Death: This Death is a bit unorthodox.

Shiba Kukaku, who had been wearing a relaxed smile, instantly lost her composure.

She looked up in surprise, her gaze fixed on them.

Shiba Kaien's pupils constricted slightly, clearly also taken aback.

However, he did not hesitate for long. He quickly regained his composure, swiftly withdrew his fist, and knelt back in his original position.

"Why are you only arriving now?" Shiba Kukaku asked.

“I went to see a little brother,” said Aozaki Mayuki. “It wasn’t anything important.”

"What business does the Commander-in-Chief have with you?"

Shiba Kaien placed her hands on her lap and asked, looking slightly uneasy.

Aozaki Mayuki shifted her gaze from Shiba Kaien and turned to look at the black-haired woman sitting next to him, a hint of curiosity flashing in her eyes.

"This must be the third seat of the 10th Division, right? What's your relationship with him?"

When asked by Aozaki Mayuki, Shiba Kaien's eyes softened. He nodded slightly and answered firmly, "She is my future wife."

Upon hearing this answer, Aozaki Mayuki frowned slightly, as if she was thinking about something.

After a while, he asked again:

"So, can I now consider her a member of the Shiba family?"

Shiba Kaien was silent for a moment, then nodded slightly and said slowly, "Okay."

After receiving an affirmative answer, Aozaki Mayuki's lips curled into a smile.

"Alright, since she is the wife of the head of the Shiba family, then as her brother-in-law, I naturally have no right to drive her away."

His words carried a hint of sarcasm, which eased the tense atmosphere somewhat.

Shiba Kaien's eyes twitched slightly. He clenched his teeth, his voice tinged with anger and dissatisfaction, and questioned:

"What exactly did the Commander-in-Chief send you here for?"

Aozaki Mayuki sighed helplessly, seemingly used to such questioning.

He calmly replied, "Captain Isshin should have already told you, right? The old man hopes that the Shiba family can return to Seireitei as one of the five great noble families."

Aozaki Mayuki frowned slightly and continued, "And I was merely invited by them to act as a lobbyist."

"The Five...Five Great Noble Families?"

They couldn't help but murmur to themselves.

She was completely unfamiliar with this title. Coming from a commoner background, she had never heard of the "Five Great Noble Families," though she did know about the "Four Great Noble Families."

Seeing Miyabi's reaction, Aozaki Mayuki smiled and explained:

"Do you remember the motto of the Shinigami Academy? Protect one king and five dukes. The four noble families that are usually referred to were actually known as the five noble families before the Shiba family left Seireitei."

As she spoke, Aozaki Mayuki gently patted Shiba Kukaku's hand in her arm as a gesture of reassurance.

Du's mouth opened slightly, revealing a surprised expression.

She only then learned that her future husband was actually the head of a top-tier noble family, but when she thought of his usual carefree manner, she suddenly felt that it wasn't such a big deal.

Shiba Kaien licked his dry lips, but was momentarily speechless.

In his eyes, being the head of the Shiba family was not something to boast about.

The so-called five noble families are nothing more than the descendants of a group of sinners who murdered the Spirit King, and their ancestors acknowledged this sin.

Uncle Yixin did mention this to him, but he thought it was just a joke and didn't take it to heart at all.

After all, that man has been unreliable far too many times. Suddenly saying that he wants to return the Shiba family to Seireitei is something that can't be taken seriously at all!

Shiba Kukaku, who was holding Aozaki Mayuki's arm, said with a big smile:

"This kind of thing doesn't matter to me, but our eldest brother is the real head of the family, so the final decision should be made by him!"

Shiba Kaien looked up at her.

This is essentially a way of convincing myself: why does my sister always side with outsiders?

Aozaki Mayuki nodded in agreement.

Since Shiba Kaien did not die as a Shinigami, Kukaku and Ganju naturally did not develop any aversion towards the Seireitei.

Kukaku has already agreed, and Ganju has no opinion of his own, so now all that's left is for Shiba Kaien to express his opinion.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

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Chapter 235 My Disciple

In fact, Aozaki Mayuki had some vague guesses about the old man's thoughts.

Maintaining the stability of the Seireitei's power may only be part of the reason; it's also paving the way for their own future.

He wasn't a genius, but he wasn't an idiot either. Having been by the old man's side for so many years, how could he not see the old man's expectations of him?

Although the old man often beats and kicks me, he is genuinely good to me when he is.

Putting everything else aside, as a teacher, he truly shared everything he knew with me.

He even let me observe his Bankai, which he hadn't used for many years, and taught me all the techniques he used.

The old man, knowing full well his relationship with Shiba Kukaku, still allowed the Shiba family to return to the center of power in Seireitei.

He didn't believe for a second that it had nothing to do with him.

