Bleach Cfyow Read Online – INTERLUDE – Part 2

SEIREITEI, AN UNDISCLOSED LOCATION

Deep underground lay a certain establishment not recorded on any formal map. It was a sacred space where, in ancient times, the Five Great Noble Clans had discussed the objectives of the Seireitei and other important matters. It was the location second in importance to the Reiokyu.

And while it did not house any objects pivotal to the good of the Seireitei, when the heads of the Five Great Noble Clans gathered there, that room became so elevated in significance that the very existence of the Seireitei was tied to its safety.

At present, excluding the fallen Shiba household, the heads of two of the Four Great Noble Clans’ households and a proxy for another were gathered in the meeting room.

Tokinada Tsunayashiro sat on one side of the pentagon-shaped table. Byakuya Kuchiki and Yoruichi, who was acting as the representative of the Shihoin household, each sat as far from him as the table allowed. The fourth house had no representative present.

This absence was due to a law passed by the Central 46 that prevented all five clan heads from gathering in the same location as a precaution against the unthinkable—losing all five heads at once to an enemy attack or disaster. The regulation was said to have been issued after the Quincy attack a thousand years ago.

Even now that the Five Great Noble Clans had dwindled to four, the law still applied, and so only three families could gather in the room at once.

“This is my first time in this chamber. It does not seem to have been used lately, but at least it was thoroughly cleaned.” Byakuya let his quiet but dignified voice ring through the room. He sat with beautiful posture, in contrast to Yoruichi, who was sitting at her ease.

“I heard it was used in the previous generation to hold an assumption of office. That’s probably the last time it was used. After the banishment of the Shiba household, they had no reason to use it.”

“Yes, that is exactly why I had this room refreshed. Continuing the customs of the past is just one of our jobs as the aristocracy,” Tokinada said in his aloof way.

Yoruichi sniffed. “And yet this place reeks of blood. Did you snatch a kid and eat them before we got here or something?”

Although he was uninjured, the thick smell of rusty iron lingered around Tokinada. His calm smile remained as he answered without denying that he had been showered by blood. “I found myself surrounded by outlaws. I simply failed to avoid some of the blood.”

Introductions had been concluded, but Yoruichi and Byakuya still could not figure out what Tokinada wanted. Their worst suspicions were that he might have called them to this inaccessible place in order to assassinate them. But that was not the sense they were getting from him now.

But this is the man we suspect of killing the people in his own birth house. We can’t let our guards down. 

Yoruichi smiled slightly as she observed the new head of the Tsunayashiro house. He was a haughty man who seemed to embody the most terrible aspects of the previous generations of aristocrats, but Yoruichi sensed something about him that didn’t match his aristocratic exterior. There was also something repulsive about him that set the alarms ringing in Yoruichi’s whole body, something beyond whether had been born to the aristocracy or the general populace.

“This is my chance to meet the former head of the Shihoin house. I see now that there is a reason you are called the Shihoin princess. You are lovely and blessed with both charm and dignity.”

“Blatant flattery annoys me. You probably actually think I’m a lowly shrew, right?”

“If you are so self-aware, perhaps as a former head of house, you should

abstain from rash actions?”

Ignoring Byakuya’s indifferent interjection, Yoruichi narrowed her eyes at the Tsunayashiro clan head. “So why did you go out of your way to contact me and Byakuya? Since you specified me rather than the current head of house, Yushiro, you didn’t just bring us out here to see our faces, did you?”

“Yes, of course. I have concerns about the future of the Soul Society. We’ve been attacked by Quincies and committed a blunder that allowed them to invade even the Reiokyu.”

“Now that’s a painful topic of conversation.”

“Of course, as mere assistants, I don’t believe that the Thirteen Court Guard Companies or you are to blame. If anything, the Reio and Squad Zero are the ones who should be blamed, since they were unable to keep up with the ever- flowing changes in the world, locked away as they were in their own bubble. Don’t you agree? Had the Reio conducted himself better, there might have been fewer injuries in the Thirteen Court Guard Companies.”

Although there was no one else in the room with them, Tokinada spoke grandiosely as though he were criticizing the Reio himself.

Byakuya flatly rebuked Tokinada, face held completely emotionless. “Please leave it at that. It is not befitting for a head of the Four Great Noble Clans to so frivolously renounce the Reio.”

