A Shift in Mindset

At Ginjiro's words, the Soul Reaper's face instantly went pale. He did not dare say another word and hurried back to his post to patrol.

Captain Kuchiki's son had only just died, and here he was eagerly saying that Third Seat Ginjiro would succeed him as Vice-Captain...

Was he tired of living?

After arranging the Seated Officers, Ginjiro personally stood guard beside Haruko Kuchiki.

It would be a lie to say Ginjiro had no thoughts about the Vice-Captain position.

However, after so many years in the Sixth Division, Ginjiro believed he had seen through the division—or rather, through the Kuchiki Clan.

The Sixth Division was a noble division, and the Kuchiki Clan was one of the Four Great Noble Houses of the Seireitei. For them to command a noble division was only natural.

Thus, the Kuchiki Clan regarded the Sixth Division as its private domain and would not allow outsiders to meddle in it.

He was far stronger than Sōjun Kuchiki, yet in the Sixth Division, he could only be Third Seat.

Although Sōjun Kuchiki was now dead, making it seem as though he was only one step away from becoming Vice-Captain...

Ginjiro knew full well that his chances of becoming Vice-Captain of the Sixth Division were minuscule.

Glancing at the Kuchiki Clan's Young Lady, who was immersed in grief, Ginjiro shook his head.

The future Vice-Captain of the Sixth Division could only be this Young Lady's husband.

If he wanted to become Vice-Captain, he would have to wait until Captain Kuchiki stepped down and the Young Lady's husband successfully took his place.

And besides...

Thinking of Young Master Byakuya Kuchiki, whom Sōjun Kuchiki had left behind, perhaps he would not hold the Vice-Captain position for very long even if he got it.

Ah, being a Soul Reaper was so boring.

Especially in a division where the future was visible at a glance.

He should start some side work first, then retire from the Sixth Division once the time was right!

But what should he do?

He had heard glasses were quite popular in the Human World these days...

"Clang..."

The Prison doors opened, and Ailin opened his eyes.

Five familiar spiritual pressures were approaching.

Captain Yoruichi, Urahara Kisuke, Sui-Feng.

Ginrei Kuchiki, Kensei Muguruma!

"Could the Trial be starting today?"

Sensing the five approaching, Ailin was somewhat puzzled.

Since when had Central 46 become so efficient?

However, to Ailin's surprise, the five merely gave him slight nods before heading straight to another Prison cell.

That was where Hibiki Hoshino was being held.

"Hoshino."

Once they had stopped, Ginrei Kuchiki stepped forward and was the first to address Hibiki Hoshino, who had his back to them.

"Oh? What rare visitors, Captain Kuchiki."

"I never expected Captain Kuchiki to be the first one to visit me in Prison. What an honor."

Hibiki Hoshino could not even be bothered to turn around. Even Kensei Muguruma, who was unfamiliar with everyone else, could not help frowning at Hibiki Hoshino's sarcastic tone.

Ginrei Kuchiki did not defend himself in the face of Hibiki Hoshino's resentment.

After all, Hibiki Hoshino had used Bankai and violated the Captain-Commander's ban only because he wanted to help Ginrei Kuchiki capture Ailin, who had been following his daughter.

Yet first, Ginrei Kuchiki had not come to see Hibiki Hoshino immediately. Instead, he had allowed his own daughter to visit Ailin.

Second, he had not used his connections to lessen Hibiki Hoshino's charges or made any move to transfer Hibiki Hoshino to the Sixth Division.

All in all, Hibiki Hoshino had stood up for Ginrei Kuchiki, yet in the end, Hibiki Hoshino alone had borne all the consequences.

Ginrei Kuchiki knew he was in the wrong about this as well.

But he had not come here to apologize.

"Hoshino, you should know very well how I have treated you these past few years."

"Heh, what is there not to understand? You wanted me to marry into the Kuchiki Clan and serve the Kuchiki Clan, didn't you?"

Since all pretense had already been torn away, Hibiki Hoshino had no intention of saving Ginrei Kuchiki any face.

"But it seems the head of the Kuchiki Clan found a better replacement, so I was discarded."

"No, I had not abandoned you before this."

"Heh heh..."

Hibiki Hoshino sneered.

Ginrei Kuchiki and Hibiki Hoshino's exchange was explosive gossip for everyone present.

Even Shihoin Yoruichi had not known that Ailin's battle with Hibiki Hoshino the night before last had involved so many complications.

But considering Ginrei Kuchiki's age and Sōjun Kuchiki's circumstances, everyone understood.

"Indeed, after that person appeared, I wavered."

"But Hoshino, do you really think I would reject you because of someone I had only known for a day?"

The smile at the corner of Hibiki Hoshino's mouth froze.

It was true. Over the years, Ginrei Kuchiki had treated Hibiki Hoshino as a junior, while Hibiki Hoshino had dutifully played the role of one. In terms of affection, they were no worse than a real father-in-law and son-in-law.

Based on Hibiki Hoshino's understanding of Ginrei Kuchiki, Ginrei Kuchiki truly would not reject him over someone who had only just appeared.

A flicker of regret passed through Hibiki Hoshino's heart, but the next instant, he tore that regret and guilt to shreds.

Who was he?

He was Hibiki Hoshino, a genius with the power to overturn Soul Society.

What gave Ginrei Kuchiki the right to speak to him in such a lofty tone?

Was it the strength of the Captain of the Sixth Division, or the status of one of the Four Great Noble Houses?

Without realizing it, Hibiki Hoshino's heart had changed greatly.

Why could these people stand so high above him and decide his fate as though it were only natural?

And why did he have to obey their "decisions"?

Even if there was to be a rejection, he should be the one rejecting the Kuchiki Clan.

Thus, all Hibiki Hoshino felt toward Ginrei Kuchiki's current attitude was disgust.

"Hoshino, why did you kill Sōjun?"

Faced with Ginrei Kuchiki's question, Hibiki Hoshino finally turned around.

"Oh? Sōjun Kuchiki is dead? That truly is... delightful."

"But Captain Kuchiki, your son has died, and you immediately place the blame on me. That does not seem very appropriate, does it?"

"Stop quibbling, Hoshino."

Ginrei Kuchiki did not believe Hibiki Hoshino's sophistry at all. "Sōjun... Sōjun died by the power of his own Zanpakuto."

"In all of Soul Society, only you can do that, Hoshino."

"Answer me. Why did you kill Sōjun, Hoshino?!"

In the face of Ginrei Kuchiki's relentless pressure, Hibiki Hoshino burst into laughter.

"HAHAHAHA, HAHAHAHA..."

"Captain Kuchiki, accusations require evidence."

"When I was sent to the Ninth Division's Prison yesterday, my Zanpakuto was personally confiscated by the Captain of the Ninth Division."

"Moreover, the Soul Reapers guarding the Ninth Division's Prison can all testify that from the moment I entered this Prison until now, I have remained here the entire time."

"Captain Kuchiki, tell me, how could I, without my Zanpakuto, kill Sōjun Kuchiki from within the Ninth Division's Prison?"

"HAHAHAHA, HAHAHAHA..."