Demon Slayer: The Journey That Began When I Became Yoriichi's Sister

Chapter 592 The Uesugi Family

found it.

Yuko's senses had scanned the entire mansion. This being's spiritual pressure was the strongest. With him was another being whose spiritual pressure was close to level four. She didn't know who that person was, or perhaps this person was actually Furujuro.

But the two of them happened to be in the same place, saving Yuko the trouble of running back and forth.

The others' task was to subdue them as soon as Yoruichi gave the signal, and she didn't want to mess things up on her first mission.

It's one thing to embarrass Yoruichi, but the main problem is that I still have to save face.

Yuko muttered to herself twice, her figure flashing through the courtyard like a ghost, silently landing on the roof of the main house. Like a snowflake blending into the night, she concealed all her aura and spiritual pressure, even adjusting her heartbeat and breathing to a frequency almost synchronized with the environment.

This is an ability to conceal one's presence that even Shinigami (death gods) struggle to master; Yuuko, by combining the two, can deceive almost everyone.

Perhaps some people can sense her, but that definitely doesn't include the two people below.

The main house was brightly lit, and the faint sound of conversation could be heard.

“Father, our research has reached the most crucial stage. If we can make one more step forward, our Uesugi family will be able to…” a young and excited voice rang out.

"Shut up, Zhou Julang!" an old but powerful voice snapped. "Walls have ears. This matter concerns the survival of the family; we must not take it lightly."

"Please forgive my slip of the tongue." The young man named Zhou Julang's voice lowered, "But the thought that we can use this to restore our family's prestige, and even surpass those four noble families who occupy the Seireitei, makes me..."

“That’s right!” The old voice rose a few decibels, becoming excited. “Our Uesugi family was one of the top noble families hundreds of years ago, but it was those guys who rejected us… cough cough cough…”

As he spoke, he began to cough violently.

The spiritual pressure that Yuko sensed was close to level four was from this old man.

She listened quietly, her heart unmoved.

It's that same old script again: for the sake of family and ambition, people are willing to break taboos.

She had seen too many people like this, whether in the Warring States period, the Taisho era, or even in the Soul Society now; human desires were always strikingly similar.

Although I don't know what soul modification is, it certainly doesn't sound like a good thing.

It seems she misunderstood that Central 46th Bureau.

However, just as Yuko was about to make her move, she heard Uesugi Shūjūrō say with a sigh:

"That Urahara... he's a true genius..."

Ikuko: "..."

So you really are a crazy scientist?

Yoruichi is definitely hiding something from me again.

As expected, she hadn't misunderstood.

"Yes, it's a pity that guy not only has talent, but also strength." The old voice was tinged with regret. "He can only rely on the data that Saburo stole from the Technology Development Bureau to conduct secret research."

"What if Urahara succeeds in his research before we do? Will we...?"

"So we have to get there before that guy!"

"..."

A brief silence fell over the room as the old patriarch seemed to be writing something.

Just then, a soft explosion was heard not far away.

This is the agreed-upon signal to take action; Yoruichi's side must have already located the laboratory.

Although the sound was faint, it was by no means concealed to Death.

Uesugi Shūjūrō's slightly confused voice rang out: "What's going on?"

"There's an attack!"

The old man, with his rich experience, immediately realized what was going on.

The two quickly pushed open the door and went out to provide assistance.

Although Yu Zi was filled with doubts, hearing such words was not enough for her to hold back. She flipped over and jumped off the roof, her body as light as a feather as she floated down and landed steadily in the courtyard in front of the main house, blocking the two people directly.

"who?!"

The two braked suddenly and came to a steady stop not far from Yu Zi, looking at her warily.

Yuko's outfit was quite recognizable; she wore a black, close-fitting outfit belonging to the Covert Forces, which was quite different from the uniforms of the other twelve divisions of the Gotei 13.

Her long white hair fluttered slightly in the night breeze, and her face was covered by a black mask, revealing only a pair of golden eyes. She stood there quietly, as if she had become one with the courtyard, but Uesugi Shūjūrō felt an indescribable sense of oppression emanating from her.

“The Covert Combat Team…” He immediately recognized the other person’s attire, and his expression turned serious. “What brings you to the Uesugi family so late at night?”

If it weren't for that striking hair color, he would have almost mistaken the newcomer for Yoruichi Shihouin just by looking at her eye color.

