After being controlled by the Bakkoto, Kisaragi felt certain that he was doomed.
Whether it was his soul being gradually devoured by the Bakkoto or his consciousness being forced to attempt an assassination on Yamamoto, there was nothing he could do to resist.
The only difference was whether he would be completely consumed by the Bakkoto or be reluctantly slain by Yamamoto.
On the other hand, there was Kyoya's initiative to protect his family.
To be honest, even Yamamoto hadn't anticipated this.
Perhaps, in Yamamoto's view, since the Gotei 13 was already willing to let the matter rest, the noble families should have known better and kept their forbidden activities hidden.
Unfortunately, Yamamoto was not a noble, nor could he fully comprehend the mindset and behavior of some nobles.
In truth, it was a mistake for Yamamoto to analyze nobles through the lens of an ordinary person's logic.
Yamamoto cared deeply about the common people of the Seireitei, but the nobles did not.
To them, commoners were nothing more than slaves to be exploited and disposed of at will.
Though the Seireitei, under the governance of the Gotei 13, had improved significantly compared to the era a thousand years ago when it was ruled solely by nobles, many of the nobles within the inner district still did not regard commoners as human beings.
The trained assassins and servants raised within their households were often executed on a whim if their masters were displeased.
Given such attitudes, how could they possibly let go of someone who had offended them so easily?
With his soul severely wounded and his strength greatly diminished, if his family were to suffer persecution because of him, while he himself lacked the power to take revenge, it would be the cruelest fate imaginable for Kisaragi.
It is precisely because of this that Kisaragi's gratitude toward Kyoya was beyond words.
"You're too kind, third seat Kisaragi." Kyoya said, pressing down on Kisaragi's shoulder to stop him from rising, "If not for your bravery in risking yourself, who knows how many more Shinigami would have fallen victim to this?"
"If anyone should be giving thanks, it should be me, on behalf of all the ordinary Shinigami, thanking you, third seat Kisaragi."
"I have already assigned the third seat of the 11th Division to guard your family day and night. You don't have to worry about their safety."
"Thank you very much."
Kisaragi thanked Kyoya again.
He was well aware of the 11th Division's third seat, Ichinose.
Before Kyoya joined the 11th Division, Ichinose Makoto had been the Lieutenant.
After Kyoya defeated Kiganjo, Ichinose had initially harbored some resentment and refused to continue serving as Lieutenant. Later, though he came to terms with it, during the exchange tournament, Kyoya directly invited the 5th Division's prodigy, fifth seat Ichimaru Gin, to join the 11th Division, forcing Ichinose to accept the position of third seat.
However, Ichinose is a still powerful Shinigami with genuine Lieutenant-level strength.
Not to mention, over the past few years, Kyoya had personally trained the members of the 11th Division, greatly enhancing their combat abilities and truly forging them into the [Strongest Division] in both name and reality.
In short, unless a Captain-level opponent appeared, his family would remain safe.
And as for whether the Kasumioji Clan had any Captain-level fighters… Kisaragi knew better than anyone.
It was only due to his own carelessness, his shock upon witnessing the Kasumioji Clan's cruel methods in forging the Bakkoto, that he had fallen into their trap and been controlled by one of the powerful Bakkoto.
Otherwise, he alone could have annihilated the entire Kasumioji Clan!
"As for the Kasumioji Clan..."
Here, Kyoya paused briefly, "It depends on whether the 2nd Division can extract any testimonies from the captured assassins."
"If we can obtain confessions proving that the Kasumioji Clan violated the ban by forging Bakkoto, then tomorrow I will petition Captain-Commander Yamamoto to have the entire Kasumioji Clan arrested."
"Even if the Second Division makes no progress, I will keep a close watch on the Kasumioji Clan. They will pay for their crimes… one way or another."
This was not merely empty reassurance.
Now that Kyoya had intervened in the Bakkoto Incident, he had undoubtedly made an enemy of the Kasumioji Clan.
Kyoya himself might not fear the Kasumioji Clan, after all, given his current strength, few in the Seireitei could rival him.
But the same couldn't be said for others.
Some nobles were like rats lurking in the sewers… no one could predict what underhanded schemes they might devise.
If they used the Seireitei's own laws to ensnare those close to Kyoya, even he might find himself forced to stand alone against the entire Gotei 13 to protect them.
Thus, Kyoya had no choice but to nip any potential future threats in the bud.
This was Kyoya's [Way of the Conqueror]!
Well, of course, if the Kasumioji Clan had someone capable of growing into a top-tier powerhouse, Kyoya might have granted them the opportunity to develop… if only to test his own limits.
But unfortunately, despite their sinister nature, the Bakkoto had an upper limit equivalent to that of an average Captain-level Shinigami.
They couldn't even reach the level of a century-old Captain with 2nd-class Reiryoku.
An enemy of that caliber wasn't worth Kyoya's time.
Clack-clack-clack...
Just then, the sound of wooden clappers echoed through the room.
"Emergency summons..."
