Chapter 109
Thank you so much for your help with my younger brother.
"No, this is simply my duty."
Haruto replied quietly in return.
"..."
"Shall we set off now?"
"Please lead the way, senior."
"Whoosh!"
In less than half a day.
Haruto followed closely Togakushi Tōma and arrived at a rather luxurious mansion complex on the outskirts of the East District 15.
"Here?"
Haruto looked around curiously.
Compared to Seireitei, the apparent level of wealth here is no less than, and perhaps even greater.
"The atmosphere inside Seireitei is still a bit too oppressive for us mid-ranking nobles."
Being constantly exposed to one's superiors and powerful figures, Togakushi's description of it as oppressive is not an exaggeration.
However, if a nobleman doesn't even have a place to stay in Seireitei, he will likely find it difficult to maintain both his dignity and his social standing.
"Many people will spontaneously choose a mansion in Rukongai."
"Given the risk of being attacked by phantoms, people naturally chose to stick together for mutual support, which eventually led to the residential complex we see today."
"As it turns out, our choice was absolutely correct."
"... I see."
Recently, due to the Hollows' attacks, the nobles living in West Rukongai have been living in constant fear, but this auspicious place in front of them obviously doesn't have such troubles.
Of course, if the attacking force exceeds a certain level, the Gotei 13 will definitely not be able to arrive at the rescue in time, and then they will all be wiped out.
It's simply a matter of making choices.
"Come with me."
Togakushi was the first to walk towards the entrance of the "community".
"The special meeting will be held in the small castle tower at the very front."
Haruto saw it as soon as he arrived; it was the most outstanding building among all the buildings.
After exchanging glances with the two guards, Togakushi led Haruto unimpeded to the gates of the castle tower. The heavy wooden doors, imbued with a great deal of Kidō (demonic energy), slowly opened...
"Squeak."
The two entered one after the other.
"Call."
The interior of the castle tower is quite spacious.
Although the building is tall, the central area is only a single floor that "reaches the sky," and the numerous candles supported by copper pillars around it add a touch of brightness to the dark space.
If you had to describe the structure here, it would resemble...
A taller, enlarged version of the Japanese-style British Senate?
There just aren't that many seats available.
"Squeak--"
Thump.
After Togakushi and Haruto entered, the light behind them slowly closed.
"..."
Haruto glanced around.
"Twenty-one companies."
On the long rectangular tatami mat, a wooden plaque bearing the family name obscured the faces of the attendees.
Rong... is practically a carbon copy of Central 46 Chambers.
"Many of them were just brought in to make up the numbers."
Because Haruto not only saw the Togakushi Clan's wooden sign, but also the surnames of several lower-ranking nobles—
"No wonder Byakuya said anything goes; this kind of ostentatious display clearly doesn't meet the requirements of Noble Assembly."
Togakushi nodded to Haruto, then quickly retreated to the vicinity of the gate, a short distance away.
The guards inside the castle tower are located about two steps away.
Just as Haruto was pondering this...
Is the visitor Haruto?
With the person directly opposite the "chairman's platform" taking the initiative to ask a question, the Noble Assembly, which had no opening remarks, began without warning... Haruto had reason to suspect that these guys had definitely been sitting here pretending since early morning.
They're probably already impatient by now.
"Exactly."
Seeing that they didn't intend for him to sit down, Haruto simply stood up and replied... after all, he wasn't really used to kneeling anyway.
"Do you confess to the alleged murder of the 7th seat of the Thirteenth Division, the massacre of seven nobles, and the deaths of eighty-six students of the Shin'ō Academy?"
"..."
Goodness!
Not only was there no opening, but they even laid out the charges right from the start—just now...
The people mentioned include not only the students who failed to survive the seven seats of Daitenta, but also the noble students who died in other barriers.
"Regarding the World of the Living situation, I believe Director Mutsuki has already formally submitted a report to Central 46 Chambers."
Since they want to play, Haruto might as well join in.
After being repeatedly advised by Mutsuki- sensei and Byakuya, Haruto's goodwill towards these nobles of Soul Society had already plummeted.
He wanted to see...
How shameless can these guys get?
"Is the version you just mentioned intended to overturn the decision of the Central 46 Chambers?"
As soon as Haruto finished speaking--
"Asshole!"
How dare you turn around and question us!
Just answer honestly!
"..."
Um.
Not only is the architectural style similar, but even the chaotic, disjointed way people speak bears a striking resemblance to a certain Senate.
"Smack!"
With a clear clang of the gavel from the podium, the entire hall fell silent instantly.
"..."
Retract the foreword.
These guys aren't disorganized; they're all surprisingly good actors—just like the one who...
The act of stepping down from the platform is enough to demonstrate the unquestionable authority of the chairman... Those with a weak heart might even have a heart attack from this move.
Do you have any objections to the correction I just made?
"Have."
"Speak."
It must be said that although the meeting was a sham, the guys at the top put on quite a show.
"..."
"When I arrived at the scene, Daitenta, the seventh seat of the Thirteenth Division, was already critically injured and beyond saving. The students who were supposed to be responsible for dispersing the crowd and maintaining order were nowhere to be seen."
"During the battle with the Quincy, I learned... that the Quincy's Heilig Pfeil possessed the ability to incinerate souls completely."
My classmates were most likely harmed because of this as well.
Haruto repeated the explanation he had given to Mutsuki- sensei.
"..."
The expected silence arrived as promised.
Are you sure everything you just said is true?
"Certainly."
Haruto said with absolute certainty.
"Daitenta seventh seat, is a veteran Seated Officer; his strength is among the top of all the Soul Reaper in the Thirteenth Division."
"Quincy can suppress him..."
"Are you trying to say that you already have the strength of Vice-Captain-level?"
"That's right."
It's all just pretentious nonsense.
If they hadn't known Haruto's strength, they wouldn't have gone to such lengths.
Etc!
Sharp gazes swept across the room once more, landing on the wooden plaques representing noble status.
Haruto did not see the surname Satō.
"Satō Tsunayashiro n't come?"
"Is the information provided by Byakuya incorrect?"
"... No, the Kuchiki Clan wouldn't make such a simple mistake. Satō Tsunayashiro should be hiding in the shadows—"
"I'm probably trying to lull me into a false sense of security."
Having made up her mind, Haruto continued the previous topic:
"If you have any questions, you are welcome to test your Reiatsu on the spot, or simply invite one of the vice-captains to spar with me."
"You'll know once you try it."
"..."
Haruto's words caused another round of whispers on the other end, but fortunately, this time Haruto didn't have to wait long before they reached a conclusion:
"You have already reached the Fifth-Class Reii?"
"No, Sixth Class."
This information isn't classified; you can tell from Haruto's usual behavior that it's not a problem to tell him directly.
"According to the information provided by the Shin'ō Academy, it seems you haven't mastered the release of your Zanpakuto?"
"Yes, I cannot Shikai."
"Then how do you expect to defeat Quincy at the Vice-Captain-level? You must know that their fighting style is highly unpredictable; even experienced Soul Reaper would find it difficult to gain the upper hand."
"Puff..."
Haruto couldn't help but chuckle.
"Do you read intelligence reports only halfway and discard the other half?"