Following Kensei Muguruma, Siwei Yan stepped into Seireitei Noble District as an "invitee follower" for the first time.
Two tall and thick stone walls completely isolate Runlin An and even the hustle and bustle of other ordinary soldiers' residential areas from outside.
The door on the wall looks ordinary, but it is equipped with a complex Reishi identification barrier. The guards on both sides are not ordinary Shinigami, but private soldiers belonging to Nobles.
Even with a formal invitation, even as the captains of Thirteen Court Guard Squads and Fifth Seat, they were still subject to strict interrogation when passing through these two levels.
The guard carefully checked the order and asked about the purpose. His eyes stayed on Yan Si's too young and stern face for a few seconds.
Even Captain Kensei Muguruma kept a straight face and answered routine inquiries such as "I was invited to attend the ceremony by Kuchiki family" in a serious manner.
Stepping inside the wall, the scene suddenly changed.
The streets are spacious and clean, paved with clean white stones, without any trace of dust.
The architectural style on both sides is simple and elegant, with cornices and brackets and deep courtyards, all of which reflect the heritage and financial resources accumulated over the years.
The Reishi filling the air seems to be purer and softer.
And today, in order to celebrate the happy event of Kuchiki family, both sides of the street were decorated early.
Reishi lamp cages hang under the eaves, and silk and satin decorations printed with Kuchiki family Crest "Kuchiki" can be seen everywhere, showing solemnity and joy.
It is worthy of being the first among Five Noble Houses, with both pomp and style.
Looking at this "another world" that was completely different from the one outside the wall, Yan Si had doubts in his heart.
He turned slightly sideways, approached Kensei, lowered his voice and asked:
"Captain, I heard Captain Hirako mention it before, isn't the ceremony held in Sixth Division? How come it was changed to Noble District?"
He remembered that Sixth Division was the exclusive escort team of Nobles, and Squad Barracks was built outside Noble District.
Kensei walked forward without squinting, and also answered in a low voice:
"Originally it was set at Sixth Division Squad Barracks, but there were too many Nobles invited this time, and important people from each family were present. Some people...
Well, maybe out of caution, I feel that Squad Barracks is an institution open to the outside world after all, and is not as safe and secure as Noble District.
Kuchiki family complied with the suggestion and changed the main ceremony and reception to his own home Estate."
He paused and added, "That's why I didn't bring Kyunnan Shiro this time."
Yan Si It is clear that the overly energetic Lieutenant is indeed an unstable factor in a place like this where antiques are everywhere and everyone is carrying their airs.
The closer Kuchiki family got to the extraordinary Estate gate, the worse premonition in Yan Si's heart became clearer.
Sure enough, still some distance away from the gate, he saw two familiar figures standing under the ancient trees outside the gate. They seemed to be in no rush to enter, more like they were waiting for someone.
Unable to escape, Yan Si sighed inwardly, but his face was unimpressed.
"Captain Hirako? You came so early?" Kensei Muguruma was also a little surprised and took the initiative to say hello.
There is still at least an hour before the official start of the ceremony. With Hirako Shinji's notorious laziness and habit of stepping out of places, it is a bit abnormal to show up here so early.
Hirako Shinji turned around with a slightly frivolous smile on his face:
"Oh, it's Kensei, you're still the same."
His eyes lightly crossed Kensei's shoulders and landed on Yan Si behind him, a smile flashed in his golden pupils.
"Why, have you brought all of us, Mr. Soul Society? Are you planning to show off your civilian style at Kuchiki family's place and ruin the place?"
Yan Si took two steps forward, level with Kensei, and responded calmly:
"Captain Hirako is joking. How dare you make a mistake in front of Kuchiki family's door? I'm just an ordinary soldier who came with the captain to see the world."
Kensei scratched his short silver hair and explained helplessly:
"You know what's going on recently. I originally planned to show up and leave, but I guess someone will come to talk to me later. Let Yan Si help me deal with it, and I can feel more relaxed."
