Chapter 31

Near the center of Seireitei.

This was the residence of the Shiba family.

"Brother… is Uncle really dead?"

In the courtyard, a girl about 170 centimeters tall, with bright, expressive eyes, asked with a sorrowful expression.

She was Shiba Kūkaku, a direct descendant of the Shiba clan.

"...I think he probably died in Karakura Town. After all, it was a Vasto Lorde-class Arrancar… one of the King-class Menos Grande..."

From the other side, Shiba Kaien, dressed in a Shinigami uniform, smiled bitterly.

But something was missing.

Those were just empty words of comfort.

Disappearing after a battle with a King-class Vasto Lorde Arrancar, there was no realistic chance of survival.

This so-called "disappearance" was just a way to soften the blow.

"It can't be… Uncle..."

Upon hearing that, Kūkaku's eyes turned red.

Yes, Shiba Isshin might've seemed like an unreliable man, lazy, fond of drinking, always skipping work, frequently getting scolded by the captain...

But as family, as an elder, he was someone who took care of them with all his heart.

Without him, neither Kūkaku, nor her older and younger brothers, would be who they were today.

"...And now he leaves behind a mess."

Kaien sighed.

Miss Shiba Isshin?

There was no time for such sentimentality now.

With Isshin gone, once the strongest Shinigami in the Shiba family, Kaien, the vice-captain of the 13th Division, had immediately taken up the mantle of clan head.

Now wasn't the time to grieve.

The Shiba family needed to rise again.

Knock, knock, knock!

Just then, someone knocked on the gate.

"I'll get it."

Kūkaku walked over.

Given the recent tragedy, many had come to express their condolences over the past few days, captains like Kyoraku Shunsui, nobles from various families, and even some common Shinigami.

She had quickly grown used to the routine.

"Ah... You are,?"

Opening the door, Kūkaku was momentarily stunned.

The man before her had silver, tousled hair, a casual and slightly arrogant demeanor, a tall, slender build, and wore fine clothing, clearly someone from a noble household.

Though he was smiling, it gave Kūkaku an unsettling feeling.

That smile… it's fake.

"Kūkaku, this is the head of the Tsunayashiro clan, Tsunayashiro Tokinada."

Stepping forward to subtly shield his sister, Kaien said respectfully, "My sister didn't mean any offense, Lord Tsunayashiro."

Tokinada chuckled. "It's no trouble at all." He pointed to his face playfully. "I rarely go out, so it's perfectly normal for Miss Shiba not to recognize me."

After passing through the gate, Tokinada looked around casually and gave a soft laugh.

"My apologies for dropping by uninvited. I was deeply saddened to hear about Captain Shiba Isshin's disappearance. Such an outstanding Shinigami..."

"Thank you for your concern, Lord Tsunayashiro," Kaien replied with a polite smile, though sorrow filled his heart. "If Uncle knew so many cared about him, he'd be touched."

(Shiba Isshin somewhere else: "Damn it, I'm not even dead! Someone give me a proper explanation!")

"To be honest," Tokinada continued after sitting down, "in recent years, I haven't had the privilege of being close with Lord Isshin."

His tone was warm, as if reminiscing fond memories, closing the distance between them with practiced ease.

Gradually, the subtle barrier between the two sides vanished.

Then Tokinada gently tapped his fingers on the table, speaking with veiled intent.

"Lord Kaien, you've just taken over the clan. You must feel overwhelmed, no?"

Kaien, who had already experienced great pressure in such a short time, nodded with a sigh.

"Before becoming the head of the family, I never realized just how much weight Uncle was carrying..."

The Shiba family's prestige.

Its future.

Its chance at revival.

These were now his burdens.

So heavy, he barely had time to grieve.

"But... without a captain-level Shinigami at the helm, it must be difficult, right?" Tokinada asked with a faint smile.

Why are there Four Noble Houses?

Not just because of their ancient bloodlines.

Not just because they had existed since the Soul Society's founding.

But also because, generation after generation, the Four Great Noble Houses produced captain-level Shinigami without fail.

It was their foundation, the reason no other noble house could challenge their status.

As long as they had captain-class power, they remained untouchable.

That was the strategic weight of captain-level Shinigami.

"...It's true," Kaien admitted, forcing a smile. "Though many have come to offer condolences… I can feel it. Most of them have other intentions."

In just a few days, Kaien had matured rapidly.

He could already sense the undercurrents of malice.

They want to replace the Shiba clan.

And Shiba Kaien… would never allow that to happen!

