Chapter 111: Night Raid
This can't go on!
Reading the constant stream of reports, Taketori gritted his teeth.
The Tsunayashiro family's businesses in Rukongai were nearly all snatched away by the Ōmaeda family!
An Ōmaeda alone was nothing to fear.
On a scale of ten, an unprotected Ōmaeda's offensive power in commerce was only five.
But an Ōmaeda backed by the Shihōin and Kuchiki families? Their offensive power instantly skyrocketed to three thousand!
If this was the Kuchiki family's method of retaliation, he had to admit—they'd succeeded brilliantly.
No matter how transcendent the Tsunayashiro family was, they still needed to eat.
Losing over half their income would be a devastating blow.
Forget about funds needed to maintain subordinate families—even their own expenses would become a problem!
Every elder and high-ranking member prided themselves on extravagant lifestyles.
It wasn't hard to imagine how they'd react when the money ran out.
As the person responsible for commerce, he'd undoubtedly bear the brunt of their anger.
What should he do?
Stripped of his family's backing, he couldn't compete with Ōmaeda in pure business even with one hand tied.
In that case, should he ask Grandfather for help...
Just as this thought crossed his mind, a voice sounded at the door.
"Young Master Taketori, Tokinada of the branch family requests an audience."
Tokinada?
Taketori frowned.
"Let him in."
Moments later, a fox-eyed young man entered the room.
Under the gaze of Takatori, Tokinada slowly approached and respectfully knelt in a formal seiza position.
"Tokinada greets Cousin Takatori. I hope you have been well?"
"I'm fine."
Takatori replied stiffly.
"Skip the pleasantries… Just get to the point."
Hearing this, Tokinada lowered his head slightly.
"Cousin Takatori, regarding the current situation, I believe we must make a decisive move as soon as possible."
"With our current strength, there's no way we can contend against Ōmaeda, who has the full support of both the Kuchiki and Shihōin families."
"The only solution now is to report to the family head and request his intervention. Only then will we have a chance to turn things around!"
Upon hearing Tokinada's words, Takatori frowned slightly.
He had already made up his mind, but now this guy had to come in and say something like this—as if Takatori had only thought of the solution because of his prompting.
How irritating.
Still, despite his displeasure, he didn't say much.
The fact that Tokinada had thought to seek help from the main family at a time like this showed he had some ability. He might even be useful in the future.
Takatori nodded, about to dismiss Tokinada.
But then, Tokinada spoke again:
"However… if we do this, the elders who have long been dissatisfied with your control over the family's business affairs will have an excuse to challenge the family head."
"If you remain silent, as the family head's direct grandson, those old men won't dare go too far."
"But if you actively seek aid from the main family… the implications would be entirely different."
"At that point, to silence those old men, the family head might even strip you of your position. Who knows?"
Takatori's pupils contracted slightly.
The reason he had been bearing it alone and searching for a way to break the deadlock was precisely because he didn't want to see this outcome.
Now, it seemed even a worthless branch family member could see through this—how could those cunning old foxes in high positions let such an opportunity slip by?!
Crack!
The teacup in Takatori's hand shattered into pieces under his grip.
The sound of the explosion snapped him back to his senses.
Regaining his composure, he turned his gaze to Tokinada.
"Leave!"
"Yes."
Without hesitation, Tokinada stood up, maintaining a bowed posture, and retreated from the room, sliding the door shut behind him.
Staring at the closed paper door, Takatori took a deep breath.
"Someone!"
A figure instantly appeared in the room.
"Deliver my orders… invite the gentleman with the straw hat."
That gentleman had been sent by the main family to protect him during the chaos caused by Satoru and Yoruichi in the noble district.
According to the family, he was a retainer raised by his grandfather—a man of formidable strength, comparable to a captain.
As long as he could be persuaded to take action and eliminate Marenoshin Ōmaeda, this game would take a decisive turn!
Before long, in a secluded courtyard, a Shinigami tasked with delivering the message flashed into view with a shunpo.
Under the shade of a tree, Rennosuke Kamikawa, who had been meditating on his sword, slowly opened his eyes.
Halfway through listening, he curled his lips, clearly uninterested.
The only reason he had come here was to deal with Satoru.
What was the point of assassinating the vice-captain of the Second Division?
Just as he was about to refuse outright, the Shinigami added, "Those protecting the target may include the Sixth Division's third seat, Kōga Kuchiki, as well as the Second Division's Satoru…"
"Fine, I'll go!"
Rennosuke slapped the ground and sprang to his feet!
...
...
"Without a doubt, it'll happen within the next couple of days."
"Uncle Marenoshin will be brutally murdered by an assassin sent by the Tsunayashiro family!"
In the main hall of the Ōmaeda residence, Satoru sat at the table, stuffing his face with snacks while delivering his verdict.
Marenoshin couldn't help but grimace. "Must you phrase it so horrifyingly…"
Yoruichi frowned. "If Tsunayashiro Takatori were acting alone, this would indeed be the most likely method he'd choose."
"But he has the entire Tsunayashiro family behind him. What if he abandons his solo efforts and turns to the main family for help?"
Hearing this, Satoru shook his head lightly, like a seasoned swindler playing the mystic.
"It doesn't matter. I'll handle it."
"What can you do? Force him to confess?" Yoruichi rolled her eyes.
Satoru merely snorted, neither confirming nor denying.
As Yoruichi had pointed out, the biggest flaw in this plan was how to deal with the possibility of Takatori seeking help from his grandfather.
In truth, the likelihood of him doing so was probably over ninety percent.
But Satoru had already prepared a countermeasure for this scenario.
If Tsunayashiro Takatori turned to the main family for aid, he would go straight to Aizen and lay his cards on the table—admitting that he already knew the true power of Kyōka Suigetsu.
At that point, all he needed was to deploy his secret technique—Nobita's Art of Persuasion—and, with a bit of relentless pestering, convince Sōsuke Aizemon to use Kyōka Suigetsu's power to extract a confession from Tsunayashiro Takatori.
In this era, the Soul Society had no video-editing technology.
As long as they recorded the scene using the Shihōin family's Divinely Bestowed Arms, it would become irrefutable evidence!
Having made up his mind, Satoru didn't even bother staying vigilant and spent the entire afternoon out with Yoruichi.
It wasn't until evening that he returned to the Ōmaeda residence slightly drunk and lay down in the room next to Marenoshin's.
After extending his spiritual awareness to cover the adjacent room, he comfortably closed his eyes.
After an indeterminate amount of time, Satoru suddenly opened his eyes again.
Absurd...
Within his spiritual perception, he sensed the presence of someone somewhat unfamiliar yet not entirely unknown.
The problem was, this person wasn't heading toward Marenoshin's room.
Instead, under the cover of night, they were stealthily making their way toward his own quarters!