"That's right." Hirako Shinji's eyes turned back to Kensei's face, his smile became lighter, and there was a sigh of sympathy in his tone.
"The recent situation is really not peaceful, and it makes it difficult for people to drink with peace of mind."
Wait.
Yan Si turned his head suddenly, looked at his captain, and lowered his voice:
"Captain Kensei, you didn't say anything about "it's not peaceful". "You need me to block people" because the situation is complicated?"
He felt his forehead was a little swollen.
What's going on? Even Captain Kensei, who has always been straightforward, started to play the trick of saying something behind the scenes? There is still hidden information that has not been disclosed?
Kensei Muguruma was stunned for a moment when asked, his expression a little innocent. "Didn't I say that I need you to help deal with people? Isn't that specific enough?"
"You only said "help", but you didn't say the reason behind it!"
Yan Si tried hard to keep his expression unchanged, and his voice was lowered, almost squeezed out from between his teeth.
There are already other invited Nobles or Shinigami approaching from a distance, so he must keep his manners.
Kensei looked at Yan Si, then at Hirako Shinji, and Aizen Sōsuke, who was standing quietly next to Hirako with a gentle smile.
Hirako Shinji nodded, as if to indicate that it didn't matter.
Kensei then said "Oh" and said as if he suddenly understood:
"Actually, there's nothing I can't say. It's just that there's been some friction between several factions at Noble Council recently, and there's been an undercurrent.
Many thoughtful Nobless contact us captains openly or covertly, trying to test their stance or seek support, which is quite annoying."
Chaos? Yan Si Looking back at the way we walked along, Noble District was decorated with lanterns and festoons in order, how could there be any sign of "chaos"?
"Captain-General Yamamoto... hasn't expressed its position?" Yan Si asked cautiously.
With the prestige and strength of Captain-General, if his attitude can be made clear, he should be able to scare many minds.
Kensei shook his head, this time he was really a little irritated:
"Captain-General has no clear instructions. After all, the real power of Soul Society's daily governance, resource allocation and execution of many rules is still in the hands of Noble Council.
Captain-General and Thirteen Court Guard Squads are more responsible for defending against foreign enemies and maintaining basic order.
Until there is clear evidence of violating the rules and endangering the stability of Soul Society, it is not appropriate for Captain-General to directly intervene in the internal affairs of Nobles."
"?" Yan Si was really confused this time.
This is not the same as what he "knows".
He couldn't help but ask:
"Captain, wasn't Central 46 Chambers established decades ago? In theory, the highest judicial and legislative power should be in their hands, and they should manage Soul Society government affairs, right?"
Kensei Muguruma heard this and glared at Yan Si angrily:
"You! I usually ask you to handle more team affairs and understand the current situation of Seireitei, but you always push back and block!
Central 46 Chambers is indeed established, and there are indeed representatives from all walks of life in it, including small Nobles, middle Nobles, and even symbolic civilian representatives."
He paused, his tone a bit mocking:
"But there are more daily legal rulings and routine approvals.
The one who truly determines the direction of Soul Society, allocates core interests and controls resources is still "Noble Council" controlled by the top Nobles.
Central 46 Many decisions will not work without Noble Council's acquiescence or promotion."
After saying that, Kensei looked not far away.
I saw Captain Eighth Division, Captain Kyōraku Shunsui, walking lazily this way.
Kensei snorted coldly, "Otherwise, do you think I would be willing to come and participate in this kind of gathering where Nobles shows off his connections and strength?"
Yan Si was silent.
He has always relied on his "prophet"-like scattered information advantage, and subconsciously neglected to deeply understand the real power structure of this era Soul Society.
It is thought that Central 46 Chambers has long been in power, while Nobles's power is still there but has been restricted by the system.
Now it seems that at this point in time, the balance of power of Soul Society is.
It seems that there is a big deviation from the "common sense" in his mind.