"Ren, have you heard the news?!"
"Central 46 actually changed the sentence!"
Just as Ren heard the report from Shisui, Yoruichi rushed over in a hurry.
Her loud, boisterous voice rang out before she even entered the courtyard.
Bang!
The wooden gate to the courtyard of Ren's study was pushed open with force. Yoruichi's brow was furrowed, her face unable to hide her worry and panic, her steps hurried and uneasy.
Suì-Fēng followed closely behind her.
Yoruichi stepped into the courtyard and immediately saw Ren and the other two on the veranda.
"Wasn't it agreed that they would be handed over to the Stealth Force? That old man lied to me!"
"Now Kisuke, Uncle Tessai, Shinji, and the others have been handed over to the Gotei 13. They are to be executed today!"
"Ren, what on earth is going on?"
Seeing the agitated Yoruichi, Ren actually appeared quite calm.
In truth, Ren had only felt a brief flicker of surprise when he first heard Shisui's report.
Once he regained his composure, he didn't care all that much.
Bringing Urahara Kisuke and the others back to the Stealth Force to be kept under his own watch... for Ren, that had always been just an idle move on the board.
It would be best if it succeeded, but it didn't matter if it failed.
It just added a few more variables. If those people died, they died; it wasn't a major issue.
Ren would never pin the success or failure of his own plans on the reactions of others.
More than the lives of Urahara Kisuke and the rest, what concerned him was why Central 46 had suddenly changed their minds!
Everything had been discussed thoroughly last night, and even the Presiding Judge had declined the other proposal.
With nearly half the seats of Central 46 controlled by the Shihoin family and Yoruichi having gone there personally, it was impossible for a mistake to have happened!
'Could it be that the Sages of Central 46 betrayed us?' Ren shook his head, dismissing the thought.
The Sages who relied on the Shihoin family might betray him, but they would never betray Yoruichi!
That would alienate them from the ruling system within the Seireitei and make them socially ostracized within the entire noble circle!
Even if one or two individuals did betray the Shihoin family, it was impossible for so many to betray them all at once.
Furthermore, Ren had planted his own people within Central 46; he would never allow things to reach such a state.
'Then someone must be meddling in the shadows!' In the entire Seireitei, there were very few people with the capability and audacity to strike at Central 46.
Ren just happened to know one!
Immediately, the image of that mysterious man with the glasses and the gentle smile surfaced in his mind.
Ren's expression darkened.
It went without saying; this was undoubtedly Aizen's doing!
Seeing Ren's face turn grim, Yoruichi leaned in and asked urgently, "Ren, what do you think?"
What else could Ren think!
He suppressed that flicker of annoyance; the priority now was to soothe Yoruichi.
Ren looked at Yoruichi and gave the reason he had hastily conjured.
"Someone within Central 46 must have betrayed us!"
Ren's voice was resolute, his lips curling into a slightly distorted smile.
He seemed to think of something and nodded solemnly, his expression becoming serious.
"Yes, that must be it!
"Back when the Stealth Force was conducting exercise drills, someone from Central 46 was sent to help Yamamoto Shigekuni find trouble for me!"
"The Shihoin family holds nearly half the seats. If there wasn't someone cooperating from the inside, how could a Sage have come out to assist Yamamoto's actions!"
Although that person had actually been sent by Ren himself to stall for time during his military operations back then.
Now, it served perfectly as evidence to support the reason Ren had just fabricated for Yoruichi.
Yoruichi waved her hand, her tone carrying a sense of urgency.
"I understand all that, but we can talk about it later. The most important thing now is to save Kisuke, Shinji, and the others!
"We can't just stand by and watch them actually be executed!"
As she spoke, Yoruichi looked at Ren with wide, clear golden eyes filled with anticipation.
"Ren, do you have a way to save them?"
Ren lowered his head, rubbing his chin as he fell into deep thought.
After a moment, he looked up and shook his head at the expectant Yoruichi.
"No."
"If it were before Central 46 issued the verdict, I would still have room to maneuver, but now..."
Ren had indeed been operating in the shadows before.
But who would have expected Central 46 to suddenly change their minds again!
"Once the verdict of Central 46 is handed down, there is no more room for change!"
"Old Man Yama is watching from the side. He is incredibly stubborn and will definitely strictly follow orders."
"Even I can't think of a good way right now!"
Hearing this, the light in Yoruichi's eyes faded, turning dull.
The flicker of hope on her face was now completely extinguished.
She had come here specifically because she couldn't find a way to break the deadlock and was seeking Ren's help.
She hadn't expected that even Ren would be powerless!
Gloom shadowed Yoruichi's face.
She remained silent for several seconds before slowly raising her head.
"If that's the case, then we can only use force!"
"I'm going to rescue Shinji and the others right now!"
Yoruichi gritted her teeth, her voice resolute, her face showing determination.
Ren was startled and stared at Yoruichi.
"Yoruichi, are you serious?! Do you realize that is a capital crime of rebellion?!"
"Of course!" Yoruichi nodded firmly.
Ren looked at the determined Yoruichi and shouted sternly:
"No! Absolutely not!"
"Yoruichi, I think you've truly gone mad!"
