"Has Kisuke Urahara not been found yet?"
Half an hour later, when Chōjirō Sasakibe returned with news of no progress, Yamamoto Genryusai's usually dignified face was subtly grim.
He sat quietly on an ancient chair, the veins on the back of his hands bulging faintly like earthworms.
His gaze was as cold as a knife, and his tone became serious: "Keep looking!"
"This old man doesn't believe Kisuke Urahara would betray the Seireitei; someone must be interfering."
"Chojiro, who do you think it is?"
Chojiro paused slightly.
His somewhat hesitant gaze carefully sized up Yamamoto Genryusai.
The words he wanted to speak were stuck in his throat, at the tip of his tongue, and in the end, he could only lower his eyes and hesitantly say:
"This subordinate… does not know."
He could not interfere in this matter.
Kisuke Urahara's disappearance was undoubtedly a provocation to the Captain-Commander's authority.
At such a critical juncture, those who dared to provoke him were, without exception, lunatics… cunning lunatics.
News of the Captain-Commander's injury had just spread, and then, a Captain vanished without a trace…
These two incidents clearly had a huge connection.
Perhaps it was a bold test of Yamamoto Genryusai.
As a Vice-Captain, Chōjirō Sasakibe could only assist Yamamoto Genryusai under limited circumstances.
But now, this matter was truly asking for the impossible.
Whoosh…
Exhaling a barely perceptible breath, and meeting Yamamoto Genryusai's stern gaze, Chōjirō Sasakibe's mood gradually sank.
Time ticked by, and he knew the urgency of the situation, so even though he was uninformed, he still tentatively said again:
"If you ask me, Captain Urahara's disappearance was so clean, without any clues, that only the Five Great Noble Families could have pulled it off."
"Among them, the Shiba Clan is unlikely; they are staunch supporters of the Gotei 13 and rarely do anything illegal, let alone openly abduct a Captain."
"And the Shihouin Clan, the Kuchiki Clan… the probability for these two is also very small. In my opinion, the Tsunayashiro Clan has the highest probability."
"They are a staunch noble faction and do not participate in any Gotei 13 related work. Even a Captain, in their eyes, is probably just an ordinary Shinigami."
"Captain-Commander, do you still remember the attack on Kuchiki Sōjun?"
"Afterward, we deduced that the reason they attacked Kuchiki Sōjun was because he was the only heir of the Kuchiki Clan in his prime."
"As long as he died, the Kuchiki Clan would have no successor and would surely decline in the future."
"Kidnapping Kisuke Urahara might also be for this reason; the Shihouin Clan is behind him…"
"What do you think…"
Chōjirō Sasakibe's voice was slow, his deductions almost word by word.
He dared not slander the nobles; all these words were merely stating "facts".
Beside him, Yamamoto Genryusai let out a faint hum: "Well said, the Tsunayashiro Clan…"
Thud!
His wooden staff struck the ground heavily, making a dull sound. Yamamoto Genryusai quickly stood up and asked: "How much time is left until the battle between those two Captains?"
Chojiro replied: "A little over an hour, about three hours."
"That's enough." Yamamoto Genryusai started to walk out.
"Chojiro, call Yoruichi Shihouin and have her come with me to the Noble District."
"I want to see if their guts are harder, or if this old man's sword is harder."
"Even with only one arm left, this old man is still the strongest Shinigami in the Seireitei."
"These nobles are getting more and more presumptuous."
Watching Yamamoto Genryusai quickly leave the room with steady steps, Chōjirō Sasakibe immediately followed: "Yes, sir!"
"Only Yoruichi Shihouin?"
"Your disciples…?"
"No need to call them." Yamamoto Genryusai said without turning his head, his tone firm,
"This incident is a conflict between my Gotei 13 faction and the noble faction."
"Besides this old man, calling anyone else is useless."
"Chojiro, just do your own thing."
"Yes, sir!"
…
The Noble District, unlike the turbulent Gotei 13, had remained unchanged for many years.
The neat white walls, like a straight silver line, extended almost to the end of sight, emitting a cool light.
Inside a secluded courtyard, Kisuke Urahara was helplessly looking at a young man in front of him, playing dumb:
"Young Master Tsunayashiro, please let me go. That reishi absorption device has nothing to do with me!"
"The technology belongs to others; I'm just responsible for actualizing it."
"Even if you keep me forcibly detained here, what needs to be produced will still be produced… Why don't you talk to Yoruichi?"
Can I get along with her? I…
Tsunayashiro Hikaru frowned slightly, a hint of displeasure immediately appearing on his face.
He wanted to say that the Tsunayashiro and Shihouin Clans were inherently at odds, and even if they tried to talk, it would only lead to self-humiliation.
Is Kisuke Urahara's brain sick?
