Chapter 107
"You... it really is you."
Byakuya had originally planned to keep it a secret, but Haruto guessed it right away.
"That being said, the Tsunayashiro Clan only slightly fueled the flames."
"After all, they haven't been able to obtain accurate information about you yet... They wouldn't act so recklessly based on mere speculation."
The Tsunayashiro Clan oversees the Great Spirit Book Gallery, located beneath the Central 46 Chambers, which automatically records all events and secrets that have occurred in the Soul Society from ancient times to the present.
But.
Obtaining information from the Great Spirit Book Gallery is not an easy task.
Putting aside the special requirements for the reader's mental strength, the access privileges alone... even for the Tsunayashiro Clan, only high-ranking members with confirmed identities can enter—after all, the Tsunayashiro Clan has extremely high levels of competition, some so intense it's practically like raising poisonous insects.
What did Old Master Ginrei leave behind?
The only possible reason Byakuya returned to the Shin'ō Academy is this.
"No."
Byakuya shook his head.
Grandpa didn't say anything, but Father asked me to pass on a message to you.
Kuchiki Sōjun?
Speaking of which, it seems that Kuchiki Sōjun was in charge of the "sparring" between the Kuchiki Clan and the Tsunayashiro Clan during this period.
"... Speak."
"Do whatever you like."
"Um?"
Byakuya's answer surprised Haruto.
"The Kuchiki Clan didn't contribute much; it was mainly thanks to you who saved them this time."
Byakuya then explained.
"There are only so many mid-level nobles qualified to settle in Seireitei, and quite a few of them are already on good terms with you or indirectly connected to you."
"If you want to convene Noble Assembly to hold someone accountable, you need enough supporters... The Ise Clan, Kyōraku Clan, and Kasumioji Clan are your guarantors among the higher-ranking nobles, and no nobles belonging to their factions will step forward."
"By the way, the Kyōraku Clan was eliminated because of Captain Ukitake."
Byakuya casually mentioned it.
"What you're experiencing is really just the aftermath of the Noble Assembly. Compared to the questioning of Kaien Shiba the day before yesterday, it's nothing— Captain Ukitake's invitation has even been sent to Grandpa, so you can imagine how serious it is."
The Four Great Noble Clans held the most power in the Noble Assembly.
Even a strong Captain Ukitake has to ask the Kuchiki Clan for help in this situation... and that's only because the Ukitake Family is a noble family.
If it were a commoner from Rukongai, they probably wouldn't even be qualified to deliver a visiting card.
Even without considering the influence of the Kotetsu Clan and Yamada Clan.
"The nobles you rescued this time can play a significant role, with the Togakushi Clan being a particularly powerful member among the newly emerging nobles."
"As for the Mikazuki Clan, which was originally the biggest obstacle, they've been wiped out for several days now... Do you understand what I mean?"
"..."
Haruto pondered Byakuya's meaning and said:
"So, I can just ignore them completely?"
"No, you can take any means you deem necessary."
Byakuya shook his head again.
"So violent?"
This answer was somewhat unexpected.
Although the promotion and maintenance of noble status are closely related to one's own military strength, it is not to such a direct extent.
Otherwise, Yamamoto...
All right.
Captain-Commander Yamamoto's domestic affairs skills are really too low.
The rules that can guarantee the Soul Society's unchanged state for millions of years, even if the flaws and cracks have become terrifying.
As long as people can continue their lineage, that's good; if you really let him reform, it's hard to say whether it will turn out even worse.
"Because this Noble Assembly is not formal at all, they will definitely find another reason to 'invite' you there."
"Are these people planning to resort to vigilante justice?"
Vigilante justice is a relatively mild way of putting it; given Haruto's understanding of the aristocracy's vengeful nature, their true aim would probably be to cripple him.
He certainly wouldn't dare to kill, but he's definitely capable of destroying the Saketsu and the Hakusui, preventing Haruto from becoming Soul Reaper.
After all...
They were also worried about the potential dangers of underestimating the poor and underprivileged.
"Yes."
Byakuya nodded in confirmation of Haruto's guess.
How dare they?
