The pure white haori reflected in everyone's eyes. They watched those figures who were usually so noble as to be nearly beyond reverence bow their heads before lowly people like themselves.
Could something like this really not be a dream?
Some pinched their thighs and tugged at their hair. Only when the pain came as expected did they dare believe that what was happening before their eyes was real.
They began to cry, loudly, the kind of crying that could not be stopped.
In truth, they did not know why they were crying. But it was like a child who had suffered grievances suddenly being gently comforted one day.
That tenderness they had never felt before made their tears flow uncontrollably.
But they knew their status. Even as they enjoyed this hard-won tenderness, they had to be cautious and could not forget their manners.
They, too, slowly knelt before the Shinigami who had bent at the waist.
Asano Kiyoshi's face showed a complicated expression as he watched the residents trying to kneel.
In truth, they did not need to treat him and the others this way.
These were things they deserved in the first place.
But things deeply ingrained in one's understanding would not be changed so easily.
Asano Kiyoshi knew that as well. Still, sometimes, changes had to be made, however small.
He used Reishi to raise the civilians up. After bowing for nearly a minute, he slowly straightened, glanced at the two men who were still frozen in shock, then at the tearful residents, and slowly drew the Zanpakuto at his waist.
"As Shinigami of the Gotei 13, not only did you fail to protect the residents here, but you also abused your authority at will, harmed and oppressed the residents here, insulted a captain, and maliciously damaged