Bleach: From the moment I was invited by Squad Zero.

Chapter 111 Assassination of the Heir?

His loyalty to Yun Jingyao was almost blind; he obeyed only him and was the guarantee for Yun Jing to control the family and eliminate dissidents.

Looking at Guan Jing Banzai kneeling before him, Yun Jingyao's eyes flashed with a complex emotion, a resolute determination to use the final means.

"Ban Zuo, stand up and speak." Yun Jingyao's voice was even lower than before, carrying a sense of impending doom.

Kujiro Hanzaka silently stood up, waiting for further instructions.

The black mask concealed his expression, only his lifeless eyes calmly staring at Yun Jingyaojue.

Yun Jingyao took a deep breath and slowly spoke:

"The plan has changed. Yanagawa, a member of the Zero Squad, has sent a visiting card and will officially pay a visit tomorrow afternoon."

"Tomorrow?" Guan Jinghan's pupils contracted slightly.

“Yes, tomorrow.” Yun Jingyao confirmed, his tone tinged with a chill.

"Time is of the essence, and we must act ahead of schedule. The original plan to proceed slowly and wait for the right opportunity to take the final step is no longer feasible."

Liu Chuan's purpose in coming here is very likely related to 'that thing' (the Mo Yao knife).

We cannot risk giving him any chance to notice anything amiss, and we certainly cannot allow him to have too much contact with... Ruri Chiyo.

When he mentioned the name "Ruri Chiyo," his tone showed no respect for the head of the family, only indifference as if he were talking about an inconvenient object.

Guanjing Banzu remained silent, already vaguely guessing what Yunjing Yaojue was about to say.

But he still didn't say anything, just listened quietly.

Yun Jingyao leaned forward slightly, his hands resting on the edge of the desk, his voice extremely low:

"Tonight, we'll take care of Ruri Chiyo."

Despite having anticipated it, a flicker of emotion still crossed Kukai Hanzai's eyes when the order was given so bluntly.

The murder of the patriarch, the rightful and sole heir of the Kasumi family, was unlike any of the purges he had carried out before.

This is not merely murder, but regicide, a complete trampling of the ironclad rules and dignity passed down through millennia of nobility. Once exposed, it will lead to utter ruin.

But the ripples in his eyes lasted for less than half a second before returning to lifelessness.

He lowered his head slightly, his hoarse voice devoid of any inflection:

"Yes, my lord."

"Very good." Yun Jingyao seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, but his eyes grew even more sinister.

"This is the only way out after careful consideration."

As long as Ruri Chiyo, the symbol of "legitimate succession," disappears, I, as the chief elder, have assisted the young lord for many years, and the lord "unfortunately dies unexpectedly" and there are no other direct heirs.

According to clan rules and noble laws, he could rightfully assume the position of acting head of the family and become the acting head of the Kasumigaoka family.

He slowly straightened up, a cold smile on his face that was a mixture of madness and calculation:

"When Liuchuan visits tomorrow, the one who receives him will no longer be that naive and innocent little girl who might say the wrong thing and reveal the secret."

It is I—the acting head of the Kasumi family, Yosuke Unjing.

Even if Yanagawa does notice something unusual or raises some sensitive questions, I can simply say that the previous head of the family unfortunately died young.

The family was going through a period of turmoil and grief, and had many matters to attend to, all of which provided plausible reasons for delaying, stalling, and even...completely blocking his investigation.

Isn't it normal for a family that is "overwhelmed with grief" and "busy with funeral arrangements" to be temporarily unable to attend to other matters?

Even if the Zero Division is aloof, they can't be so heartless as to force a family that has just lost its head to immediately cooperate in investigating old matters, can they?

Yun Jingyao's voice carried an almost manic "rationality".

"As long as I can buy some time, once I've firmly established myself as the acting head of the family and completely control the family both inside and out, I can slowly eliminate all potential threats..."

Yanagawa? Squad Zero? By then, even if they wanted to investigate, they wouldn't find anything!

Meanwhile, in the Tenth Division barracks, in the captain's room.

Captain Shiba Isshin sat cross-legged at the table by the window in an extremely unrestrained posture, a posture that could be described as "a model of captain's incompetence".

Because of the hot weather, his shihaka outfit was wide open, revealing his muscular chest.

Holding a small white porcelain teacup in his hand, he tilted his head back and drank the tea in one gulp, then let out a satisfied sigh.

Then, without any hesitation, he reached out, picked up a piece of sugar cake, stuffed it into his mouth, and chewed it with his cheeks bulging, looking as content as if he were in heaven.

"Hmm! This is good! Matsumoto, where did you buy it? Buy more next time!" he mumbled indistinctly, some powdered sugar stuck to the corner of his mouth.

Vice-captain Matsumoto Rangiku sat opposite him, like a cat dozing in the sunlight, exuding a relaxed aura of "Don't bother me, let me enjoy myself."

Hearing Shiba Isshin's question, she lazily raised her eyelids, her voice carrying the languor of the afternoon:

"It's a newly opened 'Wagashiya' (traditional Japanese confectionery shop), Captain. These snacks aren't cheap."

"Haha! Worth it! I work so hard, of course I have to treat myself to something good!"

Zhibo didn't take it to heart. He waved his hand and poured himself another cup of tea. His gaze swept casually across the room, and then "naturally"...

It landed at the other end of the captain's room, behind that huge desk.

