Faced with Jūshirō Ukitake's questioning, Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni was silent for nearly a minute, then nodded, opened the drawer, took out the second document as before, untied the Kidō, opened it, and placed it on the desk.
Unlike the first document for the execution of Muguruma Kensei, Yadōmaru Lisa and their group, this one was very brief.
Just one Sentence:
"The Captain of the 5th Division, Aiyan Sōsuke, without the permission of Central 46, exceeded his authority and allowed the criminal Urahara Kisuke to obtain the historical information of the Great Spirit Book Gallery, and failed to protect Central 46, resulting in the death of all forty-six sages and inquisitors."
"Now, after Central 46's deliberation, it is decided to strip him of his Shinigami Hero title, remove him from his position as a Gotei 13 captain, and sentence him to 1,000 years of uninterrupted imprisonment."
After reading the second order issued by Central 46, Kyōraku Shunsui suddenly reached out and slapped the desk.
"Forget the first letter, but this second one..."
"It's clear that Central 46 is taking advantage of the opportunity to exact revenge on Aiyan."
"Old Man Yama, don't tell me that you didn't see it, and don't tell me that you still intend to obey such an order."
Kyōraku Shunsui showed a rare expression of anger.
He could fully imagine that once Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni really insisted on his own opinion and chose to carry out this kind of order, the Soul Society, which had finally calmed down after the Urahara Kisuke incident, would inevitably be thrown into unprecedented turmoil.
Yadōmaru Lisa, Muguruma Kensei, and their group being executed—whether or not the Aiyan brothers would ignore it and side with Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni was uncertain—but once he chose to obey the second order, it was absolutely impossible for Aiyan to be captured without resistance.
Similarly, would Aizen still side with Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni as he did at the Sōkyoku Hill execution ground?
"Teacher Genryūsai, is this the so-called fixed law and justice of the world that you abide by?"
"If so..."
"I'm sorry, but please forgive me for not agreeing."
Jūshirō Ukitake also raised his voice.
"Are you questioning my and the Soul Society's judgment of responsibility?"
Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni spoke each word with weight.
Although the two of them remained silent, the meaning in their eyes was self-evident—
They were questioning him.
"Then, if I choose to carry out this order, will you side with Aiyan and join their brothers to kill your teacher?"
Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni's tone carried anger.
He knew the two of them would have objections, but he did not expect such a large rift.
Before they even said whether they wanted to execute it, Jūshirō Ukitake and Kyōraku Shunsui were already on the verge of drawing their swords.
Faced with Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni's question of "save the wife or the mother," Kyōraku Shunsui and Jūshirō Ukitake were directly stumped.
They opposed the order and were inclined to side with Aiyan, but it was absolutely impossible to kill Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni.
Yet it was equally impossible to support him in this.
"To tell you the truth, I was extremely conflicted before you entered the 1st Division."
"However, Central 46 was rebuilt, and the Urahara Kisuke incident came before this. This is the first time that the sages and judges have issued orders. If I refuse them all, is there still any need for the Soul Society's judicial authority to exist? Do you think the noble clans would truly have no objections?"
"What's more, Aiyan did not handle the matter of Urahara Kisuke well. Regarding the historical information of the Great Spirit Book Gallery, as well as the death of the previous sages and judges, he bears some responsibility."
Seeing Jūshirō Ukitake and Kyōraku Shunsui both silent and conflicted, Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni's tone softened.
"Regardless of the captain's position and the Soul Society's responsibilities, whether it is Aiyan or Aizen, I hold them both in extremely high regard—above even you."
"So, since Aiyan graduated, I have tolerated and indulged him time and time again. Even after the Hollow incident at the Kuchiki household, I did not hesitate to go to Central 46 to intercede for him and grant him the title of Shinigami Hero."
"Even now, I have not made up my mind whether to go through with this."
Faced with Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni's rare confession, the two who had been emotional became much quieter.
"Teacher Genryūsai, how do you plan to proceed?"
Jūshirō Ukitake's voice was no longer stiff.
"Execute the first order first—there is a time limit."
"I will publicly execute Yadōmaru Lisa, Kuna Mashiro, and the others, giving an explanation to the dead sages and judges. Then I will go to Central 46 and try to negotiate. Even if it fails, I will ensure the sentence of 1,000 years' imprisonment is lifted."
