Tenth Division Captain Tokoyo Misao

Shunsui Kyōraku frowned as he looked at Captain-Commander Yamamoto.

If the inference is correct, then we're in trouble now.

The power of that group of Soul Society traitors is not something that can be dealt with by just one or two captains.

But it's impossible to actually send four or five captains to stay in the World of the Living for an extended period of time.

Abandoning the idea of having the captain stationed there and instead focusing on monitoring is a more feasible approach.

Captain-Commander Yamamoto spoke in a deep voice:

"Captain Kurotsuchi, strengthen surveillance of the World of the Living. Report to me immediately if any problems arise."

Then he opened his eyes wide and looked at Tokoyo Misao.

"Acting Captain Tokoyo, please answer a few questions for me."

Shunsui Kyōraku lowered his head slightly, a smile playing on his lips, while the other captains also became extremely serious.

They all understood what Captain-Commander Yamamoto was trying to do.

Chapter 116 Captain of the Tenth Division, Tokoyo Misao

Tokoyo Misao also realized that this was one of the necessary procedures for promotion to captain.

He walked to the center, stood still, and waited quietly for the Captain-Commander's question with a smile.

After a moment, Captain-Commander Yamamoto spoke in a deep voice:

"Acting Captain Tokoyo, what do you think power is?"

In the queue, Gin Ichimaru muttered to himself:

"When they asked me about it, they asked how I viewed the captain's defection and how I maintained a stable mindset when dealing with matters."

"It seems that Captain-Commander Yamamoto's questions are different for everyone."

"Of course." Captain of the Seventh Division Sajin Komamura nodded slightly, "This is the wisdom of Captain-Commander Yamamoto."

Gin Ichimaru glanced at Sajin Komamura imperceptibly, feeling that chatting with him was a bit of a mental drain.

Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed that Aizen was staring intently at Tokoyo Misao, seemingly very interested in the matter.

This made him perk up and listen attentively.

"The meaning of power?" Tokoyo Misao replied with a smile, "For me, power is the right to choose."

"That's a rather novel way of putting it," the Captain Kyōraku said quietly.

"Indeed, he must have his own unique insights," Captain Ukitake muttered in agreement.

The scene fell silent.

Captain-Commander Yamamoto did not respond, but simply looked at Tokoyo Misao with an utterly calm gaze.

This awaits further explanation.

Tokoyo Misao stretched out one hand. "For the vast majority of beings in the Three Worlds Realms, they actually have no right to choose."

"For example, humans in the World of the Living cannot choose their birth. When faced with numerous crucial moments in their lives that determine the rest of their existence, they have no choice but to compromise due to their lack of power."

"The same applies to the wandering souls in Soul Society; they can only stay in the Rukongai, waiting in line for reincarnation, or dying again."

"So for me, power is the right to choose."

"I can choose the direction I want to take in life."

Tokoyo Misao suddenly clenched his open hand into a fist.

"I see." Captain-Commander Yamamoto's gaze remained perfectly calm as he continued, "What are your thoughts on the existing order and rules of Soul Society?"

Upon hearing this question, the expressions of almost all the team captains present changed.

Aside from Kenpachi Zaraki, he's still pondering whether or not he should learn swordsmanship.

All the other captains understood why Captain-Commander Yamamoto had chosen to ask the question during the captains' meeting.

The key point lies in this second question.

Not long ago, Shihoin made a high-profile announcement that it had allocated a large plot of land to Tokoyo Misao.

That's located in the heart of the aristocratic district on the Noble Street.

Even high-ranking nobles need immense power to own land in that location.

This action undoubtedly demonstrates that the Shihoin Clan recognizes Tokoyo Misao as a high-ranking noble.

Now that a new noble has appeared, what impact will it have on the existing order of Soul Society?

The captains of the Gotei 13 are also figures at the center of power, and naturally have the right to listen and make judgments.

Actually, I didn't have any particular thoughts before, and I lived a pretty carefree life every day.

Tokoyo Misao smiled and admitted that the rules of Soul Society were indeed functioning at present.

But then he changed the subject. "Since opening the shop, I've been frequently traveling between the World of the Living and the Soul Society."

"I've discovered that, compared to the World of the Living, the Soul Society is currently in a state of stagnation."

Captain-Commander Yamamoto narrowed his eyes, and the atmosphere in the room instantly became tense.

Especially his students, the Captain Kyōraku and the Captain Ukitake.

Both of them were well aware of how much their teacher upheld the rules of Soul Society.

Tokoyo Misao used relatively gentle language.

But the words he spoke with a smile carried a strong sense of sarcasm.

Ignoring the pressure emanating from Captain-Commander Yamamoto Tokoyo Misao continued:

"In the World of the Living, the aristocracy has long been abolished."

"Whoosh!" Shunsui Kyōraku whistled, his gaze immediately falling on the face of Byakuya Kuchiki, the Sixth Division Captain.

