Chapter 236

Haruto Shihoin.

That concludes the discussion.

After a month of panic, the nobles finally understood the cause of this series of events.

Sniper's promotion to mid-level noble?

Feel sorry...

They're already members of Four Great Noble Clans.

Faced with this situation, the nobles knew very well what they should do:

Dead?

Haruto, you did a good job killing him... Ah? Haruto, don't joke with this old man! Such scum!

They were expelled from the family long ago.

Did they receive benefits from the Tsunayashiro Clan?

Whatever amounted to them initially, they now have to pay back double— Haruto didn't go too far.

The reason for being too ruthless is that the timing wasn't right, and he also had to share the benefits with the Second Division, the Stealth Force, and even the Eighth Division, the First Division, the Sixth Division, and the Rukongai gangs who were secretly assisting.

Colleagues should be reassured, and subordinates should be rewarded.

The Eighth Division, which provided intelligence support, certainly couldn't work for free. The First Division, which secretly agreed without interfering, also needed to be bribed. The Kuchiki Clan's military support couldn't be ruled out either—if the Kuchiki Clan hadn't intervened, Haruto's exposure would have been at least halved in time. There were also miscellaneous benefits that the Rukongai gangs, who spread propaganda and confused information, would have to take.

In summary...

Haruto then said that he needed Naa Ichihara's help: it wasn't that he couldn't handle these things, but rather that they were too much trouble and unnecessary.

And.

Rather than calling this a purge within the Second Division, it's more accurate to say that this is a cleanup operation.

Rather, it was more of an asset recovery plan targeting troublesome nobles, tacitly approved by Shigekuni Yamamoto and partially participated in by the Gotei 13.

As for why Shigekuni Yamamoto agreed...

What?

Because the Noble Assembly humiliated him?

"I'm not such a narrow-minded person," Captain-Commander Yamamoto thought, stroking his long beard as he looked at the newly renovated First Division Barracks.

Second Division.

This building's conference hall.

"Tsk tsk tsk."

Yoruichi was swaying back and forth beside the mountain of valuables, hands on her hips and smacking her lips.

"Although they are all ordinary items, when there are a certain number of them... they look quite spectacular."

These were not confiscated by Haruto, but rather "offered" by the nobles on their own initiative.

Even after the double portion was distributed as a "friends' fee," the remaining amount was still quite considerable.

"Haruto."

Yoruichi turned around.

She spoke to Haruto, who was enjoying the matcha ice cream that had been served to her.

"You thought of this all along?"

"Without."

Haruto shook his head.

"Originally, I just intended to teach these nobles a lesson, but I didn't expect the Tsunayashiro Clan to have such a grand scheme."

"They think I'm quite valuable."

To put it simply, the sheer amount of these valuables is staggering... The Ōmaeda Clan, as the most profitable noble family in Seireitei besides the Four Great Noble Clans, didn't even have a combined annual net income of more than a third of what's before them.

If we say...

Previously, some members of the squad harbored resentment towards Haruto because the departure of Vice-Captain Ōmaeda had reduced the benefits the squad received.

Right now, it's absolutely all praise.

"Not much."

Yoruichi stopped paying attention to these things.

Haruto only took a small amount of compensation for his emotional distress, while Yoruichi had little interest in mundane things; most of them would become the Second Division's funds.

Don't underestimate this money.

From the captain down to the soldiers, all the costs incurred during missions are ultimately borne by the squadron: either paid out of pocket or allocated from public funds, making it a major expense within the squadron.

"If these resources could just create Captain-level like you..."

"Hueco Mundo has been plowed up countless times."

Haruto can now be considered Captain-level Second-Class Spiritual Pressure, which is already considered high-level combat power in Soul Society.

"Oh, right."

Yoruichi clapped her hands.

"Although the Captain-Commander tacitly approved of your actions."

"But having caused such a commotion... should we go Hueco Mundo for a while?"

This plan clearly wasn't Yoruichi's idea.

"Is the Expeditionary Force in trouble?"

Both are true.

"... good!"

Haruto agreed.

Now that I've become a member of the Shihoin Clan, I certainly can't shirk the responsibilities I have to bear.

"But Yoruichi."

Aside from Yūshirō being improperly disciplined by Yoruichi, the Shihoin Clan does indeed have a tradition of addressing each other by their first names.

Haruto has certainly adapted to local customs.

"Shihoin Clan and Kuchiki Clan have sent high-ranking members to Hueco Mundo to participate in the Expeditionary Force."

"As the head of the family, are you going to...?"

"Should we step forward and condemn the inaction of a certain family?"

"... it works?"

"It's no use, but they have to choose between paying money and accepting public criticism."

What are the actual results?

Unnecessary.

Just like how the Tsunayashiro Clan disgusted him a little over a month ago, Haruto is going to return the favor in the same way.

Who told them...

Why did you have to provoke someone as vengeful as Haruto?

Volume 1: Chapter 142, The Hueco Mundo Expedition

Seireitei Research Institute.

"Sister Sae."

The "gatekeeper" managing entry and exit was still Hikifune Sae, who looked like he hadn't woken up yet.

"Oh~"

Her soft, gentle voice remained unchanged.

"Haruto ~"

"Are you here to see your sister again today?"

Every time Haruto returns to Soul Society, he brings back some World of the Living specialties for Kirio Hikifune and asks her to check if there's anything wrong with her body.

"Yes."

Haruto nodded.

"But she doesn't seem to be at the research institute."

"?"

"They said they had a mission to carry out; they should be at the Kidō Corps's base right now."

From Soul Society to Hueco Mundo.

This is something not every squad can do.

Not only is a modified special Senkaimon required, but Reishi controller is also needed to help maintain the stability of the spirit's state.

For Captain-level officers, this isn't necessary.

One way or another.

This task requires the help of the Seireitei Research Institute or the Kidō Corps.

Haruto's trip to Hueco Mundo was to replace the Third Division Captain, who had returned to Soul Society injured, and to replenish the high-ranking combat power of the Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force.

Kōga will also return with this group of wounded, but not because he is injured. He will be responsible for guarding and protecting the returning team. Moreover, Kōga has been in Hueco Mundo for so long, it is time for him to return to Soul Society to rest and recuperate.

Of the Captain-level Expeditionary Force members still in Hueco Mundo, including the Gotei 13 and the nobles, only two remained before Haruto set off.

So.

Haruto needed to act quickly, which is why he went to the Seireitei Research Institute immediately after receiving the order.

"... Thank you for your Sae."

That's fine too.

It only takes two minutes to make a trip to the Kidō Corps's camp.

"No, no~"

"The colorful daifuku you brought last time was really nice, I'd definitely buy this one again."

Although it sounds like a completely unrelated matter, it is quite important to Sae.

"... Understood."

Haruto didn't mention that he was no longer in the Thirteenth Division.

There's no need to explain something as trivial as bringing a gift; he has plenty of people he can ask for help.

"I almost forgot."

Haruto took out a delicate little box from the Kukai Box.

"This is a new product from the Ōmaekagura Clan. Next time you come, please give me some advice, Sae."

No problem~

"Whoosh!"

For Haruto, walking around Seireitei takes only about ten minutes.

"Your Haruto."

The Kidō Corps's encampment was not far from the Seireitei Research Institute, Haruto soon met Tessai Tsukabishi and Kirio Hikifune near the huge "Black Gate" in the center of the encampment.