Even the ever-lazy Kyōraku Shunsui had started putting in effort, diligently practicing for an extended period—a rare sight indeed.
On the other hand, Uehara Shiroha continued his usual routine of playing music and dancing, completely unbothered by the tense atmosphere that had settled over Seireitei.
At this mont, Kyōraku Shunsui was pretending to rub his lower back, groaning dramatically as he complained,
"Ah, my old waist! I've been so busy lately that I haven't even had ti to enjoy a good drink. By the way, Shiroha, have you still not figured anything out about that matter?"
Despite the lighthearted tone, there was an underlying seriousness to his words. Even after two months, they had yet to pinpoint the origin of the sudden sense of crisis that had washed over them.
Because of this, the captains of the Gotei 13 had remained on high alert, their vigilance unwavering. Not even the thousand-year-old Captain-Commander, Kyōraku Shunsui, dared to let his guard down.
Uehara Shiroha, however, remained as carefree as ever. Holding a wine glass leisurely, he took a sip before answering,
"Brother Kyōraku, you know too well. Apart from having fun, I don't particularly concern myself with anything else. Besides, even if the sky were to collapse, isn't there always soone above to hold it up?"
His words were ambiguous, but Kyōraku Shunsui was no fool—he imdiately caught the deeper aning.
Shiroha had chosen not to report what had happened in Hueco Mundo, nor had he revealed the true power of Shunkyō's Bankai. One of the reasons for this was to ensure that Seireitei's Shinigami wouldn't grow too complacent. If they beca overly relaxed, they would be unprepared for the wave of major events looming on the horizon.
Fortunately, Seireitei was still in a relatively stable position. anwhile, in the shadows, the Invisible Empire was still celebrating Yhwach's "early awakening."
The Quincies, in their arrogance, believed that their so-called Great King was the only one capable of shaking the powerhouses of the Three Realms.
What a pity.
At this mont, Yhwach himself probably wasn't even capable of typing a question mark.
"The top, huh?"
Kyōraku Shunsui chuckled as he swirled the sake in his cup, his eyes narrowing with amusent. He had caught onto Uehara Shiroha's underlying ssage.
The "top" Shiroha was referring to was not rely the higher-ups of Seireitei. He was also alluding to the Royal Guard—the Zero Division that resided in the Soul King's Palace.
However, Kyōraku Shunsui had never held a particularly favorable opinion of those high-ranking nobles or even the Royal Guard itself. They might have been hailed as Seireitei's ultimate protectors, but in reality, they had done little to involve themselves in the struggles of the lower world.
With that in mind, he raised his cup slightly and remarked,
"Sotis, you can't just put all your hopes in others. Don't you think so, brother Shiroha?"
"Of course. In the end, you can only rely on yourself."
Then, he lifted his cup towards Kyōraku Shunsui and grinned mischievously.
"But don't think you can dump all the troubleso responsibilities on , Brother Kyōraku!"
He wasn't oblivious to Kyōraku's intentions. The latter was subtly trying to push him toward becoming a future captain. But Shiroha had no interest in that hassle.
Why deal with the burdens of a captain when he could enjoy his life as an emperor within the Court Army?
The two exchanged knowing smiles before clinking their cups together and taking a sip of their drinks.
There was an unspoken understanding between them—a conversation between smart n required no excess words.
In a luxurious private office, Uehara Shiroha sat comfortably as Ise Nanao placed a thick stack of docunts in front of him.
Unlike the usual paperwork, today's stack was particularly hefty.
He casually picked up the docunts and flipped through them. But as he skimd the contents, a flicker of intrigue flashed through his eyes.
So of these docunts... shouldn't be here.
They contained classified information about the Tsunayashiro family, including mber lists, barrier protocols, and secret orders.
Even more suspiciously, a faint, mist-like energy covered the pages, distorting the surface of the docunts in an unnatural way.
At that mont, Uehara Shiroha imdiately understood—this was the power of Kyōka Suigetsu.
Because of Aizen's illusionary ability, Ise Nanao had failed to notice anything unusual about these docunts.
Without revealing his thoughts, he calmly signed off on the paperwork. Once that was done, he indulged in so playful banter with Nanao before finally setting the signed docunts aside.
Only then did he return his attention to the mysterious files.
He read through them carefully, his gaze sharp.
Thanks to his previous experiences sneaking into the Tsunayashiro family estate, he could confirm that the contents of these docunts were authentic.
Aizen had attached Kyōka Suigetsu's illusion to these files as both a signature and a test.
