You're Farting Shit!

Seireitei, Central Council Tower.

The snow-white Central Council Tower towered into the clouds, standing only slightly shorter than the nearby "Lone Peak," the residence of the royal family.

As the highest authority in Seireitei authorized by the Four Great Noble Families, its height was perfectly matched to its status. Located at the very top, the council chamber overlooked the entirety of Seireitei and most of Soul Society, making it, in the most literal sense, "below one, above ten thousand."

The building's layout resembled a hexagonal deep well, with entrances at the top and bottom connecting to high and low dedicated corridors, allowing the forty-six noble councilors and those summoned for questioning to enter and exit.

All seats were positioned high up, divided into three tiers that tightly enclosed the speaking area at the very bottom. Those participating in the council could only stand within this speaking area. Small screens inscribed with Chinese numerals hung high above, obscuring the faces of the nobles seated behind them.

"Yamamoto Shigekuni, do you think Seireitei is yours to run alone?" A sharp voice rang out from one of the seats.

"The Shino Academy is the future of Seireitei and the foundation of the Court Guard Squads. I have no selfish motives; I only wish for the academy to be able to absorb more students with potential." Yamamoto Shigekuni stood straight in the speaking area, looking upward as he spoke.

"The rebel forces and the Court Guard Squads have been locked in a stalemate for years. Only by guaranteeing the strength of the Court Guard Squads can we better protect the safety of Seireitei. That was my original intention in founding the Shino Academy."

"Yamamoto Shigekuni! It is true that you founded the Shino Academy, but that was a thousand years ago! The jurisdiction of the Shino Academy now belongs to the Central 46. As a captain of the Court Guard Squads, you have no authority to make such a proposal!"

"That's right! Yamamoto Shigekuni, are you trying to become a dictatorial warlord?"

Voices of opposition and rebuke rose one after another, echoing in the not-so-spacious underground chamber like a sealed birdcage.

Yamamoto Shigekuni's gaze gradually lowered, concealing his killing intent: "The quality of the student intake at the Shino Academy is not high. The Court Guard Squads are already struggling to cope with fighting the rebels and responding to the attacks of Menos Grande on the living world."

"Is it not the duty of the Captain-Commander to improve the combat power of the Court Guard Squads?" The same sharp voice rang out again. "Do you really think that admitting a few more students to the Shino Academy will immediately strengthen your Court Guard Squads?"

"Furthermore, the mysterious person who appeared in the Rukon District with a Menos Grande the other day has yet to be found. Shouldn't that be a more important matter right now?"

Yamamoto remained silent. He knew clearly that everyone was not opposing him, but the Court Guard Squads.

He kept his head low, the corner of his eye twitching uncontrollably. After a long while, he spoke slowly: "I will say it again: the current Shino Academy cannot fill the personnel gaps in the Court Guard Squads. Neither combat attrition nor personnel promotions can be satisfied."

"If you still wish to sit securely in Seireitei and issue orders, you had best consider my suggestion carefully."

The council chamber erupted in an instant:

"Yamamoto Shigekuni! Are you threatening the Central 46?"

"This Captain-Commander has become too arrogant, Yamamoto! Isn't everything directly related to you?"

"Are you not afraid of the Central 46 punishing you?!"

At this moment, the door at the bottom of the chamber suddenly opened, and the figure of Sasakibe appeared. He quickly walked to Yamamoto's side, leaned over, and whispered a few words.

Yamamoto's brows knit tightly together, and he whispered instructions: "Perhaps the brats are just playing... Let him handle it himself. War has broken out again, and manpower is tight everywhere; do not occupy too many people..."

Sasakibe nodded, bowed, and exited the council chamber.

Yamamoto turned back, a trace of worry flickering in his narrowed eyes: "These two brats... what are they up to..."

The council had not yet concluded; he could not leave Seireitei.

"Yamamoto Shigekuni! Do you have anything else to say?!" A person from the seats asked loudly. "If not, your proposal will be rejected!"

Yamamoto looked up at the numbers on the screens and said: "My lieutenant just reported a situation. My two disciples went missing in the Rukon District today. I have already ordered people to investigate."

"What are you trying to say?"

"I wish to dispatch an additional captain from Seireitei to lead a squad to patrol the Rukon District. I suspect there may be other reasons behind this disappearance."

"Impossible! The duties of each Court Guard Squad captain cannot be changed. Four divisions have already been dispatched for the rebel suppression mission in the Rukon District. The divisions remaining in Seireitei must guard the city and shoulder the task of providing support at any time."

"You want to use the power of the Court Guard Squads for the sake of two missing disciples? Are you treating the Court Guard Squads as your private army? Yamamoto Shigekuni?? The Central 46 rejects this proposal!!"

Yamamoto took an imperceptible breath and said slowly: "Very well, then let us continue discussing the issue of the Shino Academy..."

On the south side of Seireitei, the massive Zhuwa Gate slowly lifted, and a five-man Soul Reaper squad quickly slipped out from beneath it. Under the moonlight, they sped toward the Danzhao District in the south along the deserted streets.

The leader, tall with a broad face and features somewhat similar to Kyoraku Shunsui, was none other than Shunsui's older brother, Kyoraku Seishu.

As the most valued squad member under the lieutenant of the Second Division, Kyoraku Seishu was highly trusted by his peers.

At this moment, he took the lead, his stern face filled with extreme anxiety.

"Kyoraku-san! Your brother's whereabouts haven't been confirmed yet; do you know where we should look?"

A squad member following closely behind him asked in confusion.

