What exactly did Manager Urahara mean by his last words?
Ichigo Kurosaki and the others ran through the Dangai leading to Soul Society. Uryū Ishida was completely baffled; he couldn't understand what Kisuke Urahara meant by his last words, that he wanted to use Shihoin to deal with Shihoin...
"Maybe it was just a casual remark from the store manager. Isn't he always like this? Always so mysterious, always saying things we don't understand. I'm used to it."
Ichigo Kurosaki answered Uryū Ishida behind him nonchalantly. During the time he had known Kisuke Urahara, he had come to know Kisuke Urahara's character well—a riddle-teller who always liked to speak in riddles.
Ichigo Kurosaki has a very unique way of dealing with these riddle-solving people...
That means ignoring the riddle the other person is trying to solve. If you can't figure it out, then don't dwell on what they're saying. Just let it go in one ear and out the other, as if they've finished speaking...
"No, I don't believe that shrewd Manager Urahara, would say anything useless to us."
Uryū Ishida was still struggling with his decision. He had always been this kind of indecisive person. Once he couldn't understand something, he would get stuck in a dead end, constantly researching and trying every possible way to solve the problem. Perhaps it was precisely because of his rigorous attitude towards life that his academic performance had always been among the best in his grade.
"But speaking of which, the captain of the Court Guard Second Division, whom Manager Urahara called an extremely dangerous person, is actually afraid of Mr. Yoruichi? Does that mean he's afraid of cats?"
"It's surprisingly cute in a way!"
"I really wonder what kind of person he is; it sounds like he'll be very interesting..."
Orihime Inoue chuckled softly. When she heard Kisuke Urahara say that the way to deal with Sōgo was to use Mr. Yoruichi, she couldn't help but burst out laughing. The thought that Kisuke Urahara, who had described her as an invincible being, was afraid of such a cute little cat made her want to laugh.
"Child, I have to advise you, your thinking is very dangerous right now."
Lying in the Yoruichi of Ichigo Kurosaki's clothes, the black cat Yoruichi's eyes twitched slightly after listening to Orihime Inoue's mutterings. She kindly reminded Sōgo Shihoin Orihime Inoue as her younger brother, no one understood Sōgo Shihoin better than her. If she became too involved with her brother, she would either be assimilated by Sōgo or driven Sōgo...
"Hahaha... Just kidding, Mr. Yoruichi, don't worry about me~"
Orihime Inoue smiled slightly at Yoruichi, trying to get away with being cute.
"You need to adjust your mindset. The Soul Society is far more dangerous than you imagine. A single misstep could cost you your precious lives. Although our time together has been short, I still consider you my valuable disciples. So, give it your all, be on your best behavior, rescue Rukia Kuchiki, and survive. Understand?"
With her hoarse voice, Yoruichi taught her carefree students that while having a good mindset is a good thing, being too relaxed can have negative effects; in short, it can be counterproductive.
"Understood, Yoruichi- sensei."
Orihime Inoue and Yasutora Sado shouted in unison. Although calling a little black cat "teacher" always felt a strange sense of incongruity... Yoruichi was their teacher! Although Mr. Yoruichi was a cat, she was a knowledgeable cat, unlike other cats...
"Everyone, speed up! Every minute we delay, Rukia suffers for another minute. We absolutely cannot let Rukia continue to suffer like this."
Ichigo Kurosaki was very worried about Rukia's safety. Ten days had passed since Rukia was captured and taken to Soul Society. He had no idea what had happened during those ten days or whether Rukia was doing well. However, he heard from Kisuke Urahara that transferring the power of Soul Reaper to a human without authorization was a serious crime in Soul Society. Those with severe offenses would be directly labeled as traitors to Soul Society and publicly executed.
Ichigo Kurosaki vowed that he would never let Rukia be executed. Since he said he would rescue Rukia, he would definitely rescue Rukia.
"We understand..."
