Death: This Death is a bit unorthodox.

Looking ahead from the shattered street, Aozaki Mayuki saw that the already dilapidated wooden houses had completely collapsed. The rising sun descended upon the city, and the earth was quickly dyed orange-red.

He and Ginjo Kugo had spent most of the night on this street. To ensure that the core technology would not be leaked, Aozaki Mayuki did not ask Ginjo Kugo for help and had to find those Hollows to collect their souls by himself.

If it weren't for collecting their souls, Aozaki Mayuki wouldn't have needed so long to deal with these small fry. Unfortunately, he didn't have the technology to quickly collect souls in large quantities.

Ginjo Kūgo was nonchalant. He said that nighttime was the best time for him. He liked to be alone in the dead of night, which gave him a sense of loneliness. This loneliness constantly reminded him that he was still alive and that he was still a human being.

Aozaki Mayuki casually asked him if he wanted a companion.

Kūgo Ginjō said that companions are not important. In this dangerous world, what is needed is power. Therefore, he is willing to sacrifice everything for the power of the Shinigami.

Aozaki Mayuki remained noncommittal, but he knew that this ambitious young man was still a lonely young man at the moment.

Those who are different from others are prone to alienation from others, which is a tragedy for some.

When faced with the dead priest, this man who claimed that power was above all else was undoubtedly moved.

He was powerless to resist, so he chose to submit and accept.

"Just kidding. There are more important people waiting for me in Soul Society. I don't have time to stay here with you all the time." Aozaki Mayuki's voice echoed in the ruins.

As Ginjou Kugo silently contemplated the future, Aozaki Mayuki slapped him on the shoulder, pulling him back to reality.

As the sun rises, the appearance of such a handsome man with a pleasant voice on the street is sure to cause a stir, making young girls abandon their desire to sleep in.

Kūgo Ginjō shuddered. After all, this guy could destroy several streets with a single slash, and if he used even a little force in that slap, he probably wouldn't even be left with any dust.

"Is there anything I can do for you?"

The pressure on his shoulder made him ache, and he grimaced as he asked, clearly wanting to help Aozaki Mayuki out of her predicament.

Aozaki Mayuki said:

"I've placed a tracking spell on you. It's a technique I stole from the Shihōin family. No matter where I am, I can find you. If you can undo it, then you're amazing. So... want to give it a try?"

"No...no need." Ginjou Kūgo said helplessly, his face contorted with grief.

He certainly didn't want to be controlled by others, but considering the other party's terrifying strength, he felt it was better not to try rashly.

Aozaki Mayuki continued, "Continue doing what the Tsunayashiro family asked you to do. I will come to the human world at any time to check on the progress of the mission."

"Why?" Ginjo Kūgo was taken aback.

"That's not something you need to know. I hope to see you achieve something next time I come," Aozaki Mayuki waved.

Ginjou Kūgo carefully moved his left hand, feeling a tingling sensation, but otherwise nothing seemed strange.

When he saw the satisfied smile on Aozaki Mayuki's face, he was glad that he hadn't tried to undo the Kido. If he had, this guy would have killed him without a second thought.

"By the way, I think it's necessary to remind you, lest you die without even knowing how you died," said Aozaki Mayuki.

"What?" asked Ginjo Kūgo.

“The Tsunayoshi family will definitely send people to look for you again. Since that man spent several years on you, it means the Tsunayoshi family is not willing to give you up easily,” Aozaki Mazuki said.

"Moreover, since he came to the mortal world for you, even if the Tsunayo family doesn't look for you, someone else will definitely come looking for him."

Ginjou felt his heart racing and hurriedly asked, "What should we do?"

"Let's just say he was killed by a Hollow," Aozaki Mayuki casually remarked.

"That guy is only at the level of a mid-ranking officer. He might have a chance to escape if he encounters a low-intelligence Kylian, but he will surely die if he encounters Adjuchas."

"You don't need to explain it in great detail. Just say you've encountered something illusory, and then describe what it looks like to them."

“Those guys aren’t all idiots; they should be able to tell the level of a Void.”

"If they are willing to believe in you and continue to let you do things for them, then join them."

“What if they don’t believe me?” asked Ginjo Kūgo.

"Then put all the blame on me. You can't afford to offend the Tsunayo family, but I, Sephiroth, am not afraid of them," Aozaki Mayuki said boldly.

That sounds nice, but do you dare tell me your real name?

As Ginjou Kūgo thought this, he felt somewhat fortunate.

This guy seems to treat his subordinates fairly well, at least he treats them like human beings, unlike the Tsunayo family, who evoke extreme disgust with just a simple interaction.

Aozaki Mayuki did not use his claim of seizing the power of the Shinigami to threaten him.

Killing Death is a grave crime, but is there a choice between "dying now" and "dying later"?

Aozaki Mayuki and his relationship were not good enough for them to entrust their lives to each other.

Seemingly sensing Ginjou Kūgo's unease, Aozaki Mayuki comforted him:

"Don't worry too much. Before I leave, I'll give you a Hell Butterfly. It can transmit information across the boundary between the Soul Society and the human world. If anything happens, use the Hell Butterfly to tell me, and I'll take care of everything cleanly."

Ginjou Kūgo shrank back and couldn't help but ask, "You're not going to eliminate me completely, are you?"

