"noble three-piece suit"

"Hahahaha, friend!"

"Aiyan and the others just staged a show to help you suppress your Zanpakutō, and somehow, that has already surpassed the friendship and trust we've built over a hundred years."

"I see."

Seeing that none of his friends believed him, Hirako Shinji gave a bitter laugh. He didn't say another word. He simply stood up, rubbed the slipper print still embedded in his face, and walked out of the 9th Division barracks without looking back.

"...Do you think Hirako's lost it a little?"

"Well, considering his Zanpakutō is a hallucination-type, it's not exactly impossible. Might've scrambled his brain a bit too much."

"It's possible! I've heard there's a condition in the Human World called 'persecution delusion.' What he's showing lines up pretty well."

"Why don't we bring this up to Captain Unohana?"

"You think she could cure it?"

"In Seireitei, no one's better at Kaidō than Captain Unohana. If she can't do it, maybe we can try Captain Kirio."

Everyone looked at each other with hesitation in their eyes.

Believe him? How could they?

But don't you believe him? If they said so, it'd just cause another pointless argument. And frankly, they were all tired of it.

After a short deliberation, they decided to submit a referral for Hirako Shinji to the Fourth Division's psychiatric department. Their plan: find an opportunity to "escort" Hirako there and let Unohana Retsu take a look to see if he really was suffering from a persecution complex.

...

Time passed.

A month had gone by since the chaos of the Kōga Rebellion and his defection from the Gotei 13.

In that time, whether it was Aiyan being appointed as the captain of the 5th Division or single-handedly suppressing the Zanpakutō rebellion, rumors had already spread throughout not just Gotei 13, but the entire Seireitei.

Following that battle, all members of Soul Society—from the four noble clans down to the lowliest Shinigami—came to a unanimous consensus:

Aiyan Sōsuke, the young man who had taken just one month to graduate from the Shin'ō Academy and rise to captain of a division, was not only the youngest captain in Gotei 13's history in terms of age and experience—he was also universally acknowledged as the strongest genius in Seireitei's history. The number one Shinigami under the Captain-Commander.

Shortly afterward, the recognition that Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni mentioned in the meeting hall was formally confirmed and approved by Central 46.

"In recognition of Captain Aiyan Sōsuke's exceptional service in suppressing the Zanpakutō rebellion and personally apprehending the criminal Kuchiki Kōga, Central 46 has conferred upon him the status of Lower Noble, a noble estate, and the right to freely enter and exit the Central 46 chambers."

While the status and authority of a captain may match those of the high nobility, it is tied to the post, not the person.

A captain born in Rukongai or without noble lineage would return to commoner status once they retired. But noble status—that stays with you for life, regardless of your post.

And a noble estate? Located in the most prestigious sector of Seireitei.

As for the unrestricted entry to Central 46—besides Yamamoto Genryūsai, Unohana Retsu, and a very few exceptional captains, even most current captains needed advance approval.

All three honors:

Noble Title

Noble Estate

Unrestricted Access to Central 46

Were now being referred to collectively as the "noble three-piece suit".

Once the news got out, countless Shinigami—especially those born in Rukongai—were left in awe and envy of the honors Aiyan had attained.

And Aiyan?

Faced with Central 46's reward, he expressed his "deep gratitude" in typical fashion. He claimed he had nothing worthy to offer in return—except, perhaps, a humble gift set combining Kyōka Suigetsu and the famed demon blade, Muramasa.

To express his sincerity, Aiyan brought along Aizen—who had just "recovered" from his injuries—and made a personal visit to Central 46 the very night the honors were announced.

Of course, he had no other motive.

He just wanted to thank the sages and judges face to face… and hand-deliver the "Mirror-Flower-Water-Moon x Demon Blade Muramasa Illusion Gift Set."

Every one of the judges and sages received a hearty dose of Kyōka Suigetsu's Complete Hypnosis.

"Aiyan Sōsuke?"

"You brought your younger brother with you to Central 46 in the middle of the night. Why?"

"You may have been granted unrestricted access, but only when it concerns urgent or significant matters."

The sages and judges present were a bit perplexed. But since they were the ones who had granted the noble honors, it wouldn't be proper to reject Aiyan's first visit.

Before long, the brothers stood before the full assembly of the Supreme Judiciary of Soul Society.

Nearly all the sages and judges were present—except for two absentees.

To maintain the integrity of Central 46 and prevent Aiyan from appearing to exploit his new privileges, they stated clearly that casual visits were frowned upon.

Aiyan merely smiled.

"The Hollowfication experiment. It involves the four noble houses. Is that not significant enough?"

Immediately, the entire room fell into stunned silence.

What were the Four Great Noble Houses?

The pillars of Soul Society. Their power and prestige stood above nearly everything else in Seireitei.

What, then, was Central 46?

A legislative and judicial body created by Yamamoto Genryūsai and governed through a delicate balance between noble families.

To implicate one of the four great houses—that was no trivial matter.

"Let me ask again," Aiyan said, his expression calm yet sharp.

"Which is more sacred—Central 46, or the four great noble clans?"

A heavy silence followed.

"Central 46 represents Soul Society's laws and governance," one sage finally spoke. "No one stands above it. Not the Captain-Commander. Not even the four great nobles."

"But you should know," another added, "that if you cannot provide definitive proof, the one being questioned will not be them—it will be you, Aiyan Sōsuke."

"I see."

Aiyan's grin deepened.

"Then allow me to show you the truth, according to the laws of Soul Society."

He turned slightly.

"Aizen."

"Yes."

Aizen stepped forward and gave a polite bow.

"My Zanpakutō, Kyōka Suigetsu, is already known in Soul Society. You are all aware of its Shikai ability. However, there is one function I have not previously disclosed."

"Through the reflections of mist and water, Kyōka Suigetsu can not only disorient the enemy…"

"…it can also record the truth."

With perfect composure, Aizen stood before the full judiciary. Every word he spoke followed the strictest decorum.

Even among these proud sages and judges—none could find fault.

...

Hey guys,

I just want to take a moment to thank all of you for taking the time to review, comment, and support this story, Your words mean a lot, and to those of you who regularly send powerstones—huge thanks!