Bleach: I'm picking up attributes in Seireitei

Inside the Second Division Captain's room, the scent of incense mingled with the fresh aroma of grass and trees wafting from the courtyard outside the window.

Yoruichi Shihouin leaned back in the large captain's chair, her gaze languid, occasionally glancing at Soi Fon, who stood ramrod straight in front of her, reporting on recent team affairs.

"The above is a summary of the task completion status of each team this month, as well as preliminary deployment suggestions for next month."

Soi Fon's voice was clear and crisp, as precise and efficient as ever.

However, as she finished her report and awaited Yoruichi's instructions, her gaze involuntarily drifted away, as if she were lost in thought.

Yoruichi's gaze sharpened slightly, a hint of amusement flashing in her eyes.

This is the third time in the past few days that she has caught Soi Fon in this absent-minded state.

In Yoruichi's memory, Soi Fon was always the subordinate who focused all her attention on the mission and her own responsibilities, and who demanded perfection.

Such subtle lapses in concentration are quite rare.

"Soi Fon".

When Ye Yi spoke, her voice carried its usual magnetic quality.

Upon hearing this, Soi Fon quickly snapped out of her daze and refocused her eyes.

"Yes, Lord Yoruichi."

Yoruichi did not give any orders, but instead sat up slightly and looked at Soi Fon with great interest.

His gaze swept from her meticulously styled short black hair, across her cheeks which seemed rosier than usual, and down to her ramrod straight shoulders, which appeared slightly unnatural.

"Have you been a little tired lately?"

Yoruichi's tone sounded casual, but her eyes held a keen insight.

Soi Fon's eyelashes fluttered slightly, and her heart tightened a little.

Lord Yoruichi, you probably haven't noticed anything yet.

For some reason, she didn't want Lord Ye Yi to know about her and Wang Xun's private nighttime training.

"No, my subordinate is in good condition, it might be..."

She paused, then found a plausible excuse.

"It might be because we've been adjusting the training plan recently, and some details need to be refined, so I get distracted occasionally."

"I'm so sorry to have worried Lord Yoruichi."

She lowered her head, her mind uncontrollably flashing back to the warm touch of someone's palm as they focused on her as they approached in the training field, and the absurd confusion she had felt at that time.

"Huh~?"

Yoruichi took in Soi Fon's subtle expressions, a playful smile curving her lips.

"Don't push yourself too hard, take a break when you need to."

Yoruichi spoke casually, chuckled, and naturally changed the subject.

"By the way, the reserve team submitted an assessment and explanation of Wang Xun's situation."

Soi Fon was startled when she heard Wang Xun's name come out of Yoruichi's mouth, but she breathed a sigh of relief when she heard what followed.

That was close! I thought Yoruichi was going to say something...

Yoruichi pulled a report from the table.

"Given Wang Xun's current combat capabilities, growth rate, and adaptability to the Xingjun's combat style, there is no need for him to remain in the reserve team. It is recommended that he be included in the official team and participate in squad missions ahead of schedule."

Soi Fon's gaze fell on the report in Yoruichi's hand.

Soi Fon knew, of course, that Wang Xun's strength had already surpassed the level of the reserve team, and even exceeded that of ordinary regular members of the Criminal Investigation Team.

Wang Xun's strength at this time was enough to qualify him as a senior officer among the other squads.

Even during the few days the two of them were training together, his strength continued to improve.

Aside from his slightly lower total spiritual pressure, his skills and strength displayed in hand-to-hand combat are already very close to the level of a vice-captain.

"So, what you mean is?"

Soi Fon asked cautiously.

"I'm still considering where he'll be assigned after he joins the official team."

Yoruichi raised her eyes, her golden eyes looking at Soi Fon with a faint smile.

"You are an elite member of the direct guard, and your squads are all top-notch. With his potential, it would be a waste to put him in an ordinary squad."

"What do you think about adding him to your direct team?"

Soi Fon paused for a moment upon hearing this.

