The usually reserved Kuchiki Clan uttered such words.
Was it a collapse of morality?
Or a distortion of human nature?
After some thought, Yoruichi found the answer.
Kuchiki Ginrei's son, Kuchiki Sōjun, was not in good health.
Although he was currently the Sixth Division Vice-Captain, he was not skilled in combat and couldn't keep other nobles in check.
His grandson, Kuchiki Byakuya, was not yet an adult.
It would take at least fifty years for him to become independent.
During these fifty years, the face of the Kuchiki Clan was entirely supported by Kuchiki Ginrei alone.
It would have been fine if Kuchiki Ginrei were in his prime, but he was already old.
He had many old injuries from wars in his youth.
As someone from the same era as Yamamoto Genryusai, it wouldn't be surprising if he passed away tomorrow or the day after.
Therefore, they urgently needed a strong individual or a talented combatant as a fallback, to prevent a generational gap and the decline of the Kuchiki Clan.
Thinking about it this way, it was quite pitiful, making Yoruichi Shihouin feel too embarrassed to compete with them…
Of course, embarrassment was one thing.
She just needed to pretend she didn't see it.
Pursing her lips, Yoruichi's expression was inexplicably playful.
Kuchiki Ginrei, however, didn't get angry with her.
Two hundred years old, just a child.
Besides, everything she said was true, and even if he argued, he wouldn't be able to make sense of it.
It was better to simply ignore it.
Kuchiki Ginrei looked to the side and smiled, "Lady Yoruichi, everything you said is correct."
"However, this old man believes he can still hold on for a while longer."
"At least until I see my grandson grow up."
"Before that, no evil spirits or demons can affect my Kuchiki Clan…"
Noticing the topic subtly shifting, Yamamoto Genryusai lightly coughed twice:
"Pay attention."
"What we are discussing now is how to deal with Tsugikuni Yoriichi's actions and what judgment to issue."
"Furthermore, if there are cases of Shinigami Hollowfication, what should we do?"
"Don't talk about hiding them anymore; this old man cannot afford to lose face."
The Second Division and the Sixth Division were both members of the Gotei 13.
Their decisions could easily be taken by the nobles as their own decisions.
Yamamoto Genryusai did not want to fall out with those nobles so early.
Because there was no benefit.
On the contrary, the power accumulated by the nobles in secret would cause extremely severe damage to the Seireitei.
Unless necessary, they would muddle through and check each other.
Upon hearing this, both of them stopped their discussion.
Yoruichi Shihouin glanced at Yamamoto Genryusai, then said:
"If we don't hide him, the only place he can avoid imprisonment is Hueco Mundo."
"Captain-Commander, I do not recommend you do that."
"After all, in these past thousand years, how many Shinigami have died unjustly because of some idiots?"
"There's no need to affect a Captain's future for the sake of someone suspected of being a Hollow."
"He is not worthy."
In any other setting, Yoruichi Shihouin would never have said such a thing.
Because as a clan head, she must be cautious in her words and actions.
However, now it was different.
Rather than believing what she saw, it was better to believe what she felt.
The Captain-Commander's hesitation and Kuchiki Ginrei's decision were enough to explain everything.
At this, a ripple suddenly appeared in Yamamoto Genryusai's unchanging expression.
The Shihouin Clan is so strongly supporting this kid?
So much so that the clan head has expressed her stance multiple times?
Born in Rukongai and achieving this much, he was truly one of a kind.
Not to mention, there was also the subtle support from the Kuchiki Clan…
But…
His guiding principle was absolute justice; he could not tolerate the slightest impurity.
Clutching his cane tightly.
Crack.
The dull sound of wood cracking suddenly echoed in his ears.
Yamamoto Genryusai took a deep breath and decided… to follow his heart.
His profound gaze fixed on Tsugikuni Yoriichi, he said word by word:
"Things have come to this; this old man has made his decision."
"Although the matter of Kaneda Takeshi is still unclear, he is indeed dead, and he died by your hand…"
"Given that the two Captains have pleaded for you, your death penalty can be waived, but your living punishment is unavoidable."
"Effective immediately, you will go with the Eleventh Division to Hueco Mundo to subjugate Hollows."
"The duration is indefinite."
"But you must kill two hundred Adjuchas, or twenty Vasto Lorde, before you can return."
"Do you have any objections?"
His gaze gradually deepened.
These conditions, seemingly difficult, were a test.
After killing so many Hollows and returning, even the Forty-Six Chambers would have nothing to say.
Upon hearing this, Yoriichi did not immediately give his answer.
He looked at the two girls on the ground.
He asked, "If I leave, what will happen to them?"
"And also…"
"The Tenth Division…"
"You don't need to worry about the Tenth Division; this old man will give them a perfect answer," Yamamoto Genryusai interrupted.
"Additionally, these two girls, as your family members, will naturally receive care from the Seireitei."
"Their food, clothing, housing, and transportation will all be of the highest standard for Rukongai, and this will continue until the day you return, or after one hundred years."
If he hadn't returned in one hundred years, it would mean that Tsugikuni Yoriichi was dead.
A dead Shinigami held no value, and there was no need to waste money on him.
As the Captain-Commander, Yamamoto Genryusai had already done his utmost, even breaking his previous bottom line.
Upon hearing this, Yoriichi nodded and said, "One hundred years, you say?"
"I understand."
"Don't worry, Captain-Commander, it won't take that long."
"…So, you agree?" Yamamoto Genryusai asked in return.
"Yes, I have no reason to refuse, and besides, you are right," Yoriichi nodded slightly.
"Regardless of who the other party was, Kaneda, the Twelfth Seat, indeed died by my hand."
"This is a fact, and I cannot deny it."
Upon hearing this, Yamamoto Genryusai's narrowed eyes reopened, and a faint smile appeared in his long, narrow eyes:
"Good."
As expected of the Shinigami he had favoured.
He possessed the same sense of right and wrong as he.
It was just a pity that he was a bit young.
And the timing was not right.
Otherwise… he could be cultivated as the third successor.
As for Shihouin and Kuchiki…
Let's talk about it when he returns.
…
A few days later.
Rukongai.
"Brother, are you leaving now?"
Rukia looked at Tsugikuni Yoriichi, who was ready to depart, with a hint of reluctance in her eyes.
She had thought that their peaceful life would continue after her brother became a Shinigami.
She never expected it to be suddenly broken by a Hollow.
She only found out when she woke up.
Her brother was going to an extremely dangerous place.
He might not return for decades…
Or he might never return.
Rukia found this hard to accept.
She had once asked Yoriichi if he could not go, and the answer was no, because it was the Captain-Commander's order.
It was also related to the Captain-Commander's plan.
On the day he agreed to go to Hueco Mundo, Yoriichi had heard Yoruichi Shihouin mention it.
If Kaneda Takeshi truly turned into a Hollow, then his actions could not have had such a clear purpose.
Behind him, there must have been a manipulator.
Targeting Rukia.
Perhaps related to her personally.
Or perhaps related to himself.
Yamamoto Genryusai seemed to be planning to use this operation to capture that person…
....
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