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

The Kuchiki family places great importance on rules and dignity, so such a scandal involving the Kasumi family is undoubtedly a huge shock to the entire aristocratic class.

The representative of the Shihōin family is the current head of the family, Shihōin Yūshirō.

Many years ago, after his older sister, the former head of the family and Commander-in-Chief of the Onmitsukido, Yoruichi Shihouin, left Soul Society, the young Yushiro succeeded him as head of the family.

He still looked like a teenager, with a healthy wheat-colored complexion and long, smooth black hair.

He had his hair tied in a ponytail at the back of his head, a handsome face, and clear eyes with a maturity beyond his years.

Upon entering the courtyard, his gaze first swept curiously over the "Mo Yao Dao Clan" that exuded an ominous aura.

She glanced at Shiba Isshin and Yanagawa, then her gaze finally settled on Kasumi Oji Rurichiyo, who was being protected in the distance and had just been awakened. A hint of sympathy flashed in her eyes.

Finally, the representative of the Tsunayoshiro family, the current head of the family, Tsunayoshiro Tokuyasu, arrived.

He had previously dealt with Yanagawa because of the matter of Tsunayoshiro and provided a large sum of money to the Kido Sect.

Kuchiki Ginrei, Shihōin Yūshirō, Tsunayoshi Tokuyasu, and Shiba Isshin, who was already present as the "discoverer".

And Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni, representing the Gotei 13, are the representatives of several factions who truly stand at the pinnacle of power and influence in Soul Society.

At this moment, due to the shocking scandal involving the Kasumi family, they have all gathered in this courtyard where the bloodshed has not yet subsided.

All eyes fell on Kanai Hanzao and the remaining "Bakuya Swordsmen," who were tightly bound by the special "killing intent stone" chains of Inu-ryu and Aru-ryu and left in a corner of the courtyard.

Although the Mo Yao Blade followers were subdued, they still emanated chaotic spiritual pressure, their eyes empty or crazed. They had clearly been corrupted by the Mo Yao Blade and lost their minds, becoming like wild beasts.

Yun Jingyao, slumped to the side with a deathly pale face, was like a soulless shell, listlessly awaiting his final judgment.

However, when everyone's gaze swept across the scene, it finally landed on Shiba Isshin's side.

The moment was spent on Yanagawa, who stood calmly throughout, seemingly out of place with the somber atmosphere around him.

Apart from Captain-Commander Yamamoto, a hint of undisguised surprise flashed across the eyes of the others.

Why are the members of Squad Zero here? Why are they at the scene of this scandal within the nobility? And judging from their appearance, it seems they weren't just passing by?

Faced with the questioning gazes of several noble representatives, Shiba Isshin coughed and stepped forward.

His usual smile returned as he explained:

"Ah, everyone, you've come at the perfect time! Here's the thing, tonight I had a long-awaited reunion with my friend Yanagawa from the Zero Squad, and since we were in a good mood, we decided to have a few drinks together."

Afterwards, I thought I'd take a stroll around Seireitei to sober up. And so, as I walked, I 'accidentally' wandered into the vicinity of Kasumioji's house.

He shrugged, giving an expression that said, "It was purely accidental."

"As a result, we 'unexpectedly' discovered that the spiritual pressure fluctuations here were a bit off, and it seemed that a rather powerful barrier had been activated."

We were just curious, so... well, we came over to take a look.

Unexpectedly, they happened to run into Yun Jingyaojue directing his inhuman subordinates to wield that evil 'Mo Yao Dao'.

They intend to assassinate Miss Ruri Chiyo and also kill these two loyal guards to silence them!

He pointed to the heavily injured but still holding on, the dog-dragon and the monkey-dragon, then to the remains of the tapir-shaped swords on the ground and the unconscious swordsmen, his tone becoming serious:

"The situation was urgent, and we couldn't worry about anything else, so we had to step in to stop it."

Thanks to Brother Liuchuan's superb skill in creating barriers, we were able to enter silently and just in time to witness Yunjing Yaojue confessing everything, catching him red-handed! That's why we quickly informed everyone.”