Should Wang Xun be added to her direct team?

This means that Wang Xun will no longer be a team member she needs to contact privately in her spare time, but will officially become her subordinate under her daily supervision, someone she sees day and night.

They need to go on missions together and train together, and their respective areas will be classified into the same smaller circle.

This realization caused her mind to go blank for a moment.

"this..."

Soi Fon opened her mouth, but for once, she hesitated, a rare occurrence for someone as decisive as her.

Reason told her that, given Wang Xun's potential and Ye Yi's high regard for him, this was the right arrangement.

But for some reason, she felt a sense of helplessness because of this matter.

Yoruichi clearly saw Soi Fon's momentary hesitation, and the smile in her eyes deepened.

"What's wrong? Is there a problem? Or do you think he's not capable enough to join your direct team?"

No, that's not it.

Soi Fon immediately denied it, her voice slightly louder than usual. She then realized she had lost her composure and forced herself to calm down.

Soi Fon took a deep breath, suppressing the turmoil in her heart, and regained the composure befitting a vice-captain.

"Everything is at Lord Yoruichi's command. Your subordinate... has no objections."

"Oh, really?"

Yoruichi drew out her words, then suddenly changed the subject, her smile as cunning as a cat that had just stolen some fish.

"You and that kid have been getting so close lately, I thought you'd be happy to hear this."

"!!!"

A loud boom echoed in Soi Fon's head, as if something had exploded.

Her fair face flushed instantly, and even her neck turned pink.

She looked up abruptly, her eyes filled with panic and embarrassment at having her secret exposed.

"Lord Yoruichi, it's not like that!"

"I only conducted some training with him privately out of consideration for developing the team member's potential and to improve his combat skills. There was absolutely nothing else!"

She explained rapidly, her hands waving unconsciously.

Seeing Soi Fon's eagerness to defend herself, her face flushed red, Yoruichi finally couldn't help but chuckle, her laughter hearty and cheerful.

"Okay, okay, I got it. I didn't say anything else."

Yoruichi waved his hand, his eyes full of mischief.

"It's just training, I understand."

Soi Fon knew that Yoruichi hadn't believed her at all, but she couldn't explain any further. She could only purse her lips in embarrassment and anger, lower her head, and wish she could disappear into a crack in the ground.

At the same time, she mentally tortured the guy who was so oblivious and had put her in this situation over and over again.

"Alright, Soi Fon, it's settled then."

After teasing her enough, Yoruichi stopped smiling, but a hint of amusement still lingered in her eyes and brows.

Her hand slammed onto the report.

"Wang Xun has been officially transferred to your direct squad. His official status is temporarily attached to the Second Division, and he will also serve as a formal member of the Criminal Investigation Department. You will be responsible for assigning him specific tasks."

Yoruichi resumed her captain's tone, and her expression became much more serious.

"Perfect timing, we just received some intelligence from the 10th Division."

"There are signs of Shinigami disappearing from the vicinity of the 32nd ward of West Rukongai. The Second Division is needed to assist in the investigation and assess the threat level."

Yoruichi looked at Soi Fon.

"You'll take Wang Xun on this mission, along with two veteran team members."

"This was his first official mission since joining the team, and it also allowed him to familiarize himself with the procedures and style of the Criminal Investigation Department's outbound reconnaissance."

Although Soi Fon had mixed feelings, she immediately suppressed all her chaotic emotions and straightened her back as the mission was at hand.

"Yes, I understand."

Yoruichi thought for a moment and then added.

"The appointment notice will be issued today. Tomorrow, you will show Wang Xun the team's mission procedures. We'll depart this afternoon."

"There is still some uncertainty in this mission, so we need to be cautious. The focus should be on reconnaissance and assessment. If anything unusual happens, report it immediately and don't act rashly."

"Alright, go ahead."

Yoruichi waved his hand.

Soi Fon nodded slightly, bowed, and quickly left the captain's room.