Looking at Kensei Kenzuru's panting, out-of-breath appearance, Shunsui Kyōraku shook his head, both exasperated and amused. This kid, is he really this dense, or just pretending?
Even if I really helped you extort a bit from the Kuchiki Clan, how much could they possibly lose? Don't you understand the value of a scarf worth ten mansions?
"You..." Kyōraku chuckled and scolded, "This time you've done the Kuchiki Clan a huge favor, and you're still worrying about that little bit of money."
Kyōraku waved his hand, his usual lazy demeanor returning, though his mind was already working overtime.
This little junior brother... after this, two of the Five Great Noble Families—the Shihōin and the Kuchiki—will be on his side. Old Man Yama clearly favors him too. If our upper-class nobles publicly support him as well...
Heheh, congratulations, Little Junior Brother, you can be the next Captain-Commander!
Then I can retire and go drinking in the pleasure districts every day, maybe even drag Old Man Yama along. They say old age brings vigor!
Just thinking about his laid back bright future made Kyōraku feel refreshed. Little Junior Brother is truly my lucky star!
"I think at a time like this," Kensei leaned against the pillar, speaking feebly, "a qualified senior brother should let his weak junior brother go back and rest, then report the incident to Old Man Yama himself."
Damn it, this Bankai is cool, sure, but it consumes way too much Reiatsu. Using it once is more exhausting than sleeping a night on Aizen's bed.
"Nice try." Kyōraku grabbed Kensei by the scruff of his neck and headed towards the First Division without another word. "At least let Old Man Yama see if you're missing any limbs. Otherwise, I'm in trouble."
First Division Barracks. Old Man Yama sat calmly at his desk, wielding his brush with poise, utterly unconcerned about the Seireitei's safety.
Lately, there had been quite a few crisis scenes in the Seireitei. Even the most inexperienced Soul Reaper wouldn't panic over such a minor scene, let alone someone like Yamamoto, a millennium-old veteran.
He had sensed Kensei's familiar Reiatsu suddenly surge to Captain-level earlier, after which Kuchiki Kōga's manic Reiatsu vanished as if. This crisis seemed to be over. Estimating the time, the big slacker Kyōraku should be bringing the little slacker over to report soon.
"Old Man Yama! Your student's life is hard!"
Sure enough, the familiar wail sounded outside the door, followed by a figure plopped down on the floor.
"I am the most unfortunate person in the Soul Society! I risked never returning to capture Kuchiki Kōga alive, only to have my Reiatsu drained without even a chance to rest!"
Ignoring Kensei's feint, Yamamoto's gaze fell on Shunsui Kyōraku, who sauntered in slowly, silently waiting for his report on the specifics.
Compared to Kensei, even the irreverent Kyōraku seemed more pleasant to the eye.
"Old Man Yama, Little Junior Brother has resolved the matter."
Kyōraku lazily saluted Yamamoto and carefully placed Kuchiki Kōga on the floor. Even though Kensei said his spatial seal was solid, Kyōraku felt it was better to be safe.
Yamamoto's eyes opened slightly. This Kuchiki Kōga was clearly visible to the naked eye, yet spiritual senses detected nothing, as if he weren't in this space at all.
"Explain in detail."
Kyōraku began narrating the events. One had to admit that frequenting the Soul Society's various entertainment venues had its perks. A simple, barely described fight scene could be narrated by Kyōraku with such vividness it felt like you were there.
Kensei listened, stunned. So I looked that cool in other people's eyes? Had I known, I would have drained my Reiatsu dry to rush back and show Old Man Yama what my Bankai looks like.
Finally, the commentary—complete with sound effects and dramatic flair—came to an end. Kyōraku concluded, "In short, it was thanks to Kensei's Bankai sealing Kuchiki Kōga that this crisis was completely over."
"Bankai?"
Yamamoto raised his eyes, his probing gaze sweeping over Kensei repeatedly, as if trying to see right through this student of his.
Didn't this bastard just achieve Shikai today? How does he have Bankai now?
"Reporting! My Bankai was a one-time deal!" Kensei, unnerved by Yamamoto's stare, immediately launched into an excited defense. "I still have to train properly myself to truly master Bankai later."
