After Toshiro and the others left, the old Principal immediately wrote two letters.
One was for the Utsunomiya Family, stating his position.
The other was for Yamamoto, asking him to lend a hand as well.
Shin'o Academy and the Gotei 13 aren't in a hierarchical relationship of governance.
However, since the founder was Yamamoto, and most Shin'ou Academy graduates join the Gotei 13, the two sides have always maintained a relatively close relationship.
1st Division, Duty Office.
Kyoraku, Captain of the 8th Division, with his brown hair tied in a ponytail, wearing a sedge hat and a pink haori, casually pushed the door open and walked in.
"Yo, Old Man Yama, what did you need me for?" Kyoraku asked lazily.
"Read this letter." Yamamoto handed Kyoraku a letter.
Kyoraku took the letter and read it carefully. Then he said, "I see. It's about that genius from Shin'o Academy getting into a conflict with someone from the Utsunomiya Family. But why call me?"
A sense of foreboding suddenly washed over Kyoraku.
"These nobles are getting more and more out of line. I want you to visit the Utsunomiya Family and convey my stance… that this matter ends here." Yamamoto explained, incidentally firing a broadside.
"Old Man, I'm a noble too. And for something like this, can't you just send anyone? They'd give you the respect regardless." Kyoraku said helplessly.
"Precisely because you're also a noble, I'm sending you. As fellow high-ranking nobles, communication will be more convenient. Don't always be so lazy. Get going." Yamamoto urged.
"Alright, alright, I'm going." Kyoraku said reluctantly.
Yamamoto then took out something resembling a ledger and said, squinting, "Take this. If they're unwilling to let it go, show them this."
Kyoraku took it, looked, and immediately his expression turned serious. "I understand."
…
In a majestic, exquisitely built mansion.
A grim-faced old man angrily tore the letter in his hand to shreds and threw it on the floor.
The old man was Utsunomiya Nobutaka, head of the Utsunomiya Family.
The letter was from the Principal of Shin'o Academy.
The letter detailed the conflict between Yoshiaki and Toshiro, the decision to expel Yoshiaki from Shin'o Academy, and advised the Utsunomiya Family to let the matter end here and not cause trouble.
To be honest, Nobutaka didn't care much about Yoshiaki. He even felt somewhat gloating about Yoshiaki's predicament.
Yoshiaki was his younger brother's grandson. The more outstanding he was, the more he threatened the position of Nobutaka's own lineage.
But regardless, Yoshiaki was still a member of the Utsunomiya Family. If they did nothing, it would indeed damage the family's prestige.
"Someone!" Nobutaka called out.
"Family Head, what are your orders?" A servant entered.
"Take this letter to Kumoi of the Kasumioji Clan. See what he says." Nobutaka wrote a letter and handed it to his subordinate.
Although they were nobles, aside from the Kuchiki Clan and Shihoin Clan, their strength wasn't particularly formidable.
The entire Utsunomiya Family only had Nobutaka at Lieutenant-level, and due to old age, his strength had severely declined. He might not even be a match for Toshiro.
To deal with Toshiro, they could only use the Central 46. But the Central 46 weren't run by his family alone, so he could only contact the allied Kasumioji Family to stir up trouble together.
Since the two families were close by, Nobutaka's subordinate soon returned.
"Family Head, Kumoi said the Kasumioji Clan has some matters recently and has no time to get involved in this." The subordinate reported.
"Hmph! That Kumoi is just a servant! How dare he refuse my request!" Nobutaka fumed.
Kumoi was merely a retainer of the Kasumioji Clan. But after the previous head passed away, the heir, Kasumioji Rurichiyo, was young, so she left the power in Kumoi's hands.
"Family Head, Captain Kyoraku Shunsui of the 8th Division is here to visit." Suddenly, someone else entered to report.
"Let him in." Nobutaka frowned.
"My, my, long time no see, Head Utsunomiya." Kyoraku walked in with a smile.
"Long time no see, Captain Kyoraku. To what do I owe this visit?" Nobutaka got straight to the point.
"Head Utsunomiya is very direct. In that case, I'll be blunt. I presume you are already aware of the matter concerning Utsunomiya Yoshiaki. Old Man Yama's intention is that this matter ends here." Kyoraku adjusted his sedge hat.
"What?" Nobutaka's brows tightened.
Yamamoto's words carried far more weight than the Principal of Shin'o Academy.
Yamamoto, who founded the Gotei 13, commands the Soul Society's strongest military force, and shoulders the safety of the Seireitei, his influence on the Soul Society is unmatched by any single individual.
Only the Central 46 collectively could pressure him.
Although even Yamamoto cannot defy the Central 46's orders, they wouldn't trouble him over minor issues either.
Moreover, the Utsunomiya Family wasn't in the right in this matter to begin with.
Nobutaka's mind raced, his expression shifting uncertainly.
"Head Utsunomiya should look at this first."
Seeing Nobutaka silent, Kyoraku presented what Yamamoto had given him.
Nobutaka took it, looked, and immediately his face changed.
"And here, I, on behalf of the Kyoraku Family, also hope this matter ends here." Kyoraku added.
Nobutaka's expression wavered between light and dark. Finally, he sighed. "I understand. Let it be as you say. If there's nothing else, Captain Kyoraku, you may leave."
"In that case, I'll take my leave."
With the matter resolved, Kyoraku didn't plan to overstay his welcome.
What Kyoraku had shown Nobutaka earlier was evidence of the Utsunomiya Family's past misdeeds.
Yamamoto hadn't presented it before because although the Utsunomiya Family had frequent minor transgressions, they hadn't committed major crimes like treason. This evidence alone couldn't eradicate the family.
But if Yamamoto insisted on pursuing these matters, the Utsunomiya Family would undoubtedly suffer greatly.