Chapter 151: The Final Vote
Creeeak—
In a remote corner of the Soul Society, a black rift viciously tore open.
Aizen poked his head out from the rift, sensing the surrounding Reiatsu.
After confirming it was safe, he nodded to those behind him and jumped out of the Garganta.
Behind him, Yoruichi, carrying Satoru on her back, followed him out.
She looked at Aizen, who was enveloped in Kidō light, and hesitated to speak.
Today, her worldview had been constantly refreshed.
The Tsunayashiro Clan had joined forces with the King of Hueco Mundo.
Kōga Kuchiki, the strongest Shinigami of the current Kuchiki generation, had sided with the Tsunayashiro.
Satoru had single-handedly defeated Kōga Kuchiki...
Any one of these events would be significant enough to be recorded in the history of the Soul Society.
Yet within just over a day, they had all unfolded before her like beans poured from a bamboo tube.
The most outrageous was the female Hollow that appeared last.
Her body was small, similar in size to a Shinigami, yet her strength was explosively powerful.
She suspected that the other party might be the legendary super Menos Grande, a Vasto Lorde.
Relying solely on her own power, that female Menos Grande suppressed the entire battlefield.
Takatori wanted to gain the initiative by commanding the battlefield.
However, he soon discovered that whenever he tried to make arrangements, the opposing Shadow Killer would anticipate his moves and preemptively thwart his actions.
Under Harribel's strength and Aizen's battlefield arrangements, the five Adjuchas quickly lost their lives.
Yasushi Takada also suffered several large wounds from Harribel's water blades.
His rock-based armor's defensive capabilities were greatly diminished under Harribel's water-based slashes.
Seeing that the situation was hopeless, Takatori decided to flee.
However, Aizen had no intention of letting him go.
While Harribel held off Takada, he took the initiative and defeated Takatori.
With one foot pressed on Takatori, he looked toward Takada, who was still battling Harribel not far away.
"Captain Takada, look over here, I'm about to take his life."
Hearing Aizen's words, Takada couldn't help but get distracted.
Seizing this opportunity, Harribel slashed at him with her blade, leaving a deep, bone-exposing wound.
Aizen revealed a satisfied smile.
In a flash, he appeared before Takada and injected him with an anesthetic.
Looking at Kōga, Takada, and Takatori lying on the ground, Aizen felt exceptionally pleased.
Who would have thought that Satoru, aside from causing him trouble, also had a talent for package delivery?
Originally, this trip to Hueco Mundo was just to capture a few Adjuchas.
Unexpectedly, he received such a generous gift...
If Satoru weren't still unconscious, he'd really want to properly praise him.
Seeing all the enemies defeated, Harribel retracted her combat stance.
She disliked finishing off opponents completely—if possible, it was always better not to kill.
Of course, she disliked letting tigers return to the mountains even more.
The ones she spared were only those opponents who posed no threat to her.
Like these three Shinigami before her—even if they returned alive, their hatred would fall on that guy covered in Kidō light and shadow, with no real impact on her.
She glanced at Satoru, who had been sleeping from start to finish.
Then she looked at Aizen.
Confirming that Aizen had no intention of turning on her after the meal was over, she moved her feet and disappeared into the distance.
Only after Harribel had left did Yoruichi finally let out a sigh of relief.
...
...
While Yoruichi was thinking, Aizen had already completed his work.
He dug a pit in the ground and buried Kōga Kuchiki, Tsunayashiro Takatori, and Yasushi Takada inside.
When burying Takatori, he took out the latter's Zanpakutō and set it aside, planning to use it as evidence.
Finally, he placed a Kidō spell in the pit to circulate air, ensuring the three could survive.
Of course, if he didn't come back to dig them out soon, that would be another story.
Leaving aside the oxygen issue, just the injuries they had sustained meant they could die at any moment without prompt treatment.
After burying the three, Aizen nodded with satisfaction.
Without turning his head, he said to Yoruichi, "Proceed as planned."
With that, he was about to head toward Central 46.
But just as he was about to move, a voice sounded behind him:
"Don't rush off, wait for me."
Hearing this voice, Aizen turned around in surprise.
He saw Satoru stretching lazily as he stood up.
Aizen: "?"
With a feeling of seeing a ghost, he quickly walked over, grabbed Satoru's forearm, and probed it with his Reiatsu, touching Satoru's bones.
"Ouch, what are you doing?"
Satoru immediately grimaced in pain.
Aizen's eye twitched.
Seeing Satoru's nonchalant expression, he had thought this guy had actually become a Hollow and learned rapid regeneration.
Turns out, nothing had healed internally.
The bones in his forearm were still shattered, forcibly held together by shadows.