"How could that be? Do you think I, Sephiroth, am that kind of person?"

Aozaki Mayuki patted his shoulder and whispered:

"If I wanted to kill you, would I need to wait until later?"

“That makes sense…” Ginjou Kūgo nodded, feeling slightly relieved.

If this person wanted to kill me, a single slap would have been enough. Why wait until later and risk exposing my identity?

So, being his underling doesn't seem so bad after all.

Chapter 149 Empty Fame

Seireitei, the barracks of the Second Division.

Xiu Mu Xianghe sat alone in the prison cell, his face terribly gloomy.

Being framed by someone he trusted filled him with unbearable grief and indignation, but he did not give up hope because he firmly believed that his respected father-in-law would not believe the rumors!

For the sake of his son-in-law and for the honor of the Kuchiki family, he would definitely find out the truth!

Looking at the tightly closed prison cell, a hint of expectation appeared in Kuchiki Hibiki's eyes.

He hoped that his revered father-in-law would walk in the next second and tell him that everything had been investigated and that he was innocent.

Suddenly, he frowned, for he overheard the guards of death talking.

"This is the first time I've seen a criminal living a more comfortable life than his guards."

"Let's say less. After all, he's the son-in-law of the Kuchiki family, and the captain has already instructed us to take good care of him."

"Captain!?"

"That's right, Captain! It's said that we were given this treatment because of Lord Aozaki. Otherwise, would he receive such treatment after going to jail?"

Listening to their conversation, Kuchiki Hibiki sat on the soft cushion and felt a warmth in his heart.

I never expected that this friend I hadn't seen for so long would be able to help me at a time like this. I really made the right choice in making this friend!

The Kuchiki family.

Sitting in the main seat, Kuchiki Ginrei looked exhausted.

This fatigue was not entirely caused by investigating the truth behind the Kuchiki Hibiki incident; rather, it stemmed more from other noble forces.

Because of the Kuchiki Hibiki incident, the nobles of the Tsunayoshiro family launched a barrage of attacks against him, demanding that he be expelled from the Kuchiki family or executed.

On the other hand, members of the Kuchiki family and their affiliated nobles demanded that Kuchiki Hibiki be protected. They had a close relationship with Kuchiki Hibiki and trusted his character.

While Kuchiki Hibiki can be emotionally unstable at times, he would never do something like risking his teammates' lives to show off his strength.

Kuchiki Ginrei instinctively sensed something was amiss regarding Kuchiki Hibiki's killing of his teammate.

The timing of Tsunayoshi's intervention was extremely inappropriate, especially since he also knew what kind of person Kuchiki Kyouga was.

He was arrogant and conceited, but to say he was bloodthirsty was utter nonsense.

Based on this judgment, he didn't want to give up on this son-in-law from the bottom of his heart.

Moreover, based on his understanding, if it were truly the other team members who actively surrounded and attacked Kuchiki Hibiki, Kuchiki Hibiki might indeed retaliate in anger and kill them all.

"It's all a trap. When will Xianghe ever grow up?"

Kuchiki Ginryo couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

"Should we really do as Aozaki Mayuki suggested and confront him to clarify things?"

He had been stubborn his whole life, but now his heart finally began to waver.

His agreement to let Kuchiki Hibiki marry into the Kuchiki family was, in fact, a form of recognition of Kuchiki Hibiki. He truly did not want to see the child's life ruined.

"Master, the Tsunayo family has gone too far, daring to frame Lord Hibiki. This is a provocation against our Kuchiki family!"

"We all know Lord Xianghe's character; he would never do such a thing!"

"That's right, this must be a conspiracy by the Tsunayo family. We must not let them get away with this."

"Our Kuchiki family has tolerated this for decades. Are we to keep giving in to them forever?"

“We are paragons of nobility, yet we tolerate the Tsunayashiro family wantonly disrupting the order of the Seireitei. Isn’t this a betrayal of Lord Rei-ou?”

In the conference room, the members of the Kuchiki family, who always maintained an aristocratic demeanor, became unusually agitated and restless.

Kuchiki Ginrei, the head of the family, sat elegantly and calmly, his expression as serious as ever.

His authority as the head of the family was deeply ingrained in the hearts of the people; with just a wave of his hand, the clansmen stopped arguing.

Rotten Wood Silver Ridge understands its people.

The Kuchiki family prides itself on being a paragon of nobility, but they are also human. Faced with repeated provocations from the Tsunayo family, their resentment had been building for a long time. This time, Kuchiki Kyoga's imprisonment finally ignited the fire of anger in their hearts.

He glanced at Kuchiki Sojun sitting next to him and asked, "What did the Captain-Commander say?"

Kuchiki Aojun shook his head helplessly, "The Captain-Commander has ordered the Second Division, the Eighth Division, and the Tenth Division to investigate, but there are still no leads."

Upon hearing this, Xiu Mu Yin Ling closed his eyes and fell into deep thought.

Anyone with eyes can see what's going on, but seeing it doesn't matter; you need evidence to do things.

This is the reason why the Central 46 Chambers exist, and why the Seireitei order has not collapsed despite the ongoing power struggle.

Even nobles, no matter how outrageous they may be in secret, must still keep themselves within the rules in public.

Kuchiki Kyouga's massacre of his colleagues was witnessed by many Shinigami of the Tsunayo family.