Taishi wandered aimlessly through the streets of the Seireitei for a long time. Only when the setting sun slanted low did he drag his heavy steps back to the Kasumioji Clan's estate.
He had intended to slip in quietly through the side gate, but he noticed even the servants looked at him with strange glances.
That complex mix of contempt, pity, and schadenfreude in their eyes pricked him like needles.
"Did you hear? The son-in-law made a huge fool of himself at the Central 46..."
"To hit himself and then falsely accuse a student... how stupid do you have to be to do that?"
"The Kasumioji Clan's reputation has been completely destroyed by him..."
The servants' whispers, though low, clearly reached Taishi's ears.
He clenched his fists, his nails digging deep into his palms, yet he felt no pain.
Shame gnawed at his heart like a venomous snake. But what made him even more furious was that everyone believed he had gone mad. Not a single person was willing to listen to his explanation.
With head lowered, he quickly crossed the courtyard towards the main residence.
Cherry blossoms drifted down in the twilight. This was originally the most beautiful scenery of the Kasumioji Clan's estate, but now it only felt blinding to him.
Before he even reached the meeting hall, he heard loud arguing inside.
Taishi stopped, hiding behind a corridor pillar to listen.
"Head of the family, this matter must be dealt with severely!" An old, stern voice spoke. The elder, Kasumioji Munetoshi said gravely, "Sato Taishi has caused such a scandal at the Central 46! Not only has he become a laughingstock himself, but he has also shamed the entire Kasumioji Clan! I suggest you immediately divorce him and draw a clear line!"
Another voice chimed in. "Munetoshi is right. Not only has he make our family lose our reputation, he has also offended the Central 46 and other nobles. Now everyone outside is saying our Kasumioji Clan chose a madman as a son-in-law, lacking even basic judgment!"
"Elders," Yuka's voice sounded. Though gentle, it carried an unusual firmness. "Everything Taishi has done is for the Kasumioji Clan. There must be more to this incident than meets the eye."
"More to it?" Munetoshi sneered. "All witnesses testified that he injured himself. The Reiatsu analysis also showed his own Reiatsu traces. What more could there be? Head of the family, you're not letting emotions cloud your judgment, are you?"
"I am the head of the Kasumioji Clan," Yuka's voice turned cold. "How to handle family matters is my decision to make."
Kasumioji Shinosuke spoke earnestly. "Yuka, we watched you grow up. We won't harm you. The trouble Sato Taishi caused this time is too great. The Central 46 may say 'no further action for now', but they've certainly noted it down."
"Other nobles are just waiting to see us make fools of ourselves. If you continue to protect him, how will the Kasumioji Clan maintain its standing in noble circles?"
"That's enough," Yuka interrupted him, her voice carrying undeniable authority. "I've said I have my own judgment on this matter. Please leave now, all of you."
The meeting hall fell silent for a moment. Then came the sound of chairs being pushed back.
"Head of the family, you will regret this," Munetoshi finally threw out these words before slamming the door heavily as he left.
The other elders also rose one by one, their footsteps receding in a disorderly manner.
Taishi stood outside the door for a long time. Only after confirming the elders had gone far did he push open the meeting hall door.
Hearing the door open, Yuka turned around. There was weariness in her eyes, but she tried to force a faint smile.
"Taishi, you're back."
"I'm sorry," Taishi said with his head lowered, his voice hoarse. "I embarrassed you, and made you bear such great pressure for me."
Yuka quickly walked to his side, taking his hand. "I should be the one saying sorry. I actually didn't pay enough attention to you. I didn't even know when you developed this hysteria... If I had discovered it earlier, sought medical treatment sooner, today's events wouldn't have happened."
At first, Taishi was moved. But hearing the latter part, an even deeper surge of anger welled up in him.
"Even you don't believe me?" He abruptly looked up, bloodshot veins in his eyes. "Yuka, I was truly wronged!"
"Alright, alright, I believe you," Yuka soothed softly, gently patting his back. "Calm down first. Regardless of the truth, the most important thing now is to recover your health. I've already sent someone to invite a physician from the 4th Division. They'll come to see you tomorrow..."
Seeing her obviously dismissive attitude, a powerful sense of helplessness surged in Taishi's heart.
Even his closest wife didn't believe him. Who else in this world could understand his grievance?
"You don't understand..." He pushed away Yuka's hand, stepping back two paces. A distorted smile appeared on his face. "No one understands. But it's fine. I will prove it. I will make that Chiaki Setsuna pay the price."
Yuka looked at him with concern. "Taishi, what are you planning to do? Don't act impulsively. The family's situation is already difficult enough..."
"Difficult?" Sato Taishi sneered. "It's precisely because it's difficult that we need to establish authority even more. If even a mere student can insult the Kasumioji Clan at will, who will take us seriously in the future?"
"I will prepare a 'grand gift' for him during his graduation exam!"
…
Back at the Academy, Setsuna expressed his gratitude to the assembled teachers and students.
Everyone said there was no need for thanks, as they were merely telling the truth.
Many also said indignantly, "That Sato Taishi is too despicable, framing you like that!"
Setsuna smiled and waved his hand. "Don't say that. Perhaps he really did have a schizophrenic episode."
Only the ones who had wronged Taishi knew how wronged he was.
Hearing this, the teachers and students couldn't help but praise Setsuna's broad-mindedness. "To still consider the other party even after being wronged… Setsuna-kun truly has a generous heart!"
"No wonder he's the model for the academy!"
Listening to these praises, Setsuna simply smiled and nodded. But inwardly, he couldn't help but marvel at how useful Aizen's Kyoka Suigetsu was for mass hypnosis.
Especially now that Aizen, having strengthened his Sixth Sense, had become even more sensitive to soul fluctuations. The illusions he cast were almost untraceable.
Setsuna's Genro Mao Ken was more powerful, but it was mainly targeted at individuals.
After the teachers and students dispersed, Aizen walked to Setsuna's side and pushed up his glasses. "Setsuna-nii, that Sato Taishi definitely won't let this go. Nobles value reputation the most. Having suffered such a huge loss at the Central 46 today, he will surely find a way to retaliate."
Setsuna chuckled. "No normal person could swallow such an insult, let alone someone who values noble dignity more than his own life."
A faint curve appeared at the corner of Aizen's mouth. "Should we arrange an 'accidental death' for him? I guarantee no traces will be left."
"No need," Setsuna smiled slightly. "I'm quite curious about how he plans to retaliate against me."
With his current strength, in this stage of the Soul Society, only the Captain-Commander and the monk who calls true names from the Soul King Palace could pose a genuine threat to him.
According to Aizen's future theory, Shinigami have limits. Only by transcending the boundary between Hollows and Shinigami can one become a true transcendent.
But in Setsuna's view, Aizen wasn't necessarily absolutely correct. After all, Aizen at that time didn't even know the truth about the Soul King.
Yamamoto and Hyosube Ichibe'e likely had surpassed first-class Reiryoku and were transcendent in another sense.
He certainly didn't believe a mere son-in-law of the Kasumioji Clan could disturb major figures like Yamamoto or Ichibe'e.