His words sounded "reasonable," packaging a meticulously planned infiltration investigation as a simple "accidental discovery during a drunken walk."

However, which of the people present wasn't a shrewd and calculating individual? Kuchiki Ginryo's stern face betrayed no emotion, but the slight trembling of his beard revealed that he was not at peace.

Shihouin Yushiro blinked his clear eyes, a slightly amusing curve appearing at the corner of his mouth.

Gang Midaitoku's eyes grew even colder, and a barely perceptible sneer even appeared at the corner of his mouth.

A drunken stroll? An accidental discovery? You're kidding me!

Shiba Isshin is a powerful captain from one of the five noble families, while Yanagawa is a member of the Zero Division who has recently caused a lot of trouble.

The two would drink together until midnight, then "coincidentally" stroll to Xia Dalu's house, and "coincidentally" at the moment when the other activated the highest level barrier and carried out the most secret conspiracy.

Did they "accidentally" break in and "just so happen" to catch the culprit red-handed?

These coincidences are just too many, too coincidental! They're so coincidental, it's almost like a carefully crafted script!

Everyone knew perfectly well that what happened tonight was no accident.

It's highly likely that Yanagawa from the Zero Division somehow obtained concrete clues about the Kasumioji family and the "Baku-yō-tō" (a type of sword), and then secretly joined forces with Shiba Isshin to meticulously plan this operation.

What ruthless methods! What perfect timing! What deep calculations!

The high-ranking nobles' opinion of Liuchuan rose even higher, while also feeling a deeper sense of apprehension.

This person is not only unfathomably powerful, but also decisive and ruthless in his actions. He plans carefully before acting, and his strikes are always deadly.

Chapter 119 The Echoing River of Rotten Wood

Gang Midai and his downfall were no accident; Yun Jingyao's decades of painstaking efforts were completely wiped out overnight, which is further proof.

Captain-Commander Yamamoto took in everyone's reactions and sighed inwardly.

While Liu Chuan's move completely eliminated the hidden dangers of the "Mo Yao Dao" and exposed the cancer within the family, it also exposed the most sordid wounds of the aristocratic class to the light of day.

He stepped forward, his aged yet resonant voice breaking the silence in the courtyard:

"Now that you've been caught red-handed and the evidence is irrefutable, Yun Jingyao, what else do you have to say?"

Yun Jingyao seemed to be awakened by the voice, and raised his head blankly, looking around at the figures representing the highest authority in the Soul Society.

The tide has turned, the evidence is irrefutable, and any attempt to argue is futile.

Captain-Commander Yamamoto stopped looking at him, his gaze sweeping over Kuchiki Ginrei, Shihouin Yushiro, and Tsunayoshi Tokuyasu, and said in a deep voice:

"Xia Dalu's family member, Yun Jingyao, has committed multiple serious crimes, and the evidence against him is conclusive."

His private army, the "Mo Yao Dao Clan," and the forbidden weapons they carried posed a great threat.

This matter involves high-ranking nobles and is of a serious nature. According to custom, it must be jointly tried by the Forty-Sixth Chamber and relevant noble representatives.

Prior to the final verdict, Yosuke Kumoi and his associates were detained by the Gotei 13. The Kasumi family was temporarily detained by…

His gaze fell on the little girl, Kasumi Rurichiyo, who was trembling with fear, and then he glanced at the heavily injured Inu-ryu and Enryu beside her.

"...The head of the clan, Kasumi Rurichiyo, will first take charge of reorganizing clan affairs."

These words set the tone for tonight's events.

Yosuke Kumoi's crimes are undeniable, the Kasumi family will be taken over by the rightful heir, and Yanagawa and Shiba Isshin's "accidental discovery" and "stopping the violence".

It has become a fait accompli, and no one can, at least not openly, question it.

Xiu Mu Yin Ling nodded slightly, indicating his approval of the brigade's arrangements.

Shihōin Yūshirō secretly winked at Shiba Isshin.

Captain-Commander Yamamoto exchanged views in hushed tones with several representatives of the noble families, while Vice-Captain Chojiro Sasakibara directed the arriving members of the First Division.