After hearing Ichigo Kurosaki's words, everyone quickened their pace and moved forward at an extremely fast speed. They were all Rukia's classmates and sincerely wanted to save Rukia from Soul Society.
Just as everyone was worried about Rukia's safety, a major event was also taking place in Soul Society.
At the joint request of the Shihoin Family and Kuchiki Clan, the Central 46 Chambers was forced to conduct a second interrogation of the culprit Rukia Kuchiki.
However, due to Rukia's serious injuries, this interrogation was conducted by the Central 46 Chambers Shihoin place of Rukia Kuchiki, with the Second Division Captain Shihouin taking her place.
Before the interrogation, in the Second Division barracks.
"Don't worry, leave this to me!"
"Even the Central 46 Chambers have to give me, the head of the Shihoin Family, some face, no matter what."
Sōgo Shihoin gently patted Rukia Kuchiki's shoulder and smiled slightly.
"No, it's precisely because it's you going that I feel nervous and scared."
Rukia Kuchiki felt a surge of tension as she looked at Sōgo Shihoin's nonchalant demeanor. It was precisely because Sōgo Shihoin was the one representing her at the second interrogation that she felt worried, fearing that he might cause even more trouble at this crucial time.
"Ah... don't worry~don't worry~"
Sōgo Shihoin casually waved to Rukia Kuchiki, looking confident, then walked with his head held high, like a leader inspecting a region from the capital, toward the Central 46 Chambers.
In the Central 46 Chambers, a group of sages and judges arrived early and waited patiently for the arrival of the defendant Central 46 Chambers Sōgo Shihoin.
"Ha, what a grand air! Who's the judge and who's the prisoner, anyway?"
The newly appointed sage, who had been listening to and learning from the latest textbooks since childhood, recited the oath. "Do not pursue aesthetics in battle, do not pursue virtue in death, do not only care about saving your own life. If you want to protect what is worth protecting, then kill the enemy that should be defeated from behind!" This was a brand new oath, not the old version of the oath to be loyal to one king and five dukes. The sage's eyes were only filled with the displeasure of having his face trampled by the Shihoin Family, but no longer with the heartfelt fear that the sages felt a hundred years ago when they mentioned the Shihoin Family.
As it turns out, the Central 46 Chambers's policy was correct. Perhaps before long, the entire Soul Society will forget that the Five Great Noble Clans that once ruled the Soul Society were great beings who were on par with the Soul King. Perhaps in the eyes of those newly appointed Soul Reaper, the Five Great Noble Clans are just like other noble families, corrupt and incompetent.
"Smack~"
Just as the newly appointed sage was feeling sullen and angry, the door to Central 46 Chambers suddenly opened, and several Stealth Force dressed in black entered, removing the prisoner's chair in the center of Central 46 Chambers and replacing it with a genuine leather sofa...
What are you doing?
The sage, observing the scene before him, angrily questioned him.
"?"
Upon hearing the sage's roar, several Stealth Force drew their Zanpakuto from their waists and stared at the sage with eyes as cold and sharp as ice.
"Forehead..."
The sage felt the gazes of the group of Stealth Force Stealth Force, and his legs went weak, causing him to slump into his seat. He could feel the merciless killing intent emanating from their eyes; he was going to die! These people wouldn't hesitate to kill him because of his identity.
When his status as a sage failed to intimidate his enemies, this newly appointed sage of the Central 46 Chambers became as weak and powerless as any resident of Rukongai.
"Stop! That's a sage from our Soul Society. We can't just kill him because he's blind. You all escort me to my seat, and the mission is over. You can go back now."
Just as the sage was facing the approaching blade, trembling with fear and his eyes rolling back, a cold voice called out to the Stealth Force member wielding the blade.
"Commander!"
The members of the Stealth Force looked toward the source of the sound, and upon seeing the man wearing a haori and still carrying his Zanpakuto after entering the Central 46 Chambers, exuding a carefree and unrestrained air, they all knelt on one knee and bowed respectfully.