"What are you going to do? In your current state, what can you accomplish?"
"Stop causing trouble and go get treatment!"
Hearing this, Satoru retorted unhappily, "What, looking down on your bro?"
With a shout, he jumped up on the spot and performed a few martial arts moves mid-air.
"How's that? Your bro's still got it!"
After landing steadily, he grinned.
Aizen took a deep breath.
There's a kind of pain that hurts just to watch.
Satoru had no idea how much damage this move of his could inflict, but he knew for certain it would be excruciatingly painful.
Yet Satoru himself acted as if nothing had happened, completely indifferent to it all.
Unable to hold back his curiosity, he asked, "How did you do that?"
Satoru chuckled lightly. "I used an artificial soul to sever my perception of pain."
"Right now, I am invincible!"
Aizen felt his vision darken.
Though he considered himself somewhat unhinged, compared to Satoru, he fell far short.
He opened his mouth, intending to scold Satoru for his reckless behavior.
But when he met Satoru's eyes, the words died on his lips.
Those usually lazy, carefree eyes now burned with unwavering determination.
This guy... probably already guessed what was happening with Central 46.
After a few seconds of silence, he sighed.
"If you're going, then take Shihōin with you."
"She is the key to breaking this deadlock now."
Hearing this, Satoru grinned widely.
"I knew you'd agree."
Aizen sighed again. "I just don't want to waste time arguing with you."
"Let's go. Now that Shihōin has returned alive, this farce should end."
"But..."
He suddenly paused at the end.
Satoru looked at him curiously. "But?"
"...Never mind. Let's head over first."
Aizen shook his head.
Reason told him that the Tsunayashiro Clan, having schemed for so long and repeatedly taken the initiative to gain every advantage, wouldn't stake everything on Yoruichi in such a critical moment.
Yet, if the Tsunayashiro Clan had any other moves left, he couldn't fathom what they might be.
The Kuchiki and Tsunayashiro were sworn enemies; there was no chance they'd switch sides.
The Shiba Clan consisted of hopeless do-gooders, utterly loyal to the Seireitei. Even if everyone else betrayed the Soul King, they wouldn't.
As for the last of the Five Great Noble Families, they never participated in Central 46's affairs.
That mysterious family had been guarding against Hell for generations.
The minor noble houses had already been assimilated.
Key figures of the Kuchiki Clan and their close relatives were already under protection.
What other method could possibly alter the final outcome?
Perhaps he was overthinking it.
...
...
As the sun set, the nobles of Central 46 grew increasingly restless.
One noble couldn't contain his frustration. "...Lord Genryūsai, while we respect you and are willing to cooperate, isn't this endless delay somewhat excessive?"
Another noble nodded in agreement. "It's just an attack incident, and it happened in Rukongai—it has nothing to do with us here. Why is it taking so long to resolve?"
"Lord Genryūsai, we demand an explanation!"
"Is this how irresponsible the Gotei 13 usually is?"
A noble stood up. "In my opinion, before deciding who the traitors are, we should vote on whether to punish the Gotei 13 for dereliction of duty!"
"Excellent!"
"I agree!"
Amid the nobles' angry shouts, Yamamoto remained standing silently.
The cane he leaned on seemed to emit a wisp of smoke due to the rising temperature.
But quickly, he suppressed the heat back down.
Under everyone's gaze, he looked out at the blood-red sky and slowly said,
"Everyone, please remain calm."
"Regardless of the outcome, I will provide everyone with a reasonable answer by the end of today."
Upon hearing this, the attendees exchanged uneasy glances.
Though they wished to press their advantage, Yamamoto had already conceded ground. If they continued pushing, what if they provoked the old man?
The Tsunayashiro faction was on the verge of exploding with rage.
Yamamoto Shigekuni—this old fossil—had remained steadfastly at his post for centuries, never overstepping to meddle in noble affairs. Who could have imagined he would now align himself to such an extent just to buy time for the Kuchiki Clan?
He took a deep breath, preparing to continue pressuring Yamamoto.
But at that moment, a grotesque lump of flesh near his ear suddenly whispered:
"No matter. Continue waiting."
Hearing the voice, he shuddered. "C-Clan Head!"
Through the communication device, Tsunayashiro Senzaemon spoke calmly, "The more Yamamoto leans toward one side, the more advantageous it becomes for us."
The Tsunayashiro representative in the seat froze.
Yamamoto taking sides... was actually beneficial? Had the Clan Head lost his senses?
As if guessing his confusion, Senzaemon chuckled. "The more importance Yamamoto places on the outcome of this meeting, the more it proves he still operates within the Soul Society's power structure."
