By the time Kuchiki Ginrei had finished consoling Shunsui and followed Miki Gesshō's directions to the underground meeting room, the chamber was already a cacophony of voices.
As mentioned before, many voices meant many disputes.
A crowd of idle nobles, unaccustomed to labor, would inevitably turn any opportunity to speak into a shouting match, each vying for their own interests or simply to assert their presence, lest they be forgotten entirely.
But not all great nobles were as soft-hearted as Kuchiki Ginrei.
"Get out."
Chika Shihoin lounged carelessly in the head seat, one leg propped high on the table, straw sandal resting on its edge. "Who let you lot in here?!" He barked, clutching his Zanpakuto with none of his usual easygoing demeanor.
His pupils narrowed into vertical slits, like those of a predatory beast, sweeping over the room with a blade-sharp gaze, his expression icy.
At Chika Shihoin's command, many nobles faltered, their voices dying down instantly.
This was partly because Chika was one of the few among "them" To enter the Seireitei as a "victor" alongside the Genji School. But more than that, many in the room had profited from the Shihoin family's downfall, siding with the Tsunayashiro to plunder their resources while the Shihoin head was "captured." Though those "gains" were later relinquished when Chika returned with the Genji forces, the past couldn't be erased.
Chika was a man forged in battle alongside the Genji School. He was no saint.
Under his piercing stare, many nobles lost their nerve, slinking out of the room in defeat.
In the end, only the heads of the four great noble families and a few former high-ranking noble stewards remained.
Once the others were driven out, Chika dug a pinky into his ear and griped to Ginrei, "Ginrei-san!"
"I told you not to coddle those jerks, didn't I?"
"All they do is whine about restoring noble privileges or rally for some rebellion… Do they really think they can pull it off?"
Though Ginrei regretted his leniency, as the "pillar" who had rallied a group of nobles to hold out until the bitter end in the Seireitei war, he couldn't sever ties as decisively as the Shihoin family had.
Even in the face of Chika's complaints, he maintained a stern facade. "Shihoin-sama, please watch your words."
Ginrei took his seat, posture impeccable. "Their veins still carry noble blood."
"Pfft."
Chika let out a low chuckle, dismissive.
Yorita Shiba, on the other hand, turned to Ginrei, brows furrowed in faint disapproval.
Since joining the Genji School uprising, he had witnessed too many atrocities committed by "nobles." If he had his way, he'd abolish the title of the five great noble families altogether.
But a family head couldn't act solely on personal desires.
Among those present, only Tsunayashiro Mitsunobu kept the lowest profile, sitting quietly at the far end like a timid quail, listening without a word. In the Seireitei war, the Tsunayashiro family had suffered the most, grandparents, parents, and over thirty kin slain, with countless branch family members lost. Even their family's trump card had vanished.
In terms of influence, the Tsunayashiro were now the weakest of the five great noble families.
"Let's get to the point, Ginrei-san." Yorita said impatiently, tapping the table, clearly disliking the room's atmosphere. "I've got division work to handle."
Neither Chika nor Yorita seemed to take Ginrei seriously.
Ginrei could sense it.
But for the sake of his family's greater goals, he suppressed the fiery temper of a two-hundred-year-old youth and spoke calmly, "I've gathered you all today to discuss matters concerning the newly established Shin'ō Academy, specifically, its curriculum and instructor assignments."
The conversation finally found its footing, and the others quieted, listening intently.
Ginrei's aim was clear, "To address the Gotei 13's current manpower shortage, I've secured permission from Genryūsai-sama to oversee the assignment of some teaching staff."
"As you all know, with so many nobles residing here, conflicts are bound to arise. I propose finding tasks they can handle to keep them occupied."
"However, slots are limited. To ensure a fair distribution, I hope for your support."
He paused, adding, "After all, we are nobles."
"Former nobles!" Yorita corrected, rapping the table, his brows still knit.
No one in the room was a fool.
Or rather, even a fool, after a century of life, could pick up on subtext.
What did "securing teaching staff assignments" mean?
It was a blatant move to infiltrate the academy with their own people while it was short-staffed!
And "hoping for support"? That was just a polite way of dragging them into the scheme.
Commoners might not grasp the power of a "school." but these great nobles knew all too well the influence of an educational institution.
With enough loyal instructors, they could cultivate generations of young Shinigami, bound by teacher-student ties, forming vast networks of influence over time.
Clearly, with direct confrontation off the table, the Kuchiki family was already playing a long game.
"Ginrei-san." Chika said suddenly, a playful smirk curling his lips as he leaned back, arms crossed. "You don't seriously think this plan will work, do you?"
Ginrei replied evenly, "Whether our noble status is restored or not, we'll need reliable allies in the Gotei 13 moving forward, won't we?"
"But…" Tsunayashiro Mitsunobu cautiously raised a hand. "I've heard Genryūsai-sama intends to hand the entire academy over to Vice-Captain Makoto."
"Indeed."
Ginrei nodded slightly. "Today, Shunsui took his first class at the academy, taught by Makoto-sama himself."
"…"
The nobles exchanged glances, faces blank with unease.
As masters of intrigue, they understood exactly what Makoto's future role entailed.
For Yamamoto to entrust the academy to him, what did that signify?
A secure position as his successor.
And to scheme under Makoto's nose…
That's Makoto we're talking about!
"The Shiba family has no interest."
Yorita didn't bother with pleasantries, standing and heading for the door.
Ginrei called after him, "Shiba-sama, at least for the sake of your family-"
Clang.
The door slammed shut with a dull thud.
Watching Yorita's retreating figure, Ginrei felt a pang of regret but had to accept reality.
