Eyes on the Seireitei

Sasakibe's pupils contracted slightly, his expression remaining calm, but his hands beneath his sleeves were trembling uncontrollably.

He is usually quite calm.

But the implications of this incident Dōsan Hanyū are too numerous and too significant.

That was Captain-Commander Yamamoto's long-cherished wish and fifteen years of planning.

Dōsan Hanyū's choice may determine the future of Soul Society for the next hundred years, no, even a thousand years.

In this future, will Soul Reaper reign supreme, or will nobility reign supreme?

And now, the only one who can fulfill Captain-Commander Yamamoto's dream at this crossroads is Dōsan Hanyū!

There is only Dōsan Hanyū.

After a moment's hesitation, Sasakibe hesitated for a minute before speaking calmly in an aged voice, "I'm sorry, but Lieutenant Hanyū, your name has already been submitted to the Five Great Noble Clans. Not only the Tsunayashiro Clan, Shiba Clan is also the organizer of this Kidō Exchange Meeting. If you withdraw like this..."

This was the first piece of advice set by Captain-Commander Yamamoto. If Dōsan Hanyū didn't accept it, he had other ideas.

Will this bring shame upon the Shiba Clan?

The Tsunayashiro Clan, at the height of its power, completely overshadowed the Shiba Clan, to the point that even Dōsan subconsciously ignored them.

Regardless of what the Sasakibe intends to do.

But Dōsan's abstention has a significant impact on the Shiba Clan!

The name Dōsan Hanyū is now inextricably linked to the Shiba Clan.

Those nobles don't care what your reasons are.

For nobles, reputation and dignity are more important than anything else.

It wasn't until I arrived at Seireitei Dōsan I realized just how badly Shiba's reputation had been ruined.

Even if the members of the Shiba Clan didn't care, Dōsan Hanyū, who had received a debt of gratitude from the Shiba Clan, couldn't help but care.

Furthermore, do the Shiba Clan really not care?

Whether it's Kūkaku or Ganju, Dōsan could sense the fighting spirit hidden beneath their casual exteriors.

Kūkaku would diligently teach Ganju the etiquette befitting a nobleman almost every day.

Accessories exclusive to the nobility, Kenseikan and the Ginpakukazahana no Uzuginu, would be carefully and respectfully kept by Kūkaku.

Unfortunately, even Dōsan could sense that the two true leaders of the Shiba Clan, Kaien and Isshin.

They had no intention of revitalizing the family business.

With a soft sigh, Dōsan slowly nodded.

Gotei 13 of the Thirteenth Division Vice-Captain.

It shouldn't be called the deputy captain's quarters either.

Someone like Kuchiki Ginrei wouldn't normally live in a shabby place like the Soul Reaper Squad's barracks.

Kaien Shiba was more casual, but the Thirteenth Division still prepared a separate small courtyard for Kaien.

"Hmph, my foolish sister, she didn't even tell her older brother she was moving. What is she doing here now?" Kaien raised her chin.

Kaien's wife smiled and served tea to Kūkaku.

"Kaien has been sulking for days because of your sudden departure, and she hasn't been able to muster the energy to write 'Kaien Says'."

"Too many mouths!"

Moreover, the wording is too imprecise. It's not "leaving without saying goodbye" at all, but "moving away without saying goodbye." They took the house and disappeared without the head of the household's permission.

And.

Kaien suppressed her other thoughts and looked solemnly at Kūkaku, whose face was gloomy.

Moreover, Kūkaku broke her father's dying wish and returned to Seireitei once again.

Was it entirely for Dōsan Hanyū?

Kaien didn't believe it.

She realized that the atmosphere between the two was starting to turn sour, but she still smiled gently and held Kūkaku He's hand.

"Big brother."

This sound was unlike any before; it was suppressed and filled with coldness.

"I want to know, Father, how exactly did you die?"

These words startled Kaien Says, who lowered her head involuntarily, her voice becoming low and somber. "Why are you bringing up the old man again? I've said it so many times, he died at Xu's hands."

As if realizing her tone had been too harsh, Kaien softened her voice slightly, "What's wrong? Are you missing your father?"

"On that day, Captain-Commander Yamamoto invited Father, Mr. Ginrei Kuchiki, Ichimonji Tsunayashiro, and you to venture deep into Hueco Mundo, and afterwards, Father remained in Hueco Mundo forever."

"Yes, there was an anomaly in Hueco Mundo at the time, and we went to handle it."

"What kind of anomaly requires the three great noble families to leave Seireitei together!" Kūkaku's face was so dark it seemed like it could drip water. "Someone told me that the murderer of my father was Yamamoto!"

"Who!" Kaien hissed, "It's that Ichimonji, isn't it! He's got quite the mouth."

Not only Ichimonji, but also Kūkaku, after that incident, began to investigate this event from a hundred years ago again.

Kūkaku grinned at his angry older brother, "Miroku, our Shiba Clan's Zanpakuto through generations. Brother, it should be in your hands, shouldn't it?"

"No! You've even forgotten Father's dying words? That was a cursed knife!"

What on earth are you doing, Kūkaku!

It's only been a few months, but Kaien feels like everything has changed.

Watching Kūkaku's departing figure, Kaien slumped back in her seat without stopping her.

It was only after a long while, when Shiba Miyako held his hand, that Kaien regained consciousness.

"Kaien, Kūkaku, she..."

"Sigh, I'm obsessed."

Upon closer inspection, it was indeed quite strange that Captain-Commander Yamamoto was accompanied by three noble families.

But in reality, besides those few, there were other Soul Reaper at the time, such as Kyōraku, who had just become a captain, and Aizen at that time.

Actually, there's no problem at all.

Moreover, more than fifty years have passed since then.

Although, that day was indeed full of secrets.

For ordinary nobles, the Kidō Exchange Meeting had become a gathering to divide factions.

Those who support the Five Great Noble Clans should participate and act as their straight man.

This is more common in aristocratic circles, because most lower-ranking nobles are dependent on the Five Great Noble Clans.

Those who harbor a slight inclination towards Soul Reaper, or who wish to play both sides, will quietly choose not to participate.

When asked, the answer is always "I don't know" or "I haven't heard of it."

However, this year's Kidō Exchange Meeting is a little different.

The Soul Society is not used to celebrating "New Year" and has no concept of "New Year's Day". As time goes by, unless they are high-ranking nobles or people who are mindful, they may not even remember their own birthday.

Time slipped away recklessly in their lives.

However, this Kidō Exchange Meeting was inexplicably publicized as a grand event.

We will continue to provide basic Seireitei Communications.

There was also an undercurrent surging throughout the entire Seireitei.

Almost all the Soul Reaper God nobles began to focus their attention on the Kidō Exchange Meeting that would take place in a few dozen days.

Although all they knew was that the participants included the Second Division Captain, Dōsan Hanyū.

Although some nobles were unaware that Dōsan, the captain, also had the title of acting captain.

Even though this was a grand event that many of them had never heard of before.

But they will participate, whether in accordance with the orders of the Central 46, the Five Great Noble Clans, or the Gotei 13.