Chapter 100: How About Joining Me?
"I..."
Kōga pressed his hands against the ground, eyes wide with unwillingness.
Ever since becoming a Shinigami, he had always been regarded as a genius by his teammates.
Wherever he went, he received looks of admiration.
Even the Captain-Commander had once praised him as "promising for the future."
Only his father-in-law had never acknowledged his abilities.
No matter what he did or how hard he tried, all he ever received was either criticism or a dismissive nod.
What had he done wrong?
After several seconds of silence, under the crushing weight of Ginrei's Spiritual Pressure, he lowered his head deeply.
"My deepest apologies, Father. I overstepped."
Only after Kōga admitted his mistake did Ginrei withdraw his Spiritual Pressure.
"My apologies for this unsightly display in front of you both."
Satoru clicked his tongue. "That was terrifying. I can't even laugh about it."
The thought of Sōjun growing up in such an environment filled him with sympathy.
With a mentally unstable—ahem, mentally concerning father like that, no amount of luxury in daily life could make one truly happy.
Hearing this, Yoruichi quickly coughed.
"Idiot, watch your words!"
Satoru shrugged.
He turned to Ginrei. "Old Man Kuchiki, since you called us here and specifically mentioned this matter, it means the death of that... Niwa family head is indeed related to the Tsunayashiro family, right?"
Ginrei gave a slight nod.
Under their gazes, he slowly explained his investigation findings and thoughts.
After listening, Yoruichi stroked her chin, deep in contemplation.
As Kōga had said, there was a 99% chance the Tsunayashiro family was behind this.
Currently, the conflict between Tsunayashiro and Kuchiki over Central 46's authority had escalated to the point of sparks flying.
If the Kuchiki and Niwa families successfully formed an alliance now, it would send a strong positive signal to the wavering mid-tier noble families.
Sōjun was already the cream of the younger generation. With the Niwa family's support, his position would become even more secure.
Once Ginrei stepped down, Sōjun would unquestionably become the new family head, leading the Kuchiki clan and its affiliated minor nobles into a new era of stability.
In contrast, the Tsunayashiro family?
None of their second-generation heirs showed any promise.
Senzaemon Tsunayashiro was already over two thousand years old—who knew how much longer he could last?
If the old man died, the Tsunayashiro family would be left leaderless.
Compared to this looming uncertainty, their current advantages meant little.
After all, every noble family in the Soul Society prioritized stability above all else.
With its outstanding second-generation heirs, the Kuchiki family had already gained a subtle upper hand.
But all this was now cast into doubt following the Niwa family head's death.
The Niwa family was a prominent noble house, yet they had been utterly defenseless against the Tsunayashiro's assassination attempt.
And the Kuchiki family couldn't even protect their own in-laws.
Was aligning with the Kuchiki family truly the right choice?
A promising future was good, but if one couldn't even survive, what use was a future?
Thinking this, Yoruichi couldn't help but sigh.
As expected of the Tsunayashiro clan... If anyone else had pulled such a table-flipping move, they would have been collectively targeted and utterly destroyed long ago.
But when facing the Tsunayashiro clan, the first reaction of these nobles is always to back down.
This is the deterrent power of Tsunayashiro.
Or rather, the deterrent power of its family head, Senzaemon Tsunayashiro.
In the entire Soul Society, the only one who could openly crush Tsunayashiro is probably Yamamoto Genryūsai.
No wonder Ginrei invited Satoru.
That old fox—what he really wanted was to invite Captain-Commander Yamamoto behind Satoru's back.
I wonder if Satoru has realized that?
Yoruichi turned her head to look at Satoru.
Only to find him kneeling there, eyes closed, head drooping.
He actually fell asleep!!
Yoruichi's blood pressure spiked.
She cracked her knuckles, ready to give someone a good beating.
Meanwhile, Ginrei stood up:
"There's no need for the two of you to give an answer immediately. Just let me know your decision within three days."
He glanced at the wall clock and added, "It's almost lunchtime. Please join me for a meal."
Satoru, who had been deep in dreamland, suddenly jerked his head up: "Lunch?"
Yoruichi: "..."
Under Ginrei's lead, the group headed toward the main hall.
Satoru yawned, still looking half-asleep.
Yoruichi reached out to pinch him, but Satoru deftly dodged with a practiced sway.
Kōga walked at the very back, his face dark with frustration.
He took a deep breath. "My apologies, everyone. There's something I need to take care of first. I'll return shortly."
With a slight bow, he turned and left.
Watching Kōga's retreating figure, Satoru scratched his head.
After a moment's thought, he said to Yoruichi, "I'm gonna hit the bathroom—clear some space so I can eat more later."
Yoruichi: "?"
Before she could say anything, Satoru vanished with a flash step.
...
...
Leaving the courtyard, Kōga walked toward a grove of trees.
"Damn it!!"
He reached out and struck the tree fiercely.
At that moment, a voice echoed in his heart—
"Kōga, please don't be upset. Ginrei-sama must have said those things to protect you."
"The Tsunayashiro family is extremely dangerous. After targeting the Niwa family, they must have prepared for retaliation."
"If you go now, it's too..."
"Are you saying I'm not strong enough?!"
Kōga roared, cutting off the voice in his mind.
Gripping his sword hilt, he drew his blade with a swift motion.
Glaring at his own sword, he shouted angrily, "My strength is second to none!"
"Even if the Tsunayashiro family is prepared, I can annihilate them completely!"
"Then do it."
As soon as Kōga finished speaking, a lazy voice sounded above him.
"?!"
His expression turned to shock as he quickly leaped aside and looked up.
Perched on a tree branch above him was a young man in a Soul Reaper uniform.
The boy rested his arms on his knees, looking down at him with a somewhat eerie smile.
Under Kōga's astonished gaze, Satoru spoke:
"Since old man Kuchiki doesn't believe in you, why not join me instead?"
"Once we take down a few Tsunayashiro members and show him the results, he won't have anything left to say."
"If you defeat the Tsunayashiro—one of the Five Great Noble Families just like his—how could he not acknowledge your abilities?"
Hearing this, Kōga's eyes widened...