Chapter 228

Without a doubt, these are all Heavenly Bestowed Armaments.

The exaggeratedly large high-backed chair is padded with comfortable and soft cushions, both behind the waist and under the body.

Yoruichi sat cross-legged on it.

He was enjoying the coolness of matcha ice cream with a long spoon: the cup was a treasure passed down for thousands of years, and the matcha leaves were ancient relics cultivated for thousands of years... That's why it was somewhat at odds with the positioning of ice cream as a new food in the Soul Society.

"Mmm."

Yoruichi Shihōin showed a satisfied expression.

"The gifts you brought as a token of your respect are really quite nice!"

"Haruto- chan."

Yoruichi Shihōin praised loudly.

"I'm so glad the captain likes it. Actually, I've prepared several large tubs of different flavors."

The only person standing in the entire barracks was Haruto, who was sitting to the left.

"Oh~"

Yoruichi turned the unfamiliar casing and glanced at the familiar logo on it.

"But isn't that the emblem of the Ōmaeda Clan?"

"My investment is based on my technical expertise."

The long-handled spoon spun rapidly in Yoruichi's hands, like a butterfly flitting among flowers.

"Um..."

Yoruichi tilted her head and thought for a long time.

"A name I've never heard of before, Kisuke, do you know what it means?"

The lower left side of the table features familiar faces to Haruto: Marechiyo Ōmaeda, Kisuke Urahara, Soi Fon... and the Stealth Force Seated Officer who survived the incursion into Valley of Screams when Kisuke Urahara the team.

This was the first time Haruto had seen his face, and the fact that he was actually the Fifth Seat.

"It's based on earning a percentage of the profits through technical skills."

Kisuke Urahara scratched his head and replied, "It's quite common for the Second Division to call roll so casually, like Yoruichi."

"Oh~ isn't that similar to your collaboration with Hikifune?"

Yoruichi clapped her hands, a look of sudden realization on her face.

"... There are some differences, but it doesn't seem wrong to say that."

"Okay~"

Clang.

The spoon, licked clean, swirled around in the teacup a few times.

"It's time to get down to business."

With Yoruichi Shihōin's simple gesture, the atmosphere in the room suddenly became tense.

"Haruto, what are you planning to do in the Second Division?"

"The Stealth Force shouldn't be like this."

Haruto answered without hesitation.

"!!"

He was humiliated in front of all the upper and middle-ranking Stealth Force.

The Seated Officer below didn't resort to profanity or even physical violence, not because they were particularly kind, but simply because they were no match for Haruto.

"What should it look like?"

Yoruichi is not afraid to fall into so-called language traps.

"The Shihoin Clan should have absolute control over the Stealth Force, and now the Central 46 Chambers's attitude towards mobilizing the Stealth Force..."

"Completely lacking the respect due to the nobility."

"..."

These words are extremely disrespectful to the Central 46 Chambers.

However, everyone present was a trusted confidant and subordinate of the Shihoin Clan —otherwise, they would only be lower -Seated Officers in the Second Division at best—and they not only did not find it inappropriate, but also changed their previous attitude and began to appreciate Haruto's statement.

"But this kind of thing is so troublesome~"

"I'll do it."

Haruto made no attempt to hide his attitude.

"Retaliation?"

Yoruichi knew perfectly well what Haruto's purpose was, and besides, the latter hadn't bothered to hide it anyway.

"It's more accurate to say that it made the Shihoin Clan great again."

"Haruto, you're such a fake."

Yoruichi gave a rather amused smile.

"But I don't dislike it either."

Haruto's actions are entirely beneficial to the Shihoin Clan.

Everyone in the upper aristocratic class knew that he had failed to become a nobleman because of the interception by the Tsunayashiro Clan, so it was only natural for him to launch a counterattack—many people were not incapable, but rather lacked the courage to take a desperate gamble.

Although Haruto was transferred to the Second Division, this matter will only be seen as a personal attempt at revenge, and will not be automatically associated with the Shihoin Clan.

The Shihoin Clan only needs to provide an opportunity to eliminate many troubles that would prevent the family from gaining prominence. So why not take advantage of it?

Communicating with smart people is that simple.

"Ōmaeda!"

"Exist!"

Marechiyo Ōmaeda stepped forward.

Have you encountered any problems with your business back home lately?

"Yes!"

In terms of loyalty, no one in the entire Second Division can compare to the Ōmaeda Clan, not even the Fon Clan, who died in the line of duty and were reduced to just Soi Fon.

