What does the Tsunayashiro Clan have to do with this?
Yoriichi's gaze was slightly puzzled; he wasn't clear about what had happened at the noble assembly.
But, from a Middle-Class Noble to a Lower-Class Noble…
In his opinion,
It's probably the difference between a Vice-Captain and a Seat Officer.
Although he didn't care,
But the details…
Kuchiki Sōjun paused, his gaze sweeping over the courtyard behind Yoriichi, and continued, "Are you not inviting us in for a sit, Yoriichi-dono?"
"This incident hasn't ended here. As the person involved, there are some things you should know, which is why we've come specifically to inform you."
Yoriichi silently stepped aside, and after inviting the two into the room, Hisana, who had been inside, consciouslyAfterwardssssss house.
After she brought the tea in,
Even Rukia, who had finished her training and wanted to enter the room, was stopped by her.
"Sister, what happened?"
In the corridor, Rukia's eyes were filled with confusion.
She tilted her head slightly, holding a wooden sword in her hand, its blade stained with sweat, making its colour slightly darker.
Swish.
Hanging it in the corner to air dry naturally, Rukia exhaled deeply, gazing at the setting sun.
The afterglow of the setting sun fell upon her, as if draping her in a golden cloak. She felt as though she could exhale all the weariness of the day.
Her muscles were a bit sore. Rukia rubbed her shoulders while looking at her sister and continued to ask,
"Could it be that Brother is meeting some important guests?"
"Kyōraku-uncle, or Ukitake-brother, or Shihouin-sister?"
Without complaining about Kyōraku Shunsui and Jūshirō Ukitake being the same age but one being called 'uncle,' Hisana whispered,
"You guessed correctly, but it's not them. I haven't seen those two before."
"But they seem to be of high status. At least, like Shihouin-sister, they are Upper-Class Nobles."
When Hisana was found by Yoriichi earlier, Kuchiki Sōjun was not near her, so her understanding of the two was almost zero.
"Upper-Class Nobles?" Rukia said in surprise, "And ones we haven't seen before? How could two unfamiliar nobles suddenly come to visit Brother?"
This was also what Hisana wanted to ask.
Unfortunately,
Having lived in Rukongai for a long time, she didn't know the intricacies of it all. She just assumed Yor. Ichi was too formidable; even upper-class nobles were trying to curry favour with him.
Harbouring such thoughts, a faint smile appeared at the corner of her mouth.
Of course, the deep worry in her heart never dissipated.
Her complex gaze seemed to penetrate the sliding door, seeing the scene inside. Hisana slowly exhaled and walked to Rukia's side, sitting downdemeanourrrrrrr.
Sitting on the veranda, admiring the sunset in the sky, they began to chat about daily life and the past…
...
Inside the house.
In stark contrast to the leisurely atmosphere outside, Yoriichi looked at the two people in front of him with a grave expression, and soon heard from them the general events that had occurred that morning.
In summary, the noble assembly was a process of mutual bickering.
You present a piece of evidence, and I directly refute it. In the end, whoever has the best eloquence, whoever has the strongest sophistry.
That person will gain the advantage in righteousness.
There has never been a favoured thing as justice in Seireitei; everything is about profit, and righteousness represents profit.
It's like in the past, as long as you give me a reason, I can confiscate your property and execute you.
Deceased nobles, or nobles imprisoned in jail, are nothing…
Although their words were carefully chosen and did not directly express this meaning, Yoriichi still understood it.
Precisely, the Tsunayashiro Clan often did shady things and had a wealth of experience, so their sophistry skills were generally superior to other nobles.
This led to the Kuchiki Clan's efforts to overthrow the Tsunayashiro being minimal.
They were even slandered in return by the Tsunayashiro Clan, who accused the Kuchiki Clan of having ill intentions.
Because they couldn't find the culprit, they randomly placed the blame, attempting to suppress political rivals.
Since there was no substantial evidence, the matter eventually died down after much argument, but both sides knew that the other would not give up.
The Kuchiki Clan, for its dignity, could not end this war.
If he couldn't even protect his own son and allowed the culprit to roam free, Kuchiki Ginrei's more than a thousand years as head of the family would have been in vain.
Similarly, the Tsunayashiro Clan, to prevent their own decline, would certainly not admit to this crime.
Although some people knew that it was indeed done by certain individuals within their family, the other party was, after all, the head of the family…
Facing the family heir, a few words would suffice.
Did they still want to punish him?
