The destination was a small Washitsu located deep within the Main Residence. The decor here was elegant, yet every corner exuded the coldness and calculation of power; this was the place where the Shihōin Clan had historically discussed its most core and confidential matters. Several retainers and guards with formidable auras stood solemnly outside the door. When they saw Hiroki's group, especially the two unfamiliar figures behind him, their eyes flickered with scrutiny and wariness. Hiroki looked straight ahead, signaling Uchiha Fugaku and Uchiha Shisui to wait outside, and led the silent Suì-Fēng into the room.
As the Third Seat of the Second Division, Suì-Fēng was qualified to enter the meeting room, whereas Fugaku and Shisui, who had almost never appeared in public, could only wait outside for now.
"Creak—" The sliding paper door closed behind them.
The room was already full of people. Five faces, aged but still sharp with shrewdness, sat on either side, while the main seat in the center remained vacant—the symbol of the Clan Head. The air was thick with a tense silence and a faint aroma of tea, and five pairs of old eyes focused simultaneously on Hiroki as he entered.
"Oh, Lord Hiroki has finally deigned to grace us with his presence?" a slightly sharp, mocking voice rang out. The Third Elder, sitting on the lower right, stroked his sparse white beard, his tone unabashedly sarcastic.
Hiroki acted as if he hadn't heard the barbed words. His face remained calm, and the composure he had honed through countless ledger books and noble disputes became his best disguise. He walked firmly toward the main seat that symbolized the highest power of the Shihōin Clan—even though Yoruichi had almost never sat there.
Under the gaze of the room, which was so silent it was somewhat awkward, he sat down calmly. This in itself was a silent declaration: even if Yoruichi was absent, he, Shihōin Hiroki, was still the nominal and factual helmsman of this room at this moment.
Hiroki slowly lifted a warm Purple Clay Teapot from the low table and poured himself a cup of clear tea. The sound of the tea pouring into the cup was exceptionally clear in the pin-drop silent room. He picked up the teacup, his well-defined fingers lightly pinching the rim, as his gaze seemingly casually swept over every Clan Elder present—the First Elder was as solemn as a mountain, but calculation was hidden deep in his eyes; the Second Elder was rigid, his lips tightly pursed in hostility; the Third Elder looked shrewd; the Fourth Elder's eyes flickered with anxiety; and the Fifth Elder had his eyes half-closed, as if resting.
Time passed in the silent tea-drinking, and the water line in the cup slowly lowered. This deliberate stillness was like a massive boulder, pressing heavily upon the five Clan Elders. They wanted to wait for Hiroki to admit his mistakes or take a stand, but Hiroki used the silence to tell them: right now, I am the one in charge.
Finally, the Fourth Elder, who was the most impatient, spoke first, his voice carrying urgency: "Hiroki, Yoruichi... she has caused such a massive mess! The Central 46 Chambers is already in an uproar! What should our Shihōin Clan do next?"
Hiroki set down his teacup with a faint click and didn't even look up: "Oh? Since the Fourth Elder has asked, you must already have a brilliant idea? Why don't you share it with us?"
Being called out directly, the Fourth Elder's spirits rose, thinking Hiroki was backing down. He immediately said, "Need you even ask? Yoruichi dared to force her way into the Central 46 Chambers and take away a high-profile prisoner; her defection is set in stone! No matter what, she can no longer hold the position of the 22nd Head! In my view, there is no time to lose; we should immediately support Young Master Yushiro to succeed as the 23rd Head! This is the only right path for the survival of the Shihōin Clan!" He spoke decisively, his gaze piercing as he looked at Hiroki. The other elders, including the First Elder, nodded slightly; clearly, this was already a consensus.
A nearly imperceptible curve formed at the corner of Hiroki's mouth. The elders' eagerness to push Yushiro forward was obvious—it was nothing more than wanting to control the actual power through a young heir and completely sideline him, the eyesore of a son-in-law.
"Hmm, that is very reasonable." Hiroki nodded unexpectedly, his voice remaining calm. "Yoruichi has cut herself off from the Seireitei and from the clan; her crimes are inexcusable. Supporting Yushiro to succeed is only right. What do the other elders think?"
"I concur," the Fifth Elder said slowly. "Young Master Yushiro's bloodline is pure; he has an unshakable duty," the Second Elder agreed stiffly. The Third Elder chuckled, "Of course, of course!" The First Elder also stroked his beard: "This move is stable; the sooner, the better."
"Good," Hiroki finalized the decision, so bluntly that it actually left the elders a bit dazed. "Then it's settled. The Third Elder is well-versed in these matters, so you shall choose an auspicious day and prepare for Yushiro's succession ceremony." He directly tossed this trivial and tedious task to the Third Elder.
The Third Elder hurriedly accepted: "Yes, yes, I will certainly handle it well."
However, Hiroki's "cooperation" was only the beginning. The Fourth Elder was just about to breathe a sigh of relief when he immediately followed up with their true goal for today: "Then the second question is obvious! After Young Master Yushiro succeeds, Hiroki, your position as the 'husband of the former Head'... shouldn't you also retire and step down?"
