Chapter 27: Night Exploration of Noble Street
As night fell, Uehara Shiroha left a shadow clone as a decoy and quietly made his way toward the noble district of Seireitei.
Noble Street was located east of the Sixth Division barracks, almost at the very center of Seireitei.
The district's central area was filled with extravagant mansions, private medical facilities, and high-end dining establishments—luxuries reserved exclusively for the noble class.
Without noble lineage or special permission, even a captain-level Shinigami wasn't allowed to set foot here.
Of course, if someone really wanted to sneak in, they could use the sewer system beneath Seireitei.
But for Uehara Shiroha, such methods were unnecessary.
With his Zanpakutō ability that similar like Kamui called Shunkyō [Fleeting Void], bypassing the district's security was effortless.
Although the barriers here weren't as absurdly fortified as those guarding the Soul King's Palace, they still weren't to be underestimated.
Along the way, Uehara Shiroha detected multiple layers of concealed barriers and traps made of Sekkiseki.
For most ordinary captains, breaching these defenses wouldn't be easy.
But for him?
They might as well not exist.
As he strolled forward, a thought crossed his mind.
If only I could get an item like the [Marauder's Map] from Harry Potter… Imagine how lively that would be.
On the surface, Soul Society appeared peaceful.
But in reality?
It was a den of monsters.
At night, the hidden forces lurking in the shadows would emerge.
Aizen, lost in his research.
A loving sister secretly watching over her brother.
Kurotsuchi Mayuri, conducting twisted experiments.
Azahiro, quietly observing everything.
Tsunayashiro Tokinada, plotting the annihilation of his own family...
Each one had their own deadly talents.
But none of them could compare to his ability to become a Hollow at will.
With no obstacles in his path, Uehara Shiroha reached the heart of Noble Street.
Here, grand mansions lined the streets, each more extravagant than the last.
One particular residence stood out—a gaudy display of excessive wealth, with a nameplate inscribed with the word Omaeda.
Ah, so this is the Omaeda family's estate…
The Omaedas were a notoriously wealthy noble family—practically Seireitei's equivalent of nouveau riche.
Omaeda Marechiyo's father, Omaeda Marenoshin, was only a vice-captain, yet he had the wealth to casually purchase a gem mine.
At this point in time, however, Marenoshin had not yet officially retired from his position as vice-captain of the Second Division and commander of the Onmitsukidō.
He was still in the process of handing over his responsibilities.
During this transition period, Omaeda Marenoshin and some veteran Onmitsukidō members were stationed near the Shihōin estate, ensuring its security.
As Uehara Shiroha approached, he sensed several concealed spiritual pressures.
It was clear that ever since Yoruichi's defection, certain factions had set their sights on the Shihōin family's wealth and influence.
Despite the nobles' so-called "honor" and "hierarchy," they had their own traditions of betrayal.
Let's not forget—the power of the Five Great Noble Houses came from their betrayal of the Soul King.
If these people truly believed in "following the rules," they would've been devoured long ago.
The noble families weren't united—they were in constant competition, always scheming and backstabbing one another.
Thinking about this, Uehara Shiroha raised his gaze toward the largest mansion on the street.
It towered over the surrounding buildings, its sheer extravagance an insult to the concept of modesty.
The mainstream architecture of Soul Society followed a style reminiscent of Japan's Heian period—simple, integrated with nature, and rarely exceeding three stories.
Even the Kuchiki estate, owned by one of the oldest and most powerful noble houses, maintained a relatively traditional design.
But this place?
It was practically declaring itself the ruler of Seireitei.
This was the Tsunayashiro family's mansion.
The same Tsunayashiro family that had not only betrayed the Soul King but dismembered him for their own gain.
"Flaunting your power like this? You're just begging for death."
Disgust filled Uehara Shiroha's heart.
The sheer inequality in Soul Society was sickening.
One single street hoarded 99% of Seireitei's wealth and resources.
Was that reasonable?
Of course not.
Time to fix that imbalance.
Besides, there was a good chance the Tsunayashiro family had already marked him as a target.
That alone was enough reason to act.
Without hesitation, he summoned a shadow clone and sent it off to randomly select a lucky victim.
The next day, news spread through Noble Street like wildfire, sending shockwaves through the great noble houses.
A member of the Tsunayashiro family—Tsunayashiro Kumagawa—had been assassinated overnight.
The only clue left at the scene?
The emblem of the Onmitsukidō.
Though Tsunayashiro Kumagawa had a horrendous reputation—his hands stained with countless crimes—the Tsunayashiro family didn't care about commoners' lives.
What did it matter if a few "ants" died?
But for them, a noble's life was different.
The Tsunayashiro family saw themselves as the leaders of the Five Great Noble Houses. They looked down upon Shinigami, commoners, and even lower-ranking nobles.
To them, Shinigami were disposable.
Commoners were disposable.
But a Tsunayashiro?
Unacceptable.
This wasn't just a murder—it was a provocation. A humiliation.
Outraged, the Tsunayashiro family immediately pressured the Central 46.
Normally, internal matters between noble houses were handled by the Gold Seal Noble Council—a governing body that outranked the Central 46 in noble affairs.
However, when it came to execution and enforcement, both the Gold Seal Council and the Central 46 needed the cooperation of the Gotei 13 and the Onmitsukidō.
Which meant…
In the end, this entire mess fell onto Captain-Commander Yamamoto's desk.
Inside the First Division barracks, Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni sat calmly, hands resting on his cane, eyes closed.
"Last night," he said, his voice steady, "a member of the Tsunayashiro family was killed.
The Onmitsukidō's insignia was left at the scene.
What is the meaning of this?"
Though the Onmitsukidō was officially under the Second Division, in reality, its authority was divided among several noble families.
It served as a buffer between the Gotei 13 and the nobles, preventing direct conflicts between them.
But after Yoruichi's defection, the balance had shifted.
"I have no idea, Captain-Commander!" Suì-Fēng responded immediately.
Truthfully, she was completely confused.
Was the Shihōin family declaring war on the Tsunayashiros?
She had heard nothing about this.
Her mind was in turmoil.
Ever since she had crossed paths with Uehara Shiroha, her life had never been smooth.
Not long ago, two of her Onmitsukidō officers had been frozen on the spot by him and falsely accused of conspiring against the Gotei 13.
That incident was still unresolved, and the perpetrator had yet to be punished.
The Onmitsukidō—and herself as its leader—had become a laughingstock.
And now, this new disaster had landed at her feet.
Suì-Fēng clenched her fists, suppressing the urge to scream.
This was really getting out of hand…
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