"Once you're exposed, not even the Shihoin family or I can protect you. Do you understand that?"
Yoruichi said solemnly, "I know, of course, but besides this, is there any other way?"
Seeing Ren's disapproval, Yoruichi's expression softened, knowing he was worried about her.
Yoruichi reached out, took Ren's large, rough hand, and gently pressed it against her face.
The corners of her mouth lifted slightly into a confident chuckle.
"Being exposed would be dangerous, but as long as I'm not exposed, it'll be fine."
"What basis do you have to make such a guarantee?!"
Ren pulled his hand away and placed it on her shoulder.
He stared into Yoruichi's eyes, his expression grave, a trace of pleading deep within his gaze.
"Don't go, Yoruichi."
"Think of Yūshirō, and think of Touichirou. If you truly harbor such dangerous thoughts, one mistake and you might never see them again.
"They can't be without you, Yoruichi. You don't want to make them sad, do you?"
Hesitation flickered across Yoruichi's face.
Seeing that his words were effective, Ren continued, "I was entrusted by the former head to look after you. I cannot let you act on impulse and put yourself in danger."
"Besides, whether it's Kisuke, Tessai, or Shinji and the others—even if they are friends, in the end, they are just outsiders. Yūshirō and Touichirou are your family!"
"You can't abandon your family and take such a huge risk just to help outsiders, can you?"
As soon as he said this, Yoruichi's face immediately filled with shock.
She looked at Ren with a gaze of pure disbelief.
"Ren... so that's what you've always thought?"
"Hmm?"
Ren's brow furrowed.
Yoruichi's reaction was wrong. What was incorrect about what he had said?
"Isn't that the case?"
"Of course it's not!" Yoruichi shouted loudly. "Setting aside that they are my friends, what about the injustice they're facing? We can't just let them suffer a false accusation and be executed!"
"I can't just stand by and watch them be put to death!"
Hearing this, Ren seemed to understand Yoruichi's thoughts.
He took a deep breath, then slowly let it out, saying coldly, "So you would abandon Touichirou?!"
Yoruichi grew anxious. "Didn't I say I would hide my identity and not be exposed?!"
With the execution imminent, Yoruichi didn't want to waste time arguing fruitlessly with Ren.
Her eyebrows shot up as she asked directly, "Ren, I'm just asking you this: will you help me?"
Ren stared silently at Yoruichi's face. After several seconds, he turned his head away, remaining silent.
Although he didn't answer, this posture clearly indicated his stance.
"Fine! If you won't help me, I'll do it myself!"
Seeing Ren was so stubborn, Yoruichi stopped trying to persuade him.
With a cold snort, she turned and left with Suì-Fēng.
Just as they stepped out of the gate, Suì-Fēng glanced at the courtyard behind them. After a moment's hesitation, she spoke to Yoruichi.
"Lady Yoruichi, are we really going to rescue them?"
Yoruichi glanced at Suì-Fēng. "What, Suì-Fēng? Are you afraid?"
"How could I be!" Suì-Fēng immediately puffed out her chest. "For Lady Yoruichi, even if there were a mountain of blades or a sea of fire ahead, I wouldn't hesitate for a second."
"Then why are you saying this now?"
"No, Lady Yoruichi..."
Suì-Fēng opened her mouth, but still said, "I wouldn't dare doubt your decision! It's just... without Lord Ren's help, can the two of us really rescue Kisuke and the others?"
"Of course we can."
Yoruichi waved her hand.
She looked back at the courtyard, her expression softening.
"Suì-Fēng, don't mind how disagreeable Ren is being right now. Once I make my move, he will definitely help me from the shadows."
"Don't be fooled by his serious face. In reality, he's just a stubborn man who hides his true feelings. He would never just sit back and watch me walk into danger."
Suì-Fēng nodded, her face showing realization.
"I see. So Lady Yoruichi is using yourself as bait to force Lord Ren to act."
Hearing this, Yoruichi's expression stiffened, her eyes gradually turning complicated. She sighed inwardly and nodded heavily.
"Yeah. This time... I'm the one who plotted against him. I'm truly sorry for that."
Suì-Fēng had no other opinions on the matter.
Whether it was plotting or using him, as long as Lady Yoruichi's safety was guaranteed, it was fine.
After Yoruichi left, Ren suddenly turned his head.
Looking at the empty space ahead, Ren raised his hand as if to reach out, but immediately dropped it.
After several seconds, he looked sharply at Shisui and ordered, "Shisui, take your men and act in the shadows. Ensure Yoruichi's safety at all costs!"
"As you command!"
Shisui replied, his figure flickering and vanishing on the spot.
Seeing Shisui leave, Toji crossed his arms over his chest and looked at Ren's profile, his nose twitching slightly.
"Boss, I can smell it. You're feeling guilty."
"And it's not just ordinary guilt. The remorse and self-reproach are even stronger than they were last night."
Ren turned around, looking at Toji with some surprise, then nodded slowly.
A bitter smile appeared on his face.
"Yeah. I'm the one who failed Yoruichi, dragging her into this vortex."
"Now I have to use her to achieve my own goals. How could I not feel remorse?"
