"Kūgo Ginjō—the first Substitute Shinigami. Decades ago he allegedly murdered several Shinigami companions and defected from Soul Society, becoming a wanted criminal. That's the conclusion you reached, right, Yoruichi?" Tsuna asked.
"That's right," Yoruichi replied. "That's the conclusion I reached after investigating both Soul Society and the Human World."
"On the surface, yes," Tsuna said calmly. "But the real truth was hidden by certain people."
"Those people belong to the same social tier as your clan, Yoruichi—one of the Five Great Noble Houses of Soul Society."
"The Tsunayashiro Clan."
"The Tsunayashiro Clan?" Yoruichi jumped onto the table, clearly unsettled. "The incident with the first Substitute Shinigami involves one of the Five Great Noble Houses?"
"All five noble houses hold authority over different aspects of Soul Society," Tsuna explained.
"The Shihōin Clan, your family, commands the Onmitsukidō and manages various sacred weapons."
"The Kuchiki Clan safeguards and enforces the laws of Soul Society."
"The Tsunayashiro Clan oversees the Great Spirit Library (Daireishokairō), controlling nearly all historical records and intelligence."
"If anyone wanted to alter history, they would be the ones most capable of doing it."
"But that alone isn't proof of wrongdoing," Yoruichi replied. "If it involves the Five Great Noble Houses, we need solid evidence."
"Of course there's no evidence," Tsuna said. "Because the evidence has already been rewritten."
"The records in the Seireitei Surveillance Archive have been altered. Everything can only be inferred."
"Then what's their motive?" Yoruichi asked.
"The Tsunayashiro Clan has always been ambitious," Tsuna answered. "They've long desired to control the Three Realms."
"And for that, they set their sights on the power of the Soul King."
"Surely the two of you remember where the power of Fullbringers comes from."
"The fragments of the Soul King," Urahara Kisuke replied.
"Exactly."
"Because Ginjō was a Substitute Shinigami, he spent long periods living in the Human World. Over time, he began attracting people with supernatural abilities."
"A group of humans with unique powers gradually gathered around him. That group eventually became the precursor to Xcution."
"A gathering of Fullbringers like that naturally attracted the attention of the Tsunayashiro Clan."
"They sent people to kill Ginjō's companions—in order to extract Soul King fragments from their bodies."
"And that wasn't the end of it."
"They also killed the Shinigami they had sent."
"Then they altered the Surveillance Archive records and shifted all the blame onto Ginjō."
"And thus began the incident known as the defection of the first Substitute Shinigami."
After Tsuna finished explaining the story of Kūgo Ginjō, the room fell silent for quite some time.
"That's troublesome," Yoruichi said finally, her gaze sharpening. "Kid, why are you looking for Ginjō? Planning to overthrow Soul Society?"
Although she had left Soul Society, she had no desire to see it destroyed.
"Everyone around me—including myself—is a Fullbringer," Tsuna replied calmly.
"I don't want to repeat what happened to Ginjō."
"So you're planning to oppose the Tsunayashiro Clan?" Urahara asked.
"That would be quite troublesome."
"Exactly," Yoruichi said. "Even I don't like the Tsunayashiro Clan, but noble houses aren't easy to deal with. Even I would need to think carefully before acting against them."
"Act against them?" Tsuna shook his head.
"I'm not thinking that far ahead."
"As long as the Tsunayashiro Clan doesn't provoke me."
"Since Ginjō isn't purely evil, I'd like to make contact with Xcution."
"If we can become allies, that would be ideal."
"After all, captain-level combat power is valuable."
"Captain-level?" Yoruichi scoffed.
"With your strength, why bother being so cautious? Just knock on their door."
"If they submit, recruit them."
"If they refuse, beat them until they do."
"If it were only Ginjō," Tsuna admitted, "I might have gone after him the moment I learned Bankai."
"But there's another person beside him."
"A very troublesome one."
"Shūkurō Tsukishima."
"Tsukishima?" Yoruichi frowned. "I remember that name. He's been with Ginjō for many years."
"Tsukishima was raised by Ginjō," Tsuna explained. "He's extremely loyal."
"But that's not the real problem."
"The real problem is his Fullbring ability."
"It's called Book of the End."
"His weapon is a bookmark-shaped blade. Once it cuts someone, he can insert his own existence into that person's past."
"He can alter their memories and personal history."
"He can also learn everything about their past."
"In other words—"
"Tsukishima can turn an enemy into an ally without them realizing it."
Tsuna's expression turned grave.
He had long considered approaching Ginjō, but Tsukishima's existence had always held him back.
He had no intention of becoming Tsukishima's puppet.
"That ability… is terrifying," Urahara said quietly.
For someone like him—who carried countless secrets in his mind—that power was especially dangerous.
"That's why I asked for your help," Tsuna continued.
"First, to locate Xcution."
"Second, to serve as my failsafe when I approach them."
"What do you need us to do?" Urahara asked.
"I don't know whether I'll be affected by Tsukishima's ability."
"If I start acting strangely…"
"Shopkeeper—kill Tsukishima Shūkurō immediately."