Upon hearing this sound, Kyoya's lips curved into a faint smile.
"Third seat Kisaragi, it seems the 2nd Division has obtained results."
"Rest here in the 4th Division for now. I must head to the 1th Division."
"Understood, Captain Kyoya."
…
Bang!
In the meeting hall of the 1st Division, Yamamoto slammed his cane against the ground, his voice heavy with authority, "Captains, not long ago, I noticed a sudden and drastic increase in casualties among the Gotei 13's Shinigami. Thus, I ordered 1st Division's third seat Kisaragi to conduct a covert investigation."
"After six months of investigation, third seat Kisaragi finally determined that the Kasumioji Clan, a high-ranking noble family of the Seireitei, was a serious suspect."
"Thus, third seat Kisaragi infiltrated the Kasumioji Clan the night before last to investigate and was seriously injured."
"Later, a group of assassins employed by the nobles went to kill Kisaragi's family, but were captured alive by Captain Kyoya."
At this, many of the Captains turned their eyes toward Kyoya in surprise.
They had all been present when Kyoya insisted on continuing the investigation.
Yet, none of them had thought to protect Kisaragi's family.
On one hand, they hadn't expected the Kasumioji Clan to be so ruthless.
After all, judging by Yamamoto's earlier stance, lacking direct evidence and facing pressure from Central 46, he had been prepared to let the matter rest.
The Kasumioji Clan, too, must have assumed that Yamamoto would prioritize the stability of the Seireitei and back down.
Yet, despite this, they still sent assassins to exterminate Kisaragi's family.
For a moment, disgust toward the Kasumioji Clan rose in the hearts of many Captains.
Ginrei, however, let out a quiet sigh.
The Kuchiki Clan stood as the foremost of the Seireitei's Five Great Noble Houses.
For generations, the Kuchiki Clan had set themselves as a model for other nobles, striving to ease the tensions between nobles and commoners.
Yet, time and again, certain noble houses dragged down their efforts.
In Ginrei's eyes, the fact that other nobles refused to follow their example was the Kuchiki Clan's own failure.
On the other hand, the Captains had long grown accustomed to their lofty positions.
They cared for their subordinates… but not their subordinates' families.
"According to the 2nd Division's investigation, these Shinigami were all affiliated with the high-ranking noble house, the Kasumioji Clan. Moreover, the weapons they wielded were Bakkoto, which is forbidden by the Seireitei's strict decree..."
"The Kasumioji Clan has violated the Seireitei's ban, secretly resuming research on the Bakkoto. The facts are clear, and the evidence is irrefutable."
"Captain Shihoin, Captain Kuchiki, Captain Kyoya."
"Captain-Commander."
Kyoya, along with Yoruichi and Ginrei, stepped forward from the ranks.
"Captain Aikawa is still severely injured. Thus, the three of you will lead your divisions in surrounding the Kasumioji Clan's estate."
"I will immediately report the full details of this Bakkoto incident to Central 46. Once their orders are received, apprehend the entire Kasumioji Clan… ensure not a single one escapes!"
"Understood, Captain-Commander."
Kyoya sighed inwardly.
Kasumioji Clan's gravest crime was undoubtedly using Shinigami lives to nurture the Bakkoto.
Yet, in Yamamoto's words, not a single mention was made of this.
The crime for which they were being apprehended was merely 'violating the Seireitei's ban'.
Kyoya understood why..
The Seireitei was, after all, jointly governed by the Gotei 13 and the noble houses.
The Gotei 13 handled external defense, while the nobles managed internal governance… together maintaining the peace of the Seireitei and the stability of the three worlds.
Moreover, Yamamoto's selection of the three divisions to encircle the Kasumioji Clan's estate was deliberate.
Yoruichi is the head of the Shihoin Clan, one of the Seireitei's Four Great Noble Houses, and the Kasumioji Clan's assassins had been interrogated and confirmed by the 2nd Division.
Ginrei, likewise, was the head of the Kuchiki Clan and a paragon of nobility.
Having these two lead the operation ensured that the other nobles could raise no objections.
After all, no one would believe that two Great Noble Houses would collude to bully a mere high-ranking noble family.
As for Kyoya… he had been the one to insist on continuing the investigation, and as the 11th Division's Captain, combat-related matters were his division's specialty.
If the Kasumioji Clan surrendered peacefully, the 2nd and 6th Divisions would handle their arrest.
But if they resisted, that was when the 11th Division's duty truly began.
…
The 2nd and 11th Divisions wasted no time in surrounding the Kasumioji Clan's estate.
The 11th Division was always prepared for battle at a moment's notice, and a single command was all it took to mobilize them.
The 2nd Division had its own specialized Punishment Force, answering solely to their Captain.
Only the 6th Division, whose Lieutenant, Kuchiki Sojun, was in poor condition, had to rely on the division's third seat, Shirogane Ginjiro, to organize the troops, causing a minor delay.
"Shihoin-sama, Kuchiki-sama, I wonder what crime my Kasumioji Clan has committed to warrant your presence here?"