The daggers were out! Five gazes fell on Hiroki's face like physical objects, trying to catch any sign of panic or anger.
"Heh," Hiroki chuckled, though there was no mirth in his eyes. "The Fourth Elder is right. Yoruichi committed such a great crime and was removed from the clan and exiled; as her 'husband,' I indeed have no face left. To continue holding this position would indeed be inappropriate."
Before the joy could surface in the elders' eyes, Hiroki's tone suddenly shifted, gentle yet carrying an unquestionable power: "However—Yushiro is still a child who knows nothing of the world and needs careful guidance. As his brother-in-law, I cannot simply stand by and let him face this turbulent situation alone, can I? Therefore, until Yushiro comes of age and is capable of truly and independently controlling the clan, I, Shihōin Hiroki, will temporarily take on the heavy responsibility of assisting and mentoring him. Surely, you elders, for the sake of Yushiro's safety and the continuation of the clan, should have no objections?" He emphasized the words "assisting," "temporarily," and "brother-in-law" heavily, packaging his seizure of power as an unavoidable and affectionate duty.
The air froze instantly. The five old faces changed color simultaneously.
"Hiroki, this isn't in accordance with the rules, is it?" The Third Elder was the first who couldn't help but jump out. "The Shihōin Clan's vast estate and its complex relationships are not something you alone can 'assist'! Young Master Yushiro's education should naturally be shared by us experienced Clan Elders! Only then can we ensure he grows up properly under our influence!" He emphasized "shared" to dilute Hiroki's power.
The Second Elder, who had been watching coldly, was even more blunt. He had always looked down on this son-in-law's background, and now he interjected bitingly: "The Third Elder is right! Hiroki, I also advise you. Your Kuroki Clan is currently being sustained solely by your old father, isn't it? How difficult it must be for an old man with one foot in the grave! Why not take this opportunity to lay down your burden and return to revitalize the Kuroki Clan's name as its head? Rest assured, the clan remembers your... uh, hard work (he said this very reluctantly) for the Shihōin over these years and will surely allocate a generous amount of resources from the public assets to assist your Kuroki Clan!" His words seemed "noble," but were actually murderous to the heart, directly positioning Hiroki as an object of charity and implying he was merely an outsider depending on the Shihōin who should know his place and leave.
"Heh..." Hiroki's gaze swept over the Second Elder's face, which was full of contempt, then passed over the Third Elder's self-proclaimed clever expression, and finally landed on the seemingly impartial First Elder. The smile on his face vanished completely, replaced by coldness. He leaned forward slightly, and an invisible pressure began to radiate from him. "Revitalize the Kuroki Clan? Second Elder, are you... considering this for me and the Kuroki Clan?" Before the Second Elder could answer, his voice suddenly rose, like an ice pick striking stone. "But I'm afraid I must disappoint you all. I also want to lay down this heavy burden! Unfortunately... when Yoruichi left, in her haste, she actually entrusted the authority to lead the Second Division and command the Onmitsukidō entirely to me! She said... in the clan's moment of crisis, only I could stabilize the situation? Sigh, I blame myself for being careless and not thinking deeply about the meaning behind her actions! I never expected she intended to defect, which is why she handed the clan's sharpest blades to me! This responsibility—even if I want to push it away, I can't!"
Having finished, he leaned back against the chair, looking deeply at the five stunned old faces. Since Yoruichi had fled and Kiyone was dead, he could say whatever he wanted! If you have the ability, go catch them and bring them back for a confrontation!
"Absurd!" The Second Elder slammed the low table, making the teacup jump. "Yoruichi... how could she hand such vital core military power of the clan to an outsider like you?! And when did she tell you? We, as Clan Elders, were completely unaware! This does not follow procedure! I refuse to believe it!" He was so angry his beard was shaking, repeatedly using the words "outsider" and "not following procedure," completely tearing away any pretense of politeness.
"Oh?" Hiroki's voice was as cold as thousand-year-old ice, his gaze shooting like a sharp arrow toward the Second Elder. "Whom did the Second Elder just call an 'outsider'? Were you speaking of me, Shihōin Hiroki? The 'outsider' you speak of is currently sitting in the seat of the Shihōin Clan's successive heads! I am exercising the power of the Clan Head! I am thinking about how to protect the clan's heritage! Hmm?!"
An invisible pressure erupted. Although Hiroki intentionally suppressed it, only releasing a "Lieutenant-level Spiritual Pressure," the majesty he had cultivated from long holding a high position and wielding great power instantly swept through the room like a storm! It wasn't just a crushing force of strength, but the pressure of authority itself! Even the powerful elders were forced into a breath-stalling state by this aura that originated purely from status and power.
"This...!" The Second Elder's face turned pale, choked into silence by that sharp gaze and sudden majesty, and he subconsciously shrank back.
