Nemu was filled with mixed emotions, perhaps even a sense of confusion.
During her period of confusion, Mayuri Kurotsuchi was taken away by Yoriichi Tsugikuni.
The charges were harming comrades and intentionally disturbing the peace of the Three Realms.
It was unclear how long he would be imprisoned, but it was certainly not going to be short.
Because both of these were serious offenses.
She completely didn't understand why Mayuri would do such an outrageous thing?
If it weren't for the charge of harming comrades, she might have already pleaded for him.
Even if it couldn't absolve Mayuri Kurotsuchi's guilt, it could at least make his future days a little easier.
"Good begets good, evil begets evil, Nemu, try to see the bigger picture."
Kisuke Urahara's gentle and slightly wistful voice once again drifted into Nemu's ears like a breeze.
He lightly patted Nemu's shoulder, his gaze fixed on Yoriichi Tsugikuni's receding back, his calm tone as if recounting a trivial matter:
"Although Mayuri is your creator, in reality, you are the shared child of all of us."
"Because when Mayuri created you back then, he didn't rely on his own strength alone."
"Your flesh originated from Kiyonosuke Yamada, your brain from the Hōgyoku, your soul from Hikifune Kirio, and your abilities from the Sternritter."
"Of these four basic elements that constitute you, only the last one was the result of his exhaustive research."
"He is a genius, there's no doubt about that."
"However, merely being limited to improving upon existing things, and for your creation, it was merely piecing these things together."
Kisuke Urahara sighed, recalling the past, his voice carrying a hint of reassurance, as he continued to state a fact to Nemu,
"Piecing them together was the most difficult part; for that, he failed six times, but even so, it's not an excuse for him to treat you as his private property."
"You don't just have him as a relative; don't forget, Captain Tsugikuni also cares about you very much."
These words were like a bombshell, exploding in Nemu's heart.
She suddenly turned around, looking at Kisuke Urahara in disbelief, completely unprepared for her own convoluted origins.
She had always believed herself to be Mayuri's unique masterpiece.
But now she was told that Mayuri had only pieced together other people's things to create her.
Then why was the version of the story she had heard since childhood completely different from what Kisuke Urahara said?
Did Mayuri deceive her?
Her mind was in chaos, as if countless ants were gnawing at her; she could no longer distinguish what was true from what was false.
If even her father could deceive her, then her godfather... was the care she felt daily truly care?
Could Captain Urahara's words be trusted?
Clutching her forehead, Nemu slowly crouched on the ground, unable to utter a word for a long time, as if she had fallen into deep self-doubt.
Seeing this, Kisuke Urahara stopped speaking.
Although these words were cruel, every single one was an undeniable fact.
If Nemu couldn't accept it, it only meant that Mayuri Kurotsuchi's influence on her was too deep, turning a good child into his fanatical follower.
Mayuri Kurotsuchi's capture this time was also his own doing.
However, time is a good medicine that heals all wounds; perhaps with the passage of time, everything will gradually get better.
Kisuke Urahara sighed softly, turned to Kyōraku Shunsui, who had been silently beside him, and whispered a few words of instruction.
The gist was for him to take good care of the fragile Nemu at this moment.
As Yoriichi Tsugikuni's senior, Kyōraku Shunsui could also be considered Nemu's nominal half-relative.
In terms of personality, he was much better than Mayuri Kurotsuchi.
Kyōraku Shunsui agreed without hesitation, almost without thinking.
After all, he also didn't want to see a girl crying and sad.
However, before he could step forward to comfort Nemu, he saw Nemu suddenly stand up.
There were still traces of tears on her face, her fists were clenched, and her expression was resolute.
She took a deep breath, looked directly into Kisuke Urahara's eyes, and said word by word:
"Captain Urahara, can you swear to me that every word you just said is true?"
"To be honest, I don't know who to believe anymore."
"Seventeen years of life, seventeen years of being deceived, although I know, Captain Mayuri might have done it out of good intentions."
"But I really cannot accept the things he did."
"I'm going to find my godfather. Since he could arrest Captain Mayuri, it means he must have evidence of Captain Mayuri's wrongdoings."
"I need to see the evidence with my own eyes."
Kisuke Urahara looked at Nemu, a hint of relief flashing in his eyes.
