You are very strong, but my painting style is better than yours!

"here we go!"

The portal opened to the left and right, revealing a dark and deep passage after a dazzling white light, connecting to a narrow rift in the world.

Time ticked by, but nothing happened. Just as everyone was starting to get nervous, tiny, raindrop-like dots finally appeared on the dark screen...

Watching the expeditionary force members withdraw in an orderly manner, the Gotei 13 erupted in heartfelt cheers and applause. Kuchiki Ginrei also seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, a rare, slight smile playing on his lips.

Cang Chun... I wonder how he is now.

He was physically weak since childhood, and he must have suffered a lot in Hueco Mundo. It would be great if he could master Bankai, but I'm afraid he pushed his body too hard to achieve this goal...

As Yinling thought about it, she couldn't help but worry, and when the moment came, she became nervous.

In his imagination, Kuchiki Sōjun now resembled Ukitake Jūjō, with his unnaturally pale skin, weak voice, and an aura that seemed as if he might turn transparent and disappear at any moment...

Cang Chun! It's all my fault. I knew all along, yet I still let you shoulder such a heavy responsibility. Your frail shoulders—

"Father! It's been so long since I last greeted you!"

Suddenly, a loud, even somewhat rough, voice startled Yinling. He looked up, his narrow eyes widening involuntarily, and Xianghe beside him did the same.

