Bleach: Starting with Marrying Retsu Unohana

Chapter 174 A Few Decades Passed By! Araki: The Whole Plan Comes to an End

Just as Byakuya and Kukaku were being tortured by their seniors in the 'Spirit King Palace', in Araki's secluded hall...

Several days later, at the 'True Central Spiritual Arts Academy'.

After Abarai Renji, who was used as an experimental subject, ate hundreds of pieces of coal, Rukia finally developed a strong antibody and was able to make decent cookies.

At least this time, the cookies Rukia made finally turned a normal golden yellow color and had the unique aroma of wheat, so they were acceptable in appearance.

As for the taste, Renji Abarai couldn't comment on it. After all, his taste buds had been completely ruined by thousands of experiments, and now Renji couldn't taste anything no matter what he ate.

Let's go visit my older sister!

Rukia crossed her arms in front of her and spoke excitedly.

"Um……"

Renji wiped the bitter tears from the corners of his mouth with a handkerchief and nodded slightly. Although the cookies weren't exactly delicious, at least they were edible.

So, Renji and Rukia went to the 'Spiritual Arts Academy' administration office to ask for leave, and then, carrying the cookies they made themselves, went to the Kuchiki family.

When the retainers of the Kuchiki family saw Rukia and Renji, they immediately let them pass.

The leading guard smiled and said to Rukia, "Miss Rukia, Young Master Byakuya has already told us that if he sees you coming, he will let you through and take you directly to the young mistress's resting place."

"grateful."

Rukia was still a little reserved at this moment. It was her first time talking to a retainer of the 'Five Great Noble Families', and she couldn't help but feel a little apprehensive.

After all, Rukia is no longer the silly girl who used to lead children to fight with vendors for water in the Ghost Town. After two years of study at the Spirit Arts Academy, she has gained a certain understanding of the structure of Soul Society, knows the status and privileges of nobles in Soul Society, and understands the meaning behind the Kuchiki family name.

"Who is this……"

As the Kuchiki family guard spoke, he looked behind Rukia at Renji Abarai, who exuded a roguish air and had the demeanor of a petty thug.

"I……"

Renji's expression turned somewhat unpleasant upon hearing this. He didn't know how to explain his identity to the person in front of him. In truth, he shouldn't have come at all.

"This is my classmate, Renji Abarai."

Before Renji could speak, Rukia introduced Renji's identity to the guard in front of her.

"Rukia..."

This deeply moved Renji.

"So it's young master Renji~"

After hearing Rukia's words, the guard smiled gently at Renji.

"Young master or anything like that, I'm not..."

Renji blushed immediately after hearing what the guard said.

"Hehe, young master Renji, would you please come with me to the main hall to rest in a while? I have prepared some snacks, tea and some food for you there. As for young mistress Hisa, please let Miss Rukia go there by herself. In fact, young mistress Hisa's health has not been very good. Too many people going there will affect her rest. I hope you can understand, young master Renji."

The guards naturally knew Renji's identity, but due to their good upbringing, they still addressed Renji as "Young Master." Although many nobles and their retainers looked down on the commoners of "Yūki-gai," this did not include the Kuchiki family and their retainers. As a model of nobility, the Kuchiki family was considered the best in "Soul Society" in terms of manners.

"Of course!"

"Thank you for your hard work!"

After hearing the guard's words, Renji instinctively stood at attention and then bowed respectfully to the guard in front of him.

"No, no, no, you're too kind. It's all I should do..."

"Then, Miss Rukia and Master Renji, please come in."

As the guard spoke, he led Renji and Rukia into the Kuchiki family mansion.

It wasn't until Renji and Rukia joined the Kuchiki family that they realized just how enormous the Kuchiki family was.

"Is that a lake? And those over there aren't mountains, are they?"

"This is the first time I've ever seen a mansion with lakes and mountains within its walls."

Renji smacked his lips, licked his dry lips, and said in disbelief.

“It’s even bigger than the ‘Spiritual Arts Academy’.”