Toji nodded. "No wonder you let her leave so easily just now."
Based on his understanding of Ren, if it were any other time, Ren wouldn't have agreed so easily.
Ren's eyes lowered, the light in them growing dim.
Yoruichi's actions had not yet exceeded his expectations.
If he really wanted to persuade Yoruichi, he naturally had plenty of ways to keep her there.
But in the end... he was still failing her.
After today, Ren could foresee that he and Yoruichi would likely part ways.
Ren raised his eyes, looked at Toji, and said, "Don't worry, Toji."
"Although the change in Central 46's verdict was unexpected, such a variable is nothing to worry about."
"The current situation is still far from the worst-case scenario I envisioned. In fact, you could say everything is within my plan!"
Looking at the stubborn Ren, Toji sighed inwardly.
Right, right, everything is within your plan.
What a difficult personality.
Suddenly, he thought of something and asked curiously, "Boss, what exactly is the worst-case scenario you envisioned?"
"I've always heard you mention it, but I'm really not clear on what it is."
Ren looked at him and said in a heavy voice, "Naturally, it's the scenario where every single one of you betrays me."
"Us?"
Toji pointed a finger at himself.
Ren nodded.
Toji asked in confusion, "Which 'us'?"
"Naturally, all of you. Who else could it be?"
Ren said, "You, Shisui, Grandpa and Nobunaga, as well as Sengoku, Whitebeard, and the others, including Touichirou... everyone betrays me and stands against me. That would naturally be the worst-case scenario."
"I see."
A look of surprise appeared in Toji's eyes, followed by a thoughtful nod.
He somewhat understood Ren's way of thinking.
As long as you imagine the worst possible situation, no other development will be particularly hard to accept.
After all, if you're already at rock bottom, any change is an improvement.
Toji asked with interest, "If that situation really happened, Boss, what would your chances of winning be?"
"Well..." Ren rubbed his chin, thinking it over carefully, then said uncertainly:
"If all of you betrayed me, stood on Old Man Yama's side, and even joined forces with Aizen..."
"That situation would be extremely dire. Even for me, I'd estimate only a thirty percent chance of victory."
A thirty percent chance. Although Ren couldn't guarantee complete success, it was still worth a gamble!
Hearing this and seeing the seriousness on Ren's face, Toji smiled.
"Is that so... then that's truly great."
Ren waved his hand and walked toward the courtyard gate.
"Toji, come with me. We need to take action as well."
On the other side, Urahara Kisuke's body was bound by Kido. Under the guard of sentries, he was being escorted all the way to the execution ground.
Walking with heavy steps, Urahara turned his head to look at Tessai Tsukabishi beside him. His eyes were filled with the deathly silence of despair.
Earlier, when facing the trial of Central 46, he had protested at the top of his lungs, speaking of his ordeal and the true mastermind behind the scenes.
But Central 46 had completely ignored him and issued the execution order directly.
"Damn it!"
"Is it really going to end like this for me, Shinji, and the others?"
Clearly, they had all been framed and wronged, yet they were being sentenced to the ultimate punishment.
Meanwhile, the real culprit who had set them up was living well, still hiding comfortably in the shadows.
How unfair the world was!
No... Urahara Kisuke shook his head helplessly.
It wasn't that the world was unfair; in the end, it was because he had been too lax, allowing someone to find an opening.
If he had been more vigilant and careful back then, perhaps this outcome could have been avoided.
On the way to the execution ground, a black figure suddenly appeared, blocking the path of Urahara and the others.
The figure was dressed in a stealth suit that covered the entire body, revealing no identifying features.
Seeing this person, the guards were stunned. They had encountered someone trying to rescue the prisoners.
However, for only one person to come was surely looking down on them!
Everyone snapped out of it, drawing their weapons and charging at the intruder.
"Intruder attempting a rescue! Kill them on sight!"
"Don't panic, there's only one enemy!"
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Despite the petite and delicate frame, the movements were incredibly agile and the power was not weak.
With nimble movements, the figure struck down several guards in the blink of an eye!
Even without drawing a blade, using only Hakuda, the guards were laid low in just a few moves.
Watching the black-clad figure who had suddenly appeared to save them, Urahara's eyes widened, the hope for survival blooming within them.
"Urahara Kisuke and Tessai Tsukabishi, correct?"
The petite figure walked up to the two of them and spoke in a voice that was clearly disguised.
Spiritual pressure flickered at the fingertips, glowing with a faint white light, easily dispelling the Kido bound around the two of them.
"Um... thank you for saving our lives. We are eternally grateful!"
"Eternally grateful!"
Urahara Kisuke and Tessai Tsukabishi looked at each other, their faces filled with confusion.
At a time like this, they really couldn't think of anyone who would dare take such a huge risk to save them.
"May I ask, who exactly are you..."
Before Urahara could finish, the person cut him off with a wave of the hand, their tone far from polite.
"Shut your mouths! Now is not the time for this!"
"Follow me. Someone sent me to rescue you!"
[Reviews - Power St0nes - Comments are highly appreciated to keep me going.....(+50 chapters) patre0n.c0m/talecrafter]