"Father!" Shusuke could no longer hold back, tears streaming from his eyes.
But he clenched his teeth tightly, not letting out a sob, only looking at Setsuna with eyes full of endless gratitude and admiration.
He knew that without Setsuna, his father would have forever carried a stained name, his grievance never cleared.
It wasn't just him. Many Shinigami in the visitors' gallery, who came from commoner backgrounds and had long resented noble privileges, also felt immense gratitude and respect for Setsuna in their hearts at this moment.
"Third, when their crimes were about to be exposed, the Kasumioji Clan did not repent or surrender. Instead, they violently resisted the law and attempted to put up a desperate fight."
"They used the Bakkoto to organize family assassins to attack the 11th Division, which was carrying out the search mission, intending to kill witnesses and cover up evidence of their crimes."
Setsuna spoke with passion and vigor: "Fortunately, justice will ultimately triumph over evil. Our 11th Division's members are well-trained, brave, and fearless. They thwarted their scheme. Our side suffered no casualties, and captured all attackers on the spot."
'Justice triumphs over evil? You are the embodiment of 'violence' itself! And you have the nerve to accuse others of violently resisting the law?'
Countless nobles furiously complained in their hearts, but dared not show the slightest hint on their faces.
At the same time, they also felt contempt for the utter uselessness of the Kasumioji Clan:
'The entire clan, armed with supposedly powerful forbidden weapons, launched a sneak attack, and couldn't even kill a single opponent?'
'This Bakkoto must be a counterfeit, shoddy product! The Kasumioji Clan was truly stupid beyond belief, sacrificing their entire clan for such trash!'
Among the wise sages of the Central 46, especially one wise sage who hailed from the Kasumioji Clan, his face was ashen, sweat beading on his forehead.
Facing Setsuna's three charges, presented with clear logic and a complete chain of evidence, they knew that this time, they could not cover it up.
The matter had become too big, the evidence too solid, the level of attention too high.
If they forcibly shielded them again, the loss of loyalty from the Gotei 13, the anger of the commoner Shinigami, and Setsuna's possible violent reaction would all be things they could not bear.
After an urgent and difficult closed-door deliberation, the judge, on behalf of the Central 46, read out the verdict:
"Upon deliberation, the crimes committed by the Kasumioji Clan are supported by conclusive evidence, heinous in nature, and with extremely bad influence! The judgment is as follows:"
"One. The current clan head, Kasumioji Yuka, as the mastermind, is guilty of heinous crimes. All noble privileges are revoked. She is sentenced to death. To be carried out immediately!"
"Two. The Kasumioji Clan is demoted to lower nobility, barred from promotion for ten thousand years. Half of their family assets are confiscated to compensate the victims' families and provide for the orphan of Kisaragi Shin'etsu."
"Three. Kisaragi Shin'etsu's full reputation and position are restored, his merits posthumously recognized. His son, Kisaragi Shusuke, is entitled to corresponding compensation and care."
"Four. The remaining forty-three implicated core elders, researchers, and guard leaders, depending on the severity of their crimes, are sentenced to penalties ranging from life imprisonment to two hundred years' imprisonment respectively."
In the eyes of many ordinary Shinigami in the visitors' gallery, this verdict was already an unprecedented 'great victory'!
A head of an upper noble family sentenced to death, the family demoted and assets confiscated, justice had been served!
Many people cheered loudly, their gazes towards Setsuna burning even hotter.
However, Setsuna frowned slightly. "Is that all?"
His gaze swept over the wise sages on the high platform. "The Kasumioji Clan, for their own selfish desires, slaughtered over a thousand spiritually aware commoner souls, including several dozen official Shinigami."
"Their actions constitute mass murder and crimes against Soul Society. The final result is one clan head executed, forty-some people imprisoned, the family demoted, and a fine? That's it?"
Another round of fierce low-voiced argument ensued.
Finally, under Setsuna's palpable, cold gaze, and considering the possible dissatisfaction from the Gotei 13, the Central 46 had to make a concession.
The judge difficultly supplemented the verdict: "Supplementary judgment: The thirteen core elders of the Kasumioji Clan most deeply implicated, whose crimes are extremely serious, are also sentenced to death. To be carried out immediately!"
"No!"
"Mercy!"
"It was all the clan head's fault alone!"
Wails of despair and pleading erupted from the Kasumioji Clan's section. Having another dozen or so elders executed on the spot was a devastating blow to the family.
But Setsuna was still not satisfied. He shook his head:
"I believe that the Kasumioji Clan's noble status should also be revoked. Such a family is unworthy of the name 'noble'. Their existence defiles the word."
"Absurd!" A relatively young-seeming, apparently recently appointed wise sage could no longer contain himself. He slammed the table and stood up, roaring in reprimand.
"Chiaki Setsuna! Do not push your luck! Noble status is the foundation of Soul Society, passed down through generations with order!"
"How can it be lightly abolished due to the crimes of one family? There is no such precedent in all of Soul Society's history. You are trying to shake the very cornerstone of Soul Society!"
His roar represented the sentiments of a considerable number of conservative wise sages.
Setsuna, however, was not at all annoyed. Instead, he revealed a calm smile.
He looked at the remaining, ashen-faced, trembling members of the Kasumioji Clan and said in a 'gentle' tone, "I actually have no objection to you retaining your noble status. It's just that..."
He paused, his voice still even. "If, just if, one day a Gillian from Hueco Mundo suddenly has a change of heart, or one of the spirits you harmed, their grudge too deep, turns into a Gillian and comes to attack your new Kasumioji Residence..."
"At that time, don't expect the Gotei 13, especially our 11th Division, to arrive in time to rescue you. After all, the Seireitei is vast, and we are quite busy. You understand, don't you?"
Faced with this naked threat, several Kasumioji Clan's elders collapsed to the ground in fear. The other family members also instantly lost all color from their faces.
They had no doubt that, given this ferocious star's modus operandi and his disgust for them, he was absolutely capable of doing such a thing, or even going further!
Retain an empty noble status while facing the constant threat of annihilation? This was a price they could not afford to pay.
"We give up! We are willing to give up our noble status!" a relatively clear-headed elder shouted hoarsely.
With someone taking the lead, the other Kasumioji Clan's members also cried out, weeping, expressing their willingness to abandon their noble status.
Only then did Setsuna nod in satisfaction. Then, smiling, he looked at the young wise sage who had angrily reprimanded him earlier, his tone light:
"You see, this esteemed sage. From today onward, isn't there a precedent?"
That young wise sage trembled with rage, his face flushing alternately red and white. He pointed at Setsuna, but could not utter a single word.
The other wise sages were mostly silent, their expressions complicated.
They knew that tonight, it wasn't just the Kasumioji Clan that had fallen.
An invisible barrier that had protected noble privileges for a million years had been breached by this young man in front of them, using the most brutal method, creating a fissure that could never be healed.
"Since the Kasumioji Clan voluntarily abandons their noble status..." The judge's voice was dry as he finally pronounced the judgment.
"This court grants the request. All noble titles, privileges, and status of the Kasumioji Clan are hereby revoked. They are demoted to commoners. Family members not implicated in the crimes are exiled to remote areas of the Rukongai, never to return to the center of the Seireitei."