Succession Ceremony

Two days later, Seigen woke Ye Yang up early in the morning. Today was Ye Yang's succession ceremony as head of the family, and as the master, he could not be late. He had roughly learned about the succession ceremony when Yoruichi over, but today the protagonist was himself.

He was dressed in a black and gray kimono. Men's kimonos are not as complicated as women's; they are just a formal suit and a haori. His long hair was draped over his shoulders, giving him a dignified look.

Soon Ye Yang was dressed up. According to the rules, he was first carried around Seireien by a special person so that everyone would know about the grand ceremony. Afterwards, he would go to the ancestral hall of the Shihoin Clan, where the family Council of Elders announce the succession. Ye Yang would then take the oath to become the Shihoin Clan Head. Afterwards, they would return to the main Shihoin family, where various nobles would come to visit one after another.

Ye Yang slowly sat on the eight-bearer sedan chair. Thinking back to when Yoruichi sat in this sedan chair years ago, he had laughed at her. Time flies, and everything is like a passing cloud, just like yesterday. Back then, he was a reckless young man. Now he has returned, and he must shoulder this responsibility because he is a member of the Shihoin!

Ye Yang was then carried to Seireien Street, with Punishment Force clearing the way for them. Ye Yang knew that Soi Fon was also there, and he remembered that they met around this time, only now the person in the sedan chair was Ye Yang.

Because the Council of Elders spread the news far and wide, the streets were now packed with people looking at the new Shihoin Clan Head. Some had seen or heard of him before, while others did not know him at all. But at this moment, they all recognized Ye Yang's new identity: the head of the Shihoin Clan Four Great Noble Clans!

Ye Yang, who was in the sedan chair, was also watching them. Sure enough, the feeling was very different from that of those below. The people below looked at him in different ways, but Ye Yang also noticed the eager and longing in their eyes, just like the way Soi Fon looked at Yoruichi back then, which made Ye Yang feel emotional.

Meanwhile, Soi Fon watched Ye Yang silently from a secluded corner, murmuring softly, "Brother Ye Yang, today you finally sit in this position. I failed to protect Lady Yoruichi back then, but I will never let you down now."

Before they knew it, they had arrived at the ancestral hall. Ye Yang slowly walked down. In such a solemn ceremony, Ye Yang naturally paid attention to aristocratic etiquette. His every move exuded aristocratic temperament, without any stiffness. Everything was so natural, as if he was born an aristocrat.

The Council of Elders were already waiting on both sides. As soon as Ye Yang stepped down, they bowed and said, "Master!"

"Elders, please rise," Ye Yang said. He then walked down the path they had cleared for Ye Yang, went straight into the ancestral hall, took the three incense sticks from the Grand Elder, and entered the ancestral hall. According to the rules, only the head of the family could enter. So they all waited outside. During this time, all the family members with the surname Shihoin came here to wait for Ye Yang to finish paying respects to his ancestors.

A moment later, Ye Yang emerged, standing beside the Grand Elder. His eyes held only indifference, and a slight smile made him even more radiant.

The First Elder announced, "Today is a sacred and solemn day, for the twenty-third head of our Shihoin Clan is about to assume the position. He is none other than Shihoin Clan Ye Yang Shihoin, the first in line to the throne! He is the younger brother of the previous head Yoruichi Shihōin, and from now on, he will lead our Shihoin Clan to its greatest glory! Now, please welcome the new head of the family to speak!"

Ye Yang stepped forward and said, "Fellow members of the Shihoin Clan, some of you here may know me, while others may not have even heard of me. But regardless, now that I have become the head of the family, I will do my best. Currently, the Shihoin Clan is considered by outsiders to be on the verge of decline. Do you think we will decline?"

"No!" everyone was shouting.

"That's right! What hardships haven't we endured? No difficulty can defeat us! Can such petty people really bring us down? No! They can't. No one can defeat us. The Shihoin will live forever!" Ye Yang said passionately.

"Shihoin! May your glory live forever!" The clansmen below were stirred by Ye Yang's words. Indeed, the Shihoin Clan was far less prestigious than before. They were even pointed at and gossiped about. This would never have happened before; they were always respectful and deferential. Now, they were bound to be furious.

Ye Yang's words ignited their anger. Ye Yang words were clearly a retaliation, and regardless of their previous impressions of Ye Yang, they were now all on Ye Yang side.

"I, Ye Yang Shihoin Shihōin, swear before our ancestors! Today, I formally accept the position of Shihoin Clan Head Shihoin Clan. I will forever be loyal to His Majesty the Soul King, never betray the Soul Society, and dedicate my life to the Shihoin Clan! May our ancestors bless our Shihoin Clan with prosperity and longevity!" Ye Yang made his oath.

"Furthermore," Ye Yang paused for a moment before continuing, "After I succeed as the head of the family, I would like to ask everyone to cooperate with me as much as possible. If anyone is found to be disobeying my orders, I will not show any mercy." After saying this, Ye Yang glanced at the members of the Council of Elders, a hint of murderous intent flashing in his eyes.

