The leader had a black cloth covering their face, but the messy black hair peeking out from under the headscarf and those vaguely familiar eyes gave Hasumi Ren a sense of recognition.
"Soi Fon?"
Her sharp gaze quickly swept across the scene.
Four attackers—two collapsed with heavy injuries, and two captured with light wounds.
Hasumi Ren stood nearby, already sheathing his blade.
Then there was the Captain of the Eighth Division, Kyoraku Shunsui, standing in a relaxed posture while pulling a sake gourd from his waist.
Blood seeped from several wounds on Ren's body, staining his Spiritual Arts Academy uniform red.
At that moment, he was using basic Kaido to treat himself and speed up the healing.
Soi Fon's gaze lingered on Ren for a heartbeat, a flicker of nearly imperceptible surprise flashing through her eyes before she regained her cold composure and bowed to Kyoraku.
"Captain Kyoraku."
Only after Kyoraku Shunsui nodded in acknowledgement did she turn to the side to look at Ren, speaking in a businesslike tone.
"These people are targets we have been tracking in secret for some time now."
"Now that there is solid evidence of them attacking a student of the Academy as well as a Captain of the Gotei 13, this matter will be handled by the Stealth Force."
"Do you have any further instructions, Captain Kyoraku?"
"No instructions. Just handle it as you see fit."
Kyoraku Shunsui was concise, but a bit puzzled.
He had been keeping an eye on the Tsunayashiro affair, but how did the Stealth Force get involved in this?
"By the way... how did you find these people? Has the Stealth Force made any moves recently?"
Soi Fon frowned slightly at his words.
"I apologize, Captain Kyoraku, but I cannot disclose the details. This order was issued by Lady Yoruichi."
"If you have questions, you can visit the Second Division to speak with Lady Yoruichi in person."
Soi Fon motioned for her subordinates to step forward to inspect and detain the attackers. She then looked at Ren.
"Several attacks targeted the Ichiraku Ramen business across West Rukongai tonight, though most were intercepted by the Stealth Force."
"Captured low-level operatives identified higher-level commanders. Based on their descriptions, it is likely these two you struck down."
Ren frowned upon hearing this.
"You said the noodle shops were attacked? Were there any casualties?"
Soi Fon gave him a calm look.
"Rest easy. No one was hurt. There was only some property damage."
Ren felt relieved and looked at Soi Fon gratefully.
"I see. Thank you very much, then."
"If you wish to express gratitude, remember to tell Lady Yoruichi. We are only following orders."
Saying this, Soi Fon walked over to Ren and looked at his injuries.
Under the treatment of his Kaido, the cuts had slowly begun to scab over, and the bleeding had stopped.
A hint of curiosity appeared in Soi Fon's eyes.
"You know Kaido?"
"Yeah, they taught it at the Academy. Not many people learn it well, though. I can only barely manage to stop the bleeding."
Soi Fon nodded, then looked at the two assassins defeated by Ren, speaking softly.
"You did well. I thought you wouldn't last until they released their Shikai and that you would need rescue from Captain Kyoraku or us."
"It seems your strength is worthy of Lady Yoruichi's personal recruitment efforts."
Soi Fon said no more and walked right past Ren to direct her subordinates in restraining the attackers.
Ren looked at Soi Fon's back and scratched his chin, feeling quite surprised.
'Was she... praising me?'
Just as the Stealth Force members pulled out special chains to bind the burly man Ren had heavily wounded, he experienced a sudden burst of clarity before death.
He raised his head, his hazy gaze sweeping across everyone present before finally landing on Ren.
A raspy breath escaped his throat, mixed with a venomous low chuckle.
"Heh... to think I'd fail because of a kid like this. Truly pathetic."
"But it's useless even if you catch me. We just take the money and do the job. Even we don't know who hired us..."
A subordinate stepped forward and gagged him.
"You'll feel like talking once you're with the Stealth Force."
Soi Fon's eyes were icy; she paid no mind to the attackers.
She looked at Kyoraku Shunsui again.
Although Kyoraku still maintained his lazy expression, his gaze beneath the straw hat had grown deep.
Just as the attacker said, it might be difficult to find the mastermind directly through them.
Tsunayashiro Tokinada had become shrewd; he would no longer expose himself directly to the light.
Fortunately, he still held some clues.
Combined with these witnesses, even if he couldn't fully indict him before Central 46, it should be enough to pressure Tsunayashiro Tokinada from the sidelines.
Although he didn't quite like this kid Ren because of Nanao...
It was also because of Nanao that he could not allow Tsunayashiro to overreach.
Especially when it came to anything touching Nanao's life—that was unacceptable to Kyoraku Shunsui.
After today's attack, Kyoraku made a silent decision.
It was time to find an opportunity to visit the Tsunayashiro estate.
Subsequently, Kyoraku looked at Ren, his tone returning to his previous casualness, yet carrying an invisible weight.
"Student Hasumi, it looks like we won't be having that drink for a while. Let the professionals handle the rest."
"Don't worry. After what happened today, Tsunayashiro won't be making a move against you or your shops again."
Hearing this, Ren looked up at Kyoraku.
From that heavy gaze, Ren received a certain message and assurance.
"What do you mean, Captain Kyoraku?"
"With your testimony and these assassins as witnesses, I will file a report with Central 46. After that, I'll pay a visit to the Tsunayashiro house."
"Rest assured, I will get you an explanation."
Ren nodded. He had suspected as much from the moment Kyoraku decided to follow him.
Now that he had a definitive answer, he finally felt at ease.
It seemed Kyoraku Shunsui had decided to protect him—he really was benefiting from little Nanao's presence.
With this promise, he wouldn't have to worry about Tsunayashiro's petty schemes in the future.
Kyoraku nodded to Soi Fon again.
"Vice-Captain Soi Fon, I'll leave the scene and the prisoners to you. I hope you handle them properly."
"As for this student injured in the attack," he glanced at Ren, "please look after him on your way and take him to the Fourth Division for treatment."
"Understood, Captain Kyoraku."
Soi Fon replied.
Then, she ordered her subordinates to carry the attackers away and looked at Ren.
"Let's go. If you want to recover faster, you still need to visit the Fourth Division."
Ren looked at his wounds, which had barely stopped bleeding, and agreed.
His last visit had been rushed, and with Squad 5 members guarding the door, he couldn't move around freely.
This time was different; he could move about as he pleased.
A few small ideas began to sprout in Ren's mind.
'If I could scavenge more experience fragments for Kaido while at the Fourth Division...'
'That would be excellent.'