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

"The captain... has slipped away again." Toshiro Hitsugaya muttered under his breath, looking at the captain's room, which had suddenly become empty.

With a sigh of relief, he picked up his pen again and continued his battle against the "mountain of documents," along with the half-box of pastries and the cold tea left on the table.

Matsumoto Rangiku's lips curled into a meaningful smile.

"For Yanagawa to personally come and 'invite' someone... this is really 'interesting'."

Outside the Tenth Division's barracks, there was a relatively secluded corridor.

Shiba Isshin and Yanagawa walked side by side, away from the noise of the captain's room, the atmosphere became much quieter.

Shiba, having completely abandoned his carefree demeanor, turned to look at Liuchuan and asked directly, "Brother Liuchuan, what's going on? Why are you being so mysterious?"

Liu Chuan continued walking, his gaze fixed ahead, and began to narrate in a steady voice about the "Mo Yao Dao".

Possible connections to the Kasumi family, the old case of Kisaragi Hatagi, the father of Amagai Shusuke, and the fact that Captain-Commander Yamamoto's investigation was blocked by the Central 46 on the grounds of "extraterritoriality."

He also briefly told Isshin Shiba about Kisaragi Qin Yue's tragic past, including how she was corrupted by the evil sword and was eventually killed by Yamamoto with great reluctance.

As Yanagawa recounted the story, Shiba Isshin's expression gradually became serious.

Although he was the head of a branch family of the Shiba clan, one of the five great noble families, he was aloof and did not care much about the old secrets and petty squabbles among the nobles.

However, the strangeness of the "Mo Yao Dao" sword, the possibility that the Xia Dalu family was involved, and the tragedy involving the Captain-Commander back then still made him realize the seriousness of the situation.

"...In other words," after hearing Yanagawa's explanation, Shiba Isshin stopped in his tracks, his brows furrowed.

"Brother Liuchuan, you've come back this time intending to reinvestigate the 'Baku Yao Dao' and the Kasumi Oji family?"

“Not bad.” Liu Chuan also stopped and looked at him calmly.

“But,” Shiba Isshin stroked his chin, a look of doubt on his face.

"As you just said, back then, Mr. Yamamoto's formal investigations were all blocked by the Central Bureau of 46 using that damned 'extraterritoriality'."

In matters concerning the internal affairs of nobles, especially top nobles like Kasumi no Riki, the Gotei 13 (the 13th Division of the Imperial Guard) find it difficult to intervene directly without solid evidence.

Even if you are from the Zero Squad and have a superior status, it's probably not appropriate to investigate a nobleman's 'family affairs' so openly and without any reason.

Those wise men and judges, along with the Kasumigaoka family themselves, will surely seize this opportunity to muddy the waters even further.

“So,” Liu Chuan’s lips curled up almost imperceptibly, a smile carrying a hint of calculation.

“I did not intend to conduct an investigation ‘openly and honestly’.”

"Huh?" Shiba Isshin was taken aback.

"I sent a formal visiting card to the Kasumioji family," Yanagawa said slowly, his tone calm, yet it sent a chill down Shiba Isshin's spine.

"The invitation letter stated that I would visit you tomorrow afternoon to discuss 'historical issues and technical matters'."

"Tomorrow? A formal invitation?" Shiba Isshin was even more puzzled. "Aren't you still going to go openly and honestly?"

“The visiting card is just a smokescreen,” Liu Chuan shook his head.

Chapter 113 Dog Dragon and Monkey Dragon

"My guess is that if the Kasumi family, or rather, the person who currently controls the Kasumi family, really has something to hide, it is inextricably linked to the 'Baku Yao Dao' incident."

So, upon receiving my letter of invitation from Squad Zero, especially after seeing the words "historical legacy issues," he will surely be terrified and wonder if I have discovered something.

To ensure everything goes smoothly during my 'visit' tomorrow, he is highly likely to take action tonight.

Yanagawa looked at Shiba Isshin: "For example, urgently destroying certain shady evidence, transferring or disposing of key 'things'..."

He might even do something more extreme and insane to completely cut off the leads, or... create a 'situation' that would allow him to reasonably obstruct my investigation.

Shiba Ichishin gasped, realizing what Yanagawa meant:

"You mean... to stir up trouble and lure the snake out of its hole? No, it's a feint! Use tomorrow's visiting card to make them nervous, forcing them to act hastily tonight and reveal their true colors!"

And we took advantage of the fact that they were busy 'cleaning up' and their attention was diverted..."

"That's right." Yanagawa nodded, confirming Shiba Isshin's guess.

"Tonight, we will secretly go to the Xia Dalu family's house. If the Xia Dalu family is indeed innocent, then naturally nothing will happen."

But if they have something to hide, they will surely make a move tonight, and then we might see something that we would never see during the day, during a formal visit.

"I see!" Shiba Isshin's eyes lit up, but then another question occurred to him.

"But even if we sneak in tonight and find something, without proper procedures and reasons, we might still be falsely accused."

The Xia Dalu family could easily sue us for trespassing on a noble's private residence and plotting something malicious.

“So,” Yanagawa’s gaze calmly landed on Shiba Isshin, a look that suddenly gave Shiba Isshin the feeling that he had been “slipped into a pirate ship.”

"This requires Captain Yixin's 'cooperation'."

"My cooperation?"

"Mm." Liu Chuan replied naturally, as if stating something perfectly obvious.

