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Soul Society, Seireitei.
Tsunayashiro Family, Central Deliberation Pavilion.
The bloodstains on the floor had already been cleaned up.
The elders, the highest authority of the Tsunayashiro Family, sat before a wall adorned with mountains and flowing water, their expressions grim, the atmosphere exceptionally heavy.
"Sirs, this is the message from Seijotokyorin."
The family Shinigami who delivered the message knelt on the ground, a hoarse voice emanating from beneath his black mask.
"We understand, you may withdraw," an elder said expressionlessly.
"Yes, sir."
The family Shinigami slowly rose and exited the meeting room.
As the door closed, a prolonged silence fell over the meeting room.
"How ridiculous, a dignified member of the Tsunayashiro Family actually died at the hands of a Hollow?" A white-haired elder suddenly sneered.
"Actually, this isn't impossible," another elder interjected coldly, "Such incidents have happened quite often in the history of the Shin'o Academy!"
"But this time it's different. This time, it's not those lowly Rukongai commoners who died, but a bloodline of the Five Great Noble Houses!" The white-haired elder shook his head. "Even the branch family members won't accept this outcome."
The other elders fell silent upon hearing this.
Although they, as elders, represented the Tsunayashiro Family's highest authority, there were still things they couldn't disregard.
The branch family was a considerable force within the Tsunayashiro Family, and its patriarchs and elders still wielded significant influence within the family.
The so-called investigation to uncover the truth was, in essence, to give them an explanation.
"With the evidence laid bare… what more could they possibly want?" an elder suddenly asked.
At these words, the other elders all frowned, their faces showing displeasure.
They knew that this elder and the white-haired elder before him had very close ties with the branch family in private; it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say they were pushed into their positions by the branch family.
A cold, sinister glint flickered in the white-haired elder's eyes:
"They believe there aren't that many accidents in this world and demand severe interrogation of all personnel involved in this Soul Burial Internship."
"Only by making them bleed and suffer can they speak the truth!"
The other elders raised their eyebrows, and one elder curled his lips into a mocking smile, sneering:
"I know that Mr. Tsunayashiro Tenma has experienced and lost a lot to climb to his current position, and he believes that 'accidents' don't exist."
"But this non-existent 'accident' is limited to within the family; your background has limited your perspective!"
"Moreover, your proposal will not be approved by either Central 46 or Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto."
Another elder also chimed in:
"I think Mr. Tsunayashiro Tokukan is absolutely right."
"Don't think we don't know your little schemes with the branch family; you just want to target that man named Aozaki Reiji!"
"It's nothing more than a grudge because the branch family lost two Captain-class Shinigami in that operation!"
"You don't dare to confront the head of the Shihouin Family, only daring to pick on a commoner from Rukongai. You've completely disgraced the Tsunayashiro Family!"
"It's a pity you've picked the wrong target this time. The message from Seijotokyorin made it very clear: this situation is completely different from before."
"Yamamoto values that man highly, even going so far as to refute the sages and Judges. This has never happened before."
"But…"
Tsunayashiro Tenma, with his head full of white hair, still wanted to argue, but was interrupted by an elder representing the Main family:
"Enough. Yamamoto is old. He won't be the Captain-Commander for much longer."
"In my opinion, Yamamoto might intend for that man to be his successor, which is why he's willing to pressure the Central 46 to protect him."
"The Main family cannot risk angering Yamamoto and continue this nonsense with you."
"This benefits neither us nor the family!"
Tsunayashiro Tenma narrowed his eyes,
"Family members died inexplicably, and none of you are willing to get involved?"
"That's your branch family's business, and it has nothing to do with our Main family…"
An elder, appearing as an old woman, was about to shirk responsibility when Tsunayashiro Tokukan raised a hand to stop her:
"Mr. Tsunayashiro Tamae, remember your identity and responsibilities. Choose your words carefully."
"…Yes." Tsunayashiro Tamae paused, realizing she had spoken foolishly in her haste.
"It's not that the Main family doesn't want to get involved, but that it can't," Tsunayashiro Tokukan said solemnly. "Dealing with the various families and Yamamoto in Central 46 has already exhausted us; we truly don't have any extra energy to handle Aozaki Reiji."
"Doesn't the branch family have people in the Gotei 13? Aozaki Reiji is about to enter the Gotei 13, so you can handle him."
"Rest assured, the responsibility of an elder is always to protect the family's interests; none of us will forget that."
"Mr. Tsunayashiro Tokukan, what do you mean?"
As Tsunayashiro Tokukan's words fell, the other elders were all stunned, then looked at him with puzzled, even incredulous, gazes.
Tsunayashiro Tenma frowned in thought for a moment, then laughed heartily as he rose from his seat and, along with another elder close to the branch family, walked towards the door.
"Good, good, good… Then this matter will be handled by the branch family."
As the door closed, the smile on Tsunayashiro Tenma's lips instantly turned incredibly cold.
The elders seated in the meeting room were also puzzled.
"Mr. Tsunayashiro Tokukan, is it appropriate to provoke a conflict with Yamamoto now?"
"I understand what you mean." Tsunayashiro Tokukan sneered, "But what does the branch family's conflict with Yamamoto have to do with us?"
"Will Yamamoto even take his anger out on us? No, because we are the Five Great Noble Houses!"
The elders instantly understood his meaning.
"They are, after all, also part of the Tsunayashiro Family…"
Tsunayashiro Tokukan snorted coldly:
"But they want to lay claim to things that don't belong to them."
"These past few years, the branch family's influence has grown increasingly large. Can't you see that they and the Main family are no longer united?"
The elders all nodded:
"Mr. Tsunayashiro Tokukan is right!"
"A mere branch family, yet they still dream of coveting the position of family head and seats in Central 46."
"Let them fight. Even if they don't suffer mutual destruction, it would be good if the branch family could be severely weakened."
"…"
They simply didn't believe Yamamoto would act against the Five Great Noble Houses, not because he lacked the ability, but because he couldn't do so!
As the Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13, Yamamoto was a serious, upright, and stubborn man. He established the Gotei 13 to maintain the rule of Seireitei and eliminate threats to Seireitei.
Not to mention the suppression of the Gotei 13's authority by Central 46 and the constraints of the "Five Great Noble Houses are Supreme" ideology.
The sole issue of the world's continued existence was enough to make Yamamoto hesitate to act rashly.
Even if he dared to move against the nobles, he would never kill all of them!
This was the confidence of the Main family elders!
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