Wild Dog's Roar

"Shihoin Sōichirō."

Byakuya Kuchiki spoke indifferently, directly calling the lead elder by name.

The three old men before him, whose faces were remarkably alike, were brothers born of the same womb: Sōichirō, Sōjirō, and Sōzaburō.

Their names were simple and straightforward, yet suited the Shihoin Clan's naming traditions.

And Shihoin Sōichirō, the one at their head, possessed astonishing seniority.

He had once been the Captain of the Second Division, taking office even before Byakuya's grandfather.

Yet before such an ancient existence who could practically be called a living fossil, there was not the slightest trace of respect in Byakuya Kuchiki's eyes.

There were simply too many aged relics in the Soul Society. Not every one of them deserved the word "respect."

"You should know perfectly well why I am here."

Byakuya's gaze swept over the Shihoin Clan members waiting in formation before him, his voice icy.

"Hand over the demon cat and the humans she took away. On behalf of the Gotei 13, I can grant the Shihoin Clan leniency."

"Heh, brat of the Kuchiki Clan."

Shihoin Sōichirō sneered, his clouded old eyes brimming with disdain.

"You seem to have completely forgotten the glory of being a noble. Before becoming a Captain of the Gotei 13, you are first and foremost a noble of high standing. Only after that are you a Shinigami of the Thirteenth Division!"

"When your ancestor, Lord Shihoin Sennen, was the first to join the Gotei 13, did he also hold the same beliefs as you?"

Byakuya Kuchiki retorted expressionlessly, his words sharp as blades.

When it came to using the Gotei 13's authority to suppress other nobles, the Shihoin Clan had been the true pioneers.

Back when Captain-General Yamamoto had yet to enter the Seireitei, while all the nobles watched coldly from the sidelines and