Bleach: The Strongest Shinigami, Hitsugaya Toshiro

"Kenryu, Enryu, let's go find Toshiro to play."

After lunch, Rurichiyo rested for a while in her room, then left with Kenryu and Enryu, preparing to find Toshiro.

Just as the three of them stepped out, a group of people came towards them.

"Oh my, Princess, I've finally found you. This is wonderful."

A voice suddenly reached Rurichiyo's ears.

"Ku-Kumoi!"

Rurichiyo couldn't help but step back in panic.

Seeing this, Kenryu and Enryu quickly stepped forward, blocking her.

Kumoi ignored their actions and said calmly, "Princess, the other day you suddenly left the Kasumioji Residence without a word. It frightened this old retainer terribly. Please don't do that again."

Kumoi expressed his concern for Rurichiyo with a feigned loyal expression, then his wrinkled old face broke into a smile like a chrysanthemum and said, "Well, Princess, you've been away from home long enough. It's time for this old retainer to take you back to the Kasumioji Residence, isn't it?"

"I... I haven't finished playing yet. I don't want to go back now!"

Although she was both disgusted and afraid of Kumoi in her heart, Rurichiyo still mustered the courage to refuse him. She knew that if she really went back with him, she would soon die in an 'accident'.

Conversely, continuing to stay in the 10th Division would be safer.

"Oh my, Princess, being so naughty really puts this old retainer in a difficult position."

Hearing Rurichiyo's words, the smile on Kumoi's face instantly disappeared.

"Men, take the Princess back."

Kumoi said coldly.

"Yes, Kumoi-sama!"

Upon hearing the order, several Kasumioji Clan's guards immediately stepped forward from behind Kumoi, preparing to forcibly take Rurichiyo away.

"How dare you! Kumoi, how dare you be so rude to Rurichiyo-sama!"

Kenryu shouted sternly.

"Hmph, I haven't settled accounts with you two yet! As the Princess's guardians, when she secretly left the Kasumioji Residence, you not only failed to stop her but actually helped her. If something had happened to the Princess because of this, could either of you bear the responsibility?"

Kumoi scolded loudly, his words righteous.

"Men, arrest these two first!"

Kumoi waved his hand, and several more Kasumioji Clan guards stepped forward, seizing Kenryu and Enryu.

Kumoi then walked up to Rurichiyo.

"Alright, Princess, come back with this old retainer."

As he spoke, Kumoi reached out to grab Rurichiyo.

"Damn it! Do I have to resort to force?"

Seeing Kumoi's actions, Kenryu burned with anger inside.

Rurichiyo was young, and Kenryu and Enryu were merely low-ranking guards, while Kumoi was the true power holder of the Kasumioji Clan.

If Kumoi was still playing the assassination game, Kenryu and Enryu could openly resist.

But now, Kumoi was taking Rurichiyo away under the guise of righteousness and authority. Kenryu and Enryu found it difficult to stop him. If they did, they would be seen as people with ulterior motives.

If Kumoi used that as an excuse, even killing them wouldn't allow anyone to say he was wrong. That's why Kenryu and Enryu hadn't forcefully resisted earlier.

They weren't afraid of death… otherwise, they would have surrendered to Kumoi long ago. What worried them was that if they died, there would be no one left to protect Rurichiyo.

But now it seemed Kumoi was determined to take her no matter what. There was no room for maneuver. Once Rurichiyo returned to the Kasumioji Residence, she would surely be killed by Kumoi. So they didn't care about the consequences of acting now.

Kenryu signaled to Enryu, preparing to break free from the guards and use force to protect Rurichiyo.

However, just then, a voice suddenly rang out like a thunderclap.

"How dare you! You dare to lay hands on someone in my 10th Division! Who gave you the nerve!!"

Hearing this sudden voice, Kumoi's hand, which was about to grab Rurichiyo, instinctively paused.

Rurichiyo immediately seized the opportunity to dodge him.

"Toshiro, you're here!!"

Seeing it was Toshiro, Rurichiyo quickly ran over and hid behind him, clutching his coattails and refusing to let go, while sticking her tongue out at Kumoi.

"Oh my, so it's Hitsugaya-dono. I am Gyokaku Kumoi, a retainer of the Kasumioji Clan. Greetings, Hitsugaya-dono."

Seeing Toshiro suddenly appear, Kumoi showed no panic at all, instead appearing very polite.

Toshiro, however, did not give him a friendly look.