"Because of this irregular Bankai, my body is already riddled with holes!"
Yamamoto stared at Kensei for a moment, detecting no signs of lying.
Although he found it strange that a Zanpakutō initiated Bankai on its own, each Zanpakutō possessed its own personality. Perhaps it was the Zanpakutō playing some game among the young with Kensei. As an older man, it was better not to interfere.
"In the future, remember to train diligently. Do not betray the good intentions of your Zanpakutō."
Yamamoto earnestly instructed Kensei. Hearing this, even Kūkon, hanging at Kensei's waist, couldn't help but sway a few times in agreement with Old Man Yamamoto's sentiment.
"Yes, sir! I will heed your teachings!"
Kensei straightened his back and loudly promised.
"How do you intend to handle Kuchiki Kōga?"
"You want me to handle the internal affairs of Kuchiki Clan too?"
Kensei was taken aback by Old Man Yama's question. I was only responsible for bringing Kuchiki Kōga back alive. Shouldn't the aftermath be left to Kuchiki Ginrei? Since when do I get involved in Noble Affairs? If I'm interfering anywhere, it should be in Yoruichi's family affairs!
"This old man thanks Lord Kensei for showing mercy and bringing this evil son-in-law back."
An old and calm voice sounded from outside the door. Then, Kuchiki Ginrei opened it and walked in slowly, solemnly bowing ninety degrees to Kensei expressing his gratitude.
"From now on, the Kuchiki Clan will forever regard Lord Kensei as our benefactor."
After the courtesy, Kuchiki Ginrei turned to look at Kuchiki Kōga, who had now given up struggling and lay motionless. His eyes held complex emotions—pain, anger, and also a touch of sadness.
Ginrei simply looked at the restrained Kōga, a tangled look flickering across his face from time to time. His back, always kept straight in observance of noble etiquette, seemed to bend invisibly.
The master and two disciples in the room did not disturb the old man, merely waiting for him to make his final decision.
Finally, Kuchiki Ginrei spoke slowly, his voice low but carrying a hint of decisiveness. Each word he uttered seemed to drain a bit of his strength:
"Kuchiki Kōga's crimes are proven. In accordance with Seireitei law and Kuchiki Clan rules, he should be executed at the Sōkyoku."
As his words fell, dead silence filled the room.
Yamamoto's eyelids lowered slightly. Regardless, he respected this old friend's decision. Shunsui Kyōraku pulled down his hat, hiding his expression.
Kensei was dumbfounded. If you were going to execute him, why did you want me to bring him back alive? Are you insane?!
"However..." Kuchiki Ginrei continued, his voice trembling slightly, "...considering his past merits in quelling rebellions, and that his fall into error is this old man's responsibility, I implore the Captain-Commander to grant my request..."
Ginrei turned to Yamamoto and bowed deeply: "...his imprisonment in Muken, never to be released. All damages to the Soul Society from this incident shall be borne by my Kuchiki Clan."
Muken, located at the deepest level beneath the First Division. One could say that for a criminal entering it, they face an exile more despair than death, the most cruel imprisonment of a soul.
"Additionally, this old man has one more unreasonable request," Ginrei's complex gaze turned to Kensei. "I hope Lord Kensei will remove the seal on this wicked son-in-law's head."
Ginrei's voice carried a sense of weariness, yet he insisted to Kensei: "I wish to have a proper conversation with..." him, to avoid the Kuchiki Clan repeating such mistakes in the future."
Facing Kuchiki Ginrei's request, Kensei glanced slightly at Yamamoto. Seeing the old man acting as if he hadn't heard, Kensei simply nodded and snapped his fingers, releasing the spatial seal on Kuchiki Kōga's head.
"Thank you."
Kuchiki Ginrei bowed once more. This thank you was not from the Kuchiki Clan Head, the model of nobility, but simply from Kuchiki Kōga's father-in-law. He said no more, bid farewell to Yamamoto, and with his Reiatsu holding the sealed Kuchiki Kōga, walked with steps that were steady yet heavy towards the entrance to Muken.
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