"Trash should stop complaining."
Yūshirō Shihōin casually dug a finger in his ear, his posture radiating arrogance—the very image of an untouchable tyrant.
"Trash?!"
"Who are you calling trash?! "
"Are you saying that I, a genius, am trash?! "
The heir of the Tsunayashiro Clan bristled with rage the moment that taboo word hit his ears. He couldn't stand being called trash.
"No, no, no…"
"You misunderstood, young master of the Tsunayashiro Clan~"
Yūshirō shook his head with mock panic, feigning innocence.
"Hmph! So you know you've misspoken, and now you want to apologize? " The Tsunayashiro heir folded his arms and nodded smugly. "Since you're a fellow heir of a Great Noble House, I might forgive you."
"See? You're misunderstanding me again." Yūshirō let out a sigh, then smiled faintly. "I wasn't talking about you. I was saying everyone here who couldn't even step onto the Main Approach of the Soul King's Palace… is trash."
"…"
Silence.
The kind of silence where you could hear a pin drop.
Every noble heir and princess stared at Yūshirō like they'd just been slapped across the face by the most disrespectful statement they had ever heard in their lives.
"Hmph~"
Yūshirō's lips curled into a smirk. Even with his eyes hidden behind that black blindfold, they could feel his gaze—cold, condescending, as if they were garbage beneath his feet.
Smack!
The next second, Yūshirō got hit.
"Why, Sis?! "
Holding his head, Yūshirō stared at his sister with a wounded expression.
"What do you take my friends for?! "
Yoruichi Shihōin's flawless face was taut with veins of anger, her sharp tone cutting through the air.
"Friends? " Yūshirō blinked. Then he froze for a beat—before realization hit. His head swiveled toward the lone figure among the so-called trash, the one wiping tears from her eyes. "Kōkaku! You know I didn't mean you, right? That last part doesn't count! It doesn't count! "
"It's fine. I don't care at all."
Kōkaku Shiba stared blankly at him, her soul shattered. What does it feel like to be called trash by your best friend's little brother? She could write a book about it now.
"Ahem! " Yūshirō coughed into his fist and raised his voice. "Let me rephrase that, then. Everyone who couldn't get past the Main Approach… except Kōkaku-neesan… is trash."
"Don't explain. I understand."
Tears streamed from Kōkaku's eyes like autumn rain. Ah… today's wind is especially noisy.
"Bastard… Did you just call us trash?! "
The Tsunayashiro heirs were trembling with humiliation, but what could they do? This was Yoruichi's younger brother. They couldn't talk him down. They couldn't beat him in a fight. And they sure as hell couldn't win against Yoruichi. They were powerless—noble pride shattered like glass.
"Instead of whining here, you little minnows should go train for fifty years." Yūshirō waved his hand like a professor giving life lessons. "Maybe next time, before you hit the age limit, you'll have a shot at this training program. Just keep working hard! Not that you'll ever catch up to me, of course. But that's not your fault—I am invincible, after all."
"Infuriating!"
"I want to duel him so bad! "
"Calm down! We can't beat him! "
"He's Yoruichi's brother! Even if we ganged up on him, she'd destroy us! "
"And why hasn't that woman joined the Gotei 13 yet? Does bullying us amuse her?! "
Great noble heirs are great noble heirs for a reason—they had a shred more sense than the rest. They swallowed their pride for now, telling themselves they'd take revenge later… though, in truth, they'd never reclaim their dignity. Not in this lifetime.
"Stop wasting time with this trash, Big-Eyes Monk! Let's go train! " Yūshirō called out without looking back.
"It's not Big-Eyes Monk—it's Ichibē Hyōsube! "
The monk's deep voice thundered.
"Got it, Monk."
"Good boy," Ichibē replied with a serene smile—then turned toward the eliminated children. "Those who weren't chosen will ride the Tenchūren back to Seireitei. And do me a favor—send my regards to your heads of house."
"Yes, Master Hyōsube! "
"Understood, Hyōsube-sama! "
The heirs bowed deeply in unison.
"Let's move."
Yūshirō waved, already assuming the role of leader as he strode toward the palace grounds.
"I…"
Tokitane Tsunayashiro hesitated, still torn.
"What are you afraid of? "
Yūshirō glanced at him, his voice cutting sharp. "Other people's opinions don't matter. All that matters is your strength. If you're strong enough—strong enough that no one dares to mess with you—then everything changes. And don't tell me you don't have that kind of potential."
Tokitane froze. Then his fists clenched tight.
Yes… I'm not someone who has to bow forever. I'm not someone who can only endure. I can change everything.
"Ah, Tokitane. I knew you'd come to your senses."
The Tsunayashiro heir, who had started all this drama, smiled slyly, thinking his moment of redemption had come as Tokitane approached.
But—
"Sorry, everyone. I'm moving forward."
Tokitane smiled faintly at them, then turned his back—and followed Yūshirō and the others toward the Soul King's Palace.