Restricted Death

Chapter 261 Yongyin's Night Visit
After Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni issued the decision to conquer Hueco Mundo, the Gotei 13 immediately began intensive preparations.

Shin didn't need to prepare anything; he simply handed over all the team's affairs to Matsumoto Rangiku and Hinamori.

Hinamori expressed great concern about his expedition to Hueco Mundo, and even suggested that she go with him.

"What are you going there for?" Xin chuckled with a hint of helplessness. "With your abilities, you'll just be a burden. Besides, once we get there, I won't have time to look after you."

"But this is so dangerous, if you..."

As Hinamori spoke, her eyes inevitably reddened.

For thousands of years, the Shinigami have never completely conquered Hueco Mundo. While this is related to the Shinigami's fundamental principle of maintaining stability in the three realms, it also indirectly proves the power of Hueco Mundo.

Besides Hinamori, Matsumoto Rangiku also expressed her concerns about the trip, telling Shinya to be careful in everything she did.

The relationship between Shin and Rangiku has become strange. Although it has eased up a lot, the casualness between them is gone, and they are now interacting more like ordinary superiors and subordinates.

As for this, Xin only occasionally felt a pang of emotion.

"This campaign won't take too long. It would be best if the Seireitei were to remain quiet during this time. Please keep a close eye on your duties in the division."

“I know,” Matsumoto Rangiku nodded. “You will definitely be able to return safely.”

Looking at her, Xin suddenly laughed and said, "Are you worried about me too?"

After hesitating for a moment, Matsumoto Rangiku nodded: "Yes."

"..."

Xin suddenly added, "It's been a long time since we had a couple of drinks together. Let's wait until I get back."

After a brief silence, Matsumoto Rangiku also said, "It's my treat."

【Favourability: 78】

Shin was taken aback, a look of surprise flashing in his eyes as he looked at Matsumoto Rangiku thoughtfully.

Could it be... that my charm has become this great?
The next day, many of Shin's friends came to see him after learning about the campaign against Hueco Mundo.

This includes Hisagi Shuhei, Kani Sawa, Rukia, Kira Izuru, Abarai Renji, and Shiba Ganju.

They had all gathered together, but because there were many things to do in Seireitei these days, they had only managed to squeeze in their time to come and couldn't get together for a drink. After exchanging a few words, they left separately.

Before leaving, Rukia said to Shin, "I've mastered Bankai. Can I come with you?"

Shin rejected her suggestion: "At most, you can only use Bankai now. Bankai requires a long period of training and honing. I had you learn Bankai in the first place because I hoped that you would have more power to protect yourself in future wars."

Rukia looked disappointed and lowered her head: "You must come back."

I feel a mix of confidence and helplessness; it seems like these guys came here just to help me set a high bar.

He reached out and ruffled Rukia's hair vigorously, saying, "Alright, let's go back."

But after Rukia left, another person returned.

It is Crab Marsh.

Upon seeing her, Xin immediately smiled and said, "What, is there something else you haven't said?"

Kani Sawa walked up to him, stood silently for a moment, and then left without saying a word.

Xin didn't call out to her.

The night before departure.

Instead of inviting Hinamori to his house to keep him company, Shin told her that he needed to calm down and think about what he was going to do the next day.

This wasn't just a random excuse; Shin was genuinely thinking about how to face Aizen.

Although the Espada are strong, they are not enough to threaten Shin's life. His main concern is Aizen.

Even though his Zanpakuto's power could completely ignore Kyoka Suigetsu's hypnosis, Aizen's strength did not come entirely from his sword. Kyoka Suigetsu was merely an added bonus for Aizen.

The good news is that Aizen is not currently in his strongest form after fusing with the Hogyoku.

However, Shin has been on high alert ever since Hyosube Ichibei said that Aizen might have taken away the power of the "past" from the Great Spiritual Library.

Because this is a power that faith cannot predict.

Could it be that, like me, they are able to rewind time?
Even late into the night, Xin was not sleepy at all, when a few very soft knocks sounded at the entrance.

Xin was somewhat puzzled. He walked over and opened the door, and the person standing outside made him pause for a moment. It was someone who was somewhat unexpected, but not entirely unexpected.

"It's so late...you're still not asleep?"

Kotetsu Isane's tall figure stood outside the door. He glanced at the letter first, then hurriedly lowered his gaze, his hands tightly gripping the hem of his clothes.

Even after all these years, her personality remains somewhat timid.

Without answering her greeting, Xin grabbed her wrist and pulled her into the house.

"I believe you, I came here because... um!"

