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The elders looked at each other, smiling like a group of old foxes.
For high-ranking and powerful nobles, the importance of bloodline cannot be ignored, but it is not absolute.
In the face of power, blood ties become redundant, and mercy and compassion are out of the question.
Only interests are eternal.
In the entire Tsunayashiro Family, the branch families only had superficial martial power; the true power of the Tsunayashiro Family remained in the hands of the Main family.
And things like 'swords' are meant to be consumed; a bunch of replacements can be found at any time.
"Since that's the case..."
"Do we need to make our relationship with Genryūsai so strained?"
"With Genryūsai's martial power, those idiots from the branch families can't possibly win!"
"Indeed."
The elders offered their opinions, one after another.
Tsunayashiro Tokukan smiled and said, "I've seen Aozaki Reiji's testimony; he's a clever kid. And from other testimonies, it's clear he showed favor to the family during his Soul Burial Internship."
The elders exclaimed in surprise, "What? There's such a thing? Why didn't we get any news?"
"It must be that useless Tsunayashiro Asaho who deliberately chose to conceal it to become the family head's successor."
"Those branch families are truly a bunch of idiots who are useless and only cause trouble!"
Tsunayashiro Tokukan smiled reassuringly, "Everyone, calm down. Perhaps after this incident, we can try to improve our relationship with him."
Upon hearing this, the other elders' eyes lit up slightly.
That's a good idea.
Anyone could see that Aozaki Reiji, a genius rarely seen in a thousand years, would sooner or later enter the ranks of the Gotei 13's upper echelons.
With his talent and aptitude, becoming a Captain might just be a matter of time, and considering Yamamoto's current attitude, becoming the Captain-Commander is not impossible either.
At that time, having a powerful Captain or Captain-Commander on good terms with the Tsunayashiro Family would be a good thing.
Yamamoto is old; he will sooner or later choose someone to inherit the position of Captain-Commander.
They must consider the future of the family.
Tsunayashiro Tokukan sneered inwardly as he saw the changes in the elders' expressions.
He was already at the highest level of power in the Tsunayashiro Family, and even the other elders subtly looked to him as their leader, making him immensely powerful.
A single command, a single glance, could influence the decisions of the Central 46 and cause a huge stir in the Seireitei.
But he was not satisfied with this.
Those branch families were all trying to seize power from the Main family.
He believed that as the most outstanding elder of the Main family, he had an obligation to ensure that the positions of family head and elder would not fall into outside hands!
However, like the other elders, the family faction behind Tsunayashiro Tokukan was not enough for him to fully control the entire family's power.
If he wanted to gain more power within the family, kicking out the branch family forces was only the first step; he also needed support from external forces.
Aozaki Reiji was his chosen candidate.
Talented, ambitious, and with obvious weaknesses—greedy and lustful—such a person is the easiest to control!
"There's no rush to win over Aozaki Reiji; we need to plan for the long term."
Tsunayashiro Tokukan smiled, stood up, and slowly said, leaning his hands on the table, "This kid is very shrewd; he won't easily put himself in trouble or danger, which is also why he has always been unwilling to join the family before."
...
West Rukongai, District 1, outskirts.
Shiba.
After being forcibly sobered up by Shiba Kaien, Aozaki Reiji and Shiba Kūkaku teamed up to beat him soundly, making him realize his weakness.
"So... there's definitely no problem with the Gotei 13 now?"
Shiba Kūkaku looked at Aozaki Reiji, who was calmly sitting there drinking, and finally couldn't hold back her curiosity, asking.
Aozaki Reiji handed over the bottle he had drunk from, squinting and smiling, "My teacher sent a message via Tenkei Kura, telling me to report to the Gotei 13 tomorrow. I can't refuse."
"Can't refuse or don't want to refuse?" Shiba Kūkaku chuckled, "I think you're doing it for Yoruichi!"
"It's not just her, it's for everyone." Aozaki Reiji, however, was uncharacteristically serious, his expression completely unlike someone joking.
Seeing this, Shiba Kūkaku put away her playful demeanor, lowered her wine glass, and said softly, "I understand."
"Don't be so gloomy."
Aozaki Reiji nodded, placing one hand on her head and ruffling her hair.
"Second Division Third Seat, that's still an official position. It's not too much to have my subordinates do some work for me, right?"
"If Ichimaru can also join the Inspection Team this time, I'll make him my deputy. Maybe it'll be even freer than when he was at the Shin'o Academy."
"Then I can come whenever I want, right?"
Ichimaru Gin is a trustworthy person.
You know, in the original timeline, he had lurked by Aizen's side for over a hundred years for a love he never spoke of.
Now that I've been so good to him, not only saving his life but also feeding him well, it would be truly unreasonable if he still wanted to harm me.
Shiba Kūkaku heard Aozaki Reiji's answer, and thinking about it, found it somewhat amusing. She silently mourned for Ichimaru Gin for two seconds in her heart, but still said with a smile,
"You're dumping all the dirty and tiring work on Ichimaru; he's really unlucky to follow you."
"Unlucky?" Aozaki Reiji rolled his Byakugan, "If he hadn't met me, his life would have been ruined."
Shiba Kūkaku retorted, "You saved his life, and now you're really thinking of using that to demand repayment?"
"That's right." Aozaki Reiji tilted his head back, took a sip of wine, and admitted it openly, showing no shame at all.
"Little sister, I told you long ago, this guy isn't a good person. You should just break up with him!"
Shiba Kaien, who was wriggling on the ground, finally found an opportunity to interject, speaking earnestly.
He couldn't move normally because he was entangled in a rope-like golden light cord, which was "Bakudo Number Four: This Rope."
"Idiot Big Brother, don't interrupt!"
Shiba Kūkaku punched Kaien on the head, and a large bump instantly swelled up.
"Oh..."
Shiba Kaien was on the verge of tears.
His little sister had truly changed; she was so good to an outsider, yet so cruel to her own older brother.
It's all because of this hateful pretty boy. I was so strict in guarding against him back then, how did I still fail to stop him!
Shiba Kūkaku ignored her wriggling older brother on the ground and started pouring drinks for Aozaki Reiji, embracing him.
A moment later, Reiji looked at Shiba Kūkaku's intact hands, as if remembering something, and slowly said,
"I think you can stop your explosion experiments for now."
Shiba Kūkaku asked curiously, "What's wrong?"
Aozaki Reiji frowned and replied,
"Your explosion experiments are too dangerous; it's easy to hurt yourself."
"Kisuke is now the Third Seat of the Twelfth Division, and he likes to tinker with little gadgets."
"I'll ask him for help to see if he can get you a set of protective gear, so your experiments will be safer."
In the original timeline, Kukaku's right arm was severed.
Considering her dangerous hobby, Reiji guessed that the severed arm might be related to fireworks.
Since he knew there would be danger, he naturally had to prevent it in advance.
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