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Heiji smiled and looked to his side, then whispered to Matsushita Yusuke.

Would you be interested in joining us?

Annual meeting...

In this kind of workplace environment, it's not exactly uncommon.

After all, Aizen Sousuke was also making arrangements, but he didn't expect... that Nozomi would actually invite him?

"Um...am I really suitable?"

The statement was somewhat vague, so the person involved emphasized it again.

"I'm not from an aristocratic family, so it wouldn't be appropriate for me to attend your annual meeting, would it?"

The saying "birds of a feather flock together" perfectly describes this situation.

Although life is not very long, Yusuke Matsushita has already 'witnessed' many similar situations.

The social circles of nobles and commoners were separate.

This is not only a hierarchical distinction, but also an 'unwritten rule' in some sense within the Soul Society.

If it's just verbal communication and contact, like what's happening now, that's normal. But if it involves drinking and making merry with commoners, it's bound to cause gossip.

hope Zhijin's expression, however, was somewhat dismissive.

"There's no need to worry about that... To be honest, this is a private gathering, not a public one. Everyone who's coming is a good friend of mine... None of us are people of high status."

A private party?

Yusuke Matsushita realized what was happening.

This was likely just a small cocktail party held for people whom hope Zhijin himself intended to befriend.

Even nobles have people they need to win over.

Clearly, Yusuke Matsushita should be in this 'queue'.

"It may sound unbelievable, but Soi Fon has already agreed to come..."

Huh? You even invited this guy?

But honestly, it would be strange if Soi Fon agreed.

It's surprising that she has her own 'life' besides Yoruichi; it's truly touching.

At the same time, a familiar message appeared before Yusuke Matsushita's eyes.

[Mission: Omaeda Kinosuke's Small Cocktail Party]

[Synopsis: Even nobles have people they need to win over, especially lower-ranking nobles... To maintain their status, they need to continuously invest and recruit qualified and talented individuals into their families.]

[Rewards: Interpersonal Skills +4, Eloquence +5, Noble Knowledge +3]

Compared to the recent rewards, this is practically a scrap.

But Matsushita Yusuke had no reason to refuse.

After all, even a small mosquito bite is still meat, and more importantly, it can broaden the person's social circle, which can be very helpful for their future development.

Of course, there are corresponding 'prerequisites' before participating.

"Senior Xi Zhijin, I might have other plans at that time, so perhaps..."

We can't be too certain, since the most important thing right now seems to be the arrangements with Aizen.

But after thinking about it that way, Matsushita Yusuke soon became a little strange again.

'There's a notification here for hope Zhijin, but why isn't the "Aizen's Opportunity" quest popping up?'

After thinking for a while, he could only come up with a reason like, "Because the time hasn't been set yet, there are no specific details."

The task system itself seems quite rigorous; a similar prompt should appear on the day of the drinking session, right?

While his thoughts were racing, Nozomi heard Matsushita Yusuke's words and immediately burst into laughter twice.

"What? You're so popular?! Haha, don't worry too much. Just don't come if something comes up. I won't be that demanding!"

The matter is settled for now; all that remains is to make minor adjustments.

After chatting for a while, Yoruichi Shihouin's inspection work was basically completed.

"Soi Fon, you're doing a great job! But it seems like there are fewer and fewer people here? Are you bullying the newbies again?"

Sosei Bee shook its head like a rattle-drum.

"How could I possibly do such a thing?! Those people were just ashamed, feeling unworthy of their positions, so they took their leave!"

This girl looks so honest, how come she's so good at talking nonsense...?

As Nozomi watched Yoruichi leave, he stood up.

"I've seen enough... I'll take my leave now. Good luck, Matsushita-kun, and... see you next year!"

Yusuke Matsushita got up to see them off, until Yoruichi and the others had disappeared.

Soi Fon turned her head again, and the expression on her face clearly showed her disgust.

"Yusuke Matsushita, come here!"

—Why does this feel like my homeroom teacher is calling me to the office and giving me a private lecture?

045: The Second Battle

Yusuke Matsushita followed Soi Fon to the annex and, as usual, entered the training room.

Yusuke Matsushita glanced towards the door, then said thoughtfully.

"Didn't we agree to compete tomorrow?"