This handsome, muscular man looks a bit like Aoi Sora!

~~~~~

Chapter 314 Isn't Kakyoin handsome too?

"Cang, Cang Chun?"

"Father, your son is here!"

"call……"

Kuchiki Ginrei took a deep breath, trying to keep himself calm. He managed not to show too much horror, but he was still quite shaken inside.

His fatherly instincts and blood ties convinced him that the person before him was indeed Kuchiki Sojun. However, unlike the frail and thin handsome young man he remembered, Sojun now possessed a strong physique, which stretched his shihaka outfit slightly tight. His overly pale skin had also turned into a normal skin tone, or even a slightly darker one.

The key is the atmosphere... The sorrow of cherry blossoms, beautiful yet destined to wither, completely dissipates, leaving only a vibrant life force as strong as wild grass!

Of course, Cang Chun's appearance didn't deteriorate; it's just that his cheekbones and temples are fuller than before, transforming him from a pretty boy into a handsome man.

To use Iori's words, he's a handsome man like Kakyoin Noriaki.

This level of physique isn't actually considered particularly exaggerated in Seireitei, but the difference before and after is just too great. Ginrei couldn't connect this muscular man with Kuchiki Sojun for a moment.

And so, quite unusually, Kuchiki Ginryo was speechless, not knowing what to say.

Fortunately, he wasn't alone. Xianghe, who was half a step behind, reacted quickly and greeted Cang Chun before Yinling could speak. Then he asked the question that Yinling cared about so much:

"Lord Cang Chun, what exactly happened to you in Hueco Mundo?!"

"Hmm? It's nothing, why do you ask?"

Cang Chun spread her hands. "Do I look strange?"

Isn't it strange? The two of them subconsciously leaned their heads back.

"Cough cough!"

Kuchiki Ginryo cleared his throat, glanced at Cang Chun again, paused, and then asked with utmost seriousness, "Are you... a little heavier than before?"

"This... Oh, you mean this!"

Cang Chun then realized what was happening and scratched his head sheepishly.

"Without realizing it, I had almost forgotten that your impression of me was still stuck in the past... Haha, a lot has indeed happened in the past year, and I have also gained a lot."

"Yeah, I can see that."

Yinling and Xianghe nodded in unison, their movements perfectly synchronized.

"As for what exactly happened... I'll tell you all about it when I get back."

Kuchiki Sojun raised his hand, looking at his arm with some emotion.

Thinking back to my frail self, it feels like a lifetime ago. It's only been less than a year, nothing to the long-lived Grim Reaper.

"But in any case, I must thank Captain Aizen properly."

"Aizen Iori?"

Kuki-giri turned to look at the figure that had just walked out of the interdimensional gate.

……

Sight?

Iori's appearance naturally drew everyone's attention, but among these many gazes, a few stood out. He immediately noticed Kuchiki Ginrei's gaze and responded with a slightly puzzled smile.

What do you want me to do?

We took Lelouch away and returned Kakyoin, who gained dozens of pounds of muscle. Do you still have any objections?

Iori has truly devoted herself to Aojun, sparing no expense with various soul-related materials such as magatama, treasure mirrors, and lanterns, supplementing them with spiritual technology and specially made oolong tea, practically nurturing him into his current state. Not only did she compensate for his congenital deficiencies, but she also helped solidify his Bankai realm… Where can you find such a good leader?!

The resources consumed are staggering; even the Servants of Chaldea would be envious!

Iori was unaware of Kuchiki Soujun's fate in the original timeline, but the Kuchiki family headship was passed directly to Byakuya from Ginrei, and a son-in-law named Kyouga also appeared. So Soujun, caught in the middle, most likely died of illness or in battle...

Iori's methods may have been a bit outrageous, and there was a suspicion that he deliberately deceived and took advantage of Sojun... but in any case, it was much better than his original fate!

Still looking at me?

Believe it or not, I'll make him evolve into Jotaro right away?

—Iori's thoughts were in turmoil, but she didn't show it outwardly. She politely nodded to Ginrei.

Even if the old man pressed for details, he would only get the answer that "the millet from Hueco Mundo nourishes people," because even Sojun himself didn't know how Iori cured him.

So many magical and rare treasures were used on Cang Chun, and the young nobleman could certainly guess that Iori must be hiding some secret, because even the five great noble families did not have such resources, but he never thought of exploring it in depth.

Everyone has the right to privacy. Since Iori has not done anything to harm Soul Society, he has no reason to question anything.

Furthermore, it was Cang Chun herself who received help from this...

Iori glanced around and found that all his close friends had arrived. The first person he noticed was Akame, who was mingling with the members of the Seventh Division. The black-haired, piercing female assassin did not want to attract attention, so she suppressed her fluctuating emotions and met Iori's gaze across the crowd.

The two exchanged a knowing smile, as if they understood each other perfectly without saying a word.

Iori greeted everyone in turn, then walked straight to another person.

"It's been such a long time, sister."

"Welcome home, Iori."

Yuki was dressed in a well-tailored and neatly fitted shihaka outfit, her long, jet-black hair flowing down her shoulders and back, and her deep eyes revealed pure joy—this time there was no testing or competition, just an older sister welcoming her younger brother home.

"You've changed quite a bit... tell me about it on the way."

……

The mission was completed in less than a year in Hueco Mundo, exceeding the Seireitei's expectations. No matter how confident they were in Iori, they never imagined it would go so smoothly, so many things that should have been prepared in advance were still left undone.

