Seireitei — the Kuchiki residence.
As the second-ranked family among the Four Great Noble Houses, the Kuchiki clan possessed an enormous estate within Seireitei. A vast area had been designated entirely for their family grounds.
The residence did not appear particularly extravagant at first glance. Yet the quiet dignity woven into every corner revealed a depth of heritage that no upper noble household could hope to rival.
Even the few koi swimming lazily in the courtyard pond were valuable enough to bankrupt an entire lesser noble family.
A fresh breeze flowed through the bamboo grove surrounding the estate, stirring the slender stalks into a soft rustling whisper. Beneath a corridor carved from white jade, two figures—one old, one young—walked slowly past an arched gateway, their footsteps so light that not a single unnecessary sound echoed through the hall.
Captain of the Sixth Division, Ginrei Kuchiki.
And behind him walked his eldest son and vice-captain, Sōjun Kuchiki.
"Sōjun."
Without turning his head, Ginrei spoke calmly as he continued forward.
Though Sōjun had long been married and had even fathered a son, his appearance remained that of a man barely in his twenties.
"Father."
Sōjun stepped forward half a pace in response.
Seeing this, Ginrei continued.
"How has Kōga been behaving recently?"
"Kōga?"
Sōjun paused briefly before answering.
"The same as always."
Kōga Kuchiki was the son-in-law who had married into the Kuchiki family.
For members of the Four Great Noble Houses, marriage was not a private affair. Any union required approval from the Golden Seal Noble Assembly.
Despite its unremarkable name, this council held authority even greater than the ordinary Noble Assembly. After all, even the famed Central 46 Chambers ultimately operated as a judicial and administrative body under noble authority.
To be accepted into the Kuchiki clan through such a process meant that Kōga's talent as a Shinigami ranked among the absolute elite of Soul Society.
"Then tell me," Ginrei continued evenly,
"do you believe Kōga has any inclination to compete for the position of family head?"
The word he chose was inclination, not intention.
That alone carried considerable weight.
"Impossible!"
Sōjun responded immediately.
"Kōga isn't the sort of man who harbors that kind of ambition."
"Is that so…"
Ginrei neither confirmed nor denied the claim.
Instead, he continued walking.
"Sōjun, you should be more cautious recently."
"The Hueco Mundo expedition is not something you need to involve yourself in. The expeditionary force has no shortage of vice-captain–level fighters. Without Yamamoto's approval—or your own request—your name will never appear on the roster."
The Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force.
Whenever Hollow activity became unusually frequent in the Human World, Seireitei would dispatch special Shinigami units into Hueco Mundo to conduct large-scale extermination campaigns.
Such missions were not merely about maintaining order in Soul Society.
They were necessary to preserve the balance of the three realms.
"Yes, Father."
Sōjun nodded immediately.
Then he asked quietly,
"Did something happen with Kōga?"
Ginrei had always protected his son carefully.
But Sōjun possessed the political instincts expected of a great noble. And his father's tone had already revealed far more than he might have intended.
"Rumors are spreading about him inside the family."
Ginrei answered plainly.
Though Sōjun had not explained the reasoning behind his earlier judgment, Ginrei chose to trust his son's evaluation without hesitation. He understood better than anyone what kind of man his heir truly was.
"Targeting Kōga?" Sōjun asked.
"More likely targeting you," Ginrei replied.
"As your future right-hand man, Kōga's arrival has already affected the interests of quite a few people within the household."
Originally, Kōga had been brought into the family for a simple purpose:
To shield Sōjun.
Whether he lived or died, his role would still serve the clan.
"Of course," Ginrei continued calmly,
"we never expected him to possess particularly strong political awareness."
Sōjun's health had only begun improving recently. And aside from Ginrei, Sōjun, and Byakuya, no one else had been informed of the change.
Ginrei had originally intended to keep the matter even from his grandson.
But Sōjun had never hidden anything from Byakuya.
"Kōga's talent as a Shinigami is undeniable," Ginrei said,
"but when it comes to navigating the currents of the noble world… his judgment is lacking."
