After using the transfer pile to arrive at Omaeda's house, Duanmu and Omaeda walked straight towards the restaurant.
"Who is the person you said you wanted to see me earlier?"
"You'll know it when you see it."
Ohmaeda shook his head and did not elaborate.
Hearing this, Duan Mu did not continue to ask. He was already here anyway, and whoever wanted to see him would be able to see him later.
but……
Duan Mu looked at the 'extremely gorgeous' courtyard around him, and the corner of his mouth twitched slightly.
The layout of the courtyard has indeed changed again!
Although Omaeda often invites him to eat here, Duanmu feels strange every time he comes here.
Almost every once in a while, the Ohmaeda family would be renovated, and the style would be entirely based on the taste of the person who proposed the renovation.
Sometimes it's Oh Maeda's parents, sometimes it's Oh Maeda's younger brother and sister, sometimes it's Oh Maeda himself...
These evil rich people!!
"How about it? Isn't my newly decorated courtyard nice?"
Ohmaeda, who had been observing Duan Mu's reaction, grinned extremely proudly: "You should feel lucky to have a friend like me, otherwise you would be working in a poor shop until you die and you would not be qualified to see this luxurious and noble man like me.
's courtyard.”
Duan Mu ignored him.
This guy is a guy with a lot of bad taste. As far as Duan Mu knows, apart from constantly inviting him to come and see the courtyard and then observing his reaction;
This guy is also keen on letting Hisagi Shuhei come to his place to eat leftovers, and then observing Hisagi Shuhei's reaction to satisfy his need to show off.
While chatting, the two came to the door of the restaurant.
But before the two of them entered, the two little girls ran out laughing. The little girl chasing after saw Duan Mu and Ohmaeda, her eyes lit up: "Brother Duan Mu, brother Kichiyo."
"Hey, Hiyo, why is his name in front of mine?" Oh Maeda said with a dissatisfied look on his face.
“Slightly, slightly, slightly~~”
Hiyo made a face at Ōmaeda, and came to Duanmu with the ball in his arms: "Brother Duanmu, after knowing that you were coming, I personally went to Kuriya and bought you Tokuli Monaka."
A smile appeared on Duan Mu's face, and he stretched out his hand to rub Hiyo's head, which made little Hiyo narrow his eyes like a kitten, and then said in a gentle tone: "Our Hiyo really understands Brother Duan Mu, Yu Hiyo bought it himself
The Deli Monaka must be extremely delicious.”
"...take your hands off my sister's head"
Ohmaeda looked at Duan Mu who was teasing his sister in front of him, and his face was so dark.
Don’t know where to start…
The women in his family have become very close to Duan Mu. Whether it is his mother, sister, or Hiyo in front of him, they all have a great impression of Duan Mu.
Recently, whenever his father saw Duan Mu, his face would be the same as his own, faintly dark.
"Right."
Hiyo looked back at the restaurant: "The guests are still waiting inside, so I won't disturb you, Brother Duan Mu. Next time you have time, come play ball with Hidai."
After that, she walked straight towards the little girl who was parked not far away.
Seeing this, a flash of doubt flashed in Ohmaeda's eyes. It was the first time he had seen that little girl of about ten years old. But then he withdrew his gaze. She must be a child from someone nearby. There was a peer of the same age accompanying Hiyo.
Playing is also a good thing.
Duan Mu on the side was also looking at the little girl, but there was a flash of doubt in his eyes.
Because of Hiyo's character, if the other person was her new friend, he would definitely introduce it to her and Ohmaeda immediately, but Hiyo didn't even mention the other person just now.
and……
This little girl was a little too calm. Although she ran out as if she was joking at first, when Hiyo stopped next to her, she did not urge her. Instead, she stood silently not far away and observed herself.
"What are you still standing there for?" Ohmaeda asked Duanmu who was standing there.
"nothing."
Duan Mu looked back and said with a smile: "I just think Hiyo is getting cuter and cuter."
Upon hearing this, Ohmaeda looked at Duan Mu and his eyes suddenly became extremely wary.
"...I'm telling you, our Ohmaeda family will never, ever recruit you as our son-in-law."
"Whatever, I just treat Hiyo like a younger sister."
Hum~
Ohmaeda snorted and took the lead into the restaurant, followed by Duan Mu.
After the two entered the restaurant, the little girl who was playing a passing game with Hiyo in the distance slowly turned her head and looked in the direction of the restaurant.
"Sister Nayura?"
"Hiyo, let's go back to the restaurant and play, okay?"