Before Kotetsu Isane could finish her sentence, which was tinged with fear, Shin forcefully pressed her against the wall and gagged her.

She was stunned by Xin's sudden action, her mind went blank, and the touch that sealed her lips was hard and hot, with an irresistible force, instantly depriving her of all ability to think and the faint thought of struggling.

Yongyin consciously closed her eyes, her long eyelashes trembling violently like the wings of a startled butterfly. Her whole body was stiff, and only her hands, which had been tightly gripping the hem of her clothes, unconsciously loosened and subconsciously, with a bit of confusion, grabbed the fabric of Shin's team uniform on his chest.

Xin's kiss was not a tender, lingering test. It was a release of suppressed emotions, tinged with anxiety and complexity. He could clearly feel Yongyin's stiffness and slight shrinking, which made him loosen the grip in his arms a little, but the kiss did not stop, but instead deepened.

It felt like an eternity had passed, yet also like only a moment had gone by. Finally, Xin slowly released his hold on her and took a small step back.

Kotetsu Isane lowered her head, breathing heavily, her cheeks already flushed red, the redness spreading to her ears and neck. She dared not look up at him, her heart pounding wildly in her chest, as if it would leap out at any moment.

The familiar sensation had captivated her in just a second, and her already chaotic thoughts were now like a deep pool tossed with a stone, the ripples surging and rolling up, yet the unexpected manner of the event left her feeling utterly confused.

She even forgot why she came.

After the initial confusion, her gradually clearing consciousness and reason made her feel extremely ashamed. She had come so late not to do this with Xin... or at least not because she had to.

The two have been separated for so long, and although it's a little awkward when they meet on weekdays, Yongyin has long been used to this relationship and way of getting along.

Tonight, I couldn't resist coming to see Shin because I was so anxious and restless after learning that he was going to Hueco Mundo.

Who knew that as soon as they met, Xin would force himself on her so aggressively, without even giving her a chance to speak.

Why would he do this? Could it be that he's always felt the same way about me...?

A jumble of thoughts rushed through her mind, making her even more helpless when faced with the letter, just like when they first got together, she could never refuse it.

“I came here… because I have something I want to tell you. Why are you… like this…” Yongyin’s voice was very low, as if she had done something wrong.

"Then what do you want to say?"

"I……"

Yongyin stammered, her words stemming from the unease that lingered in her heart, causing her sleepless nights. She hoped he would be careful, and that he would return. But in this situation, these feelings seemed so clumsy and difficult to express.

And in what capacity did I come here?
As a friend, it's normal to be misunderstood if you come to someone's house so late at night.

"Are you blaming me for how I treated you just now?" Shin asked again. His words were as light as a feather, yet carried an undeniable weight, as if striking the softest part of Yongyin's heart.

"No...no..." Yongyin subconsciously wanted to deny it, her face turned even redder, and her hands unconsciously clenched the hem of her clothes again, her knuckles turning white from the force.

Xin then simply raised his hand and gently, almost tenderly, brushed away a few strands of hair that had become disheveled during the earlier intensity from her forehead. This long-absent, somewhat soothing gesture instantly froze Yongyin's body, pausing the turmoil of emotions within her, leaving her mind blank once more.

“Let’s go back, Yuzuru.” Shin’s voice was deep. His fingers lingered on her cheek for a moment, the temperature of his fingertips much gentler than the kiss before, yet it felt like an electric current, making Yuzuru’s skin slightly hot. “I know this trip to Hueco Mundo will be dangerous, I will be careful.”

He spoke for Yongyin, silencing the thousand words in her heart. She simply pursed her lips, which were swollen from the kiss. In that one look, there were too many unspoken words, including the emotional stirrings from the past that had been awakened and forcibly suppressed deep within her heart.

Leaving now seemed like the best option, and Yongyin gave a low, hurried "Mm".

If they went back now, they could probably pretend that nothing had happened. Yongyin hadn't thought too much about it before she came, but now she couldn't help but think about it.

She glanced at the door to the side, but her legs felt like they were made of lead.

The moon outside the window was obscured by thin clouds, only revealing a hazy, dim light.

She suddenly mustered her courage, looked at the letter, and said, "I...I still have something to say!"

But as soon as she finished speaking, Xin suddenly stepped forward and picked her up in his arms. Yongyin gasped in surprise and instinctively wrapped her arms around Xin's neck.

She froze, knowing what Xin was trying to do; they had been just as intimate when they were together.

Her beautiful eyes widened slightly as she stared straight at the letter. Although she clearly had something to say, she didn't say another word.

No refusal is an admission.

(End of this chapter)