I'm in Bleach, starting with Unlimited Blade Works.

Am I really that familiar with Captain Erin?

but--

Seeing Captain Erin's attitude, I felt much more at ease about the rest of the conversation.

"Ha, Captain Erin, you're being so enthusiastic, you don't happen to have something to ask of me, do you?"

As they entered the Kuchiki residence together, Kyoraku Shunsui jokingly remarked, "I've heard that you've been quite enthusiastic about Captain Yoruichi, and you even asked her to do a lot of things for you, haven't you?"

"Captain of the Beijing Opera, you're really wronging me."

Upon hearing Kyoraku Shunsui say this, Erin quickly shook his head in denial.

"The things I asked Captain Yoruichi to do were all in exchange for favors."

"Up to now, I owe Captain Yoruichi two big favors and one small favor."

"I really don't know what price I'll have to pay when Lord Yoruichi asks me for a favor. Just thinking about it gives me a headache..."

"Hahaha, that's it."

"However, it must be very difficult to get Captain Erin to do two such a big favor, right?"

"Yeah, indeed."

Erin nodded: "Although for me now, it would be no problem at all to deal with the situation back then."

Chapter 123 Erin's Proposal

"But, decades ago, it seemed like something I could never do."

"I am extremely grateful to Captain Yoruichi for helping me."

"Erin sighed."

Indeed, when Haruko's soul weakened, the only solution Erin could find was to steal the "Hogyoku" from Kisuke Urahara, hoping that the power of the "Hogyoku" could restore Haruko's soul.

However, Erin later learned that at that time, Kisuke Urahara did have the concept of creating the "Hogyoku" and had collected some experimental data, but he was struggling to find the "Soul King's power." Therefore, even if Erin had defeated Kisuke Urahara and Yoruichi, he would have had no chance of obtaining the "Hogyoku" in Kisuke Urahara's possession.

In retrospect, his use of the "Hogyoku" to threaten Kisuke Urahara was a truly blunder.

No, the ending was alright. Kisuke Urahara successfully created a perfect "artificial body," allowing Haruko to become a "vessel" again and recover from her weakened soul.

Kyoraku Shunsui could hear the sincerity in Erin's words.

This is probably one of the reasons why Captain Yoruichi was willing to accept Captain Erin's favor to help him.

When the two entered the Kuchiki family's living room, Haruko and Nanao Ise had not yet arrived, so they chatted happily in the living room.

The two hit it off immediately, and Erin even revealed that he had once camped out at an izakaya (Japanese pub) while waiting for Kyoraku.

"Captain Kyoraku, you have no idea, when I was on duty in the Second Division, I admired Captain Kyoraku's carefree spirit the most..."

"After all, as you know, Captain Kyoraku, the Second Division, as a covert mobile force, often gets locked up in the Worm Nest if they fail to arrive at the assembly point on time in case of an emergency..."

"Back then, all I wanted was freedom, to be able to go out whenever I wanted and come back whenever I wanted..."

"The excitement I felt when I learned from Soi Fon that I could leave the squad..."

When talking about those days, Erin couldn't help but smile.

"After that, in order to run into the captain of the Kyoraku band, I would go to an izakaya for drinks almost every day."

"Unexpectedly, I didn't meet the band leader in the end, but instead met Haruko first, and then the rest of the events happened..."

"Haha, then it's my fault for not meeting Captain Erin at the most opportune time."

"Hehe, it's not too late now."

Amidst the clinking of glasses, Ai Lin and Kyoraku Shunsui found themselves increasingly congenial in their conversation.

Even in terms of address, the two called each other by their given names.

"Come on, Kyoraku, let's drink to our friendship!"

"Alright, cheers to our friendship!"

Even though Kyoraku is usually a calm person, he was influenced by Erin during their conversation.

If Haruko hadn't brought Ise Nanao to the reception room, Kyoraku Shunsui would have almost forgotten why he was there.

"Haruko."

Upon seeing Haruko, Erin's eyes lit up, and she quickly beckoned her over.

