Please Give Me Some Face

Quick! Faster!

Fujimiya Makoto led his squad, following the previously assigned zones, toward the largest courtyard in the distance.

All the Genryū Shinigami behind him did the same.

Despite the momentary confusion among the Genryū Shinigami when Captain-General Yamamoto was suddenly attacked,

once clear orders were given, these executioners known as the "Murderous Group" became the most powerful enforcers in the Soul Society.

Especially when it came to slaughtering the nobility.

"Kidō Squad! Break the barrier!"

Fujimiya Makoto shouted, pointing his sword at the grand gate adorned with the 'Kyōraku Clan' plaque.

However, the nobles of Seireitei were not all useless.

Though years of peace had dulled their ambition, they were still meticulous in protecting their own interests.

Even under the combined efforts of several high-ranking Genryū Shinigami, the barrier held for nearly a quarter of an hour.

"Crack—"

The gate shattered, and Fujimiya Makoto led his team charging into the mansion.

Yet, they found only an empty courtyard.

"Lord Fujimiya!"

"There are traces of spatial interference nearby!"

Members of the Kidō Squad immediately detected some clues.

Fujimiya Makoto's expression darkened slightly.

For these high-ranking nobles, whether it was spatial interference Kidō or boundary traversal techniques, they were no secrets.

In such a situation, fleeing was the best option.

There was no way to stop them.

Along the way, they had encountered similar situations several times.

Learning from experience, Fujimiya Makoto took a deep breath.

"Takasugi Konatsu!"

"Yes!"

A resolute Genryū Shinigami with a vertical scar across his right eye stepped forward.

Fujimiya Makoto quickly ordered, "Split the team now! You lead Squad Two and the Kidō Squad to investigate the vacant mansions."

"Ryūma! You and the rest follow me."

"Yes!"

The petite Kūra Yashiki Ryūma responded loudly.

Fujimiya Makoto pointed directly at the largest courtyard in the western Soul Society.

There lay the clan grounds of the Tsunayashiro family.

Aimless searching was futile.

If so, finding someone who knew the others' locations would be more efficient.

...

"Kidō Ninety-One: Senju Kōten Taihō!"

The dazzling Kidō blast, supported by the spiritual pressure of the Kidō Squad, struck toward the large courtyard.

The brilliant light illuminated half the sky.

The massive courtyard barrier was instantly blown open, creating a straight path inward.

Katori Batsuzan led the charge.

The girl holding Kuri Karara, with her glasses, had a cold gaze, her steps seemingly floating without a sound.

The surrounding Genryū Shinigami were like tigers among sheep, ferociously pouncing on the remaining Seireitei Shinigami.

Roars, cries, and clashing blades filled the air.

Yet, no one felt an ounce of sympathy.

The conflict between nobles and commoners had reached a point of no return.

"Clan Lord! Please evacuate immediately!"

As a loyal servant of the Tsunayashiro family, one of them shouted, rushing toward Katori Batsuzan with a raised shallow blade, ready to sacrifice himself to buy time for the young master.

Even at the cost of his life, he would ensure the young master's escape.

However, when the weak face the strong, even sacrificing everything and life itself, the outcome remains unchanged.

"Swoosh—"

The naginata sliced through, bisecting the obstacle in its path.

The pure and beautiful girl with glasses stood still, her clothes stained with a hint of blood.

The young boy, still with a hint of childishness, froze in place, completely at a loss.

Unlike other families with at least a leader,

after the consecutive losses of Tsunayashiro Shōgo and Tsunayashiro Masato, the last young heir of the main family held no real power.

The other factions of the Tsunayashiro clan had already fled before the barrier was breached, leaving only this half-grown boy to delay the inevitable.

"This should be the last one."

Katori Batsuzan muttered to herself, raising her naginata.

However, just as the blade was about to fall, a familiar voice suddenly came from outside.

"Batsuzan, wait!"

At that moment, Fujimiya Makoto's figure abruptly appeared before the girl with glasses, his shallow blade reversed and held on his shoulder, blocking the strike.

"Makoto?"

Katori Batsuzan looked at him quietly, her gaze seemingly puzzled.

Then, Fujimiya Makoto, without further explanation, placed his other hand on the young boy's shoulder:

"Sorry! No time to explain now."

"I'll borrow this person for a moment."

"..."

"Okay."

Katori Batsuzan glanced at him, nodded casually, and continued toward the next target.

"Thud."

The Tsunayashiro boy, nearly split in two, seemed to have weak legs and sat on the ground, staring at the blood and corpses in the clan hall, unable to speak.

The glorious Tsunayashiro clan spoken of by his grandfather and father...

was it over?

Just as he thought this, he saw the Genryū thief beside him gently pat his shoulder, smiling warmly:

"Sorry, I scared you, didn't I?"

"With time being tight, we had to be a bit rough."

Listening to his casual tone, the young boy, not knowing where he found the courage, stiffened his neck and trembled:

"Even... even if you kill me..."

"I won't disgrace... the Tsunayashiro name!"

"Don't be so tense." Fujimiya Makoto smiled gently, saying calmly, "Let me introduce myself first."

"What's your name?"

Looking at his sunny and gentle face, the boy seemed to relax slightly, whispering, "Tsunayashiro... Mitsunobu."

"Mitsunobu, right?"

Fujimiya Makoto, like a friendly neighbor, slung his arm around the boy's shoulder, saying warmly, "The Tsunayashiro clan, as one of the five noble families with a million-year heritage in the Soul Society, has such a glorious history, yet it ends this year with you as the new clan lord."

"Lord Mitsunobu, you must feel very unwilling, right?"

"After all, the others from the branch families can't carry the Tsunayashiro name."

"..."

Tsunayashiro Mitsunobu clenched his lips tightly, his face pale, his body trembling slightly.

He knew all this.

Even as a young man under fifty, Tsunayashiro Mitsunobu had received a complete noble heir education and understood what this meant.

But he wasn't foolish.

Tsunayashiro Mitsunobu knew that the Genryū thief saying this to him at this moment must have an agenda.

As for his inner turmoil,

even he couldn't explain it.

So, Fujimiya Makoto's gentle push at this moment became crucial.

He lowered his voice, leaning closer: "Now, I offer you a chance to preserve the Tsunayashiro clan."

"But, you need to help me with a small favor."

"An equal exchange."

"Fair, right?"

At the mention of 'preserving the Tsunayashiro clan,' Tsunayashiro Mitsunobu instinctively widened his eyes, turning to look at Fujimiya Makoto:

"What... what do you want?!"

For someone like him, raised with a complete family education, there was nothing more important than 'continuing the family line.'

Hearing this, Fujimiya Makoto finally revealed a hint of sincerity, revealing his true intentions:

"I want to go to the Great Spirit Book Corridor to check something."

"Lord Mitsunobu, you'll help me, right?"

"Will you?"

At that moment, Tsunayashiro Mitsunobu's face paled.

But looking at the man's warm smile,

he knew he had no choice.

...

Fujimiya Makoto moved quickly, with remarkable efficiency.

He knew that while Old Man Yama was strong, it was only within the realm of 'Shinigami.'

Against Bōshū, with his 'name,' he stood no chance against the rule-based monk.

No one knew how much longer he could hold out in the sky.