Following Asano Kiyoshi's series of reforms, the entire Soul Society had almost been transformed. It had leaped directly from the technological level of the Edo Period to that of the modern age.
Although most regions did not yet have the conditions for it, that was only a matter of time.
Asano Kiyoshi had once asked the Captain-Commander why the Gotei 13 and Central 46 had never chosen to send large numbers of troops to govern Rukongai.
The Captain-Commander's answer had left Asano Kiyoshi feeling somewhat bitter.
After Asano Kiyoshi raised the question, the Captain-Commander had fallen silent for a moment. Then, in a low voice, the old man told him a cruel reality:
"Do you think the Gotei 13 is an interest group, or a government institution?"
Asano Kiyoshi froze at those words. He had never really considered that question. Because of his past life, he had instinctively regarded the Gotei 13 as a government department belonging to Soul Society. But judging from the ideals behind the Gotei 13's founding, it truly had not originally developed in the direction of a government. It was only through his reforms that it had gradually shifted that way.
Seeing Asano Kiyoshi's stunned expression, the Captain-Commander did not reveal much emotion. He merely let out a soft sigh before continuing:
"From the very beginning, whether it was the Gotei 13, Central 46, or even the Royal Family above the heavens, the original purpose of every institution was only to maintain the balance of the four worlds. How the souls entering Soul Society lived had little to do with us."
At that point, the Captain-Commander rose to his feet. He walked over to Asano Kiyoshi, pondered for a moment, then continued:
"You have reached this stage of growth. There are some things you ought to