These members of the Stealth Force did not call Sōgo Sōgo, " but rather "Commander." This was because, in their hearts, Sōgo Shihoin was first and foremost the Commander-in-Chief of the Stealth Force, and only then the Captain of the Second Division of the Gotei 13.
As an off-the-beaten-path force on par with the Kidō Corps ) but not part of the Gotei 13, the Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13 (Stealth Force Gotei 13. The reason why both the Kidō Corps's Kidō Chief and the Stealth Force's Captain-Commander -in-Chief are under the command of the Gotei 13's Captain-Commander is because the Old Man Yama is too strong—so strong that... what should be an equal force becomes, under his supreme power, that the Kidō Corps and the Stealth Force are reduced to mere Gotei 13 ...
This situation continued until Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryūsai, who was known as the strongest Soul Reaper in Soul Society in a thousand years and was considered invincible, was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Stealth Force Sōgo Shihoin. Only then did the Onmitsukido break its Stealth Force situation.
Therefore, in the eyes of the members of the Stealth Force, Sōgo Shihoin is like a god. Even if Sōgo said that Captain-Commander Yamamoto was guilty, they would still rush forward without a doubt. Not to mention these wise men of the Central 46 Chambers who have power but no strength.
"Okay, leave this to me."
Sōgo plopped down on the sofa and casually waved to the members of the Stealth Force.
"Yes, sir!"
The group exchanged glances, their eyes filled with a fierce hatred, as if they wanted to tear the sage who had bumped into Sōgo's sofa Sōgo pieces, staring intently at him until they walked out of the door of Central 46 Chambers.
"Alright, now that I'm here, the meeting can begin."
Sōgo leaned back on the sofa, casually waving his hand at the group of judges and the sages of the Central 46 Chambers, indicating that they could begin interrogating him. His arrogant yet calm demeanor was that of a leader.
" Rukia Kuchiki, do you know your crime?"
As Sōgo finished speaking, the sage who had almost wet himself in fear of the Stealth Force sat up from his seat and shouted at Sōgo with all his might.
"..."
Sōgo Shihoin sat like a lord on the sofa placed in the very center of the Central 46 Chambers, chewing gum, showing no intention of answering the sage's question.
"Clap clap clap!"
The sage continued to strike the small bell in front of him with the small hammer in his hand.
"Please answer my question, suspect!"
He roared angrily at Sōgo Shihoin.
"Huh? Don't you know any rules? Do you know who's in charge in Soul Society? Do you know who I am? Do you know who my father is? How dare you talk to me like that? Huh? I've never seen such an ungrateful person..."
Sōgo Shihoin looked at the sage with disdain and retorted coldly, "This sage is so disrespectful. He doesn't take me, the number one fat tiger in Soul Society, seriously at all."
"You, you, you..."
The Sage felt a tightness in his chest from being angered by Sōgo Shihoin.
" Captain Shihoin, you are now representing Rukia, so please be mindful of your position."
An elderly man with white hair, who had ruled Soul Society for hundreds of years and sat in the judge's seat, couldn't help but remind Sōgo Shihoin after hearing his words.
"Oh? Really? Sorry, I forgot. In that case, please ask me again."
Sōgo faced the newly appointed sage with apparent sincerity and apologized.
" Rukia Kuchiki, do you plead guilty?"
After hearing Sōgo's words, the sage was so angry that his teeth itched and his head felt like it was about to explode, but he had no choice but to ask again.
"You're fired. Get out of here."
This time, Sōgo answered even faster, shutting the sage up with just seven words.
"Puff..."
A mouthful of blood spurted from the sage's mouth, and he lay on the ground, convulsing.
"Sage! What's wrong, Sage? Quickly, fetch the physicians from the Fourth Division!"
Sōgo, seeing the sage spitting out blood, exclaimed in alarm.
