Noble Street, the Kuchiki Clan mansion!
Inside a massive palace that resembled an imperial palace!
The former head of the Kuchiki Clan, Kuchiki Ginrei, no longer had his usual serious demeanor; he now appeared as a kind old man, surrounded by three children.
These three children are the children of Kōga Kuchiki and Aya. Because Soul Society experienced a great war with the Quincy, the Gotei 13 suffered heavy losses. In response to the call for three children!
Despite their desperate efforts, Kōga Kuchiki and Aya added two more children to the Kuchiki Clan, a boy and a girl.
The Kuchiki Clan, Kuchiki Ginrei lineage, is now undoubtedly a large and prestigious family!
"Today is a joyous day! Following Byakuya Kuchiki, another member of our Kuchiki Clan has successfully assumed the position of Gotei 13! Congratulations!"
"In that case, our Kuchiki Clan controls two of the Gotei 13: the Sixth Division and Thirteenth Division, making us a true paragon of nobility."
Kuchiki Ginrei stroked his white beard and spoke with a smile.
"Father, we've only taken control of two squads! It's no big deal at all."
"Compared to the increasingly powerful Shihouin Shihōin Clan, who have even transformed the Gotei Second Division, the Stealth Force, into a unit with ten or more division Captain-level, the Gotei 13 is far from being a force to be reckoned with! The road ahead for our Kuchiki Clan is still long and arduous!"
Although Sōjun Kuchiki's health wasn't very good, he had a long-term vision. He believed that the current model of the Shihōin Clan was the Kuchiki Clan's way forward. They didn't need to control multiple Gotei 13 captain positions, but rather to carefully plan and build one division, transforming it into a private army belonging to the Gotei 13 Kuchiki Clan. This was the model the Kuchiki Clan should follow!
"Compared to the Gotei Thirteenth Division, which has always been controlled by the Shiba Clan, I think Rukia should be transferred back to the Sixth Division Sixth Division to serve as its vice-captain and assist Byakuya!"
"When Byakuya retires from the Sixth Division in a few decades, Byakuya will undoubtedly be Rukia successor."
Sōjun Kuchiki shared his thoughts with Kuchiki Ginrei.
"What you said makes a lot of sense!"
Upon hearing this, Kuchiki Ginrei nodded repeatedly, in his eyes Sōjun Kuchiki was indeed right.
"I also think Brother Sōjun makes a good point!"
Kōga Kuchiki had been silent until now, also chimed in, agreeing with Sōjun Kuchiki's words. He believed that the Kuchiki Clan had always controlled the Gotei 6th Division, and that helping the Shiba Clan manage the Gotei Thirteenth Division was simply diverting their fighting strength.
"That makes sense, that makes sense!"
"But if we let Rukia come back now, it would be a bit of a loss of face. We are members of the Kuchiki Clan; we can't just lose face like that!"
"Since Rukia has already agreed to help the Shiba Clan manage the Thirteenth Division, let's let Rukia do it!"
"Don't worry, we are the noble and exemplary Kuchiki Clan!"
Listening to everyone's worries, Kuchiki Ginrei spoke softly, her words filled with a reassuring power. Perhaps this was the benefit that an experienced elder, weathered by countless storms, brought to a large family!
"Father is right!"
Upon hearing this, Kōga Kuchiki and Byakuya Kuchiki Ginrei repeatedly, expressing their respect for Ginrei Kuchiki.
"Next, we need to figure Rukia's banquet!"
"I suggest we organize it to the highest standards, as Byakuya proposed!"
"Although some might say that Soul Society has just experienced a war, it's not appropriate to hold any celebrations..."
"But I think the Soul Society is too gloomy right now. Everyone is immersed in grief. Perhaps it is precisely because everyone is in pain that they need joy and celebration even more!"
Sitting on the futon, Kuchiki Ginrei believed that the more miserable the people of Soul Society were, the more they needed happiness, and the more pain they suffered, the more they needed to laugh. That's why he decided to properly organize Rukia Kuchiki's promotion...
"Father is right!"
"Soul Society is too dull right now!"
"Perhaps we really need to hold a grand ceremony to make everyone smile!"
Upon Kōga Kuchiki Hibiki nodded slightly, agreeing with Kuchiki Ginrei's reasoning.
"Let's do it that way!"
"The ceremony must be a success, and a grand one!"
"Let the world see the power of the Kuchiki Clan."
