When Sōgo returned to Soul Society, he learned that so much had happened during the years he had been gone.
" Sōgo, I've already filed another appeal with the Central 46 Chambers regarding your sister's case. For the head of one of the Five Great Noble Clans families to betray Soul Society is utterly absurd, laughable, laughable! As the inheritor of a king and five dukes, I would never do anything to harm the interests of Soul Society..."
Clad in a snow-white haori with the Fifth Division insignia printed on the back, sporting brown hair and a perpetually faint smile, Sōsuke Aizen, a kind-hearted man of the Gotei 13 and as famous as Jūshirō Ukitake, openly visited the Shihouin family after Sōgo's return. The Shihoin Family had just produced a notorious traitor who shocked Soul Society. He made no attempt to conceal his friendship with Sōgo Shihoin, seemingly declaring to the Central 46 Chambers and other powerful figures that he was a staunch supporter of the Five Great Noble Clans Five Great Noble Clans, dedicated to upholding Five Great Noble Clans honor, and serving them. He was Sōgo Shihoin's 'good brother'!
"No need to get so worked up. It's just a bunch of lowlifes staging a power grab. At best, they're just petty scoundrels who only dare to cause trouble when I'm not around."
Sōgo sat in the Shihoin mansion, his mind unusually calm, like the clear blue water in the artificial lake in the courtyard.
Let's leave this matter here for now.
Sōgo waved to Sōsuke Aizen. On the table beside him lay a letter Yoruichi had left for him. The letter contained only one sentence. "The enemy is unknown, do not act rashly." It also included two textbooks from the Shin'ō Academy. Through the alterations in the preface of the textbooks, Sōgo could roughly understand what had happened in the Seireitei when he left. It was simply that the Central 46 Chambers could no longer tolerate the fact that, despite being the supreme rulers of Soul Society besides the Soul King, the founders of Soul Society, the Five Great Noble Clans, were riding on their heads. Fortunately, they only made a series of small moves.
Compared to the stagnant Soul Society and Seireitei, Sōgo felt that the ever-changing World of the Living, with its daily new experiences, was more suited to his sister's wild personality.
"But with Miss Yoruichi temporarily leaving Soul Society, what will happen to the vast Shihoin Family? Knowing you as Sōgo-kun, you probably wouldn't want to get too involved in this, right?"
Sōsuke Aizen seemed extremely concerned about Sōgo, and he looked at Sōgo with some worry and asked.
" The Shihoin Family, huh? Of course, you don't need to worry about that. I have my dear little brother to rely on."
Sōgo smiled gently at Aizen.
At this moment, on the seat of the head of the Shihoin Family, a boy who looked to be in his teens was reading through various letters and applications with tears in his eyes. These were originally the work of Yoruichi, the head of the Shihoin Family, but since Yoruichi's 'defection', all of these tasks have fallen on this boy with the standard wheat-colored skin and long purple hair of the Shihoin Family.
Isn't this bullying honest people?
The boy's eyes were brimming with tears. He held a pen in his hand, constantly marking papers while muttering to himself.
"You could also talk to ' Shinji ' brother about it~"
In front of the boy's desk, a little girl with the same hair color and wheat-colored skin as him, like a miniature version of Yoruichi, leaned gently against the desk, watching the boy constantly reviewing various documents, and smiled innocently like a kitten.
"Never call my brother that name, or you'll get beaten to death."
Upon hearing the girl's words, the boy's body immediately began to tremble involuntarily. He then looked around in panic, fearing that his older brother would suddenly appear and give him a beating.
" Yushiro, you're just too spineless, that's why you always get bullied~"
The girl spoke angrily after hearing what the boy said.
"So, is this your reason for bullying me along with Second Brother and Eldest Sister, Third Sister?"
The little boy, Yushiro Shihōin, the current head of the Shihoin Family, spoke angrily after hearing his older sister's words.
Hehe~ That's because you're cutest when you're being bullied~
After hearing what Yushiro said, the little girl smiled gently. Bullying her little brother was so much fun!
"I'm so angry... so angry! Mika, do you really think I can't beat you?"
Upon hearing his sister's words, Yushiro instantly unleashed an astonishing Spiritual Pressure Spiritual Pressure, which had reached the Captain-level.
"Oh? Yushiro, you're planning to rebel against me? You're planning to rebel against your own sister?"
When Mika (an original character) heard her foolish younger brother dare to call her by her name, her face immediately darkened, and her Spiritual Pressure burst forth instantly, the powerful feeling of which was even greater than that of Yushiro.