He's been caught and he's still playing dumb…
Does he really think I wouldn't dare to kill him?
Damn it…
The anger in his heart gradually burned like fireworks. He stared impatiently at Kisuke Urahara and said sharply:
"Stop talking nonsense. Hand over the blueprints, and everything will be fine. Who would negotiate with that foolish woman, Yoruichi Shihouin?"
"I know those things aren't yours, but you've handled them, so you clearly remember how to make them. We just want that."
"Don't play crazy here, Kisuke Urahara. You don't still think someone will come to rescue you, do you?"
"Give up. All traces of you have been erased by us. Even Yamamoto Genryusai won't be able to find any clues."
"You only have one choice, and that is to cooperate obediently with us. If you remain stubborn, I don't mind using my Zanpakuto to extract all your memories."
Kisuke Urahara really wanted to ask why they didn't do that.
But on second thought, he realized that this sentence contained a hint of provocation, and once spoken, it might lead to inexplicable disaster.
So he swallowed it directly.
What a difficult choice.
Who would have thought the Tsunayashiro Clan's methods were so direct? When he met them yesterday, he wanted to refuse, but then they directly attacked.
He didn't even use his Bankai and was knocked out by their strange drugs.
It was too sudden; it felt like someone invited him to a dinner party, and halfway through their conversation, the other party pulled out a knife and stabbed them.
Who could react to that?
What about the nobles' dignity?
Sighing heavily in his heart, Kisuke Urahara quietly observed his surroundings.
Small bridges, flowing water, ancient trees, and bird calls. It looked like a very quiet and peaceful courtyard, but in his eyes, it was filled with killing stone.
He could clearly sense that the vicinity was full of private soldiers raised by the Tsunayashiro Clan, and their strength was considerable.
If he unleashed his Bankai, he might be able to escape, but unfortunately, his Zanpakuto had been confiscated.
In addition, the Noble District was heavily guarded, with killing stone almost everywhere—meaning the white walls.
His punch might be able to smash three walls in the Gotei 13 area, but here… he couldn't even break a single brick.
reishi absorbed, blocked…
It's over!
Yoruichi!
Where are you!
His heart was filled with grief and a hint of despair. In his opinion, only the Shihouin Clan could rescue him from this predicament.
But the problem was… did Yoruichi know his whereabouts now?
…
At the same time.
Tsugikuni Yoriichi, who was adjusting his breathing, suddenly heard the news of Kisuke Urahara's disappearance.
He looked at Retsu Unohana in front of him and asked, confused: "When?"
"Yesterday."
Retsu Unohana slightly raised the corner of her mouth, revealing a faint smile.
Although Yamamoto Genryusai had strictly ordered her to keep certain matters confidential, he had not mentioned keeping Kisuke Urahara's matter a secret as well.
In her opinion, this matter was full of peculiarities.
And because there was some friendship between Tsugikuni Yoriichi and Kisuke Urahara, she tried to inform him of this matter to see if he knew anything.
The conclusion drawn so far was—he knew nothing.
Disappeared?
Or…
Betrayed?
If it was the former, there might still be a turn for the better, but if it was the latter…
Retsu Unohana gently shook her head, paused, and added:
"Currently, Captain-Commander Yamamoto is suspected to have already launched an investigation. Tsugikuni-kun, I remember you two should be friends, right?"
"Did he say where he was going recently?"
"…No." Yoriichi was silent for a moment. He found it somewhat difficult to believe this fact.
Considering there was still some time until the battle, he asked: "Where is Sensei?"
"I want to help search as well."
…
By the time Tsugikuni Yoriichi saw Yamamoto Genryusai, he was already in the Noble District.
When Yamamoto Genryusai saw his disciple approaching, his dignified face immediately furrowed slightly, and he lowly rebuked: "Tsugikuni Yoriichi, who told you to come?"
"This matter is of great importance; you don't need to interfere!"
"To Sensei, I asked to come myself. Kisuke Urahara is my friend. How can I ignore it when my friend disappears?"
"Besides, he is also a Captain."
Yoriichi responded in a deep voice, his brow not even wrinkling in the slightest despite Yamamoto Genryusai's reprimand.
"Are you sure?" Yamamoto narrowed his eyes, his voice gradually turning cold, "Currently, Kisuke Urahara's disappearance has not been definitively characterized. If he was kidnapped, then so be it."
"But if he actively defected from the Seireitei, defected from the Soul Society, do you know that just your words alone would send you to the judgment stand?"
"Even so, do you still dare to boldly claim he is your friend?"
"Go back obediently. This old man will handle everything. You juniors only need to do your own thing."
He waved his hand, his tone a bit impatient.
Beside him, Yoruichi Shihouin's expression was also somewhat grim, as if shrouded in a dark cloud.