Kuchiki Ginrei spoke with great ease.
Perhaps it was because Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryūsai, the greatest Soul Reaper of the millennium who had subdued the Five Great Noble Clans for over a thousand years, had left Soul Society to travel alone, and Shunsui Kyōraku, despite his outstanding strength and top-tier power, was nowhere near the level of Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryūsai as a suppressive force, that the immense pressure Kuchiki Ginrei Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryūsai had now vanished along with him...
Time flies...
After Kuchiki Ginrei finalized the details of the ceremony celebrating Rukia Kuchiki's inauguration as captain, the day for the banquet that everyone had decided upon arrived quickly!!
The Kuchiki Clan's banquet was still packed with people, with countless minor and major nobles gathering to congratulate the Kuchiki Clan. At the same time, they were incredibly envious of the Kuchiki Clan Kuchiki Clan's luck, as they were jealous that the Kuchiki Clan had poached another terrifying combatant, a squad Captain-level fighter, from outside the Kuchiki Clan after Kōga Kuchiki!
At the same time, they were thinking that if they could get Rukia Kuchiki before the Kuchiki Clan, that would be great. If they could get a Captain-level fighter in their family, it would definitely take their family to a higher level, or even a completely new level.
In addition to a group of nobles, Kuchiki Ginrei also invited all the captains of the Gotei 13!
In response to Kuchiki Ginrei's invitation, almost all the captains of the Gotei 13 arrived!
There was no other way; as long as they were still active in Soul Society, they had to give the Kuchiki Clan some face. Even the newly appointed Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13, Shunsui Kyōraku, came to the Kuchiki Clan's residence to personally offer his congratulations.
"Captain Kyōraku, do we really need to come in person!?"
"Captain-Commander Yamamoto has never attended any gatherings that are purely for personal enjoyment!"
Nanao Ise followed Shunsui Kyōraku somewhat reluctantly; she disliked the arrogance on the faces of the Kuchiki Clan's retainers.
"Hahaha..."
"Little Nanao, you just don't understand, do you!?"
"The reason we maintain regular contact with the Kuchiki Clan Kuchiki Clan is to have them help us stabilize the situation!"
"With Yama-jii away on his journey, Sōgo Shihoin of the loop, and the Squad Zero retired, the Kuchiki Clan family is the most powerful and influential family in the entire Soul Society. We can't afford to offend them."
After hearing Nanao Ise's question, Shunsui Kyōraku smiled gently and patted the girl's head.
"But that doesn't mean we should be treated arrogantly by those soldiers!"
Nanao Ise clearly still somewhat angry. She was angry that the soldiers hadn't said a word after seeing Shunsui Kyōraku, the Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13, and had simply told him to wait according to the normal procedure.
"Nanao, when you feel that others are arrogant, first reflect on whether you yourself have been too arrogant!"
After listening to Nanao Ise's words, Shunsui Kyōraku smiled gently, patted Nanao Ise's head, and said with a smile.
"I was too arrogant..."
Nanao Ise never expected that Shunsui Kyōraku would turn around and criticize her.
"How are we any different from everyone else here!? Is it just because I'm the Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13 that I'm superior to everyone else!? A true strong person shouldn't be angry because of where they are or because they haven't received preferential treatment!"
Shunsui Kyōraku patted Nanao Ise on the head and began to speak.
"I see!"
Nanao Ise finally understood Shunsui Kyōraku's meaning. She suddenly felt ashamed. In fact, she had been wrong. She had been too arrogant and should not have been proud of her status. They should all be more approachable.
"Make way! Make way!"
Just as Nanao Ise's thoughts were gradually returning, a loud voice rang in her ears.
Immediately afterward, Nanao Ise saw Sōgo Shihoin swaggering in.
"I am the head of the Shihoin Family!"
"Queuing is simply impossible!"
Sōgo Shihoin Sōgo Shihoin kept cutting in line, but no one dared to be angry because of it. Faced with Sōgo Shihoin's powerful family and overwhelming strength, they all just kept their heads down and no one dared to look up at Sōgo Shihoin.
At this moment, Sōgo Shihoin perfectly embodied the word "domineering"!
What was most infuriating was that Sōgo Shihoin was followed by a long line of people, all of whom were squad leaders from the Second Division. They followed behind Sōgo Shihoin like ducklings following their mother. With Sōgo Shihoin the way, they all entered the Kuchiki Clan mansion.
