[Soul Society, the Kuchiki Estate]
Inside the reception hall, the four walls of the room were constructed from top-grade cypress wood. The grain was clear, releasing a faint, refreshing fragrance.
On the shoji screens were painted tranquil landscape scenes, the brushwork light and elegant, the artistic conception deep and far-reaching.
At the very center stood a black sandalwood low table of moderate width, its surface polished smooth like a mirror, reflecting the gentle light filtering in from the garden outside. Finely patterned tatami mats covered the surrounding floor, every detail immaculate beyond reproach.
At this moment, Kuchiki Byakuya sat upright at the seat of honor by the low table.
He wore a perfectly tailored shihakusho, over which rested the pure white haori that symbolized his status as a captain. His posture was straight like a pine, without a single superfluous movement.
On his handsome yet cold face, his expression was utterly calm. His eyes were deep and tranquil, like an ancient well with no visible bottom.
Even while receiving a guest, the unassailable dignity and distance befitting the head of a noble house radiated from him without the slightest reduction.
The tea was clear, steam curling upward.
"Please, have some tea."
Kuchiki Byakuya slowly extended his hand, gently placing the exquisite teacup on the table before his guest, then made a gesture of invitation.
Sitting opposite him, Rosse did not stand on ceremony. He picked up the teacup and took a light sip, then praised it aloud, "The tea of the Kuchiki family has a bit more bitterness than that of the Shiba family, but the aftertaste is incomparably sweet."
"As long as Captain Rosse enjoys it," Kuchiki Byakuya's expression was flawless. Seeing that Rosse's tea had lessened, he proactively refilled it.
Only after attending to Rosse did he begin to drink his own tea.
The flavor leaned toward sweetness, without the slightest hint of bitterness.
The tea the Kuchiki family used for themselves was always extremely bitter, but to the Kuchiki, that was a form of training.
When entertaining guests, they would usually choose the most palatable tea. There should not have been any bitterness like the one Rosse mentioned.
Yet Kuchiki Byakuya knew very well.
This tea, normally incomparably sweet, indeed carried a trace of bitterness today.
It was just that he had not yet tasted the sweetness of the aftertaste.
His refined upbringing ultimately allowed Kuchiki Byakuya to restrain himself.
He did not bring up the main purpose of inviting Rosse today, instead chatting about various idle topics.
These included the various symbols and heirlooms of the Kuchiki family, as well as some everyday information about Soul Society.
The content was rather rigid, more like an exchange between old scholars than a pleasant conversation between friends.
On the other side, Rosse showed no sign of impatience either.
If the host was not in a hurry, why should he, the invited guest, be?
Sipping tea and appreciating the scenery of the Kuchiki garden was a perfectly fine way to pass the time.
After chatting for roughly half an hour, Kuchiki Byakuya finally felt it was about time and slowly steered the conversation to the main point:
"Captain Rosse, yesterday a human from the living world entered Soul Society. Shortly afterward, Captain-Commander Yamamoto's spiritual pressure recovered."
"Oh? That kind of thing happened? That is good news for Captain-Commander Yamamoto. But if that is the case, why was no one else informed?", Rosse said pointedly.
"According to the laws set by Captain-Commander Yamamoto and the noble houses at the time, privately bringing a human into Soul Society carries the same crime as bestowing Shinigami power upon a human," Kuchiki Byakuya spoke casually, as if merely discussing Soul Society's legislation.
But his meaning was obvious to anyone listening.
The previous case of granting Shinigami power to a human was his adopted sister, Kuchiki Rukia.
Now Rukia had been sentenced to death by Central 46, with the execution scheduled for the near future. This outcome had completely exceeded everyone's expectations.
Under circumstances where all the sages of the Kuchiki family had voted against it, for the verdict to still pass could only mean that Captain-Commander Yamamoto and the other noble houses had jointly applied pressure.
As for the reasons behind doing so, there were simply too many.
Perhaps they felt the Kuchiki family had grown too dominant. Perhaps they disliked how close the Kuchiki were to Rosse. Perhaps it was Captain-Commander Yamamoto expressing his dissatisfaction. All of these were very real possibilities.
The Kuchiki family did not need to dwell on such things. Their rules had always been simple.
If someone dared to make a move against the Kuchiki family, then they had better be prepared to become their enemy.
"In theory, that is indeed the case. But first, we need to find that human and initiate a Central 46 trial against her," Following Kuchiki Byakuya's words, Rosse expressed his own stance.
His position within Soul Society had always been clear.
He did not stand on the side of the nobles. He stood on the side of the Gotei 13.
Simply put, whoever supported the Gotei 13 was one of his own.
And Kuchiki Byakuya, as one of the earliest captains to support him and also a captain of the Gotei 13, naturally gave him reason to step in.
What was more, the trial of Rukia might have appeared to target the Kuchiki family on the surface, but in reality, it also placed the Shiba family and himself within its scope.
"I already have the human's whereabouts. It only depends on whether Captain Rosse dares to break into the Eighth Division with me," Kuchiki Byakuya did not even lift his eyes as he laid out his plan.
As long as they found that person, they could initiate a Central 46 trial according to the rules.
The last trial had cost the Kuchiki family dearly.
This time, they intended to take everything back.
In terms of strength, even if the entire Kuchiki family were bound together, they might still not compare to Captain-Commander Yamamoto.
But within the arena of the noble houses, even two Captain-Commander Yamamotos might not outweigh the prestige of the Kuchiki name.
What was more, after Captain-Commander Yamamoto's previous defeat, his authority had taken a serious hit.
And this time, the target was not that human or Captain-Commander Yamamoto, but Kyoraku Shunsui, who had brought the human into Soul Society.
As for what outcome awaited that human, he did not care in the slightest.
"Since Captain Kuchiki is willing to vouch for this personally, I believe the Second Division and the Tenth Division have the authority to conduct a search of the Eighth Division," Rosse said with a smile.
The Second Division specialized in investigations, while the Tenth Division was responsible for security.
Although these were their previous functions, and after the addition of the Rukongai districts the divisions had gained broader authority, those original duties were still carried out by the respective divisions.
In theory, this matter really should be handled by the Second and Tenth Divisions.
And conveniently, both divisions were his people.
The two continued to converse for some time before Kuchiki Byakuya personally escorted Rosse to the gate of the Kuchiki estate.
"Captain Rosse, the Kuchiki family will be your fervent supporter," Looking at Rosse, with whom he had spoken so pleasantly today, Kuchiki Byakuya solemnly made his promise.
"Aren't we already friends?", Rosse smiled and waved at Kuchiki Byakuya.
"The operation will be tonight. Captain Kuchiki just needs to lead us to the person. As for Rukia, although I do not quite understand why the Kuchiki family cannot act directly, whether it is your personal request or the Shiba family's appeal, I will see it through to the end," After a brief pause, a sharp glint surfaced on Rosse's amiable face, "If necessary, I do not mind drawing my sword against Captain-Commander Yamamoto."
Only then did Rosse turn and depart from the Kuchiki estate, leaving behind Kuchiki Byakuya, who was still bent at the waist in farewell toward the direction of his departure.
Only after Rosse disappeared from sight did Kuchiki Byakuya slowly straighten his back and walk back into the Kuchiki estate, leaving behind a lonely, desolate silhouette.
═❀═❀═❀═❀═❀═❀═
[email protected]/AmbitiousTranslator
🥳Joining P@treon keeps me motivated and eager to work diligently, so please consider joining.🥰 You can access upto 20 advance chapter through P@treon.