"Hmph, you are the first one to dare lay hands on someone in my 10th Division, Kumoi."

Kumoi quickly explained, "I wouldn't dare, I wouldn't dare. You misunderstand, Hitsugaya-dono. The Princess has been away from home for several days. I am merely here to take her back."

"Is that so?"

Toshiro said noncommittally.

"I met Rurichiyo a few days ago and we became fast friends, so I invited her to be a guest at my 10th Division for a few days. It seems Rurichiyo was a bit careless and forgot to tell you when she left."

"But now that you know she's a guest at my 10th Division, I'm sure you have nothing to worry about, Mr. Kumoi. Rurichiyo will be staying here for a few more days, so please return for now."

Then Toshiro waved his hand impatiently, as if showing him the door.

"I'm afraid that won't be possible, Hitsugaya-dono."

Kumoi's eyes narrowed.

"Oh? Even I, the Captain, inviting Rurichiyo to be a guest at the 10th Division for a few days isn't allowed? No matter what, Rurichiyo is the head of the Kasumioji Clan. Doesn't she even have the right to visit a friend's house? As her retainer, aren't you overstepping your bounds a bit?"

A cold light flashed in Toshiro's eyes.

"No, no, this old retainer wouldn't dare to overstep. It's just that there is a very important matter in the Kasumioji Clan, and the Princess simply must return."

Faced with Toshiro's aggressive questioning, Kumoi remained calm and composed.

"Oh? What matter is so important that Rurichiyo absolutely must return? Aren't you, as her retainer, the one who makes all the decisions for the Kasumioji Clan?"

Toshiro's tone was mocking.

However, seeing Kumoi always remain calm, a slight sense of unease began to rise in Toshiro's heart.

"It's like this. Before the late family head passed away, he arranged a marriage for the Princess with the Kannogi Clan. Now that the Princess is of age, this old retainer has consulted with the Kannogi Clan and set the wedding date. So, Hitsugaya-dono, don't you think it's time to let the Princess return with me to prepare for the wedding?"

Kumoi looked at Toshiro with some satisfaction.

Hearing this, Toshiro couldn't help but frown. This way, he indeed had no reason to continue keeping Rurichiyo from leaving.

"No! I don't want to get married!"

Rurichiyo immediately refused.

"Hehe, Princess, that won't do. This marriage was arranged by the late family head. And marriages between nobles aren't something that can be canceled just because one wants to."

Kumoi said with a smile.

"When is the wedding?"

Toshiro suddenly asked.

"The Princess's wedding is in two days. I've already sent invitations to the major noble families and the Captains of the Gotei 13 in the Seireitei. The reason I came personally to the 10th Division this time, besides taking the Princess back, was to personally invite you, Hitsugaya-dono."

Saying this, Kumoi took an invitation from his bosom and handed it to Toshiro.

"I hope you, Hitsugaya-dono, will honor us with your presence at the Princess's wedding."

Kumoi looked at Toshiro with a smile.

Toshiro took the invitation expressionlessly and glanced at it casually. "Two days from now? Since the wedding is in two days, let Rurichiyo return then. Once she's married, she won't be able to visit friends casually. So let her stay a little longer at the 10th Division for now."

"I'm afraid that's not appropriate, Hitsugaya-dono."

The smile on Kumoi's face faded.

"Hmph, I say it's appropriate, so it's appropriate. If I say it's not appropriate, it's also appropriate."

Toshiro said forcefully.

"If you want to take Rurichiyo away now, you'll have to get past me first!"

Toshiro immediately released a portion of his Reiatsu, intimidating Kumoi.

"Ungh..."

Kumoi couldn't help but groan, his expression uncertain.

"Then I'll trouble you, Hitsugaya-dono, to look after the Princess for now. On the wedding day, nobles from across the Soul Society and the Captains of the Gotei 13 will send representatives, or even attend in person. So please, Hitsugaya-dono, be sure to send the Princess back then!"

Kumoi said through gritted teeth, word by word.

"Let's go!"

Kumoi immediately led his people away without lingering.

Kumoi didn't have the courage to openly clash with Toshiro. Moreover, he had already stated that all the nobles and Gotei 13's Captains would send representatives or attend. If Rurichiyo didn't show up, the responsibility would fall on Toshiro, and it was a responsibility he couldn't bear.

So he wasn't afraid that Toshiro wouldn't hand Rurichiyo over when the time came.