Being able to say these words meant that Nemu had finally begun to develop basic independent thinking skills.
She was no longer the puppet who used to blindly obey Mayuri Kurotsuchi and had no opinions of her own.
He nodded slightly, a faint smile appearing on his face, a smile that carried a hint of approval:
"That's how it should be. If nothing unexpected happens, Captain Tsugikuni's destination this time should be the Forty-Six Chambers."
"Do you know where the Forty-Six Chambers are?"
Nemu slowly shook her head; besides the various divisions, she knew very little about other places.
Seeing this, Kisuke Urahara paused, then once again instructed Kyōraku Shunsui beside him:
"In that case, I'll trouble Captain Kyōraku to take her there."
"I still have some matters to deal with here; I'll come over once I'm done."
Since it was already known that Mayuri Kurotsuchi's punishment was a foregone conclusion, the issue of Nemu's guardianship could also be re-adjusted.
The reason this hadn't been done before was that Nemu hadn't grown up yet.
During her growth, unexpected situations could arise at any time.
If these unexpected situations were not handled in time, they might endanger her life, which was why Mayuri Kurotsuchi was left to care for her.
Now it was different; seventeen years had passed without incident.
The brain created by the Hōgyoku had a far better ability to balance bodily functions than he had imagined.
In other words, as long as she didn't encounter life-threatening dangers to her brain, there would be no problem letting Nemu live alone outside.
With this in mind, after giving his instructions, Kisuke Urahara turned and quickly left.
Kyōraku Shunsui pondered for a moment, his gaze sweeping over the resolute-eyed Nemu, and he sighed softly before reaching out his hand and leading her towards the Forty-Six Chambers.
...
Forty-Six Chambers.
Due to Yamamoto Genryusai's long-term forceful suppression, the atmosphere here seemed frozen by an invisible layer of frost, making it stiflingly oppressive.
Some of the Sages had long been unable to contain their inner anger.
They couldn't go anywhere, supposedly for their safety...
Why hadn't any danger appeared yet?
Before the matter concluded, when exactly would it conclude?
Being completely unaware of the outside situation, every minute and every second of waiting felt like being grilled over a blazing fire, excruciatingly painful.
A Sage furiously slammed the table:
"Yamamoto Genryusai, what exactly do you want?!
Would you die if you spoke a few more words to us? What exactly is happening outside?"
"Just a mere artificial Shinigami, and she's making us Sages endure such an experience…"
"Even if she has the Five Great Noble Clans behind her, we must execute her! I believe the Kuchiki Clan would agree too!"
"!!"
The Sages of the Kucihki Clan were stunned. What kind of talk was this? If you want to die, don't drag us down with you.
Although they didn't know who was behind Nemu Kurotsuchi, since even Yamamoto Genryusai said so, it must not be a joke.
They were right to follow the rules, but the rules themselves only applied to the weak.
Just like Yamamoto Genryusai breaking into the Forty-Six Chambers, according to the rules, he should be executed...
Could they? Would they dare?
In the face of absolute strength, so-called rules were nothing but empty words.
"Cough, cough, calm down. Since Lord yamamoto has acted in such a manner, he must have his considerations. Whether to execute her or not is not for us to decide."
A Sage from the Kucihki Clan cleared his throat, trying to ease the tense atmosphere,
"Don't forget the purpose of rebuilding the Forty-Six Chambers decades ago: to uphold justice impartially.
Ultimately, our act of arbitrarily judging others, as we just did, has already broken the rules."
"We should be grateful to Lord Yamamoto. It was he who made us realize our mistakes."
He spoke earnestly with a serious expression, attempting to distance the Kucihki Clan from this potential turmoil.
At the same time, he subtly elevated Yamamoto Genryusai, to avoid being held accountable later.
However, these seemingly reasonable words, falling into the ears of the other Sages, were like grating noise.
They stared wide-eyed for a moment, simply unable to believe their ears.
What kind of talk was this? He imprisoned us, and we're supposed to thank him?
We are the exalted Sages!
Cowardly, incompetent!
The Kucihki Clan is truly regressing!
Some nobles couldn't help but secretly scoff, their faces full of disdain and contempt.
But very soon, they couldn't smile anymore.
Because the main character appeared.
...
