Who the Hell Do You Think You Are?!

Seireitei, Central Council Tower.

The snow-white Central Council Tower soared into the clouds, standing only a little shorter than the nearby royal residence, Lone Peak.

As the highest authority in Seireitei, authorized by the Four Great Noble Houses, its height matched its status perfectly. The Council Chamber on the very top floor overlooked all of Seireitei and most of Soul Society. In the most literal sense, its occupants stood "below only one, and above tens of thousands."

The chamber was shaped like a deep, hexagonal well, with entrances at the top and bottom connecting to two dedicated corridors at different elevations. These allowed the forty-six nobles and those brought in for questioning to enter and leave.

All the seats were arranged high above in three tiers, tightly encircling the speaking area on the lowest level. Those attending the session could only stand in the speaking area. Small screens marked with Chinese numerals loomed above, hiding the faces of the nobles seated behind them.

"Yamamoto Shigekuni, do you think you're the only one who gets to make decisions in Seireitei?" A shrill voice rang out from one of the seats.

"Shino Academy is the future of Seireitei and the foundation of the Court Guard Squad. I have no selfish motives. I only want the academy to attract more talented students." Yamamoto Shigekuni stood ramrod straight in the speaking area and looked up as he spoke.

"The rebels and the Court Guard Squad have been locked in a stalemate for years. Only by ensuring the Court Guard Squad has sufficient strength can we better protect Seireitei. That was my intention when I founded Shino Academy."

"Yamamoto Shigekuni! It's true that you founded Shino Academy, but that was a thousand years ago! The academy now falls under the authority of Central 46. As captain of the Court Guard Squad, you have no right to make such a proposal!"

"Exactly! Yamamoto Shigekuni, are you trying to become a power-hungry warlord?"

Voices of opposition and reprimand rose one after another, echoing through the cramped underground Council Chamber like birds trapped in a cage.

Yamamoto's gaze gradually lowered, hiding his killing intent. "Shino Academy isn't producing enough qualified recruits. The Court Guard Squad can barely cope with the losses in battle and the need to promote personnel, let alone fight the rebels and defend the World of the Living against Hollows."

"Isn't improving the Court Guard Squad's strength the Captain-Commander's responsibility?" the shrill voice rang out again. "Do you really think taking a few more students into Shino Academy will immediately make your Court Guard Squad stronger?"

"Besides, the mysterious person who appeared in Rukongai with a Menos Grande the other day still hasn't been found. Shouldn't that matter more right now?"

Yamamoto said nothing. He knew that it wasn't him they were opposing, but the Court Guard Squad.

His head lowered, and the corner of his eye began to twitch. After a long pause, he said slowly, "I'll say it again: Shino Academy as it stands cannot fill the Court Guard Squad's manpower shortage. It can't make up for either combat losses or personnel promotions.

"If you still want to sit comfortably in Seireitei and issue orders, you'd better think carefully about my proposal."

The Council Chamber erupted at once.

"Yamamoto Shigekuni! Are you threatening Central 46?"

"You've grown far too arrogant in that Captain-Commander's seat, Yamamoto! This has nothing to do with us!"

"Are you not afraid Central 46 will punish you?!"

Just then, the door at the bottom of the Council Chamber opened, and Chojiro appeared. He hurried over to Yamamoto's side and leaned in to whisper something.

Yamamoto's brows drew together. "It might just be the kids fooling around... Let him handle it himself. The fighting has started up again, and we're short-handed everywhere. Don't commit too many people..."

Sasakibe Chojiro nodded and withdrew from the Council Chamber.

Yamamoto turned back, a hint of worry showing in his narrowed eyes. "Those two kids... What are they up to...?"

The session wasn't over. He couldn't leave Seireitei.

"Yamamoto Shigekuni! Do you have anything else to say?" someone called from the seats. "If not, we'll reject your proposal!"

Yamamoto looked up at the numbered screens. "My lieutenant just reported something. Two of my disciples went missing in Rukongai today. I've already sent people to investigate."

"What are you trying to say?"

"I want to send another captain from Seireitei to lead a squad on patrol in Rukongai. I suspect there may be more behind their disappearance."

"Absolutely not! The captains of the Court Guard Squad can't simply change their duties. Four squads have already been sent to suppress the rebellion across Rukongai. The squads remaining in Seireitei must guard it and be ready to provide support at any moment.

"You want to use the Court Guard Squad's forces just because two of your disciples went missing? Have you mistaken the Court Guard Squad for your personal army, Yamamoto Shigekuni? Central 46 rejects your proposal!"

Yamamoto took a nearly imperceptible breath and said slowly, "All right. Then let's continue discussing the matter of Shino Academy..."

At Seireitei's southern gate, the enormous Zhuwa Gate slowly rose. A squad of five Soul Reapers quickly slipped out from beneath it. By moonlight, they raced along the empty streets toward the Danzhao District in the south.

The man at the head of the squad was tall and broad-faced, with a passing resemblance to Kyoraku Shunsui. He was Shunsui's older brother, Kyoraku Seishu.

As one of the most highly regarded members of the 2nd Division, second only to its lieutenant, Kyoraku Seishu was deeply trusted by his fellow squad members.

Now he led the way at a gallop, his rugged face etched with worry.

