Just a few minutes ago, deep within the Central 46 Chambers, a drawn-out debate that had lasted for months finally neared its end.
Standing on the floor below the judge's dais, Kazewōji Mayuu—the head of the Kazewōji family—spoke with passionate fervor. Beside him stood a Shinigami in visibly poor condition, wearing a skeletal mask that emitted a low, guttural roar, and gripping tightly a Bakuyōtō.
It was Kazewōji Mayuu's first public unveiling of his masterpiece.
He intended to show the members of Central 46 that this new power—this entirely noble-born, entirely controlled force—was now stable and ready.
"As you can see, this is a power capable of overturning Soul Society's current combat hierarchy! And most importantly, it is a power controlled entirely by the nobility!"
He placed special emphasis on the second half of the statement.
The implications of his words were crystal clear.
Yet Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni, Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13 seated on the right side of the chamber, merely narrowed his eyes briefly and gave no other response.
"The Gotei 13 is all the strength Soul Society needs. We don't need another force—and we certainly don't need your dangerous inventions."
Yoruichi Shihōin, Captain of the Second Division, did not remain silent like Yamamoto. Her voice was sharp and full of disdain.
Hollowfication—how dangerous was that?
She had heard enough from Kisuke Urahara to know it was something that should never be forgiven, much less embraced.
Unfortunately, the one behind this was none other than Kazewōji Mayuu—the patriarch of a family just shy of being one of the Great Noble Houses.
Not only had he advanced this project to such a degree of refinement, but he'd also placed a noose around the necks of the remaining nobility—with Yamamoto at the center of it all.
No matter how much Yamamoto pledged loyalty, to the nobles seated atop Soul Society's throne of power… he was never truly one of them.
That's why they had spent generations embedding nobles within the Gotei 13, lobbying for noble captains.
If they could have a force exclusively loyal to noble control, independent of Yamamoto…
It was clear: many members of Central 46 were tempted.
Some even regretted allowing Yamamoto to attend today's meeting.
Then, just as silence thickened with implication, Yamamoto Genryūsai finally spoke:
"I have only one condition: members of the Bakuyō Corps must not be recruited from active-duty Shinigami."
Yamamoto knew—if they intended to reject the proposal, the verdict would've already been delivered. Their hesitation was solely because of him.
As expected, once he made his lone request, the proposition passed by overwhelming vote.
Kazewōji Mayuu accepted the written verdict with visible excitement.
The Bakuyō Corps was now official.
And with that, his ambition to make Kazewōji the sixth noble family—maybe even the new fifth—was within reach. After all, many had grown dissatisfied with the declining Shiba Clan.
But before Mayuu's fantasies could reach their peak, a violent explosion and crushing spiritual pressure shattered them.
"Bad news, Commander-General! At the Kazewōji estate—an unidentified humanoid entity has appeared! It resembles an Arrancar—but wields a Zanpakutō!"
A blood-soaked Shinigami burst into the chambers, breathlessly reporting to Yamamoto.
Because the trial had been conducted in secret, most ordinary Shinigami still didn't know about Hollowfication. But everyone present in Central 46 did.
"Impossible! As long as they hold their Bakuyōtō, the Hollowfication is completely suppressed! The balance is absolute! We've run countless trials without a single deviation!"
Kazewōji Mayuu roared in fury, lunging to seize the panicked messenger—only to be blocked by a tall, commanding figure.
"That might not be the case anymore, Lord Kazewōji Mayuu."
Kyōraku Shunsui, Captain of the Eighth Division, stepped forward, eyes sharp as a blade. The tension in the room erupted.
No one had anticipated this.
And worst of all… the timing.
Because Kazewōji Mayuu had promised to reveal something major today, Central 46 had unusually gathered seven captains on-site—including even the notorious Eleventh Division's Kenpachi Zaraki.
That meant only a handful of captains remained outside, able to respond quickly to incidents near the noble estates:
Jūshirō Ukitake of the Thirteenth—plagued by chronic illness and stationed mostly in the World of the Living.
Kirio Hikifune of the Twelfth—entirely absorbed in her research.
Kamikawa Ren'nosuke of the Third—on reserve for emergency support.
Makizōjin of the Tenth—assigned to routine patrols.
Unohana Retsu of the Fourth—focused on medical operations.
Muguruma Kensei of the Ninth—guarding the prison system.
Few of these were in a position to respond fast.
Which raised one simple, terrifying question:
Did Kazewōji Mayuu plan this?
"I would never! That wasn't my intention!"
Of course he understood what this looked like. Even if his Bakuyō Corps was capable… he had no reason to destroy Soul Society.
He had nothing to gain from ruling over ashes.
But at that very moment, within the Kazewōji estate, Higashi Shuuichi stood calmly—Bakuyōtō Raika in hand—watching as a deranged, fully Hollowfied Shinigami thrashed and howled before him.
At his feet lay the shattered remains of a second Bakuyōtō—its core being devoured by Raika.
"Kazewōji Mayuu would never be foolish enough to rebel outright. But he forgot—now that things have gone this far, someone has to betray him. Otherwise... he'll be the one left on Sōkyoku Hill."
Shuuichi's tone was icy.
"Someone has to pay. If it's not Kazewōji Mayuu… then it'll be Yunoi Yōkaku. The gears are turning. There's no stopping it now."
Beside him, Aizen gazed skyward with a faint smile.
"I wonder… will they find this spectacle pleasing?"
"Oh, they'll be thrilled, Lord Aizen. And if noble blood isn't enough—then let's spill a captain's to sweeten the scene."
Shuuichi's Shikai shimmered to life.
Through the eyes of a reconstituted reishi clone pulled from the Peach Blossom Realm, he watched the one rapidly approaching:
Tenth Division Captain Makizōjin.
The trap was sprung. The play, begun.
And now, it was time for the curtain to fall.