A deathly silence hung over the study. The occupants exchanged glances, each seeing the same embarrassment and helplessness reflected in the eyes of the others.
Talk was cheap, but putting those words into action would likely require an unimaginable price.
As lower-class nobles, the Moriyama family not only had the backing of the Tsunayashiro—one of the Five Great Noble Families—but had also fostered Soul Reapers of seated-officer rank. In terms of sheer family influence, they were by no means inferior to any other lower-class noble house.
Yet, despite such standing, they had still met with total annihilation, leaving not even a single corpse behind.
The 9th Division Captain, Takeda Goki, may not have been among the most elite of captains, but any Soul Reaper capable of mastering Bankai was a powerhouse destined to leave a mark on the history of the Soul Society.
But now, there was not a single scrap of information. He was neither seen alive nor found dead.
They did not even know who the enemy was.
Then there was the matter of the rebel Soul Reaper faction. Originally, Akio Retsu had been specifically deployed to deal with Kuchiki Koga.
But who could have predicted whatever madness had possessed Kuchiki Koga? Even when his Zanpakuto, Muramasa, was unable to provide assistance, he had managed to crush Akio Retsu by sheer force and claim a total victory on the battlefield.
Now, the Kuchiki faction's prestige had reached its zenith, their momentum unrivaled.
Whether it was hunting down the hidden culprit or targeting the Kuchiki family, neither was an easy task. One wrong move could lead to ruin, ending just like Takeda Goki.
Sitting at the head of the room, the old man looked at the timid crowd, a flicker of disappointment crossing his sharp eyes.
Though those present were individuals of noble status, when it actually came time to use them, they were no different from the trash outside. If he relied on this group, any plan would fall through, let alone achieving the long-unfulfilled wish of their ancestors.
Just as the old man was about to speak, someone in the crowd suddenly took a step forward.
"Lord, I have a strategy."
Sharp gazes fell like blades, and everyone's attention shifted to the upright figure.
"Please, speak."
A hint of satisfaction flashed in the depths of the old man's eyes as he gave a slight nod.
The man gathered his thoughts for a moment and began his analysis under the weight of several stares.
"Rumors have long circulated within the Seireitei that because of Kuchiki Koga's origins, the elders of the Kuchiki family harbor many prejudices against him. Even Kuchiki Ginrei himself shares this inclination, though he never shows it on the surface."
"In my observation, Kuchiki Koga is inherently a person of extreme temperament. Having survived in such a harsh environment until now, the resentment in his heart must have already reached a breaking point."
"We only need to introduce a trivial spark into this fragile relationship, and it will be enough to make the seemingly unshakable Kuchiki family crumble from within."
"After all, Kuchiki Koga is the most important pillar of the Kuchiki family."
The old man nodded, and the faces of the others began to show contemplative expressions.
"As for how to make them turn against each other, I presume I need not say more?"
"When it comes to such schemes, you all are the true experts."
As soon as these words were spoken, the atmosphere in the study relaxed considerably. Smiles appeared on faces as they nodded in deep agreement.
Intrigue and infighting were perfectly normal among nobles.
Provocation, instigation, subversion, and betrayal had almost become traditions among them. Who among them hadn't planted a few moles within a rival noble house?
To put it a bit dramatically: even the Kuchiki family, hailed as the paragon of Soul Reapers, wouldn't have hands that were entirely clean. In the eyes of the nobility, such things were not a disgrace, but a symbol of one's methods.
"As for Takeda Goki and the Moriyama family—"
The man who provided the strategy furrowed his brows, casting a respectful gaze toward the old man at the head of the table.
"My apologies, Lord. I have yet to think of a suitable plan for that."
"No matter."
The old man raised his eyes and spoke slowly. "As for how to resolve the matter of Takeda Goki's disappearance, I already have a plan in mind."
"However, there is one more person who requires attention."
At this point, he raised his voice, causing the people in the room to instantly tense up.
"Yamamoto Genryusai's new disciple, the 3rd Seat of Shino Prison, Naraku Sora."
"Though he hails from the Rukongai, his talent is extraordinary. In the short time from his graduation from the Spiritual Arts Academy to his enlistment, he has already grown from a mere outstanding student into a mainstay of Shino Prison."
"Most crucially, whether it was the Araki family incident or the Yokota manor, this person was involved in both."
Hearing this, information related to Naraku Sora instinctively surfaced in everyone's minds.