For example, the 10th Division's barracks, although rebuilt, are only half-finished in terms of interior decoration. And then there's the matter of material rewards for the expeditionary force, especially for its leader, Iori—how to ensure everyone feels it's fair and reasonable… This is a big problem.

The Thirteenth Team theoretically has a set of reward and punishment rules, with precedents and traditions to refer to regarding what kind of battle merit corresponds to what kind of reward.

However, this time Iori simultaneously accomplished a series of great feats, including clearing out Rukongai, forming an expeditionary force, defeating Hollows, and reorganizing the 10th Division.

Unlike other captains who only know how to fight, Iori not only contributed his strength in these matters, but was also undoubtedly the absolute leader, and the credit should be attributed to him alone.

Seireitei doesn't have the complex bureaucratic system of the modern dynasties. Besides, Iori is already the most powerful "captain." As a front-line combatant, honorary titles and positions seem meaningless... So, it seems that only pure monetary rewards are appropriate.

How much to give is the question, but too little is definitely not acceptable; it must be given in full to demonstrate the magnanimity of the Seireitei!

The exact figures haven't come out yet, but in short, they've already given Iori a house!

This isn't some official residence that captains automatically acquire; it's genuine private property, inheritable from generation to generation, the kind that leaves the entire land bearing the mark of their family name. Especially since it's located within the Seireitei, not in Rukongai, its intangible added value is many times greater.

Speaking of which, Iori is quite familiar with this piece of land:

This is the original site of the mansion in Suma!

The main lineage of the high-ranking noble family that brought about its own destruction by researching the Tapir Blade has been completely severed. Although there are still branch families, they are unable to support the family name of the high-ranking noble family. Most of the family's property has been sold off, and the main family mansion was given to Iori after changing hands.

Come to think of it, Iori was there on the day Sumar was destroyed... it was quite a cruel twist of fate.

"That's it. We'll move there once the new house is finished."

At her mother-in-law's shop, Iori sat cross-legged on the tatami mat and announced the good news to her family.

"Really?"

Since they met, Nemu had been clinging to Iori's back like a possessed spirit, peeking her little head out from his shoulder. However, her focus wasn't on getting a bigger house.

"Pa... Brother, are you coming back? We can live together from now on?"

"Of course~"

Iori gestured, "That place is huge!"

"Moving? It must be such a hassle with all this stuff."

The mother-in-law, holding a cup of tea, said with some concern.

Iori casually said, "Don't worry, I'll have someone come and help... Besides, there's no need to move everything. We can just buy more furniture. As for the fabric, water tank, and dye, we can leave them at the shop."

"Ugh?"

The old woman looked up at Iori and asked in surprise, "Are you going to close the shop?"

"Is there no need to continue operating it?"

Iori replied matter-of-factly, "Actually, we haven't needed to open a shop to supplement our income for a long time, but our work location has never been decided yet, so living in Seireitei will naturally be very different."

"That's right..."

The mother-in-law took a sip of tea and silently pondered something.

Iori blinked, casting pleading glances at Yuuki and Akame. The female assassin indicated with her eyes that she couldn't help, while her older sister looked on with obvious disdain.

"You made this decision without even telling me beforehand. I don't know what to say to you... Mother-in-law, don't worry about him. Anyway, that mansion is still under construction. We'll continue to live here and move whenever we want."

"Hmm~"

The mother-in-law quietly breathed a sigh of relief and relaxed as she sipped her tea: "That's true."

“Then I’ll stay and keep my mother-in-law company. I’m already familiar with the work at the shop, and it would be a shame to give it up now.”

Akame said, decisively abandoning Iori.

"what?"

Iori was stunned. "So, only Nemuru and I support moving there?"

"Um...brother, I..."

The little girl looked at her "mothers" and then at her "father," and hesitated for a moment—but made a decision in just three seconds.

"I prefer this place to the mansion!"

"you……"

Iori suddenly realized that he was the only man in the house, and the women, regardless of age, always easily formed a united front at times like this, making him feel somewhat isolated and helpless.

"Never mind... I'll let it take its time to build. Anyway, I don't care where I live."

However, as the head of the household, it's a bit embarrassing that no one supports what I say.

Upon hearing this, the women exchanged bewildered glances.

Finally, Yuuki spoke first: "First of all, I didn't know when you became the head of the family."

"..."

Too many women are a problem, thankfully we didn't gather them all together—Iori's eye twitched.

Fortunately, he left Esdeath in Hueco Mundo to command the expeditionary force left behind, and she didn't return with them. Otherwise, if that strong-willed girl had joined in, Iori's reputation would have been secondary; she would have definitely fought with Yuuki for control...

After all, unlike Akame, who is an honest girl, Esdeath never wanted to be subordinate to anyone, a fact that Iori can attest to.

I want to be on top of her so badly, it's always so hard to suppress her.

Having decided not to move for the time being, Iori didn't dwell on it too much. Having lived in the Imperial Palace before, he felt there wasn't much difference between the grand mansion in Seireitei and the small shop in Rukongai. Initially, he only wanted to improve his mother-in-law's living conditions, but since she didn't care, Iori had nothing to say.

During this rare lull in the season, Iori has entrusted all the team's affairs to Aojun and hasn't visited his old friends or even traveled through time much. Apart from sending Akame back to her hometown on a business trip (to see her sister), he has basically been staying at the shop.