The Central 46 Compound, the 'Cleaners' Quarter', located deepest within the Seireitei.
It was a complex of buildings constructed from enormous Reishi Crystals, with towering spires and winding corridors. The overall style was solemn and majestic, yet permeated with an aloof, bone-chilling coldness.
This was the highest judicial body of the Soul Society, the 'holy ground' where laws were made, serious crimes were judged, and the fates of countless souls were decided.
But at this moment, at the entrance to this 'holy ground', stood two figures who were completely out of place with the surrounding atmosphere.
Tosen faced the closed gate, his voice almost pleading: "Please, let me see the wise sages of the Central 46!"
The guards at the gate looked at him expressionlessly. One of them waved his hand impatiently. "How many times do I have to tell you? The wise sages of the Central 46 don't have time for small fry like you."
Just then, a low but firm voice rang out: "What about me?"
Komamura stepped forward, standing beside Tosen.
He wasn't wearing his hood… his canine face was completely exposed to the air. "I am Komamura Sajin, Third Seat of the 7th Division. I request an audience with the wise men of the Central 46."
The guards were stunned.
"Third Seat Komamura," One of them spoke, his tone slightly easing. "If you wish to request a normal audience, of course there's no problem. But if you intend to 'overturn' that case..."
He paused, a warning in his voice. "I advise you not to meddle in other people's business. The wise sages' judgments are infallible. Surely you don't believe the Central 46 would have unjust cases?"
Komamura frowned deeply.
He said solemnly, "I wouldn't dare. But since the case is sound, why can't the matter be clarified? Why did Kakyo's husband kill her? What were the specific details of the incident? What was the basis for the judgment? Shouldn't these things be made public?"
Another guard snorted derisively. "Of course it's because the case involves 'important figures'. For the sake of that important figure's reputation, the details of the case are to be kept confidential. Third Seat Komamura, you're also a seated officer. You should understand that some 'truths' are better left unknown."
"I don't believe it," Komamura's voice grew deeper, as if suppressing some emotion about to erupt. "I don't believe that in this world, there is anything more important than the truth."
The guards exchanged glances, then laughed simultaneously.
There was no malice in the laughter, but it was full of the pity and mockery of 'those who have been through it' towards the 'naïve'.
"Third Seat Komamura, you're still too young," One guard shook his head. "In the Soul Society, in front of the Central 46, 'truth' has never been the most important thing. What matters is order, stability, the bigger picture."
He stepped forward, placing his hand on the hilt of his sword, his tone turning cold. "We've said enough. Disturb us again, and don't blame me for determining that you are 'assaulting the Central 46'. Even if you are a seated officer, you won't escape punishment."
The atmosphere tensed sharply, but at that moment of confrontation...
"Don't be so violent," A gentle voice, like a spring breeze, came from behind.
Everyone looked towards the source.
It was a young man walking slowly towards them.
He wore well-tailored, high-quality noble's attire. His features were handsome and refined, his brows relaxed, and a seemingly innate, reassuring smile played on his lips.
"It's still the mourning period for Kakyo-sama," The young man said as he approached, his gaze gently sweeping over the tense guards. "Be a bit gentler with the deceased's old friends."
He turned to the guards, his tone calm. "Leave this to me. You can go back to your work."
The guards, who had just been condescending towards Komamura and the others, instantly became obsequious. "Yes, sir!"
The noble young man slightly turned, making a 'please' gesture. "This isn't a good place to talk. Would you mind moving somewhere else for a brief conversation?"
The three left the solemn and oppressive area in front of the Central 46's gate, arriving at a relatively secluded corner nearby, shaded by several large maple trees.
"Thank you for your assistance, sir," Komamura spoke first, his tone serious. "From what you just said, it seems you know something about the Kakyo matter?"
The noble young man smiled faintly. "What do you wish to know?"
Tosen's voice was agitated. "I heard Kakyo was killed by her husband. Is that true? Please tell me!"
"It is true," the young man sighed. "Kakyo-sama's husband did commit an unforgivable crime. Perhaps it started with trivial arguments, insignificant to others. He lost control and killed a fellow officer in his unit. Kakyo-sama, who rushed over upon hearing the news to try and stop him, to bring him back to his senses, was also slain by him."
"Why?" Tosen wept in anguish. "She was so kind! She was only trying to stop him! Why was that man so cruel? Weren't they husband and wife?"
Faced with this tearful accusation, the young noble tilted his head slightly, as if seriously considering the question.
After a moment, he spoke slowly: "Perhaps... it was precisely because Kakyo-sama was a person more upright than any other, someone who always held pure faith in justice and peace in her heart."
Tosen was stunned, his face covered in tears, his eyes full of bewilderment. "Why? Those are good qualities! Is being upright and kind a fault?"
"No, she was not at fault. The fault lies with the man who could not face her light," The young noble sighed again. "Precisely because she was too radiant, like a spotless, clear mirror, she clearly reflected the darkness, ugliness, and shame within her husband's heart."
"That man... he couldn't accept that his own reflection in that pure light was so filthy. He couldn't bear being reminded of his own baseness by that light every day and night. So..."
His voice grew softer, yet carried a bone-chilling coldness. "Only by shattering that mirror with his own hands, by extinguishing that light, could he continue to live comfortably, without burden, immersed in the darkness he had chosen."
Tosen staggered back, his voice full of disbelief. "How can such a vile scumbag exist? Just because his own heart is filthy, he can't stand having good people around him? He has to destroy what is beautiful?"
This blatant malice, stemming from the deepest recesses of human nature, clearly exceeded the comprehension of this young man who had always clung to the simple beliefs of 'justice will prevail' and 'good is rewarded with good'.
Komamura reached out to support Tosen, who could barely stand. He asked another crucial question in a deep voice. "We also heard the perpetrator wasn't sentenced to death, and might even receive a very light punishment. Is that also true?"
The noble young man shook his head. "A light punishment? No, that's just the 'judgment' the Central 46 shows to the outside world."
As their expressions changed dramatically, he continued in that same calm tone. "In truth, as far as I know, the perpetrator received no substantial punishment at all."