Tokinada chuckled and began to spout words, seemingly intending to provoke Byakuya. “You speak of behavior befitting the aristocracy? Why, of course! I don’t think I could ever emulate behavior such as yours, not when you moved up your own sister’s execution date after you were fed false information by traitors and danced to their tune.”

When Byakuya remained silent, Tokinada continued, “Your wife Hisana was also foolish. Look what believing in a noble and leaving her sister’s fate in his hands led to! Or perhaps her view of the world was clouded as a result of being tainted by gluttonous, genteel nobles?”

“Tokinada, you—” Yoruichi, face blank, had been about to say something, but Byakuya’s hand stopped her.

“It is true that I attempted to have Rukia executed. I do not mind being disparaged for that.”

“Oh?”

“However, Hisana was not at all at fault. All the blame lies with me.”

Byakuya remained expressionless, but reading his flow of emotions, Tokinada quietly shrugged. “Please don’t look so fearsome. It’s not as though I came here

to pick a fight.”

The man who had very obviously just picked a fight lowered his head after those shameless words. “I apologize for provoking you. I’m relieved to find that you are a man who can separate your emotions from governance.”

“Hurry up and get to the point or I might punch you before he does,” Yoruichi said in a lighthearted tone.

Tokinada smiled wryly before a serious look came over his face. “I wish to discuss the revival of the Five Great Noble Clans. In other words, I am considering proposing the restoration of the Shiba house.”

Byakuya remained expressionless, and Yoruichi raised an eyebrow slightly at Tokinada’s words. The Shiba household had once been a cornerstone of the Five Great Noble Clans. But when Isshin Shiba, a branch member of the family and captain of the Tenth Company, had eloped to the world of the living, the Shiba had been stripped of their noble standing as their share of the blame for his actions.

Isshin’s branch of the family had been totally crushed. The main Kukaku Shiba line had already been in the Rukongai at that time, but they had lost even their nominal standing within the Five Great Noble Clans, which had been just a formality by that point. They were officially forbidden free entrance into the Seireitei, although Kukaku found a work-around and forced her way into the court by getting Jidanbo, the guard of the White Road Gate to West Seireitei, to let her in.

Byakuya and Yoruichi waited to hear the rest, so Tokinada continued. “Certainly Isshin Shiba’s defection could be considered the action of a traitor. But as a result, Isshin’s son, Ichigo Kurosaki —who, yes, is only part of a branch family but is still of Shiba descent—defeated the Quincy’s king. Aren’t those achievements more than enough to rinse the tarnish off their name?”

The proposal was more decent than she had expected, so Yoruichi was instantly suspicious of what Tokinada was really planning.

Byakuya, on the other hand, did not allow his expression to collapse and emotionlessly told them his thoughts. “I agree in regard to Ichigo Kurosaki’s achievements. However, Ichigo Kurosaki cannot accept the standing of a noble.”

“That’s exactly it. That guy wouldn’t see position and honor as rewards. If anything, he’d consider them a nuisance. If it was for the sake of the entire Shiba household, he might accept. But Kukaku and Ganju aren’t thinking of returning to the nobility right now.”

Tokinada silently nodded at Byakuya’s and Yoruichi’s words and smiled

thinly as he replied. “I see. Certainly Ichigo Kurosaki does seem to be that type. In that case, why don’t we register his sisters as the heads of house? There’s no need for them to do any actual work. It can be in name only.”

“I wouldn’t have expected you to look all the way into Ichigo’s family. But I can’t see that happening either. Why are you so interested in reinstating the Shiba household?”

Tokinada answered Yoruichi’s vigilant question frankly. “Because I want to honor justice. I don’t mind using the Tsunayashiro family clout to force things to go the way I want, but that would cause problems with the Soul Society’s population. They might think me a despot. That’s exactly why I want it to be known that I swayed the Seireitei through fair means.”

“…?”

“I want to get the five families on my side, and if I can obtain the formal consent of the Reio, I want to make the Five Great Noble Clans as a body equal in rank to the king. Then the clans would surpass the Central 46 in power as a decision-making body. In fact, I suspect the reason the Central 46 crushed the Shiba house was to make sure something like this never happened.”

Tokinada chuckled as he continued. “Haven’t you had your doubts? Why did the Shiba family get such a cold reception from the Five Great Noble Clans?

