Supervision Team

"Let's go."

Seeing this, Kūkaku withdrew her gaze and continued walking towards the low houses.

They went all the way down to the hall, where three small dining tables were already set. Shiba Kūkaku sat in the main seat, tapped her pipe against an ashtray beside her, and looked impatiently at Iwao, who seemed to want to speak but hesitated. "Sit down and eat. Ask whatever questions you have, don't hold back."

Upon hearing this, Iwao hurriedly knelt before the dining table below Kūkaku. Duan Mu sat cross-legged at the dining table next to him, picked up his bowl, and began to eat.

Although he didn't show it on the surface, he was actually as confused as Iwao about what had just happened. However, Duan Mu was an outsider, and to avoid misunderstandings, it was better not to ask proactively. Anyway, with Iwao there, if Kūkaku was willing to talk, he would get the answer even without asking.

As soon as Iwao sat down, the questions he had been holding back for a long time poured out. "Big Sister, who were those people just now? Why were those four chasing a Soul Reaper? What did that Soul Reaper do? And looking at them, they seemed to know you…"

"One by one!!"

Shiba Kūkaku interrupted Iwao with a voice that could be described as a roar, making Iwao tremble involuntarily.

"Those four are the first division of the Onmitsukidō, also known as the Punishment Army."

"Punishment Army?"

Iwao was stunned for a moment, then realized with a look of enlightenment. "It's that execution and assassination focused execution unit that Big Brother used to talk about, no wonder they looked so sneaky. They really aren't good people."

Kūkaku rarely reprimanded Iwao; instead, she nodded and said, "The Onmitsukidō is mainly responsible for shady affairs, so it's not wrong to say they aren't good people."

"Then why were they trying to arrest that Soul Reaper?" Iwao continued to ask.

Duan Mu, who was eating, also put down his chopsticks and looked at Kūkaku in the main seat.

"No reason."

"Huh?"

As soon as this was said, both Duan Mu and Iwao were stunned.

"The Onmitsukidō has a total of 5 divisions. The Punishment Army is responsible for assassinations and also for apprehending Soul Reapers. The apprehended Soul Reapers are handed over to the third division, the 'Supervision Team,' who then imprison them in the 'Worm's Nest.' The Soul Reaper who was just arrested was going to the Supervision Team; otherwise, he would have already been executed."

"So, there's no reason."

Iwao's confusion deepened upon hearing this.

"Meaning, he didn't commit any crime?" Duan Mu suddenly said from the side.

"How is that possible?"

Iwao frowned. "Even those despicable Soul Reapers wouldn't arrest someone for no reason, would they?"

However…

Kūkaku looked at Duan Mu with some surprise and nodded, "He's right."

"Huh?"

"Besides guarding prisoners, the Supervision Team also has a job called 'Special Supervision,' which, simply put, is to secretly investigate Soul Reapers who have already joined the Thirteen Court Guard Squads."

"Once it's determined through 'ideology' that they pose a threat to other Soul Reapers and may hinder the work of their division, they will be investigated and arrested after approval from the 'Central 46,' and finally imprisoned in the 'Worm's Nest' for real-time monitoring."

"What is this? Isn't this too unreasonable?" Iwao said in disbelief. "Just because someone is 'potentially' a dangerous individual, they arrest and imprison them for monitoring without them having done anything?"

"It's that unreasonable."

Shiba Kūkaku sneered. "The Thirteen Court Guard Squads actually have no so-called 'withdrawal' system. When a member of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads 'withdraws,' it means they are subjected to 'Special Supervision' and are forcibly confined to the 'Worm's Nest.' The reason…"

"It's simply because the Thirteen Court Guard Squads are a 'noble organization' that does not allow 'qualified members to be in unsuitable situations.' This is a regulation set by the 'Central 46' that manages Seireitei. Therefore, those with 'dangerous thoughts' are forcibly confined under the guise of 'withdrawal'."

Kūkaku paused, her tone laced with sarcasm. "It's worth mentioning that the current captain of the 12th Division, 'Kurotsuchi Mayuri,' was once judged to have 'dangerous thoughts' and was imprisoned in the Worm's Nest, but he was brought out by the previous captain of the 12th Division."

Duan Mu showed the same disbelief as Iwao, but he couldn't help but mutter in his heart, Those Central 46 guys really deserved to die…

Compared to Duan Mu, Iwao on the side sneered, his disgust for Soul Reapers growing even more intense. He gave a very direct evaluation: "Soul Reapers really are all bad people!!"

"As for your last question."

Although Kūkaku was quite irritable in her attitude towards Iwao, she clearly cared about her younger brother and continued to explain to him. "The reason I know so much about the 2nd and 12th Divisions is because the previous captains of both divisions were my old friends."

"Old friends?"

Kūkaku nodded but didn't elaborate, instead picking up her chopsticks from the table.

Seeing this, Iwao naturally understood that his big sister didn't want to go into detail on this point, so he didn't press further.

"Did you hear what Big Sister said?"

Iwao patted Duan Mu's shoulder. "Soul Reapers aren't good people. Don't you dare become a Soul Reaper. Follow me, your big brother, and I guarantee you'll live a life of luxury in Rukongai!" These words were partly because he genuinely believed it, and partly because he didn't want Duan Mu to become a Soul Reaper.

After all, Duan Mu had agreed to be his subordinate, even if it was only during his free time when he had 'no commissions'…

"I don't want to be a Soul Reaper," Duan Mu dodged the hand on his shoulder and said half-jokingly. "Besides, after coming to Rukongai, I've made up my mind to be a good person. My goal is to work hard for world peace and serve the masses!"

"Hahaha~~"

Iwao burst into laughter. "I really like you, you know."

After dinner, Duan Mu didn't stay long and took his leave.

Although Iwao wanted him to stay the night at his house, Duan Mu hesitated for a moment before refusing, using the excuse of 'opening his shop.' Anyway, as long as he maintained a good relationship with Iwao, he would have plenty of opportunities to befriend Kūkaku later. There was no rush, and staying would only mean being with Iwao.

"This kid is really something else."

Iwao watched Duan Mu's retreating back and exclaimed, "No wonder his Yorozuya is so famous after only three years in Rukongai. He's kind, helpful, and incredibly efficient. He must have been a good person in his past life."

"A good person?"

Kūkaku, watching Duan Mu's retreating back, a flicker of a strange look crossed her eyes. "What kind of person do you think someone who vowed to be a 'good person' after dying was in life?"

"Huh?"

Iwao blinked his eyes in confusion.

Seeing this, Kūkaku shook her head and turned to walk back inside.

Actually, while she was explaining to Iwao earlier, she had been observing Duan Mu's reactions. When he heard about the 'Supervision Team,' although the kid outwardly reacted the same as Iwao, his eyes revealed a sense of indifference.

And she wasn't sure if it was an illusion, but she always felt that the smile the kid wore on his face seemed deliberately put on.

However, judging by his demeanor, he had likely heard about the Shiba Clan's past, so it was normal for him to try and befriend her brother in a way that might please her.

In any case, as long as he posed no harm to Iwao, she wouldn't interfere with Iwao's friendships.