"You've been deceived, Rurichiyo–sama." Arata's voice was gentle but firm, and then he slowly explained everything Kumoi had done.
"Kasumiōji Kumoi collaborated with the Tsunayashiro family, secretly developed biological weapons with the intent of rebellion, using the lives of Rukongai residents as fuel. And you, as the head of the family, were stripped of all power and reduced to a mere puppet."
Rurichiyo's pupils suddenly shrank, and her small hands tightly clutched the bedsheet. "Impossible… Grandpa Kumoi…"
"You've already felt it yourself, haven't you?" Arata looked her straight in the eyes. "Otherwise, why would he drug you to sleep? Why would he suppress your spiritual pressure?"
The girl fell silent, and the confusion in her gaze was gradually replaced by anger.
She threw off the blanket and tried to stand up, but due to her long confinement, her legs gave way and she nearly fell.
Arata quickly supported her.
"I want to go to the banquet hall!" Rurichiyo gritted her teeth. "I want to confront Grandpa Kumoi myself!"
Arata shook his head. "It's not the right time yet. Kumoi has already prepared special means to control the captains. If you show up now, you'll only alert him."
"Then what should we do?" the girl asked in a trembling voice, her eyes red. "Are we just supposed to sit back and watch them do as they please?"
Arata smiled slightly and pulled out a sophisticated device from his robes – it was a spirit recorder he had previously received from the Technological Development Bureau.
It contained complete recordings of all information about the Kuroe family's workshop that produced Bakkōtō, as well as a recording of the secret conversation between Kumoi, the Tsunayashiro family, and Akutagawa – more than enough to serve as evidence.
"We need proof. Everyone must see Kumoi's crimes with their own eyes." He handed the device to Rurichiyo.
"This is a device that can record image and sound. As the rightful head of the Kasumiōji family, you are the most convincing person to reveal the truth."
Rurichiyo took the device and clenched it tightly in her small hand. "Then…"
"My name is Saito Arata." Arata saw her unease and tried to make his smile as gentle as possible.
"Brother Arata, what should I do?" Rurichiyo asked.
"I will secretly guide you to the banquet hall. You only need to appear at the key moment," Arata said, and the expression on his face suddenly darkened as he turned toward the door.
"Someone's coming."
Hurried footsteps echoed in the corridor, accompanied by the voices of guards.
"Faster! Lord Kumoi ordered increased security around Rurichiyo–sama!"
"Strange, why is the barrier gone?"
"Idiot! Someone must have broken in!"
Arata quickly picked Rurichiyo up in his arms, hid behind the curtain with her, and with a wave of his hand, set up a barrier that blocked spiritual presence.
The door burst open and two guards rushed in. When they saw the empty bed, their faces twisted in shock.
"This is bad! Rurichiyo–sama is gone!"
"Quick, report to Lord Kumoi!"
After the guards hurried out in a panic, Arata led Rurichiyo from behind the curtain.
The girl clung tightly to his kimono, her face pale. "If they find out I'm gone, Grandpa Kumoi will definitely grow suspicious!"
"Don't worry, that's exactly what we need." Arata gently patted her back. "Once that old thief loses his composure, he'll start making mistakes on his own."
He led Rurichiyo through another secret passage, and soon they arrived at a ventilation shaft above the banquet hall.
Through the thin grate, the scene below was clearly visible.
In the banquet hall, Kumoi had already received word of Rurichiyo's disappearance. His face was dark, but he quickly smiled again.
He discreetly winked at one of his most loyal men, who quietly left the hall.
"Looks like he can't wait to make his move." Arata whispered, "Rurichiyo–sama, get ready."
The girl nodded. Although young, she showed composure worthy of a noble house head in this critical moment.
Kumoi slowly moved to the center of the banquet hall and clapped his hands. "Honored guests, allow me to present the fine wine specially prepared by the Kasumiōji family—"
Before he could finish his sentence, the banquet hall doors burst open – it was Zaraki Kenpachi, who had just returned from the restroom.
Zaraki walked in with his Zanpakutō slung over his shoulder. "Hey! Old man! Where's the wine? Why's it taking so long?"
This sudden intrusion caused Kumoi's face to twist for a moment, but he quickly forced a smile again. "Captain Zaraki, I ask for a bit more patience. The wine will arrive shortly."
Behind Zaraki, Unohana Retsu slowly entered, her Zanpakutō at her side gleaming with a cold light.
She seemed to stand casually beside Captain Yamamoto, but in truth, she had completely blocked Kumoi's path of retreat.
Arata noticed that the man Kumoi had sent out earlier had returned with a long box in his hands, silently slipping through the side door.
A barrier on the surface of the box blocked spiritual perception, so Arata couldn't sense what was inside at all.
Was it the "Demon Flower"? Or some other hidden weapon of Kumoi's?
But whatever it was – now was the perfect moment.
"Now." Arata said to Rurichiyo, "Please, call out to Kumoi as loudly as you can."
The girl took a deep breath, and her childish yet clear voice echoed through the entire banquet hall.
"Kasumiōji Kumoi!"
The sound was like thunder; all eyes turned instantly toward its source.
With Arata's help, Rurichiyo jumped out of the ventilation shaft and landed gently in the center of the banquet hall.
"Rurichiyo–sama?!" Kumoi's face instantly went pale, but he quickly regained his composure. "Why are you here? Your health…"
"Silence!" the girl cut him off sharply, raising the spirit recorder in her small hand. "I ask the captains to watch!"
The recorder projected a holographic image, clearly displaying data on the production of Bakkōtō swords, as well as the dirty dealings of noble families like Kasumiōji and Tsunayashiro.
The image clearly showed Rukongai residents chained to walls and used as "fuel", and the horrific scene in the Bakkōtō workshop caused all present captains to immediately change their expressions.
Even more shocking, the image ended with a scene of Kasumiōji Kumoi bowing to Tsunayashiro Akutagawa, both holding Bakkōtōs that emitted a ghostly red glow.
"Damn you, Kasumiōji Kumoi! You treat human lives like they're nothing!"
"Bastard!" Soi–Fong was the first to slam her fist on the table and in the next moment appeared in front of Kumoi. "You dare to use civilians for experiments!"
"The mere fact that you created such a weapon can't be explained as simple research. This already amounts to treason…" Kyōraku Shunsui lifted his straw hat, and an unusually serious look appeared in his eyes.
Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni slowly opened his eyes and struck his cane hard on the floor. "Kasumiōji Kumoi, do you admit your guilt?"
The panic on Kumoi's face lasted only a moment, then twisted into a deranged smile. "Hahaha… since everything's been revealed, there's no need to pretend anymore!"
Suddenly, he pulled a remote control from his sleeve and pressed it. A thick barrier of spirit particles instantly rose around the entire banquet hall, trapping everyone inside.
At the same time, his man suddenly opened the long box – inside was the Bakkōtō "Demon Flower"!
"Captains, be careful!" Unohana Retsu shouted, "That sword releases a hallucinogenic gas!"
But it was too late – Kumoi had already crushed the eye core on the sword's hilt.
The moment the dark red liquid burst out, the entire banquet hall filled with a sweet fragrance.