"What?"
Matsumoto Rangiku hadn't expected to hear that kind of accusation.
"No… that's not it. These people clearly committed suicide and tried to frame Yuta for it."
One of the Shinigami stepped forward and said, "Did you witness their suicide with your own eyes?"
Rangiku hesitated. She hadn't seen it happen firsthand.
"Hmph. If you didn't see anything, then your words don't count."
"Seize the Kido Corps Captain!"
Before the order could be carried out, Yoshida brought down another Shinigami with a punch as the speaker said coldly, "Do you even understand what you're saying? He's the Kido Corps Captain! How dare you shout about arresting the commander?"
Nearby, Aoki Toshiaki had stopped fanning himself. He already understood that nothing he said now would matter. There were surely noble loyalists embedded within the Kido Corps itself-and it was likely they were the ones pushing the blame on Yuta.
Even as everyone surrounded him, Hideki Yuta's expression remained calm. "Seems there are far too many dogs in the Kido Corps that belong to the nobles."
Someone from the crowd immediately snapped, "Yuta, do you know what you're saying?"
Yuta drew his sword with slow ease, giving only the slightest smile. "Too many dogs barking at once. It's irritating."
In the next moment, he stood before the loudest among them.
He stabbed forward.
Blood sprayed as one of the man's arms was severed and dropped to the ground.
"Ahhhhhh!"
Falling to his knees, the man clutched the bleeding stump of his shoulder as blood poured freely from the wound.
"Speak," Yuta said plainly. "Who ordered you?"
"N-no one… no one told me anything..."
Yuta's blade moved again, taking the other arm.
Splashes of red followed the strike.
"Aaahhh! AAAAAHH!"
Sweat poured down the man's face before he began to go limp from the pain.
Yuta raised his hand and cast Kaidō. Pale light reformed the missing limbs where they had been lost.
Just as the man caught his breath-his left hand was taken again.
Three severed limbs lay near his knees. He trembled violently.
"You know," Yuta said, "I could keep breaking your hands forever. Make it so you feel the pain constantly-never allowed to die, and unable to live."
His right hand fell next with another cut.
Agonized screaming followed before the man passed out from the pain.
Another burst of Kaidō brought his hands back again. He awoke moments later, forced into consciousness by the sensation of pain returning to his nerves alongside the restored limbs.
Kneeling fully now, the man's fear took over.
"Y-y…yes… it was Tsuna… Tsuna…"
Before he could speak further, his head fell from his shoulders.
One of the secret guards had stepped from the shadows and struck swiftly with his blade.
"The scene of this man killing his comrades occurred in front of us!" the secret guard declared. "Why haven't you given the order to arrest him? Do you intend to defy me as well?"
Soi Fon clenched her jaw and responded narrowly between her teeth.
"Arrest Yuta..."
…
Elsewhere, Yoshida Toshiaki turned to his brother Aoki. "We both know Yuta's not guilty. We have to do whatever it takes to help him."
"I know," Aoki replied, his focus sharpening. "We just don't have the strength right now…"
"Damn it!" Yoshida's fist slammed into the wall beside him.
…
In the shadows of a dense grove, the Shinigami who had previously accused Yuta stood assembled again.
"Tsunayashiro-sama, we've done as you said," one of them said. "And you promised us wealth and status once the job was done."
Tsunayashiro Kitsune stood before them. Thin-framed and cold-eyed, his expression betrayed nothing of sentiment.
"Ah… of course you'll receive wealth and glory," he said mildly. "In your next life."
With that, secret guards emerged from the trees and cut them down efficiently-one by one.
Kitsune watched it happen without emotion.
"Afterward, go into Rukongai and find several common women," he ordered. "We'll say those Kido Corps members attempted to assault civilians. After being discovered, they committed suicide out of fear of punishment. The women… they'll have committed suicide from the shame."
"Yes," the guards acknowledged.
…
Some time later, Aoki halted with thought.
"Quickly," he said, "bring in the Kido Corps members who spoke earlier. Ask where they are now."
"Yes!"
Yoshida rushed to follow the order.
By the time Yoshida Toshiaki returned, his face had darkened.
"They're dead," he told his brother. "And there were civilian women found too-clothes torn, bodies lifeless. The secret guards' report says…"
"That the Kido Corps members tried to assault civilians and committed suicide in fear?" she repeated with strained disbelief as she paced slowly across the room.
As she made her way across the space, one thought looped in her mind: somewhere behind the scenes, a hand was manipulating everything. A large hand that reached through the Ghost Corps without resistance.
Why were the ones who had slandered the Kido Corps the very ones who had suddenly died?
Was it coincidence-or proof they posed no threat to someone in power?
Who wanted Yuta captured?
Who stood behind this entire operation?
…
Thirteenth Division Barracks.
Rukia Kuchiki was preparing to depart for the World of the Living when she saw Rangiku rushing toward her.
"Matsumoto? What's wrong?"
Usually composed during missions, Rukia was taken aback by Rangiku's condition-her face flustered, her body covered in dust and sweat.
"Rukia! Yuta's been taken by the Onmitsukidō!"
"What?" Rukia's pupils narrowed sharply, her hand grabbing Rangiku's wrist with surprising urgency. "What happened?"
Rangiku quickly explained.
Rukia turned on her heel immediately. "I'll go speak to the Kuchiki elders. If anyone has the authority to intervene, it's them."
"Please," Rangiku said quickly.
As Rukia disappeared down the corridor, Rangiku exhaled-but her thoughts lingered.
Rukia's reaction had been extreme. She gripped her arm with enough force to leave it sore. She hadn't responded like someone rescuing 'just' a friend.
And Rukia Kuchiki had always hated using her family's noble influence-yet she was willing to use that power now for Yuta's sake?
It wasn't just concern. Rangiku could feel it.
Did Rukia… also love Yuta?
Watching her friend rush to help, Rangiku felt caught somewhere between relief and resentment.
Yuta was powerful-but having Rukia beside him would certainly help him endure this trial ahead.
Even so… ten kisses, no-a hundred kisses would be needed before she'd forgive him.
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