Soul Society, Seireitei.
Tsunayashiro Clan, Central Council Chamber.
The bloodstains on the floor had already been cleaned.
Seated before a wall adorned with a painting of mountains and rivers, the Tsunayashiro Clan's highest authority, the family elder, maintained a cold expression. The air in the chamber was stifling.
"My lords, this is the news from Seijōtōkyorin."
The family Shinigami who delivered the message knelt on the ground, his hoarse voice muffled by the black mask he wore.
"We understand. You may leave," an elder said impassively.
"Yes, my lord."
The family Shinigami slowly stood and exited the chamber. As the heavy doors shut behind him, a long silence fell over the room.
"How laughable. A member of the esteemed Tsunayashiro Clan, devoured by a Hollow?" A white-haired elder suddenly sneered.
"In truth, this isn't impossible," another elder remarked coolly. "It's not like such incidents haven't happened before in the history of Shin'ō Academy."
"But this time is different. This wasn't some Rukongai lowlife—it was a bloodline of one of the Five Great Noble Houses!" The white-haired elder shook his head. "Even the branch family won't accept this outcome."
At his words, the other elders fell silent.
As the ruling elders of the Tsunayashiro Clan, they held supreme authority, but that didn't mean they could simply ignore everything at will. The branch family wielded considerable influence within the clan, and its head and elders still commanded significant power.
This so-called investigation? It was nothing more than an attempt to placate them.
"The evidence is right in front of them… What more do they expect?" one elder suddenly asked.
The room tensed as several elders furrowed their brows, clearly displeased.
They knew that this elder, along with the white-haired one, had close ties to the branch family. It wasn't an exaggeration to say the two had been placed in their positions by the branch.
The white-haired elder's eyes gleamed coldly.
"They refuse to believe this was an accident. They demand severe interrogation of all who participated in this Konsō internship."
"Only by making them bleed and suffer will they reveal the truth!"
Some elders raised their eyebrows at this, while one smirked mockingly.
"I understand, Your Excellency Shingū. You fought hard to climb to your current position, lost much in the process, and now refuse to believe in 'accidents.'
"But your lack of belief only extends within the clan. Your origins have blinded you to the greater picture.
"Besides, neither the Central 46 nor Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto will ever approve of your proposal."
Another elder nodded in agreement.
"I believe Your Excellency Tokuyasu is absolutely right."
"Don't think we don't see through you and the branch family's schemes. This isn't about justice—you simply want to target Masatsuki Aozaki."
"You lost two captain-class Shinigami in that operation, and now the branch family holds a grudge."
"You wouldn't dare challenge the head of the Shihōin Clan, but you have no problem taking it out on Rukongai commoners. You've disgraced the Tsunayashiro Clan!"
"Unfortunately for you, this time you've chosen the wrong target. The report from Seijōtōkyorin made it clear—this situation is unlike any before."
"Yamamoto values that man immensely, so much so that he defied both the Wise Men and the Judges. That is unprecedented."
"But—"
Shingū Tsunayashiro, his white hair gleaming under the dim light, tried to argue, but the elder representing the main family cut him off.
"Enough. Yamamoto is old. He won't remain Captain-Commander much longer.
"I believe he intends to make that man his successor. That's why he is willing to defy the Central 46 to protect him."
"The main family will not risk provoking Yamamoto by indulging your petty grievances."
"This benefits neither us nor the clan."
Shingū Tsunayashiro narrowed his eyes.
"Our family members died under suspicious circumstances, and you're telling me we should just let it go?"
"This is your branch family's affair, not ours—"
An elderly female clan elder was about to wash her hands of the situation when Tokuyasu Tsunayashiro raised his hand, cutting her off.
"Your Excellency Tamaba, remember your status and responsibilities. Choose your words carefully."
"...Yes."
Tamaba Tsunayashiro hesitated for a moment, realizing she had spoken recklessly in the heat of the moment.
"The main family isn't refusing to act—we simply can't," Tokuyasu said solemnly. "Juggling the Central 46, dealing with the noble clans, and navigating Yamamoto's maneuvering has left us exhausted. We don't have the resources to concern ourselves with Masatsuki Aozaki."
"The branch family has members in the Gotei 13, don't they? Masatsuki Aozaki will be joining soon—why not let them handle him?"
"Rest assured, the elders of this clan will always prioritize the family's interests. We won't forget that."
"Your Excellency Tokuyasu, are you saying—?"
As his words settled over the room, the other clan elders froze, their expressions shifting from confusion to disbelief.
Shingū Tsunayashiro furrowed his brow in thought before suddenly laughing. Rising from his seat, he strode toward the door, another elder who was aligned with the branch family following close behind.
"Very well, very well… then we'll leave this matter to the branch family."
The doors shut behind them, and the smirk on Shingū's lips instantly turned icy cold.
Meanwhile, the elders remaining in the chamber exchanged uncertain glances.
"Your Excellency Tokuyasu, is it wise to provoke a confrontation with Yamamoto now?"
Tokuyasu scoffed. "I understand your concerns. But tell me—what does a fight between the branch family and Yamamoto have to do with us?"
"Do you think Yamamoto will turn his wrath on us? He won't. Because we are one of the Five Great Noble Clans."
The elders immediately grasped his meaning.
"But the branch family is still part of the Tsunayashiro Clan…" one murmured.
Tokuyasu let out a cold chuckle. "And yet, they have ambitions for things that do not belong to them."
"For years, their influence has been growing. Can't you see it? The branch and the main family no longer share the same interests."
The other elders nodded in agreement.
"Lord Tokuyasu is right."
"The branch dares to covet the position of family head and seats in the Central 46."
"Let them fight. Even if they don't destroy each other completely, it will still leave the branch severely weakened."
...
They did not believe for a second that Yamamoto would strike against the noble families.
Not because he lacked the strength—but because he couldn't.
As Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13, Yamamoto was a rigid, disciplined, and unyielding man. The very reason he created the Gotei 13 was to safeguard Seireitei's rule and eliminate threats against it.
He was already constrained—by the Central 46's political suppression, by the doctrine of noble supremacy, by the delicate balance that kept Soul Society intact.
And above all, by the sheer reality of the world's survival.
Even if Yamamoto ever dared to act against the nobility, he would never eradicate them completely.
This was the confidence the main family elders held.
(40 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake