Chapter 205: Tier Harribel Seeks Aid
For a Shinigami, the highest honor in life is likely becoming a "Captain" of the Gotei 13.
But when expanding one's perspective to the entire Soul Society, the highest honor becomes "nobility."
The birth of a new noble house was an extremely significant and solemn event in the Soul Society.
Normally, the emergence of a new noble house involved a lengthy process of debate and negotiation.
Beneficiaries, opponents, fence-sitters... all factions would gather in Central 46, engaging in dozens of rounds of arguments without making any progress—a common occurrence.
But the Mikami Family was different.
After the Kuchiki Clan submitted the proposal, the Shihōin Clan immediately followed suit.
Then, the Shiba Clan also expressed agreement.
The Tsunayashiro Clan, currently in a phase of rebuilding, had no desire to antagonize Satoru. After brief discussions, they gave the green light as well.
Thus, the Mikami Family was established after just one Central 46 meeting.
After the results were announced, countless minor nobles were green with envy.
Even many established, well-rooted great clans couldn't help but sigh with emotion.
None of their clans had ever developed so explosively in the beginning...
...
...
Noble District, a certain residence.
This estate was originally the property of a lower-ranking noble family.
During the civil war, this clan was completely wiped out, and their estate was taken over by the Ōmaeda family.
After the Mikami Family was established, Marenoshin waved his hand grandly and directly gifted this house to Satoru.
Although the estate wasn't large, its location was quite good.
Convenient for transportation, yet still peaceful and quiet.
On the engawa, Satoru crossed his arms over his chest, striking a Niō statue pose.
"Everyone!"
"The Mikami Family's first clan meeting is now solemnly convened!"
Clap clap clap clap!
While loudly making this declaration, he raised his hands and used martial arts techniques to rapidly clap in all directions, creating an atmosphere of bustling activity.
The few people in the courtyard followed with applause, some sincere, some perfunctory.
Amid the enthusiastic atmosphere, Satoru cleared his throat—
"Currently, we are in an age of chaos."
"And chaos inevitably gives rise to heroes!"
"Now, that old villain Yamamoto monopolizes the First Division. Though he holds sway over the court and his power is awe-inspiring for a time, he has also made himself the target of all arrows! Soon, he will be attacked by all the lords under heaven, and his dominance will not last long!"
"When that old villain is pacified, it will surely be the time for all heroes to rise. Then, it remains to be seen who will ultimately rule the land!"
"As the founding members of the Mikami Family, we should follow the Mandate of Heaven, achieve great things in this chaotic era, and realize our ambitions!"
"So the question arises—how should we proceed to achieve our ideals?"
"Seinosuke Mikami, you speak first!"
Saying this, Satoru raised his hand and pointed at Seinosuke.
"?"
A vein bulged on Yamada's forehead.
"Satoru, you bastard... Others have a rebellious bone in the back of their head, but you're a person growing out of a rebellious bone, aren't you?"
"And when did I ever say I'd merge into your family? I'll cut you down!"
Satoru tsked and shook his head.
"Seinosuke, you've missed your once-in-a-lifetime chance to rise to greatness."
"But it's fine. This noble lord is magnanimous and will pardon your insolence."
Then he looked at Sōjun.
"Sōjun Mikami, you speak!"
Sōjun was momentarily stunned.
He pondered for a few seconds before saying, "We could use the Kuchiki Clan as a stepping stone... I'm quite familiar with the Kuchiki Clan and can guide you through, quickly clearing all obstacles to take it over."
"Once we have the Kuchiki Clan as our foundation, controlling the Soul Society will become much easier."
Seinosuke: "?"
Watching Sōjun seriously begin his analysis, he couldn't hold back anymore.
"Young Master Kuchiki, snap out of it! Your surname is Kuchiki, not Mikami!"
"And even if it were, it should be Mikami Sōjun, right? What's this 'Young Master Mikami'??"
Not far away, Aizen, who had been resting with his eyes closed against a tree, couldn't help but open his eyes to glance at Sōjun.
Ever since that last mission with Satoru, this young master of the Kuchiki Clan had become increasingly fanatical about Satoru.
This seemed like a good sign... Once Ginrei dies, with a little manipulation, he might actually be able to help Satoru infiltrate the Kuchiki Clan.
Satoru nodded.
"Excellent suggestion, truly the words of a strategic master!"
"Sōjun, from today onward, you shall be the National Teacher of the Mikami Family!"
"What nation do you even have?!"
Seinosuke angrily retorted.
Satoru ignored him and turned to the next person.
"Yoruichi Mikami, what suggestions do you have?"
Hearing the name "Yoruichi Mikami," Yoruichi blinked.
Her heartbeat quickened slightly, and her face flushed.
Fortunately, due to her darker skin tone, it went unnoticed.
She coughed lightly and quickly said:
"I can also guide you in taking over the Shihōin Clan!"
Yamada had no energy left to complain.
At least Sōjun is just the heir apparent, but you, Yoruichi Shihōin, are the current clan head!
Are you really going to sell out your own clan like this?
Suì-Fēng knelt properly to the side, watching the farce unfold before her, and couldn't help but raise a hand to her forehead.
"Marvelous! With two of the Five Noble Clans in hand, half the world is already ours!"
Satoru clapped his hands in admiration.
He looked toward Aizen standing not far away.
"Mikami Sōsuke, I entrust this matter entirely to you!"
Aizen paid no attention to that troublemaker.
He was pondering many things.
Recently, he had visited the Great Spirit Library several more times.
Among the vast sea of materials, he had found some dangerously classified information.
Even the Tsunayashiro Clan didn't dare keep these documents together.
They were hidden throughout the Great Spirit Library, requiring complex methods to locate and decode.
Reading these materials, he realized he seemed to have opened a forbidden box.
Through previous investigations, he had discovered some secrets about the Soul King.
Among them was how the Soul King's body had been divided into countless pieces by Shinigami led by the Five Noble Clans and scattered across the three realms.
If these body fragments could be collected, one would obtain immeasurably powerful strength.
Now, he had discovered an even greater secret.
By collecting these fragments and performing a special ritual, it seemed possible to artificially create a new Soul King.
The moment he reached this conclusion, Aizen's heart raced.
If the Soul King could be replaced by an artificial creation, what would happen to the old Soul King when a new one is born?
His researcher's instinct filled him with boundless curiosity.
Even knowing this might conceal great danger, he couldn't resist taking that next step forward.
Aizen made up his mind.
Next, I need to find a fragment of the Soul King.
Though I don't yet know where to look, I still have plenty of time.
To make it easier to walk this path, I'll put in a little effort to help Satoru climb higher.
Watching Satoru standing on the corridor, smugly enjoying his noble status, Aizen curled his lips into a faint smile.
...
...
"I'm bored."
In the pitch-black, deep space, Satoru sighed as he walked along the Reishi path Aizen had created.
"What's boring?"
Aizen, walking ahead, asked in confusion.
"I'm bored of being a noble."
Satoru sighed. "At first, it felt pretty great—attending meetings occasionally, putting on airs, like I'd become some kind of lord."
"But after all these days, I've realized being a noble isn't as fun as I imagined."
"Back then, I wanted to be a noble because I thought my talent was average, and I wouldn't achieve anything great in this lifetime, so I just wanted a title to laze around and wait for death."
"Now it seems my genius is unparalleled throughout history. In the entire Soul Society, only you, Sōsuke, can compare to me…"
"With someone as amazing as me, why should I care about a noble title?"
Aizen: "…"
Although he had long expected Satoru to grow tired of playing the noble game, he never imagined it would happen so quickly.
Has this guy's unreliability level increased again lately?
He leaped lightly out of the Garganta, landing on the silver sands of Hueco Mundo.
Then he turned to look at Satoru.
The latter followed him, landing on the sand with a lazy expression.
Seeing Satoru's reaction, Aizen nodded slightly.
Good, it seems there are no enemies nearby.
The more he acted alongside Satoru, the more Aizen realized this guy was a remarkably reliable early-warning system.
Thanks to his absurd intuition, Satoru often detected enemies much faster than he did.
In a new place, if you weren't sure whether there was danger around, just observing Satoru's reaction would give you the answer.
The two found a hidden spot, performed a secret technique, and sank into the shadows.
Soon, they arrived at the secret laboratory hidden in the shadows of Hueco Mundo.
Or, as Satoru called it, the "Mikami Technical Bureau Branch."
While skillfully adjusting the machines, Aizen said:
"If you're bored, hand the noble affairs over to the Maedas to handle."
"Given your relationship with the Shihōin Clan, he won't refuse such a request."
"On the contrary, he'll be delighted—it means the Maedas won't have a hard time dealing with you in the future."
"Your noble status wasn't easily obtained. It was Captain-Commander Yamamoto's care for you, paving the way."
"Remember, you absolutely must not say things like 'I don't want to do this anymore' or 'I'll return the noble status'!"
At the end, he emphasized his words, warning Satoru.
Satoru rolled his eyes.
As if he were that unreliable.
He was about to say something but suddenly froze.
Satoru looked up, puzzled, toward the outside.
Then he took off running.
Aizen: "?"
Watching Satoru's retreating figure, he was momentarily stunned.
Did he run off because I scolded him?
Just as he was wondering, he heard Satoru say, "Sōsuke, come on, the blonde big-boobed woman is in danger!"
Blonde big-boobed woman?
Aizen narrowed his eyes, thinking for a moment.
Then, a figure surfaced in his mind.
Realizing who Satoru was referring to, he flashed forward and followed.
...
...
Under the moonlight, several figures moved rapidly.
Ahead were two Hollows—Tier Harribel and one of her followers.
The white serpentine Menos Grande, Sung-Sun.
Behind them were over ten Adjuchas-level Menos Grande.
The white serpentine Menos Grande, while straining to keep up with Harribel, occasionally glanced back at their pursuers.
She felt furious.
"Lady Harribel, let me fight them to the death!"
"Calm down, Sung-Sun."
Harribel gently shook her head. "This is not the time for rash actions. Our priority is to find a way to rescue Mila and Apache."
Hearing this, Sung-Sun lowered her head, her eyes filled with shame.
Not long ago, the three of them had gone out to hunt and encountered two Adjuchas under Baraggan Louisenbairn's command.
Lately, Baraggan had been sending his subordinates to hunt them down, attempting to forcibly recruit them.
The constant harassment had left them infuriated and tormented.
This time, running into their enemies, the three momentarily lost their composure and forgot Harribel's orders, wanting to kill the two Hollows to make Baraggan pay a price.
Unexpectedly, a search team from Las Noches was nearby.
Over ten Adjuchas descended and defeated them on the spot.
Mila and Apache were captured by the search team and taken to Las Noches.
Though Sung-Sun managed to escape by burrowing into the sand with her serpentine body, she was pursued again before she could get far.
Fortunately, Harribel arrived in time and rescued her.
Sung-Sun felt both anxious and guilty.
She wished she could just die right then and there.
But after calming down slightly, she suddenly realized something was off.
Lady Harribel... why has she been continuously releasing her Reiatsu?
Logically, when being pursued, one should suppress their Reiatsu as much as possible.
Is this some kind of plan?
As she pondered this, she saw Harribel suddenly speak:
"You're here, aren't you."
"More than once, I've sensed your presence nearby."
"Though I'm not sure exactly where you are, I don't think I'm mistaken."
"I wish to seek your assistance... in return, I can agree to one condition that doesn't violate my principles."
Listening to Harribel's words, Sung-Sun showed a puzzled expression.
Who is Lady Harribel talking to?
Just as she wondered, a voice suddenly rang out from the sky:
"Kekeke... interesting."
"A Menos Grande, actually seeking help from Shinigami?"
"Do you know what consequences this might bring?"
"Who's there?!"
Sung-Sun was startled and quickly assumed a defensive stance.
The dozen or so Adjuchas behind them also stopped, looking around in confusion.
What did that voice just say?
Shinigami?
Where are there any Shinigami?
Harribel, however, breathed a sigh of relief.
She gently patted her chest.
"I'm well aware of the potential consequences of this action."
"But compared to those, rescuing my companions is what matters most."
Hearing this, the voice responded:
"Hmph... Since you've sincerely sought this venerable one's help, then this venerable one might as well assist you."
"Then, as payment, after this is done, let this venerable one enjoy... your ample bosom!"
Sung-Sun: "?"
Hearing this, she almost laughed in anger.
Whoever this is, daring to insult Lady Harribel with such foul language—she would definitely strangle them to death!
She looked at Harribel, about to say something.
Then she saw Harribel nod: "Fine."
She actually agreed?!
Sung-Sun's eyes widened.
And the next second, something even more unbelievable came into her view.
It was a figure shining like a meteor, diving down from the night sky, trailing a long tail of Reiatsu, plunging directly into the group of Adjuchas—
A massive mushroom cloud composed of silver dust shot up into the sky!