Chapter 104
Haruto asked:
"It can't all be a matter of rules, can it?"
"Yes, because it involves the distribution of credit."
Ms. Mutsuki's answer was still just as outrageous.
"The Captain Hikifune shouldn't be that kind of person, right?"
"But Captain Hikifune is focused on research and rarely manages these trivial matters. Being able to control the private sale of spiritual tools is already a huge breakthrough."
"If they continue to go against the team's overall stance on this matter..."
"Being a captain isn't easy."
Mutsuki- sensei's explanation made Haruto want to swear, but her answer was undoubtedly from the perspective of the nobility and the Shin'ō Academy—
Even so, it might even be considered somewhat radical.
"..."
Well, how should I put it?
Because Haruto had always benefited from the aristocratic system, he never considered that many things in Soul Society had long since rotted away at their roots.
Only after hearing Mutsuki- sensei's words and having a brief exchange with the Quincy did Haruto gain a deeper understanding.
"All right."
Haruto rubbed his slightly sore temples.
"I understand what the teacher means."
"So, we should gather everyone together now, and then contact the Thirteenth Division after the Twelfth Division has finished deciphering the code?"
"Yes."
Mutsuki nodded, confirming Haruto's statement.
"What if they can't finish it in one day?"
"Lieutenant Kaien will arrive in the World of the Living; the rest is no longer our concern."
"... Understood."
Teacher Mutsuki's meaning is very clear:
Now that Haruto has eliminated the two biggest threats to the Konsō Internship, the remaining minor issues can be left to the Gotei 13 to deal with.
"Oh, right."
Ms. Mutsuki stopped Haruto was about to close his eyes and rest.
"Does the teacher have any other questions?"
"Weren't there any other witnesses when you killed this guy?"
Mutsuki pointed to the pile of frozen meat and asked.
"No."
Haruto shook his head.
"... Haruto."
"Just tell me, teacher."
Haruto gestured to Mutsuki didn't need to be so cautious.
"Too many forces are involved in this incident; it's bound to escalate into a huge mess in the end, and several noble heirs were among the students who died..."
"You should be prepared to be held accountable by the Noble Assembly."
Mutsuki said earnestly.
"Golden Seal?"
Haruto simply asked two words in return.
"That's not quite it..."
The Golden Seal Noble Assembly is the highest decision-making meeting attended by the Four Great Noble Clans.
"Don't worry, teacher."
"The Kuchiki Clan is protecting me. Even the Noble Assembly, let alone the Golden Seal Noble Assembly, might not be able to do anything to me."
Haruto knew very well that after demonstrating his true value, the Kuchiki Clan would not easily abandon him; moreover, his relationship with Byakuya was enough to slightly influence the judgment of the Kuchiki Clan's upper echelons.
"But the Kuchiki Clan is currently fighting the Tsunayashiro Clan. If they make a move, the Tsunayashiro Clan might get involved as well."
"If I were Chief Kuchiki, staying out of it would be the best outcome for both sides."
Mutsuki gave Haruto a very serious explanation.
"You saved Gyōkaku Kumoi."
It seems that although the kid went in the wrong direction, he at least managed to meet the person.
"The Kasumioji Clan needs to repay this favor; with this connection in place, other higher-ranking nobles won't interfere easily."
"And the Noble Assembly chaired by a mid-level noble... I think this will be another test for you from the Kuchiki Clan."
"..."
Thank you for reminding me.
While Mutsuki- sensei's words weren't exactly enlightening, they certainly had a significant impact on Haruto: Haruto kept the Silver Cross as evidence because he had considered this aspect, though certainly not in as much detail as Mutsuki- sensei had explained.
"I know what to do."
"?"
Under Mutsuki- sensei's questioning gaze, Haruto stretched out his right hand towards the corpses that had been painstakingly arranged:
"Haien"
"Call!!"
The raging fire burned all traces to ashes.
"Haruto!?"
"Mutsuki- sensei, I misremembered my opponent's abilities."
The firelight illuminated Haruto's apologetic face.
"His Heilig Pfeil effect is..."
"Dead without a trace."
――――
Naruki City.
Dim lighting, narrow streets.
It was still afternoon, and only a very small minority of pedestrians would venture out in such a blizzard—because the environment here is so cramped that even on sunny days, no sunlight can penetrate, which is why streetlights have been installed to keep them on 24 hours a day.
"Squeak."
"Creak."
The boots made irregular squelching sounds as they stepped on the layers of snow.
A tall man in a black leather jacket casually brushed the thin layer of snow off the brim of his hat and turned to look at the overcast sky.
"Boom."
A faint explosion could be heard in the distance.
"Oh?"
"The Soul Reapers and the Quincy are fighting."
Ordinary people naturally cannot see the Soul Reaper, let alone pass through the barrier to discover the Quincy's traces.
"Tsk tsk."
The man curled his lip.
"In the past, I might have gone up and lent a hand."
The steady, long breaths melted the falling snowflakes into the air.
"Now..."
The man rubbed his calloused hands together and put them back in his jacket pocket.
"I've already done more than enough by not going up there and chopping you all down."
The man withdrew his gaze and continued walking towards the narrowest part of the street.
"Creak."
"Squeak."
The snowflakes were falling very evenly around me, and the irregular, unpleasant sound was most likely a problem with the quality of the boots.
"Despair."
Finally, the man stopped in front of the dilapidated wooden door, which was almost entirely filled with garbage... No, this so-called house was actually made of garbage.
"Knock knock."
The man ignored his surroundings and knocked on the door very solemnly.
"..."
There was no response.
"Knock knock."
The man did not stop what he was doing.
Even disregarding those inhuman abilities, a man's instincts tell him that his target is right here.
"..."
The snow didn't stop.
The sound of its breathing, announcing its existence, never stopped.
The man stood in front of the door, his head covered in pure white.
"... who?"
A timid and weak voice finally came from inside the door.
"Shūkurō?"
The man pronounced the boy's name directly in his deep, husky voice.
"... Who are you?"
Looking at the door that had been quietly opened a crack, and the man standing there like an iron tower, he did not answer the boy's question.
Do you want to change your life?
"..."
The boy did not answer.
Instead, after what seemed like an eternity, he finally nodded gently.
"Then follow me."
"Squeak."
"Squeak."
The man walked away without looking back.
He seemed completely unconcerned, wondering if the little boy, dressed in only a thin layer of clothing, could keep up with him in the dead of winter.
You can call me...
The biting wind and snow were completely blocked by the tall figure standing in front of him.