"You're certainly impatient, Mayuri."
Toshiro said.
For this operation to catch them red-handed, ensuring that the nobles within the Seireitei and the future Central 46 would have nothing to say and find no fault, Toshiro specifically sought out Mayuri, using the Technology Development Bureau's technology to monitor the area around the Kasumioji Residence.
That's why, the moment Nukui and his men left the Kasumioji Residence, they were immediately detected, and then Sojiro and the others swiftly made their move, catching them red-handed.
Moreover, even the entire battle process of Sojiro and the others was recorded. With pictorial evidence, even all the nobles of the Soul Society would have nothing to say. No one could find fault with the Gotei 13.
Of course, Mayuri's help came with conditions, and the condition was the Bakkoto.
As previously agreed, after eliminating Kumoi and his followers, the confiscated Bakkoto could be lent to him for a period of time for research purposes.
Toshiro just didn't expect Mayuri to come so quickly. Toshiro had barely returned to report to Yamamoto when Mayuri came running right after.
"Hmph, how could people like you possibly understand the feelings of us scientific researchers? I can't wait to personally research the secrets of the Bakkoto."
Mayuri said to Toshiro and the others with an air of superiority.
"Good grief, I simply cannot understand this mysterious arrogance of yours."
Toshiro looked helplessly at Mayuri, who seemed to be implying everyone else was trash.
"Enough, Toshiro. I'm not in the mood to waste words with you. Give me the Bakkoto quickly."
Mayuri said impatiently.
"Chojiro, go get the Bakkoto that Toshiro brought just now."
Yamamoto instructed Sasakibe, who was acting as a background figure.
Earlier, after Nukui and his men were killed, the Bakkoto on their persons and those they were transporting were all brought back by Toshiro and his group and handed over to Yamamoto.
"Yes, Captain-Commander-dono."
Sasakibe responded and immediately fetched the Bakkoto that had just been put away, handing them to Mayuri.
"Really, is this all there is?"
Mayuri looked dissatisfiedly at the dozen or so Bakkoto before him.
"Hey, don't be too greedy, Mayuri. A dozen is already quite a few. And I only brought back this many this time. The rest are still in the Kasumioji Residence's workshop."
Toshiro frowned.
Earlier, Toshiro had only instructed Rangiku, Sojiro, and the others to bring back the Bakkoto from Nukui and his men.
The Bakkoto belonging to Nukui and his men, plus the ones they were transporting, totaled twelve. As for the rest, they were still in the Kasumioji workshop. Toshiro hadn't brought them back because there were too many… he simply couldn't carry them all. So he had to leave them to Sui-Feng, who was handling the cleanup.
"Forget it. Leave these Bakkoto here for now. I'll come back for them later."
Mayuri frowned, said very dissatisfiedly, and then turned to leave.
"Hey! Mayuri, where are you going?"
Toshiro asked, very surprised.
Just now, Mayuri had been acting like he coveted the Bakkoto immensely, and now he was directly putting them down and walking away.
"I'm going to the Kasumioji Residence! Didn't you say the rest of the Bakkoto are there? When it comes to studying Bakkoto, the more samples, the better, of course."
Mayuri said without looking back.
"Wait a moment!"
Yamamoto suddenly spoke.
"What is it now?"
Mayuri turned around, his tone very impatient.
Although he was eager to obtain those Bakkoto, Mayuri didn't have the nerve to openly defy Yamamoto. So he had to turn back and listen to his 'sacred instructions'.
"Mayuri, if you just want to research the Bakkoto, that's naturally not a problem. But don't let me find you using them for any illicit purposes like Kumoi did! Otherwise, I will definitely not forgive you!"
Yamamoto warned solemnly.
Seeing Yamamoto so serious, Mayuri couldn't help but feel a chill. If it weren't for the mask on his face, perhaps Yamamoto might have noticed something amiss in his expression.
But even so, some of the little schemes in Mayuri's heart dissipated. He had indeed had some ideas, but since Yamamoto had warned him, he didn't dare to beard the lion in his den and had to give up those little ideas.
"Hmph, I didn't need the Captain-Commander's warning. I only planned to research them anyway. I never intended to use the Bakkoto for anything."
Mayuri still said forcefully.
"If that's the case, then all the better."
Yamamoto looked deeply at Mayuri.
"Hmph!"
Mayuri snorted coldly and left, flicking his sleeves.
After Mayuri left, Yamamoto looked at Shusuke again and said, "Shusuke, all these years you've been campaigning in Hueco Mundo, you surely haven't had a chance to pay respects to Kisaragi Shin'etsu. So go pay your respects at your father's grave first. Then, think carefully about what you want to do. If, after careful consideration, you still insist on confessing, come back to me then."
"Yes."
Shusuke hesitated for a moment but finally nodded.
Then Toshiro, Shusuke, and the others also left this place.
"Sigh, Shin'etsu, your son is just like you, just as stubborn."
Yamamoto suddenly sighed inexplicably.
Speaking selfishly, Yamamoto did not want Shusuke to be punished. He had always felt guilty about Shin'etsu's death and didn't want to see his son punished either.
But from an official standpoint, he also greatly appreciated Shusuke's attitude of proactively confessing and accepting responsibility.
"Genryusai-dono, you need not worry. Even if Captain Amagai ultimately chooses to confess, he won't receive too severe a punishment."
Sasakibe comforted him.
What Sasakibe said was correct. Although Shusuke had indeed cooperated with Kumoi, it was because he mistakenly believed Yamamoto was his enemy.
Moreover, Shusuke had only obtained the Bakkoto from Kumoi and had not committed any heinous acts. His crimes were not serious.
Furthermore, Shusuke had actively cooperated in this operation against Kumoi. So even judged by the Soul Society's laws and regulations, Shusuke wouldn't receive much punishment.
The only issue was that it would be difficult for Shusuke to continue as Captain of the 3rd Division.
And this was still considering that the future Central 46 might use Shusuke as a point of contention. If the Central 46 didn't deliberately target him, Shusuke might not even receive any punishment at all.
After all, he hadn't committed a major crime and had actively cooperated in the operation, atoning for his crimes.
"Forget it. I'll leave it all to Shusuke to choose for himself."
Yamamoto sighed.
…
Three days later.
10th Division.
Toshiro and Rurichiyo sat facing each other in a pavilion.
Three days had passed since the Kumoi incident, and during this time, Rurichiyo had formally succeeded as the family head, officially becoming the 37th leader of the Kasumioji Clan.
"Why did you suddenly come to see me? You just became the family head, don't you have many things to handle?"
Toshiro asked casually, then took a sip of tea from the stone table.
"I came to tell you… I've already broken off my engagement with that Kannogi guy!"
Rurichiyo suddenly dropped this bombshell.