"We can't wait that long!"

After all, she was already angry, and considering Soi Fon's personality, it was already quite 'giving' her to wait until Yoruichi left before turning against her again.

With a sigh, Matsushita Yusuke watched as she kicked off her tabi socks and deftly ripped off her night clothes.

Ouch.

She's dressed much more lightly than before.

The base layer is made of a close-fitting and lightweight black fabric, and the overall style is sleeveless.

The design features a large slit under the armpits, extending all the way to the waist.

The door was wide open at a glance, which is...

Yusuke Matsushita rubbed his nose and awkwardly looked away.

"What's the purpose of your outfit...?"

"Of course, it's to get your attention!"

Is this something that can be said so bluntly?!

Soi Fon tightened the cuffs of her trousers with a serious expression, then lightly jumped up and performed several rather agile movements.

"You should know my background. I am the heir to a family of assassins. For us, the unchanging principle is to use any means necessary to eliminate the target."

Compared to the consequences of failing to complete the task...

"It's no loss to me that you've only seen some flesh and blood."

Yusuke Matsushita pursed his lips and patted the back of his head with a hint of helplessness.

Soi Fon noticed his movement and her brows furrowed slightly.

What kind of expression is that?

"Hmm? Ah... I just feel that you're a little pitiful."

"……ha?!"

Yusuke Matsushita shook his head, quickly adjusting his expression.

"No, it's nothing. Just pretend I was talking nonsense. Don't take it too seriously."

You should focus more on yourself and not just think about serving others.

—At the same time, you should try to respect your own body, after all, you are not a 'slave'.

Yusuke Matsushita could elaborate on similar statements for more than ten minutes without repeating himself.

But he still couldn't bring himself to say those words.

Given the current situation, his remarks will only further provoke the other party's rebellious mentality.

'I am a lower-ranking nobleman who has served the Shihouin family for generations.'

This is Soi Fon's self-positioning and self-awareness.

But this is, in the literal sense, a distortion of values.

Even if you wanted to correct it, there's no way to do so, since that's the kind of education they received and the same social background they have.

"I just suddenly felt that instead of talking, it would be better to teach you a lesson with my fists first... and then we can talk about it in detail."

"Hmph... utter nonsense."

Seeing Matsushita Yusuke get into position, Soi Fon took a deep breath and squatted down...

But then he suddenly stood up.

"and many more."

She raised her right hand and made a downward pressing motion towards Matsushita Yusuke.

"...What's wrong? Don't you want to fight anymore?"

"Who was talking to you about that! What I wanted to ask is... are you planning to use weapons in this fight?"

"...?"

Some of the questions are abrupt.

But it's not to the point of being incomprehensible.

Matsushita Yusuke took a few seconds to think, and quickly understood Soi Fon's intention.

'This guy comes from a covert mobile unit, specializing in instant movement and close combat... He couldn't gain any advantage by fighting with bare hands before, so he's thinking of changing his strategy and trying out weapons?'

Human energy is always limited.

Someone like Yusuke Matsushita, who has a unique understanding of the Kido (the way of the devil), should be relatively weak in the other three areas.

Use your strengths to attack the enemy's weaknesses.

From a strategic perspective, this line of thinking is sound.

Such clever ideas were probably part of Soi Fon's scheme... However, after a brief moment of thought, Matsushita Yusuke readily agreed.

"Alright, let's bring our weapons then."

It was surprisingly refreshing.

This silenced Soi Fon, who had already prepared her remarks to deliver a sarcastic remark after Matsushita Yusuke's rejection.

"But there's one thing, can you make it clear upfront and guarantee it?"

"……what?"

"Don't get carried away just because we're using weapons. Be careful not to hurt each other... Can you manage something this simple?"

"...Hmph, you don't need to tell me!"

The ability to control weapons is itself a part of the cultivation system.

Slashing, thrusting, diagonal cutting... similar movements, like forged iron, have been honed through countless trials.

If Soi Fon cannot even properly control her own weapon and accidentally kills someone under such circumstances, then she is, in a sense, a disqualified assassin.

"Once I gain the upper hand, I will spare your life!"

"It would be better if your skills were as tough as your words~"

"...!"

Both of them tacitly reached for their waists.