"Ah? Didn't you just say you wanted to play in the courtyard? But that's fine, I want to see Brother Duan Mu anyway."
…
"Are you coming?"
As the servant opened the door, a gentle voice came from the dining room.
Following the sound, Duan Mu was slightly startled when he saw the person who made the sound.
This is a middle-aged man with white hair and dressed in white clothes. His face is as pale as his hair, giving people a feeling of extreme weakness.
"Captain Ukitake."
Ohmaeda secretly bumped Duan Mok next to him with his shoulder and revealed the person's identity.
This person is none other than the captain of the 13th Division—Ukitake Jushiro.
Although I often hear each other's name, this is the first time for me to meet face to face.
after all……
This person basically spends 300 of the 365 days in a year lying in the hospital bed recuperating.
"Captain Ukitake."
Duan Mu smiled when he heard the words and raised his forehead slightly: "Hello, I am Duan Mu who runs Wanshiwu in the commercial street. Please take good care of me."
Although the other party must have known his identity by inviting him through Ohmaeda, it was the first time they met, so Duan Mu still introduced himself to show respect.
"No need... ahem... no need to be so formal."
Jushiro Ukitake covered his mouth and coughed, made a gesture of invitation, and said in a gentle tone: "I am not here today as the captain of the 13th division, but as the head of the lower noble Ukitake family.
So just treat me as a normal guest."
Ohmaeda hesitated after hearing this, but finally walked forward and sat at the dining table.
Duan Mu on the side sat directly opposite Ukitake Jushiro and said to Ukitake Jushiro: "I wonder why the Ukitake family leader invited me here?"
Since the other party said that he was here as the head of the Ukitake family, Duan Mu did not continue to call him captain, but directly asked the other party about the purpose of inviting him here.
Ukitake Jushiro did not reply, but after carefully looking at Duan Mu, he said in a gentle tone: "As expected, as Miss Konghe said, you are a very interesting child." After that, he paused and continued.
Said: "I asked Vice Captain Ohmaeda to invite you here. Actually, I just wanted to express my gratitude."
"Whether it's Hong's child, Lucia, or... Haiyan, what you have done for them makes me ashamed. In fact, I have long wanted to thank you in person, but my physical condition has been
It’s not very good, so it’s been postponed until now.”
At the end of the sentence, Ukitake Jushiro's expression turned solemn, and he said to his forehead: "Thank you, Boss Duan Mu, for saving my children, freeing my team members, and maintaining... the dignity of our vice-captain."
, please accept my belated thanks.”
Duan Mu saw this and waved his hand hurriedly: "Master Uizhu, you are too polite."
If before, he only cooperated with Ukitake Jushiro and called him the head of the family, now he can only treat him as the head of the Ukitake family.
Because of the strict hierarchy in the Gotei Thirteen Team, let alone a resident of Rukongai, even if the vice-captain offends the captain, if the captain wants to pursue the case, he can be executed directly!
That's why Ukitake Jushiro immediately revealed his identity after meeting the two of them.
As a captain, he absolutely cannot and the rules will never allow him to show such a low profile in front of Duan Mu.
"I just did what I was supposed to do, not to mention it was paid."
After saying that, Duan Mu smiled slightly and said: "As for Lucia, she is my friend, so there is no need to thank her for being a friend; and Brother Haiyan is regarded as a family member by me, so there is no need to say anything like thanks.
words."
Ukitake Jushiro observed Duan Mu carefully, and then smiled: "I made a mistake."
He has been observing this young man since Duan Mu appeared. Although he has never been in contact with Duan Mu, among all the captains, he is the first one to know about Duan Mu after Sui Feng.
When she first entered the Seireitei, Miss Kongkaku asked someone from the Ridanbo to send her a letter, in which she hoped that she could take care of Duanmu in the Seireitei.
Since then, he has actually been paying attention to Duan Mu in order to help him when necessary.
result……
After entering the Seireitei, Duan Mu got along like a duck in water and didn't need his care at all.
Moreover, in addition to interpersonal relationships, the speed of his own strength growth after entering the Seireitei was even more incredible. Even he was surprised when he saw those achievements.
As for Duanmu's character, in fact, Miss Kukaku often mentioned it when communicating with him in letters, and repeatedly used the Shiba family as a guarantee, saying that Duanmu would never do anything harmful to the Seireitei.
Regarding this, Ukitake Jushiro was skeptical at first.
But as his understanding of Duan Mu gradually deepened, these doubts gradually dissipated. When he heard the news that Duan Mu fought with the captain-level Arrancar in Hueco Mundo in order to protect the reputation of the Shiha family, the doubts in his heart were completely dissipated.
