Heading to the Human World

Back home, Gaoyu was still puzzled about what the Tsunayashiro family wanted him to do.

What did they want him to do?

He had only just become a Vice-Captain, and the Tsunayashiro family was already setting its sights on him?

As a Vice-Captain, Gaoyu had the right to refuse the Tsunayashiro family's orders.

But there was no need to. He wanted to see what the Tsunayashiro family was asking him to do, too.

There were two special power structures in the Seireitei.

The first was naturally Central 46. It was the highest judicial body in Soul Society. Once Central 46 reached a decision, even the Gotei 13 had no authority to oppose it and could only carry it out without question!

The second was the Golden Seal Noble Council, the power structure that governed the nobles of the entire Seireitei. It was led by the Five Noble Clans, especially the Tsunayashiro family, the foremost among them.

At first glance, the two power structures had different responsibilities. On the surface, Central 46 was the highest authority, but a closer look revealed that things weren't quite so simple.

Central 46 was indeed the publicly recognized highest authority, but the so-called "sages" who made it up were all nobles.

And as nobles, they were naturally subject to the Golden Seal Noble Council, which governed the nobility.

In other words, by controlling the nobles, the Tsunayashiro family could easily control Central 46, which was itself controlled by nobles.

That was why the Five Noble Clans held such an exceptional position in Soul Society, especially the Tsunayashiro family.

Someone like him, a Soul Reaper who had only just become a Vice-Captain, might be a rising star in the Seireitei, but to the Tsunayashiro family, who had ruled the Seireitei for a million years, he probably wasn't worth noticing.

It would be one thing if he were a Captain, but a mere Vice-Captain...

He really wasn't worth mentioning.

But Gaoyu was happy to play along with the Tsunayashiro family. Their clan had far too many good things, after all.

He had to see if he could snatch a few benefits from those people.

With that thought, Gaoyu decided not to sleep.

The mission was three days away, so he planned to train hard during those three days and get as strong as he could.

He didn't go out to build affection with anyone during those three days. Instead, he stuck to his usual routine, going back and forth between work and training, with brief breaks in between.

On the third day, just as Gaoyu entered the Fifth Division, he saw a Hell Butterfly fluttering toward him from afar.

The Hell Butterfly landed on his finger, and a moment later, its message entered his mind.

"Hm?"

Gaoyu paused, then couldn't help smiling. "Just as I thought."

He had received his assignment from the Tsunayashiro family. Sure enough...

He was to head to the Human World and help the Tsunayashiro family investigate a group of people.

A group of humans with special abilities—in other words, Fullbringers!

That was the conclusion Gaoyu had reached after thinking it over during those three days.

To people from Soul Society, the Human World was a world of vessels inhabited by ordinary mortals. Spirits felt a little uncomfortable in a world with such a low concentration of reishi.

How could a noble family like the Tsunayashiro possibly care for the Human World's environment?

The only thing there that might interest them, after all that consideration, was the Fullbringers who possessed Soul King Fragments.

That's right. The reason Fullbringers could wield all those strange abilities was largely because they had Soul King Fragments in their bodies.

The Soul King Fragments attracted Hollows to attack the mothers carrying them, which led to the birth of Fullbring.

Still, sending him to investigate Fullbringers...

That was interesting.

Those people...

Did they think he was another part of the Soul King?

It wasn't impossible.

The Tsunayashiro family controlled all the surveillance in the Seireitei, so there was a lot they could learn about his actions.

Although his battles had all taken place in Rukongai, he must have left some clues behind in the Seireitei. The Tsunayashiro family might have noticed them.

Did they suspect he might possess the Soul King's power?

Maybe they were even planning to make a move against him in the Human World this time.

Having read the story of Bleach, he knew the Tsunayashiro family would eventually target the Fullbringers. This time, he was going to investigate them.

Once the investigation was complete, the Tsunayashiro family could kill both the Fullbringers and him, then perhaps frame him for the Fullbringers' deaths.

Gaoyu felt he'd figured out the truth. Tsk, you little punks, trying to mess with me.

Gaoyu released the Hell Butterfly, then headed toward the Fifth Division's office.

Aizen was handling the division's paperwork. He didn't react when Gaoyu approached.

It had to be said, Aizen was very capable at his job. He kept the Fifth Division's affairs perfectly organized all by himself.

Gin Ichimaru wasn't the type to work diligently, and neither was Gaoyu. That meant Aizen was the one who conscientiously handled most of the Fifth Division's work.

Thanks for all the hard work, Aizen.

Gaoyu walked in and greeted him, then said, "Captain Aizen, I'm heading to the Human World on a mission. Would you like me to bring you back any local specialties?"

Only then did Aizen look up. He said to Gaoyu, "Since the Tsunayashiro family assigned you the mission, go do it. The division doesn't need you anyway."

"That hurts. You make it sound like I'm completely expendable." Gaoyu sighed. "Well, I'm off. By the way..."

He turned around, then glanced back at Aizen and added, "Since I'm going to the Human World, should I pass along your regards to some old acquaintances?"

"..."

Aizen was silent for a moment, then smiled. "That's up to you. I've never interfered with my subordinates' freedom."

"Fine." Gaoyu left the office and headed for the Senkaimon.

The Zanpakuto of Captain-level Soul Reapers were all authorized to open a Senkaimon, but Gaoyu's assignment was a "secret mission," so he couldn't use the Gotei 13's official channels.

Following the information from the Hell Butterfly, he made his way to a Senkaimon and passed through it into the Dangai.

The Dangai was a special space-time passage separating the different worlds. Time there passed at two thousand times the rate of the outside world, making it a rather terrifying place.

Purple Kuryu flowed all around. If it covered someone, they would be trapped in the Dangai forever.

There was also Kotsubaki, the cleaner that appeared once every seven days. If it touched someone, even their soul would be erased.

Soul Reapers simply couldn't fight an entity like Kotsubaki. No matter how strong they were, as long as they remained Soul Reapers, they couldn't resist a being governed by such a rule.

Gaoyu did want to test whether his Destruction Death Ray could damage Kotsubaki, but it wasn't time for Kotsubaki to appear yet, and he had no interest in waiting around in the Dangai for it.

What if it didn't work? Then wouldn't he be doomed?!