Inside the Central 46's Courtroom.
The wise sages and judges once again saw Setsuna and Taishi. Only this time, their positions had completely reversed.
The plaintiff had become the defendant, the defendant had become the plaintiff.
Such a dramatic turn of events left everyone present feeling rather speechless.
A wise sage first addressed Setsuna. "Chiaki Setsuna, do you accuse Sato Taishi of colluding with a Menos Grande, intending to murder you?"
Setsuna replied calmly, "Yes."
The wise sage then turned to Taishi. "Sato Taishi, do you admit to this accusation?"
Taishi smiled faintly, adjusting the cuff of his noble attire with a composed demeanor.
He looked around the judge's bench, speaking slowly. "Honorable sages, esteemed judges. The noble families are the cornerstone of the Soul Society, vital forces maintaining the balance of the three worlds. As a member of a noble family, educated since childhood in family precepts, I deeply understand the responsibility and honor upon my shoulders. With such status, how could I possibly do something like colluding with Hueco Mundo, destroying the very foundation?"
"I believe the Central 46 is just. Since Chiaki Setsuna accuses me of colluding with a Menos Grande, why not summon the captured Menos Grande, as well as the student who claims to have been directed by me, so we may confront each other face-to-face?"
The judge nodded, asking Setsuna, "Where is the Menos Grande you captured now?"
Setsuna raised his hand, pointing toward the witness stand. "Right there."
Everyone followed his finger, their gazes falling upon Szayelaporro sitting properly in the witness stand.
The judges and wise sages were taken aback at first, then one after another showed expressions of disbelief.
"What? He's a Menos Grande?"
"No mask... that means... he's a Vasto Lorde-class Menos Grande!"
The entire courtroom instantly erupted.
"How could they let such a monster in!"
"Guards! Where are the guards!"
Nobles in the spectator gallery panicked. Some jumped up from their seats, disregarding their demeanor, wanting to flee the courtroom.
Even the wise sages and judges on the bench stood up in alarm. Several of the older ones had retreated to the edge of their seats, ready to flee at any moment.
Setsuna's expression remained indifferent. "No need for alarm, everyone. He has been defeated by me and will not resist."
Seeing that Szayelaporro indeed remained seated quietly without any movement, everyone gradually calmed down, though they still apprehensively stayed away from the witness stand area.
A trace of annoyance rose in the hearts of several wise sages. Setsuna had previously only mentioned a 'Menos Grande', not specifying it was a Vasto Lorde-class Menos Grande. Clearly, he intended to see them caught off guard.
At this moment, Taishi was also stunned.
The method to contact the Menos Grande came from a relic left by his great-grandfather. An accompanying secret letter clearly stated that his great-grandfather had cooperated with an Adjuchas-class Menos Grande back then, hunting many powerful enemies in Hueco Mundo together, earning great merit and winning the Sato Family its noble seat.
But now... why was the Adjuchas now a Vasto Lorde?
Even more puzzling, how could such an existence be captured alive and brought here?
The courtroom fell into brief silence. Everyone's gaze focused on Szayelaporro in the witness stand.
Even sitting quietly, this Vasto Lorde-class Menos Grande still exuded an intimidating presence.
The judge cleared his throat, asking gravely, "Menos Grande, do you admit to colluding with Sato Taishi, jointly planning the attack on Chiaki Setsuna?"
Szayelaporro did not speak. He simply sat quietly, as if everything before him had nothing to do with him.
Seeing this, an elderly wise sage habitually slammed the table and stood up, shouting sternly, "This is the Central 46! This is no place for your silence! Answer the judge's question!"
Szayelaporro's gaze turned toward that wise sage.
Just one glance. A very calm glance.
The wise sage's voice abruptly ceased.
He felt an icy killing intent pierce deep into his soul like a tangible force… a pressure transcending life's hierarchy.
Cold sweat beaded on the wise sage's forehead. Forcing composure, he sat back down, his voice unconsciously softening. "Since... since it is such a ferocious Menos Grande, presumably nothing can be learned from questioning. Perhaps it's better to skip this and inquire other witnesses."
Taishi stood at the defendant's stand, secretly sighing in relief internally.
After all, this Menos Grande being captured wasn't within his expectations.
Fortunately, this Menos Grande seemed to disdain answering these 'ants' questions, which instead turned into a favorable situation for him.
"Summon witness Iwasaki Hideki," The judge's voice rang out again.
A thin, weak boy tremblingly walked up to the witness stand.
His face was pale, his eyes evasive. It was precisely the student who carried the Hell Butterfly.
"Iwasaki Hideki," the judge asked, "Was that hell butterfly found on you given to you by Sato Taishi?"
Iwasaki Hideki kept his head low, hands tightly gripping the hem of his clothes, his voice as thin as a mosquito's. "If... if I tell the truth... will the Central 46 protect me? I... I'm scared..."
The judge said solemnly, "Inside the Central 46's courtroom, no one can coerce you. Speak the truth, and you will receive due protection."
Hideki took a deep breath, as if making a huge decision. He abruptly looked up. "Actually... it was Chiaki Setsuna who slipped it to me! He... he wanted to use this opportunity to bring down Sato-sama! So, the one truly colluding with a Menos Grande is actually Chiaki Setsuna!"
The whole room erupted.
Exclamations arose from the noble spectator seats. The judges and wise sages looked at each other. Even the Shin'o Academy's teachers and students in the audience were stunned.
'This plot... had reversed again?'
A surge of triumphant glee welled up in Taishi's heart.
He sneered inwardly: 'Chiaki Setsuna, you think I'd use something as low-level as threats? Hah, that's too easily exposed. This boy Iwasaki Hideki has been jealous of you like a venomous snake since you entered the academy.'
'You probably don't even remember someone like him. After all, you are too dazzling, so dazzling that people in the shadows breed twisted hatred. But jealousy never needs deep reasons. Your existence, your excellence… that is enough.'
After the Shin'o Academy's students reacted, they immediately exploded.
"Iwasaki Hideki! You ungrateful bastard!" A red-haired boy roared.
"Setsuna-kun even instructed you in Kido! How can you frame him like this!"
"We nearly died in Hueco Mundo! Now you say it was Setsuna-sama's plan? Do you have any conscience?"
Facing everyone's angry curses, Hideki shrunk his neck, putting on an expression of both fear and stubborn resolve. "I... I know Setsuna-sama has been kind to me... but... but I cannot betray my conscience for such small favors. The truth is the truth!"
Taishi timely praised loudly. "Well said! I never expected Shin'o Academy to have someone like you, upholding justice, unafraid of power!"
He turned to the judge, his tone sincere. "Honorable sages, judges. Now the situation is very clear. Chiaki Setsuna first framed me for self-harm. After succeeding, he colluded with a Menos Grande to set a trap, even coerced a student into giving false testimony, attempting to completely destroy me and the Kasumioji Clan. Such scheming, such methods, are truly appalling!"
The courtroom descended into fresh chaos.
Nobles supporting Taishi began murmuring in low voices, looking at Setsuna with suspicion-filled eyes. The Academy's teachers and students were outraged, yet didn't know how to refute.