"At most, Central 46 can only deprive Aiyan of his Shinigami Hero title. I hope the brothers can understand my difficulties."
Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni expressed his stance.
He did not care about the life or death of Yadōmaru Lisa, Muguruma Kensei, and the others. After all, these captains and lieutenants bore responsibility for disturbing the legal order of Soul Society.
It was inherently a crime.
Whether the sentence was harsh or lenient was not important at all.
"So Lisa and the others are still going to die, right?"
"Old Man Yama..."
"You expect Aiyan to be considerate of you, but have you ever considered his stance? Have you ever thought that he would not agree to Central 46's execution of Lisa and others—and in such a humiliating manner?"
Kyōraku Shunsui spoke with a blank expression.
"This is the opportunity I have given him to choose."
"If he chooses to obey the first order of Central 46, then I will go to Central 46 to protect him. And if not…"
Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni stopped there. The rest was self-evident.
In his heart, the responsibilities of the Soul Society came above all else. For this, it did not matter if Aiyan suffered some grievances.
After all, he had fought for the title of Shinigami Hero for Aiyan; now, for the sake of the Soul Society's justice, it did not matter if he took it back.
"Really? But I think… Old Man Yama, you have no intention of giving Aiyan a real choice."
"Otherwise, you wouldn't have chosen to hide this from Aiyan and Aizen."
"Because you already have the answer in your heart."
"Last time, in the Urahara Kisuke incident, Aiyan and Aizen both chose to side with you—but this time, they won't."
After Kyōraku Shunsui finished speaking, he turned and left.
He had to rush to inform the Aiyan brothers, as well as Hikifune Kirio and Shutara Senjumaru. Only by letting the Royal Guard intervene—in the name of the Soul King—could the public execution be stopped.
Boom—
Outside the window, huge walls fell from the sky, standing outside Seireitei. Then, a soul-shielding barrier spread, covering the entire Seireitei and isolating it from Rukongai.
Seeing the massive Sekkiseki wall, Kyōraku Shunsui's figure, which had been about to leave, suddenly froze in place, and a long-suppressed anger surged in his heart.
At this time…
Aiyan and Aizen had already left Seireitei on vacation.
The rising soul-shielding barrier blocked all spiritual transmission.
In other words, even if he wanted to notify the Sōsuke brothers on vacation, or Hikifune Kirio and Shutara Senjumaru in the Royal Guard, he could not.
"It's too much!"
"Old Man Yama—no…"
"It's Captain-Commander."
Kyōraku Shunsui turned his back to Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni, lowered his hat, seemingly suppressing the anger in his heart.
"Of course I know Aiyan will not agree. Even Aizen might refuse—so you are right."
"Shunsui, I gave them a chance to choose, but I also didn't give them a chance."
"But you cannot deny one thing—when I lowered the Sekkiseki walls, I was also helping those brothers. As long as Aiyan and Aizen do not appear, and as long as the public execution is carried out smoothly, I will definitely go to Central 46 to intercede for him—just like I did at the Kuchiki household."
Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni's voice came from behind.
"Also, I called you two here not to ask for your opinions, but to inform you."
"When it comes to world justice and personal justice—do not let me down again."
"Otherwise, do not blame me for being ruthless this time."
Hearing this, Kyōraku Shunsui suddenly turned around, staring at Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni, who sat at his desk, feeling as though the man before him was a stranger.
"Heh… heh heh heh!"
"World justice? Ridiculous!"
"Soul Society's verdict? Rotten!"
The master and disciples faced each other, neither giving way.
After a moment, Kyōraku Shunsui suddenly smiled, then looked once more at Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni's water-like stillness, and turned to leave without looking back.
"If this is what you call world justice…"
"Terribly sorry."
"Please forgive me for not agreeing with it, Teacher Genryūsai!"
Jūshirō Ukitake gave Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni a deep look, then chased after Kyōraku Shunsui.
Only the strongest Shinigami in a thousand years remained—
Sitting alone in the 1st Division's captain's office with a face like dark clouds, saying nothing.
Like an active volcano that could erupt at any moment, ready to destroy everything around it.
...
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