Crossover Anime: Starting with Bankai from Demon Slayer

Chapter 378 The Rebuilt Squad (Part 2)

It's completely different from the passionate, sweat-filled, and shouting style of the Ninth Division.

Inside the Third Division's barracks, a peculiar atmosphere of elegance, languor, and even a touch of decadence permeated the air.

The afternoon sun lazily spilled into the spacious courtyard of the Third Division.

The place was originally decorated by Gin Ichimaru to be somewhat gloomy and empty, which, in his words, was the so-called "wabi-sabi style".

The courtyard was decorated with some dark-colored plants, and the air was always filled with an elusive coolness.

But now, this place has completely changed.

The original stone slab floor was covered with a soft carpet.

The courtyard is surrounded by potted plants that have just been transplanted from the flower market and are in full bloom with various bright flowers.

Roses, lilies, and tulips, their colorful petals swaying in the wind, exuding a rich fragrance.

In the very center of the courtyard, there was an exquisite European-style long table covered with a white lace tablecloth.

A valuable bone china tea set shimmered in the sunlight, the aroma of black tea mingling with the sweetness of various contemporary desserts, filling the air.

Fengqiao Loulang, or he prefers to be called Rose

He was wearing that white shirt with gorgeous ruffles, his eyes closed, gently strumming the strings of a strangely shaped modern acoustic guitar.

The melody flowed from his fingertips like water; it was a classical folk song with a touch of melancholy, yet incredibly gentle.

The musical notes danced amidst the fragrance of flowers and tea, seemingly able to soothe the deepest wounds in people's hearts.

Around the long table, the Third Division's officers and ordinary members sat somewhat uncomfortably on soft chairs.

Steaming cups of black tea and delicate pastries were laid out in front of them, but few people actually touched them.

Vice-captain Kira Izuru kept his head down, letting his golden bangs cover most of his face, making it impossible to see his expression.

But his tightly gripped teacup, his hands trembling with tension, and the gloom and self-reproach emanating from him revealed the pain in his heart.

Since the incident at Shuangjigaoka, Kira Izuru has been consumed by deep self-loathing.

The captain he swore to follow, Gin Ichimaru, turned out to be a hidden traitor... and he was completely unaware of it.

He felt not only like a fool who had been deceived, but also like a sinner who had betrayed the greater good of the Soul Court.

If it weren't for the current severe shortage of manpower, he would have even considered resigning or even committing suicide to atone for his sins.

铮—

As the last note slowly dissipated into the air, Lou Shilang opened his eyes.

He gently placed the guitar aside, picked up the cup of red tea in front of him, took a sip, and a look of blissful enjoyment appeared on his face.

"Ah~ Indeed, only when accompanied by beautiful music and blooming flowers can the rich flavor of Darjeeling tea be perfectly brought out."

Lou Shilang put down his teacup, glanced at the team members who still seemed a bit reserved, and smiled slightly.

"Everyone, there's no need to be so tense. Music is for appreciating, and dessert is for enjoying~ If you keep sitting there like wooden posts, you'll be making the most of this beautiful afternoon."

The team members looked at each other in bewilderment.

Although the captain has spoken, in this squad that has just experienced a huge betrayal, who is really in the mood to enjoy afternoon tea?

Lou Shilang seemed to see through their thoughts, elegantly crossed his legs, and sighed.

"I know what you're thinking."

"My first day back was spent checking all the files for the Third Division and the layout of their quarters."

"It has to be said that Captain Ichimaru not only has serious character flaws, but his aesthetic sense is also... questionable."

He pointed to a few withered, yellowed weeds in the corner of the courtyard that had not yet been moved: "It's gloomy, dark, and full of scheming and hidden agendas."

"He turned the entire Third Division into a sunless den... How could your minds not become twisted and repressed living in such a terrible artistic atmosphere?"

Hearing Lou Shilang's scathing assessment of their former captain, the team members' expressions changed...

Kira Izuru's body trembled violently, and he lowered his head even further.

"Vice Captain Kira."

He suddenly called out Kira Izuru's name.

"Here!" Kira Izuru jumped up like a startled bird, almost spilling tea on himself.

"Captain, what are your orders?"

Lou Shilang shook his head helplessly as he looked at his fearful and uneasy appearance.

He extended his hand, gesturing for Kira to sit down.

"Kira, do you know why I'm holding this tea party?"

"Your subordinate... Your subordinate is dull-witted," Kira Izuru replied in a low voice.

Lou Juro stood up, walked behind Kira Izuru, and gently placed his hands on Kira's shoulders, causing Kira's body to tense up instantly.

"I've heard of your Zanpakuto, Wabisuke. Its ability is to double the weight of anything it cuts, eventually forcing the enemy to bow down and confess because they can't withstand the pressure."

"This is a capacity full of compassion and redemption, which is very much in line with your kind nature."

"But Kira, your current state is as if you've been struck by your own Wabisuke."

Loujuro's fingers pressed slightly on Kira's shoulder, as if trying to relieve him of an invisible burden through massage: "You've taken away Gin Ichimaru's betrayal, the humiliation suffered by the Third Division, and all the mistakes of failing to detect the conspiracy..."

"It all became a burden on your heart, imposed upon your own soul..."

"Captain...I...I really don't know what to do..." Kira, whose words had hit home, responded in a trembling voice, even on the verge of tears: "I trusted Captain Ichimaru so much...but he..."

This is also the sentiment of many team members.

Some even felt guilty at the thought of being ordered around by Gin Ichimaru to guard against so-called "traveler's mischief" in various streets... when in fact they were being transferred to guard against other team members.

"Shh..."

Lou Shilang gently interrupted him, took out a clean white handkerchief from his pocket, and handed it to Kira.

"Kira, listen to me... Music is made up of countless notes."

Even a great symphony can sometimes have a few discordant notes.

"If those few notes were deliberately played wrong by the performer, then the fault lies not with the piece, nor with the attentive listeners, but with the performer who had ulterior motives."

He turned around, facing all the members of the Third Division, his eyes filled with boundless tolerance and understanding.

"Gin Ichimaru is a terrible player who played the wrong notes. He deceived your ears and tarnished the piece."

"But that doesn't mean the song for the Third Division is ruined."

"I understand your grief and self-blame, because a hundred years ago, when I and Hirako were pushed into the abyss by people we trusted, we felt just as breathless as you do."

His words made all the team members raise their heads.

Looking at the blond captain, they realized for the first time that the person standing before them was not just a high-ranking officer, but someone who had gone through the same pain as them.

"But pain cannot be covered up with more pain."

"Simply dwelling on the darkness of the past will only allow the venom to spread deeper into your bloodstream."

Lou Shilang picked up the guitar again and casually strummed a few cheerful chords.

"From today onwards, I will take over the command of the Third Division."

"I will use magnificent art, warm sunshine, and the most beautiful music to rewrite the Third Division's symphony."

He looked at Kira Izuru and gave her a bright smile: "So Kira, stop looking down."

Your wabisuke is meant to make your enemies repent, not to punish yourself.

"Lift up your head, look at these blooming flowers, and taste this sweet dessert."

"If you still feel sad, try listening to my next piece of music."

"The name of this piece is—'New Life'."

As Rojuro Hōhashi plucked the strings once more, a light and hopeful melody drifted through the courtyard.

Kira Izuru wiped away her tears, looking at the blond captain playing the guitar in the sunlight... and at her colleagues around her, whose eyes were slightly red, but whose expressions were gradually relaxing.

He took a deep breath, picked up the cup of slightly warm black tea in front of him, and took a small sip.

The tea was sweet, with a faint floral fragrance that warmed his heart.

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