Outside the barrier, chaos simmered beneath aristocratic restraint.
Only a cluster of agitated nobles remained in the courtyard of the hunting estate, their once-pristine robes stained with dust and spiritual residue.
"What exactly is happening inside?!"
One nobleface pale, eyes bloodshotgrabbed Yunoi by the collar and lifted him from the ground without regard for decorum.
It was the same man who had witnessed his heir torn in half by a Gillian-class Menos earlier.
"This event was hosted by the Kasumioji Family! How could such a catastrophe occur within territory under your authority? Since your Clan Head entered that barrier, we have seen nothingheard nothing!"
His voice broke.
"What is the Kasumioji Family planning?!"
Yunoi, senior retainer of the Kasumioji household, maintained a grave expression despite the hand clutching his robes.
"Sasakura-dono, please restrain yourself. Our Clan Head remains trapped within the barrier as well. The Kasumioji Family suffers no less anxiety than any of you."
His tone was measured, dignified.
But the nobles did not calm.
Several surrounded the Kasumioji honor guard, demanding accountability.
Others turned their fury toward the assembled members of the Gotei 13, who stood stationed beyond the barrier perimeter.
"You call yourselves protectors of Soul Society?" one noble spat. "You cannot even dismantle a barrier?"
His gaze fell upon Yamada Seinosuke, Vice-Captain of the Fourth Division.
Yamada turned slowly.
His expression remained polite.
His eyes did not.
The noble immediately swallowed his next words.
Then
A ripple of spiritual pressure cut through the tension.
"Captain Aizen has arrived!"
Multiple Shinigami straightened instinctively.
A tall man approached with refined steps, haori fluttering lightly in the reishi-laden air. Medium-length brown hair framed a composed face behind black-rimmed glasses.
The gentle smile was unchanged.
It was Aizen Sōsuke, Captain of the Fifth Division.
He paused before the massive barrier that enveloped several kilometers of hunting grounds.
Reiatsu distortion shimmered across its surface.
"Remarkable construction," he murmured softly.
Then his expression sharpened.
"This barrier is layered and reinforced. Everyonelend me your strength."
To the nobles' eyes, what followed appeared to be a coordinated effort. Several seated officers began forming Kidō circles. Incantations layered upon one another.
But the truth beneath perception was far simpler.
Aizen raised one finger.
"Hadō #4: Byakurai."
A concentrated lance of white lightning erupted forward.
It did not roar.
It did not explode theatrically.
It pierced.
The lightning condensed into a razor-thin beam of focused Reiatsu, striking a single destabilized seam within the double-layered concealment field.
The barrier ruptured at its spiritual keystone.
A shockwave erupted outward.
Reishi scattered like glass fragments under a winter sun.
A thunderous crack split the air
And the structure collapsed.
Dust surged skyward.
When it settled
The hunting grounds lay devastated.
Trees uprooted. Earth fractured. Reishi currents still spiraling.
At the center stood two figures.
Supporting one another.
Raizen Kōpublicly known as Ito Makoto, Fourth Seat of the Eleventh Division.
And Kazumioji Asayuki, Head of the Kasumioji Family.
Both were drenched in blood.
Both appeared on the verge of collapse.
"Clan Head!"
Yunoi rushed forward with the retainers.
"Asayuki-sama! Where are the others? What happened?"
Asayuki's lips trembled.
"Everyone… they…"
Her voice fractured.
Before further explanation could be demanded
She fainted gracefully into Yunoi's arms.
Moments later
Raizen allowed his knees to buckle.
Darkness claimed him as well.
Later Eleventh Division Barracks
Soft light filtered through the paper screens.
"This is the Eleventh Division's quarters. There is no one else here."
A familiar voice drifted through the quiet room.
"You may stop pretending."
Raizen opened one eye cautiously.
Yamada Seinosuke stood beside the futon, arms folded, smiling faintly.
"I examined your injuries, Fourth Seat. Numerous lacerations. All shallow. Self-inflictedcarefully measured."
He adjusted his glasses.
"The only serious wound was the bite to your shoulder. However, that injury was already expertly treated through high-level spiritual transfer Kidō."
His smile deepened slightly.
"Your proficiency in Kidō is… impressive for someone of the Eleventh Division."
Raizen sat upright.
"How much do you know?"
"Not everything," Yamada replied calmly. "Only what was shared."
"And who shared it?"
"The Tsunayashiro Family."
That name required no elaboration.
One of the Five Great Noble Clans.
Custodians of forbidden knowledge.
Guardians of archives such as the Great Spirit Book Repository.
If they were observing
Then this incident had never been merely a noble dispute.
Yamada continued packing his medical instruments.
"Prepare yourself. We depart shortly."
"Depart?"
"For questioning before Central 46."
Raizen's expression did not change.
"Nearly one hundred nobles perished today," Yamada explained evenly. "All Shinigami assigned to protectionincluding myself and youmust provide testimony."
Raizen's eyes narrowed slightly.
"And Asayuki?"
Yamada paused.
Then looked at him meaningfully.
"Kazumioji Asayuki is herself a seated member of Central 46."
Silence lingered.
"She will not be interrogated," Yamada added quietly. "She will be among those delivering judgment."
So that was the structure.
The Kasumioji Familypowerful, yet beneath the Five Great Noble Clans.
Influential enough to hold a seat within Central 46.
Protected by status.
Shielded by precedent.
Raizen exhaled slowly.
"That explains much."
Yamada nodded.
"Most of the deceased belonged to minor noble housesfamilies with little political weight. For the sake of stability, this matter will be… reduced in severity."
"A formal reprimand," Raizen concluded.
"At most."
Yamada secured the final clasp on his kit, then turned fully toward him.
"There is, however, another matter."
His expression shiftedearnest now.
"I intend to leave active service within the Gotei 13."
Raizen raised a brow.
"I have been appointed Chief Representative of the Shin'ō Reiyakuen within the Noble District."
The Shin'ō Reiyakuenthe Spiritual Arts Academy's medical branch.
Prestigious.
Politically sensitive.
"I wish to recommend you as my successor. Vice-Captain of the Fourth Division."
Raizen stared at him.
"The Fourth Division?"
"You possess advanced Kidō control," Yamada continued calmly. "You maintain combat capability exceeding most seated officers. You understand both restraint and decisiveness."
He bowed deeply.
"I believe Captain Unohana would approve."
The name carried weight.
Unohana Retsu.
Captain of the Fourth Division.
First Kenpachi.
A woman whose gentleness masked unfathomable lethality.
Raizen suppressed a sigh.
Eleventh Division… or Fourth.
War or preservation.
A fork in the path.
"Vice-Captain Yamada," he replied formally, "we stand under investigation by Central 46. Let us survive judgment before discussing promotion."
Yamada straightened.
A faint smile returned.
"Very well, Fourth Seat."
Outside
The White Tower of Judgment awaited.
And within its chambers
Politics would prove far more dangerous than mercury or serpent venom.