Chapter 268

"Yes!"

Although he has just taken office, Shusuke Amagai should know very well what the Third Division is like now: the members suffered heavy casualties in Hueco Mundo, with only 30% remaining, and the captain was branded as a traitor and just killed by Haruto.

Celebrate?

Haruto didn't think this was a good way to boost morale, and it seemed inappropriate for him to go... even if Shusuke Amagai did it with good intentions: to clear up misunderstandings between the two sides, or to enhance his authority as captain.

What are other people saying?

Haruto casually asked another question.

"You are the first one Captain Amagai specifically named..."

Haruto originally wanted to ask if the other team leaders had accepted the invitation.

But since he was the first one, the other captains probably planned to wait and see Haruto's attitude before making a decision. After all, he had just dealt with the previous Third Division Captain, and it would be very awkward if this matter was not handled well.

"What's the opinion of the deputy captain of the Iba?"

Since the captains' attitudes are still unclear, let's ask the head of the Iba what she thinks: as a veteran of the Third Division who has experienced several captains, she is not only Haruto's natural ally, but also sees things much more clearly than I do.

"Senior Iba Ranger is unwell..."

Funakiri for a moment, then answered in a much quieter voice... I don't know if he was scolded by the Iba leader.

"Never mind then, I'm quite busy here. Just decline Shusuke Amagai for me."

If Chikane Iba participates, Haruto doesn't plan to go.

Although it sounds like Haruto respects Chikane Iba even more than Shusuke Amagai... well, that's actually true—if Ashido were to return to Soul Society as a captain, Haruto would definitely attend their banquet.

Remember, a friend of a friend—you can't calculate favors like that.

"..."

"Please wait a moment, Captain Shihoin!"

Seeing that Haruto was about to leave, Funakiri quickly spoke up—he dared not directly block Haruto's way; that would be tantamount to not knowing the meaning of death.

"Is there anything else?"

Haruto slowed his pace slightly.

"Actually, Captain Amagai asked me to pass on a message to you."

"Explain."

"Team leader..."

"The captain said he knows the details of Vasto Lorde's attack on you."

"!?"

What?

Did Shusuke Amagai know that the Vasto Lorde was a Kisuke Urahara?

Haruto's brows furrowed...

Wrong.

The research on the Hōgyoku is absolutely top secret.

Before it was fully exposed, only Aizen and Kisuke Urahara, the two creators of Soul Society, knew its purpose... Haruto was fortunate to have foresight.

How could Shusuke Amagai know about the existence of the Hōgyoku?

Impossible.

Even the largest "supplier," Kirio Hikifune, only knew the research objective and could not be 100% certain that the research on the Hōgyoku would be successful.

--This person provided several key ingredients, including the Soul King's organs and Vasto Lorde fragments (the one that Kuruyashiki Kenpachi cut down back then, the parts that didn't dissipate are stored in the Seireitei Research Institute).

So...

Is Shusuke Amagai deceiving itself?

According to the written intelligence provided by the Seireitei, if it was indeed Vasto Lorde from Hueco Mundo who attacked him, then he certainly has the right to speak on the matter.

Why?

I'm willing to go to such lengths to make sure I have a clear reason for going.

Just as Haruto changed his plans and decided to go to the Third Division tonight...

"Whoosh!"

A remarkably steady sound of Shunpo appeared beside Haruto.

"Yo~"

"You look good, Captain Haruto."

A young man with silver hair walked over with a cheerful smile—it's unclear when it started, but all the Soul Reapers, regardless of their identities, now call him Captain Haruto.

Good afternoon, Jiro.

Ginjiro.

Haruto met the Fourth Seat of the Sixth Division, who gave him a Silver Dragonfly, at his graduation ceremony: the Gingin Clan is to the Kuchiki Clan what the Ōmaeda Clan is to the Shihoin Clan —both are retainers who would never betray him.

Haruto and Ginjiro also have a good personal relationship.

What message did Byakuya ask you to deliver this time?

