As an ambitious man, Tsunayashiro Tokinada recognized Kyōraku Callum as someone worth cultivating. A Zanpakutō with such capabilities held i
As an ambitious man, Tsunayashiro Tokinada recognized Kyōraku Callum as someone worth cultivating. A Zanpakutō with such capabilities held immense potential.
However, Kyōraku Callum's display of spiritual pressure had caused significant ripples throughout Soul Society, making Tsunayashiro Tokinada realize that he needed to act quickly or risk losing his chance.
After hearing Tsunayashiro Tokinada's explanation, Kyōraku Callum couldn't help but laugh.
"Should I praise your cleverness or condemn your stupidity?"
Tsunayashiro Tokinada, initially somewhat smug, was taken aback. His smile vanished, his brow furrowed.
"What do you mean?"
"Exactly what I said," Kyōraku Callum replied, raising his sake cup and draining it in one gulp. Due to Kyōraku Shunsui's preference for alcohol, tea was rarely found in the house, leaving Kyōraku Callum to regularly consume sake.
"The Tsunayashiro Clan is one of Soul Society's four noble families; your power is unparalleled.
However, thanks to your… unique methods, the clan's power has waned. But from your words and actions today, I can deduce a few things."
By the second sentence, Tsunayashiro Tokinada's expression had drastically changed. He sensed something was terribly wrong. This visit to Kyōraku Callum might be the worst decision of his life.
"First, you harbor even greater ambitions—surpassing the Central 46, perhaps ruling the three worlds?"
Tsunayashiro Tokinada's heart pounded, his face paling. Noticing the change in his demeanor, Kyōraku Callum's smile widened.
"Second, you truly believe that gathering some information about me constitutes leverage?"
The two rhetorical questions left Tsunayashiro Tokinada's face ashen. He looked as if he'd swallowed several flies. Before he could respond, Kyōraku Callum continued:
"While I lack concrete evidence, do you really believe your position as head of the family allows you to act so openly? Should I refresh your memory regarding the Tsunayashiro Clan's scandals?"
Two more pointed questions left Tsunayashiro Tokinada drenched in sweat, his rapid mental activity causing him to gasp for breath, looking utterly disheveled.
"Who... who are you?" he stammered.
Kyōraku Callum chuckled. "Me? I'm Kyōraku Callum, a member of Soul Society's Kyōraku noble family, a top graduate of the Shinigami Academy, and a Vice-Captain of the Fourth Division.
As the head of the Tsunayashiro Clan, controlling the information of history of Soul Society and maintaining surveillance, particularly the visual aspect and the image archives, you should know my identity."
Kyōraku Callum's approach to those who attempted to threaten him was simple: tit for tat. Judging by the results, it was quite effective.
Tsunayashiro Tokinada was consumed by fear. Those actions had seemed flawless, impossible to discover. Yet, Kyōraku Callum knew everything.
Kyōraku Callum's words completely shattered Tsunayashiro Tokinada's composure.
"Let me give you some advice," Kyōraku Callum said, his gaze condescending, like looking down on an insect.
"Vast ambition isn't inherently bad. But without the strength to match, it becomes an insurmountable disaster. The Enrakyōten's abilities won't let you replace the Central 46!"
Tsunayashiro Tokinada barely registered leaving Kyōraku's house. Back at his manor, he looked in a mirror and saw his reflection—a face of horror, his eyes vacant, like a living corpse.
His confidence, shattered by Kyōraku Callum's words, was beyond repair. He stared at his reflection, a wry smile playing on his lips. "So close, yet so far…" "It ends here!"
The next day, shocking news spread through Seireitei, from the Central 46 to the Gotei 13. Tsunayashiro Tokinada, head of one of the four noble families, had died at home. Cause of death: suicide.
Kyōraku Callum was astonished. "He actually committed suicide? A death by guilt? That doesn't seem right!" He doubted Tsunayashiro Tokinada, a man capable of destroying his own family, would be so easily broken. He knew few who were as ruthless, but even those weren't as fragile.
The situation was far more complex than it appeared. However, he had little time to ponder it. Although Tsunayashiro Tokinada's death was ruled a suicide, his visit to Kyōraku Callum the previous day was known to many, hardly a secret.
The Central 46 issued a mandate: question Kyōraku Callum about the events of the previous day. The enforcer? Byakuya Kuchiki, head of the Kuchiki Clan, one of the four noble families.
"Sigh…" Byakuya Kuchiki sighed, looking at the relaxed Kyōraku Callum. "Tell me, what did you two discuss that led to Tsunayashiro Tokinada's suicide?"
Kyōraku Callum, fond of the Kuchiki Clan's special sake—a sweet, sakura-flavored brew—enjoyed the limited supply. Byakuya Kuchiki had generously provided some to him.
Kyōraku Callum savored the taste. "What did we talk about? Just casual conversation, discussing my workload in the Fourth Division."
Byakuya Kuchiki looked at him skeptically. "When did you two become so close? I never knew."
Kyōraku Callum grinned mischievously. "Byakuya, are you jealous of my popularity?"
Byakuya Kuchiki's face darkened. "This is an interrogation, and you are the subject! The Central 46 suspects you're connected to Tsunayashiro Tokinada's death. And don't call me 'Byakuya'!"
Kyōraku Callum feigned compliance. "Yes, yes, I understand, Byakuya. I'll be more careful next time, Byakuya."
Byakuya Kuchiki clenched and unclenched his fist, defeated. "I'll help you cover this up with the Central 46. Also, yesterday Hisana reported that the Thirteenth Division's Third Seat died during a reconnaissance mission."
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