It was a silent ssage:
"If you cannot even see through this, you are not qualified to cooperate with ."
Aizen was truly a scher—a master manipulator with countless tricks up his sleeve.
But Uehara Shiroha understood one thing very well:
The so-called "cooperation" between them was nothing more than a mutual exchange of interests—one built on caution and constant vigilance.
In the end, the benefits of Soul Society would belong to him, while the benefits of Hueco Mundo would go to Aizen.
For now, they were rely playing along—seeing everything but leaving it unspoken.
However, who would have the last laugh?
That would ultimately depend on their respective abilities, strategies, and hidden trump cards.
As that thought crossed his mind, Uehara Shiroha shifted his focus inward, looking at the task panel within his sea of consciousness.
A smirk tugged at the corners of his lips.
Three days later, deep within the eting hall of the Tsunayashiro family estate, the head of the family, Tsunayashiro Tokikawa, sat at the head of a long table, his piercing gaze sweeping over the five elders before him. The dim candlelight flickered, casting ominous shadows across the lavishly adorned chamber, enhancing the suffocating atmosphere.
With an air of absolute authority, he spoke in a calm, yet commanding tone,
"In recent days, there have been frequent disturbances within our family's barriers and enchantnts. This is not a re coincidence. It is a sign—one that should not be ignored. What are your thoughts on this matter?"
The five elders exchanged glances, their expressions dark and contemplative. A hushed murmur spread across the table as they began discussing the possible culprits behind these mysterious disruptions.
"The remnants of the lesser noble families lack the strength to pose such a threat. If soone is interfering, it must be the work of another great noble house."
"Could it be the Shiba family?" one elder speculated. "They have long held grievances against our actions."
"The Shiba?" another scoffed. "They've been exiled to Rukongai, their influence diminished. What could they possibly do in their current state?"
"Third Elder," a more cautious voice interjected, "do not underestimate them. They still possess the technology to launch the Tenshū Chariot. If they manage to gather enough resources, they might still be able to challenge us."
"Hmph," the Great Elder sneered. "If given the opportunity, we must eliminate them completely. The Shiba family should never be allowed a chance to regain their footing."
Another elder stroked his beard thoughtfully. "Perhaps it is the Shihōin family?"
"That Otsutsuki Naruto is indeed formidable," soone admitted. "But the Shihōin family has been cooperative as of late. It is unlikely they would betray us now."
At that mont, the strongest of the five elders, Tsunayashiro Shinken, hesitated before speaking in a low voice,
"I still rember the ominous sensation I felt two months ago… Could it be that the Spirit King…"
Before he could finish, Tsunayashiro Tokikawa abruptly cut him off, his voice sharp with warning.
"Fifth Elder, be mindful of your words!"
His words carried an undeniable weight, silencing the room instantly. The other four elders shot Tsunayashiro Shinken disapproving glares—his recklessness had nearly touched upon a forbidden subject.
Within the Tsunayashiro family, the Spirit King was not to be questioned. Even the re ntion of his existence in a speculative manner could be considered blasphemous.
A brief silence lingered before Tsunayashiro Tokikawa finally spoke again, his tone unwavering.
"No matter where this threat originates, we must act for the sake of the family. Effective imdiately, all key locations will have their defenses reinforced, and patrols will be doubled."
His voice grew colder, more ruthless.
"Furthermore, we will proceed with the plan—the systematic elimination of Fullbringers in the Human World. Their power belongs to us. We will reclaim what is rightfully ours."
The five elders nodded in agreent, their gazes filled with a mix of ambition and malice.
"re lowly ants have no right to wield the power of the Spirit King."
"Such strength can only reach its full potential in the hands of those who truly deserve it—us."
"Their sacrifice will be a small price to pay for the stability of the Three Realms."
Yet, despite their composed words, greed burned in their eyes. They were old—so of the oldest beings in Soul Society. But they desired more ti, more power.
Beneath the surface, under the guise of noble duty, the Tsunayashiro family had long been conducting forbidden experints. They had tampered with Hollowfication research, attempted soul fusion technology, and dabbled in countless unspeakable practices.
And yet, every experint had failed.
Now, their next target was the Fullbringers—beings whose powers originated from fragnts of the Spirit King himself.
To the Tsunayashiro, the logic was simple:
"If we can control their abilities, we can obtain the immortality of the Royal Guard—the Zero Division."
Tsunayashiro Tokikawa understood this well. And he fully intended to seize that power for himself.
After obtaining the secret intelligence on the Tsunayashiro family, Uehara Shiroha made no imdiate moves.