With the collapse of one of the sages, the interrogation had to be suspended. The judge of the Central 46 Chambers personally escorted Sōgo Shihoin out and announced that he would definitely give Sōgo a satisfactory answer...
A few hours later, in the Second Division located in the Soul Society's Seireitei, Sōgo and the others were chatting and happily eating and drinking.
"Hahaha..."
The atmosphere inside the Second Division's captain's room was completely different from the tense and tragic one outside when they heard that the Sage of the Central 46 Chambers had fainted...
Sōgo was like the uncrowned king of the Second Division —no, Sōgo was the king of the Second Division. After he had angered the Sage to the point of fainting, he not only did not reflect on his actions, but instead laughed unrestrainedly. He sat on his high throne, watching the troupe he had specially invited perform a funny farce, which made him very happy.
Yes, after Sōgo successfully infuriated the sage of the Central 46 Chambers, Sōgo of his way to invite a famous comedy troupe from Soul Society to his palace-like captain's room, and invited all the prominent figures in the Second Division to come and enjoy their comedy performance...
"Speaking of which, Rukia- chan~"
"I just saw that someone from the Central 46 Chambers has arrived. Has your punishment finally been finalized? After this interrogation, your punishment should have been significantly reduced, right?"
After Sōgo finished watching the comedy and laughing heartily, he suddenly remembered something and asked Rukia, who was sitting at the table below him.
Sōgo was very curious: after he caused this mess, how would the Central 46 Chambers sentence Rukia?
After he slapped the Central 46 Chambers across the face in front of the entire Soul Society, Sōgo wondered whether the Central 46 Chambers would still give the Five Great Noble Clans any face.
"Yes, I'm down. Thanks to your efforts and assistance, and after this interrogation, my punishment has indeed been reduced considerably. My sentence of one hundred years imprisonment has been commuted to... In five days, I will be publicly executed with the Sōkyoku in front of all the captains of the Thirteenth Division... That's really something."
After hearing what Sōgo Shihoin, Rukia smiled sweetly, looking incredibly beautiful, as if she had heard some wonderful news and was genuinely happy.
"Ha ha ha ha..."
After hearing Rukia's words, Sōgo Shihoin burst into laughter, a bright and joyful laugh.
"Did you see my skills?"
"You don't need to idolize me too much, Rukia."
Sōgo Shihoin gently smoothed his hair, looking rather narcissistic.
"Regarding your help in commuting my prison sentence to death, to be carried out in five days, on behalf of the Kuchiki Clan, I truly want to thank you! I express my heartfelt gratitude to you."
Rukia Kuchiki forced a smile as she offered her heartfelt blessings and gratitude to Sōgo Shihoin.
"Hahaha..."
Sōgo Shihoin couldn't help but burst into laughter again. Come to think of it, the sages of the Central 46 Chambers were truly petty. He'd only angered one person to the point of fainting; weren't there still thirty-nine left? So what if one died?
" Sōgo, what does the Central 46 Chambers mean by this? Are they planning to declare war on us, the Five Great Noble Clans?"
Sitting next to Sōgo Shihoin Hōshō Ryo frowned, her voice slightly displeased. Having been with Sōgo for over a hundred years, she had long been Sōgo by this chubby tiger.
"Hahaha... War? War is out of the question. As for what the Central 46 Chambers means by this? No... the Central 46 Chambers doesn't have the guts to confront me head-on!"
Sōgo Shihoin seemed to have seen through everything, and chuckled lightly.
" Sōgo, what you mean is?!"
Hōshō Ryo's eyes lit up; she had thought of a possibility.
Whether the real Central 46 Chambers still exists is now uncertain.
"The game is finally starting to get interesting!"
Sōgo Shihoin picked up the small wine glass on the wooden table in front of him, gently swirled it, and revealed a meaningful smile.
I wrote 5,000 words today, and I'm going bald.
(End of this chapter)