NOVPUB
Chapter 322 - Learning
Shunsui Kyoraku walked to the center of the two rows of captains. Facing Head-Captain Yamamoto, he didn't waste any time.
"Captains, based on the information we've gathered, I'll begin by reporting the Gotei 13's casualties during the recent rebellion led by former Captain Aizen."
"This rebellion lasted six days, from the moment Shino Madarame was captured to three days ago."
"The number of Shinigami deaths during this period is—"
"Zero!"
"What?"
Hearing that number, not just the other captains, but even Head-Captain Yamamoto opened his eyes and looked at Shunsui.
The rebellion had lasted six days.
Even several captain-level battles had occurred.
And the reported number of Shinigami deaths was zero?
Had Kyoraku gone mad?
Even if he wanted to falsify the numbers, he shouldn't have made it so outrageous.
"Yes, I know it's hard to believe. But this is the result of my thorough investigation."
A faint smile touched Shunsui's lips. While the rebellion had caused considerable damage to the Seireitei, the fact that no Shinigami had died was undoubtedly good news.
"Captain Kyoraku's report should be accurate."
The first to confirm Shunsui's report was Sajin Komamura, the captain of the Seventh Division.
Previously, due to his unusual appearance, Komamura had always worn a straw hat with a white cloth to conceal his face.
However, during his fight against Zaraki, his hat was destroyed, revealing his true form.
To Komamura's surprise, while the Shinigami of the Gotei 13 were surprised by his appearance, they didn't react negatively.
In fact, he had even gained a few female admirers.
Therefore, after the rebellion ended, Komamura abandoned the hat he had worn for years and faced everyone with his true form.
As the captains looked at him, Komamura explained, "Previously, whenever our division suffered casualties, the atmosphere would be somber. Everyone would mourn the dead. But this time, I haven't heard any cries of grief from my subordinates."
Komamura's words made the other captains realize something.
"Yes, it's the same in my division. I felt like something was amiss, but I couldn't figure out what it was. After hearing Captain Komamura's explanation, I realized that we haven't mourned any fallen comrades."
Byakuya Kuchiki of the Sixth Division didn't speak, but he nodded, indicating that there hadn't been any deaths in his division either.
"Haha, we should thank the Ryoka for this."
Shunsui chuckled. "Based on what they said, they came to the Seireitei to rescue their friend, Shino Madarame. However, they also considered that, after being rescued, Shino Madarame would still have to live in the Soul Society. If they caused too many casualties, even if they rescued her this time, she would face constant pursuit from stronger Shinigami in the future.
Therefore, when they encountered Shinigami blocking their path, they simply defeated them, not killing them.
Naturally, the Shinigami of the Gotei 13 value honor and gratitude. Since those Ryoka showed mercy, the Shinigami naturally reciprocated. In this situation, there were no casualties on either side."
The captains nodded.
"Of course, while the number of Shinigami deaths is zero, it doesn't mean that there were no casualties in the Seireitei."
Shunsui's voice became somber.
After the good news, he had to report the bad news.
"During this rebellion, some Shinigami exploited the gaps in the Seireitei's defenses, infiltrated the nobles' estates, and carried out their own "judgment."
Based on the information we've gathered, most of the Seireitei's nobles have been eradicated. The remaining few have suffered significant losses.
All the perpetrators we've captured are commoners who have been oppressed by the nobles..."
Shunsui paused.
Actually, among the perpetrators, there was one noble, the former head of the Shiba Clan, one of the five great noble families.
However, the Shiba Clan's "great noble" status was practically meaningless.
While they were considered a noble family, their lives were only slightly better than ordinary commoners.
Perhaps even worse.
After all, commoners only had to worry about being attacked by Hollows or becoming sacrifices to maintain the balance of the three worlds.
The Shiba Clan, on the other hand, had been hunted by the Seireitei's nobles for hundreds of thousands of years. Only a handful of them remained.
"Killing nobles! These commoners have violated the Seireitei's laws. They must be punished!"
Mayuri Kurotsuchi stepped forward and said to Yamamoto, "Head-Captain, Aizen's betrayal is connected to the thing Urahara hid within that Shinigami. I suggest we put these criminals to good use. I'll use them as test subjects. I'll analyze Urahara's creation and develop..."
"Captain Kurotsuchi..."
As Kurotsuchi excitedly explained his plan, he didn't notice that the other captains were slowly backing away from him.
Until a hand landed on his shoulder.
"Who?!"
Kurotsuchi yelled, but his voice instantly faded as he turned to see who had touched him.
"Captain... Captain Ailin?"
Kurotsuchi was terrified of Ailin.
Like Zaraki, this man was unreasonable.
He still remembered that twelve years ago, he had tried to experiment on a Quincy. He had lured the Quincy, who had signed a peace treaty with the Seireitei, to a secluded location, releasing Hollows to attack him. However, Ailin had intervened, tearing off one of Kurotsuchi's arms.
While Kurotsuchi had invented a "flesh-regeneration serum" and restored his arm, even modifying his body to eliminate all weaknesses, he still felt a primal fear whenever he faced Ailin.
"What... What do you want?"