"Captain Kyōraku, is that what you call the behavior of a strong person!?"
Nanao Ise extended her slender, delicate hand, pointing to Sōgo Shihoin and the others, and asked Shunsui Kyōraku.
"Um, them..."
Shunsui Kyōraku was momentarily speechless.
"What are you doing?! This is a banquet for the Kuchiki Clan, there's a queue!"
Just as Shunsui Kyōraku was at a loss for words, several guards suddenly Sōgo Shihoin.
"Screw you!"
Facing the guards surrounding him, Sōgo Shihoin them several times. As the number one spoiled brat in Soul Society, he didn't take these people seriously at all!
"What's all the noise about?!"
The commotion immediately alerted the steward of the Kuchiki Clan, who came over aggressively, acting like a bully using the power of a powerful figure.
"Manager, these people aren't queuing and are causing trouble here!"
The servants who had been slapped looked at the steward with aggrieved expressions.
"Um!?"
"You bunch of idiots! This is the head of the Shihōin Clan!"
The steward of the Kuchiki Clan slapped the faces of the retainers, roaring angrily.
"Lord Sōgo Shihoin, you've arrived!?"
"Please come in quickly!"
After disciplining the retainers, the steward immediately lowered his head and whispered to Sōgo Shihoin, while inwardly cursing that the Kuchiki Clan were becoming increasingly incompetent, not even recognizing the dignified head of the Shihoin Family. He wondered who they would offend in the future!
Let's go!
Upon hearing this, Sōgo Shihoin puffed out his chest and swaggered off with the Kuchiki Clan steward.
"Could this be the Captain-Commander Kyōraku?!"
"Don't just stand there! Come on in!"
As the steward walked along, he saw Shunsui Kyōraku and Nanao Ise beside him. Knowing that this was another case of some blind fool causing trouble, he immediately extended an invitation.
"Captain Kyōraku, what do we do?!"
Nanao Ise looked at Shunsui Kyōraku, her gaze seemingly asking, "Should we continue to maintain this so-called 'strongman's demeanor'?"
"Walk!"
Shunsui Kyōraku pulled down his straw hat, suddenly feeling ashamed. He had completely lost face in front of his niece.
Kyōraku, you're here too!
At that moment, Sōgo Shihoin also noticed Shunsui Kyōraku Shunsui Kyōraku and greeted him softly.
"Hehe..."
You've mistaken me for someone else!
"I am not Shunsui Kyōraku..."
Shunsui Kyōraku lowered the straw hat on his head even further.
"Hahaha..."
"It's obvious you were stopped by someone."
"It's alright, I know what happened. Come with me!"
Sōgo Shihoin patted Shunsui Kyōraku on the shoulder and invited him.
"Well..."
"Respect is no substitute for obedience!"
Shunsui Kyōraku sighed helplessly, then pulled Nanao Ise along and followed Sōgo Shihoin.
When everyone arrived at the main hall, they found that five Kuchiki Clan Captain-level— Kuchiki Ginrei, Sōjun Kuchiki, Kōga Kuchiki, Byakuya Kuchiki, and Rukia Kuchiki— were already standing there.
Beside the five were the heads of several high-ranking noble families, as well as Kūkaku Shiba, Kaien Shiba, and Shiba Ganju Shiba from the Shiba Clan, one of the Five Great Noble Clans, and Tsunayashiro Tokinada from the Tsunayashiro Clan, and several other adults from that family.
With the addition of his younger siblings and the squad leaders of the Second Division, Sōgo Shihoin, who had come to the banquet, the Five Great Noble Clans were now all gathered.
Besides the nobles, all the squad captains and vice-captains were already waiting in the banquet hall, with Shunsui Kyōraku seemingly arriving last.
"What a blunder! So, it turns out that nobody follows the rules except me!?"
Shunsui Kyōraku looked at the group of squad captains in the room and sighed helplessly. Originally, because it was a banquet of the Kuchiki Clan, he had planned to follow the Kuchiki Clan tradition and abide by the rules. Now it seemed that no one would actually follow the rules!
"If you have power, you should enjoy it! Rules are for those who follow them."
Sōgo Shihoin instructs Shunsui Kyōraku on what to do with his powers.
"Been taught a lesson..."
After hearing what Sōgo Shihoin, Shunsui Kyōraku's lips twitched slightly, but he ultimately nodded without saying anything.
(End of this chapter)