"Come, come, Haruko, let me introduce you. This is Captain Kyoraku of the Eighth Division."

"Kyoraku, this is my wife, Haruko Kuchiki."

Haruko rolled her eyes at Erin: "Come on, Erin-kun."

“I already knew Captain Kyoraku when I was studying at the Shinigami Academy, so there’s no need for you to introduce me.”

Then, Haruko bowed slightly to Kyoraku and said, "It's been a long time, Kyoraku-sensei."

"Ah, Ms. Kuchiki, it's been a long time."

"Why is the Kyoraku band leader at the Kuchiki residence today?"

Seeing how Kyoraku and Erin had interacted before, Haruko whispered a question in Erin's ear.

"Hey, I brought someone's little niece home. If he doesn't come soon, his little niece might not even recognize him."

"Huh? Erin-kun, you're actually bringing girls home now?"

"Are you tired of me?"

Upon hearing that Erin had brought the band leader's niece home, Haruko Kuchiki's eyes suddenly welled up with tears, and large drops of tears fell down her cheeks.

"I knew it. I'm just an ordinary woman, not even a Shinigami. If I hadn't been lucky enough to be born into the Kuchiki family, I would have been devoured by Hollows in Rukongai long ago..."

"The fact that you've chosen the band leader's niece means you're definitely a better match for Ailin-kun than I am. Ailin-kun, I... I wish you both the best..."

After saying that, Haruko covered her eyes with her hands and was about to rush out of the reception room when Erin grabbed her and pulled her back.

"Haruko, let me explain."

"I don't listen, I don't listen..."

Haruko covered her ears and shook her head vigorously, refusing to accept any explanation from Erin.

"This……"

Erin rubbed his head.

I have a headache.

How did Haruko learn this move?

At that moment, Erin caught a glimpse of Xiao Qixu's mouth as if she were saying something.

After careful observation, Erin was able to read Xiao Qixu's lips.

"fake."

"Fake, huh? Fake?"

A thought struck Erin, and he observed carefully.

Sure enough, he was too focused on Haruko to notice her subtle actions.

In retrospect, Haruko's behavior was indeed exaggerated.

Moreover, after he stopped trying to comfort her, Haruko would occasionally peek through the gaps in her palms to observe her own expression.

Haruko panicked when she realized she had been exposed.

"Oh no, will Erin-kun be angry?"

Haruko immediately wanted to end her performance and apologize to Erin.

Unexpectedly, Erin didn't expose her intentions at all, but instead continued to go along with Haruko's performance.

"Haruko, you have to believe me. I'm devoted to you. How could I possibly get tired of you?"

"Think about it, who have I brought back these past few days?"

"Then it must be Nanao."

"Really?"

"Realer than real gold."

"Hmph, then I forgive you."

Haruko removed the sleeve covering her eyes, revealing a smile.

At this moment, Haruko showed no signs of having cried.

"Hahaha, Captain Erin, you two have such a great relationship, it's enviable."

Even before Xiaoqi Xu informed Erin, Kyoraku Shunsui had already seen through Haruko's intentions.

However, this is just the young couple's romance; he, an older man, shouldn't interfere.

"Haha, that's right."

Erin readily accepted Kyoraku Shunsui's praise.

Haruko, on the other hand, was a little embarrassed now that she had never acted like this in front of strangers before: "I'm sorry to have made you laugh, Captain Kyoraku."

After the three finished exchanging pleasantries, Erin called Ise Nanao to his side.

"Uncle Erin."

"Seven Threads, be good."

Touching Nanao's hair, Erin said to Nanao, "Nanao, the Kyoraku Band leader is your father's younger brother, your uncle."

"Now that the leader of the Peking Opera band is here, I think you know what he wants to do."

What do you think now?

“If you’re willing to go back with the band leader, then I’ll still be your uncle, and Aunt Haruko will still be your aunt.”

"If you want to stay in the Kuchiki family, even if you are the head of the Kyoraku clan, you cannot be taken away from the Kuchiki family."