Behind the desk, a small figure, out of place in the spacious room and the relaxed style of his two superiors, sat upright in a chair that was clearly too high for him.

Toshiro Hitsugaya, the third seat of the 10th Division, has silver-white hair that gleams coldly in the sunlight.

He was now completely focused on the mountain of files, reports, and forms piled up in front of him.

Holding a pen, he was quickly reviewing, marking, and stamping with a speed and precision beyond his years.

His face, still bearing a hint of childishness, displayed a complex expression that was a mixture of seriousness and helplessness.

Since he was promoted to the third seat thanks to his outstanding talent and calm mind, the "mountain of documents" in front of him has been expanding at a visible speed.

And the "instigator" of all this—

"Hitsugaya is the future star of our 10th Division!"

Matsumoto Rangiku patted Hitsugaya's small shoulder and announced to the whole team,

"As the vice-captain, I have a responsibility to properly 'nurture' the younger generation!"

These basic paperwork tasks are the best way to develop patience, attention to detail, and organizational skills! Good luck, Hitsugaya Sankei! I believe in you!

Then, under Hitsugaya's stiff gaze, she piled most of the documents that should have been handled by the vice-captain onto Hitsugaya's desk. She called it: "Special attention training."

As for Captain Shiba Isshin? He was happy to see it happen, and even contributed to it.

"Yes! Matsumoto is right! Young people need more training! Hitsugaya, do a good job! I support you in spirit, Captain!"

After saying that, he continued to drag Matsumoto Rangiku along to discuss which store's sake was better and which store's sweets were more delicious, completely forgetting about "team affairs".

Chapter 112 The Unexpected Visitors of the Tenth Division

Thus, the 10th Division has formed this strange daily scene: on one side, there is sunshine, tea and snacks, and the captain and vice-captain chatting leisurely, a peaceful and idyllic life;

On the other end are three seats for "child laborers," their brows furrowing deeper and deeper, buried under a mountain of documents, living in dire straits.

"Squeak-"

The door to the captain's room was gently pushed open from the outside. The movement was light, but it broke the strange balance between leisure and busyness inside.

Hitsugaya Toshiro, who was engrossed in working through a list of supplies, paused slightly, his pen poised between displeasure at being interrupted and a hint of curiosity.

Who would just push open the door without announcing themselves at a time like this? And this spiritual pressure...

Shiba Isshin, who was tilting his head back to gulp down his third cup of tea and letting out a comfortable burp, also looked in the direction of the sound.

When he saw the figure at the door, his cheerful smile instantly became even brighter, even showing a hint of genuine surprise.

"Hey! Isn't this Brother Yanagawa?! What brings you to our Tenth Division today? Come in, come in!"

Zhibo put down his teacup and waved casually, as if he were calling his own brother.

He even patted the tatami mat next to him, gesturing for the other person to come and sit down, completely ignoring the mess on the table and his own unseemly appearance with his clothes wide open.

The figure stepped inside; it was Liu Chuan.

He didn't immediately walk towards Shiba Isshin, but paused briefly at the door, his gaze calmly and quickly sweeping across the entire captain's room.

From the silver-haired "child laborer" seat behind the desk, buried in documents, to the blond vice-captain by the window, who seemed to be watching a good show.

Finally, it came down to the enthusiastic captain, who was clearly enjoying an extremely leisurely time.

This sight... caused a hint of "interest" to cross Yanagawa's usually calm face.

The daily life of the 10th Division is indeed "as good as its reputation suggests." It seems that the path of "cultivating" the third seat of Hitsugaya is long and arduous.

"Captain Isshin, Vice-Captain Matsumoto, Third Seat Hitsugaya, excuse me."

Yanagawa's voice was calm, which served as a greeting. He took a few steps closer to Shiba Isshin, his gaze fixed on him, and said bluntly:

"Seeing that Captain Yixin is so...free, I'm relieved. There's something I'd like to ask you to do."

"You need my help?" Shiba Isshin's smile faltered, and a hint of instinctive alertness flashed in his eyes, which were usually filled with a cheerful smile.

The thing that made Yanagawa, a member of the Zero Squad, personally come to "beg" him...

It's obvious even to a fool that it wasn't an easy task like "helping to buy wine" or "giving pointers to younger colleagues."

He subconsciously sat up straighter and pulled his open shirt closer: "What is it? Brother Liuchuan, just tell me, I'll help if I can!"

Although her tone was forthright, even Matsumoto Rangiku, who was standing next to her, could detect the subtle unease in it. She put down the sakura mochi in her hand and propped her chin up with interest.

Hitsugaya Toshiro also stopped writing, his eyes darting between Yanagawa and his captain.

For this member of the Zero Division to personally visit and even use the word "please"... he instinctively felt that the Tenth Division's brief peaceful afternoon was probably about to end.

Yanagawa was not surprised by Shiba Isshin's reaction. He nodded, but did not explain immediately, only saying:

"This isn't the place to talk, Captain Yixin. Would it be convenient for us to speak privately?"

Shiba Isshin glanced at Yanagawa's calm but unwavering gaze, then at Matsumoto Rangiku, who was listening intently, and Hitsugaya, who had a serious expression. He scratched his head and stood up.

"Alright! Let's go, I've been wanting to stretch my muscles too. Matsumoto, Hitsugaya, you two take care of things back in the team!"

After saying that, without waiting for the two to react, he strode towards the door.

The two left the captain's room one after the other, the sliding door closing gently behind them, blocking the curious gazes from inside.