Half an hour later.
"Waaaaah... Waaaaah..."
Despite his bruised and swollen eye socket, Yushiro continued to review the various confidential documents in his hands.
Even when Yoruichi was gone, the Shihoin Family still had several Captain-level fighters, which was the reason why the Shihoin Family could continue to maintain the privileges of the Five Great Noble Clans. This meant that the Shihoin Family would not be like the Shiba Clan, whose power was diminished by the powerful Central 46 Chambers after Kaien Shiba and Isshin Shiba were killed one after another, leaving only Kūkaku Shiba, a Captain-level fighter, in the family.
At that moment, Aizen and Sōgo, who were chatting and drinking tea, also got up and left the Shihoin Family family compound, heading towards the First Division Barracks.
"It's been a long time, Captain Aizen and... Captain Sōgo."
As soon as the two arrived at the door, they saw Shunsui Kyōraku wearing a straw hat and Retsu Unohana smiling at them.
"Oh dear~ I'm not even the captain yet~ It's so embarrassing to be called captain now~"
After Sōgo what Shunsui Kyōraku said, Sougo scratched the back of his head, looking embarrassed, as if he was very shy.
"Hehehe~ Captain Sōgo is joking. With your abilities, passing the test is a piece of cake, isn't it?"
After hearing Sōgo's words, Retsu Unohana smiled slightly. She and Sōgo were old acquaintances, and she knew his strengths and weaknesses very well. Just based on the fact that he would go and fight Kirinji whenever he had nothing better to do, at present, almost no one in the Gotei 13 could compare to Sōgo.
"Since Sister Hana has said so, I'd better work hard to pass the exam on my first try, I can't let everyone down!"
Looking forward to your performance!
Sōgo and the others walked into the First Division's barracks, chatting and laughing. The barracks' meeting room, which should have been empty, was now filled with the division captains.
" Old Man Yama, why did you call so many people here?"
Sōgo glanced at the people standing in the conference room, slightly startled. He first nodded to his seniors Kuchiki Ginrei, Isshin Shiba, and Jūshirō Ukitake, then his 'gaze' settled on Kaname Tōsen, and his body slowly stiffened. Did this guy's character overlap with his? (That's why I set Sōgo to not be dark-skinned. I was afraid that if I made his handsome face dark-skinned, people would always associate him with Kaname Tōsen because of the eyepatch, and then I really wouldn't be able to write this book.)
"Originally, we didn't need so many people, but considering that after you pass the assessment, we still need to gather others for the team leader appointment ceremony, which would take too much time, we'll do both at the same time."
The Old Man Yama wasn't angry at Sōgo's words; he was used to Sōgo's lack of respect and explained directly.
"The team leader assessment?"
"To be honest, this is my first time, so I'm a little nervous. I don't know what to do."
After listening to the Old Man Yama's words, Sōgo spoke 'shyly'.
"Hehe, just follow the procedure."
Seeing Sōgo's shy expression, the Old Man Yama smiled gently and began to speak.
What is the process?
Sōgo as if he was still young and didn't understand anything.
"... Bankai!"
The Old Man Yama didn't bother with further explanation and directly pushed the process to the point of testing strength.
" Bankai? Are you sure you want me to perform Bankai here?"
After hearing what the Old Man Yama said Sōgo pulled out... no, he pulled out his Xiao Jiba from the scabbard at his waist with some distress.
"..."
Old Man Yama looked at the Sōgo in Zanpakuto's hand, he suddenly opened his eyes, which had been slightly narrowed, revealing a sharp gaze that seemed to Sayafushi.
"That Zanpakuto..."
The Old Man Yama muttered to himself, a memory, a memory from a very, very long time ago, was unlocked from his mind.
" Bankai!"
"Heaven and earth are destroyed, invincible Xiao Jiba..."
As soon as Sōgo uttered the words "Bankai," a vast Spiritual Pressure, as immense as the ocean, erupted from Sōgo body. The terrifying pressure enveloped the entire First Division Barracks, causing countless buildings to crack, and the wooden floor beneath their feet was already covered in fissures.
"Stop!"
The Old Man Yama felt the stinging sensation on his skin and suddenly realized what was happening, loudly stopping Sōgo's actions.
"Null!"
As Old Man Yamamoto finished speaking, the immense Spiritual Pressure instantly dissipated completely.
