Whoosh~
A gentle breeze swept through the street.
Right opposite, Captain-Commander Yamamoto's attitude was exceptionally clear; he practically had the word "doubt" written all over his face.
In response, Tsugikuni Yoriichi's expression remained calm as he solemnly stated:
"What I have said is true; every word and every sentence is fact."
He understood the reason for Captain-Commander Yamamoto's suspicion.
It was nothing more than the Shinigami's Hollowfication being too shocking and unprecedented, overturning millions of years of Soul Society tradition.
Shinigami and Hollows were like fire and water, completely incompatible.
Once they became compatible, at best, the very existence of Shinigami would be questioned; at worst, the Three Realms would be destroyed.
"Hmm…"
Hearing this reply, Captain-Commander Yamamoto remained silent.
His narrowed eyes held an unknown thought.
His hand gripped his cane tightly, and the atmosphere felt heavy.
The Shinigami nearby, seeing this situation, couldn't help but hold their breath.
The current head of the Kuchiki Clan, Kuchiki Ginrei, who was over a thousand years old, kept his hands tucked within his sleeves.
His cloudy, slightly aged eyes quietly watched Tsugikuni Yoriichi.
Seeing his resolute demeanour, Ginrei's eyebrows twitched.
Such an upright child…
His words are all for the sake of his family…
However…
Hollowfication…
He slowly raised his gaze, his slightly lowered eyes subtly observing Captain-Commander Yamamoto's expression from the side…
His weathered face showed no change.
This caused his brows to slowly furrow.
—Captain-Commander Yamamoto, what exactly are you thinking?
…
It was a long time later.
"Good!"
Captain-Commander Yamamoto's low shout broke the quiet atmosphere.
He sharply struck the ground, instantly raising a ring of dust. The sound of the wind still whistled in their ears.
Yoriichi met his gaze, and a solemn voice entered his mind:
"Do you have any evidence to prove Kaneda Takeshi's Hollowfication?"
"Your testimony alone is not enough, and the two children beside you, being too young, cannot serve as witnesses."
"Your Zanpakuto can only prove that you killed him. I need more factual and conclusive evidence."
Although he believed Tsugikuni Yoriichi in his heart, being in the Soul Society meant operating by the Soul Society's rules.
The current situation was already lenient for Yoriichi, because if it were to escalate to the Central 46…
No matter who Tsugikuni Yoriichi killed, and whether it was a Hollow or not, he would be charged with premeditated murder of a comrade.
After all…
A group of old men were very wary of him, fearing the emergence of another Captain-Commander Yamamoto.
Yoriichi remained silent.
Finally, he shook his head: "I'm sorry, I have no evidence."
As soon as these words were spoken, Captain-Commander Yamamoto's hand suddenly clenched.
He stared solemnly at Tsugikuni Yoriichi, and a few more words reached his ears.
"Although there's no evidence, there should still be some residual Hollow reiatsu in the room."
"That Hollow's disguise was very clever."
"If it weren't for the gift I gave Rukia injuring it, I wouldn't have had time to act."
Upon hearing this, Captain-Commander Yamamoto imperceptibly loosened his hands, and his gaze shifted, sweeping over Hiyori Sarugaki, who stood beside Tsugikuni Yoriichi.
Seeing this, Hiyori pouted.
Her gaze subtly swept over Rukia on the ground twice.
"What a nuisance."
Although the clash of spiritual pressures had dissipated, the feeling of lingering apprehension still surfaced in her mind from time to time.
She waved her hand, summoning her subordinate:
"Hollow reiatsu, huh? I'll do my best to detect it."
"But Captain-Commander, before the results are in, please don't casually convict an innocent Shinigami."
"He and I still have a score to settle; he ruined my vacation…"
After she finished speaking, regardless of Captain-Commander Yamamoto's reaction, she quickly scurried on her short legs towards the location Tsugikuni Yoriichi had described.
Behind her, Captain-Commander Yamamoto snorted coldly, leaning on his cane.
"These youngsters nowadays are truly getting out of hand… They even dare to threaten me, the Captain-Commander."
His voice was deep, causing a hint of surprise to appear on the faces of several Captains nearby.
Some people quietly observed Tsugikuni Yoriichi.
There was an added sense of surprise in their eyes.
If they remembered correctly, these two should be meeting for the first time…
In just a few short sentences, he was able to win the favour of a Vice-Captain from another division, causing her to side with him.
Unbelievable.
Regarding this, Yoruichi Shihouin had something to say.
However, considering the current environment was unsuitable, she decided to remain silent for now.
Everyone waited.
Thoughts flowed in their minds like a torrent.
Even someone as calm as Kuchiki Ginrei felt a slight impulse at this moment.
Soon…
Hiyori Sarugaki returned.
She brought back good news, and also bad news.
"Upon examination, the blood left there indeed contains Hollow fluctuations."
"However, it cannot be determined whether it was Kaneda Takeshi turning into a Hollow, or simply a Hollow."
"Because there were no Shinigami reiatsu fluctuations there."
"…"
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone fell silent.
What did that mean?
It was obvious.
If it were just a pure Hollow, then everything Tsugikuni Yoriichi said couldn't be counted.
He might have killed Kaneda Takeshi first, and to clear his suspicion, he caught a Hollow to frame him.
Since Shinigami Hollowfication was the first such case, even if it happened, the crime would not be too severe.
He might even receive credit.
Now the matter was at a standstill.
Even if Captain-Commander Yamamoto leaned towards the former, meaning the conclusion that Kaneda Takeshi Hollowfied.
But the second conclusion existed, and no matter how small the probability, it could not be ignored.
This gave Captain-Commander Yamamoto a headache.
"Everyone, what do you think?"
He slowly turned around, uncharacteristically asking for everyone's opinion.
Yoruichi Shihouin was the first to speak:
"If you ask me, don't worry about who he killed. Kaneda Takeshi is already dead; can a dead man still speak?"
"Captain-Commander Yamamoto, you wouldn't punish a Vice-Captain for the sake of a Twelfth Seat, would you?"
"His performance and character over these past few months of service have been evident to you, and he has no grievances with Kaneda Takeshi."
"The probability of his lying is simply too small. It's completely not worth it."
"As for the Central 46, what's there to care about a bunch of old geezers who refuse to die."
"If worst comes to worst, hide him in my Second Division, give them a plausible reason, and superficially detain him."
"I refuse to believe they can force their way into my Shihoin Clan."
"Do they think my Heavenly-Gifted Armaments Division is just for show?"
Upon hearing this, Kuchiki Ginrei also expressed his opinion.
He nodded silently:
"This old man also suggests temporary detention. After all, Hollowfication is a serious matter, and my Kuchiki Clan, as one of the Five Great Noble Families, has a good place in its mansion."
"If everything he says is true, then there must be witnesses present; we just haven't discovered them yet."
As his voice fell, Yoruichi Shihouin rolled her eyes at him:
"I say, Old Man Kuchiki, your calculations are reaching the heavens."
"Can the Kuchiki Clan truly accommodate a genius like him?"
"You old man, you don't have much time left, do you?"
....
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