Mirai stood quietly behind Captain Kensei. He kept his back straight, and his face had returned to its usual calm look.
Since the Captain was here, the tone of the situation was already set.
The balance of the Soul Society was basically a shared rule between the noble groups and the Gotei 13.
The noble forces were spread everywhere. However, Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni was not just for show. Furthermore, the power of the great noble houses, the Shihōin and Kuchiki families, was deeply rooted within the Gotei 13.
The noble councilors in front of them did not have the courage to openly ignore the Gotei 13's right to enforce the law in front of a sitting Captain.
As for strength, the enemies had many people, but their Presión Espiritual was messy. Very few of them could actually be a threat.
If Captain Kensei decided to act, it really would not take much time to clear the scene.
It certainly would not be Captain Kensei falling to the ground and foaming at the mouth.
Besides, Kōga Kuchiki was also there. That guy was very scary when he actually started fighting.
The three noble councilors looked angry.
Their original plan was to get rid of Kōga Kuchiki and this annoying "Noble Young Master" at the same time.
The former had too much merit and blocked the path of too many people. The latter was simply irritating.
How could a commoner act like a noble young master in the Soul Society?
Not only was he handsome, but he also had a strange vibe.
Where did that leave them, the actual nobles?
Unfortunately, Mirai's analysis hit their weak spot. If they attacked a Captain, they could not handle the consequences.
Even if they could win, they would die a horrible death if Head Captain Yamamoto showed up.
The current Shinigami might not know the legends about that man, but these nobles with family records knew very well.
They did not dare to look down on him just because he looked like a kind old man who sometimes took naps.
The records of blood and violence were still written in their family books.
Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni was someone they could never defeat by force.
But should they just leave?
They had spent months planning and making deals. They even used the secret members of the Monitoring Team they had hidden for a long time. Today was the last and best chance.
If they missed this chance and waited for Kōga Kuchiki to be rewarded or even become the Captain of the 10th Division, they would never be able to move him again.
While they were stuck, Kōga Kuchiki took a step forward. His voice was cold:
"Regardless of whether these people are part of the Monitoring Team, the moment they swung their swords at me, the fact that they rebelled was already proven."
"Nonsense!" The leading old man was trying to find a way to fix the situation. Hearing this, his eyes flashed, and he immediately argued back loudly.
"Their spiritual power is weak. Everyone knows they are no match for you, 3rd Seat Kuchiki. They would actively attack you with swords? Clearly, you wanted to take more credit, so you killed your colleagues and now you want to blame them!"
"You...!" Kōga Kuchiki's face changed color. His right hand immediately grabbed his sword handle.
Accusing him of killing his own people for credit was an attempt to destroy him!
Mirai's eyebrows wrinkled slightly. This crime was too heavy. If it was proven true, Kōga Kuchiki's future and even his life would be in danger.
Mirai was also involved, and his situation suddenly became dangerous. He had to define the situation himself. He opened his lips and was about to speak.
A steady and heavy Presión Espiritual quietly arrived.
Everyone looked over. A figure wearing a white Captain's haori was already standing in the middle of the area.
With grey hair and the white scarf called Ginrei Shirogane Kazahana Saki, it was the Captain of the 6th Division, Ginrei Kuchiki.
When Kōga Kuchiki saw him, the hand on his sword slowly loosened. He stood up straight.
Ginrei Kuchiki first nodded slightly to Kensei. His gaze swept over Mirai and finally stopped on his son. His tone allowed no argument:
"Kōga, come with me. Stay silent for now."
"Father, but they..." Kōga Kuchiki desperately wanted to explain.
But when he saw his father's eyes, he stopped talking.
He closed his mouth and stood there with his hands down. He did not move again.
Ginrei Kuchiki then turned to the three noble councilors. His voice was steady but carried an invisible pressure:
"Mirai is the 5th Seat of the 9th Division. Since Captain Kensei Muguruma is also here, according to the rules, the 9th Division should take him back. They will perform an internal investigation first. The final decision on how to handle it will be made by Head Captain Yamamoto."
The three nobles looked at each other. Finally, they nodded slowly.
The internal affairs of the Gotei 13, especially when they involved a Seated Officer, did follow this process.
Forcing them to hand over the person was against the rules and would completely anger Kensei Muguruma.
Now that Ginrei Kuchiki had stepped in, the situation was no longer stuck. Continuing to argue would be unwise.
"We will do as Captain Kuchiki says."
Ginrei Kuchiki's deep gaze passed over Mirai's face again. Then, he turned around.
"Let's go."
Kōga Kuchiki followed silently. When he passed by Mirai, a very low voice reached Mirai's ear: "...I'm sorry."
Mirai's expression did not change. He did not respond.
He waited until the father and son disappeared at the end of the street. The noble councilors left with complicated looks, and the black-clothed Monitoring Team also left silently like a tide.
Only then did he speak to Kensei's back: "Captain, thank you."
Kensei did not look back. He just started walking. "Back to the barracks first."
The most important thing now was to get Mirai back to the 9th Division's area. Only then could they deal with the questions from the Head Captain.
Mashiro Kuna jumped over to Mirai's side. She tilted her head and looked at him, poking his arm with her finger:
"Little Mirai, don't you usually hate getting involved in these troubles? Why did you jump in this time?"
Mirai stayed silent. This time, he was indeed careless. He had underestimated how determined and cruel the nobles were when setting a trap.
But even if he had to do it again...
"What are you talking about?" Kensei turned his head and glared at his Teniente.
"This street is part of his patrol area. It is his duty. If he saw a colleague being attacked and did nothing, that would be a failure of his job."
He then looked at Mirai. His eyes showed clear approval:
"You were right to act. This is within your patrol area, and you shouldn't let others run wild. The problem was at the end. You should not have given the right to handle the situation to Kōga Kuchiki. You should have brought the people directly back to the 9th Division."
Mirai nodded. He understood that this was his mistake.
He had still wanted to do Kōga Kuchiki a favor.
If he had strictly followed the procedure and brought the prisoners back to the barracks to be locked up, there would be no problems right now.
"Oh, but Little Mirai wasn't the one who killed them!" Mashiro pouted, still feeling a bit unhappy.
"The problem isn't who did it," Kensei shook his head. He seemed too tired to explain the details to her.
"Go back and stay there. I will go to the 1st Division myself to explain the situation to the Head Captain."
Back at the 9th Division barracks, Mirai locked himself in his room.
The night got deeper. The barracks became quiet. Only the faint sound of the patrol's footsteps could be heard in the distance.
Knock, knock-knock.
A knock came at the door. The rhythm was steady.
Mirai opened the door. The person standing outside surprised him.
Do they plan to lock me up there first?
Kisuke Urahara lowered the rim of his hat. A smile appeared on his face.
"Ahaha, 5th Seat Mirai, sorry to bother you."
His tone was relaxed. Two Shinigami were standing behind him.
"For the next few days, I'm afraid I have to ask you to move. You will be staying in the 'Maggots' Nest' for a while."
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