Rukia nodded slightly in agreement.

"Not counting the lakes, mountains, and gardens where the gentlemen usually enjoy themselves! Just considering the building's footprint, it's about the size of five 'Spiritual Arts Institutes'..."

After hearing Rukia and Renji's words, the guard chuckled and said...

"Five 'Spiritual Arts Academies'?"

Upon hearing this, Renji's eyes widened in surprise.

"And that doesn't include lakes, mountains, and gardens?"

Rukia felt the same way; she realized that her imagination was still too limited.

The Kuchiki family is truly the number one tycoon family in the Soul Society!

"Hehehehe..."

"This isn't that big. The Kuchiki family is much smaller now than before. Many of their houses and properties have been divided up and given to other families. They used to be much larger..."

The guard seemed to enjoy Rukia and Renji's astonishment at the sheer size of the Kuchiki family mansion, which filled him with a strong sense of pride.

"Miss Hisa is just ahead..."

"Miss Rukia, please proceed on your own from here on out."

"As for young master Renji, please come this way."

After leading Renji and Rukia through a garden, the guard came to a fork in the road. He pointed out the way to Rukia and then planned to lead Renji in the other direction.

"Thank you for showing me the way!"

"Then, Renji, I'll head over first..."

Rukia first bowed respectfully to the guards, then nodded to Renji.

"Keep going! I'll be waiting for you over there!"

Renji waved to Rukia.

"Um……"

Rukia nodded slightly, holding the cookies in her hands, and walked towards the quiet mansion with great trepidation.

As for Renji, he followed the guards of the Kuchiki family to a large hall. There were dozens of long tables in the hall, and on the tables were exquisite pastries that seemed to be shining with light. These pastries were all things that Renji had never seen before.

"What are these?!"

Renji stared wide-eyed at the various exquisite tea snacks in front of him.

"These are some snacks that are specially served with tea. They were carefully made by our chefs who returned from studying abroad at the 'West Shore Bureau'! If they don't suit Mr. Renji's taste, we also have other styles of food here."

The guard smiled at Renji.

"No, no, no! This is enough..."

Upon hearing this, Renji first shook his head at the guard, then carefully picked up the exquisite sweets and put them into his mouth.

"It's so delicious!"

Renji swore he had never tasted anything so delicious.

"Then, Master Renji, please call me if you need anything..."

The guard watched Renji savoring the snacks and continued to laugh.

"Okay, thank you again!"

Renji thanked the guard once again.

"No, no, it's all what we should do."

With that, the guard left the tea room, which the Kuchiki family used to entertain guests. Renji was left alone to enjoy his meal.

the other side……

The moment Rukia saw Hisana, the two embraced without saying a word, tears streaming down their faces.

"elder sister……"

Even though it was the first time Rukia had met her older sister Hisana, she couldn't help but want to cry, and a wave of bitterness washed over her.

"You've really worked hard all these years."

Feizhen gently stroked her younger sister's head and whispered.

"No! I'm not tired, Rukia is strong, no one can bully me."

Rukia buried her head in Hisana's chest, tears streaming down her face as she spoke forcefully.

"Mmm, Rukia is the strongest..."

"This time, the strongest Rukia, please don't separate from your sister again, okay?"

Hisana held Rukia and spoke gently.

"Yes! I will always stay by my sister's side."

Rukia wiped away her tears and revealed a bright smile.

Meanwhile, Renji, who was eating snacks, was preoccupied with Rukia.

"Is Rukia really okay on her own?"

Renji muttered to himself as he stuffed a few more cookies into his mouth. However, he quickly realized he was stuffed…

About four or five hours later, as dusk fell, Rukia finally arrived at the teahouse to look for Renji.

"Rukia, you're finally here. I'm going to burst if I eat any more."

Upon seeing Rukia, Renji immediately became excited and went to her side, saying excitedly.

"Idiot! If you're going to feel full, then eat less!"

Rukia rebuked Renji after hearing his words.