147 People, Right?

"Rip!"

A faint yet piercing sound of tearing fabric rang out.

The storm of cherry blossoms filling the sky froze in an instant, then scattered like falling petals.

Across Byakuya Kuchiki's chest, Ross's seemingly casual slash carved a massive, perfectly smooth wound so deep that bone was visible.

Scalding blood sprayed through the air like a fountain, staining red the powerless cherry blossoms drifting down.

"Big Brother!!!"

At the sight, Rukia Kuchiki in the ruins below seemed struck by lightning. She let out a shrill scream, her eyes wide as she clamped a hand over her mouth, tears instantly breaking through.

Renji Abarai shut his eyes in agony, smashing both fists into the ground. His face was filled with unbearable grief and despair.

"Faced with an absolute, unbeatable enemy, faced with the temptation to cling to life... did the noble Kuchiki Clan ultimately choose the most glorious death in battle?"

Ross stood in midair and lightly flicked his blade.

Byakuya Kuchiki's scorching blood slid down the cold edge of the blade, forming strings of glaring crimson droplets that drizzled from the sky and struck the trembling Shinigami below with icy splatters.

"I acknowledge this pride. I will remember this clan's name."

As Ross delivered that verdict like an epitaph, Byakuya Kuchiki's broken body slowly fell from the sky like a dead leaf.

By then, his chest had already been completely pierced through.

Yet his bloodstained face remained solemn, preserving until death the usual coldness and pride of the Kuchiki Clan's head.

Only those once stern, emotion-filled eyes had closed forever.

Perhaps he had failed the innocent family members dependent on the Kuchiki Clan, failed his grandfather's hopes that he would continue the Kuchiki legacy.

But here today, he had washed away the nobles' disgrace with his life.

He had not