Bleach : I Need To Rizz To Become Stronger ?!
Chapter 141: Kaien’s Matchmaking

Chapter 141: Kaien’s Matchmaking

Not only was the Tenth Division’s sudden disruption puzzling to the captains, but even the division members themselves were left baffled. Matsumoto Rangiku, visibly upset, stormed off to confront Shiba Isshin directly.

"You’re seriously just walking away from an entire division without a word?!" she shouted. Laziness she could tolerate—but a sudden leave of absence, with no warning? Unforgivable.

"Don’t be like that. You and Tōshirō are more than capable of handling things. I trust you both," Isshin replied, utterly unbothered.

Rangiku fumed. "Do you even realize how reckless you’re being?!"

"Of course I do. I’m just taking a break."

"Captain!" she snapped, voice sharp as steel. Seeing Isshin remain so nonchalant, she forced herself to calm down.

"Did something happen?"

"What could’ve happened?"

"I’m still your vice-captain. If something’s going on, I deserve to know. You disappearing like this—how do you think the rest of the squad is taking it?"

Tenth Division had always been lax, but no one ever thought Isshin didn’t care. His laid-back attitude made him beloved among his subordinates.

Isshin waved lazily. "There’s nothing to worry about. The division will function just fine without me. I’m leaving everything to you. Try not to kill yourself with work."

Rangiku was so furious she could’ve exploded.

"Then don’t come back. Just die out there, for all I care!"

She stormed off, leaving Isshin to let out a sigh and chuckle bitterly.

Not long after returning to her barracks, Rangiku gave Hitsugaya a rundown, then made her way to the Third Division to meet with Shiba Kaien. She hoped he could talk some sense into his uncle.

But after listening to her complaints, Kaien merely nodded. "I’ll talk to him."

"Thanks. I’m counting on you." Rangiku relaxed slightly.

"Got time tonight?" Kaien asked suddenly. "Let’s grab dinner."

Rangiku narrowed her eyes. "Don’t forget you’re a married man."

Kaien rolled his eyes. "It’s not just us. I’m inviting a few friends. Let’s do it at Shin’s place—he lives alone, anyway."

That night, Shin opened his door to a crowd.

"...You could’ve warned me."

"It’s not like we’re eating for free," Kaien said cheerfully, lugging two massive bags into the house.

Along with Kaien and Rangiku were Hitsugaya, Kiyone, Kotetsu Sentarō, Ikkaku, Yumichika, and Ise Nanao.

And inside, already seated on the couch, was Kotetsu Isane.

"...Hello," Isane greeted awkwardly, standing stiffly, unsure where to put her hands.

"You’re here early," Kaien commented, a bit surprised. The others didn’t react strangely at all.

"...Huh?"

Isane was stunned. No one seemed surprised to see her here. Did they all already know about her and Shin?

Kiyone grinned. "I told my sister you’d come early. She said she’d be late because of division work. Guess she made it faster than expected."

Isane: "..."

No one had told her anything, but from Kiyone’s smug expression, she knew exactly what was going on.

At least the misunderstanding worked in her favor—if they’d arrived even a little later, who knows what they might’ve walked in on...

Everyone started laying out the food and drinks they’d brought. Isane pulled Kiyone into the bathroom.

"What’s wrong with you?"

"Huh?"

"You didn’t tell me there was a party tonight!"

Kiyone shrugged. "What difference does it make? You were going to be here anyway, weren’t you?"

"You—"

Kiyone smirked. "What, did I ruin your little romantic night? What were you two gonna do?"

Isane stared helplessly at her mischievous little sister. "I haven’t decided whether we should go public yet. Don’t pull this again."

"But why not? You’re dating, not doing something wrong."

"Stay out of it!"

When they returned, everyone was gathered around the table. Nanao waved them over.

"Come join us!"

All the girls clustered together. Shin, seeing the whole scene unfold, sighed internally. His house felt more like a market than a home tonight.

But he didn’t mind the noise.

After a few rounds of drinks, Rangiku began ranting.

"Captain Shiba’s so irresponsible! No warning, no explanation—just gone!"

Naturally, the topic shifted to Isshin, and someone asked Kaien directly:

"Captain Kaien, do you know why your uncle suddenly left?"

Kaien shook his head. "He’s always been like this. Probably just wanted a break."

Shin and Isane said nothing. They knew the truth, but this wasn’t the time.

Kaien, despite being the host, spoke the least.

Rangiku kept ranting. "And now all his work is mine. Who else has to suffer this much under a captain?!"

Nanao gave her a sympathetic pat on the back. She too bore the weight of a slacker captain.

Eventually, Rangiku’s complaints turned into toasts, and after a few more cups, her cheeks were red and her words wobbly.