"If the opportunity arises," he added quietly,
"give him a few reminders. Otherwise he may be used by those with ulterior motives."
"Yes, Father."
The casual conversation between father and son quietly determined the fate of numerous people both inside and outside the clan.
The breeze through the bamboo forest gradually faded.
"Where is Byakuya?" Ginrei asked.
He glanced toward the open doors of the clan's training hall.
That area was where Byakuya spent most of his time—either practicing swordsmanship near the pond or training Kidō inside the barrier-protected dojo.
"He went to the Shin'ō Academy," Sōjun replied.
He always kept track of his son's movements.
"That boy…" Ginrei muttered.
"Has he suddenly become diligent?"
Ginrei occasionally intervened in his grandson's education, but the details were mostly left to Sōjun.
"Not exactly," Sōjun said with a faint smile.
"He went to meet a friend."
"A friend?"
Ginrei's voice grew noticeably more serious.
For people of their status, the concept of friendship was almost a luxury.
"The student who visited the house before?" Ginrei asked.
"Yes."
Sōjun nodded.
"He dared to challenge Byakuya to a real sword duel. That at least shows some potential."
The incident at the Shin'ō Academy had clearly already reached Ginrei's ears.
"Sōjun."
Ginrei suddenly stopped walking.
"It may be early, but since Byakuya has entered the Shin'ō Academy, we should not waste this opportunity."
"His friend specializes in Kidō, correct?"
"Find a copy of… what was his spiritual pressure rating during the test last time?"
"Seventh Class."
"Seventh Class spiritual pressure… quite respectable for his age."
"Still far behind Kōga, of course, but enough to warrant some investment."
Ginrei had seen far too much in his lifetime.
Even a Seventh Class spiritual pressure—roughly the level of a high-ranking seated officer—barely caught his attention.
"Give him a secret manuscript of Hadō #73 — Sōren Sōkatsui," Ginrei decided.
"Consider it a small gesture from the elders of the Kuchiki clan."
Hadō #73 was a high-level Kidō.
Obtaining it was difficult even for most Shinigami.
And the version preserved within the Kuchiki archives was a true secret manuscript, far more detailed than ordinary instructional texts.
Sōjun suddenly hesitated.
Ginrei noticed immediately.
"What is it?"
"I don't think that will be necessary."
"Oh?"
Ginrei turned to face his son.
Sōjun was a man with strong opinions, but he had never directly opposed Ginrei's decisions before.
"Explain."
"Before Byakuya left for the academy, I already had him bring a gift."
"Although… he himself didn't realize it."
"…Good."
Ginrei nodded in approval.
Just as he searched for capable retainers for Sōjun, Sōjun was clearly preparing the road for Byakuya's future.
Shin'ō Academy students might be weak, but at least their backgrounds were relatively clean.
And prodigies like Kōga were not easily found.
"So you had Byakuya deliver the manuscript of Sōren Sōkatsui?"
"…No."
Sōjun smiled faintly.
"Not that."
"Hmm?"
Ginrei's curiosity deepened.
"Compared to advanced Kidō," Sōjun said,
"I prepared something more suitable for that child."
"What?"
"The Tenjōgan Pill."
Ginrei's aged eyes sharpened instantly.
Yet he did not scold his son.
Instead, his expression quickly returned to calm.
"The Kuchiki clan is not in the habit of charity."
"Even if it is no longer needed, you understand the value of that pill better than anyone."
"Would the Shihōin clan casually give away one of their Heavenly Armaments?"
The Four Great Noble Houses each controlled different forms of wealth.
The Kuchiki clan's greatest strength lay in their Kidō archives.
Offering a Kidō manuscript as a gift posed minimal risk to the clan's true power.
But other treasures were another matter entirely.
The Shihōin clan, known as the Heavenly Armament House, rarely gave away their legendary weapons.
On the other hand, their Shunpo techniques were considered tradable knowledge.
"Lady Yoruichi has given Byakuya quite a few 'toys,'" Sōjun said.
"That woman is simply reckless!"
