Glancing at the trembling nobles, «Naraku Sora» clicked his tongue, a look of mild frustration crossing his face.
He had been too slow earlier; he hadn't managed to slaughter them all. If that fellow «Takeda Goki» had arrived just a few seconds later, there would have been nothing left for him to find but a field of corpses.
Since there was no better way to handle them now, he decided to simply escort the lot of them to the «Central Underground Great Prison». It was a perfect opportunity for those "re-employed" souls from the «Maggots' Nest» to get familiar with the procedures of the «Eight Great Hells».
To put it bluntly, he couldn't stand these nobles one bit.
It wasn't just that their "Sin Values" were high—their strength was also pathetically low. Even after suppressing them, the rewards were meager. They were nothing more than a pack of beasts who relied on their status to commit atrocities at will.
"You intend to imprison them all in the «Central Underground Great Prison»?"
«Shutara Senjumaru» pondered for a moment before smiling.
"It is not impossible. However, you will have to pay close attention to them yourself. This one must continue refining the «Shihakusho» and pursuing other research; I do not have much time to focus on the affairs below."
«Naraku Sora» nodded. «Senjumaru» had already provided more than enough help. If he expected her to abandon her research just to supervise the underground prison, he would be acting quite inhumanly indeed.
Still, it was about time those ancient facilities in the underground prison received an overhaul.
Under «Naraku Sora's» martial intimidation, the group of nobles felt a surge of suppressed rage but dared not speak. The fate of «Yokota Kiichi», who had acted with reckless abandon based on his status, was still fresh in their minds. They feared ending up exactly like him.
As long as they remained alive, there was still hope.
The Great Families would not abandon them. When the time came, they would only need to coordinate a joint pressure campaign on the «Central 46». Escaping the underground prison would be nothing more than a matter of following procedure.
Lest anyone forget, the «Central 46» was not merely the highest judicial body in the «Soul Society»; it was, more accurately, the supreme power of the allied noble houses—forty-six families who stood above the law itself.
---
Amidst the scorched earth and ruins, the massive corpse of «Lumina Griffith» was particularly eye-catching.
Even though its blood had been nearly drained, the «Hierro»—which still retained a terrifying hardness—and that monstrous, ghastly skeleton possessed immense value.
In truth, «Naraku Sora» was more curious about the "Master" «Griffith» had mentioned. To stand above an «Adjuchas» and command such absolute loyalty, they had to be a «Vasto Lorde» at the very least.
If it were a «Vasto Lorde», who could it be? The true King of «Hueco Mundo», «Baraggan Louisenbairn»?
While «Naraku Sora» was busy collecting the remains, «Senjumaru» seemed to sense something. The moment her gaze dropped, her «Reiatsu» surged like silk threads, plunging into a deep pool of blood.
«Crack.»
A crisp sound echoed from within the viscous blood, as if a bug had been crushed underfoot.
At that same moment, in a pure white building hidden within «Hueco Mundo».
A figure dressed in white wore a pair of specialized glasses. The lenses continuously flickered with images of the ruined estate, finally freezing on the tall silhouette of the woman.
The moment the «Reishuchu» (Spirit-Recording Bug) was crushed, the glasses emitted a sharp snap and a wisp of black smoke.
"Wow, discovered already?"
"What sharp perception... «Shutara Senjumaru», is it? I have remembered your name."
"That brat named «Naraku Sora» also seems quite interesting. To think he could kill «Lumina» so easily; he must be a genius of the «Seireitei»."
"Ha. I need more detailed intelligence."
---
"Therefore, I have ample reason to suspect that «Takeda Goki» is the nobles' dog—the exceptionally loyal kind."
Inside the office of the «5th Division», «Naraku Sora» spoke with an air of righteous conviction, as if he were stating an irrefutable truth.
«Aizen» wore a contemplative expression.
Ever since this fellow had thrown a group of nobles into the «Central Underground Great Prison» two days ago, the «Seireitei» had been in an uproar. Countless nobles had filed protests with the «Gotei 13» and even the «Central 46», demanding the release of their kin.
Every day, a mountain of related documents was delivered to the various divisions. «Aizen» had processed no fewer than a hundred files over the last few days, most of them written in fierce language, as if they wanted to devour the culprit responsible for this mess.
To this, «Aizen» felt only contempt; he didn't care in the slightest. To think a few documents could overturn the grave crimes committed by those nobles was simply showing a total disregard for the rules.
While the «Central 46» were hardly saints, they at least had to maintain the appearance of order. If they were to brazenly release a group of nobles who had collaborated with a «Menos Grande», it would inevitably lead to greater unrest. The members of the «Gotei 13» who existed for the sake of order might even join the ranks of rebel Soul Reapers.
If it came to that, the ones suffering the headache would be those high-and-mighty members of the «Central 46».
After a brief analysis of the intel provided by «Sora», «Aizen» nodded.
"Judging by his actions and attitude, «Takeda Goki» is indeed part of the noble faction. Although we don't know which house he serves, we can be certain of one thing..."
"The matter of the sacrifice is definitely related to him."
"Or rather, «Takeda Goki» played a very heavy role in it."
«Naraku Sora» raised an eyebrow, waiting for him to continue.
"The «Yokota Family» is merely a lower-class noble house. «Yokota Kiichi» was an exceptionally ordinary member of that family, not even an Elder. Such an insignificant person wasn't worth offending you over."
"Especially," «Aizen» added, "after «Takeda Goki» learned of your identity."
Setting aside his status as a student of the «Genryu» style, «Sora's» position as the son-in-law of the «Shihouin Family» alone put him significantly higher than a common member of a lower-class noble house. Yet, despite this, «Takeda Goki» had still chosen to move against him, even going so far as to use his «Bankai» to try and take him down.
From this, it was clear that unless he was mentally unstable, he definitely had something to hide. It was a simple deduction that even someone like «Sora» could see.
"Next, we need to figure out how many others in the «Gotei 13» are like «Takeda Goki». Distinguishing friend from foe is essential for our subsequent plans."
Hearing this, «Naraku Sora» looked bewildered and blurted out:
"Plans? What plans?"
«Aizen»: "..."
*You've already sent a pack of nobles to the «Central Underground Great Prison». Was it not for the sake of overturning this corrupt system and reforming the «Soul Society»?*
Suppressing his rising blood pressure, «Aizen» patiently analyzed their current situation once more. In truth, with «Naraku Sora's» current way of doing things, he was bound to draw a line between himself and certain nobles sooner or later. This incident had simply accelerated the process.
However, just as this boy couldn't stand the crimes of those nobles, «Aizen» was also dissatisfied with the increasingly corrupt and dark state of the «Soul Society». In a sense, the two of them were kindred spirits.
"Actually, I didn't think that far ahead," «Naraku Sora» said, resting his hands behind his head with a nonchalant tone.
"Establishing a 'perfect system' or whatever is too ethereal. I just can't stand their behavior. Some people sacrifice others' lives for their own selfish gain; the incompetent sit high on their thrones; the foolish act as they please with unearned arrogance..."
"Rather than saying I'm upholding justice, it's more that I just don't like those people or the things they do. If I absolutely had to say I want to do something, it would probably be to kill every single one of those bastards I find an eyesore."
«Aizen» was stunned. After a brief silence, the corner of his mouth curved into an almost imperceptible arc.