No one expected that Tokoyo Misao- ranking noble family, would actually attack the aristocratic system.

These words surprised even Captain-Commander Yamamoto.

I originally thought that Tokoyo Misao would target the Central 46 Chambers, but I didn't expect it to be the nobles.

He made no move, remaining silent and expressionless.

"However, the Soul Society is different from the World of the Living. After all, while the World of the Living world possesses strong technological capabilities, it lacks individual superpowers. Of course, the Quincy who hide away don't count."

He paused here, lowered his head slightly, then raised it again, revealing a bright, sunny smile:

What I'm trying to say is that the various systems in Soul Society can be optimized as appropriate.

All the captains understood that Tokoyo Misao had not told them everything.

However, considering these words and the issue of power, they both understood that the other was not a peaceful person.

Tokoyo Misao looked at Captain-Commander Yamamoto with a smile.

What he didn't say earlier was very simple.

Whether it was the parliamentary system of the Central 46 Chambers or the aristocratic system, he didn't care.

Because as long as that fake object in the sky still exists.

No matter how anyone tries to change these things, it will be meaningless.

The cause of the illness is in heaven, not here.

The parliamentary system of the Central 46 Chambers was also a large piece of power that Captain-Commander Yamamoto had carved out from the nobles over many years.

Unfortunately, this was only a temporary solution and did not address the root cause; it was eventually swallowed up by the nobility.

Moreover, in the view of Tokoyo Misao, there exists a world with personal great power, and even a world where 'gods' truly exist.

Achieving a society like that of a previous life is virtually impossible.

Unless an extremely powerful individual forcibly suppresses it.

But what difference would that make from the present?

Therefore, Tokoyo Misao did not give much thought to or want to change the existing Soul Society system.

He plans to eliminate that thing in the sky.

The rest can be discussed and resolved by the intelligent and resourceful individuals, as well as those who truly live in the Soul Society.

Of course, a large part of it is because he hates that guy.

These are all secondary considerations.

Thump!

Captain-Commander Yamamoto slammed his cane heavily on the ground, making a loud noise.

"Effective immediately, Tokoyo Misao shall officially assume the position of Captain of the Tenth Division of the Gotei 13."

"Captain Tokoyo, return to your ranks."

Tokoyo Misao turned around with a smile and walked back to Shunsui Kyōraku's side, whereupon he heard the other person quietly congratulate him:

"Congratulations, Captain Tokoyo! Let's grab a drink tonight."

Captain Ukitake, who was overhearing this, chuckled and said, "I feel pretty good today."

He was planning to go over and have a drink too.

"Let's talk about it tonight. It seems Captain-Commander Yamamoto has other instructions."

Tokoyo Misao responded to the two with a smile.

As expected, after Captain-Commander Yamamoto officially promoted Tokoyo Misao to captain, he spoke again.

However, this time there was a deep chill in his tone:

"Captains, so much time has passed, and we still haven't found any trace of the Quincy?"

Upon hearing this, Shunsui Kyōraku straightened his back, his eyes filled with worry.

The main squads searching for Quincy are the Second Division, Eighth Division, and Twelfth Divisions.

However, even though I recently received news from the Shihoin Clan that the Quincy were hiding in the shadows of Soul Society.

No matter what methods they used these past few days, they had not found a single trace of the Quincy.

The clues were right in front of them, but they yielded no results.

Mayuri Kurotsuchi took a step forward, opened his arms, and said earnestly:

"Captain-Commander Yamamoto, there are still several Quincy in the World of the Living. I suggest we kill them and imprison their souls to return to Soul Society for investigation."

"You bastard, how could you so easily kill innocent people?" Kaname Tōsen jumped out and cursed at Mayuri Kurotsuchi.

"Those Quincy had already registered in Soul Society and reached a peace agreement with us; all of this was clearly stated in the agreement."

"Over the years, they have never broken their promise to exterminate the Void, and they are no different from ordinary people."

"You actually proposed killing them and imprisoning their souls back to Soul Society. What kind of evil person would have such an idea?"

"If we actually did that, what justice would we have!"

Kaname Tōsen extremely agitated.

His right hand was already Zanpakuto, and his killing intent surged.

It felt like he was about to draw his sword and chop Mayuri Kurotsuchi down at any moment.

"I also think Captain Tōsen is right," Sajin Komamura also stepped forward.

His icy gaze pierced through the bamboo head and landed on Mayuri Kurotsuchi's face.

Mayuri Kurotsuchi was completely unfazed by the killing intent emanating from the two, instead shrugging and saying:

"You should all know that after Quincy dies, their soul does not fall into Hollow form, nor is it drawn into the Soul Society Soul Reaper."

"But they don't know where to go."

"There's a chance that by tracking the whereabouts of their souls, we can find the Quincy hiding in Soul Society."

"If we don't find those hidden guys, it will be a huge threat to Soul Society, and even to the Three Worlds."