"If he truly sought to obtain what he wanted through force, he could have drawn Ryūjin Jakka long ago and forced everyone to obey him."
"Since he hasn't done so, it means that in his eyes, the decisions of the Central 46 still hold supreme sanctity."
"The commands of the Central 46 hold no inherent value... Only directives recognized by the strong possess true worth!"
Hearing this, the representative's eyes lit up.
Indeed... the Clan Head was absolutely right!
But then, as if remembering something, he worriedly said:
"However, Lord Patriarch, what if Yoruichi Shihōin really..."
"Rest assured, it's already impossible for her to return alive."
Thinking of the numerous arrangements he had made in Hueco Mundo, Senzaemon had no concerns.
Not to mention a mere Satoru, even if a monster of Kirio Hikifune's caliber personally intervened, it would be impossible to protect Yoruichi Shihōin!
Hearing the patriarch's confident reply, the Tsunayashiro representative behind the seats showed a relieved smile.
Just as his smile appeared, a messenger Shinigami suddenly materialized in the hall.
"Report!"
"Third Seat of Squad 2, Satoru, requests an audience!"
At these words, Yamamoto narrowed his aged eyes and smiled.
The Tsunayashiro representative's smile vanished.
Yamamoto looked toward the Kuchiki delegation.
The Kuchiki representative behind the seats understood and said, "Let him in!"
Soon after, under everyone's gaze, Satoru entered the assembly hall.
Seeing Satoru's condition, everyone couldn't help but gasp sharply.
The current Satoru bore the brutal marks of battle all over his body.
His Shinigami Uniform was reduced to half a pair of pants.
Wounds and bruises covered his entire body.
Looking at him, it wouldn't be surprising if he dropped dead on the spot at any moment.
Even Yamamoto, seeing his student's condition, couldn't help but open his eyes wide.
He took a deep breath.
You damn brat, this time... you've really worked hard.
Then, a figure followed Satoru inside.
Seeing this person, the Tsunayashiro representative couldn't help but leap to his feet, face filled with terror.
The Shihōin representative also stood up.
Unlike the former, his face was full of pleasant surprise.
Under everyone's gaze, Satoru raised his head and looked at those high and mighty figures hiding behind their seats.
"Everyone, seeing me like this, I think you can guess what happened, right?"
"That's right! The Tsunayashiro Clan sent people to attack our Stealth Force Commander, Head of the Shihōin Clan, Yoruichi Shihōin!"
These words shocked the entire assembly.
Had the Tsunayashiro Clan gone so mad?
Yamamoto stood nearby: "Satoru, without evidence, you cannot make such accusations against one of the Five Great Noble Families."
Satoru looked at Yoruichi.
Yoruichi stepped forward, her voice cold and clear: "I witnessed it myself. The leader of the attackers was Tsunayashiro Takatori!"
Tsunayashiro Takatori?
Wasn't he already dead?
Even the Kuchiki representative showed a stunned expression.
Satoru swung his arm and threw the Zanpakutō he was carrying onto the ground.
"Tsunayashiro Takatori's Zanpakutō is here!"
Subordinates from various families rushed over to verify the sword's authenticity.
Soon, they returned to their respective family representatives and quietly reported their conclusions.
Yamamoto sensed it briefly.
Indeed, this was Takatori's sword.
Fresh Reiatsu still lingered on it, indicating the Zanpakutō's owner had recently used it in combat.
Looking at Satoru and Yoruichi, Yamamoto slowly said:
"Since the parties involved in the attack incident are safe now, this old man won't waste any more time."
"Let the meeting continue."
The nobles' expressions were quite spectacular.
Yamamoto had already made his stance clear.
Combined with the evidence brought by Yoruichi.
What needed to be done required no further explanation.
The Shihōin Clan elder couldn't wait any longer and loudly declared:
"I believe the Tsunayashiro Clan is guilty!!"
The nobles aligned with the Shihōin Clan immediately followed suit and cast their votes.
The Kuchiki faction's votes have surpassed the Tsunayashiro Clan's!
The Tsunayashiro representative, face ashen, slumped back into his chair.
Yamamoto stood at the entrance, quietly gazing at his disciple.
Though this boy often slacked off, ignored etiquette, and made his blood pressure spike with frustration...
He had to admit—this kid never failed to deliver surprises.
As he pondered, Yamamoto suddenly noticed something unusual about Satoru.
At first glance, he thought Satoru had ordinary injuries.
The old man frowned slightly, extending his Reiatsu to probe Satoru's condition.
After confirming the state, his eyes widened in shock.
With bones shattered to this extent, how could he still walk here on his own?
Seeing Satoru in such a wretched state still joking with Yoruichi, Yamamoto felt his blood pressure rising again.