When he first joined the division, he had single-handedly swept through the Gokuraku-ya. During the Araki family disaster, he had nearly slaughtered the entire Araki family alone.
Later at the Yokota manor, he had even fought solo against the collaborator sent from Hueco Mundo, slaying the Adjuchas known as Lumina Griffith.
Perhaps fearing that this person would affect the original plan, Takeda Goki had moved decisively, yet he was surprisingly unable to take him down in a short amount of time.
Unfortunately, for some reason, Shutara Senjumaru had appeared in the Rukongai, causing the plan to fail, and Takeda Goki had suffered punishment from Yamamoto because of it.
At this moment, someone suddenly asked in confusion, "Is it possible that Takeda Goki's disappearance is related to Naraku Sora?"
The moment this was said, someone immediately retorted loudly, "Use your head before you speak. It has only been a few days since the Yokota manor incident. At that time, Naraku Sora was nearly killed instantly by Captain Takeda's Bankai."
"Do you think he could break through to the Captain level in such a short time?"
"Such a thing is impossible even for Yamamoto, let alone a brat."
Hearing these words, the others nodded in agreement, and even the person who had raised the suspicion lowered their head in shame.
Indeed, progress that brilliant was already breaking common sense. If he could reach the Captain level and even kill a veteran Captain in such a short span of time, he wouldn't just be a genius.
He would be a monster.
"In any case, keep a close eye on him," the old man frowned, seemingly finding the suggestion absurd as well. "Whether executing plans or doing anything else, just avoid that guy."
"His identity is too complicated. Try not to let him get involved."
After a brief silence, everyone bowed and accepted the order.
The important matters having been discussed, the group used Flash Step to leave under the old man's permission, vanishing from the mansion.
However, just as the man who had first made the proposal was about to leave, a low voice rang out again, breaking the silence of the study.
"Lord Gosuke, please stay a moment."
The man turned back in shock, only to see the old man sitting at the head slowly rise. He hadn't seen him make a single move, yet in the next instant, the old man appeared right before his eyes.
Gosuke's pupils shrunk.
Such Flash Step technique was rarely seen even among other Soul Reaper Captains.
"Lord," Gosuke bowed respectfully. "Are there further instructions?"
The old man's voice was no longer as low and majestic as before; it carried a touch of patience and gentleness.
"Not exactly instructions. I simply have a question and wanted to hear your thoughts."
"Please speak, Lord."
His sharp gaze stared straight at Gosuke. The old man's lips curled into a smile as he said slowly, "Lord Gosuke, do you desire to become strong?"
Hearing this, Gosuke was stunned.
As someone who had succeeded to the Captain's position only because the previous Captain was imprisoned, he had a pursuit of power that far exceeded ordinary people.
However, limited by his talent, even after following Lord Kuruyashiki through a hundred years of grueling battles, he had only barely touched the threshold of a Captain.
Such a level might be enough in other divisions, but in the combat-oriented 11th Division, it was far from sufficient.
Moreover, he had inherited the title of 'Kenpachi'.
To match this title, Gosuke never dared to slack in his training. But because his talent was capped, many years had passed without any significant improvement.
Therefore, he had decided to take a different path.
If one were to name the forces with the longest heritage in the Soul Society, it had to be the Five Great Noble Families. Compared to other forces, the Five Great Noble Families frequently produced individuals with extraordinary spiritual power talent.
This led Gosuke to guess that perhaps the Five Great Noble Families possessed methods to enhance a Soul Reaper's talent.
Without much hesitation, after a period of observation, he had chosen the Tsunayashiro, who were the most willing to accept outsiders as retainers. Over the years, he had worked for the Tsunayashiro and indeed received many rewards.
Secret techniques to increase the power of Kido, meditative sword methods far more efficient than other ways, non-sequenced Kido of terrifying power, and Flash Step techniques that could enhance speed.
However, this was the first time he had heard such a direct question.
Gosuke did not think for long. A look of determination appeared in his eyes, and he spoke with a voice like a striking bell, "Yes, Lord, I desire power!"
Hearing this, a satisfied smile appeared on the old man's face.
"Then entrust your life to me."
"You will become stronger than ever before!"
As he spoke, the old man slowly walked out of the study.
Looking at that receding back, Gosuke took a deep breath and followed with firm steps.
'Lord Kuruyashiki, please rest assured—I will never bring shame to the name of Kenpachi.'
4th Division, Dojo.