"The plan is this: Tonight, I will reunite with Captain Isshin after a long separation, and we will drink and chat. Afterwards, we will 'stroll' around the Seireitei to sober up."

Before they knew it, they had wandered to the vicinity of the Xia Dalu family's residence.

Just then, we 'unexpectedly' sensed some abnormal spiritual pressure fluctuations, or 'coincidentally' discovered some suspicious traces.

Out of concern for the safety of Seireitei, and as a duty of the Shinigami captain, we naturally had to go and check.

As a result, they "accidentally" stumbled upon some unknown...dark secrets of the Kasumi family.

Liu Chuan paused, then added the most crucial element:

"Moreover, Captain Isshin, you are not only the captain of the 10th Division, but also the head of a branch family of the Shiba family and one of the five great noble families of Soul Society."

According to the ancient noble covenant and the laws of Soul Society, if any noble acts against the will and endangers the stability of Soul Society...

Other high-ranking nobles, especially the five great nobles, have the right to question, investigate, and even take necessary 'corrective' measures in emergency situations when they have certain evidence or discover clear suspicions.

This is, to some extent, a mechanism of 'internal oversight' and 'self-purification' among the nobility.

It even surpasses the cumbersome procedures of the Central 46, especially when it involves forbidden matters that could endanger the entire Soul Society.

Looking at Shiba's expression—a mixture of sudden realization and subsequent toothache—Yanagawa calmly concluded:

"Therefore, I, a member of the Zero Squad who just happened to be passing by, will 'witness' this, while you, the head of a branch family of one of the five great noble families, will 'lead' and 'be in charge' of it."

Our "discovery" at the Xia Dalu family's house tonight has considerable "legitimacy" and "persuasiveness".

The Kasumi family's attempt to use "extraterritoriality" or "trespassing" as excuses won't be so easy.

After all, the investigation was being conducted by another high-ranking noble, and the Zero Division was merely a 'fair third party' who happened to be there.

Shiba opened his mouth, but couldn't say anything for a long time.

Looking at Liu Chuan's calm and expressionless face, as if they were discussing what to eat for dinner, he had only one thought in his mind:

This guy... dragged his status as the head of a branch family of one of the five great noble families into it as a "shield".

They even came up with such a "reasonable" excuse for their actions—a chance discovery while strolling around after drinking.

Even if the Central 46 wanted to investigate afterward, it would be difficult to find any substantial evidence. Instead, Yanagawa might turn the tables on them, questioning why they were completely unaware of the "abnormalities" of the Kasumioji family.

"Brother Yanagawa..." Shiba Isshin finally shook his head with a wry smile, and patted Yanagawa's shoulder hard.

"Now I understand why you got into Squad Zero. Fine! I'll do it!"

A sharp glint flashed in his eyes, revealing the decisiveness and responsibility befitting a captain-level Grim Reaper.

“Well then,” Liu Chuan nodded slightly, a hint of satisfaction flashing in his eyes.

"See you tonight."

"Alright! See you there!" Shiba Isshin grinned, as if he could already see the "interesting" things that might happen tonight.

Seireitei, deep within the Kasumioji family's territory.

"Ruri-in" is the main residence of the Xia Dalu family's successive heads, located in the core area of ​​the entire family's territory.

At the deepest part of the courtyard, there is a separate two-story building, which is the residence of the current head of the family, Ruri Chiyo Kasumi.

At this moment, the lights in the room on the second floor had long been turned off, with only a few windproof lamps hanging outside the window emitting a faint light, barely illuminating a small area in front of the door.

Inside the room, the young head of the family was already fast asleep.

Kasumi Rurichiyo is the legitimate and sole bloodline heir of the Kasumi family.

She possessed a childlike innocence, yet this innocence clashed with the title of "head of the family" she bore.

The intense power struggles within the family create an incredibly cruel contrast.

Her parents died early, and she grew up under the "assistance" of the chief retainer, Yunjing Yaojue, and was called the head of the family.

In reality, they are like exquisite puppets, knowing almost nothing about the true workings of the family or the secrets hidden in the shadows.

Guarding the young head of the family were two retainers who were absolutely loyal to the Kasumioji family, especially to Rurichiyo herself—Saru Ryu and Inuryu.

They were not ordinary guards, but descendants of the ancient samurai family "Ryudanji," who had served the Kasumioji family for generations and were deeply connected to the head of the family.

Inu-ryu wasn't particularly tall; he had short, neat black hair and sharp, eagle-like eyes, always maintaining a high level of alertness.

Dog Dragon has a calm and composed personality, is good at observation and analysis, and is proficient in various reconnaissance and counter-reconnaissance techniques.

The gigaosaur was a size larger than the canine dinosaur, with broad shoulders and a thick chest.

The Monkey Dragon is straightforward and bold, possesses incredible strength, excels in both direct attacks and defense, and has a wide-ranging and aggressive fighting style.

The two were chosen long ago to be Ruri Chiyo's personal bodyguards, undergoing the most rigorous training and vowing to protect the young head of the family with their lives.

They were not only powerful, but also fully aware of the complex relationships and potential threats within the Xia Dalu family.

In particular, he always harbored deep suspicion towards the powerful and unpredictable chief elder, Yun Jingyao.

At this moment, the two of them, according to the tacit understanding and habits formed over many years, are guarding the core area of ​​"Liuliyuan".

However, tonight, both of them felt a persistent unease rising in their hearts.

Chapter 114 The Sound of Four Directions

It's too quiet.

It wasn't the tranquility of an ordinary night, but rather a kind of... deathly silence.