Yoriichi seemed not to hear, and said resolutely:
"Sensei, no matter what you say, I firmly believe in my own judgment. This has nothing to do with stance or choice."
"Even if you are judged, it doesn't matter?" Yamamoto Genryusai's voice grew heavier.
Yoriichi's attitude was firm: "I trust him, that's all."
As his words fell, Yamamoto Genryusai's right hand, clutching his walking stick, clenched and then relaxed.
Finally, he sighed heavily: "Alright, if you want to come, then come."
"Damn it, how did this old man end up taking on a disciple exactly like himself when he was young?"
"I hope you won't regret it then."
"Why would I regret it?"
"Hmph, because the target of this trip is the Tsunayashiro Clan. This old man cannot confirm whether they kidnapped Kisuke Urahara. If not…"
"You, I, and Yoruichi Shihouin will all be in trouble."
At this point, Yamamoto Genryusai's eyes narrowed slightly, seemingly lost in thought: "Originally, this old man and Yoruichi Shihouin alone would have been enough."
"Even if the Tsunayashiro Clan wanted to cause trouble, out of consideration for status and position, they wouldn't make a big fuss, at most a verbal warning."
"But what about you?"
"Tsugikuni Yoriichi, how do you think they will treat you? I heard you recently obtained a lower noble status. If this judgment is wrong…"
"Can you bear the consequence of having your noble status stripped away?"
"Oh, this old man forgot, you don't care about any of this. But what about later?"
"This incident of Kisuke Urahara's disappearance, in this old man's opinion, is just a test."
"Since it's a test, there will naturally be a time for formal action. At that time, how will you, at the center of the storm, protect yourself?"
"When the cart reaches the mountain, there will be a road. Sensei, why do we need to think so far ahead?"
"I have never sought noble status. Even if I lose it, it means nothing to me, just like you, Sensei."
"…" These words suddenly silenced Yamamoto Genryusai. He opened his mouth, wanting to speak but stopping, then sighed again.
…This old man is indeed getting old.
He doesn't see things as clearly as young people.
A lifetime of scheming and calculating.
But he forgot the simplest truth.
—Live in the present, let nature take its course.
As they moved, the few people had already arrived near the Tsunayashiro Clan's territory.
As soon as they entered, Yamamoto Genryusai and Tsugikuni Yoriichi could feel many gazes from around them.
They were as stealthy as venomous snakes.
"Hmph!"
These gazes were truly uncomfortable.
Yamamoto Genryusai let out a heavy cold snort, and then, as if struck by an invisible force, dozens of Shinigami fainted and fell to the ground.
Swish!
At the same time, an elder of the Tsunayashiro Clan with a spiritual pressure of the second rank appeared before Yamamoto Genryusai.
His eyes narrowed slightly, his tone chilling: "Yamamoto Genryusai, what are you doing here?"
"The Tsunayashiro Clan does not welcome you."
"Now leave!"
The dignity of the Tsunayashiro Clan was not to be challenged by others.
Although Yamamoto Genryusai was the Captain-Commander, in the eyes of these high-ranking nobles, he was just an ordinary old man.
Except for being stronger.
If they couldn't defeat him, the elders of the Tsunayashiro Clan would have already made a move.
Since he didn't recognize the person in front of him, Yamamoto Genryusai simply took it as a dog barking.
He said indifferently, asking in return: "What, can't this old man come?"
"Which rule states that the streets of the Noble District cannot even be set foot on by me, the Captain-Commander?"
"Is this your intention, or the Tsunayashiro Clan's intention?"
"You…" The elder of the Tsunayashiro Clan's eyes darkened. These words were clearly being unreasonable.
Ordinary Shinigami were not supposed to set foot in the Noble District, even if you were the Captain-Commander.
Normally, everyone turned a blind eye, but now you're bringing this out into the open… Are you trying to force us to break ties with you?
Bastard!
The elder took a deep breath, suppressing his voice: "Yamamoto Genryusai, what exactly do you want to do? Our Tsunayashiro Clan hasn't provoked you recently, have we?"
"Who knows." Yamamoto Genryusai snorted coldly. A hint of questioning appeared on his wrinkled face.
"Why don't you ask those old geezers and heirs in your clan what they've been up to."
"Boldly kidnapping a Captain right outside this old man's Gotei 13, what audacity!"
"Do you really think you can do whatever you want in the Seireitei?"
"Hand over Kisuke Urahara!"
"Otherwise, don't blame this old man for being impolite!"
"Impolite?" The elder of the Tsunayashiro Clan laughed, a hint of mockery in his smile.
"Yamamoto Genryusai, you old fool must be crazy. If you want to start a war, just say so."
"Do you think our Tsunayashiro Clan would be interested in a mere Captain?"
"I'll say it again, leave this place quickly, otherwise, we will consider your actions a unilateral declaration of war against the nobles!"