Officially, the Shiba set up in the Rukongai in order to build their secret fortifications. But even before they were stripped of their noble position, the Shiba were treated like they were lower than the poorest of the lower aristocracy. Doesn’t it bother you that the Shiba family allowed that?”

“Well, it’s easy to see based on the value of their house that the Shiba family is as good as any other nobles, so they probably thought that was enough. But what concerns me is that you’re arrogant enough to call certain aristocrats poor.” While Yoruichi certainly wanted to know where Tokinada was going with this, she still answered in a way that would keep them from delving too deeply into the subject. If they got caught in Tokinada’s stride, she knew he would lead them far in the opposite direction of the truth.

Byakuya seemed to think the same as he told Tokinada in an indifferent tone, “I have no intention of intruding upon the internal affairs of another family. I understand the stipulations you’ve made, but I believe there has never been a precedent for the Reio giving his blessing to anyone.”

Tokinada’s mouth contorted into a grin at Byakuya’s point. “That seems likely. Even if the Reio could convey the general gist of his will to the inhabitants of the Reiokyu, it isn’t likely that he’d consent to anything. Well, I

suppose it is more appropriate to say he cannot convey his blessing.” “I have no idea what you’re trying to say. What are you scheming,

Tokinada?”

“But that era is over. Eventually there will come a new age when we receive the Reio’s blessing and the Seireitei—we Five Great Noble Clans—will each separately reign over the three realms. That’s all I’m discussing.”

Yoruichi and Byakuya both raised their eyebrows. The three realms. He likely meant the Soul Society, the world of the living, and Hueco Mundo or hell.

At Tokinada’s sudden preposterous proposal, Yoruichi said, “Before I hear the particulars of this discussion, I have a question. Didn’t you yourself say that the Reio wouldn’t give his blessing for this? Then why are you speaking as though your proposal is a sure thing?”

“Ah yes, that’s easy. Because the next Soul King will have free will!” “…?”

“…!”

In contrast to Byakuya’s immediate suspicion, Yoruichi’s eyes suddenly went wide then narrowed as she stared at Tokinada. “…! I see. So that’s why you chose me rather than Yushiro.”

Tokinada accepted their stares as he smiled—grinned, smirked!—vulgarly. “You saw it, didn’t you, Yoruichi Shihoin? The Reio Ichigo Kurosaki struck down and the state he was in even before he was killed! But I can see that you don’t know what that was. Yes, you don’t know what the Reio was from the start. But Kisuke Urahara should be aware.”

≡

THE SOUL SOCIETY,

IN FRONT OF THE SENKAIMON

“Urahara, huh? I’ve talked to him about motorcycles and gasoline before, but this is the first time I’ve tried conducting a formal interview with him.”

Unaware of the discussion that was being held between three of the Four Great Noble Clans, Shuhei Hisagi took a step toward the living world, voicing his determination to encourage himself. “Well, I’ll get it done. If I can’t do this, I can’t call myself the editor-in-chief of the Seireitei Bulletin.”

Just watch, Captain Tosen. I’ll illuminate the path for everyone in the Soul

Society in my own way. Just like you did for me. Hisagi steeled his resolve as he walked toward the Senkaimon, handling a hellbutterfly on his way to Karakura Town.

Because his attention was elsewhere, Shuhei Hisagi didn’t notice that he was hurtling deep into the discord. Multiple destinies coiled themselves around him, encircling coincidence and inevitability. Still unaware that the Soul Society’s roots were linked to the center of that conflict, Shuhei Hisagi simply continued down his own path.

Kaname Tosen had shined the light for him when all he could do was run in fear. Hisagi believed that the correct path was not the path he walked, but the path he had shown himself.

Shuhei Hisagi was neither a prophet nor all knowing, and naturally he had no way of knowing his future.

He did not have an unfortunate destiny like Ichigo Kurosaki.

He did not have the torrent of power that Kenpachi Zaraki contained. He did not have the deep sagacity and groundwork of Kisuke Urahara.

He did not have a curselike curiosity etched into his konpaku like Mayuri Kurotsuchi.

He did not understand being continuously burdened with responsibility like Byakuya Kuchiki.

He did not have the resourcefulness to control multiple spiritual pressures like Toshiro Hitsugaya.

He did not have the time to lay the foundation of who he was like Genryusai Yamamoto.

He did not have the temperament to sidestep anything like Shunsui Kyoraku. He did not have the passion to rewrite the justice of the world like Sajin

Komamura.

