Chapter 105: Inheritance

In the central underground meeting hall.

Kaname Tōsen and Aizen, maintaining their elaborate deception, observed the unusual movements of the Gotei 13. Tōsen's expression shifted with concern.

"Master Aizen, they appear to have noticed your arrangement! Everything seems to be proceeding according to plan."

"It's merely a diversion to buy time. Success or failure is of little consequence," Aizen replied coolly, eyeing the secret entrance to the underground council chamber as he prepared to enter. His destination was the Great Spirit Book Archive, where he intended to examine various classified documents.

At this moment, Tōsen produced several documents, his expression complicated: "Uehara Shiroha reports that the Tsunayashiro family was exterminated by Tsunayashiro Tokinada. He has requested authorization to assume control of all Tsunayashiro family assets and holdings."

Tōsen had always harbored ill feelings toward the Tsunayashiro family—hatred would not be an overstatement. Had he not feared disrupting their meticulously crafted plans, he would have moved against them long ago. Ironically, while the world of justice he envisioned remained distant, Uehara Shiroha had apparently dispensed that justice on his behalf.

"Perfect timing, and brilliantly executed," Aizen remarked, unsurprised by Tokinada's demise. He hadn't anticipated, however, that Uehara would act so decisively, eliminating one of the Four Great Noble Houses. The man evidently held no fear of Squad Zero!

Aizen himself had been more measured, slaughtering merely Tsunayashiro family pawns without targeting principal members. This Uehara Shiroha either refrained from action entirely or left nothing alive when he did act. Impressive.

Tōsen continued: "Not only was the timing impeccable, but everything was flawlessly arranged. The documents contain images of Tsunayashiro Tokinada's crimes and traces of his spiritual pressure—the evidence is irrefutable. He even produced Tsunayashiro Tokikawa's will, in which Tokikawa recognizes Uehara Shiroha's legal right of inheritance. What should our response be?"

The most audacious element was this purported will. In it, Tokikawa candidly admitted his error in refusing the Court Army's protection and Uehara's assistance. As head of the Tsunayashiro family, he expressed profound regret for his negligence, claiming all responsibility rested with Tokinada. According to the document, Uehara had detected irregularities and intervened just in time to eliminate Tokinada, thereby avenging the clan members. Consequently, before his death, Tokikawa—in his capacity as family head—entrusted the entire Tsunayashiro estate to Uehara Shiroha.

Tōsen recognized that such statements were completely out of character for Tokikawa. Nevertheless, the suicide note appeared flawless, leaving him without grounds for objection.

"Agree to his terms," Aizen instructed confidently. "As long as he remains within the Noble District, everything will proceed smoothly. I understand he harbors additional schemes, much like Urahara. However, once we obtain the Hōgyoku, none of that will matter. Our plan advances steadily—ultimate victory will be ours."

With these words, he proceeded toward the secret entrance leading to the Great Spirit Book Archive.

Tōsen immediately issued an order acknowledging Uehara Shiroha's legitimate claim to the Tsunayashiro inheritance. Both parties tacitly agreed to handle the matter discreetly.

No one could have predicted that the Tsunayashiro family—one of the Four Great Noble Houses—would meet such an inglorious and silent end. Nevertheless, news of this development circulated among high-ranking Shinigami and nobles.

Shortly thereafter, Uehara Shiroha arrived at the Tsunayashiro family estate. A substantial contingent of Court Army troops had secured the perimeter.

This vast area represented the Tsunayashiro sphere of influence—effectively a small, isolated nation. Now this private kingdom belonged to him.

Upon arrival, Uehara noticed Byakuya Kuchiki's presence. The noble captain acknowledged him with a curt nod, his expression characteristically cold.

"On behalf of the Gold Seal Noble Council, I inform you that we have provisionally approved Captain-Commander Uehara's request. We shall render our final decision once the Ryoka incident has concluded."

Inwardly, Byakuya was profoundly shocked. That the Tsunayashiro family had been decimated by Tokinada alone was astonishing. Though Tokinada had relied on the Enrakyōten to accomplish this feat single-handedly, the outcome remained deeply disturbing.

Moreover, Byakuya found it inconceivable that someone of Tokikawa's character would willingly relinquish the Tsunayashiro legacy to Uehara Shiroha. Despite his private doubts, rules remained rules—he could not reject the proposal outright.

The Shihōin family had approved the arrangement without hesitation. Consequently, Uehara now legitimately controlled everything belonging to the Tsunayashiro family.

"I understand," Uehara responded with apparent indifference.

With endorsements from Central 46 and the Gold Seal Noble Council, all his actions possessed legal standing and reasonable justification. This approach would circumvent numerous complications. Though unafraid of challenges, he saw no reason to invite unnecessary trouble.