He wasn't in a rush.
The downfall of the Tsunayashiro family was inevitable.
They were a family despised by both heaven and earth. Their arrogance, their cruelty—it would all lead to their self-destruction.
Even without his interference, the cracks in their foundation were already beginning to show.
So instead of acting recklessly, Uehara Shiroha continued his daily life as usual, completing routine tasks and enjoying the pleasures of leisure.
Whenever he had ti, he would take casual strolls to the Video Hall.
With his mastery of hidden Kido techniques and his ability to erase his presence, he could freely access even the most heavily guarded areas of Soul Society.
The Video Hall, like the Great Spirit Book Gallery, was another highly classified departnt—one that had long been under Tsunayashiro control.
Its function?
To monitor the movents of the Human World, Soul Society, and eventually, even Hueco Mundo.
This departnt was, in essence, the "Sky Eye System" of the Three Realms.
Originally, it had been managed by all five great noble families. However, as the influence of the others declined, the Tsunayashiro family seized control, monopolizing the intelligence network for their own purposes.
And Uehara Shiroha had his eyes on it.
"A system this powerful should belong to the Court Army."
For that reason alone, the Tsunayashiro family had to fall.
In recent days, he had noticed a shift in their surveillance patterns.
They had increased security around the Video Hall, focusing their efforts on monitoring the Fullbringers in the Human World.
Even Tsunayashiro Tokinada had been dispatched.
Despite his past cris being exposed—his punishnt had been nothing more than the confiscation of his Zanpakutō.
Even his imprisonnt was a farce. Behind closed doors, he was treated no differently than a free man.
Seeing all of this, Uehara Shiroha knew—the Tsunayashiro family was about to make their move.
And sure enough, a few days later…
A summons from the Gotei 13 arrived.
A captain's eting had been called.
Although Uehara Shiroha was not officially a captain, his strength and status granted him the privilege to attend.
And today…
It wasn't a routine eting.
Sothing major had happened.
With that thought, he made his way to the Captain's Office.
By the ti he arrived, all the captains were already present, their expressions solemn.
As his gaze swept across the room, he found Kyōraku Shunsui seated at the head of the assembly.
The Captain-Commander, however, remained utterly unmoved.
As Uehara Shiroha entered the Captain's Office, the atmosphere inside was both tense and familiar.
Kyōraku Shunsui, ever the carefree man, greeted him with a wave and a lazy smile, as if this were nothing more than another routine gathering.
Nearby, Shiba Isshin—who, for once, was not sitting in his usual relaxed manner—gave Uehara a slight nod of acknowledgnt.
On the other hand, Zaraki Kenpachi was looking at him with unmistakable bloodthirsty excitent, his manic grin stretching from ear to ear. It was as if he had just discovered a rare, priceless treasure that he was itching to test his blade against.
anwhile, Ichimaru Gin and Aizen stood together—two masters of deception.
Gin, ever the enigma, had his usual fox-like grin, his eyes closed in amusent as if he were simply enjoying a good show. Aizen, however, wore a thoughtful expression, his brow slightly furrowed—a man burdened by the weight of the world or, at least, soone who wanted to appear that way.
The other captains held their usual expressions.
Suì-Fēng, Unohana Retsu, and Tōsen Kana remained as indifferent as ever, their faces unreadable, as if this eting had nothing to do with them.
Kurotsuchi Mayuri and Komamura Sajin were difficult to read. One hid his face beneath an elaborate mask, the other beneath a canine visage. Whatever their thoughts, they remained silent.
What stood out most, however, was the presence of Ukitake Jūshirō.
The Captain of the 13th Division, who had been absent from several previous etings due to his illness, had unexpectedly decided to attend today.
But his expression was grim. His face was even paler than usual, his sickly complexion making him look as fragile as a dying ghost. It was clear that sothing was weighing on him.
Just as Uehara Shiroha was settling in, the air suddenly grew heavy.
Thud.
The sound of a cane striking the floor silenced the entire room.
At the head of the assembly, Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni, the unwavering Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13, stood firm. His aged yet powerful voice rang out:
"The Visual Departnt has just sent us urgent intelligence."
His eyes swept across the gathered captains, his tone carrying a weight that brooked no argunt.
"The current Substitute Shinigami, Ginjo Kūgo, has reportedly slaughtered a large number of Fullbringers."
A heavy silence followed his words.
The na Ginjo Kūgo sent a ripple of subtle reactions through the room.
Uehara Shiroha's eyes sharpened slightly.