"Why can’t I get a captain who’s handsome, gentle, and dependable?!"

"I want one too," Nanao agreed.

"My captain’s like that!" Kiyone chimed in.

"Too old," Rangiku muttered.

Tōshirō snorted. "Are you looking for a captain or a boyfriend?"

Rangiku lunged, ruffling his hair. "You brat! Show some respect!"

It was just a simple gathering.

After night fell, the group gradually dispersed.

On the way back, Hitsugaya caught up to Kaien.

"Captain Kaien, do you know what’s really going on with Captain Shiba?"

Kaien blinked. "What makes you ask?"

"Just a hunch."

Hitsugaya had noticed Kaien’s strange mood during the dinner.

Kaien hesitated. "It’s nothing serious. My uncle just wanted some time off."

He didn’t tell the truth.

Later, he turned to his wife. "What do you think of Shin?"

"You know him better than I do," she replied.

"I mean your impression of him."

She thought for a moment. "Seems like a good guy. Polite. Strong. Likely has a bright future as a shinigami."

Kaien nodded. "If I wasn’t in the picture... do you think you’d like him?"

She stiffened. "What are you implying?"

Kaien panicked. "You’re misunderstanding! I meant—Shin’s the type girls would like, right?"

Her expression softened slightly. "Probably. He’s good-looking and powerful. I’m sure he has plenty of admirers."

Kaien fell silent, thoughtful.

"Why bring this up?" she asked.

He hesitated... then said it.

"Do you think Kūkaku and Shin might be a good match?"

She stared at him in disbelief.

"You’re trying to set them up?"

"I’ve thought about it."

She frowned. "That’s up to Kūkaku. You can’t force her—you know how she is."

"I know. I’m not going to push. But if they did get together... wouldn’t that be a good thing?"

She mulled it over. Shin was strong, capable, even-tempered. Honestly, he was more than good enough for Kūkaku.

But... would any man fall for a woman like her?

In the days that followed, Shin received frequent invitations to visit the Shiba estate.

Each time, only Kaien, his wife, and Kūkaku were present.

At first, Shin didn’t think much of it. But slowly, he noticed Kaien and his wife kept finding excuses to leave him alone with Kūkaku.

Was Kaien trying to become his brother-in-law?

Kūkaku didn’t seem to notice. She chatted freely about the fireworks she was designing for the next Shinigami Academy festival.

Eventually, Kaien’s wife pulled Kūkaku aside.

"What do you think of Shin?"

"Shin? Tachikawa Shin?"

"Yes."

"He’s alright. Why?"

"You call that ’alright’? He’s a genius! He’s already at captain level after only two years. Looks, personality, power—he’s got it all!"

"Sure. But what’s that got to do with me?"

"Don’t you think he’s worth considering?"

"I’ve never thought about it."

Kūkaku’s eyes narrowed. "...Wait. Has my brother been scheming again?"

"He and I just want you to find someone nice—"

Before she could finish, Kūkaku stormed out of the room. Seconds later, the sound of screaming erupted from the study.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! LET GO, YOU LUNATIC! I’M YOUR BROTHER—AAAGH—"

Kaien’s wails echoed down the hall.

His wife sighed and sank onto the couch.

Kaien was trying to throw his best friend into the fire.

After that, Kaien never invited Shin over again.

And the month finally came to an end.

An official notice was released by the First Division: "Due to personal reasons, Shiba Isshin has been dismissed from the Gotei 13."

The news rocked Seireitei.

Though Isshin wasn’t one of the flashier captains, he had a clean record and was widely liked.

To vanish from the Gotei 13 without any warning—few could make sense of it.

Some began to wonder if Isshin’s departure was really of his own will.

After all, who would voluntarily give up a captain’s position?

Still, most people kept such thoughts to themselves.

The day after the announcement—before a successor was officially named—Shin sat at home.

"I thought you’d never come again."

He lay slouched on the couch, watching the black cat gnaw at a piece of fish.

A whole month had passed since he last saw it.

The cat looked up. "I’m leaving."

"Where to?" Shin asked. Was it heading back to the World of the Living?

He still didn’t know if it stayed in Soul Society permanently or traveled back and forth.

"Not your concern."

Shin sighed. "That’s cold. After all the fish I gave you."

"I never asked for it. You forced it on me every time."

"...You’ve got nerve."

The cat ignored him and kept eating.

Shin watched for a while before quietly saying, "Can I ask you a favor?"

The cat paused. "...What?"

It was the first time Shin had ever asked anything of it—and it was odd, since he didn’t even know what it really was.

"What can a cat even do?" it thought.

Then Shin said softly, "Help me find a place where no one can find me."