Regrettably, apart from the Tsunayashiro Clan and their dependents, no one gave them face, and the attack incident thus fell into a stalemate.
Afterwards, to ease the tense atmosphere, some people actively played the peacemaker, skipping this topic and beginning to discuss the Kuchiki Clan's second matter.
Namely… the explanation of the proposal for Tsugikuni Yoriichi to become a noble.
Many people were opposed to this matter because they believed Tsugikuni Yoriichi's Zanpakuto was too dangerous.
Once he became a noble, it meant he was on the same level as them, and even if he killed someone, he wouldn't receive the punishment he deserved…
If anyone accidentally provoked him and was sent to hell…
They would have nowhere to cry.
Naturally, the nobles, for their own safety, could not agree to this proposal.
However, considering that the other party was the Kuchiki Clan, the head of the five great Upper-Class Nobles…
Even if they refused, it couldn't be too obvious, or they would be remembered by the other party as a deliberate provocation.
Such is the way of human relationships: those who give gifts are not remembered, but those who don't are remembered clearly.
So, those nobles displayed various tricks, using all sorts of euphemistic words, subtly and overtly rejecting the Kuchiki Clan's proposal.
But who would have thought?
Finally, Yoruichi Shihouin stepped forward.
In front of all the nobles, she disregarded the attitude of the clan elders behind her and directly sided with the Kuchiki Clan.
This stance created an unpredictable chain reaction.
Some nobles who had not yet clearly expressed their stance murmured, wondering if the Kuchiki Clan and the Shihouin Clan had reached some agreement.
Even the Shihouin Clan agreed; if they didn't, wouldn't they offend two Upper-Class Nobles at once?
One might be fine, the Kuchiki Clan values their reputation and probably wouldn't settle scores later, but the Shihouin are different!
Their head, Yoruichi Shihouin, takes action when things get serious.
She'll beat you if she says so, without any noble demeanour. Anyway, they couldn't imagine what would happen in the future if they refused.
Perhaps they'd be ambushed and beaten black and blue on the street, then, after an injury assessment, it would be ruled that they fell themselves.
Or perhaps stabbed in the back, with every stab hitting a vital point, ruled as suicide…
Well, the latter statement was a bit exaggerated, but the meaning was clear, and it sent shivers down the nobles' spines.
They had the confidence to persecute an ordinary Shinigami, even if the other party was Captain-Commander Yamamoto's disciple.
But they didn't have the confidence to oppress a Shinigami favoured by Yoruichi Shihouin. So, they could only abandon their original arguments and all agreed to the Kuchiki Clan's proposal.
Hearing Kuchiki Sōjun say this, Yoriichi slowly raised his eyes:
"Isn't the situation developing quite well so far?"
"I haven't heard of any interference from the Tsunayashiro Clan."
"It's coming now." Kuchiki Sōjun shook his head slightly, his hands gripping the steaming teacup on the low table.
His unhurried voice echoed around:
"Your Zanpakuto's ability is very dangerous, at least, it is to those nobles.
They have done countless despicable things in their lives, and facing your attacks, they simply cannot resist."
"And once your status reaches Middle-Class Noble, with Lower-Class Nobles serving as a retreat, it will pose a substantial threat to them."
"For example, if you, after becoming a Middle-Class Noble, were to kill another Middle-Class or even Upper-Class Noble out of a sense of justice."
"Under Captain-Commander Yamamoto's protection, your noble rank would probably be reduced to Lower-Class Noble. A Lower-Class Noble is still a noble, and other nobles cannot dispose of you at will."
"But, if you were a Lower-Class Noble to begin with, it would be different."
"Once you act, you will lose all your power and become an ordinary person."
"They could then use this reason to imprison you, thereby cutting off all threats you pose to them."
"Therefore, afterwards, the Tsunayashiro Clan subtly used this reason to make those nobles realise your terrifying nature."
"Our Kuchiki Clan, even if we wanted to refute, were powerless…"
"Because what they said was true."
"Even if Yoruichi-dono strenuously objected, your noble rank has already been decided, changing from the original Middle-Class to Lower-Class."
"We are very sorry about this."
The reason he could become a Middle-Class Noble was out of respect for Yamamoto Genryusai; if it weren't for the Tsunayashiro Clan's interference, this matter would certainly have succeeded.
Unfortunately,
They ruined it with a single sentence.
Afterwards, the Kuchiki Clan reviewed the situation and found that under those circumstances, they had no other choice but to compromise.