"Brother, could you please pronounce this 'Liberation' phrase correctly even once? Just once would be great!"
Along with him, the incessant chatter of Xiao Jiba in Sōgo's mind also disappeared.
"Huh? Old Man Yama, this isn't up to the rules! I haven't even Bankai yet! So, did I pass or fail the test?"
Sōgo looked at the Old Man Yama who wouldn't let him Bankai, pouted, and looked very disappointed.
"..."
The Old Man Yama stared coldly at Sōgo, understanding that Sōgo was using the opportunity of the team leader assessment to warn all the petty scoundrels around him.
" Sōgo Shihoin has passed the squad leader test and is hereby appointed as the Second Division Captain and the commander-in-chief of the Execution Force, effective today. Meeting adjourned!"
Left with no other choice, the Old Man Yama gave the order.
"Oh, thank you all for your kindness. From today onwards, we're all colleagues. If you need anything in the future, just let me know. I'll do my best to help!"
Sōgo Shihoin casually said a few words, then walked out of the First Division's meeting room with Kuchiki Ginrei.
"The Spiritual Pressure is truly terrifying. The Spiritual Pressure of the Five Great Noble Clans was already far beyond that of ordinary people, but compared to this Spiritual Pressure, they are nothing."
Shunsui Kyōraku held onto his straw hat, fearing it would be blown away by the terrifying Spiritual Pressure unleashed by Sōgo.
"Cough cough cough... The people of the Five Great Noble Clans are all terrifyingly strong!"
Jūshirō Ukitake coughed incessantly; even the 'being' within his body reacted to the immense Spiritual Pressure.
"That's right, don't talk nonsense."
"That kid, Sōgo, is one of a kind among the entire Five Great Noble Clans... I feel like he's even stronger than me, Mugetsu!"
Isshin Shiba he watched Sōgo's retreating figure. He spoke the last sentence in a very soft voice, barely audible to himself.
" Captain Isshin, what did you just say?"
Ukitake, not having heard Isshin's words clearly, immediately asked.
"No, it's nothing... Shall we go for a drink as usual later?"
He struck a drinking pose Isshin Ukitake and asked.
"No, I need to go back and take my medicine, otherwise Kaien will lock me up in solitary confinement."
Ukitake slowly shook his head at Isshin, then turned away with a bitter expression and walked out of the First Division Barracks.
"Um?"
After Ukitake left, Isshin gestured to Kyōraku, making a drinking gesture with his hand holding a sake cup.
"Um!"
Kyōraku nodded in agreement.
"Hahaha..."
Immediately afterwards, the two cronies walked out of the meeting room laughing.
"Well..."
Seeing this, Sister Hana sighed helplessly. There weren't many things that could make a tough woman like her sigh.
" Kaname..."
Aizen and Kaname Tōsen nodded slightly to each other as a greeting, and walked out of the conference room one after the other, looking like they weren't very familiar with each other.
" Master Ginrei, didn't my sister say anything to you before she left?"
Sōgo and Kuchiki Ginrei were chatting as they walked home.
"No, it happened so suddenly, I found out just as suddenly."
Kuchiki Ginrei gently shook her head at Sōgo, to be honest, she was also quite startled by Yoruichi Shihōin's sudden 'defection'.
"My sister only left me a letter, nothing else. I think we'll have to contact Kisuke Urahara for more details. I suspect my sister doesn't know anything either; she just jumped right in."
After hearing what Kuchiki Ginrei said, Sōgo covered his face and said helplessly.
"Given Yoruichi's personality, she's probably like that."
Kuchiki Ginrei nodded slightly. He knew Yoruichi very well and knew that she was the kind of person who could charge ahead headlong into anything.
What's the situation at Central 46 Chambers?
Sōgo nodded slightly and continued to ask. He had just returned from outside and was completely unaware of the situation in Soul Society, feeling utterly lost.
" The Central 46 Chambers ' intention is to actively cooperate with the investigation into Yoruichi Shihōin's defection. They also believe that directly accusing the head of the Shihoin Family of defection is inaccurate. However, although they say this, they have no intention of taking any action. At the same time, because of Yoruichi's incident Tsunayashiro Clan's control over the Central 46 has weakened considerably. Many people have now turned to other noble families, with the Kasumioji Clan, a rising star, being the most prominent example. Some have even joined Captain-Commander Yamamoto's forces. In short, the situation in Soul Society is arguably the most turbulent in a century. Even the Gotei 13 is not peaceful. Many Soul Reaper have rebelled under the banner of overthrowing noble rule, but they are all minor figures, causing little harm..."