"That's why I say Brother Haruto arrived just in time. I was worried this morning about how to report to Lady Yoruichi."

"Marechiyo Ōmaeda an air of seriousness, his troubled expression revealing absolutely no intention of acting," he said.

"You bastard..."

Because of the absurdly high efficiency with which Yoruichi answered the conversation, she covered her forehead in exasperation.

"Haruto!"

"Team leader."

Haruto was not a retainer of the Shihoin Clan, so his form of address differed from that of the other Seated Officer; however, no one corrected him... Soi Fon, the only one who wanted to say something, was quietly pulled back by Kisuke Urahara beside her.

"Starting today, you will be the vice-captain and assistant captain of the Second Division."

"As well as..."

The official identities of the Second Division are not important; they are merely excuses to facilitate their activities in public.

The appointment Haruto truly needs is the one that follows:

"Second Stealth Force Squadron, Patrol Corps Leader."

"... yes!"

This is the most crucial position.

The Stealth Force is divided into five squads:

The execution and assassination unit directly under the captain (Commander-in-Chief of the Stealth Force): Punishment Force.

The reconnaissance and intelligence unit responsible for patrolling and monitoring the movements of Soul Reaper: the Patrol Corps.

The prison guard unit responsible for protecting the Maggot's Nest: the Detention Unit.

The security and guard force responsible for protecting the members of the Shihoin Clan: the Schutzstaffel.

The unit responsible for relaying messages between all parties and possessing the fastest Shunpo speed: the Executive Militia.

For Haruto.

The most important team here is the second squad: the Patrol Corps.

The Punishment Force is responsible for arresting people, so who is responsible for uncovering problems within the Punishment Force? -- This is the job that the Patrol Corps needs to be secretly responsible for... Otherwise, Yoruichi wouldn't have entrusted the Patrol Corps to Ōmaeda.

But.

Recently, due to the complicated situation in Seireitei and the frequent orders from Central 46, Ōmaeda has been preoccupied with reorganizing the Patrol Corps and has no extra time to pick out the rats within the Punishment Force.

The Punishment Force is indeed the direct subordinate unit of the Second Division Captain, but due to Yoruichi's personality and the aristocratic ecosystem of Seireitei, there are actually many other aristocratic forces involved within the Punishment Force: most of these people are members of the Second Division, but there are still a small number who are stuffed in by nobles under various pretexts.

Haruto's task is simple.

He wanted to take advantage of this opportunity of being suppressed to purge the nobles from within the Punishment Force —during this promotion process, the Kuchiki Clan had already provided him with a list of all the nobles who had colluded with the Tsunayashiro Clan.

Certainly.

The Kuchiki Clan cooperated so readily because Haruto's actions were beneficial to them: the Punishment Force, a sharp weapon in the hands of the Shihoin Clan, was frequently being used by their opponents against their own people, which was not a pleasant thing at all—not to mention others, Haruto himself had twice been Stealth Force.

And they used the name of the Shihoin Clan to carry out an internal purge...

The nobles who were attacked could only suffer in silence.

"At the same time."

"??"

Yoruichi's appointment process wasn't over yet, which surprised Haruto, who was already preparing for a major undertaking.

They didn't even realize what was happening.

"I also appoint you as the deputy commander of the Stealth Force, regardless of whether it's the Punishment Force, the Detention Unit, or the Riding..."

Each team has jurisdiction second only to me.

"Lady Yoruichi!"

Absolutely not!

Yoruichi said this.

The Seated Officer had initially managed to remain calm immediately became restless.

Yoruichi, as the head of the family and captain, has never liked to get involved in affairs. Now he has so easily handed over such great power to an outsider who is not even related to him. If the other party has any ill intentions... it is not impossible for the Shihoin Clan to become the next Shiba Clan!

Even a calm person like Kisuke Urahara frowned imperceptibly.

"Oh~"

"It's not so bad, is it?"

Yoruichi replied in a drawn-out, indifferent tone.

"Haruto Master Qingren, you came here to arrest someone, didn't you?"

"Yes."

Haruto couldn't ignore that.

"Then let's be even more decisive and take care of the pests in the other squads as well... even the dead bugs that don't bite but are disgusting."

"... yes."

You can call Yoruichi lazy, but you absolutely can't call her stupid... The great nobles are also first-rate at sensing situations.

Wealth, technology, military force, intelligence, and connections.

The Shihoin Clan has all of these key factors.

Even if their numbers are small, they should never be ranked so low among the Four Great Noble Clans.