"Mr. Kyoraku! We still haven't confirmed your brother's whereabouts. Do you know where we should look?" one of the squad members asked as he hurried behind him.

"No problem. My family's servants said someone had already gone after him and would leave marks along the way. We'll meet up with them first, then search together. With this many people, it shouldn't be difficult."

Kyoraku Seishu kept moving and answered loudly.

Before they set out, the Second Division Captain, Shihoin Sennichi, had also taken him aside and told him to send a signal at once if anything seemed wrong. Whether by Kido or Hell Butterfly, the 2nd Division could dispatch help at any time.

The Kyoraku family had served the Shihoin House for nearly a century. Shihoin Sennichi admired Kyoraku Seishu more than anyone, treating him almost like a nephew.

"Even if the Captain-Commander can't get approval from Central 46, the Shihoin House can lend you our private guards. Just make sure you find out where your brother is first. Don't let things get out of hand."

Remembering Shihoin Sennichi's words helped put Kyoraku Seishu at ease.

After their parents died, he had become the pillar of the Kyoraku family. He had worked hard all these years, but his younger brother was always so carefree that he could never quite stop worrying.

A Soul Reaper's job was dangerous, after all. If something ever happened to him, how could the Kyoraku family carry on with Shunsui as he was now?

"Tch! Shunsui, you little bastard. Just wait till I find you—I'll beat your ass black and blue!" he cursed inwardly as he sprinted along.

Before long, the five of them reached the Kyoraku family's gate. The servant who had been with Lin Nan was already waiting there at the head of a group. As soon as he saw his master, he hurried over.

Basement. The beating had just stopped in the dimly lit room.

"If you won't talk, then stay here and behave! Let me remind you one last time..." Iwamoto Raizo turned away and tossed Kyoraku Shunsui a careless remark.

"Accept my offer, and your family will become Seireitei's most powerful upper noble house. Refuse, and you'll remain nothing more than an ordinary hostage."

"Ptooey!" Kyoraku spat out a mouthful of blood. "You think you can threaten Old Man Yama? You're a thousand years too early!"

"Then you'll be pitifully executed because of Yamamoto's stubbornness... sacrificed for Seireitei." Iwamoto chuckled lightly and glanced at Lin Nan.

Lin Nan said, "What are you looking at? Do I look like your dad?"

Iwamoto gave him a humorless smile. "You're quite an interesting bodyguard."

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

"Would you be interested in rising to a higher position?"

Lin Nan twisted around and rubbed his itchy back against the wall. "Why are you asking me? Anywhere outside this basement is higher than here."

Iwamoto's brows knitted slightly. How could this kid be so dense? He really was a poor man who couldn't afford an education. No matter how talented he was in a fight, he could only ever be someone else's bodyguard.

"I'll be frank with you. Do you want to serve a different master? You'd earn more, and your prospects would be much better."

At the words "earn more," Lin Nan's eyes flew wide, gleaming as he asked, "Earn more? How much more?"

Iwamoto couldn't help but laugh. He'd thought highly of the kid before, but now he saw he was just a greedy brat. Still, that didn't matter. If the kid was willing to pledge himself to him, Iwamoto could turn him into a fine asset in just a few years.

"Looks like you're greedy for money." Iwamoto spoke plainly, seeing that Lin Nan had taken the bait.

Lin Nan gave a shameless little grin. "Not just money. I like women, too! But serving our young master doesn't leave me the chance."

Iwamoto thought, That's exactly what I need—a greedy man.

"No matter what the Kyoraku family pays you now, we can offer you three times as much. If you help us achieve our ambitions, you could become a noble like the Kyoraku family."

Lin Nan blinked in astonishment. After a long pause, he said, "You... really mean it? Why are you being so good to me?"

Iwamoto nodded, his words full of temptation. "That's right. I can make this decision on behalf of my lord. I see great potential in you. Just swear your loyalty, and I guarantee you'll get everything I promised—and more!"

Lin Nan lowered his gaze, his eyes darting as if he were rapidly weighing his options. After a moment, he looked up. "But... I did just attack you. You're... not angry?"

Iwamoto smiled. "How else would I have discovered your strengths if we hadn't fought? I don't blame you."

"I'm injured right now, and my wounds haven't healed. It might take a while before I can serve you."

"That's fine. My subordinates receive special care from my lord. He'll have his best doctor treat you."

Lin Nan's face broke into a wide grin. "Then I'm so grateful! Lord Eun... I mean, Lord Iwamoto. I'll be working for you from now on!"

Iwamoto nodded with a satisfied smile and gestured for his men to untie Lin Nan.

Two men stepped forward, untied Lin Nan's hands, and helped him to his feet.

"My lord, I'm injured, so I won't kneel to pay my respects." Lin Nan held his stomach with both hands and nodded deferentially to Iwamoto.

Kyoraku stared in shock. "You, Lin Nan... How could you...?"

Lin Nan expressionlessly turned to glance at Kyoraku, then shook off the two men supporting him and slowly walked over.

Smack!

A resounding slap landed squarely across Kyoraku's face.

Lin Nan bent down, grabbed Kyoraku's collar in both hands, and yanked him close until his nose nearly touched Kyoraku's forehead.

Looking Kyoraku in the eye, he spoke slowly and emphatically:

"You're just a young master. You're nothing! Once I become a noble, I'll slaughter your entire Kyoraku family!"