The Final Struggle

Yeah.

The situation was already as bad as it could possibly get.

Since there was no worse outcome, anything they did now was a gain.

"Shinji was right."

Shunsui Kyoraku took a deep breath and raised his head again. Though the exhaustion in his eyes had not faded, there was now a trace of resolve. "Since there's nothing left to lose, let's give it everything we've got."

"Then..." Jūshirō looked at the two of them. "Given the current situation, where do we start? The Gotei 13 is as solid as a wall right now. It won't be easy to tear open a gap."

"I have an idea."

"So do I."

Shunsui Kyoraku and Tenjirō Kirinji spoke almost at the same time.

They exchanged a glance, each catching the brief flash of sharp light in the other's eyes.

"Since we both have ideas, I'll give way to you, junior." Kirinji leaned back in his chair. "You go first."

Shunsui Kyoraku did not stand on ceremony. He lowered the brim of his hat and said gravely:

"The nobles. Although the Kyoraku Family was purged, I know not every noble was wiped out. Those surviving old noble factions might not dare defy Ross openly, but they must hate him enough to tear him apart and eat him alive. Most of them are now sheltering under the Kuchiki Clan, barely hanging on within the Sixth Division."

"You mean...?" Jūshirō's eyes lit up.

"Win over the Kuchiki Clan." Shunsui Kyoraku's tone was certain. "Byakuya Kuchiki's stance may be unclear, but we can try contacting the previous clan head. Kuchiki Ginrei might not be willing to watch Shinigami traditions be overturned like this. Even if we can't fully win him over, stirring the old nobles into unrest would still cause Ross some trouble."

"Not bad."

Kirinji