When Yoriichi Tsugikuni slowly walked into the Forty-Six Chambers meeting room with Mayuri Kurotsuchi, the scene instantly fell into a deathly silence.
Many people were secretly wondering why Yoriichi Tsugikuni would appear here.
Did he also participate in today's incident?
—He's a noble!
Precisely because he was a noble, when Yamamoto Genryusai previously mentioned that Nemu Kurotsuchi had a backer, the nobles subconsciously ignored him.
In their eyes, Yoriichi Tsugikuni was in the same camp as them, so it was unlikely he would protect an "enemy."
Now...
"Hmph, young man, you're finally here; you made this old man wait. So, has the matter been resolved?"
Yamamoto Genryusai snorted coldly, his deep voice breaking the suffocating silence.
He narrowed his eyes slightly, his tone carrying a hint of questioning:
"Why is Mayuri Kurotsuchi here? And Nemu Kurotsuchi?"
"Don't tell this old man that you've gone soft, and that's why you didn't want to bring her to witness this cruel truth."
"She's not a child anymore…"
Yamamoto Genryusai's words contained a lot of information, and some Sages frowned upon hearing them.
Truth... What does that mean?
Is Yoriichi Tsugikuni the one protecting Nemu Kurotsuchi?
Do these two have a special relationship?
They were full of questions but had no way of knowing.
This was only natural, as Yamamoto Genryusai had kept the matter strictly confidential, with only a handful of people knowing the inside story.
Yoriichi Tsugikuni looked around, his cold gaze making some Sages who wanted to speak up and question him swallow their words.
He led Mayuri Kurotsuchi, who was completely bound, to the judgment seat, and only after securing him with sealed stone did he face Yamamoto Genryusai and everyone present, slowly saying:
"Indeed, in human years, she is about to reach adulthood, but Shinigami cannot be calculated that way."
"She is still too young, which is why I haven't told her about the matters here."
"She should grow up in a world of purity and kindness, rather than being shrouded by threats that could appear at any time, enduring these cruelties too early."
"Things will end quickly, without her knowing…"
"Now, let the trial of Mayuri Kurotsuchi begin."
Yoriichi Tsugikuni didn't give anyone a chance to speak.
He quickly presented the evidence and said:
"Only one person needs to be responsible for this incident."
"I know what you all want to ask. Yes, I am behind Nemu Kurotsuchi."
"The Captain-Commander restricting your personal freedom is indeed a way of protecting you."
"Please do not blame him, because I understand all of your personalities very well."
"You must think that I am on your side, and that I will abide by the unspoken rules just like you, right?"
"What a pity."
"When it comes to rules, I care more about my family."
"…"
As soon as these words were spoken, silence spread through the Forty-Six Chambers, as if time itself had stopped at that moment.
This was followed by a series of conversations.
This unusual scene formed a stark contrast to the previous moment when everyone was as quiet as cicadas in winter.
Clearly, Yoriichi Tsugikuni's words had caused quite a stir among the sages.
However, due to their identities, they did not immediately make trouble.
If Yamamoto Genryusai had said these words, the sound of tables being pounded would probably have been incessant by now.
Soon, the sages finished their discussion and summarized the information for one person, who was one of the judges and came from the Shihoin Clan.
Unlike the Kuchiki Clan, he was more inclined to neutrality, so his statements would not carry subjective attitudes, to avoid displeasing both sides.
"Ahem."
He first coughed twice, deliberated for a while, and then slowly, word by word, said:
"Lord Tsugikuni, you must have misunderstood. We are not blaming Lord Yamamoto, but merely feeling puzzled by what is happening outside."
"Now that you have appeared, we probably understand."
"Let's not mention the cause of the incident for now. I want to ask, what is your relationship with Nemu Kurotsuchi?"
"And what crime did Mayuri Kurotsuchi commit to warrant you personally apprehending him?"
"Hmm… The first question is just a query; it's fine if you don't want to answer. We respect the wishes of every noble."
It was precisely because he was a noble and powerful that he deserved such treatment from them.
Unlike Yamamoto Genryusai, a mere martial artist, whose bad temper was one thing, but he also had an attitude that couldn't tolerate any imperfections.
If such a Shinigami became a noble, who knew when he might kill a few people he found displeasing…
Yoriichi Tsugikuni heard the respect in the other party's words and understood the reason for these nobles' change in attitude.
