Seireitei, Noble District.
White buildings stood in abundance, and expensive decorations were visible everywhere, showcasing elegance.
In the centre of the Noble District, within a solemn and magnificent mansion, angry shouts echoed.
"Useless!"
"A team of thirty, going to deal with a squad of less than ten, yet they were annihilated. What else can you even do?!"
In the quiet study, a lavishly dressed young man glared at the one-armed Shinigami kneeling before him, his eyes filled with gloom.
His voice was sharp, and though his appearance was handsome, he could not hide the arrogance in his expression:
"Now, you escaped back alone, do you think I will spare your life because of past favours?"
"This is a crucial moment in the struggle for the family head position. Originally, if I just killed Kuchiki Sōjun, the family head position would surely be mine for the taking."
"But now..."
"It was ruined by an idiot like you. Tell me, how are you going to compensate me?"
"Is your arm... enough?"
"Ah...!?"
By the end of his words, his expression gradually lost control, becoming more ferocious, and he kicked the Shinigami on the ground, sending him sprawling.
Even though the Shinigami's face was pale from severe injuries, he remained silent despite the sudden attack.
He simply got up from the ground quietly, continued to bow his head, and knelt, appearing as if he would not fight back or retort.
Seeing this, Tsunayashiro Yashin revealed a deep sneer.
"Useless!"
He spat, then, maintaining the elegance of a noble as much as possible, slowly turned and sat down.
With his hands crossed, his tone was arrogant.
"You're only fit to be a punching bag. A Second-Class Reiatsu beaten to this state, tell me, how did you fail?"
"Logically speaking, the team I assigned to you was already top-tier in Seireitei; some weaker Squads might not even be your opponents."
"Let alone, a mere squad of ten."
"Even if Kuchiki Ginrei, that Head Captain, sent out his retainers, with your strength, you could still hold him back."
"After that, those dozens of Seat Officers plus some Vice-Captains killing a Kuchiki Sōjun would be too easy..."
"Why did you fail?"
"Don't give me reasons; I only want to hear the process and the conclusion."
Taking a deep breath, the Shinigami quickly recounted what had happened earlier.
When Tsunayashiro Yashin heard that a red-haired Shinigami appeared and disrupted things, he also heard that he possessed Second-Class Reiatsu.
A familiar, yet somewhat hateful, face appeared before his eyes.
"Is he called Tsugikuni Yoriichi?"
Tsunayashiro Yashin interrupted.
His teeth instinctively clenched.
The Shinigami replied: "This subordinate is not sure, but... Shinigami with around Second-Class Reiatsu are not common. If you, Master, believe it was him..."
"Perhaps it was."
As soon as he said this.
Crack.
The tabletop suddenly caved in with a finger impression, and the smile on Tsunayashiro Yashin's face became somewhat distorted.
"It was actually this fellow..."
"A mere Rukongai..."
As early as when Tsugikuni Yoriichi first emerged, the Tsunayashiro Clan had noticed him.
Due to the decline of the clan, they had intended to win him over but were politely refused by Tsugikuni Yoriichi.
Since then, Tsunayashiro Yashin, who regarded his clan and bloodline as his glory, remembered him.
He remembered this madman who regarded high-ranking nobles as nothing.
In Tsunayashiro Yashin's view, the Tsunayashiro Clan's overture was the highest honour for any Shinigami.
An ordinary Shinigami, even a Captain, should kneel and accept it, as if facing an imperial decree.
Refusal... even the most polite refusal, was a slap in their face.
If nobles were not required to maintain elegance, demeanour, and class at all times, this fellow who defiled noble honour would have long been dragged away and beheaded.
Later, they had intended to find an opportunity to teach him a lesson, but unexpectedly, before they could act, Tsugikuni Yoriichi entered Hueco Mundo.
The plan became empty talk, and because of this, Tsunayashiro Yashin could only withdraw his forces.
If not for what happened today, who could have expected that this Shinigami, whom he had long forgotten, would cause the complete collapse of the assassination attempt?
Damn fellow!
He had been planning for decades, just to kill Kuchiki Sōjun at a critical moment, to use it as his achievement to become the family head...
The result...
Because of an obscure nobody.
It was ruined...
The hatred that permeated his bones was not enough to express his feelings at this moment.
Bang!
Tsunayashiro Yashin slammed the table in anger.
"Kill him... Kill him for me!!!"
Rumble!
The desk collapsed, and Tsunayashiro Yashin's angry voice continued to resound: "How dare a mere Rukongai block the path of my Tsunayashiro!"
"Death is too good for him!"
"Uncle Kaede! I want him dead!"
As his voice fell, a middle-aged man who looked like a butler instantly appeared in the study.
His white gloves were neat, and he placed one hand over his chest, his head bowed, his posture respectful.
His monocle reflected a faint light, and he faced Tsunayashiro Yashin's command.
He took a deep look at the Shinigami at his feet, who was bowing his head and dared not speak, and said in a deep voice: "Yes."
"Young Master Yashin."
"However... forgive my presumptuousness, I have a humble request."
"Speak!"
"I need help to stop the Shinigami who will come."
"A First-Class Reiatsu battle is an impact that barriers can hardly withstand. Once it erupts, it will inevitably attract the attention of others."
"Although I am confident that I can resolve it within a minute, however... due to today's events, I do not believe that Tsugikuni Yoriichi is being specially monitored."
Taking a deep breath, Tsunayashiro Yashin suddenly remembered the crucial point of the problem.
Uncle Kaede was a butler he had known since childhood. As a guardian of direct lineage members, even within the entire Tsunayashiro Clan, he was one of the few strongest individuals.
He possessed Reiatsu that surpassed most Shinigami.
Although not as strong as Yamamoto Genryusai, he was also First-Class, so dealing with a Second-Class Reiatsu Tsugikuni Yoriichi would be easy.
However, it was also First-Class that brought success, and First-Class that brought failure.
If he couldn't get rid of the Shinigami around Tsugikuni Yoriichi.
Even if he forcibly killed him in the street.
He wouldn't get off lightly.
Because the butler would be exposed.
Shinigami with First-Class Reiatsu were much fewer than those with Second-Class; throughout the entire Soul Society, there were only less than ten.
If Yamamoto Genryusai were a bit more aggressive, he could investigate them one by one and then find the real culprit...
By that day... he couldn't abandon the butler, could he?
One must know that even if the plan failed, with the support of a strong person like Uncle Kaede, he would surely be able to rise again.
Tsunayashiro Yashin had never forgotten that his goal had always been to seize the position of family head.
To take revenge on a Second-Class Reiatsu Shinigami, and expose a First-Class Reiatsu Uncle Kaede, would be completely counterproductive.
No!
Thinking of this.
He reissued the task.
"Since that is the case, Hinoshita Makoto, from today onwards, you will be under Uncle Kaede's jurisdiction."
"You must not disobey any of his orders; he is me."
"I need you two to kill Tsugikuni Yoriichi on a certain day in the future, to avenge today's humiliation!"