Everyone present couldn't help but feel a chill, and they also realized that this newly appointed patriarch was not someone to be trifled with. The First Elder's eyes flashed with helplessness. He had absolutely no way to defeat Ye Yang like this, and what the Shihoin Clan needed right now was precisely his decisiveness and ruthlessness.

Ye Yang's lips curled into a slight smile, "Let's go back."

Finally, they arrived back at the gate of the mansion, where a group of servants were already waiting. Ye Yang slowly stepped down from the sedan chair. "Master! Everything inside is ready. Please come in," the old steward said respectfully as he stepped forward.

Ye Yang slowly walked in. Currently, only the head of the family and some guards were present. As the host, Ye Yang was waiting here for the visitors from various noble families. They would arrive one after another with invitations and gifts sent by the Shihoin Clan. There were people in charge of counting the gifts, and Ye Yang was responsible for sitting in the main seat. Many nobles would come to offer toasts. Of course, not all nobles were qualified to come up; only the high-ranking nobles had this privilege.

"Kaga Satō, the head of the Satō Clan, is paying a visit..."

The first person to enter was a middle-aged man, the head of the noble Satō Clan. He stepped forward and greeted him, "Congratulations on your succession as the head of the Shihoin Clan. Please take good care of me in the future." He had a smile on his face, which looked like he was fawning over Ye Yang. Although Ye Yang frowned, he couldn't say anything in this situation.

Ye Yang smiled and said, "No problem, no problem, Satō Clan, please take a seat." Ye Yang raised his left hand in a gesture of invitation.

"Please go ahead with your work, but you must do me the honor of having a drink with me later."

"Of course, please."

Having finally managed to deal with one, Ye Yang frowned slightly. Dealing with these nobles was truly exhausting. If it weren't for the sake of his family, he wouldn't have worn this hypocritical mask. He really didn't know how Ye Yoruichi had dealt with them back then.

In no time, more than a dozen houses had entered when suddenly a voice announced, "Byakuya Kuchiki, head of the Kuchiki Clan and captain of the Sixth Division, is here to pay his respects..."

Not far away, Ye Yang saw Byakuya walking towards them with Hisana, and he finally smiled from the bottom of his heart, "Yo! Byakuya!"

Byakuya stepped forward, his every move exuding aristocratic grace. He was virtually flawless, making one marvel at his status as the head of the Kuchiki Clan and a paragon of nobility.

Beside Byakuya, Hisana had also changed into a kimono. The two of them walking together were simply a match made in heaven. How many people were shocked and how many young girls' hearts were broken when Byakuya insisted on marrying her despite everyone's advice? But seeing them together again, one can't help but sigh: they are truly a match made in heaven!

"Brother Ye Yang, congratulations! You are the most suitable person to be the head of the family." His words lacked the coldness he usually showed to outsiders. Others didn't know that although Byakuya was somewhat cold now, those who truly understood him knew that he only revealed his true nature when facing people he respected.

"Thank you, Hisana looks beautiful today~ We look great together."

Hisana smiled faintly, "Brother Ye Yang"

"Well, making that bracelet might take some time, so don't rush it. Byakuya, please take a seat with Hisana."

Byakuya nodded. "Mm."

"Hisana understands"

After the two left, several members of the Shiba Clan arrived, but this time Kūkaku was holding a baby, while Kaien stood beside her with a bright, sunny smile, "Hehe, congratulations, Ye Yang!"

Ye Yang looked at the baby in Kūkaku's arms with a puzzled expression and asked, "What's going on? Kūkaku, is this your child? What's his name?"

A black line appeared on Kūkaku's forehead. "What? This is my younger brother Ganju Shiba..."

"Your younger brother?" Ye Yang asked, then looked them over carefully before bursting into laughter. "Hahaha... you all look like a family. Kūkaku, this child isn't your illegitimate son, is he?"

Kūkaku was immediately enraged, several cross-shaped marks appearing on her forehead. "You're the one with a child! You're the illegitimate one! Humph! This is the younger brother of Kūkaku Shiba, the number one fireworks master in Rukongai, do you understand?!" Then she turned her head away and refused to look at Ye Yang anymore.

"Hahaha..." Ye Yang burst into laughter. "Ganju Shiba? That's a very nice name. Come here, let your big brother hug you."

Kūkaku He couldn't help but retort, "Brother? You really dare to call him that! You're over a hundred years older than him!"

Ye Yang laughed, "Otherwise, what should I call him? Uncle? Don't forget you're his older brothers and sisters. If he calls me Uncle, what will you call me?"

Kūkaku was speechless. She had never won an argument with Ye Yang, but Kūkaku still persisted, saying, "This kid is very loyal to people. He'll cry if someone he's never met before hugs him."

How will you know if you don't try?