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"You did well, Kūgo," the nobleman said softly, nodding in satisfaction as he watched the young man put on his Shinigami robes.
Ginjō Kūgo raised the asauchi in his hand, clenched his fist, and felt the power continuously surging through his body.
"Now can you tell me… who exactly are you?"
"Well… it doesn't matter if I tell you," the nobleman said, looking at the bloodstains on his Zanpakuto with apparent disdain, shaking it off onto the ground.
Ginjō Kūgo's eyes narrowed slightly, and he immediately felt a chill surge within him.
The nobleman continued, "I am from the Tsunayashiro Family."
"The Tsunayashiro Family?"
"That's right, we are the rulers of Soul Society…"
Seeing the two chatting, Aozaki Shinji cast "Bakudo #26: Kyokko" and walked to a spot not far from them.
"The rulers of Soul Society? Shinigami… are ruled by you? So this Shinigami was actually your subordinate… which means all of this was arranged by you. What is your purpose in finding me? Why did you help me?"
Ginjō Kūgo asked all his questions in one breath.
The rulers of Soul Society, yet they so casually sacrificed the lives of Shinigami.
"One Shinigami, ten, or a hundred, it's all just a number," the nobleman said indifferently. "We chose you because you have value."
"Do you know what the ability to conjure a greatsword out of thin air just now was?"
"I don't know," Ginjō Kūgo shook his head.
A few years ago, this man suddenly appeared in his life, teaching him how to use his own abilities, and today he helped him gain Shinigami power.
His feelings at this moment could probably only be described as completely bewildered.
He had nothing left; he lost his parents years ago, the priest who took him in had just died before him, and even the church where he lived was destroyed.
The noble man in front of him, while saying he had chosen him, made no secret of his disdain for him.
This condescending feeling was annoying.
Ginjō Kūgo had never seen nobles in person, but he had long heard about the conduct of daimyo and feudal lords.
However, as someone living in this era, the "all men are equal under God" from the priest's mouth was not credible in his eyes.
Although he wore a cross around his neck, it was a memento from his parents, and he had never seen God.
"That is a power called Fullbring. You don't need to worry about where this power comes from."
The nobleman sheathed his sword, clapped his hands, and said casually, "Without further ado, let's get straight to the point. I have two things I want you to do."
"First, find more people like you who can change objects and gather them."
"Second, go hunt, kill more Hollows."
Upon hearing this, Aozaki Shinji nodded, roughly understanding what the Tsunayashiro Family wanted to do.
If he remembered correctly, Ginjō Kūgo had the ability to plunder others' Fullbring.
The Tsunayashiro Family might have discovered this, and Reio's fragments could exist anywhere, including within Hollows.
Having him hunt Hollows was probably to see if he could plunder Reio's fragments from within Hollows.
"That's all I can tell you."
As if to instill awe in Ginjō Kūgo, the nobleman warned:
"Don't think about getting rid of us. The Tsunayashiro Family are the rulers of Soul Society. Your killing a Shinigami for Shinigami power is an unforgivable grave sin. As long as we give the order, all of Soul Society will not let you go…"
Before the nobleman could finish speaking, a sword light flashed, separating his head from his body. The warm blood, illuminated by the moonlight, looked like sparkling jewels, splashing onto Ginjō Kūgo's face.
A magnetic voice sounded from behind the nobleman:
"Sorry, this kid was too arrogant. I really couldn't listen anymore, so I sent him to meet his ancestors."
Ginjō Kūgo looked up at the tall young man behind the nobleman. From the well-defined chin beneath his hood, one could infer how stunning that face must be.
The young man wore a black cloak, clearly a villainous character who couldn't show his face in public.
Ginjō Kūgo was about to take a step, but the nobleman, who had died with his eyes open, lay on the ground staring at him, as if warning him not to think about escaping.
Ginjō Kūgo suppressed the fear in his heart and said with a trembling voice, "Who are you?"
"Hmm, yes, who am I… What name should I use?"
Aozaki Shinji mumbled, stroking his chin, completely disregarding Ginjō Kūgo in front of him. After a moment of thought, he clapped his hands as if he had a good idea, "Got it! You can call me… Sephiroth. I like that name."
"Do you know what this name means? In Latin, it means 'divine emanation.' How about it? Pretty good, right?"
"Not… bad," Ginjō Kūgo said, feeling a bit awkward facing the suddenly enthusiastic Aozaki Shinji.
"Little brother, do you have any money? I'm a bit hungry," Aozaki Shinji grabbed Ginjō Kūgo's hand.
Is this guy a lunatic who escaped from Soul Society? Ginjō Kūgo thought.
"Kid, I admire you. You seem very righteous!" Aozaki Shinji sat sprawling on the seat, eating grilled meat heartily and drinking sake poured from a small porcelain bottle.
The small shop was empty at this time; not even the owner or his staff could be seen.
There was no other way; in this era, anyone who saw bowls and chopsticks flying in the air and food suddenly disappearing would be overly frightened and want to run as far away as possible.
"Can Shinigami eat human food?" Ginjō Kūgo asked.
"I'm even breathing the air of the Human World. Do I look like I'm having any trouble?"
Aozaki Shinji rolled his Byakugan, thinking that the young man in front of him seemed a bit unintelligent.
"The fundamental substance that makes up Soul Society is Reishi, and the fundamental substance that makes up the Human World is Kishi."
Aozaki Shinji said, pointing at the grilled meat in front of him.
"That being said, Reishi actually exists in the Human World too, whether in the air or in grilled meat. Even within humans, Reishi exists."
Ginjō Kūgo scratched his head awkwardly. Thinking it over, his previous question was indeed a bit silly. After much thought, he decided to ask something useful.
"Why did you kill that man just now?"
"Because I have a grudge against them."
"But aren't they the rulers of Soul Society? Are you a criminal of Soul Society?"
"No, strictly speaking, I can also be considered one of the administrators of Soul Society."
Aozaki Shinji waved his hand, saying indifferently, "That useless guy was just boasting. The Tsunayashiro Family does have the ability to influence the order of Soul Society, but Soul Society isn't theirs to control."
"Ultimately, as long as you have strength, no amount of power can control you."
Ginjō Kūgo was silent for a moment, then asked the most crucial question: "Why did you bring me here? Will you kill me?"
"I won't kill you," Aozaki Shinji said with a sunny smile. "Come with me, kid."
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