He did not have the firm outlook to stick to his path like Kensei Muguruma. Later, a Soul Reaper who knew everything about the conflict said this:

Because he was him, because he was the Soul Reaper Shuhei Hisagi, he had exactly the qualifications the world wished for.

He was walking the path less taken, following Kaname Tosen. And that is precisely why he had the potential to reach his destination.

And Shuhei Hisagi still did not know it. He still might not have realized it.

Exactly when did Kaname Tosen, the man who had pointed out the path for Hisagi to follow, stray from his own path?

Or had he never strayed from his path?

≡

SEVERAL HUNDRED YEARS AGO, THE SOUL SOCIETY

There was once a blind young man from the Rukongai who sought a meeting with the Central 46.

Several minutes after the young man had been led away by the aristocrat who had killed his own wife, that same aristocrat called out to the guards with a bright smile. “Hey, you. I’ve got a job for you. A resident of the Rukongai tried to raise his hand to me. Get him out of here—quickly.”

Though they honestly had no idea what was going on, the guards had no reason to disregard the instruction. “Y-yes sir!”

The aristocrat’s command gave the guards an eerie feeling, but they obediently followed his orders. Even if something was going on beneath the surface, it had nothing to do with them, and they understood that it was better to knock down the Rukongai resident than it was to go against a noble.

The aristocrat said something more to the blind man, but the guards had no need to hear it. The aristocrat was only part of the lowest of branch families, but the guards knew that no good would come from getting involved in the Five Great Noble Clans’ disputes.

The blind Rukongai resident, whose throat had been crushed, tried to yell something as he glared at the aristocrat. For a member of the Rukongai poor, he was unbelievably rebellious. In order to make sure the impoverished man never stepped foot in the government district again, the guards decided to give him a thorough beating.

Their sadism sparked by the despair on the young man’s face, smiles just like the one the aristocrat had worn unwittingly spilled across the guards’ faces. They raised their staves above the blind young man’s head.

This time, there was no one to stop them.

While the sound of the staves’ blows rung out, Kaname Tosen silently listened for the guards. What? What are the guards doing?

Enveloped by deep despair and rage, his hotly boiling soul faintly and

gradually began to simmer in confusion. Though his eyes could not see, he was able to track what was happening based on sounds and the currents of the air.

One of the guards smiled sadistically as he continued to raise his stave, but this time it was not against Tosen, it was against his partner.

“W-why you, what…bguh.” The guard who had been hit groaned. His words were cut off by a blow to his face.

“Don’t you dare talk back! You filthy commoner!”

Tosen’s thought that they had grown tired of beating him was quickly disproved by the man’s coarse breathing and rapidly beating heart as he pummeled the other guard. Apparently this guard didn’t know he was beating his partner. He thought he was actually beating Tosen!

The guard pulled his unconscious partner off the road.

Tosen listened to the sounds of the guards grow distant, still lost in his confusion. Suddenly, he was shocked to hear the voice of an unfamiliar man come from behind him!

“I switched the water in their canteens for alcohol. I believe their actions will be put down as a fight while drinking on the job. That aristocrat will suspect something, but we just need to make him think he’s jumping at shadows.”

It was a calm voice.

But unlike the aristocrat Tokinada, this voice did not try to hide its swordlike power. Just listening to it made Tosen feel pressured.

“Who are you… Are…are you a Soul Reaper too…?!”

Although Tosen was bewildered, hate once again lit in his heart. He questioned the man with such hostility, it seemed as though he were about to tear out the stranger’s throat.

The man made no attempt to prevaricate. “Yes. That is exactly what I am. I’m just a fragment of the world that, in your despair, you burn with hatred for.

The newly arrived Soul Reaper offered Tosen a proposal. “Let me… Would you surrender your hatred to me for a while?”

Though Tosen was dubious, the sound of the man’s voice convinced him that the stranger already had a firm grasp on Tosen’s heart. He was apprehensive, as though he were speaking to a primordial ruler. An overwhelming power radiated from the man.

The man kept speaking in a calm tone as he offered Tosen a hand and gave his name of his own volition. It was the name of the man who would show Kaname Tosen his path and the name of the man who would make the world his enemy as he reached for heaven.

“My name is Sosuke Aizen. At present, I am still but a humble Soul Reaper.”

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