Hell has always been synonymous with terror.
If they didn't know the truth, if they didn't know Yoriichi's true character, they probably would have sided with the Tsunayashiro as well.
No noble would sit idly by and allow their power, their future life, to be completely controlled by a Shinigami.
Sigh…
Silently exhaling, Kuchiki Sōjun awaited Tsugikuni Yoriichi's response.
Yoriichi slowly raised his eyes at this moment, his voice like a calm surface of water, without a ripple: "Is that so…"
"They fear my power…"
"That's why they suppress me…"
"Thank you for the reminder, Sōjun-dono."
He nodded slightly, his movements composed.
Seeing this, Kuchiki Sōjun asked in confusion, "Yoriichi-dono, aren't you angry at all?"
"Why should I be angry?" Yoriichi smiled, as if he hadn't taken the matter to heart. He clasped his hands, his eyes clean and pure:
"Sōjun-dono, have you ever heard the saying, 'If you're not envied, you're mediocre'?"
"They fear me, which is a good thing."
"Shinigami have long lives; there will always be opportunities in the future."
...
Upon hearing this, Kuchiki Sōjun's puzzled expression gradually faded, replaced by a look of understanding:
"Yoriichi-dono, my father once said that you were very much to his liking, and I didn't believe it then."
"Now I do."
"My father said the same thing; he believes those nobles who stand with the Tsunayashiro Clan won't be rampant for too long."
"Even if no evidence can be found, it's enough to be a thorn in their side."
"We believe you can continue to climb higher. This is a gift, please accept it."
He pulled something from his sleeve. Yoriichi took it and looked. It was a badge made of a special material, inscribed with the characters 'Tsugikuni' and emitting a faint reishi fluctuation.
Kuchiki Sōjun explained, "This is one of the symbols of your becoming a Lower-Class Noble. The materials used to forge it are worth three properties in Seireitei."
"Possessing it means you have the right to bestow a surname. The rules among nobles are quite strict. I remember your two younger sisters…"
"Miss Hisana and Miss Rukia, they don't have a surname yet, do they?"
"Hmm… The surname I'm referring to is not the one you gave them before becoming a noble. Only by being given a surname in the presence of other nobles can they become nobles and enter the Tsugikuni Clan."
"Coincidentally, I, Kuchiki Sōjun, can be a witness."
This line of reasoning was so fluid that it caught Yoriichi off guard, his hand, which had been playing with the badge, suddenly stiffening.
He slowly raised his eyes.
Then he heard,
"Besides that, we have other gifts for you, as compensation for your inability to become a Middle-Class Noble."
"Please, don't refuse our kindness. Everything is legal, compliant, and reasonable. You saved me."
"No attitude is too much for a lifesaver."
"If you have no objections, Yoriichi-dono, shall I invite them in now?"
He tentatively asked Yoriichi, and seeing no response from him, his tone became emotional,
"It's also good news, I suppose. They've shed their Rukongai status, and from now on, their lives will be smooth sailing."
"Ginhui-uncle."
As the voice fell, Kuchiki Ginhui left the room and, after a short while, invited Hisana and Rukia, who were outside, inside.
The two girls were still unaware of what had happened, but seeing the silent atmosphere in the room, they dared not speak, only sitting quietly in a corner of the room, still as cicadas in winter.
Kuchiki Sōjun scanned Hisana and Rukia's remarkably similar faces, and seeing them with their hands clasped on their knees, looking inexplicably constrained, he smiled:
"Haha, don't be nervous, just treat me as your brother's friend. Are you two twins?"
After a moment of silence, Hisana quietly replied, "No…"
Hearing this answer, Kuchiki Sōjun nodded. He turned his gaze to Yoriichi, paused for a few seconds, then slowly explained to the two girls:
"There is a choice before you now. I wonder if you will agree."
"Just now, your brother officially became a Lower-Class Noble."
"Therefore, if you wish to continue identifying yourselves as his sisters, he will need to bestow a surname upon you."
"A noble's surname."
"What are your thoughts?"
Noble?
Hisana's pupils widened slightly. Outside, she had thought of many things, but she never imagined that her brother would actually become a noble…
To be given a noble surname…
Could it be…
"You guessed correctly." As if seeing the thought in Hisana's eyes, Kuchiki Sōjun responded with a smile,
"If you agree, from today onward, you will be Tsugikuni Hisana."
"Your sister will also be the same, becoming Tsugikuni Rukia, a surname with true legal effect."