"If he dies, everything will return to normal."
For the first time, killing intent appeared in Tsuna's eyes.
He could never forget Ichigo's expression in the original Fullbring Arc—when Tsukishima manipulated everyone around him.
It was the first time Ichigo had shown genuine killing intent.
Tsuna had no desire to experience that same isolation himself.
Yet living in the Human World meant inevitable contact with Xcution.
Rather than letting Tsukishima strike first, Tsuna had chosen to act proactively.
If persuasion worked—great.
If not…
That was why he came to Urahara Kisuke, hoping the man's endless tricks could serve as his final safeguard.
"What's your plan?" Yoruichi narrowed her eyes.
This was the first time she had seen killing intent from Tsuna.
"I don't have one," Tsuna replied.
"…What?"
Yoruichi looked confused.
They were helping him—yet he wasn't planning anything?
"Yoruichi," Urahara said, gently stroking the black cat in his arms.
"Tsuna-kun means exactly what he said."
"He has no plan."
"If Tsukishima inserts himself into Tsuna's past, he would learn everything—including the plan we're discussing now."
"The moment Tsuna is affected, the entire strategy would collapse."
Tsuna nodded.
As expected, asking Urahara Kisuke for help had been the correct choice.
Urahara only needed to know one thing:
Kill Tsukishima if necessary.
How he accomplished that was entirely up to him.
Tsuna raised his hand.
A trident formed in his grip—an illusion created through Mist Flames.
The illusion materialized into the image of a young man:
Black hair. Black eyes. Shoulder-length hair. A refined, gentle appearance.
"This is Shūkurō Tsukishima," Tsuna said.
"Be careful of his sword."
"His ability isn't limited to living beings."
"He can insert himself into the past of inanimate objects as well."
"They become tools under his control."
"What a troublesome opponent," Yoruichi muttered.
"No wonder you're so cautious."
Tsuna could only smile bitterly.
In his previous life, Tsukishima had been jokingly grouped with Orihime and Yhwach as characters who controlled the past, present, and future.
Even Ichigo's Zanpakutō, which Yhwach shattered, had once been restored through Tsukishima's power.
That alone justified caution.
"I understand," Urahara said, lowering the brim of his hat.
"Give me some time."
"Tsuna-kun, depart tomorrow instead."
"I already have the beginnings of a plan."
"I just need time to prepare."
"Understood," Tsuna said.
"Tomorrow's the weekend anyway."
"Plenty of time to deal with this."
He turned to Yoruichi.
"Where is Xcution's base?"
"Naruki City."
"The neighboring city?" Tsuna smiled. "Perfect."
"Maybe I'll still make it back in time for dinner."
He stood and left.
After Tsuna departed, Yoruichi looked toward Urahara.
"What do you think about the Tsunayashiro situation?"
This involved one of the Great Noble Houses—or rather, now one of the Four Great Noble Houses.
She had a lot to consider.
"Tsuna-kun's attitude is clear," Urahara said.
"If it doesn't affect him, he won't interfere."
"But if the Tsunayashiro Clan truly seeks control over the Soul King's power…"
"Then no one can remain uninvolved."
The matter of the Soul King concerned the balance of the Three Realms.
Tsuna could never ignore it forever.
"So the Tsunayashiro Clan has already placed itself opposite that kid?" Yoruichi asked.
"And what about you?"
"My stance is the same as Tsuna-kun's," Urahara replied.
"For now…"
"The Soul King must not be touched."
(At least not until a suitable replacement exists, he silently added in his mind.)
"Fine," Yoruichi said.
"I'll keep an eye on the Tsunayashiro Clan."
"The Great Spirit Library and the Surveillance Archive—every place where evidence could exist—is under their control."
"That means Kūgo Ginjō himself could never discover the truth."
"And that," Urahara said quietly,
"is exactly why Tsuna-kun is worth helping."
Yoruichi snorted.
"That kid still has far too many secrets."
Indeed.
If all evidence had been erased—even Ginjō himself didn't know the truth.
So how did Sawada Tsunayoshi know?
Urahara's suspicions about Tsuna only deepened.
The next day arrived.
Tsuna left Tatsuki at Urahara Shop before heading toward Naruki City.
Urahara and Yoruichi were nowhere to be seen.
They had likely already begun their preparations.
Soon, Tsuna arrived at an old apartment building in 7th District, Chōhara, Naruki City.
He examined the building carefully.
According to the original story, this place should have been protected by Yukio's Fullbring barrier.
Yet everything looked completely ordinary.
Did Yukio not join Xcution yet?
But that wasn't important.
Since he was already here—
He might as well knock.
Tsuna stepped forward and knocked on the door.
Even the organization's security system hadn't been installed yet.
After waiting a moment, the door opened.
Standing there was a cute girl with purple-red twin tails, her face full of irritation.
"Who is it?" she grumbled.
"Didn't I say deliveries should just be left outside?"
The moment Tsuna saw her—
He knew he had come to the right place.
This girl was one of Xcution's members.
Riruka Dokugamine.
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