The So-Called Nobility

Byakuya and Hisana bowed together, saying, "Thank you, Brother Ye Yang." Byakuya was also very happy, after all, Hisana's constitution had always been a worry for him. He knew that this relationship would not last long, but he still persisted.

Now that Ye Yang had extended the time, how could he not be excited? However, his temperament was no longer what it used to be, and he immediately expressed his gratitude to Ye Yang. Although he didn't know why the bracelet had such an effect, nor how Ye Yang had made it, he was certain that Ye Yang's words were true.

Ye Yang had never disappointed him since childhood. Although Byakuya no longer believed Ye Yang was omnipotent as he grew older, he still knew that Byakuya Ye Yang would never do anything without being sure of success.

Actually, this bracelet was only made temporarily. It creates a thin barrier around the spirit of the person wearing it, which can reduce the pressure of external Spiritual Pressure on her, thereby reducing the influence of the Spiritual Pressure in the Seireien. This is only a temporary creation, and it can isolate half of the external Spiritual Pressure, which can extend Hisana's lifespan by about two years.

Ye Yang waved his hand. "I just made this by accident. I'll make an even better one in the next few days. No need to thank me, why are you being so polite?"

"Yes, brother," Byakuya replied with the same expression, but Ye Yang could see gratitude in his eyes. Ye Yang was about to speak when a burst of laughter interrupted him. "Haha... Byakuya, can't you smile? You always have that long face, it's almost as cold as your grandfather's!"

The familiar smile, the familiar words— Ye Yang turned to look at his friend who was slowly walking in. Among the people Ye Yang knew, only Yoruichi and he could make such a laugh.

Sure enough, seeing that familiar smiling face, different from Ye Yang's smile, different from Hisana's slightly sad smile, his smile was a genuine, heartfelt laugh, not a gentle breeze but a sunny smile. Just like the sun, it could illuminate those around him and make them happy, his smile affecting everyone around him.

Kaien Shiba, the current head of the Shiba Clan, is very popular throughout Soul Society due to his warm and outgoing personality. He has a wide social circle, with friends ranging from the Heisei of Rukongai to the nobles of Seireien and the Shinigami of the Thirteenth Division. He can be said to have friends all over the world.

He is never disliked, no matter where he goes.

--Ye Yang Shihoin

Ye Yang said, "You didn't even say you were coming. You weren't alone, were you?"

Byakuya was clearly used to such remarks and remained silent; Kaien was one of his few friends.

Then a girl's voice came from outside. "Hey bro, didn't I tell you to wait for me?" A hot and beautiful woman walked in through the door. Her head and right shoulder were bandaged, and her right arm was a mechanical arm.

"Oh. I knew it! How could Kūkaku not come? It's been fifty years since I last saw her. The little girl from back then has grown into a beautiful young woman," Ye Yang said with a slight smile.

Kūkaku, however, showed no embarrassment and said directly, "Haha, right? Big brother, look at Ye Yang. You should learn from his taste."

Kaien said helplessly, "Hey hey~"

Ye Yang asked, "Kūkaku, what happened to your right arm?"

Speaking of this, Kūkaku still maintained a nonchalant expression, showing no displeasure whatsoever. "It's nothing, just a minor accident while researching fireworks. How can you achieve anything without paying a price? I'm the number one pyrotechnician in Rukongai now!"

Ye Yang burst into laughter, while Hisana politely greeted, "Brother Kaien, Sister Kūkaku."

"I knew it! So this is the beauty who made the iceberg Byakuya happy! Byakuya, smile more! Aren't you tired of always having a long face?" Kaien immediately said.

Byakuya coldly replied, "Like you? Then where is the dignity of us nobles?"

As the head of the Kuchiki Clan, he cannot cry or laugh as he pleases like an ordinary person. He is a paragon of nobility and cannot do anything that would violate the dignity of a noble family.

Kaien clearly knew about these things too. He simply sighed softly and said slowly, "You're just living too hard. I've told you before to relax sometimes."

Byakuya didn't say anything more. Kūkaku, on the other hand, pulled Hisana aside to chat. It seemed the two already knew each other, and they knew they would be talking about some things, so they decided it was best not to disturb them.

Ye Yang then recounted his experiences in Hueco Mundo. Although he didn't mention Ulquiorra and Nelliel, he did mention Yoruichi and Kisuke Urahara in the World of the Living, neither of whom seemed surprised.

Kaien sighed, "I didn't realize you'd been through so much. I heard you were summoned by the Central 46 as soon as you got back. I hope they didn't give you any trouble."

Byakuya then said, "The Kuchiki Clan still holds considerable influence within the Central 46," implying that he could handle any issues.

"It's alright, I've already taken care of it, so you don't need to worry about it."

"It's good that you're alright. I knew you wouldn't get into trouble," Kaien said with a grin.

