"No, this isn't a farce!"
Hiyori gritted her teeth, her hands clenched tightly into fists.
Kazuma looked at her, a trace of guilt flashing through his eyes.
"Hiyori, I know this is cruel to Shinji Hirako and the others, but it's also for your own good. A thousand years ago, many Shinigami died in that war. Some of the captains sitting here were killed in battle too. If their strength isn't raised, they'll only become cannon fodder. All of this is for the bigger picture."
"So for the bigger picture, you sacrifice Shinji and the others?" Hiyori shouted angrily.
"Sacrifice? What sacrifice?" Kazuma replied. "They're alive and well. They only left Soul Society. Once the Aizen incident is over, if they want to return, Soul Society's gates will be open to welcome them.
"Maybe my words sound harsh, but you can ask Captain Kumoi. He tested Shinji and the others himself this time, so he has the most right to speak."
Hiyori's reddened eyes turned toward Entetsu Kumoi.
"Girl, Kazuma is right," Entetsu said. "Aside from Shinji Hirako and Kisuke Urahara, the rest of those friends of yours are nothing but rabble. If they faced the current Quincy, they might be cut down in a single exchange. Is that the result you want to see?"
Hiyori fell silent.
Her heart was tangled with conflict.
She understood how cruel reality was.
Either Shinji and the others could live carefree lives in Soul Society and eventually be killed by the Quincy, or they could be forced to grow stronger and avoid becoming cannon fodder.
Between those two choices, which was better and which was worse was obvious.
Seeing this, Kazuma pressed on while the iron was hot.
"If you still think there's a problem with what we did, I can return to Soul Society immediately, kill Aizen, restore Shinji and the others' reputations, then quietly wait for the Quincy to return and slaughter them like chicks."
Hearing those words, Hiyori gradually calmed down.
She was not unreasonable.
She only felt that what happened to Shinji and the others had been unfair.
Kazuma took a deep breath and said firmly, "I understand that this is hard for you to accept, but this is the truth. However, it is also time for Aizen to be punished. The Captain-Commander and I will deal with this issue as soon as possible."
Yoruichi, who was in Kazuma's arms, did not react too strongly.
Her eyes were calm and deep, as though she had already seen through everything.
From the moment Aizen framed them until now, and from Kazuma's unusual behavior, she and Kisuke had actually guessed some things long ago.
When Kazuma previously told them that he and the Captain-Commander had only discovered Aizen's conspiracy later, Shinji and the others might have believed it completely, but Yoruichi and Urahara would not believe it so easily.
Because everything had been far too coincidental.
So coincidental that it made people uneasy.
Seeing Hiyori gradually quiet down, Kazuma's gaze sharpened again.
He took a deep breath and began discussing the next matter.
Central 46.
"Everyone, there is actually another reason why we allowed Aizen to continue acting recklessly. That reason is Central 46."
Hearing this, the captains present all showed surprised expressions.
"Central 46? You mean those old bastards who always like interfering with the affairs of the Gotei 13?"
Everyone had plenty of opinions about that institution.
"Yes, them," Kazuma said. "If Aizen wants to smoothly advance his plan, he will inevitably need to use Central 46 to issue certain orders. Therefore, the fate of those old fools is easy to predict."
Someone questioned him.
"Aizen can use Kyōka Suigetsu to hypnotize the sages of Central 46. Why are you so sure he'll kill those old men?"
Kazuma answered with confidence, "From the moment I got to know Aizen and entered the Gotei 13, I've been watching him. My understanding of Aizen is far beyond yours.
"Aizen is an extremely proud man. He has always longed to become stronger, even to stand at the very peak. Although his methods may be somewhat extreme, someone like him absolutely cannot tolerate the behavior of those people in Central 46.
"So we can use Aizen's hand to accomplish something we ourselves are not suited to do.
"That is, kill them all."
It had to be said, Kazuma's move was practically perfect.
Not only would it remove Central 46, but he would not have to take the blame either.
That blame could be pushed onto Aizen.
After all, Aizen was going to be punished anyway, so letting him make use of his remaining value was not a bad thing.
"I intend to completely abolish Central 46 after Aizen kills them all," Kazuma said calmly. "The affairs of the Gotei 13 have never needed that group of old fools interfering. Establishing that institution in the first place was a mistake."
"Aren't you afraid the nobles will object?" Nobutsuna asked.
"Object?"
Kazuma's expression turned domineering.
"If they object, they can ask my blade! My blade can discuss it with them. I don't mind letting Soul Society have a few fewer nobles."
"All right. That's the current situation. During this period, all of you can continue staying in Karakura Town, or you can go around and take a look. The World of the Living has changed a great deal."
After saying that, Kazuma was the first to leave the meeting room.
After hearing Kazuma's words, everyone began discussing among themselves.
Some agreed with his plan, thinking it was a good way to solve two problems at once.
Others worried that doing so would provoke dissatisfaction and resistance from the nobles.
At that moment, a voice rang out.
"I support Kazuma's decision."
Everyone turned toward the speaker.
It was Chika Shihōin.
He continued, "Central 46's existence has already affected the normal operation of the Gotei 13. They should never have interfered with the work of the Shinigami in the first place."
Seeing that even Chika Shihōin had voiced his support, the others also expressed their agreement.
As the head of one of the Five Great Noble Clans, if even he supported the decision, then the others had even less reason to oppose it.
"Since everyone agrees, then next, we'll wait for Aizen to act. At the same time, we must prepare for any situation that may arise."
...
Sunlight spilled across the courtyard.
Kazuma sat comfortably in a rocking chair, lazily petting Yoruichi.
Before long, Batsu'unsai also walked out of the meeting room.
Her expression was serious as she stared straight at Kazuma.
"Actually, you could have told me all of this from the beginning. Why did you keep hiding it from me and Saitō? Did you think we would become a burden to you?"
Kazuma hurriedly explained, "Don't overthink it. How could I possibly think that? I only wanted you to live peacefully and not be troubled by these messy matters. Besides, no matter what difficulties we encounter, I'll do everything I can to protect you."
He looked deeply at Batsu'unsai, his eyes full of affection.
Yoruichi struggled a few times in Kazuma's arms, as though dissatisfied with their public display of affection.
After all, this kind of sweet scene was truly unbearable.
She wanted nothing more than to leave a few claw marks on Kazuma's face.
However, Kazuma completely ignored Yoruichi's reaction and continued being lovey-dovey with Batsu'unsai.
After hearing Kazuma's words, the doubts in Batsu'unsai's heart gradually faded, but she was still a little angry.
She pouted and said coquettishly, "Hmph, you're always like this. You think you can solve every problem by yourself, but you don't know how worried we are about you. If something like this happens again, you must tell us immediately!"
After saying that, she reached for the soft flesh at Kazuma's waist with her Dragon Claw.
Kazuma grimaced in pain and quickly nodded in agreement.
He held Batsu'unsai's hand tightly and comforted her. "Don't worry, my dear wife. From now on, I'll be honest with you and won't make you worry anymore."
The two looked at each other and smiled, and the atmosphere became warm.
At that moment, Yoruichi finally could not endure it anymore.
She forcefully broke free from Kazuma's arms, jumped to the ground, glared angrily at the two of them, then quickly ran away.
Seeing this, Kazuma and Batsu'unsai could not help laughing.
That little fellow really was adorable.
Sunlight filtered through the gaps between the leaves, scattering mottled patches of light across the ground.
The courtyard was filled with laughter.
Everything seemed so peaceful and beautiful.
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