Yuko raised her eyes and calmly looked at him: "Second Division, Third Seat, Tsugikuni Yuko. The Uesugi family is suspected of researching soul modification. Uesugi Shujuro, come with me."

"You have the right to remain silent, but everything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law."

While Yuko was speaking, she was also observing the two of them.

Uesugi Shūjūrō, dressed in a black shihaka outfit, was a muscular man who looked to be thirty years old... or even three hundred.

The old man next to him had gray hair and a somewhat hunched posture, but he still had a Zanpakuto at his waist, clearly indicating that he was also a combatant.

"Tsugikuni? Never heard of him." Uesugi Shūjūrō chewed on the unfamiliar surname, a hint of contempt flashing in his eyes. "A mere third seat holder dares to act so presumptuously in my Uesugi family?"

Yuko wasn't angry; instead, she tilted her head slightly, looking puzzled: "Do people from the Eleventh Division really lack brains?"

It turns out that Yoruichi's stereotypes are not stereotypes at all.

The old man's face was gloomy, and he kept glancing in Yoruichi's direction. "Shujuro, this woman is in your hands now."

If it were another squad that came knocking, he could still manage to negotiate, but since it was the Second Squad, he didn't even have the thought of explaining anymore; he was definitely exposed.

Yuko blinked: "It seems the old man isn't from the Eleventh Division. He's really smart."

Uesugi Don't care about arguing with Ikuko, and turned to leave.

swoosh~

A dark purple spiritual pressure slash arrived in an instant, grazing past Uesugi Don's cheek.

At the same time, Uesugi Shūjūrō suddenly drew his Zanpakutō, and a powerful spiritual pressure erupted, stirring up the sand and stones in the courtyard.

"court death!"

As the Eleventh Division Commander who reveres combat, Uesugi Shūjūrō has absolute confidence in his own strength.

Although Yu Zi's seat was higher than his, in his opinion, the other party was just a guy who relied on his secret mobile identity and was good at stealth and assassination. He would never be a match for him in a head-on fight.

Their Eleventh Division's combat strength standards are different from other divisions. The seat officer is equivalent to the vice-captain of other divisions, the vice-captain is very close to the captain of other divisions, and the captain is the strongest among the twelve divisions excluding the First Division.

This is their Eleventh Division.

He might be somewhat wary of a squad that only knows how to carry out petty assassinations if they were in the shadows, but now that you've jumped out like this, don't blame him for being impolite!

"Stubborn to the end." Yu Zi sighed softly.

"court death!"

Uesugi Shūjūrō roared, activated his Shunpo (Instant Step) and vanished from his spot in an instant, appearing next to Ikuko the next moment, his long sword bringing down with immense force!

His strike was powerful and heavy; he was confident that even a vice-captain-level expert would have to do his best to block it.

However, Yuko's reaction exceeded his expectations.

She merely shifted her body slightly, narrowly avoiding the fatal blow. The blade grazed her hair, severing a few strands of black hair that drifted through the air.

Just when Zhou Julang thought he was about to be attacked, he suddenly found that the figure in front of him had become blurry.

Such a fast Instant Step!

"Father!"

He quickly pulled back and turned around, only to see Yu Zi holding a knife to his father's neck.

Uesugi Toru gasped, his aged eyes turning serious as he looked at Ikuko: "The Third Seat can't do that."

It was too fast; he didn't have time to react at all.

Yuko nodded in agreement: "You're right. It's mainly because Lieutenant-Captain Ōmaeda has donated too much money to the Second Division, making his position as vice-captain too secure."

Uesugi Don narrowed his eyes slightly: "How about this? I have quite a bit of wealth. If you're willing to let the Uesugi family go, I'll help you get the position of vice-captain."

"Really?"

“Of course, someone as smart as you, who could possibly fool you?” Uesugi Don’t’s voice was full of seduction.

“That makes sense.” Yuko nodded matter-of-factly, and then, without turning her head, she raised her scabbard with her left hand to block the attack from behind, while Uesugi Don looked on in shock.

At this moment, Uesugi Shūjūrō's Zanpakutō had entered its Shikai state, becoming a giant sword as wide as a door panel.

Yuko's raised scabbard was only three fingers wide, and she was slender. Both the scabbard and her arm looked as if they would break at any moment, yet she firmly held down Uesugi Shūjūrō's hands with one hand.