"So… the Tsunayashiro family has made its move, huh?"
Just as he had expected, they were using Ginjo Kūgo as a scapegoat to justify their actions against the Fullbringers.
In the original history, Ginjo Kūgo, feeling betrayed by Soul Society, sought revenge by trying to steal Kurosaki Ichigo's power.
The result?
Ichigo, in his Fullbring-enhanced form, crushed him with overwhelming force, ending his life.
"What a joke," Uehara thought. "A man who was supposed to be Soul Society's first-ever recognized Substitute Shinigami… turned into nothing more than a scapegoat for the cris of the Tsunayashiro."
A pure tragedy of injustice.
At that mont, Ukitake Jūshirō let out a weak cough before speaking.
"Ahem… I have had the most contact with Ginjo Kūgo. I know his character well. He is not the type of man to commit such an atrocity. Could there be a mistake?"
His voice, though gentle, carried firm conviction.
After all, Ginjo Kūgo had been the first human officially acknowledged by Soul Society. And Ukitake Jūshirō had played a key role in making that happen.
If not for his trust and personal recomndation, Ginjo Kūgo would have never been granted the status of Substitute Shinigami.
His trust in the man was unwavering.
Kyōraku Shunsui sighed, rubbing his temples before responding,
"Jūshirō… the Tsunayashiro family has already reached a verdict on this matter."
His usual easygoing tone was tinged with subtle disdain.
"According to their 'investigation,' Ginjo Kūgo—who is allegedly a Fullbringer himself—gathered a large group of his kind in an attempt to steal their power. When his plan failed, he massacred them to erase the evidence."
His voice grew heavier.
"The Central 46 has issued an official decree: Ginjo Kūgo's Substitute Shinigami status is revoked, and a wanted order has been issued for his imdiate capture—or elimination."
Although Kyōraku Shunsui despised the Tsunayashiro family, he was not the type to blindly trust Ginjo Kūgo either.
However, upon hearing the involvent of the nobles—especially the Tsunayashiro—Ukitake's expression darkened.
"Tsunayashiro…"
His hands tightened into fists as he coughed violently, struggling to suppress his emotions.
Despite his failing health, he spoke with determined resolve,
"Ginjo Kūgo did form an organization composed primarily of Fullbringers… But that was never about power or control."
He took a deep breath before continuing,
"It was to protect them—to keep them safe from those who would exploit or eliminate them. He would never do sothing like this."
His words hung in the air, but Kyōraku Shunsui remained noncommittal.
The two old friends were starkly different in their perspectives.
Ukitake Jūshirō believed in the inherent goodness of people, choosing to see hope and redemption even in the worst individuals.
Kyōraku Shunsui, on the other hand, had a more pragmatic, skeptical view of the world. He understood that power and deception often dictated reality.
More than a hundred years ago, Ukitake had given Tsunayashiro Tokinada the chance to atone for his cris, believing that even soone like him could be redeed.
In contrast, Kyōraku had wanted to send him straight to Hell, ensuring he could never be reborn.
Watching the two of them now, Uehara Shiroha found it all rather amusing.
Here were two n, so vastly different in personality:
One mature and steady, the other lazy and carefree.
One believed in human nature's goodness, the other was a born scher.
One upheld the dignity of warriors, refusing to interfere when his subordinates fell. The other would do anything to protect his people.
One carried a power connected to divinity itself. The other wielded a Zanpakutō made to oppose divine power.
And yet, despite all these differences, they had sohow beco the best of friends.
Perhaps, at the core of it all, it was because both were willing to sacrifice everything for the sake of Soul Society.
At that mont, Ichimaru Gin lazily tilted his head and asked,
"By the way… what exactly is a Fullbringer?"
Aizen, ever the scholar, adjusted his glasses and responded with a patient tone,
"Fullbringers are humans who can manipulate spiritual particles and control material souls. Their abilities bear similarities to Hollows, allowing them to rge different souls."
He continued,
"This is due to their mothers being attacked by Hollows while they were still in the womb, infecting them with Hollow-like powers. This connection allows them to fuse their own Reiatsu with objects, forming unique spiritual tools—not unlike the Zanpakutō we Shinigami wield."
The other captains nodded in understanding.
Only Uehara Shiroha smirked inwardly.
Aizen was lying through his teeth.
The real reason Fullbringers had their powers?
The fragnts of the Soul King embedded within them.
And Aizen, of all people, knew this very well.
It is hard to say whether the other party said this to establish a character or to satisfy so kind of bad taste.
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