Interlocking Links

"I speak only for the will of the Kuchiki Clan."

Byakuya Kuchiki's answer was calm and forceful, without the slightest hesitation:

"As for whether Captain Ross wishes to go further, that is his ambition and has nothing to do with me. But if our goals align, I believe Captain Ross would not object to having another ally."

He had no intention of waving Ross's banner, let alone becoming his subordinate and helping him recruit others.

This was an independent decision reached by him and the Kuchiki Clan after careful consideration—pure and proud.

No matter what plans Ross had in mind, nothing would shake the Kuchiki Clan's choice.

Even without Ross, Captain-General Yamamoto's suppression of the Kuchiki Clan after awakening, combined with his insistence on the Central 46 Chambers' trial and his disregard for the fact that Rukia had not committed any serious wrongdoing, had already doomed both sides to eventual opposition.

If even the Shihoin Clan had the courage to die calmly for the sake of their family's honor, how could the Kuchiki Clan, which considered itself the foremost of the noble houses, lack the resolve to burn its boats?

If they lost, then all that could be said was that they were inferior in skill. They would accept the result of the wager.

That did not prevent them from choosing a side for the sake of the new era, nor did it conflict with dying to uphold their principles.

"Is that so? Then I understand."

Aizen looked at Byakuya Kuchiki's stubborn face. On the surface, he merely nodded thoughtfully, but deep down, he could not help marveling once again at Ross's almost monstrous methods.

Ross had clearly employed no sinister stratagems. Every step he took was an open and righteous path.

Pushing reforms, expanding military strength, and improving the