The three chatted about other topics, and finally left as it was getting late. Ye Yang, however, was unaware of the turmoil that was brewing outside. If you randomly grabbed a Shinigami and asked them what the biggest event in Seireien was right now, they would look at you with disdain and say, "You don't even know that? It's naturally the return of Ye Yang Shihoin, the head of the Shihoin Clan, from Hueco Mundo. The succession ceremony for the head of the family will be held the day after tomorrow."

The elders of the Shihōin family will naturally spread this matter far and wide, so as to have a deterrent effect and let some petty people know that the Shihōin family will rise again!

The news that Ye Yang was about to succeed as the head of the family caused an uproar, like a stone thrown into a still lake. Hadn't it already been rumored that Ye Yang Shihoin had died in Hueco Mundo? How could he now be appointed as the head of the family? This was the question on everyone's mind.

The Council of Elders quickly responded: Ye Yang Shihoin did not die in Hueco Mundo, but was only seriously injured. He had to conceal his Spiritual Pressure to heal, which is why he was thought to have perished. However, he has now returned to Soul Society and his injuries have been healed. According to the Shihoin Clan rules, he is the first in line to succeed as the head of the family, so he will take the place in the succession ceremony in two days.

This news brought joy to some and sorrow to others. Those who were happy were naturally Ye Yang's old friends, while those who were saddened came from all walks of life.

On one hand, there's the noble faction. The Shihoin Clan had already begun to decline, and everyone wanted to get a piece of the pie while it was in decline, hoping to become an equal to the Four Great Noble Clans. The Four Great Noble Clans were personally appointed by His Majesty the Soul King, which is a symbol that can never be replaced. Even the Shiba Clan, which had already declined, had no one who dared to try to replace them.

However, as long as you are strong enough, you can become an equal to the Four Great Noble Clans. These upper-class noble families are all thinking about this, while some less powerful noble families want to gain some benefits to increase their own family's strength. Therefore, all the noble families, big and small, in the Seireien family are waiting for the decline of the Shihoin Clan.

This news has undoubtedly shattered their hopes. Ye Yang Shihoin has returned, and with him as the head of the Shihoin Clan, the Shihoin Clan will likely rise to power soon, at which point all their plans will be in vain.

So what should we do? Should we unite with other nobles to suppress the Shihoin Clan now? The Shihoin is indeed on the decline, but don't forget that even a starved camel is bigger than a horse. The Shihoin Clan's foundation is definitely deeper than theirs. Their original intention was to wear down the Shihoin Clan's foundation before suppressing them, but now that their foundation hasn't been touched, they've mostly lost on their side.

I also heard that today the head of the Kuchiki Clan Byakuya Kuchiki, visited Ye Yang Shihoin. It is said that Ye Yang Shihoin and Byakuya Kuchiki have a very good relationship. The Kuchiki Clan had previously said that they would definitely stand with the Shihoin Clan. Now that Ye Yang has returned, the Kuchiki Clan's stance is self-evident. As a result, they are bound to lose.

Assassinating Ye Yang Shihoin? That's a pipe dream. Putting aside Ye Yang's strength, what does the Shihoin Clan do? They're known for assassinations and Stealth Force. What does Punishment Force do? Although Punishment Force is currently in Soi Fon's hands, who doesn't know who Soi Fon will side with? Assassinating him would be like an old man hanging himself, asking for trouble. He wouldn't even know how he died.

Who doesn't know about Ye Yang's massacre of the major noble families back then? He showed no mercy whatsoever, and overnight, several noble families became yesterday's sunset. As a result, the noble families gave him a nickname - Blood Asura!

Who would dare to cross such a reckless person?

The nobles could only accept this fact with a wry smile and began to try their best to curry favor with Ye Yang his succession ceremony in order to build a good relationship for future cooperation.

Anyone with eyes could see that the Shihoin Clan would definitely rise again after Ye Yang succeeded as the head of the family. With his methods, it might even surpass the previous one. The current head of the Kuchiki Clan also had a good relationship with him. Maintaining a good relationship with him was equivalent to gaining the support of two of the remaining Four Great Noble Clans, the Shihōin family and the Kuchiki Clan. Wouldn't his family be able to do whatever it wanted among the other noble families? So the various noble families began to carefully prepare gifts for the succession ceremony.

Meanwhile, a silver-haired youth in the Fifth Division looked at Aizen and asked, "Captain Aizen, I heard that Teacher Ye Yang is going to inherit the position of Shihoin Clan Head. Why are those old men in the Central 46 letting him go so easily?" Gin looked very curious.

Aizen gave a cryptic smile, "I truly didn't expect this. The Supreme Right of Pardon, huh? Heh, interesting."

Gin smiled knowingly, "I didn't expect Captain Aizen to miscalculate." Gin seemed to have discovered something interesting.

"Silver," Aizen said slowly.

"Hey hey~" Then Yin stopped talking.

Aizen thought to himself: Although this is beyond my expectations, if he were to collapse like this, he wouldn't be worthy of being my opponent...