Would it not be preferable to use this time drinking tea, fishing, and enjoying the company of his companions? From this day forward, the Tsunayashiro family's legacy—spanning countless millennia—belonged solely to him. Quite the windfall.

Byakuya offered a slight bow to Uehara and said, "Well, Captain-Commander Uehara, I shall take my leave."

Watching the 6th Division Captain depart, Uehara shook his head. The Kuchiki family had never demonstrated true greatness. When the Soul King suffered betrayal, the Tsunayashiro family had executed the attack, the Shiba family provided technological expertise, and the Shihōin family supplied equipment. Meanwhile, the Kuchiki family had merely stood aside, offering hollow praise.

They claimed to defend nobility and uphold regulations, yet they behaved as opportunists—the quintessential followers of prevailing winds. Consequently, Uehara harbored no expectation that they would speak for the deceased. Similarly, he anticipated no intervention on Rukia's behalf.

As these thoughts crossed his mind, Uehara heard Court Army sergeants shouting in the distance: "Fall back! No one approaches without the Captain-Commander's explicit authorization!"

He observed the figures that had suddenly materialized in the distance and reflected: "I knew some fools would come seeking their demise. Having established my claim, I now require a show of force—an opportunity to kill a chicken to frighten the monkeys. Let's see whether their obstinacy exceeds the sharpness of my blade."

"Who dares intrude? This territory is under my jurisdiction—are you unaware?" Uehara approached the confrontation between his Court Army soldiers and the newcomers.

"Commander!" Several soldiers immediately saluted respectfully, admiration evident in their gazes. The group's leader—a man adorned in elaborate attire—regarded Uehara coldly, his brow furrowing.

"I am Ichirō Takefu, head of the Takefu family. You claim this as your territory? This land has belonged to our noble lineage for generations. That remains unchanged."

As a subordinate family of the Tsunayashiro house, the Takefu clan's fortunes had always been intertwined with their liege lords.

As a subordinate family of the Tsunayashiro house, the Takefu clan believed they possessed a natural right of inheritance to the Tsunayashiro legacy. Even with Central 46 and the Gold Seal Noble Council supporting the Court Army, Ichirō Takefu refused to surrender.

The interests at stake were simply too substantial.

Moreover, he looked down upon both the Court Army and Uehara Shiroha. When had it become acceptable for a commoner from Rukongai to inherit noble possessions? The very notion was absurd!

"So, you presume to take what rightfully belongs to me? By what authority?" Uehara released a fraction of his spiritual pressure—pure reiatsu without killing intent, as these individuals weren't worthy of his full effort.

Even this minimal display caused the men surrounding Takefu to physically buckle, their faces etched with involuntary fear. Takefu himself, despite his initially dignified expression, trembled visibly. Gritting his teeth, he managed to respond:

"I swore an oath of loyalty to the Tsunayashiro family and Lord Tokikawa long ago. No one shall seize our property." His voice grew strained but defiant. "Remember this—everything you possess was granted by us. You must adhere to our rules, or there will be no place for you within Soul Society."

Other families might silently endure as the Court Army encroached upon noble interests. The Takefu family, however, could not afford such passivity. Their fate was inextricably bound to the Tsunayashiro house.

Takefu had no choice but to challenge this usurpation. He couldn't believe Uehara would dare harm him—after all, this was Soul Society, this was the Noble District, where aristocrats maintained final authority.

A disdainful smile spread across Uehara's face. "I wish to enjoy the privileges of your noble class without submitting to your regulations. What do you suppose I should do about that?"

Uehara appreciated both the courtesans and female Shinigami of the noble houses. These exceptional women had been carefully cultivated through generations of selective breeding, some requiring centuries to reach their full potential. The nobility had contributed significantly to this refinement.

Furthermore, the luxurious amenities and precious resources had been developed under noble patronage. Uehara found the world created by the nobility quite satisfactory and had no objection to enjoying the fruits of their labor.

However, he despised their arbitrary rules, restrictions, and the nobles themselves. This explained the Tsunayashiro family's demise.

"You dare defy our regulations?" Takefu's expression reflected utter disbelief.

Uehara responded with contempt: "You believe yourselves in control of everything, yet you possess no genuine power. The rules you revere and your so-called noble dignity are extraordinarily fragile."

There had never been any rules—only the law of the jungle. Everything was fundamentally that simple. For the strong, this world was paradise; for the weak, it was hell.

Takefu shouted desperately: "This is Noble Street, the territory of the Seireitei aristocracy! We have accumulated tens of thousands of years of wisdom and possess resources beyond your imagination—"

His remaining words died in his throat as a Court Army member beside him plunged a blade into his body with cold precision. Another simultaneously attacked the three Takefu family Shinigami.