"I'll definitely do it, become a captain-level Shinigami and become a worthy head of the family."

Whether he was speaking to Tsunayashiro Tokinada or to himself, Kaien's eyes burned with determination.

"Haha… what a wonderful resolution," Tokinada chuckled, rolling his eyes like he was genuinely impressed. But then his tone subtly shifted.

"But, Lord Shiba… have you considered accepting my help?"

"As a token of gratitude to Captain Isshin, I've been looking for an opportunity to repay the Shiba family."

His voice was calm, and his smile appeared sincere, as if he was truly here to offer kindness.

But Kaien's expression changed instantly.

He stared at Tokinada coldly, eyes filled with restrained fury.

Help from Tokinada? Repay the Shiba family?

No. It was obvious what he really wanted, to take advantage of this crisis and swallow the Shiba family whole, further boosting the influence of the Tsunayashiro clan!

"Patriarch Tsunayashiro, you're not welcome here," Kaien said flatly. "Please leave."

His courtesy was gone. Now, he spoke as the head of the house, voice sharp and commanding.

"My, how decisive."

Tsunayashiro Tokinada gave a mocking smile, patting Kaien lightly on the shoulder. The act was over. The mask had dropped.

He laughed wildly.

A family that hadn't produced a captain-level Shinigami in generations, that had finally risen a little thanks to Shiba Isshin, only to lose him in the Human World.

Disappearance?

Spare him the nonsense. That man was obviously dead.

That's why he came.

The Shiba clan was now a juicy piece of meat.

Among the Four Great Noble Houses, only the Shiba had truly fallen.

Just population-wise, they were incomparable to the others.

Currently, the Shiba family had fewer than fifty members.

In contrast, the Kuchiki clan, the strongest of the four noble houses, had hundreds of direct descendants, let alone branch families.

Even the Shihouin clan remained strong.

As for the Tsunayashiro family… even though it had also declined slightly, it was still far more powerful than the Shiba.

The Shiba clan was done.

And so, their privileges should be stripped away.

"Lord Tsunayashiro, I'll say it again, leave. You're not welcome here." Kaien's voice was cold as steel, barely containing the rage boiling beneath.

"Don't go calling me 'Lord' in that stiff tone, Shiba Kaien."

Tokinada's face darkened, though his twisted smile remained.

"You really think you're going to lead the Shiba clan back to greatness?"

"You don't have the strength to match your ambition. That kind of burden will crush you."

"You're just a vice-captain. That's not enough to become the pillar of a noble house."

"It'd be smarter to just hand over your family land, retreat to the outskirts of Seireitei, and live the rest of your lives in obscurity, like stray dogs."

"So… what's your decision? Think carefully."

By now, Tokinada wasn't even pretending. The threat in his voice was obvious.

"You bastard…"

Kaien's face twisted with anger. Always hot-blooded, he couldn't hold back anymore.

He reached for his Zanpakutō.

Was he really about to Shikai?

What a pathetic man, can't even handle a little provocation, Tokinada sneered.

But then, his smirk froze.

Out of nowhere, someone appeared.

The stranger pressed his hand down on Kaien's arm, stopping him from drawing his blade.

"Hey now, who's to say Shiba Kaien can't become someone great?"

"And where the hell does this trash get off running his mouth here?"

The newcomer glanced sideways at Kaien and spoke lazily.

"You punk…"

Tokinada's eyelid twitched, a vein bulging on his forehead.

He had been this close. Kaien had nearly snapped, he had practically won.

But now… Tokinada's eyes narrowed.

That crest...

He looked down and saw a glittering ornament on the young man's earlobe, a Star Clasp (Hoshihiki).

The Star Clasp was a rare, high-status accessory worn only by nobles of the Kuchiki clan.

Even within the clan, only high-ranking members had the right to wear it.

It was made by threading a lock of hair through a silver bracket, an elegant, symbolic decoration.

Just one Star Clasp cost more than a dozen homes in Seireitei.

It was the embodiment of noble pride.

Kuchiki… Shinji?

That name matched the intelligence reports.

A noble youth from the Kuchiki clan, with terrifying Shunpo, who had stirred up a captain-level evaluation test that very morning.

"Who… are you?"

Kaien was confused.

But Shinji waved his hand, silencing him, and turned back toward Tokinada.

"Hey," he said, voice calm and cold. "I asked you a question, what makes you think Shiba Kaien can't become someone great?"

"Isn't it obvious?"

Tsunayashiro Tokinada leaned back in his chair, squinting at Shinji while pointing at Shiba Kaien.