A heavy, viscous killing intent continued to spread, as if built from a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood. Cold, bone-chilling murderous aura wandered and filled the room, and within the vast, deep-sea-like pressure surged a shiver-inducing chill.
The moment the gentle smile on that exquisite face vanished, the entire world seemed to fall into an abyss, with endless malice surging from all directions.
It wasn't until the bamboo sword, shrouded in spiritual pressure, swung down toward him that Naraku Sora still didn't understand what he had done wrong to deserve such a terrifying encounter.
'Is this the First...?'
Naraku Sora gripped his bamboo sword tightly, his legs slightly bent and his arms tensed, looking like he was facing a formidable enemy.
In the next moment, his toes lightly tapped the ground, and his white figure glided across the floor like a butterfly, the hem of his clothes fluttering wildly behind him.
The moment the bamboo swords crossed, several brilliant sparks actually burst forth.
This was a change caused by spiritual pressure being condensed to the extreme. Even an unsharpened bamboo sword could still unleash heart-stopping lethality.
"You are too arrogant, Naraku."
Unohana Retsu calmly gazed at the boy's face inches away, her black eyes seemingly wanting to imprint it deep within her memory.
"If you are this gentle with your enemies, your death will not be far off."
The moment her voice fell, her figure suddenly blurred.
Front, back, left, right, and even above—white Captain's haori appeared simultaneously, and the omnipresent killing intent enveloped the dojo.
Naraku Sora felt as if he were surrounded by countless blades. His brow, neck, heart, lower back—every vital spot sensed a blade-like chill. One wrong step would bring about the ruthless execution of the First Kenpachi.
In the same instant, several blurred slashes descended upon Naraku Sora, leaving him no room to dodge.
Amidst the vibration of the air, Naraku Sora discarded all irrelevant thoughts, throwing his entire being into this Zanjutsu duel.
Although he didn't know what he had done wrong, well—he was already here.
The shimmering bamboo sword suddenly rose, and brilliant golden electrical arcs leaped upon it. The perfect fusion of Zanjutsu and Kido once again appeared before the eyes of the First Kenpachi.
Even though she had seen it countless times, whenever this miracle-like Zanjutsu appeared, a hint of intoxication could not help but flow in the depths of Unohana Retsu's eyes.
Although she disliked the word 'instinct,' products born from instinct still had their merits.
The combination of Zanjutsu and Kido had created another system capable of changing high-end combat techniques. Perhaps even Naraku Sora himself did not realize just how shocking a thing he had created.
A golden glow flashed and vanished in the dojo like a sudden thunderclap.
The several phantoms were instantly annihilated, vanishing into the air, and the true killing move was revealed. The bamboo sword shimmered with light, rising like a crescent moon, as Unohana Retsu's graceful figure brushed past Naraku Sora.
The next moment.
A fluttering blood-red color rose in the dojo, blooming and scattering like a flower—a beautiful piece of art was thus completed.
As his head flew up, the youth fell back heavily, as if he had lost all his strength, bringing a perfect conclusion to this exchange of Zanjutsu.
Unohana Retsu sheathed her bamboo sword and walked slowly to the side of the 'corpse.' She knelt down, her calm gaze falling upon him as she let out a helpless sigh.
Although she was somewhat angry that the boy had temporarily abandoned the Zanjutsu with its bright future to turn to the cultivation of Hakuda, she was just an ordinary Soul Reaper Captain and had no right to interfere in another's personal freedom.
But when she saw that breathtaking slash again, Unohana Retsu still felt a bit of regret.
"Naraku."
"Hmm?"
The youth who should have been dead rubbed his neck where he had been slashed. The bit of bruising that had barely managed to form was already about to heal.
"Does what you said before still count?"
"Is Captain Unohana referring to the exchange of Zanjutsu?"
"Precisely."
Naraku Sora suddenly flipped up from the ground, placing his hand on the hilt of his sword.
Draw, slash.
In an instant, it was all done in one breath, scattering cold blade-light across the dojo.
Unohana Retsu instinctively raised her sword to defend.
The bamboo swords crossed, and a heavy force was transmitted, causing a look of surprise to flash in the depths of Unohana Retsu's eyes.
However, just as she was about to give her evaluation, something unexpected happened.
A crescent-like sword pressure erupted from the bamboo sword, and a staggering power suddenly exploded. The Zanjutsu known as Ryusen revealed its ferocity at this very moment.