Chapter 67

Especially the Eleventh Division, they all came out in full force!

Moreover.

There are even captain-level Shinigami holding the line! So long as the Ryoka dare to break into the Seireitei, they absolutely cannot escape this inescapable net!

……

"Old man Yamamoto, is there really no room to ease this matter?"

In the office of Yamamoto's Heavy Strike, at the rear of the conference room.

Kyoraku Shunsui and Ukitake Jushiro frowned deeply.

Rukia.

She was Ukitake Jushiro's subordinate; Kyoraku Shunsui had also seen her often before — a very talented, very hardworking Miss.

Now.

To think that because of a single ruling from the Forty-Six Chambers, she would end up in such a fate!

"She merely passed on the power of a Shinigami. Though she is guilty, it does not warrant the use of the Sokyoku!"

Ukitake Jushiro argued his case, pleading for his subordinate.

"Say no more."

"This is the ruling of the Forty-Six Chambers; the justice of Soul Society must be obeyed." Yamamoto's Heavy Strike coughed heavily, cutting off their words.

……

Not long after.

Kyoraku Shunsui, with stubble bristling on his chin, and Ukitake Jushiro, his face pale and weak, coughing from time to time, walked out.

"Old man Yamamoto is getting more and more stubborn. Even if he were a hundred years younger, he still wouldn't obey the Forty-Six Chambers' verdict!"

Even though Kyoraku Shunsui had always been slacking off, his attitude lazy and carefree, seeing with his own eyes a familiar person sentenced to execution for an insufficient charge…

His fists clenched tight.

The reorganized Forty-Six Chambers still could not shake off their harsh, rigid habits.

"Bai Zai!"

Ukitake Jushiro looked at the man approaching — a handsome figure wearing a white kenseikan — and a flicker of hope shone in his eyes.

Come to think of it.

Rukia did have a connection to Kuchiki Senya.

Rukia's sister Hisane worked as a manager at Senya Pavilion, and her relationship with Kuchiki Senya was quite good…

If the Kuchiki family, the head of the great nobility, were to speak up.

Pardoning Rukia from the death sentence would not be impossible!

……

However.

A moment later.

That hope was shattered.

Kyoraku Shunsui and Ukitake Jushiro exchanged a glance, smiled bitterly, and shook their heads.

Kuchiki Byakuya, expressionless, walked down the long corridor, raising his head to gaze at the clear sky, his eyes narrowing slightly.

As for Rukia.

What exactly was Brother's attitude?

The Kuchiki family.

Was to uphold the rules of Soul Society as its duty.

Kuchiki Byakuya, though aware of this connection.

In his view, Hisane was merely an employee under Brother.

Not worth expending the Kuchiki family's reputation, accumulated painstakingly over a thousand years!

At most.

He could let Rukia live a little more comfortably in prison.

Unless.

Kuchiki Senya personally spoke up, demanding Rukia be spared!

Then, not only Kuchiki Byakuya, but the entire Kuchiki family would support Qianye's decision!

At the same time.

Inside the Head Captain's office.

"You mean, you want me to keep an eye on Kuchiki Senya?" Kurosaki Isshin said, his tone surprised, staring intently at Head Captain Yamamoto.

Isn't Kuchiki Senya one of our own?

"The moment he makes any move to rescue Rukia, report it at once." Yamamoto's Heavy Strike nodded.

His aged eyes narrowed slightly.

Rukia's sister Hisane was, after all, in charge of Senya Pavilion under Kuchiki Senya's name, managing his affairs for him.

She had been with Kuchiki Senya for a full hundred years.

One of Kuchiki Senya's most trusted confidants.

If Hisane pleaded, how would Kuchiki Senya respond?

Although he spent every day drinking and amusing himself, seemingly caring about nothing, posing no threat at all.

Yet.

Such a person was the most terrifying of all!

A person who does as they please, who scorns all laws and rules, is extremely likely to commit acts of terrible treason!

Add to that Kuchiki Senya, whose strength surpasses even that of a captain…

If he truly made a move, it would no longer be a matter of a few intruders causing a minor stir.

It would be a major incident affecting all of Soul Society.

……

At this moment.

The headquarters of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads.

Inside a clean, tidy cell, a petite black-haired young beauty Shinigami with a short, upturned bob sat quietly.

Deep violet eyes, a single strand of bangs hanging before her brow.

And outside the cell.

Was a beauty whose eyes were reddened, whose corners still bore tear-traces, as pure and moving as a scarlet sky, softly sobbing.

Rukia looked at the woman outside the cell, who resembled her by eighty percent, and gave a faint smile. "Sister, you need not worry."

Fifty years ago, when she enrolled in Shino Academy.

Rukia was finally found by Hisana.

She learned she had an older sister.

And—

That sister actually worked under the legendary head of the Kuchiki house, captain of the Second Division, Kuchiki Senya!

She was also one of Kuchiki Senya's trusted confidants, in charge of the daily management of Senya Pavilion!

After her sister explained the whole story, Rukia did not blame her, nor feel resentful.

After all—

When even her own survival was a problem, how could she have let an infant starve to death alongside her?

The two sisters made peace.

Family reunited.

Because Hisana was Kuchiki Senya's trusted confidant, her social standing was even higher than that of ordinary mid-level nobles!

Under her care.

Rukia successfully joined the Thirteenth Division. Even though at first her strength was not as she wished, through her unremitting effort—

Relying on her own ability, she finally became a seated officer!

The two sisters spent a happy fifty years together.

It also made up for the regret of her wandering through Rukongai, drifting all the way.

However.