Take Shisui Away

Whispers rose throughout the courtyard.

Faced with the short blades displayed before them, even these Uchiha, who had always held their heads high, could not help but fall into brief astonishment.

They were no longer clueless newcomers who had just arrived in the Soul Society. Their lives over the past few days had given them a basic understanding of the world beneath their feet.

In this world, the most powerful force was the Shinigami who governed the Soul Society.

And the Shinigami's most famous, most powerful, and most defining symbol of status was the Zanpakuto at their waists.

For ordinary souls, let alone obtaining a Zanpakuto, even seeing one with their own eyes was exceedingly difficult.

For most talented souls, the only way to obtain one was to attend Shino Academy and become a student preparing to become a Shinigami.

Its importance went without saying.

And now, such precious items lay before them.

There were more than ten of them.

For the current Uchiha, this was undoubtedly an unimaginably lavish gift.

A Zanpakuto was not merely a sword; it was synonymous with great power!

It was also the beginning of the Uchiha Clan's impending rise to prominence!

While ordinary clan members might still have been stunned by the Zanpakuto themselves, the more perceptive Uchiha—such as Clan Head Fugaku and the elders—were more surprised by Kenma's attitude.

Bringing so many Zanpakuto at once undoubtedly demonstrated how highly he regarded the Uchiha.

It was settled!

The stones in the hearts of Fugaku, the elders, and the captains finally fell away.

Having suddenly arrived in an unfamiliar world, the Uchiha Clan was at a critical point of life and death. Though they did not show it, most Uchiha were restless and unable to find peace.

Combined with the dangers of their unfamiliar surroundings, the Uchiha Clan absolutely could not lose Kenma's steadfast support at a time like this.

That was why Fugaku and the others had been so eager to display the clan's potential earlier. They feared that Kenma would overlook them.

And these dozen or so Zanpakuto became the reassurance the Uchiha Clan needed.

The Uchiha Clan was still useful!

As long as they were useful, they would not be abandoned.

From then on, they could develop in the Soul Society with peace of mind and restore the Uchiha's former glory.

Moreover, the Uchiha gleaned another piece of information from this: Zanpakuto, whose true forms were rarely seen in the Soul Society, could be obtained so easily from this New Lord. It was clear just how great his authority and status were.

Without question, he was someone worthy of the Uchiha Clan's allegiance and dependence!

A thick, sturdy thigh indeed!

"Besides the Zanpakuto..."

Kenma gestured for Fugaku to open another wooden box. Inside were stacks upon stacks of books.

"Some are textbooks and course materials from my time at Shino Academy, while others are training manuals from the Secret Mobile Corps. I am handing these materials over to you as well."

Strictly speaking, these things were even more valuable than the Zanpakuto.

They were the crystallization of the Soul Society's wisdom and power since ancient times.

Especially the academy materials Kenma had left behind. They contained the experience and lessons summarized by Seireitei's strongest experts.

Some of the contents were precious knowledge personally compiled and written by the Captain-General, the Great Kidō Master, and the captain of the Fourth Division. Their true value could not be measured in money.

"The Onmitsukidō, the Punishment Force Corps—namely, the Second Division—is the division where I currently serve. Its nature is rather similar to you Ninja, and there are many areas of overlap. I imagine you will learn more quickly."

The Second Division, the Punishment Force, and the Onmitsukidō were essentially one entity with the Shikokuin Family.

Its captain had always been the successive heads of the Shikokuin Family. The lieutenants and Seated Officers of every rank were also nobles affiliated with the Shikokuin Family, while its members consisted entirely of those nobles' Private Soldiers and talented people recruited from the Soul Society.

As the Shikokuin Family's son-in-law, Kenma was essentially half the master of the Second Division.

Coupled with the authority granted by his father-in-law, taking out these things was effortless.

Even if others saw it, they would have nothing to say.

The Shikokuin Family's son-in-law was training his own Private Soldiers. Was that not perfectly normal? What was strange about it?

The Uchiha Clan's key decision-makers were all astute individuals, and they had once been outstanding Ninja. Naturally, they understood the importance of this knowledge.

Yet their reactions now were not as intense as when they had first seen the Zanpakuto.

When Fugaku, Setsuna, and Kahaku saw the Zanpakuto, they had basically understood Kenma's intentions. The teaching materials that appeared afterward were all within their expectations.

Kenma looked at Fugaku and the others. The corners of his lips gradually tightened, the smile fading from his face as his expression turned solemn.

"Fugaku, I trust you all understand what I mean?"

"Yes!"

Fugaku and the others dropped to one knee, lowering their heads toward Kenma, who sat on the veranda.

"We will not disappoint your high regard, my Lord. From this day forward, the Uchiha Clan shall be your sharpest blade and your strongest shield!"

Listening as the four before him rose and spoke, Kenma nodded. "Good."

There were also various supplies Kenma had brought from the Shikokuin Family, training tools, and all manner of convenient little items, which need not be listed one by one.

After handing these things over to the Uchiha, Kenma said to Fugaku and the others, "I see that you Ninja favor short blades, much like the Second Division. These Zanpakuto are stock I brought from the Shikokuin Family. Try them and see whether they suit your hands."

As his words fell, Uchiha Shisui stepped forward at the urging of the others' gazes.

Although Shisui was young, his swordsmanship ranked among the very best in the clan.

The moment he picked up a blade, Shisui faintly sensed something. When he drew it, the bright, cold blade reflected a chilling gleam and clearly mirrored his figure.

"Good sword."

Simply holding it gave Shisui an extremely comfortable grip. It moved with incomparable smoothness when swung, without question a top-quality blade.

"My Lord, this blade is of excellent quality. It must have come from the hands of a renowned master."

That was only natural! Kenma naturally knew that every Zanpakuto in the Soul Society had been forged by the same person—the legendary Sword God. Naturally, his work produced fine blades!

Seeing Shisui's reluctant expression, Kenma smiled inwardly and said, "Shisui, leave these swords for the Uchiha Clan. Do not use one for now."

A faintly aggrieved expression immediately appeared on Shisui's handsome face.

Still, he obeyed Kenma's order and returned the Zanpakuto to its place.

Kenma looked at Fugaku and the others. "You may decide among yourselves how to distribute these blades."

"Understood."

Fugaku and the two elders immediately accepted the order solemnly.

The others were not overly worried about Shisui's situation.

As the first Uchiha clansman to follow this Lord, Shisui was also the Uchiha whom he trusted most.

There was surely some other important arrangement for him.

Sure enough, Fugaku and the others soon heard the order from above.

"As for Shisui, I will take him with me on this trip. He will leave the Uchiha Clan for a while."

"I will send him to Shino Academy."