"Why...?" Ichirō Takefu's expression reflected profound confusion as his life ebbed away.

Wasn't this Noble Street? Weren't aristocrats the unquestioned authorities here? How could anyone dare commit crimes against nobility in broad daylight? Was there no justice? No law?

Moreover, he recognized this Court Army member as having noble lineage himself. Why would he commit such treasonous acts merely at Uehara's silent command? Why betray the nobility and his own class?

Too many questions clouded his fading consciousness, but none would ever be answered as darkness claimed him.

"Commander, mission accomplished!" After eliminating these irritants, both Court Army members saluted Uehara respectfully.

Uehara nodded appreciatively. "Well done! Remember this—our Court Army prevails whether through victory or defeat. This is our way. If they refuse to accept our authority—let them perish."

Whoever wielded the greater power established the rules. He cared nothing for hollow reputation.

With these words, Uehara proceeded toward the Tsunayashiro family's treasure vault. Along the route, every soldier bowed deeply.

Had Takefu lived to witness the expressions in these soldiers' eyes, he would have understood why Court Armys of aristocratic origin had drawn swords against him. In their eyes, Uehara Shiroha represented their only leader—their god!

"What impressive wealth!" Within the Tsunayashiro treasury, Uehara surveyed the treasures filling several warehouses with evident satisfaction.

As the treasury doors swung open, a kaleidoscopic display greeted his eyes. The vault contained various "divine beast" materials and inherited treasures from numerous families.

These riches represented the Tsunayashiro family's accumulated plunder spanning tens of thousands of years—property obtained through exploiting the entirety of Soul Society, forming the foundation of the Four Noble Houses' confidence and power.

Each treasure carried its own history, some directly linked to the extinction of entire clans. To acquire these valuables, the Tsunayashiro family had employed unscrupulous, merciless methods. In many respects, these treasures resembled blood diamonds.

Notably, no currency resided within the treasury. To the Tsunayashiro family, money represented the least valuable commodity, unworthy of vault space. Moreover, this particular treasure house was merely one among many, and not even the most impressive.

While ordinary citizens in Rukongai struggled to afford basic sustenance, the Tsunayashiro family hoarded such staggering wealth. This situation perfectly exemplified the saying: "The rich feast and drink, while the poor freeze to death in the streets."

For this reason alone, the Tsunayashiro family had deserved extinction. Examining the treasures within this warehouse, Uehara reflected that he should have "trampled all nobles underfoot" long ago.

In his assessment, the Tsunayashiro family's downfall was entirely justified—not solely because of their greed and exploitation of countless souls' blood and sweat, but also due to their stupidity and incompetence.

When the Gotei 13 was initially established, the Kuchiki and Shihōin families had actively joined and secured control of their respective divisions. Meanwhile, the Tsunayashiro family had ridiculed these houses, insisting that combat was a peasant's occupation—true lords concerned themselves with governance and dignity.

Later, when the Shiba family also integrated into the Gotei 13, and as the organization grew increasingly powerful, the Tsunayashiro family had reluctantly sent their family descendant Tokinada to study at the Shinō Academy. Nevertheless, they never seriously attempted to secure direct power.

They believed that through controlling Central 46, they could manipulate the Gotei 13 indirectly. They maintained unwavering faith in aristocratic rights and majesty, convinced of their righteousness—just as Takefu Ichirō had, before being summarily executed by an ordinary Court Army sergeant.

The Tsunayashiro family would rather allow these precious treasures to accumulate dust than convert them into practical strength. Even their family artifact, the Enrakyōten, Tokikawa had feared to use, choosing instead to seal it away.

The result? The illustrious, unparalleled Tsunayashiro family had been annihilated overnight by Tokinada. All treasures they had so painstakingly acquired now belonged to Uehara Shiroha.

These shortsighted fools had deserved extinction. Even commoners understood that weapons held greater importance than wealth. As the saying went, "Power flows from the barrel of a gun," and truth existed only within the range of cannons.

Though Uehara greatly appreciated these treasures, he refused to be blinded by them. His priority was converting these resources into personal power.

After careful selection, Uehara examined the treasures in his possession with satisfaction. First among them was a horn from the mythical Fire Rhinoceros, containing tremendous fire-based power.

More than a millennium ago, this creature had devastated Rukongai, its rampage proving unstoppable as it burned countless homes and claimed thousands of lives. Yamamoto Genryūsai had personally intervened and slain the beast.

Consequently, Yamamoto had received military commendation while the Tsunayashiro family had claimed the valuable trophy. The vault contained numerous materials of similar value.

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