"Privately?"
Suzuki Makoto's tone carried a hint of teasing as he looked at the Captain of the 8th Division before him.
"Privately."
Shunsui Kyoraku nodded with a smile, repeating his request once more.
This already made the other party's attitude clear—he wasn't worried about whether Suzuki Makoto would have a conflict with the members of the Tsunayashiro family in the World of the Living, but rather, he was certain that this conflict would inevitably erupt.
However, Shunsui Kyoraku's stance was truly something Suzuki Makoto hadn't anticipated.
"Is Captain Kyoraku so certain that I am going to the World of the Living specifically to make trouble for the Tsunayashiro family?"
"I'm not too certain either, just casually making a request of Lieutenant Suzuki. If the World of the Living can remain peaceful and uneventful, then it would be a good thing for everyone, wouldn't it?"
"That is also true... I accept Captain Kyoraku's request."
Suzuki Makoto naturally didn't mind chatting with him after the fact. In truth, he really did owe this intelligence captain a favor. If he had reported the Tsunayashiro family's actions to the Captain-Commander, Shigekuni Yamamoto would absolutely not have approved of him going to the World of the Living right now.
Although he could still head to the World of the Living through Aizen, rushing back and forth in such a panic was indeed quite displeasing.
"Thank you for your generosity, Suzuki-kun. Since that's the case, I won't disturb your rest any longer. The journey to the World of the Living tomorrow will still be quite arduous."
Seeing that his goal was achieved, Shunsui Kyoraku prepared to leave, but Suzuki Makoto didn't want to just let him off the hook like that.
"Please wait a moment, Captain Kyoraku. I am still quite curious about your attitude towards the Tsunayashiro family. After all, the Kyoraku family is also an upper-class noble house, right? Your interests are closely tied to those of the Four Great Noble Houses. Yet, whether it was back when I was still with the Yellow Turbans, or even now, it seems your concern over the Tsunayashiro family even surpasses your worry for any other threat."
The man spread his hands, looking as if he were merely asking casually.
"If this question puts you in a difficult position, then pretend I never asked."
Shunsui Kyoraku only hesitated for a moment before sitting back down.
"If it were just the Tsunayashiro family, I actually wouldn't be this wary, nor would I lean either way between the Yellow Turbans and the Tsunayashiro. Although the Kyoraku family is noble, I am merely the second son. Moreover, I am the Captain-Commander's disciple and hold an important position within the Gotei 13."
"All of my actions have the ultimate goal of helping the Captain-Commander maintain the stability of the Seireitei and guarding the path to the Soul King Palace. However, within the Tsunayashiro family, there is an existence incredibly dangerous to the Seireitei—no, to the entire Soul Society. That is a guy with no concept of good and evil, who acts entirely as he pleases, and possesses a personality that is vile to the extreme."
The middle-aged man, who usually had a lazy smile hanging on his face, now wore an expression as serious as if he were discussing the end of the world.
"I have always never shied away from speculating his actions with the utmost malice. Previously, I had already used a pretext to have him locked up in the Nest of Maggots, but during the conspiracy against the Yellow Turbans, he was inexplicably dug back out. Now, he has already become a pivotal figure within the Tsunayashiro family!"
"Is Captain Kyoraku suspecting that this time, the Tsunayashiro family's operation in the World of the Living is being spearheaded by this guy?"
"It is definitely him!"
Shunsui Kyoraku said with absolute certainty.
"Throughout countless years, the Tsunayashiro family has had countless opportunities to obtain whatever they wanted in the World of the Living. It's impossible that they would purposefully drag it out until now. I can even be certain that ever since you entered the Seireitei, Suzuki-kun, all of the Tsunayashiro family's actions have been directed by that man—Tokinada Tsunayashiro!"
Suzuki Makoto lightly nodded. He didn't need much; Kyoraku providing this name was more than enough.
"I'll treat you to a drink when I get back, Captain Kyoraku."
"I'll be looking forward to that."
Kugo Ginjo sensed that something was amiss.
"Recently, have any of you seen the Shinigami who was originally stationed nearby?"
He looked at the companions he had gathered and voiced his question.
The Fullbringers thought about it in confusion, all shaking their heads.
"I haven't."
"Me neither."
"The last time we saw him was already a month ago, right?"
The clamoring discussion made Kugo Ginjo realize that the situation he was experiencing was not an isolated case.
"Perhaps it's because the frequency of Hollows attacking has decreased. Didn't the Shinigami we met before mention that they are currently short on manpower?"
One man offered a guess.
"Besides, we are here, and we can completely handle those Hollows. Perhaps this made the Shinigami stationed here feel that he wasn't needed, so he went to assist elsewhere?"
This reasonable speculation soothed Kugo Ginjo's doubts, though an unfounded fear at the bottom of his heart still left him somewhat uneasy.
"Don't worry, those Shinigami will at most just be a bit slower when it comes to rescue operations. However, I've never heard of any Shinigami taking pleasure in slaughtering humans. I believe the Gotei 13 should be an upright organization, otherwise, we wouldn't have agreed to become Substitute Shinigami together with you."
Kugo Ginjo nodded, finally suppressing the unease in his heart.
He was just about to say something when he suddenly sensed a Barrier rising nearby.
"This—what is going on!"
The previously relaxed and cheerful atmosphere instantly grew tense. They all thought they had encountered some terrifying Menos Grande, so everyone vigilantly observed their surroundings.
That is, until over a hundred cloaked humanoid figures appeared.
Not Hollows?!
Kugo Ginjo felt a mix of shock and uncertainty in his heart. The Reiatsu of these people was very strong. There were quite a few that even made him feel pressured, not to mention the companions standing behind him.
"I am Kugo Ginjo. Are you Shinigami?"
He asked, mustering his courage.
However, this self-introduction seemed to help those people confirm their target. They didn't speak; they merely drew the swords at their waists.
The man's pupils abruptly constricted. These swords were entirely uniform Zanpakuto. Their identities were naturally self-evident!
Dozens of Shikai incantations rang out. The Zanpakuto in those people's hands immediately transformed into various weapons, and then they swiftly converged to slaughter them!
"Why are the Shinigami attacking us?!"
"Didn't they say they wanted us to become Substitute Shinigami?"
"Hey! Ginjo! Say something! You aren't in cahoots with them, are you?!"
The panicked voices surrounding the man finally jolted him awake from this nightmare.
"Counterattack first! There's something wrong with these guys!"
He roared, attempting to restore order to the chaotic scene—but for the experienced hounds of the Tsunayashiro family, this brief moment of chaos was already more than enough.
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