Ginrei nearly lost his composure at the mention of Yoruichi Shihōin, whose behavior often defied noble expectations.
"But our relationship with the Shihōin clan has indeed grown closer," Sōjun continued calmly.
"And the pressure from the Tsunayashiro clan has lessened as a result."
The Tsunayashiro clan—first among the Four Great Noble Houses—had long suppressed the Kuchiki clan's influence.
"…Continue," Ginrei said quietly.
"Family wealth accumulates over generations," Sōjun said.
"But exchanging a treasure we may not use for many years… for a truly trustworthy friend…"
"I believe that is worthwhile."
"You hold that student in high regard," Ginrei observed.
"Are you not afraid you might be mistaken?"
"Father."
Sōjun placed a hand on the hilt of his Zanpakutō.
"You know my Zanpakutō's ability better than anyone."
"…You released it?"
Ginrei's voice carried genuine surprise.
Sōjun's Zanpakutō possessed an unusual power. Considering his fragile health at the time, he should never have used it lightly.
Especially not merely to test a student from the academy.
"I feel a little guilty toward the boy," Sōjun admitted.
"But if he is Byakuya's friend, I cannot simply ignore him."
"…What color?"
"White."
Sōjun's Zanpakutō revealed emotional truth through colors.
"Nothing else?"
"A trace of yellow. Negligible."
"…Rare indeed."
Ginrei frowned slightly.
"If I remember correctly, that boy's reputation at the academy is not particularly impressive."
Haruto had a reputation for being opportunistic.
"But even so—"
"True friendship," Sōjun interrupted gently,
"is far more valuable than opportunists drawn by the name of the Kuchiki clan."
"The latter are easier to control."
"But aside from Kōga, most of them are simply mediocre."
"…You're right."
Ginrei nodded with satisfaction.
"Oh, Father."
"What is it?"
They were approaching the main hall.
Once inside, countless ears would surround them.
"This may sound strange," Sōjun said,
"but regarding the Hollow fragment used in the Tenjōgan Pill… are you certain it won't cause negative effects?"
"You mean the symptoms I experienced when I first took it?"
"Yes."
Haruto had guessed correctly.
When Sōjun first consumed the pill, a Hollow mask-like shadow had briefly appeared across his face.
But that power had been immediately suppressed by Ginrei.
Ukitake Jūshirō, the first test subject, had experienced the same phenomenon.
However, Ukitake had destroyed the Hollow influence through his own strength.
"Without captain-level suppression," Sōjun said quietly,
"I'm worried…"
"Sōjun," Ginrei interrupted.
"You are too kind."
"Isn't this situation perfect?"
"You did not hide the ingredients from Byakuya. And that boy undoubtedly told his friend."
Ginrei knew his grandson's personality well.
"So when the side effects eventually appear," he continued calmly,
"the student will naturally come to us seeking help."
"If you truly value him so highly, would that not be the perfect opportunity to bind him to the Kuchiki clan?"
Ginrei paused before adding,
"Of course… if he can suppress that power on his own, I will sincerely be happy for Byakuya."
"Such talented friends are rare indeed."
Sōjun did not respond.
He knew his father's reasoning was correct.
It was precisely this meticulous way of thinking that had allowed the Kuchiki clan to endure as a great noble house for centuries.
Unlike the neighboring Shiba clan, who had lost their noble status entirely.
Yet Sōjun's personal approach differed greatly from Ginrei's.
As they stepped into the clan's council chamber, Sōjun glanced briefly at the darkening sky.
The Tenjōgan Pill.
As one of the direct beneficiaries of Kirio Hikifune's creation, Sōjun understood its nature better than anyone.
A fragment of spiritual pressure from a Vasto Lorde.
The Kuchiki clan prided itself on moral integrity.
A family head's record could never contain even the slightest stain—especially not contact with Hollow power.
Therefore the Hollow fragment used to create the pill could never have originated from the Kuchiki family's own stores.
Such things could not exist within the possessions of a great noble house.
And lesser nobles were unworthy of them.
Which meant only one possibility remained.
It had been a gift from the heavens.