Shiba Kukaku and Shiba Kaien weren't fools; they should have been able to understand what the old man meant.

However, Aozaki Mayuki will not force the issue, since agreeing to it would be a decision that goes against the ancestors' wishes.

Shiba Kukaku agreed without hesitation, which showed his stance, and that was enough.

"Do you know why the Shiba family left Seireitei in the first place?" Shiba Kaien asked, taking a deep breath.

“I know.” Aozaki Mayuki glanced at the capital and said calmly, “Because the Shiba family could not accept that the five noble families could still rule the Seireitei so high and mighty after committing such crimes, so they came here.”

"Such a sin?"

They both tilted their heads, clearly unable to understand what Aozaki Mayuki meant by sin.

Aozaki Mayuki did not answer her.

If Shiba Kaien wants her to know, I will tell her.

"Since you know this, why do you still want us to go back?" Shiba Kaien asked.

"Seireitei will change sooner or later, but not now."

Aozaki Mayuki spoke slowly, "Now is not a good time for internal strife. Those Quincy are still hiding in the shadows, watching us like tigers. And who knows what Aizen is up to."

The old man is getting on in years, and he might kick the bucket any day. Before that happens, I'll do my best to protect what he cares about.

"Besides, aren't you currently serving as a vice-captain in Seireitei?"

“That’s different. That was just to ensure the continuation of the family,” Shiba Kaien retorted. “That was the same reason you gave when you sent Uncle Isshin to Seireitei, remember?”

“Of course I remember.” Aozaki Mayuki nodded.

This was one of the things he said to Shiba Isshin back then, and it was also the most important reason why Shiba Isshin was willing to join the Gotei 13.

Otherwise, given his lazy personality, even if he had the strength, he would rather spend his whole life loafing around in Rukongai.

"Therefore, we must not allow that sin to continue." Shiba Kaien's eyelids drooped slightly.

“This is not a sin, let’s consider it as a sacrifice for everyone!” Aozaki Mayuki said.

"Everyone?" Shiba Kaien asked, puzzled.

"The Tsunayo family is undoubtedly a bunch of bastards. The Seireitei they rule has no future. The Shiba family is much better than them."

Aozaki Mayuki, expressionless, uttered words that would be punishable by death in the Seireitei.

"Let's destroy that truly evil family for the sake of everyone's future."

"Isn't it precisely for this reason that the omniscient and omnipotent Spirit King was willing to endure such suffering?"

"Whether it's as atonement or for the continuation of the family, please hold on, hold on until the day this world changes!"

…………

"I knew I hadn't misjudged you, Aozaki Mayuki. You truly are worthy of being my disciple." Yamamoto said with a faint smile, his eyes filled with admiration.

Aozaki Mayuki muttered to herself:

"You old codger, you're just good at patting yourself on the back. I've talked you so much I'm practically hoarse, and you think you can steal all the credit just by saying 'my disciple'? That's really shameless!"

However, on the surface, he maintained a humble attitude, bowing slightly and saying, "Teacher, you flatter me. It is all thanks to your excellent teaching."

Yamamoto sat opposite Aozaki Mayuki, leisurely sipping a cup of hot tea, while Aozaki Mayuki gently blew on another cup of tea, the aroma of which filled the air as steam rose.

The atmosphere between the old man and the young man was exceptionally harmonious, as if time had stood still at that moment.

They were immersed in this tranquility, like an inseparable grandfather and grandson.

However, they completely forgot about Kyoraku Shunsui and Ukitake Jushiro standing to the side.

The two of them stood there awkwardly, like forgotten light bulbs, watching helplessly as Yamamoto and Aozaki Mayuki enjoyed the tea.

Kyoraku Shunsui couldn't help but nudge Ukitake Jushiro with his shoulder and said in a low voice:

"Fourteen Lang! That old man and my junior brother are really going too far! They're just drinking tea by themselves and haven't even prepared any for us. They don't treat us like human beings at all!"

Kyoraku Shunsui couldn't help but feel a little disappointed. He felt that Yamamoto had been very good to him before, but now that he had taken on a junior disciple, it seemed that he and Ukitake Jushiro had been neglected.

However, he accepted it. How could they, as his disciples, not know what the old man wanted to do?

This old man is so old, what else can we do but spoil him?

He nudged Ukitake Jushiro with his shoulder, beaming, "Let's go for a drink later and have some fun."

"A little taste is fine, but you can't drink too much." Jushiro Ukitake covered his mouth with his hand.

"I thought you would refuse again. It seems you've recovered quite well!" Kyoraku Shunsui said in surprise.

"The Technology Development Bureau is currently helping me recover my physical functions. Once my physical functions are up to standard, I can begin the surgery," Jushiro Ukitake said with a smile.