happens to be her older brother," Yoruichi disclosed, causing both Kakuku and Ganju to spit out their drinks. "What are you referring to? Didn't she lose all her siblings?'
Yoruichi gazed at her companions, her expression neutral. "That was my assumption," she stated matter-of-factly. She proceeded to provide an explanation regarding Soifon's biological parents and her older brother, Itachi.
"And you believe that this will pose a challenge for you?" Kakuku questioned, raising an eyebrow. "Come now, they are siblings. I do not believe you will have to compete for her affections any more than you already do," the ample-chested woman commented.
Yoruichi's glare hardened as she addressed her friend. "I am aware of that. That is not the issue I was referring to. I am concerned that Soifon will become preoccupied with getting to know Itachi, especially when she discovers the truth," she expressed with a furrowed brow. "Especially if she discovers that the Head Captain withheld such information from her."
Kakuku let out a sigh. "But that is typical of the Head Captain. He always keeps everyone in the dark, unless you are Unohana, Jushiro, or Shunsui," she remarked, causing the former captain to nod in agreement.
"But I do not believe Soifon will be angry with you, as you only recently became aware of this," Kakuku assured Yoruichi, looking at her with understanding. Yoruichi nodded in agreement.
"I am aware of her potential upset towards me, however, I believe she will be even more displeased with the head captain and Unohana for concealing this information from her for such a long time," Yoruichi commented while delicately sipping her sake and observing Kakuku, who was casually smoking her pipe.
"Despite the situation, she has you to rely on, so she will manage," Kakuku replied while reclining against her pillows. "Enough discussion on this matter. Let us finish this exquisite sake and proceed with creating fireworks and explosions."
Yoruichi watched as Ganju attempted to make an escape through the door. "Ganju, where do you think you're going? You are expected to assist as well," Kakuku sternly addressed her younger brother, causing him to reluctantly return to his seat. "Nowhere, Kakuku," Ganju replied, which elicited a laugh from Yoruichi.
with Sasuke*
After reuniting with his team, it had already become dark, prompting them to find accommodations for the night in the small village. Sasuke observed as Karin and the other two had already fallen asleep, leaving him as the only one awake.
Sasuke didn't mind being the sole individual awake, as it provided him with an opportunity to reflect on the woman he had encountered earlier at the dumpling shop. He decided to contemplate his mission in the morning, allowing himself time to think.
"Who is she?" Sasuke questioned, as the woman's image flickered in his mind. "And why do I feel as though I should be acquainted with her?" He continued to ponder, aware of the power he could sense within her.
"Could she be the woman Itachi instructed me to keep an eye on?" Sasuke questioned himself, gazing out the hotel window at the moon. "How should I approach her? It won't be easy if she is indeed located in the Leaf Village."
Sasuke took a deep breath, attempting to clear his mind. It was necessary for him to obtain some rest, so that he and his team could depart from the village in the morning.
After disembarking from the windowsill, Sasuke proceeded to his bed, conveniently located near the door. He paid no attention to the snoring emanating from Karin and Jugo nearby.
Sasuke reclined on his back and pulled the covers over himself, his mind brimming with countless thoughts. 'Has the village once again deceived or concealed something from me?' He dismissed these notions with a shake of his head. 'The Leaf Village has a tendency for such acts, but why?' This final thought occupied Sasuke's mind until he succumbed to sleep.
Outside the hotel, the only audible sounds were the chirping of crickets, the gusts of wind against the building, and the snores of Karin and Jugo.