Just kidding.

Cold sweat broke out on Uesugi Shūjūrō's forehead. Even the dumbest man would have realized what was happening by now.

This woman is no third seat in some trashy assassination squad; she's clearly playing dumb to outsmart everyone.

"Old man, what are you standing there for?" Yuko tilted her head, looking at Uesugi Don with a puzzled expression. "Do you mean it or not? Give me a straight answer."

"drink!"

Enraged, Uesugi Shūjūrō raised his Zanpakuto and swung it fiercely at Ikuko's waist, as if to cleave her in two.

Yuko stabbed Uesugi Don in the shoulder with her knife, then vanished in a blur, leaving Uesugi Shūjūrō with a blank.

"Hmph!" Uesugi Don't's face paled, and he clutched his shoulder, taking several steps back with a grim expression. "Fujuro, attack together!"

This woman is extraordinary; even the vice-captain is underestimating her abilities.

Although he is old, his eyesight has not declined. Zhou Julang alone is definitely no match for her. We can only trust Saburo and the others in the laboratory.

With Saburo, Goro, and Shichiro on their side, they should be able to handle anyone who doesn't reach the captain level.

"Oh?" Yu Zi appeared from the side, smiling at the two of them. "Old man, have you changed your mind?"

Uesugi snorted coldly, "What a nasty guy."

"Roar, viper!"

The Zanpakuto at his waist bent into a twisted serpentine shape the moment it was drawn.

Yu Zi analyzed seriously, "I guess there should be snake venom on the tip of your sword."

Uesugi Don: "..."

"Funjuro!"

The two exchanged a glance and attacked Yuko from the left and right.

Yuko held the knife in her right hand and the scabbard in her left, standing motionless, blocking their attacks from both sides amidst their shocked and fearful gazes.

It wasn't over yet. Yu Zi struck with both hands, the scabbard and the back of the blade hitting the two men's wrists. A subtle yet domineering force surged into their wrists, and the two men felt a numbness in their wrists, almost losing their grip on the blades.

The two were terrified and immediately withdrew, putting distance between themselves and Yuko.

Uesugi Shūjūrō's face was filled with disbelief.

How could that be? His and his father's actions were completely seen through?

That movement didn't seem like a prediction; it was more like... completely seeing through the opponent's actions...

"Your breathing is all jumbled up," Yuko said calmly. "If you can't beat them, why don't you try surrendering?"

"What a joke!"

"Wait! Furujuro..."

Veins bulged on Uesugi Shūjūrō's forehead, and ignoring Uesugi Tōn's attempts to stop him, he charged forward again, gripping his Zanpakutō with both hands.

Yuko dodged slowly, occasionally using her Zanpakuto to gently deflect the broad door-shaped sword of Shujuro. She didn't use much strength, merely dodging in the direction of Shujuro's slashes.

Yuko said calmly, "Among the people I've fought since becoming a Grim Reaper, your swordsmanship is the worst."

"You...you bastard!" Uesugi Shūjūrō's pride was severely wounded. His prized swordsmanship was utterly worthless in front of his opponent. "Stop joking!"

And he even said that his swordsmanship was the worst among all the people he fought?

What? You've only ever fought against captain-level Shinigami?!

"The soul modification plan must also be your father's masterpiece, right?" Yu Zi easily dodged the question, showing no sign of strain. "Your mind doesn't seem capable of doing something like this."

"Should we surrender? Perhaps we can get a lighter sentence."

"Stop spreading these fallacies!" he roared, raising the door panel sword again to launch an attack.

This time, his swordplay became even more ferocious, the blade light weaving into an impenetrable net that completely enveloped Yuko.

However, all this is in vain.

Yuko's figure weaved through the flashing blades, like a leisurely stroll in a storm. Her movements were precise, each dodge perfectly timed, each movement landing precisely in the gaps of the blade net.

She didn't even launch an attack; she simply tapped the blade lightly with the scabbard occasionally, easily changing the direction of Uesugi Shūjūrō's attacks and putting him in an open position.

"Damn it! Damn it!"

"Don't move around!"

Uesugi Shūjūrō grew increasingly alarmed and frustrated as the fight progressed. He felt like a child wielding a stick, challenging a master swordsman.

He had never felt so powerless. Even being cleaved in two by his captain would have been more painful than this.