Chapter 43: Robbery

How did this pair of sisters appear here? Yamabuki Haruto was a little confused, but after a moment of thought, he understood. It was normal for nobles to come and go.

Many noble families were related by marriage, their ties as tangled as a spider’s web. It was always safer not to get involved in their struggles.

"Instructor, look, it's Kano Chimaru-chan. Should we go up and say hello?" one of the recruits asked excitedly.

As one of the few young female recruits in the Gotei 13, Chimaru was lively and beautiful. Naturally, she was admired by many of the boys.

What? You mentioned Saitō Furofushi? That’s not a “girl.” That’s a terrifying creature that merely looks like one.

"Knock it off! Don’t forget we still have a mission. And besides—can’t you see they’re busy? You have no foresight at all!" Haruto scolded, keeping his voice low. "You head back and report what happened in Rukongai to the Captain. I’ll go check on Chimaru’s condition."

The recruits — including Sasakibe Chōjirō — exchanged confused looks. Was this the legendary double standard at work?

Haruto didn’t approach Kano Chiharu and Kano Chimaru directly. Instead, he observed them quietly.

According to the records of the Gotei 13, Kano Chiharu would eventually become a captain. But right now, she seemed unwilling to join at all. Haruto needed to find out why and somehow ease that resistance.

"Brother Yamabuki," Chōjirō asked suspiciously, "why are you peeking from the shadows instead of greeting them? Isn’t this… you know… peeping? Are you some kind of pervert?"

Haruto nodded seriously. "Chōjirō, let me tell you a truth today: men are naturally perverted. You too."

"Don’t drag me into this!" Chōjirō thought bitterly. "You’re the one creeping around staring at her, not me!"

"Didn’t I give you an assignment? Go. Report to the Captain what we saw in Caolu District. Don’t delay my business." Haruto waved him off.

The "business" in question was, of course, persuading Kano Chiharu to one day join the Gotei 13. But Chōjirō completely misunderstood, believing Haruto was simply emboldened in his peeking.

Meanwhile, the head of the Shiba clan — a middle-aged man Haruto had already met in Central 46 — was entertaining the Kano sisters. Unlike other nobles, the Shiba family were like a breath of fresh air: they lived among the people of Rukongai, upheld justice, and always stood at the forefront when Soul Society was in danger.

After some discussion, the Shiba head saw the Kano sisters off. Chiharu and Chimaru boarded a carriage to return toward Seireitei. Haruto quietly followed at a distance, looking for an opportunity to speak with Chiharu.

As the saying went, it’s not the thief who steals you should fear, but the one who keeps thinking about it.
Of course, he wasn’t a thief — he told himself — he was making a contribution to the Gotei 13.

The carriage ride was long, and the roads were unsafe. Bandits often lurked outside Seireitei’s reach.

Inside, Chimaru held a small gift box given by the Shiba clan. She sniffed the air curiously and smiled.
"Sis, I think it’s sweets. Let’s open it and check!"

Before Chiharu could stop her, Chimaru popped the box open to reveal delicate pastries.
"It’s white sugar cake!" Chimaru’s eyes sparkled. In this era, refined sugar was rare and expensive — a true luxury.

Chiharu only smiled indulgently, helping her little sister wipe sugar from her lips. For all her own burdens, Chiharu hoped Chimaru could live freely and happily.

But just as she lifted a piece herself, the carriage jolted to a sudden halt. The cake fell to the ground.

"What’s going on?" Chiharu asked calmly.

The driver’s voice trembled. "My lady, it’s bad. The road’s blocked ahead… by bandits."

Pulling aside the curtain, Chiharu saw the carriage surrounded — at least twenty or thirty men, weapons gleaming.

The bandits struck the carriage, jeering.

"Hand over your food and your money!" their leader bellowed. "And don’t think you can leave without paying the toll!"

The driver gripped his sword, voice shaking: "Insolent dogs! Do you know whose carriage this is?!"

Chimaru shrank nervously closer to her sister. She had recovered from an illness not long ago and hadn’t brought her Zanpakutō. Even if she had, fighting so many would have been dangerous.

Chiharu sighed softly. "Give them some money and let them go."

She stepped out gracefully, purse in hand, and offered it to the leader. But the man only grinned, leering.

"A noble girl, eh? Hahaha… I’ll take the money. But I’ll take the girl, too!"

He never noticed the faint white light flashing across Kano Chiharu’s glasses.