When not using the Hell Butterfly, it's mostly Ginjiro who relays messages for Byakuya. He's Fourth Seat in the Sixth Division simply because the ones ahead of him are all excessively strong. Ginjiro's own abilities are already considered excellent among the vice-captains.

He is especially skilled in the Shunpo technique.

"No, it's Lord Ginrei."

"... What happened?"

Ginrei Kuchiki wouldn't contact Haruto casually, otherwise Byakuya's crucial role as a mediator would be wasted; if it really came to the point where Ginrei Kuchiki needed to "ask" Haruto for a favor, the trouble it would cause would be unimaginable.

"If it's alright, could you please come to the Kuchiki Clan with me?"

"Good."

Haruto had no reason to refuse, even though he was now a member of the Shihoin Clan.

"The Funakiri Third Seats."

Haruto said to Funakiri, who was waiting beside him, "I have been standing silently by the side since Ginjiro arrived. Although the Seated Officer's status is higher than Ginjiro's, he is not someone he can afford to offend, as he is a high-ranking Seated Officer from a noble family."

You've seen the situation yourself.

"It's definitely not going to work today."

Haruto glanced at the sunlight, which was about to weaken.

"If there's a chance..."

"I will go to the Third Division and ask Captain Amagai for guidance."

Evening, at the Kuchiki Clan.

What's going on?

It's true that most members of the Kuchiki Clan like white, but with so much white surrounding them, anyone could see the problem.

"..."

Upon arriving at the Kuchiki Clan, Ginjiro's ever-present smile faded somewhat.

"My mission is complete. The rest is up to young master Byakuya."

The main gate of the Kuchiki Clan.

Haruto had already spotted Byakuya was dressed in a solemn black suit.

"Thanks a lot."

"No... this is all I can do."

Leave this message.

Ginjiro bowed slightly to Haruto and left without looking back... He didn't enter the Kuchiki Clan's gate as usual.

"..."

"Byakuya."

Haruto walked towards Byakuya.

Since Byakuya went into seclusion to train for his Bankai, he hasn't seen his friend for quite some time.

"Haruto."

Byakuya made a very formal gesture of invitation.

In Haruto's memory, the boisterous Byakuya had never taken etiquette so seriously.

"What happened?"

Haruto removed the vice-captain's armband and carefully tidied his clothes.

Something happened to someone in the Kuchiki Clan, and it's highly likely someone they know, otherwise the atmosphere wouldn't be so solemn...

Byakuya's brow remained furrowed.

"My aunt has had an accident."

The two stepped across the threshold side by side.

Candlelight, white silk, and the chanting of scriptures by the Kidō Corps) – these were originally the responsibility of noble families like the Kurumadani Clan, but in recent years, due to the severe decline in the number of families with members performing funeral rites, the Kidō Corps have taken over this task.

"Miss Hine?"

Although she has been married for many years, Hine prefers to be called "Miss" rather than "Mrs."

"Yes."

"Please accept my condolences."

This person is indeed someone Haruto knows.

Although I've only met her less than ten times, she left a very deep impression on me; her cheerful personality is comparable to Yoruichi's.

The time for crying ended this morning.

It's strange to hear such words from Byakuya, but it seems perfectly normal in today's context.

"I'll go deliver a bouquet of flowers."

Haruto glanced in the direction of the Kuchiki Clan's main hall.

"The funeral was long over, and the memorial hall is now closed; the Kidō Corps performing the rituals can't get in."

Byakuya...

No, it should be that Ginrei Kuchiki rejected the request.

"That old man from Ginrei invited me over..."

"Something happened at Kōga?"

This is the worst, yet most realistic, guess.

Kōga Kuchiki's personality is quite pure, and the support of Kuchiki Hine was crucial to his survival in the treacherous Kuchiki Clan and the conflicts among nobles.

That was his spiritual support and haven.

During his years with the Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force, with Hine not by his side, Kōga Kuchiki's personality must have changed considerably.

Upon returning home, he was confronted with the loss of his loved one.

It would be strange if nothing went wrong.

"..."

"Looks like I guessed right."

Haruto, whose guess had been confirmed, wore a somewhat troubled expression.

"... Grandpa will tell you when we get to the side hall."