Chapter 49

The crowd whispered among themselves, buzzing with discussion, their hearts filled with dread and unease.

"It's terrifying."

"In Soul Society, an extraordinary powerhouse has appeared! Master of illusion-type abilities, wiped out one of the Four Great Noble Houses in a single day! Simply horrifying!"

The Tsunayashiro Clan was truly far too vast and outstanding, its influence spread across all of Soul Society.

The news of its annihilation.

In less than a day, spread throughout all of Seireitei, and even into Rukongai!

At once.

The Central Forty-Six Chambers issued the highest directive, searching for the culprit throughout all of Seireitei, and anyone possessing illusion-type abilities became a key target of investigation!

The Onmyō Corps.

The Thirteen Court Guard Squads.

The Covert Action Squad...

All of Soul Society's enforcement agencies were mobilized, and the entire Soul Society descended into utter chaos!

At this moment.

A bewildered Aizen Sosuke was taken into custody and locked in prison, surrounded by every kind of Soul Society powerhouse skilled in illusion-type abilities...

Because he had previously.

Demonstrated at the academy the ability of Kyōka Suigetsu, which could make enemies kill each other.

He was therefore listed as a key person of interest!

And Thousand Night Pavilion.

Remained a scene of revelry and song.

The outside world's turmoil had not spread here, after all everyone knew that Kuchiki Senya specialized in the way of the sword.

His Zanpakutō.

Possessed only the extreme of sharpness, with no illusion-type ability.

At this point.

Kuchiki Senya enjoyed a stretch of tranquil, luxurious days.

Time passed.

The impact of the Tsunayashiro Clan's annihilation gradually subsided.

Those previously detained for possessing illusion-type abilities, including Aizen Sosuke and others, were all released.

After all.

After investigation.

Aizen's alibi, as well as the deliberately displayed function of Kyōka Suigetsu, did not possess the capability to wipe out the entire Tsunayashiro Clan.

Therefore.

This matter became an unsolved mystery.

It was recorded into Soul Society's history, and the powerhouse possessing such terrifying illusion-type abilities vanished without a trace thereafter.

Never to appear again.

People returned to their peaceful lives.

Skirt 893964460

043. Bankai — a Rule-type Ability of the Sharpness Category!

Soul Society.

Time flew by swiftly.

In the meantime, the students of Shino Academy graduated one after another, and as the strongest student, Kuchiki Senya once again skipped the graduation ceremony.

A full six years.

He had not set foot in the academy even once!

He lounged in the Pleasure Quarters, living in a drunken stupor.

However.

Even so.

Under the pressure of Kuchiki Senya, that number-one genius, the other students also displayed tremendous potential.

This was the most outstanding graduating class in Shino Academy's history!

It produced a full three Captains!

Even.

More outstanding than the class of Kyōraku Shunsui and Ukitake Jūshirō from several hundred years ago!

Yoruichi, Urahara, Bai Zai, Aizen, and others all entered the Thirteen Court Guard Squads and took up official posts!

Shihoin Yoruichi.

Took up the post of Captain of the Second Division and Commander-in-Chief of the Onmyō Corps, displaying formidable strength after graduation, earning the title "Goddess of Flash, Yoruichi"!

Urahara Kisuke.

Took up the post of the first Captain of the Twelfth Division and Director of the Kaifa Bureau, during which he developed and perfected the effects of the Gigai.

As well as all manner of communication devices, recording devices, every strange and curious kind.

And.

Urahara Kisuke spent most of his time in his private research lab, secretly collecting Hollow souls, no one knew what he was researching.

That "mad scientist" Nemu Kenji was also released because of his appreciation, and took the position of Third Seat of the Twelfth Division.

Vice Director of the Kaifa Bureau.

Kuchiki Byakuya.

Also successfully graduated from the academy.

Kuchiki Ginrin and Kuchiki Asojun both stepped down from the Sixth Division, after Kuchiki Senya once again refused to serve as its captain.

Passing the captain's seat to Bai Zai.

As for Aizen…

He was taken in by Hirako Shinji into the Fifth Division, serving as its vice-captain.

Humble and courteous in manner.

Within the Thirteen Court Guard Squads, he enjoyed a very high reputation and prestige…

And the most outstanding student of all.

Kuchiki Senya, meanwhile, under the gazes of confusion and regret from everyone, spent every day in wine and revelry, drunk and dreaming.

Either passed out drunk in the pleasure quarters.

Or loafed around the Seireitei like a street-corner loafer, a bona fide wandering old man…

……

Fifty years later.

Kuchiki Senya strolled lazily down the main street, heading toward a newly opened izakaya.

The boyishness on his face had vanished.

His features were sharp and defined, his gaze like the stars.

His build was upright, his countenance handsome.

He still wore his familiar plaid shirt, carrying himself like a dissolute young master.

Before long.

The izakaya was packed with people.

This was also a property of the Kuchiki family.

Unlike the flower houses with their lavish decor and soft, fragrant beauties, the izakaya was more like a modern entertainment venue.

Fine wine.

Song and dance performances.

Even storytellers.

Lively and bustling, the atmosphere was quite nice.

"Brother, if you keep going on like this, your talent will be wasted."