"No problem. My servant said that someone has already pursued them and will leave marks along the way. We will first rendezvous with my servants and then search together. I believe that with so many people, it shouldn't be difficult."

Kyoraku Seishu answered loudly without slowing his pace.

Before departing, Second Division Captain Shihoin Sennichi had privately urged him that if he sensed anything wrong, he should signal immediately—whether through Kido or Hell Butterflies, the Second Division could send reinforcements at any time.

The Kyoraku family had served the Shihoin family for nearly a hundred years, and Shihoin Sennichi admired Kyoraku Seishu the most, treating him almost like a nephew.

"Even if the Captain-Commander didn't get authorization from the Central 46, you can borrow the private soldiers of the Shihoin family. The premise is that you must confirm where your brother is; don't blow things out of proportion."

Recalling Shihoin Sennichi's words, Kyoraku Seishu felt a bit more at ease.

After his parents passed away, he became the pillar of the Kyoraku family. He had worked very hard over the years. However, his younger brother was always lackadaisical, which made him feel very uneasy.

After all, the work of a Soul Reaper was highly dangerous. If something were to happen to him one day, how could the current Kyoraku support the sky of the Kyoraku family?

Damn it! Shunsui, you bastard, when I find you, I'll tan your hide! he cursed inwardly while speeding along.

Soon, the five of them arrived at the main gate of the Kyoraku estate. The servant who had been with Lin Nan was waiting there, and seeing his master return, he hurried forward.

Basement. The dim basement, a round of beating had just ended.

"Since you refuse to speak, then stay here obediently! One last warning..." Iwamoto Raizo turned around, tossing a sentence at Kyoraku Shunsui without a care:

"Agree to my terms, and your family will become the greatest high-ranking noble in the Seireitei in the future; refuse, and you will only ever be a common hostage."

"Pah!" Kyoraku spat out a mouthful of blood-red saliva, "You trying to threaten Old Man Yamamoto? You're a thousand years too early!"

"Then you will only be pitifully executed because of Yamamoto's stubbornness... becoming a sacrifice for the Seireitei." Iwamoto laughed lightly, his gaze shifting to Lin Nan nearby.

Lin Nan: "What are you looking at? Do I look like your daddy?"

Iwamoto said with a stiff smile: "This bodyguard of yours is quite interesting."

Lin Nan scoffed: "What about it? Got a problem?"

"Are you interested in standing in a higher position?"

Lin Nan twisted his body, rubbing his itchy back against the wall, and said in a slouching manner: "Do you even need to ask? Once I walk out of this basement, anywhere is higher than standing here."

Iwamoto frowned slightly. How could this kid's comprehension be so poor? As expected of a poor person who couldn't afford an education; no matter how good his combat talent was, he could only ever be a bodyguard for others.

"Let me be blunt with you. Do you want to change masters? You'll earn more, and your future prospects will be much better."

Hearing the words "earn more," Lin Nan's eyes widened instantly, glowing with a greedy light as he asked: "Earn more? How much more?"

Iwamoto couldn't help but chuckle. He had admired this kid earlier, but now it seemed he was just a money-grubbing brat. But that didn't matter; as long as he was willing to defect, he could mold him into an outstanding talent within a few years.

"It seems you are a greedy person after all." Seeing that Lin Nan had taken the bait, Iwamoto spoke bluntly.

Lin Nan gave a slightly shameless smile: "Not just greedy, I'm also lecherous! It's just that following our young master, I haven't had the opportunity."

Iwamoto thought to himself, greed is exactly what I need.

"No matter how much monthly salary the Kyoraku family gives you now, we can offer you triple. If you assist us in achieving our great cause, you too can become a noble like the Kyoraku family."

Lin Nan blinked in astonishment, and only after a long while did he say: "Are... are you telling the truth? Why be so good to me?"

Iwamoto nodded, his words filled with temptation: "Indeed. I can decide this on behalf of my clan head. I think highly of your potential. As long as you swear loyalty, I guarantee you will get no less than what I promised!"

Lin Nan lowered his gaze, his eyes flickering as if he were calculating something rapidly. A moment later, he looked up: "Then... I attacked you back then, are you... not angry?"

Iwamoto smiled: "If we didn't trade blows, how would I have discovered your strengths? I don't hold it against you."

"I'm in this state now, my injuries haven't healed, so I might need to rest for a while before I can serve you."

"No matter. My subordinates all receive special care from the master. The master will have his best doctor treat you."

Lin Nan's face immediately blossomed into a smile: "Then I am truly grateful! This eun... no, Lord Iwamoto, from now on, I'm with you!"

Iwamoto nodded, revealing a satisfied smile, and waved for his subordinates to untie Lin Nan.

The two men stepped forward to undo the ropes on Lin Nan's hands and supported his arms, helping him stand up.

"My lord, I have injuries on me, so I won't be performing a formal salute." Lin Nan clutched his stomach with both hands and bowed respectfully to Iwamoto.

Kyoraku, standing to the side, was dumbfounded: "You, Lin Nan... how could you..."

Lin Nan turned his head to look at Kyoraku with an expressionless face, then shook off the two men supporting him and walked slowly toward Kyoraku.

Slap!—

A loud, crisp slap landed solidly on Kyoraku's face.

Lin Nan bent down, grabbed Kyoraku's collar with both hands, and pulled him close until his nose was almost touching Kyoraku's forehead.

He looked into Kyoraku's eyes and said, word for word:

"As a young master, you're worth nothing! Once I become a noble, I'll slaughter your entire Kyoraku family!"