"We're at the First Division. Head-Captain Yamamoto is here as well."
Fearing that Ailin might attack him, Kurotsuchi tried to appear strong. He struggled to break free from Ailin's grasp, but even with all his strength, he couldn't escape Ailin's grip.
"Relax, Captain Kurotsuchi. I have no intention of harming you here. I simply want to ask, which law did those Shinigami violate?"
"Isn't it obvious?
"A group of commoners infiltrated the nobles' estates and slaughtered them. Don't tell me, Captain Ailin, you don't believe they violated the Seireitei's laws?"
"Indeed, infiltrating the nobles' estates and killing them is a violation of the Seireitei's laws. Then, Captain Kurotsuchi, what is the punishment for violating this law?"
"Death sentence! It must be the death sentence!" Kurotsuchi yelled.
He wanted more test subjects. He was also trying to defy Ailin.
"Excellent. Captain Kurotsuchi, you're truly a selfless individual. In that case, Captain Kurotsuchi, I recall that over two hundred years ago, a certain criminal single-handedly eradicated a noble family that had existed for millions of years. If I'm not mistaken, he's still in the Seireitei.
Captain Kurotsuchi, I request that you apprehend this criminal and sentence him to death."
"Hmm?"
Kurotsuchi tilted his head, confused.
Two hundred years ago, he was still imprisoned within the Second Division's Maggot's Nest. Urahara hadn't rescued him yet.
In other words, Kurotsuchi didn't know what had happened in the Seireitei back then.
However, he knew that, until three days ago, none of the Seireitei's forty-six noble families had been eradicated.
Therefore, Kurotsuchi suspected that Ailin was simply trying to scare him.
But was he easily intimidated?
"Oh? There's such a criminal in the Seireitei?"
"Indeed. Not only is he still living in the Seireitei, but he even claimed all the assets of that noble family. If you can bring this criminal to justice, Captain Kurotsuchi, countless people will be grateful."
"Who is he? Where is he?"
"The criminal's name is Tokinada. He currently resides at the Tsunayashiro estate, home of one of the five great noble families. Go, Captain Kurotsuchi. I await your good news."
Hearing Ailin reveal not only the criminal's name, but even his location, Kurotsuchi suddenly felt uneasy.
Residing at the Tsunayashiro estate, named Tokinada...
Wasn't that Tokinada Tsunayashiro, the current head of the Tsunayashiro Clan?
Kurotsuchi turned to look at the other captains, hoping to find someone who could explain the situation.
However, he noticed that, besides a few who seemed clueless, the other captains, those who likely knew what was going on, had all turned away, pretending not to see his confused expression.
Even Head-Captain Yamamoto, upon seeing Kurotsuchi's gaze, closed his eyes.
What could he say?
Tokinada Tsunayashiro had indeed slaughtered the entire Tsunayashiro Clan.
As the sole survivor, even though he wasn't a true Tsunayashiro by blood, he had been recognized by the Tsunayashiro Clan's heirloom and become the new head of the clan.
Tokinada had gone from a powerless adopted son to the head of the Tsunayashiro Clan, one of the five great noble families, in a single night.
Who in the Seireitei could possibly judge the head of a great noble family?
Look at Yoruichi Shihōin. She had trespassed into the Central 46 chambers, freeing Urahara and Tessai. Which noble dared to punish her?
Only after Yoruichi left the Seireitei with Urahara, handing the leadership of the Shihōin Clan to her younger brother, Yūshirō Shihōin, did the Central 46, with the approval of the Shihōin Clan representative, find a flimsy excuse to punish her.
Ailin released Kurotsuchi and looked at Yamamoto.
"Head-Captain, the nobles have always been respected by ordinary Shinigami. We admire those we respect and seek to emulate them.
Just as Shinigami idolize you, Head-Captain Yamamoto, they learn from you, embracing your belief in protecting the Seireitei. They're willing to sacrifice their lives for the Seireitei.
Similarly, those Shinigami saw the head of the Tsunayashiro Clan as their idol. They emulated his actions, carrying out his will...
He violated the Seireitei's laws and remained unpunished. But those Shinigami who followed his example face the death penalty...
Head-Captain Yamamoto, what do you think will happen when the Shinigami of the Gotei 13 learn of this?"
BOOM!
Yamamoto opened his eyes, releasing his overwhelming spiritual pressure.
The air in the chamber became heavy, as if a mountain had been placed upon their shoulders.
His scorching reiatsu threatened to incinerate everything.
In contrast, Ailin's spiritual pressure was like a vast, unfathomable ocean, encompassing everything.
The clash of their spiritual pressures created a powerful shockwave.
Besides Shunsui Kyoraku, Jūshirō Ukitake, and Retsu Unohana, who remained calm, the other captains were flung backwards by the impact.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
The first to recover were Byakuya Kuchiki of the Sixth Division and Toshiro Hitsugaya of the Tenth Division.
Sajin Komamura and Soi Fon recovered a few moments later.
Mayuri Kurotsuchi fared the worst. He was blasted backwards a hundred meters, seemingly powerless to resist the shockwave. However, judging by his retreating figure, it was clear that he had done it on purpose.