He looked straight ahead, his expression calm:
"There's no 'want to' or 'not want to.' Nemu is my adopted daughter. Regarding this news, you should know once you leave."
"It was kept secret before due to some matters."
"Adopted daughter?" Hearing this identity, the nobles suddenly understood.
If that was the case, then it made sense.
They were about to execute Yoriichi Tsugikuni's daughter. If this happened to them, they certainly wouldn't accept it either.
Nodding, the sage continued:
"I understand, Lord Tsugikuni. This must be a misunderstanding."
"If you had explained from the beginning that she was your daughter, we would not have convened this meeting and almost harmed one of our own."
Yoriichi Tsugikuni glanced at him and corrected him, "It's adopted daughter, not daughter."
"It's all the same, all the same." The sage didn't care about Yoriichi Tsugikuni's correction. In his opinion, this was just a minor matter.
After all, an adopted daughter and a daughter were both close family relationships.
However, at this moment, he suddenly thought of a question:
"Since she is your daughter… even if she is an adopted daughter, why doesn't she bear the Tsugikuni surname?"
"I heard she is also an artificial Shinigami…"
"If I'm not mistaken, Mayuri Kurotsuchi should be the creator, and this one now…"
The sage from the Shihoin Clan looked at the bound Mayuri Kurotsuchi, a complex expression flashing in his eyes.
He looked a bit miserable. Did he offend Yoriichi Tsugikuni? Even the "biological father" of his adopted daughter was treated like this…
It was a good thing that they had been forced by Yamamoto Genryusai not to issue any orders.
Otherwise, Mayuri Kurotsuchi's fate would probably be their own fate.
The elder came from Shihouin, but Shihouin did not come from the elder.
Exchanging their deaths for Yoriichi Tsugikuni's peace of mind was a very good deal.
Taking a deep breath, this sage and everyone around him waited for Yoriichi Tsugikuni's answer.
It was as if, in this instant, the positions of the Forty-Six Chambers and Yoriichi Tsugikuni had undergone a polar reversal.
The sages, who originally controlled the discourse, had now become listeners awaiting judgment.
Yoriichi Tsugikuni seemed to sense the strange atmosphere permeating the surroundings.
He didn't mind, nodding slightly, and quickly recounted Mayuri Kurotsuchi's actions.
And precisely at this moment.
Nemu appeared silently outside the Forty-Six Chambers.
She carefully avoided the "sleeping" guards around her, and as soon as she got close, she heard Yoriichi Tsugikuni's narration inside.
The content of this voice included, but was not limited to, all of Mayuri Kurotsuchi's actions over the past hundred years.
After listening, Nemu instantly froze in place, the light that had originally flickered in her eyes slowly dissipating, replaced by an endless sense of despondency.
She was completely disappointed in Mayuri Kurotsuchi.
The man who had once been so gentle in her eyes, the one who had given her life and accompanied her growth, was actually a heinous devil.
The innocent lives on his hands numbered in the hundreds of thousands.
What a terrifying number this was. In the entire Soul Society, perhaps only Aizen could compare to him.
Suddenly, a cacophony of angry table-pounding erupted from the Forty-Six Chambers like thunder.
"Absurd! Yamamoto Genryusai, is this the Gotei 13 you lead? How could such an evil fellow exist!"
The sages had absolutely no idea that a serial killer had appeared right under their noses.
Although they didn't care about the so-called commoners; even if a million people died, it wouldn't matter much.
But then they thought, he has Nemu Kurotsuchi as his subordinate, and is related to Yoriichi Tsugikuni…
If he can now take Nemu Kurotsuchi around challenging captains, will he even be able to become a noble whenever he wants in the future?
How could they accept such a great threat lurking beside them?
It was a good thing Yoriichi Tsugikuni had foresight and captured him in time.
Although… the evidence and the process were all prepared by Kisuke Urahara beforehand, the nobles didn't care about these things; they only looked at the result.
Thus, a flood of praises surged forth like a tide.
"Lord Tsugikuni is wise and mighty!" "Thanks to Lord Tsugikuni!" Such words were endless.
Even Nemu, who was eavesdropping outside, felt a bit embarrassed. It was too shameless.
…
Time flew by in their discussions. Since the evidence was conclusive, the trial of Mayuri Kurotsuchi quickly concluded.
