"From the standpoint of a captain?"
Kuchiki Byakuya's brows drew together slightly. He caught the meaning behind those words at once and pressed further:
"Then what about from your own standpoint?"
To someone like him, a noble skilled in political maneuvering, specifically stating support from a captain's standpoint was almost the same as saying, "I don't support him, I'm just going with the flow."
In truth, he did not really care whom Aizen personally supported.
Because after the emergency discussion within the clan just now, he and the Kuchiki family had already made their decision.
No matter what, they would firmly stand on Rosse's side.
It was not only because Rosse had extended a hand regarding Rukia's situation, but also because, according to the intelligence analysis network within the Kuchiki family, something major had very likely happened within the Central 46.
They even had a bold speculation.
The entire Central 46 might already have been secretly placed under house arrest, or even completely controlled, by Captain-Commander Yamamoto in order to preserve the old order.
Otherwise, there was no way to explain why the 46 would suddenly issue such a radical and highly targeted execution order at this critical moment. That simply did not match the usual style of those old men.
If it truly was Captain-Commander Yamamoto pulling the strings behind the scenes, then this was a purge aimed at the new forces.
The Kuchiki family had already taken Rosse's side before. If they did not continue to stand firm now, the consequences might be even more tragic than what had happened to the Shihoin family.
"From my own standpoint…", Aizen set down his teacup. His eyes grew deep and cold, as if he were discussing something completely unrelated to himself, "Captain Kuchiki, I'll be frank. I'm actually not interested in who sits in the Captain-Commander's seat."
"Whether it's Captain-Commander Yamamoto or Captain Rosse, no matter who wins in the end, life for me and the Fifth Division won't change much. As long as it doesn't interfere with my handling of division affairs or nurturing my interest in calligraphy, whoever holds power makes no difference to me."
The words were indifferent, yet carried an extreme clarity.
Kuchiki Byakuya understood.
This meant complete neutrality, helping neither side.
Thinking about it carefully, this was indeed the choice that best aligned with Aizen's interests.
If Rukia and the Kuchiki family had not been dragged into this whirlpool, and if he possessed strength as unfathomable as Aizen's, he would likely have made the same choice.
Stand aside and watch, wait for the dust to settle.
Strength was the greatest confidence behind neutrality.
Without the overwhelming power Aizen displayed in yesterday's battle, this kind of fence-sitting would only offend both sides, ending no differently from the Shihoin family today.
But now it was different.
Yesterday, Aizen had taken the initiative to fight a powerful enemy and had even been seriously injured. That performance had already earned him enough political capital in the eyes of both camps.
Even if he chose to hold back in the coming internal struggle, no one could stand on moral high ground and accuse him of anything.
"Captain Aizen, I understand your position."
Kuchiki Byakuya gave a slight nod. He had obtained the answer he wanted.
As long as Aizen would not stab them in the back, the purpose of this visit had been achieved.
However, he did not turn and leave immediately.
The Kuchiki family had always valued reciprocity. Repay kindness with kindness.
He had already disturbed Aizen by coming unannounced in the middle of the night, and now had even probed his stance.
As repayment, and to maintain this delicate understanding, no matter what Aizen asked, he would answer.
Aizen naturally saw through Byakuya's intention. The smile at his lips deepened slightly. His gaze seemed to casually sweep past the shadow where Kurosaki Ichigo was hiding before he calmly asked:
"Captain Kuchiki, in that case, have you already made up your mind to completely side with Captain Rosse at this critical juncture?"
Because of the incident with the Shihoin family today, Kuchiki Byakuya had personally led the suppression.
To outsiders, that was almost the same as openly declaring his allegiance to Rosse.
But in politics, as long as there was no final showdown, there was always room to maneuver.
After all, Rukia was only an adopted daughter of the Kuchiki family, not born with the name Kuchiki.
"That's right."
Kuchiki Byakuya did not hide it at all. His voice was as cold as solid ice, yet as firm as bedrock.
"If in three days the Central 46 still insists on executing Rukia, then before the execution ceremony begins, I will personally force my way into the 46 and make them withdraw their decision."
The weight of that statement was enormous.
As the captain of the Sixth Division and head of the Kuchiki clan, publicly storming the highest judicial body of the nobles was no different from declaring war on the entire old order. It also meant cutting off every possible retreat.
"In that case, with Captain-Commander Yamamoto's personality, one that cannot tolerate the slightest offense, I'm afraid he will never let it go," Aizen chuckled softly, as if he could already see the earth-shaking confrontation between teacher and disciple in the future.
"Captain-Commander Yamamoto…"
Kuchiki Byakuya paused. A trace of complexity flashed through his eyes, but it was quickly replaced by resolve.
"He is old. Not only in age, but in thought and stubbornness. His existence, in this era, has already become the greatest obstacle preventing Soul Society from continuing to develop."
These were not flattering words meant to please Rosse. They were conclusions he had reached after long observation.
In the years Rosse had acted with the authority of Captain-Commander, the Gotei 13 had entered its most rapid period of growth since its founding.
In just a few short years, the size of the Gotei 13 had expanded more than tenfold. Its overall combat strength far surpassed the accumulation of the past thousand years.
More importantly, with a series of bold reforms, the once lifeless Rukongai had regained vitality. The entire Soul Society was racing toward an unprecedented prosperity.
Many nobles hated Rosse because their privileges had been weakened, but the Kuchiki family was an exception.
As the head of the Five Great Noble Houses, the Kuchiki family had never relied on rotten privileges to survive.
Their thousand-year family motto was simple.
The Kuchiki family was noble because every member of the clan was more outstanding, more hardworking, and more disciplined than ordinary people.
If the development of the Gotei 13 and the progress of the era left the Kuchiki family behind, that would only mean the family had decayed and deserved to be eliminated by history.
On the contrary, all of the Kuchiki elites firmly believed that as long as they followed this tide of progress, relying on the family's deep foundation, they could ride the wind and waves and make the clan even more prosperous in this new era.
This was the true underlying logic behind Kuchiki Byakuya's choice of Rosse.
"I see. What an admirable resolve."
Aizen clapped lightly. His expression remained gentle, though deep in his eyes lay a depth no one else could detect.
"Then allow me to ask one final presumptuous question. This view that 'the Captain-Commander is old', does it represent only the Kuchiki family's stance, or is it also Captain Rosse's stance?"
The question sounded casual, but it concealed deeper meaning.
To Kuchiki Byakuya, it was simply a probe into Rosse's attitude.
But to Aizen, in the hidden depths of his true self, the question itself carried exquisite irony.
How laughable, and how fascinating.
Rosse, the supreme king of the Royal Palace of Hueco Mundo, was now, under overwhelming support, almost rightfully about to ascend to the throne of Captain-Commander of the Shinigami.
He had not only won the fervent devotion of nearly all common Shinigami, but had also gained the full support of Soul Society's strongest noble houses, the Kuchiki and the Shiba.
Using the system of the Shinigami to rule the Shinigami. Using the power of Soul Society to counter Soul Society.
'Truly worthy of Lord Rosse. This move on the board is nothing short of breathtaking.'
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