When the news of Kuruyashiki Kenpachi's death reached the Seireitei, it unsurprisingly caused a massive uproar. However, it wasn't just anger—it was mostly debate.
A rare dispute arose within Central 46. One faction argued that Azashiro Sōya had been highly cooperative since his arrest and had now proven his strength. Furthermore, with the loss of the seventh-generation Kenpachi, Kuruyashiki Kenpachi, the Seireitei needed someone to fill the void. Although he had committed crimes, a century of imprisonment as punishment would suffice, and utilizing him would be more beneficial to the Seireitei.
Another faction insisted on the original verdict. Their reasoning was naturally that Azashiro Sōya's intentions were impossible to grasp, and there was now a massive possibility that he had orchestrated the attack on Central 46. Such an uncontrollable individual could not be allowed to live!
As for the fiercely loyal Kuruyashiki Kenpachi, who had achieved illustrious merits for the Seireitei, he was never even a factor in their considerations. The first to forget this Kenpachi were likely the very members of Central 46.
As for Yamamoto, his stance was absolute: Azashiro Sōya was to be killed on sight! Had this been a thousand years ago, there would have been no need for Central 46; he would have personally stepped in and eradicated the threat long ago.
But perhaps he had held his high position of authority for too long, or perhaps he had grown too comfortable. Both he and the Seireitei had become far more hesitant. It might have been due to the prolonged peace, or perhaps a sense of lethargy born from never encountering anything beyond their control.
Thus, his stance was clear, but not particularly vehement. Whether Azashiro Sōya lived or died, or whether he truly intended to submit, did not matter to him. If a disobedient child could be beaten once, he could naturally be beaten a second time!
The only difference between him and Central 46 was that Yamamoto still remembered Kuruyashiki as a good child, and he felt a sense of sorrow at his passing. Consequently, he ordered that all members of Squad 11 were permitted to temporarily abandon their current missions and return to the Seireitei to attend Kuruyashiki Kenpachi's funeral.
As for Azashiro Sōya's sentencing, Central 46 debated through the night without reaching a final verdict. However, they did arrive at one consensus: regardless of the outcome, bringing Azashiro Sōya back to the Seireitei was the correct first step. But they could not afford to lose another captain-level combatant in the process.
Kidō Corps Commander Tsukabishi Tessai, Squad 2 Captain Shihōin Dōzō, and Squad 6 Captain Kuchiki Ginrei were dispatched. However, they were instructed to capture the remaining fugitives first before joining Squad 8 Captain Kyōraku Shunsui and the Kidō Corps Vice Commander to enter the Ryūkai District and apprehend Azashiro Sōya.
Meanwhile, the Shinigami stationed in the Ryūkai District and the other 80th Districts of the Rukongai were ordered to immediately report any sightings of Azashiro Sōya and were strictly forbidden from acting rashly.
Although three additional captain-level combatants had been deployed, the actual pace of capturing Azashiro Sōya had slowed down. After all, the manhunt had been paused for nearly a day, and it would take time for the newly dispatched captains to reach their designated areas. During this interim, the pursuit forces were largely at a standstill.
However, two Shinigami were the exception to this rule: Kōe Shihouin and Kotetsu Isane. It wasn't hard to predict the stagnation of the manhunt or the decision to temporarily put Azashiro Sōya on the back burner.
He had to admit that this was the safest approach, but it was also the most detrimental to Kōe's own goals.
He still wanted to test his mettle against Azashiro Sōya, and it was best not to drag things out. He absolutely refused to believe that Azashiro Sōya hadn't paid a heavy price during his battle with Kuruyashiki Kenpachi. The sooner he found Azashiro Sōya, the greater his advantage would be.
Therefore, before the Seireitei's official orders could even be issued, he had already taken Kotetsu Isane and headed toward the Ryūkai District. But before that, he needed to find Uesawajiri Tama—or more accurately, he needed to find Uesawajiri Tama's group, who were transporting Kuruyashiki Kenpachi's corpse.
"Where is their latest location?" Kōe turned his head and shouted to Kotetsu Isane, whom he was currently carrying on his back.
"They just entered the 78th District!"
"The 78th District? Looks like they aren't far from us."
...
In the Gengxiao District, the 78th District of the Eastern Rukongai, Uesawajiri Tama and the five other squad members who had discovered Kuruyashiki Kenpachi's body were carrying a wooden coffin down the main road. Inside lay their beloved Captain. Because of this, even though they were moving at a rapid pace, the coffin in their hands didn't tremble in the slightest.
"Uesawa!"
A familiar voice called out ahead of them. Uesawa looked up to see Kōe Shihouin with Kotetsu Isane on his back. To be frank, the sight was somewhat disrespectful, and Uesawa couldn't help but frown.
"Is Kuruyashiki Kenpachi in there?" Kōe realized his lack of decorum, but in order to travel at top speed, he had no other choice.
Uesawa nodded. Being reminded of the tragedy made his eyes redden once more. He asked in a gruff voice, "What are you doing here?"
"We heard the news and came specifically to see Kenpachi off." Kōe pressed his hands together and bowed his head slightly. "Would you allow us to see him one last time?"
A few days prior, before Azashiro Sōya's escape, Kuruyashiki Kenpachi had constantly sought out Kōe Shihouin. The two of them seemed to have a very good relationship.
Uesawa didn't overthink it. He nodded and instructed the others to gently lower the coffin. When the lid was opened, Kuruyashiki Kenpachi lay with his eyes closed and his hands crossed over his chest, looking as though he were merely asleep.
The group moved to the foot of the coffin. Kōe and Kotetsu Isane stood at the front, with Uesawa and the others behind them. Pressing their hands together, they all bowed in unison to pay their respects to Kuruyashiki Kenpachi.
As they straightened up, Kōe pressed his face against his hands, whispering ashamedly to himself, "You were a respectable man. Please forgive my offense..."
"Uesawa, and the rest of you." Kōe turned around, taking two steps forward to face the six Shinigami. With a solemn expression, he asked, "Could you tell me everything you know regarding Azashiro Sōya?"
At the same time, Kotetsu Isane, hidden behind Kōe's figure, bent down and quietly extended her right hand. A faint white glow enveloped her palm as she began to discreetly examine Kuruyashiki Kenpachi's corpse.
Although it was highly disrespectful, this was the order Kōe Shihouin had given her. She needed to quickly inspect the wounds left on Kuruyashiki Kenpachi's body to help Kōe deduce Azashiro Sōya's method of attack.
As for why they were doing this, Kōe claimed it was to seek justice for Kuruyashiki Kenpachi. It sounded incredibly arrogant, but for some reason, she actually found herself believing him. He was a man who never fought a battle he wasn't confident in winning; perhaps this time would be no different.
There weren't many wounds on the corpse. Kotetsu Isane also conducted a brief internal examination of his body, but found no other abnormalities.
By the time she finished her clandestine autopsy, Kōe's conversation with Uesawa and the others was also coming to an end. Seeing Kotetsu Isane return to his side, Kōe couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
"Alright, I understand, Uesawa. I absolutely won't interfere in Squad 11's affairs, you can rest assured!"
After much persuasion, he finally managed to temporarily dispel the suspicions of Uesawa and his men. Using his ongoing capture mission as an excuse, he declined Uesawa's request to return and attend Kuruyashiki Kenpachi's funeral. Kōe watched as the six Shinigami departed from the Gengxiao District.
Failing to gather any more intelligence on Azashiro Sōya left him feeling a bit uneasy. He could only hope that Kotetsu Isane would have some pleasant surprises for him.
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