The "Mo Yao Dao Clan," whose minds were clouded, were bound with even tighter, murderous stone shackles, and they were prepared to be taken away.

Despite their severe injuries, Inu-ryu and Enryu stood guard beside the still-shaken Kasumi Rurichiyo, like two blood-soaked guardian deities.

At this moment, Kuchiki Ginryo, the head of the Kuchiki family, seemed to be lost in thought.

His usually stern and serious eyes, now filled with a complex emotion, quietly fell upon Liu Chuan.

The moonlight and the lingering spiritual glow in the courtyard illuminated Yanagawa's pure white Zero Squad haori, outlining the calm and indifferent profile of his face.

A youthful appearance, unfathomable strength, and an extraordinary insight and... the courage to break with convention.

Looking at Yanagawa like this, for some reason, the outline of another figure that had long been forgotten slowly emerged in Kuchiki Ginrei's mind.

He was also a young man, equally talented and brilliant, who, even in his youth, displayed a brilliance that drew the attention of the Soul Society.

He was once a rising star nurtured by the Kuchiki family, and the son-in-law personally chosen by Kuchiki Ginryo, someone worthy of entrusting the family's future and glory—Kuchiki Hibiki.

Memories are like a box that has been pried open, and old emotions surge into my heart.

If that hadn't happened... Hibiki, he might have already become the new pillar of the Kuchiki family, another legend in Soul Society, or even...

Kuchiki Ginryo's gaze dimmed slightly, and a deep, profound regret welled up in his heart.

That was not only the pain of losing an outstanding junior, but also a permanent loss of the family's fate and a certain possibility.

Liu Chuan seemed to notice the gaze lingering on him, filled with unusually complex emotions.

A hint of doubt flashed in Liu Chuan's eyes. He didn't have much interaction with this ancient patriarch of the Kuchiki family, so why was the other looking at him like that?

"Head of the Kuchiki family," Yanagawa said calmly, his voice not loud, but clearly reaching Kuchiki Ginrei's ears, "Is there something you need?"

His question pulled Kuchiki Ginryo back from his distant thoughts.

The old man paused for a moment, then resumed his stern and serious expression, but the complex emotion in his eyes did not completely disappear.

After a moment of silence, he said:

"It's nothing. I just saw Mr. Liuchuan and for some reason, I suddenly thought of a young junior in my family."

Like you, he displayed remarkable talent at a very young age.

He didn't say the name, but the subtle hint of melancholy and reminiscence in his tone did not escape Liu Chuan's keen perception.

A former young junior? What could possibly make the notoriously strict and rigid head of the clan, Kuchiki Ginrei, "suddenly remember" him at this time and place, and evoke such complex emotions...?

A piece of information flashed through Liu Chuan's mind like lightning—it was a record he had seen in the Great Spirit Book Corridor that revealed obvious contradictions and signs of cover-up.

"Xiu Mu Xiang He, son-in-law of the Xiu Mu family, is exceptionally talented. He murdered three colleagues for some reason, and his crime is unforgivable."

Ultimately, the captain-commander of the Gotei 13, Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni, together with his father-in-law, Kuchiki Ginrei, head of the Kuchiki family, sealed him away in a certain place in Karakura Town in the present world.

When Yanagawa saw this record, he felt that something was wrong.

While killing three colleagues is certainly a serious crime, casualties among captains and even Shinigami due to various reasons are not uncommon in the long history of Soul Society.

The methods of dealing with these cases varied widely, ranging from imprisonment, exile, deprivation of power, to execution.

But why would it require Captain-Commander Yamamoto and the head of the Kuchiki family to personally join forces?

This account is far too evasive and even seems like an attempt to cover up the truth.

It seems that the nature of the incident was intentionally limited to the relatively "ordinary" crime of "murdering a colleague," while obscuring the details of Kuchiki Hibiki.

Now, hearing Kuchiki Ginrei's emotional mention, and seeing the complex look in his eyes when he looked at him... Yanagawa's vague guess instantly became clear.