Seeing the situation about to spiral out of control, the First Elder, who had been resting with his eyes closed, finally spoke in a deep voice. His voice was old but as solid as a rock, instantly suppressing the storm in the room: "Lord Hiroki, please calm your anger. The Second Elder was merely startled by such significant news and misspoke for a moment." He skillfully changed his form of address for Hiroki and provided a graceful exit for the Second Elder.
Hiroki snorted coldly and withdrew his aura, the room feeling as if it had just experienced a silent storm. He picked up his teacup and took a slow, elegant sip, neither accepting nor rejecting the First Elder's mediation.
A glint flickered deep within the First Elder's cloudy eyes as he changed his point of attack: "Cough, Lord Hiroki, the Second Elder's words may have been inappropriate, but he was also thinking of the clan. The Second Division and the Onmitsukidō are the vital tools for protecting the clan and executing secret missions; the responsibility is heavy, and the danger is extreme. We all know that Lord Hiroki has devoted his heart and soul to the clan's administrative affairs over these years, and your personal strength... well, it has inevitably been neglected. Without a true... Captain-level strength to preside, I fear it will be difficult to command respect, and even harder to shoulder the heavy responsibility of protecting the clan." He phrased it delicately, but the meaning was crystal clear—your strength is low, you are not fit to lead the military!
Hiroki set down his teacup with a light 'clack,' a half-smile appearing on his face. "Oh? Is the First Elder worried that my strength is insufficient for the task... or are you saying you already have a more suitable candidate in mind?"
"I wouldn't dare suggest a recommendation." The First Elder looked Hiroki straight in the eye. "In this time of the clan's survival, it is precisely when experienced and reliable people with strength need to step forward. If there is truly no one available for the time being, though I am old, I believe these old bones still have some residual Spiritual Pressure left. For the sake of the clan's safety, it wouldn't be impossible for me to step forward and temporarily take charge to stabilize the Second Division!"
As soon as these words were spoken, even the other elders looked at the First Elder with some surprise. They knew the First Elder was strong (possessing Third-class/Captain-level Spiritual Pressure), but he was very old; every time he used his true power, it burned away his remaining lifespan. For him to take the initiative to lead the military now—protecting the clan was a pretense; seizing this core military control from Hiroki's hands was the truth! This ambition and determination even exceeded Hiroki's expectations.
In the Soul Reaper World, Spiritual Pressure is closely related to lifespan; as one reaches the end of their life, every time they use Spiritual Pressure in battle, it reduces their remaining years. In almost all noble families, there are one or more 'old monster' Captain-level existences who serve as the family's ultimate trump card.
In Hiroki's understanding, this First Elder was relatively young; within the Shihōin Clan, there were three more Captain-level elders who were barely hanging on to life. Unless the clan reached a point of life and death, those three Captain-levels would not emerge.
"Ha..." Hiroki let out a short, ambiguous chuckle. He looked at the First Elder's weathered but ambitious face, and the last of his patience was exhausted. He slowly set down his teacup, scanned the room, and finally let his gaze fall on the First Elder. His tone was exceptionally calm, yet it carried an unquestionable decisiveness: "So the First Elder still has such a heart for the family and the clan? What a pity... that the elders are so worried; it truly makes me feel uneasy. However, for such a minor matter, there's no need to trouble the First Elder to handle it personally."
Hiroki paused, his knuckles lightly tapping the smooth low table twice with a rhythmic thud. He looked up, his eyes seeming to hold deep, swirling vortices, and his tone suddenly changed, carrying a peculiar, almost heraldic quality: "Because Lord Kiyone... he seemed to have already anticipated today's predicament. He even... left some 'things' for me!"
"Lord Kiyone?!" All the Clan Elders were jolted, their faces showing unbelievable shock.
"Wha... what do you mean?" The First Elder's normally placid expression finally cracked as he pressed for an answer. The name Kiyone still carried unparalleled weight in their hearts.
Hiroki didn't answer directly. He tilted his head slightly toward the closed sliding paper door and shouted in a steady voice that wasn't loud but was enough to penetrate the door and be clearly heard by everyone outside: "Fugaku, Shisui!"
"Swish—!"
The sliding paper door was slammed open from the outside almost the instant his voice fell! The speed was so fast it was like a flash of light and shadow! Two black figures, like ghosts merging into the shadows, stepped into the room silently yet with an unparalleled sense of oppression. It was Uchiha Fugaku and Uchiha Shisui, who had been left outside by Hiroki just moments ago!
The two entered the room without looking at anyone, facing directly toward the main seat where Hiroki sat. They knelt on one knee in perfect unison, their voices respectful and low: "My Lord!"
Their movements were swift and fluid, yet their posture was extremely humble. Even more terrifying was that the aura they had intentionally suppressed naturally leaked out a sliver the moment they entered the room.
Before the room full of suspicious and uncertain elders could ask, Hiroki had already calmly ordered: "Alright, both of you stand up. Show them, so that the Clan Elders... can be at ease."
"Yes!" Fugaku and Shisui responded simultaneously and stood up abruptly. At the very moment they straightened their backs—
"BOOM!!!"
"BOOM!!!"