Death: Captain Millennium

Lin Yu staggered out of Soul Society and headed straight for the Shiba family's residence in Rukongai.

In fact, Lin Yu had no idea how to convince Shiba Kūkaku to help him. He had blown his own trumpet in the heat of the moment, so now he could only bite the bullet and take it one step at a time.

"What can I do for you?"

Lin Yu finally arrived at the gate of the Shiba family. Before he could knock on the door, a guard of the Shiba family spotted him.

"I am the captain of the 7th Division of the Gotei 13, and I'm here today to visit Miss Shiba Kūkaku."

Hearing this, the minions did not dare to delay and quickly turned around and ran into the yard.

"Big sister, the captain of the Gotei 13's 7th division wants to see you on some business."

In the Shiba family's laboratory, Shiba Kūkaku was engrossed in researching a new type of fireworks. Though her broken arm had healed, she seemed to have learned little from the experience, remaining immersed in her exploration of fireworks. She clutched various tools and materials, her brow furrowed in thought, her smile etched with excitement.

"Captain of the Seventh Division? Komamura Sajin? What a nuisance!"

At this moment, the voice of a small minions' announcement came from outside the door, interrupting Shiba Kūkaku's thoughts. She put down the things in her hands with some dissatisfaction.

However, out of courtesy, he still planned to meet Komamura Dagou.

"Hey! Are you?"

Shiba Kūkaku rubbed his eyes, thinking that his eyesight was not working well because he had seen too many fireworks. The person who came was not Komamura Sajin. Could it be that the captain of the Seventh Division had been replaced?

But why does this face look familiar? Have I seen it before?

"Little Konghe, you didn't recognize me after so many years?"

Lin Yu started to get close to the person right away. When asking someone to do something for you, you must have a good attitude. Just like now, if you play the emotional card first, the success rate will be much higher.

"You are... Captain Lin Yu! You have returned to Soul Society."

After Lin Yu's reminder, Shiba Kūkaku finally remembered who he was. She had seen him when she was a child. At that time, the Shiba family had not moved out of Soul Society. She had the honor of meeting veteran captains like Lin Yu and Unohana.

"Captain Lin Yu, why don't you stay in Seireitei and think of my Shiba family?"

Konghe is a generous and straightforward person. He always speaks his mind without any hesitation.

"I wish to use the power of the Shiba family to reach the Soul King Palace."

Since Kong He was so direct, Lin Yu didn't waste any more words.

"What did you say!"

Kong He almost dropped her jaw in shock. She knew that Lin Yu must have come to ask for something, but she didn't expect it to be such an outrageous thing.

"Why should I help you?"

Konghe smiled. Although Lin Yu had some friendship with the Shiba family, he was not yet willing to help in this way.

Lin Yu was delighted to hear that Kong He hadn't directly refused. This meant there was still hope. The next crucial step was to come up with a bargaining chip that would tempt the other party.

After thinking hard for a long time, Lin Yu found that he had nothing in his hand that could really touch Shiba Kukaku. This really made him feel difficult and embarrassed!

"So, what exactly do you want, Kūkaku?"

After pondering for a moment, Lin Yu decided not to dwell on the issue alone and instead decisively threw the problem back to Shiba Kūkaku. This way, he could let Kūkaku propose the conditions first, and he could bargain based on the specific circumstances, thus avoiding being in a passive situation.

Faced with Lin Yu's sudden question, Zhiba Konghe was slightly stunned. In fact, she has always had a special liking for colorful fireworks. As for other things, it seems that they are difficult to catch her eye.

She had just asked Lin Yu, but she had only intended to decline in a more tactful way. Who could have imagined that Captain Lin Yu would be so resourceful and cleverly outmaneuver her, forcing her, who had originally been in the active position, into a passive position in an instant?

Silence! A dead silence reigned, as if time had frozen. The atmosphere between the two was extremely awkward. They had actually managed to bring the topic to a standstill, unable to find a single clue to continue.

"Sigh... never mind! I think the Shiba family has long lost the technical means to send people to the Soul King Palace. Kūkaku, just pretend I never mentioned this."

Lin Yu finally couldn't hold it in any longer and was the first to break the suffocating silence. He sighed helplessly, his tone hinting at concessions, but in reality, he was cleverly employing a strategy of retreat in order to advance.

"Nonsense! Who says our Shiba family doesn't have this ability? Although our family has gradually declined, the core technologies passed down have never been cut off! Captain Lin Yu, you are really underestimating our Shiba family!"

Kong He, who had remained silent all this time, suddenly raised her head and retorted loudly. As smart as she was, she had already understood that this was Lin Yu's provocation, but the family's honor did not allow her to remain silent.

"Why do you want to go to the Soul King Palace?"

Kong He and Lin Yu were arguing with each other. Although she didn't have to help, she still wanted to ask the other party's purpose.

"If I hadn't had to, I wouldn't want to go to the Spirit King Palace."

Lin Yu sighed and took out Renci's Zanpakuto that was about to break.

"Abarai Renji's Zanpakutō suffered a minor accident and was severely damaged while in Bankai form. In this situation, the only ones who can reforge the Zanpakutō are the members of Squad Zero."

Kong He thought Lin Yu had gone to the Spirit King Palace for some important matter, but it turned out that he was there to repair his sword, or for the swords of his subordinates. This behavior made her admire him deeply. Of course, it was just admiration, not to the extent of offering help.

"If the sword is gone, then it's gone. Does a Shinigami really need to rely on that Zanpakutō to act? You know, there are Kidōshu outside of your Gotei 13! You can just let Abarai Renji become a Kidōshu instead."

Although the Shiba family had always lived in Rukongai, Kūkaku was well aware of the internal structure of the Seireitei. Losing his Zanpakutō didn't mean he couldn't serve as a Shinigami anymore.

Kong He's casual remark was not a big deal, but it made Lin Yu unable to hold back his laughter and he burst into laughter.

Given Abarai Renji's meager Kidō abilities, even if he were to serve as a handyman for the Kidōshu, he would likely be met with ruthless disdain. After all, Abarai Renji's Kidō attainments were truly unimpressive, and successfully switching careers to join the Kidōshu would be incredibly difficult!

"Isn't it okay?"

Kong He saw Lin Yu looking like he was crying with laughter, and thought that what he said was wrong.

"No, it's Abarai Renji's Kidō ability that's basically negative! The term Kidōshu is too niche for him."

Lin Yu breathed a sigh of relief, without any intention of keeping Renci's secret.