Thinking of this, the green-haired Judge couldn't help but grit his teeth and clench his fists, a hint of doubt and confusion in his heart.
Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto, as the Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13, had always shown absolute loyalty to the Seireitei.
His loyalty was highly praised among the Central 46 members, even considered to surpass that of the various noble family members.
In past meetings held by the Central 46, he had never defied the orders of the Central 46, nor had he raised any objections to them.
Yet, today he openly questioned the Sages and Judges of the Central 46; this situation was truly abnormal.
Yamamoto looked at the silent Sages and Judges and slowly said:
"I will dispatch Squad members from the Gotei 13 to investigate the situation of this incident. All you adults need to do is calmly await the results."
All the Sages and Judges were stunned.
Aozaki Reiji... he was actually valued so highly by him?
The green-haired Judge, having calmed down, a sharp glint flashed in his eyes as he took a deep breath and said indifferently:
"This matter will be handled by the Gotei 13. This is your responsibility."
"The deaths of the Four Great Noble Clans concern the reputation of the Seireitei, and the truth must be thoroughly investigated."
"I hope Captain-Commander will do his utmost to give us a satisfactory answer."
"Furthermore, block the news. This incident must be kept confidential."
"What do you all think?"
"Agreed." Shihōin Kaiba spoke out.
The Judge beside him, wearing a Senkinkage on his head, then spoke:
"Seconded."
"Agreed."
"..."
Voices rang out one after another. Everyone knew that at this point, continuing the meeting was meaningless.
The Tsunayashiro Family members were all crazy, but that didn't mean they were foolish.
On the contrary, as one of the Five Great Noble Houses, a small portion of each generation possessed abilities and spiritual pressure beyond ordinary people.
These individuals received the highest elite education from a young age, guided and nurtured by the most outstanding teachers in various fields, and passed through multiple screenings.
Finally, once their abilities were sufficient, they gradually occupied the Sage and Judge seats of the Central 46.
Otherwise, if the Tsunayashiro Family were merely a group of lunatics, the family would have long since declined, and it would be impossible for them to become the most powerful noble family in the Seireitei.
And the Judges and Sages of the Central 46, representing the highest authority in the Seireitei, were the elite among the nobles.
Their origins would naturally lead those in high positions to, in turn, uphold the rule and status of the nobility.
This was inevitable.
Besides the "King" residing high above, the nobles were the supreme existence, the masters of the Soul Society.
This was their bottom line and iron rule, not to be overstepped, let alone debated.
.......
Human World.
Shin'o Academy Soul Burial Internship area.
In the boundless forest, the sun was still dazzling in the cloudless sky.
"Yes, Captain-Commander... According to the information provided by the Shin'o Academy, I have arrived at the crime scene."
On the grass, Shiba Isshin used Kido, his face weary, as he made his report.
He scratched himself and quickly scanned the grass.
"There aren't many obvious traces at the scene."
"Yes, I understand."
Cutting off the communication Kido, Shiba Isshin couldn't help but let out a long, turbid breath.
"He sent all of you here, Captain-Commander must attach great importance to this incident."
A woman with braided hair, wearing Death robes and pink glasses, appeared beside Isshin, a "Bird of Paradise" Squad insignia tied to her arm.
Shiba Isshin nodded, but inwardly he was somewhat dismissive.
The grass was clean, with only a few pieces of clothing scattered on the ground, and occasionally traces of sword slashes could be seen; it was impossible to tell what had happened here.
This was the troublesome part about being a Shinigami: if your spiritual pressure wasn't high, even a corpse couldn't be preserved, and if it was too high, the corpse couldn't be easily destroyed.
And after Tsunayashiro Asaho died, by the time the guards and students discovered the anomaly... her traces were already gone.
Now, a few more days had passed... and evidence wouldn't appear out of thin air.
At this point, even if they were sent, what good would it do?
Making such a big fuss over a deceased Four Great Noble Clans member...
It wasn't that he thought human lives were unimportant, nor did he have prejudice against nobles.
But sending so many people here, only to inevitably achieve nothing, would undoubtedly be a huge waste of manpower.
The members of the Gotei 13 were already few, and now was an especially critical time; perhaps the rebels would take advantage of this to harm more innocent people.
However, no matter how absurd, this was ultimately an order from the Central 46 and the Captain-Commander.
Even if Isshin was dissatisfied internally, he would still diligently and responsibly strive to complete it.
Shiba Isshin subconsciously glanced at the empty space not far away, and the corner of his mouth twitched uncontrollably.
He, the Tenth Division Captain who came to assist, was busy beyond belief, while Kyōraku Shunsui, the main person in charge...
That bastard was just leaning against a tree, drinking, looking as if it had nothing to do with him.
"Captain Kyōraku!!"
Lisa Yadomaru also noticed the slacking Kyōraku Shunsui, gritting her teeth and roaring angrily.
"We're on a mission, what do you think you're doing sitting there!"
Hearing Lisa's voice, Kyōraku Shunsui raised his hands in a gesture of surrender and grinned:
"You've been reading those strange magazines; you don't look like you're seriously doing your mission either, do you?"
He slowly put down the wine bottle, stood up from the ground, and walked over.
"Did you find anything?" Isshin said grumpily.
"Let me see..."
Kyōraku Shunsui placed his hand on his chin, gently stroking his stubble, pushed up the straw hat on his head, and observed the "crime scene" with full concentration.
Suddenly, he opened his mouth, showing a surprised expression as if he had discovered something interesting, then exaggeratedly said:
"Haha, this young lady died without even a speck of dust left! It seems she hadn't reached Vice-Captain level strength yet!"
Everyone in the woods looked over.
Shiba Isshin: ...
Lisa Yadomaru: ...
All the investigating Shinigami: ...
"I really don't understand why the Old Man sent us here."
Kyōraku Shunsui shrugged and pouted.
"Didn't those students explain it clearly? A Hollow attacked this young lady. Just report to those adults that she was killed by a Hollow, wouldn't that be enough?"
"But the teachers from the Shin'o Academy all said they didn't sense any Hollow spiritual pressure, and the surrounding environment only had traces of sword slashes..."
"Lisa... didn't they see that Hollow with their own eyes?"
Kyōraku Shunsui blinked, walked back nonchalantly, then lay down on the grass again, leisurely drinking his sake.
"There are quite a few Hollows with special abilities. Isn't it normal for them to be able to hide their spiritual pressure?"
"It's just that this young lady was unlucky enough to encounter a Hollow that could hide its spiritual pressure and was stronger than her."
Lisa Yadomaru frowned, looked at the silent Shiba Isshin beside her, and said in a deep voice:
"The investigation here is temporarily concluded. Let's go back and get more information from the students."