Central 46, Underground Council Chamber.
In the dim council chamber, a single beam of light suddenly illuminated Ito Makoto's face.
He slowly lifted his gaze and looked around, only to find himself standing at the very center of the circular chamber. Around him, seats numbered one through forty-six were arranged in three rising tiers, forming a solemn ring that surrounded him completely.
"So this… is the legendary Central 46."
Central 46 was composed of forty sages and six judges, the highest judicial authority within Soul Society. Its members were almost always nobles or ancient elders, figures who possessed immense status and influence.
More importantly, Central 46 wielded extraordinary power. It could mobilize the Gotei 13, the Onmitsukidō, the Kidō Corps, and nearly every Shinigami organization within Soul Society everything except Squad Zero.
At this moment, however, Ito Makoto noticed something unusual.
The sages occupying seats one through ten were absent.
Meanwhile, every seat from eleven through forty-six across from him was fully occupied.
"So in the eyes of the top ten sages… the deaths of nearly a hundred noble heirs aren't even worth their time?"
"Eleventh Division Fourth Seat, Ito Makoto!"
A solemn voice suddenly echoed from behind the screen marked with the number seventeen.
"You failed in your duty to protect the participants during the Hunting Tournament incident, which directly led to the deaths of nearly one hundred talented young members of the noble families!"
"According to Soul Society law, you should be expelled from the Gotei 13 and permanently barred from service. However, in consideration of your meritorious actions in protecting the Xia Dalulu Head, your punishment will be reduced."
At this point, the sage behind seat seventeen stopped speaking.
Then a woman's voice echoed from behind the screen of seat number eleven.
"Therefore, the judgment is as follows: Ito Makoto shall be fined three hundred years of salary. From this day forward, regardless of whatever rank or position you hold within the Gotei 13, you shall receive no salary for three hundred years."
Although the voice had deliberately lowered its tone, Ito Makoto instantly recognized it.
Kazumichi Asayuki.
His mouth twitched slightly.
Ito Makoto casually glanced toward the screen of seat eleven. Although a special Kidō concealed the figure behind it, leaving only a vague silhouette, he could almost feel Kazumichi Asayuki casting a teasing gaze in his direction.
"Alright…"
Originally, he had assumed Kazumichi Asayuki would take advantage of this opportunity to accuse him of colluding with a Menos Grande.
Unexpectedly, just as Yamada Seinosuke had predicted, the matter was quietly downplayed, turning a major incident into a minor disciplinary case.
As for exposing Kazumichi Asayuki's secret of slaughtering lesser nobles to feed the Bakuyoto
A single sentence suddenly surfaced in Ito Makoto's mind.
"Who in this court dares accuse this official?"
Not long afterward, Ito Makoto stepped out of Central 46's underground council chamber. Outside, Yamada Seinosuke was waiting calmly for his own judgment.
"Yamada Seinosuke, for dereliction of duty resulting in the deaths of nearly one hundred noble members, this court hereby sentences you to expulsion from the Gotei 13, permanently barred from re-employment!"
...
At the very same time that Central 46 was delivering its verdict on Ito Makoto and Yamada Seinosuke, deep beneath the council chamber inside the projection hall of the Great Spirit Book Repository, two captains were quietly observing the hunting ground incident.
Fifth Division Captain Aizen Sōsuke.
Third Division Captain Ichimaru Gin.
Even the Great Spirit Book Repository's projection system could not see what had occurred inside the barrier itself. The only visible scene was the moment when the Menos Grande, Fleur, fired a transcendent beam of light that pierced the barrier and rescued Wonderweiss.
"Oh my, this Menos Grande is quite interesting. Its ability seems capable of passing through barriers with ease. I wonder if it could also deal with the Seireitei's Barrier of Souls?"
"If it can, it might make for a convenient escape route."
Ichimaru Gin stood nearby with his usual foxlike smile, eyes narrowed.
Aizen Sōsuke, however, stared intently at the projection before him, observing every detail with quiet focus. For a fleeting moment, his gaze seemed to settle on Ito Makoto as he emerged from the shattered barrier.
"Gin… what do you think happened inside that barrier?"
Aizen calmly adjusted the black-rimmed glasses on his face with his middle finger.
Ichimaru Gin shrugged casually.
"Captain Aizen really knows how to pose difficult questions. If I had to guess, the Kasumioji Family must be playing around with dangerous toys like the Bakuyoto again."