It couldn't be helped.
Rumor had it Yorita had once lost to Makoto. He must have endured quite the ordeal.
No matter.
There were still the other great noble families.
"And what about the Shihoin…"
Before Ginrei could finish, Chika Shihoin stretched with an exaggerated yawn, rising from his seat with a casual grin. "Well, I won't keep you any longer."
"Ginrei-san, next time you've got something like this, just send me a message."
"I'll make sure to play sick."
"Heh."
What a load of nonsense.
He had no desire to get pummeled again by the three fiercest women in the Soul Society.
See ya.
The dark-skinned noble snapped his fingers, vanishing from the room with a cheeky smile, leaving only a faint breeze in his wake.
Ginrei's expression froze.
You're bailing too?!
The Shihoin are nobles!
Heirs to the most prestigious bloodline in the Soul Society!
"Uh, um… Kuchiki-sama."
Tsunayashiro Mitsunobu raised a trembling hand.
Ginrei looked at him, a flicker of hope stirring as he forced a warm smile. "Mitsunobu-san, to ensure the Tsunayashiro family's story doesn't repeat, you'll support me, right?"
"No, Kuchiki-sama."
Mitsunobu's face twisted with awkwardness as he muttered, "It's just… you might think Makoto-sama seems normal enough, but when he starts throwing punches, he's downright inhumane."
"So, whatever you do, don't cross him."
"I-I'll be going now."
With that, Mitsunobu felt he'd done his duty.
He'd already been caught by Makoto once, there was no way he'd give him a chance to nab him again!
Let someone else deal with this mess.
Bang.
The door slammed shut, leaving Ginrei standing alone, staring at the empty seats, his expression dazed.
Is this the power of the name "Makoto"?
After a long pause, he growled through gritted teeth, "Damn it."
"I refuse to believe this nonsense!"
---
ACHOO.
Makoto sat on the tatami, sneezing lightly.
A warm breeze brushed his face.
After class, he'd grabbed a hearty meal at his usual spot, taken a thorough bath, and followed his teacher's instructions to come here.
With the Shin'ō Academy's miscellaneous tasks handled, it was time for serious business.
He turned, gazing at the courtyard lush with verdant plants, feeling a rare sense of tranquility.
Unohana's home wasn't particularly spacious. Compared to the sprawling compound assigned to Saito in the division, it even felt a bit cramped.
But Unohana, whose heart was devoted solely to the blade, preferred a simple life. Having others serve her, in fact, made her uncomfortable.
Makoto sat quietly, pouring himself a cup of tea.
He'd arranged with his teacher to demonstrate his Shikai after today's classes.
Unfortunately, his timing wasn't ideal.
Unohana was still bathing.
The house was small enough that the bath was just behind the wall at his back.
With Makoto's sharp hearing, he could faintly make out the sound of trickling water.
And then there was the incessant, deliberately hushed voice of his bastard Zanpakuto spirit, brimming with impatience.
[Come on, move already!]
[Move!]
[This is your chance! I wanna peek too!]
[That's Unohana-mama! The bouncy and bubbly boobs-chan!]
[Makoto-sama, I'm begging you!]
The clamor grated on his nerves, stirring ripples in the calm he'd cultivated after bathing and burning incense.
"Shut up!" Makoto snapped.
What's this about peeking?
Who could even think of spying on her?
In a house this small, if he could hear the water from next door, wouldn't Unohana hear every sound from this side just as clearly?
If he so much as leaned toward the wall and got caught, he'd be sliced in half!
That bastard Zanpakuto spirit was nothing but trouble.
Annoying!
[Mmmph-mmmph-mmmph!]
Even with its mouth metaphorically stuffed, the pesky spirit's chatter refused to stop.
Until the soft, wet patter of footsteps came from behind the door.
Tap! Tap! Tap!
Unohana's still-damp bare feet padded across the floor as she pushed the door open.
Makoto turned.
Today, Unohana wore only a loose, linen-colored bathrobe, a towel in hand as she tilted her head slightly, drying her damp, raven-black hair.
Perhaps due to the steam, her usually pale cheeks held a faint flush unique to someone fresh from a bath, her gaze and demeanor softer than usual.
"Sensei."
Makoto sat upright, eyes fixed forward.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Makoto-kun."
A gentle smile curved Unohana's face, her voice soft. "You've been looking forward to this, haven't you?"
In another context, alone with a woman in a small room, a freshly bathed beauty with an air of purity, speaking such ambiguous words, the situation might have sparked wild thoughts.
But Makoto knew exactly what she meant.
Unohana was talking about… combat.
"Still a ways to go." Makoto said, nodding slightly, his voice calm. "But I've at least earned the right to catch your eye."
"Such confidence, Makoto-kun." Unohana replied, her smile growing brighter, tinged with a rare spark of excitement.
"But I'm truly looking forward to your performance."
"First, let's change venues."
She spoke casually, pointing a finger at Makoto.
[Forbidden Kido Spell: Spatial Transfer]
In an instant, their forms were enveloped in an orange, cubic glow.
They vanished.
When Makoto opened his eyes again, they stood in the center of a faintly familiar wasteland.
Unohana stood quietly before him.
At some point, an Asauchi had appeared in her hand.
As she turned to face him, her expression shifted into a near-crimson intensity, a faint smile on her lips. "Show me what you've got, Makoto."
"Your Shikai."
***
Bonus Chapter:
100 Power Stones = 1 BC
300 Power Stones = 2 BC
500 Power Stones = 3 BC
700 Power Stones = 4 BC
1000 Power Stones = 5 BC
***
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