Blue spiritual particles flickered in a strange, stable formation, pulsing in a way that made the entire projection seem eerily real. As the arrangement of particles shifted, a new sequence of images unfolded before everyone's eyes.
In the footage, a vague figure appeared — unmistakably wearing Asano Kiyoshi's distinctive Shihakushō. Behind him, the setting was exactly the same: the same sea of flowers, the same Kimon gate — every detail matched.
Standing opposite this "Kiyoshi" was Kojirō, his face covered in blood. Behind Kojirō lay the corpse of a middle-aged woman. The night was utterly still, as if they stood under some massive graveyard.
Kojirō stared at the figure wielding Kiyoshi's unique Sumi-no-Ha blade, his voice hoarse, thick with hatred:
"So it really was you… Why?"
But "Kiyoshi" clearly had no interest in answering. He merely flicked the blood off his blade — the droplets splattering across Kojirō's face like molten shame.
Feeling the warmth of his own mother's blood, Kojirō's eyes nearly burst from their sockets. He drew his Zanpakutō — his entire body twisting unnaturally. His already half-white hair turned fully white; his skin shriveled, flesh sinking in as his life burned away for one final, desperate strike.
But before the outcome could play out, the blue screen trembled violently and the recording vanished — leaving only the chilling echo of a blade plunging into flesh: "Pshhk—!"
From the released Zanpakutō form, the special Shihakushō, and Kojirō's horrified reaction, it all seemed undeniable: the silhouette could only be Asano Kiyoshi.
As the projection faded, Captain Mayuri gave his verdict with his usual biting indifference:
"Hm. The data is real. Whether that's really Asano Kiyoshi, I don't know — don't ask me. I'm just telling you there's no trace of tampering. Whether it's true or false is up to you all to judge."
The moment Mayuri finished, Tsunayashiro Sōsuke's round, pale face was already streaked with tears. He pointed at Kiyoshi, voice trembling in a theatrical display of righteous rage:
"You beast in human skin! How could you bring yourself to murder a mother and her son?! Is this the mercy you claim to live by?! Is this how you 'heal' your classmates?! If not for this recording — I can't imagine how many more would die at the hands of a hypocrite like you!"
Emotion carried him forward — he staggered toward Kiyoshi as if he might attack him himself, only to be held back by two Tsunayashiro retainers. They too put on grief-stricken faces, crying out to the Head Captain and the councilors:
"Honored councilors! Does this footage not reveal Kiyoshi's true nature?! Will we turn a blind eye to such an inhuman monster just because of his status?! Where is the justice the nobility has sworn to uphold?! If we bend the rules for him, what is left of our righteousness?!"
Their pleas were so raw, so tragic, that even the coldest listeners felt their hearts ache — until all of it was sliced through by Mayuri's trademark acidic drawl:
"What are you clucking about like a bunch of hens? The forensics isn't done yet. Out of my way! You pests are blocking me!"
With his usual disdain, Mayuri snatched another recording handed over by Captain Kyōraku. Spiritual particles gathered again — replaying the same summer festival scene for all to see.
This time, they saw it clearly: Kiyoshi entering the house; Kojirō leading him out afterward — every moment captured in perfect detail.
Mayuri scratched his chin, that bizarre headgear bobbing with his mocking grin:
"Mmm~ This footage is real too. Fascinating. But figuring out which recording proves what — that's your problem, not mine. Heehee~"
Two genuine pieces of footage?!Now it was the Tsunayashiro faction's turn to be dumbfounded.
How could this be? Hadn't we confirmed there were no recordings that night?! Why does another exist?!
Watching the clan's stunned faces, Gin Ichimaru cast a sideways glance at the quietly smiling Aizen — a fleeting, imperceptible shock flickering behind his fox-like eyes:
"Aizen… Just how much have you hidden from even me? The more I understand you, the clearer it is: I'm caught in a trap you wove long ago. And yet… if it's for her, then so be it."
Kyōraku laughed lightly, seeing the confusion in the chamber:
"Ah~ So there are two versions now, huh? I guess I just recorded it for fun that night. Who knew it'd come in handy? Right, Kiyo?"
Kiyoshi instantly understood: Kyōraku had given him the advantage — the initiative to strike back. He stepped forward and met Tsunayashiro Sōsuke's eyes, calm but firm:
"Clan Leader Tsunayashiro — I have a few questions for you. First: how long has Kojirō been dead? Second: exactly what time did he die? Third: how long did the final fireworks at the summer festival last?"
The moment he said it, everyone realized something crucial:In Kiyoshi's recording, the festival fireworks blazed in the sky the whole time — but in the Tsunayashiro footage, the night was silent, empty as a grave.
It didn't match!Aside from that festival night, Kiyoshi had never left the 1st Division's barracks!
Tsunayashiro Sōsuke's grief-stricken face froze, his tears evaporating into a stony silence.
Then, a gentle voice rang through the tense hall — Unohana's bright smile warm as sunlight, yet her words sharp as a blade:
"According to the joint autopsy by Squad Four and Squad Twelve, both Kojirō and his mother had been dead for over a day. As for the exact hour — that we did not determine. I'm sure, as the clan head who cares so deeply for his kin, Lord Tsunayashiro can tell us the precise time… can't he?"
Her words slammed the final nail in the Tsunayashiro's coffin — the time of death didn't match Kiyoshi's movements at all!
The atmosphere turned stifling and absurd. A moment ago, these same nobles had wept with righteous fury — now they looked like pitiful clowns. Disgust, silence, awkward fidgeting, frantic panic — all of it flickered across the chamber.
Only one mystery remained:Who was the figure in that projection — so perfectly mimicking Kiyoshi's released Zanpakutō and uniform?
Yet, for Yamamoto and Unohana, this was no puzzle at all. They alone understood the blade in question — the blade that could mirror all things.
It devours the four seas, coils across the ends of the earth!It overwrites and carves through all creation!— Enra Kyōten! (Crimson Veil Mirror Canon!)
T/N: For up to 30 chapters ahead on my translations, become a p@tron at [email protected]/LordHipposApostle