Despite Gin's flippant tone, Aizen showed no trace of displeasure.
Instead, he smiled faintly.
"The so-called Bakuyoto is merely an external tool. True strength lies in seeking power within oneself reaching one's own limit, and then surpassing it."
"That is the true nature of the strong."
"What the Kasumioji Family has pursued for centuries… is nothing more than putting the cart before the horse."
"They believe that because they created the rules, they are strong. But in my eyes, they are merely slightly larger ants."
"And Central 46, which clings stubbornly to the same ideology… is nothing more than a collection of dried bones sitting inside a tomb."
"This decaying and dilapidated Soul Society… is truly regrettable."
After listening to Aizen's lengthy discourse, Ichimaru Gin simply maintained his usual smile.
"Oh my, Captain Aizen's words are always so philosophical."
...
After leaving the underground council chamber of Central 46, Ito Makoto headed straight toward the Eleventh Division barracks. Thanks to the Kasumioji Family's maneuvering behind the scenes, the Hollow incident at the hunting grounds had now officially been concluded.
As for the so-called punishment of losing three hundred years of salary, Ito Makoto paid it little mind.
Not to mention how long he might remain in Soul Society—the individuals who established such disciplinary rules might not even live long enough to see those three centuries pass.
As Ito Makoto approached the Eleventh Division barracks, he spotted a figure he had already anticipated.
A thin, disheveled old man.
Upon seeing him, Ito Makoto sighed helplessly.
"Yano Masahiko… why torment yourself like this?"
It was indeed Yano Masahiko. The last time Ito Makoto had seen him was half a month earlier, when the man had still looked energetic and dignified. Now, in such a short span of time, he appeared haggard and broken.
"Ito Fourth Seat… you were inside the barrier that day as well. This old man only wishes to ask one thing."
Yano Masahiko's voice trembled.
"How… did my poor granddaughter Chie truly die?"
Looking at the nearly deranged old man before him, Ito Makoto fell silent for a moment before speaking slowly.
"How your granddaughter died… hasn't the Kasumioji Family already explained it?"
"She died during the Hollow incident."
His tone remained calm, but he placed particular emphasis on the words "Kasumioji Family."
Upon hearing this, Yano Masahiko said nothing further.
He simply bowed deeply to Ito Makoto before turning away. His departing figure looked indescribably lonely.
The moment Ito Makoto stepped into the main hall of the Eleventh Division barracks, he immediately sensed that something was off.
Zaraki Kenpachi.
Kusajishi Yachiru.
Madarame Ikkaku.
Ayasegawa Yumichika.
All of them were standing inside the hall, staring directly at him.
"Oh? Isn't this Vice-Captain Ito from the Fourth Division? What brings you back to our Eleventh Division?"
The moment Ito Makoto stepped inside, Madarame Ikkaku spoke first, his tone dripping with sarcasm.
"Huh? Ikkaku-senpai, what are you talking about?"
Before Ito Makoto could say anything further, the visibly annoyed Ikkaku shoved a letter of appointment into his hands.
Looking down at the document, Ito Makoto felt genuinely stunned.
"Central 46 just fined me three hundred years of salary… and now they're directly appointing me as Vice-Captain of the Fourth Division?"
"What exactly are those people in Central 46 thinking?!"
Still, the situation actually suited Ito Makoto perfectly.
His original plan had been to find an opportunity to transfer to the Fourth Division. He had never expected Central 46's appointment to arrive so quickly—it was like receiving a pillow just as he was about to fall asleep.
"Little Ito Makoto, you've been promoted. Aren't you going to treat us to a drink?"
Ayasegawa Yumichika chimed in cheerfully from the side.
Ito Makoto rubbed his forehead with a bitter smile.
"Seniors, please show some mercy. I was just fined three hundred years of salary."
At that moment, Zaraki Kenpachi rose slowly from the main seat.
"Hey, Ito."
"You're about to leave the Eleventh Division. Why don't we have one more fight right now?"
Kenpachi stared at him with blazing excitement.
Seeing this, Madarame Ikkaku burst into laughter and drew his Zanpakutō.
...
Early the next morning, Ito Makoto arrived at the Fourth Division barracks, his body wrapped in so many bandages he looked almost like a mummy.
Retsu Unohana gazed at him gently.
"Vice-Captain Ito… what happened to you?"
"Would you like me to treat your injuries?"