Due to the nobles' apprehension of him, Mayuri Kurotsuchi ultimately received an extremely long sentence, so long that Yoriichi had to calculate it in tens of thousands of years.
Although such a sentence, under normal circumstances, was already equivalent to a death penalty.
But Yoriichi didn't believe that Mayuri Kurotsuchi would accept the status quo and quietly live out his days.
He quietly watched Mayuri Kurotsuchi, who was firmly bound to the restraint chair, unable to move his body.
Only a pair of unwilling orange-yellow eyes were exposed, burning with flames of anger and resentment.
Seeing this, Yoriichi nodded slightly: "I know you will use some means to try to escape. I will not stop you."
"If you can escape, then by all means, escape. But don't forget, all of this is your own doing."
"When you killed those people, did you ever think that you would face such a consequence today?"
"I don't want to say anything more."
"Go to the Mugen and reflect well."
After he finished speaking, Mayuri Kurotsuchi was pushed out by several Shinigami in white uniforms with serious expressions.
After he disappeared, the sages breathed a sigh of relief, all like startled birds that had escaped a disaster, eager to leave this troublesome place.
Yamamoto Genryusai saw this, gave Yoriichi Tsugikuni a deep look, leaned on his cane, and also left the Forty-Six Chambers.
He had to prepare for the days ahead.
Although he had forcibly saved these sages using force, he knew that the upcoming impeachments would certainly not be few.
If he truly retired, being prepared would at least ensure that when Yoriichi Tsugikuni took over, it wouldn't be fraught with difficulties.
This was also the last thing he, as Captain-Commander, could do.
After relinquishing the position of Captain-Commander and being free of responsibilities… Yhwach would revive.
He could also do some things he had wanted to do before but couldn't due to his duties.
For example… Yamamoto Genryusai lowered his brow, scanning his rough, withered palm. A difficult-to-hide melancholy suddenly rose in his heart.
Since spiritual pressure represented lifespan, he had to live until the day the Three Realms were at peace, no matter what.
Only then could he prove that he had not misjudged people, had not chosen the wrong path, and could be worthy of the heroic spirits who had died for peace…
…
"Nemu, come out."
After Yamamoto Genryusai left, in the empty Forty-Six Chambers, it was so quiet that one could hear their own heartbeat.
Yoriichi Tsugikuni suddenly looked towards a corner and spoke unhurriedly:
"I know you're there. Did you hear everything I said just now?"
"I'm sorry to have shown you the truth. I told you before, you shouldn't have come." He sighed slightly.
"But I still came. You don't need to apologize, Father." Nemu walked out from the corner, her eyes downcast and her expression complex.
Her gaze followed the direction where Mayuri Kurotsuchi had disappeared, finally resting on Yoriichi Tsugikuni, and she sighed helplessly:
"Lord Mayuri did indeed make a mistake. Being imprisoned for tens of thousands of years is what he deserves."
"Although at first I truly found it hard to believe, even unwilling to accept it."
"But the matter has already happened, what else can I do?"
"Perhaps this is what growth is."
She walked to Yoriichi Tsugikuni's side, speaking of growth, but her eyes held clear disappointment.
Having lost her father, she was like an abandoned kitten, lonely and helpless.
Recalling Mayuri Kurotsuchi's past actions, she looked at Yoriichi again and couldn't help but ask:
"Now that Lord Mayuri is gone, you are the only one I can rely on…"
"May I ask, Father, can I trust you as I did before?"
"Of course."
Yoriichi raised his hand and stroked her head, his tone gentle and comforting.
The next second, he suddenly remembered something, a hint of doubt flashing in his eyes: "Why do you ask that? Is it Kisuke…"
"No." Nemu shook her head, interrupting him.
She contentedly accepted the comfort, lowering her head, but her tone was rather melancholic:
"I'm just very confused, because the friends I made before were probably killed by Lord Mayuri."
"Lord Mayuri has also been imprisoned for his mistakes. You… I'm worried that you will also leave me."
"Although you are only my adopted father, to me, there's no difference from a father…"
She looked up, with a hint of expectation in her eyes, as if gathering her courage, and said:
"Can I call you Father?"
After speaking, she lowered her head again,
"It's shameful to say, but Lord Mayuri previously forbade me from calling him Father…"