The Era Changed Because of This

"You're playing with fire. Dōsan Hanyū has already been seen by Yamamoto as a pawn that can be sacrificed. Are we really going to confront Yamamoto for the sake of a commoner?"

"Ha, do the Eighteen Sages mean that Yamamoto won't attack us if we do nothing? Isn't it too naive to surrender without a fight?" A younger-looking sage at the head of the table scoffed.

But in reality, anyone sitting here right now would have a lifespan of over eight hundred years.

They are all figures who can be described as ancient relics.

"Don't dodge the issue. Yamamoto has wiped out the Tsunayashiro Clan, and the Zero Division has tacitly approved of it. While the Zero Division's stance is still uncertain, we shouldn't, and can't, challenge Yamamoto's bottom line any further!"

"Without boosting their morale, can Yamamoto really wipe us out, or even all the nobles?"

"Moreover, we both possess the ancient Zanpakuto — Sōkyoku. If we add Dōsan Hanyū, we might be able to turn the tide and kill Yamamoto." M.

The Third Sage, with his hands clasped to his face, remained completely silent at today's meeting of the Central 46, despite being a staunch follower of the Dōsan.

Forty-six sages, who had known each other for nearly a thousand years, but whose relationship was not very close.

All forty-six people were driven by their own interests. In this dark room where faces were barely visible, their conflicts escalated far faster than their affections developed.

Even when faced with shared interests, they still have their own selfish motives.

Inside Central 46, there were also many forces opposing Dōsan Hanyū becoming the captain of the Shin'ō Noble Guard, which is why they had been here for several days without reaching a conclusion.

But.

The power to make decisions always lies in the hands of a minority.

"Enough." A steady voice came from the top floor.

The First Sage.

Although in name each member of the Central 46 has an equal vote, over the past thousand years, the order of rank and seating arrangements have all changed.

First place remains first; this wise man needs no further proof.

At the same time, he is also the only recognized master of Sōkyoku in this era.

Unlike the Nine Heavens Mirror Valley and Miroku, the Zanpakuto Sōkyoku, which was passed down from the same period, has considerable autonomy. Even without the First Sage, Sōkyoku can still be used.

But in the hands of the First Sage, the Sōkyoku can truly reveal its terror. It is a Zanpakuto that even Yamamoto cannot ignore. When fully wielded, it is enough to inflict irreparable Zanpakuto on the Soul Society.

The First Sage still held considerable authority; at least for now, the Central 46 were completely silent, awaiting the First Sage's final judgment.

The First Sage didn't offer any superfluous summaries. Almost half a month had passed, and he had finished all the necessary research. Now, all he needed to do was make a decision.

"Noble Council will convene in three days."

"Two issues. First, the Shiba Clan. Kūkaku Shiba represents the Four Great Noble Clans and holds a veto power."

"Secondly, elevate Dōsan Hanyū to the rank of noble!"

There are only two types of nobles: the Four Great Noble Clans and the others.

Others among them are generally divided into upper-class nobles and lower-class nobles based on their strength and influence, but nominally, there is not much difference between the two.

One can only imagine the state of the Seireitei when Dōsan Hanyū and the Hanyū Clan squeezed into the ranks of the nobility!

Oh.

The Third Sage smirked slightly, and somewhat rudely, walked out first.

Until he left the secret chamber of the Central 46, the Third Sage's eyes shone directly at the sun in the sky.

Times have changed!

The other sages of the Central 46 all left, leaving only this first sage, whose seniority was even higher than Yamamoto's.

Who is it?

The First Sage spoke again, his gaze fixed on the figure emerging from the shadows, his voice slightly more tense.

"Sōya Azashiro!"

"Don't be nervous." Sōya Azashiro's elegance was no less than that of Jin'ya Tsunayashiro before he met Dōsan Hanyū, except that there was a hint of indifference in his eyes.

"I knew it! Tenzō Tenjō has escaped, you're bound to be unruly!"

It's not that Sōya Azashiro necessarily stronger than Tenzō Tenjō in his prime, but Sōya Azashiro is better suited to survive in this kind of environment.

The First Sage was also somewhat nervous. Although he could unleash Sōkyoku could not be transformed into an ordinary Zanpakuto and carried by the First Sage.

Suppressing Sōkyoku and turning it into an ordinary Zanpakuto could even have a negative impact on Soul Society due to the suppressed energy within Sōkyoku.

"No need to worry, First Sage." Kenpachi Azashiro remained calm, wearing the Captain's Haori of the 11th Division. To be honest, he looked more like a captain than Zaraki.

"This time I'm here to seek your cooperation, to defeat Yamamoto together!"

"Hey, Number 360, you're too arrogant!"

Sōji Sanjō rebuked him, but beneath his angry demeanor lay terror.

He didn't have much contact with Number 360, but this rising star of the Artificial Soul Corps was well-known.

She comes across as straightforward and direct, and no information has been revealed about her. This woman is the type who likes to exaggerate.

Dōsan didn't care about anything else; his main concern was that his creditors were demanding money from him.

He had previously said he would destroy the Tsunayashiro Clan, but now that he's broken his promise, he has to pay with something of equal value.

Where can I find Dōsan?

Looking at the long, straight black female student who was barefoot and as arrogant as ever, Dōsan swallowed hard, glanced sideways, and avoided the gaze of Number 360.

Damn it, just now, I actually had an evil thought.

Use the weapon of law to send Number 360 to the Jail.

No, no.

"I can give you money, however much you need." Dōsan's meager salary, the Shiba Clan, one of the Four Great Noble Clans, is responsible for printing the currency of Soul Society. To exaggerate a bit, however much money Dōsan Hanyū wants, the Shiba Clan can print as much as he wants.

Number 360 maintained his casual pose, as if he were on a beach vacation. "My dolls are made of living materials. With some processing, I can even make them move. That's something that can't be measured in money."

To be honest, although it was a bit naive, I really hoped that Dozo Dōsan Hanyū could rescue these sisters from the Shin'ō Noble Guard.

At least Dōsan Hanyū's strength is trustworthy, so they put a lot of effort into this puppet.

Even after Ichimonji Tsunayashiro's death, these Artificial Soul did not lose their purpose.

They have grander, more genuine ideals.

Freedom, true freedom.

But.

Number 360 looked at Dōsan Hanyū, who seemed somewhat bewildered by the debt collectors.

The freedom they seek is not built on the sacrifice of innocent people.

And the life that Dōsan Hanyū is living now is something that almost everyone, Number 360, dreams of and envies.

"Please be sure to tell me." Number 360 looked up and noticed that Dōsan Hanyū was not afraid of her "threat"; at this moment, Dōsan even showed a hint of excitement.

How can I make the puppet move?