Kuchiki Ginrei walked side by side with Sōgo, explaining the specifics of the situation.
"Really? So the real big fish, hiding behind the scenes and plotting everything, hasn't revealed itself yet?"
After hearing Ginrei Kuchiki's words, Sōgo felt a headache coming on. This enemy had hidden himself too well, so well that even though Sōgo had the power, he didn't know where to swing his fist.
"I don't know. Right now, all the factions are still showing us goodwill, and everyone is playing the role of a good person. That's why your sister told you to hold back. After you joined Gotei 13, you realized that everyone here seems like a good person, but we'll have to judge for ourselves who is truly good."
Kuchiki Ginrei shook her head helplessly at Sōgo and gave him a lecture.
"Been taught a lesson."
Sōgo nodded slightly after hearing what Kuchiki Ginrei said.
"Father... and Captain Sōgo!"
Just as Ginrei Kuchiki and Sōgo were chatting, a man with light purple hair, wearing Kenseikan symbolizing high nobility and a red Ginpakukazahana no Uzuginu, who looked very proper and had the demeanor of the Kuchiki Clan, walked over to Kuchiki Ginrei and Sōgo slightly to greet them.
"This is..."
Sōgo looked at the person in front of him and realized he didn't recognize him at all, so he immediately gestured to Kuchiki Ginrei beside him.
"My son-in-law, Kōga Kuchiki, has really shone in the recent Soul Reaper Rebellion War."
As Ginrei Kuchiki introduced Kuchiki Sōgo to Kōga Kuchiki, she praised him directly; not many Soul Reaper receive such praise from Ginrei Kuchiki...
"Oh~"
After hearing Ginrei Kuchiki's words, Sōgo nodded slightly. He noticed the powerful Spiritual Pressure emanating from the man before him and understood why this person could become the son-in-law of the Kuchiki Clan.
If we had to use a magnitude to describe Kōga Kuchiki's Spiritual Pressure, it would probably be Muguruma...
"So you're Sister Aya's lover! You are indeed a handsome man."
"It's a real shame I couldn't attend your wedding. I'll definitely visit you with gifts in a while."
Sōgo smiled slightly at Kōga Kuchiki in front of him and spoke in a friendly manner.
"No, no, no, please don't do that. Miss Yoruichi has already presented a congratulatory gift on behalf of the Shihoin Family. Besides... it's already an honor for me that you've come to our residence. If you were to bring another gift, Kōga would truly have no face to accept it."
Kōga waved his hands repeatedly after hearing Sōgo's words; how could he dare to accept Sōgo's things without permission?
"No, that's my sister representing the Shihoin Family. I only represent myself. Speaking of Byakuya has actually trained. I should probably make time to go check it out."
Sōgo waved to Kōga, then changed the subject.
"Heh... That kid claims he's already surpassed you and Yoruichi."
Upon hearing Byakuya, Ginrei Kuchiki couldn't help but burst into laughter.
"Oh? Is that so? Then it seems I really should help him figure out his own limitations." Sōgo chuckled after hearing Ginrei Kuchiki's words. "See you next time~"
"Hmm~"
After hearing Sōgo's words, Ginrei Kuchiki nodded slightly, as if to say goodbye.
Immediately afterwards, Sōgo strode away...
" Captain Sōgo is so enthusiastic..."
Once Sōgo had walked a distance, Kōga whispered to Ginrei Kuchiki.
"If that kid gives you anything, just take it; you'll definitely find it useful."
After hearing Kōga's words, Ginrei Kuchiki whispered a reminder.
"Is that really okay? Shouldn't we set an example by not accepting gifts that are just for personal enjoyment?"
Kōga was taken aback. He thought it would be the same as before, where they would reject everything from other families and maintain their aristocratic status.
"Idiot, it's one thing to reject useless junk, but to reject something given by the ' Heavenly Gifted Armament Stewards '? That's just plain stupid."
Kuchiki Ginrei glanced at Kōga, shook her head helplessly, and strode away.
"Ah..."
Kōga's mouth dropped open after hearing Ginrei Kuchiki's words. He felt as if his entire worldview had been shattered. So this is what a paragon of nobility is like, old man? The reason you didn't accept those people's gifts was because you thought they were too trashy.
So far in this book, Aizen hasn't embarrassed himself in terms of intelligence, has he?
(End of this chapter)