Chapter 16

It was also the pinnacle of martial arts that others could only look up to and never reach!

"Just now."

"The information from the Central Forty-Six Chambers—they've already ignored this matter and won't be intervening."

Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni coughed lightly and said softly.

"The Thirteen Court Guard Squads are operating as usual. No need to pay it too much attention."

"Understood."

Unohana Retsu and the others nodded.

Now.

Anyone with eyes could see it clearly.

With Tsunayashiro Tokinada having been gravely wounded by a single slash,

the Central Forty-Six Chambers standing by as onlookers meant they had already made their choice—to side with Kuchiki Senya!

It was hardly surprising.

Kuchiki Senya, young as he was, could defeat Tsunayashiro Tokinada, proving his talent far surpassed anyone's imagination.

A discarded heir, and a brilliant, high-status genius...

Anyone with a brain would know how to choose.

"However."

"The school's rules can't be neglected either. When I have the time, I'll make a trip to Shino Academy."

After Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni finished speaking,

he waved his hand, and everyone withdrew with respectful voices.

……

In the school regulations,

injuring a teacher while enrolled

required one to receive Yamamoto's Heavy Strike from Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni.

As long as one could withstand a single heavy slash, they could graduate directly and join the Thirteen Court Guard Squads!

"Kuchiki Senya's in for it now. Old Man Yamamoto's single slash—even without Shikai or Bankai, even a vice-captain-level fighter couldn't withstand it."

After leaving,

Kyoraku Shunsui spoke lightly, but at the thought of that certain old man's muscular physique, and his Zanpakuto wreathed in flame-like volcanic heat,

goosebumps rose densely all over his body.

Once,

the muscle-bound old man had beaten him crying for his parents with Ryujin Jakka—a nightmare from his youth.

"This is merely the captain's test; he won't harm Kuchiki Senya." Unohana Retsu said gently.

A genius like this,

so long as he isn't a sociopath, would be recruited by the Thirteen Squads.

However,

Unohana Retsu gazed toward the Head Captain's room, her brows slightly furrowed.

Although

Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni, for a thousand years, had been overwhelmingly dominant without peer,

even now, frail and aged,

not a single person could surpass him.

Still,

he was old after all, and his combat power had slipped compared to his peak.

The time had come to find a successor.

……

In the most prestigious district of Seireitei,

a cluster of palace buildings stood especially eye-catching, with the Kuchiki family banner flying above, and every passing traveler wore a look of awe.

The Kuchiki family—

the foremost of the Four Great Noble Houses, and the most powerful great nobility in Soul Society, charged with upholding and enforcing the laws of Soul Society.

The defenders of the rules.

Unlike the Tsunayashiro family's extravagance,

the Kuchiki family estate was simple yet grand; the servants and attendants within were dressed with strict propriety, well-trained and disciplined.

Everything followed the model of ancient noble houses.

At this moment,

an intelligence operative dressed all in black rushed hurriedly into the estate.

……

"Senya."

"Every time you manage to come up with something new for me."

Kuchiki Ginrei stroked his snow-white beard and sighed softly.

His face was a landscape of deep wrinkles, filled with the marks of time, and his frame was somewhat stooped.

However,

his eyes were like those of a hawk—despite their age, they still gleamed with a sharp, piercing light.

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