"Someone like him, stuck at vice-captain level for hundreds of years without any progress, do you really think he can master Bankai and rise to captain-class?"

"The Shiba family has already fallen."

"So stop occupying these resources, give them up already, you piece of trash."

By the end, Tokinada's face twisted into a grim sneer.

"And you, Kuchiki Shinji… are you questioning me now?"

He pointed to his own face, his gaze freezing cold.

"I am the head of the Tsunayashiro family. And you? You're just a mere member of the 10th Division, right? What right do you have, Kuchiki Shinji?"

What's this brat trying to do?

Sure, Shinji was a direct heir of the Kuchiki family, maybe even the next head, or future captain of the 6th Division.

But that's the future, not now.

Right now, he was just a lowly squad member.

And now this little nobody dares to challenge him?

It's disgusting!

Tsunayashiro Tokinada's contempt became more and more obvious. He stood up slowly.

"Compared to me, you're nothing."

"Figure out your place, Kuchiki brat. So what if you're from a noble house?"

Just then, a soft, teasing voice suddenly cut in.

"Then what if that's true?"

Whoosh!

Matsumoto Rangiku appeared in a blur of Shunpo, standing beside Shinji.

She glanced at him, took a breath, and said playfully:

"Really, Captain Shinji, not even a single word before coming to the Shiba residence?"

"As a vice-captain, not keeping up with the captain's pace makes it seem like I'm slacking off, don't you think?"

As she spoke, she gave Tsunayashiro Tokinada a sharp side glance, her eyes cold and filled with restrained anger.

She took a few steps forward, held up a pure white haori, and gently helped Shinji put it on.

It was a captain's cloak.

On the back, a bold single kanji—"Ten" (十), was emblazoned.

The 10th Division.

As expected of Rangiku. Always the most thoughtful.

Shinji smiled faintly as his eyes softened.

Then.

Rangiku turned around. Her once sweet expression had vanished.

In its place, a cold, assertive voice, like steel wrapped in silk:

"Lord Tsunayashiro… can I take your earlier words as a direct provocation toward the 10th Division's captain, Kuchiki Shinji?"

"As his vice-captain, I can't just stand by while someone mocks my captain to his face."

She paused slightly. Her voice turned sharper:

"Also, get this straight, yes, you're the head of the Tsunayashiro family."

"But the man standing in front of you was personally appointed by Captain-Commander Yamamoto as the new Captain of the 10th Division, Kuchiki Shinji!"

Her tone was resolute, word by word delivered like a sword strike.

She stood firmly beside Shinji, like a lioness protecting her cub.

Tsunayashiro Tokinada's face twitched. His sneer faded into an awkward smile.

"Everyone's so worked up… no need for all that. Just a joke, that's all."

He waved lazily at Kaien and sneered:

"Looks like with Captain Kuchiki Shinji's help, maybe you're not as useless as I thought."

With that, he stood and turned to leave.

At the doorway, he paused and looked back:

"Kuchiki boy… I'll be watching."

"Say another word, and I'll kill you right here."

Shinji's voice was flat.

Suddenly, a monstrous wave of spiritual pressure exploded from him.

It instantly engulfed the entire Shiba estate.

But strangely, none of the Shiba clan members were affected.

Only Tsunayashiro Tokinada.

His step faltered. His knees almost buckled.

His joints groaned under the pressure, and his face flushed red.

His mind blanked out, lungs squeezed. He couldn't breathe.

This wasn't just Reiatsu, it was the spiritual dominance of a being on a higher level.

So this brat from the Kuchiki clan really had captain-level strength…

Tsunayashiro Tokinada's mouth twitched. His body trembled uncontrollably.

"Kh… hah…"

He forced a dry, ugly laugh, then disappeared with a flicker of Shunpo.

"What a pathetic mutt."

Shinji stared at the spot where Tokinada vanished, voice calm and scornful.

For a second, just a second, Shiba Kaien thought he saw Tokinada's body twitch at those words before vanishing.

"Captain Shinji!"

Kaien quickly bowed, face full of respect and sincere gratitude.

He was truly thankful from the bottom of his heart.

And from the corner of the room, Shiba Kūkaku peeked out, staring at Shinji with wide, curious eyes.

He looks like he's around my age… but he's already a captain?

"Kaien, don't be so formal."

Shinji waved dismissively, his face complicated.

Then he mumbled, glancing sideways at Rangiku:

"…Man, I owe some old man a huge damn favor for this mess."