And decided to meet Duan Mu in person.
After picking up the wine glass and taking a small sip, Ukitake Jushiro shook his head: "Indeed, in your opinion, you just did what you should do; but in my opinion, you have also done a lot that deserves me
It’s something to be grateful for, so please don’t refuse my thanks.”
After that, he didn't wait for Duan Mu's reply and sighed: "That child Lucia...after Haiyan left, she pessimistically believed that Haiyan's death was all her responsibility, so she always blamed herself.
She is willing to take the initiative to communicate with her teammates; and her status as one of the four nobles also makes the team members afraid to get along with her..."
"I see all this, but I can't do anything about it. I can only let Qingyin accompany her, hoping that this can relieve her heartache."
"It wasn't until she met you, who has the same background, that she became more cheerful and had a smile on her face."
Ukitake Jushiro paused for a moment and continued: "Your background made her let down her guard. This is something that we can't do anyway, so thank you very much for your willingness to make friends with Lucia.
.”
"This is not my fault."
Duan Mu shook his head when he heard this: "Strictly speaking, I'm just a microphone."
Jutsuro Ukitake smiled when he heard this. Apparently he also understood what Duan Mu meant by the 'microphone'.
As they talked, the two gradually let go of their initial wariness.
Duan Mu finally understood why Ukitake Jushiro was as popular with the female team members as Aizen.
It is indeed very relaxing to talk to him. He has no airs, his words are very funny, and he is very approachable.
Moreover, unlike Aizen, Duan Mu is not too wary of him.
On the one hand, it's because in my memory, the other party is not a dangerous person; on the other hand, it's because Sister Kūkaku has said more than once that Ukitake Jushiro is her old friend.
Looking at the two people chatting happily, Ohmaeda always felt that staying here was a bit unnecessary, but as the host and the introducer, he could only sit here awkwardly.
Fortunately, as time went by, the lunch break was coming to an end before I knew it.
After Duan Mu said goodbye, they left the restaurant and walked towards Ohmaeda's bedroom, preparing to borrow the transfer pile to go back and maneuver secretly.
But after the two left, Ukitake Jushiro did not leave, as if he was waiting for someone.
Half an hour passed.
The restaurant door was slowly opened, and a young figure walked in. It was the little girl who played with Hiyo earlier.
However, it is different from before.
At this time, the look on the little girl's face showed a sense of maturity that was completely inconsistent with her appearance. After bowing to Ukitake Jutsuro in a neither humble nor overbearing manner, she said softly: "Captain Ukitake, thank you for your willingness to cooperate with my personal request. In the future,
If you need to enter the Great Spirit Book Corridor, you can contact me at any time."
"Miss Awanmen, you're welcome."
Ukitake Jushiro shook his head slightly: "I originally planned to meet this little friend Duan Mu, and I agreed to your request just by the way."
After saying that, he looked at the little girl with some confusion and asked: "However, can you please tell me, as the chief secretary of the Great Spiritual Book Corridor, why do you want to secretly observe that little friend Duan Mu?
"
The Great Soul Book Corridor, like the Image Hall, is an agency directly under the jurisdiction of the Forty-sixth Chamber of the Mao, and its responsibility is to collect all phenomena and information about the Soul Society regardless of the will of the God of Death. It is a person who knows the Soul Society from ancient times to the present.
All history and secrets' vast database.
Ordinary people have no authority to enter. Even if the captain of the Gotei 13 wants to access the information, he needs to apply in advance and can enter only after receiving permission.
The cute little girl in front of her, who was like a doll and looked to be only about 10 years old, was none other than the chief secretary responsible for managing the Great Spiritual Book Corridor—Awanmenna Yura.
However, her actual age means she actually lives longer than she looks.
Closer to home, Awanmenna Yura's identity is extremely sensitive. In addition to being the chief secretary of the Great Spirit Book Corridor, she is also the daughter of a great sage in the 46th room of Zhenyang.
Ukitake Jushiro's words were not so much asking her why she was observing Duan Mu, but rather asking her in what capacity she was observing Duan Mu.
"Please rest assured that my observation of him has nothing to do with my father and Zhenyang Room 46. It is just my personal behavior."
Jutsuro Ukitake nodded when he heard this and did not continue to ask.
What he was concerned about was not why Awanmen Nayura wanted to observe Duan Mu, but whether Mao No. 46 was targeting Duan Mu.
Since it was not the decision of Zhenyang Room 46, there was no need for him to continue to inquire further.