A detailed report on the Konsō internship has been submitted to Central 46 Chambers.
Any noble with even a modicum of insight would know that Haruto already possessed combat strength at the Vice-Captain-level.
Vigilante justice?
Without Captain-level combat power, who dares to say they can reliably defeat Haruto?
Apart from those Gotei 13, the Captain-level Soul Reaper are all important trump cards hidden deep within the ranks of great nobles.
It couldn't have been exposed so easily.
"That's why the Tsunayashiro Clan needed to intervene 'secretly'."
Byakuya replied with a smile.
Unfortunately, Haruto did not show the panicked expression he had expected.
"A Vice-Captain-level Soul Reaper with Fourth-Class Spiritual Pressure who has long been exposed to all sides?"
Nobles always needed two pairs of gloves, one black and one white.
Take the Kuchiki Clan as an example; Kōga Kuchiki is their openly displayed fighting force.
"... I'm the one here to provide information, can't you at least let me feel like I'm here?"
Because Haruto's guess was so accurate, Byakuya, who had no chance to show off, pouted in dissatisfaction.
"You tell me, you tell me."
Haruto gently raised his hand, satisfying Byakuya's small vanity.
"Cough!"
Byakuya cleared his throat forcefully.
"Satō Tsunayashiro."
"Um?"
The name Byakuya mentioned surprised Haruto somewhat.
"That's right, a former member of the Tsunayashiro Clan who married into the mid-level noble Satō Clan."
Haruto never expected that this well-known white-gloved woman would actually be a female Soul Reaper.
"... The Tsunayashiro Clan's move is truly ruthless."
Haruto then sighed.
"You can't say that. After all, many mid-level nobles don't even have the means to curry favor with the Tsunayashiro Clan. Leaving their surname but not their given name is practically a hallmark of their household."
Tsunayashiro Clan.
All members are merely tools for maintaining the family's status.
Less outstanding female family members become victims of marriage alliances with other upper-class nobles; while a small number of talented female Soul Reaper are used to control the middle-class nobles favored by the Tsunayashiro Clan through "marriage down."
They and the nobles they control are all tentacles extending the power of the Tsunayashiro Clan.
"Continue."
"Satō Tsunayashiro, former Third Seat of the Third Division, possesses the strength of a vice-captain at the Fifth-Class Reii Vice-Captain-level."
Byakuya had clearly done his homework.
"Ninety-four years ago, during a Giant Hollow attack on Seireitei, he displayed the Fourth-Class Spiritual Pressure— "
"Etc!"
Haruto interrupted Byakuya loudly.
"What's wrong?"
"You just said, ninety-four years ago?"
"Yes."
Byakuya nodded innocently.
"This Ms. Satō... could she be Satō's 'grandmother'?"
"I thought you were going to say something like, ' Satō Tsunayashiro is already over two hundred years old. Besides, isn't it normal for Fourth-Class Spiritual Pressure to live for several hundred years?'"
"... Very good, I'm not feeling guilty anymore, you can continue."
"..."
Byakuya glanced at Haruto and continued explaining.
"The Satō Clan wasn't originally on the list for this Noble Assembly, but the deceased Sunai Nezumi was a distant relative of the Satō Clan."
"She will represent the Sunai Clan, who are merely lower-ranking nobles and not qualified to attend."
Haruto asked with some curiosity:
Isn't that reason a bit far-fetched?
"No matter how absurd the reason, as long as there is some basis for it, it can become a nobleman's claim."
It sounds a bit far-fetched, but Byakuya certainly wouldn't joke about this.
"... Okay then."
"So what I need to do is help you get rid of this Satō Tsunayashiro?"
"If you can."
Byakuya nodded, reluctantly agreeing with Haruto's statement.
You don't seem to have much faith in me.
"Because according to my father, I'm pretty sure I'm no match for her right now."
Why do I get the feeling that you're indirectly saying you're better than me?
"Yes."
Byakuya said it with absolute certainty.
"... You're not even denying it?"
Normally, Byakuya would definitely feign innocence first.
"My Senbonzakura has improved again."
"Congratulations?"
Even your Dankū couldn't stop it.
"... Is he about to Bankai?"