"So what? You're noble. You're impressive."
Shiba Kukaku looked at Yoruichi as if she had just heard the biggest joke in the world, amusement on her face, her gaze full of disdain.
"Then what are you planning to do now? If you're not convinced, you can go preach to Aizen, or go say those words straight to Lord Rosse. Showing off in front of me, what does that prove?"
"I'll take her with me!"
Yoruichi Shihoin shouted in a low voice. The moment the words fell, her figure had already turned into a blur.
Shunpo activated. She appeared beside the bed in an instant and reached out toward Inoue Orihime.
However, just as her fingertips were about to touch Inoue Orihime, a hand suddenly shot out from the side and clamped down hard on her wrist.
"Do you think you're doing something especially great right now?"
Shiba Kukaku gripped Yoruichi's wrist tightly, let out a cold laugh, and a playful yet dangerous look appeared on her face.
"Let's not even talk about whether I can let you take her away, or what punishment Lord Rosse would give me afterward. Have you used your brain to think about what consequences this will bring to the Shihoin family once the news that you rescued Inoue Orihime gets out?"
"Are you threatening me?", Yoruichi Shihoin's expression hardened. She felt that Shiba Kukaku was simply making alarmist claims.
"Everything I do is my personal choice. I'll bear the responsibility myself. How could it possibly involve the Shihoin family, which has long had nothing to do with me?"
"This isn't a threat. It's advice."
Shiba Kukaku looked at her coldly, her tone grim.
"I'll be clear with you. With the current situation in Soul Society, once word gets out that the former Second Division captain, the Shihoin family's demon cat, rescued this Ryoka(Invader), the Shihoin family will definitely face total destruction."
"The forced judgment of Rukia by Central 46 has already caused long-standing resentment within the Gotei 13. That suppressed emotion is like a powder keg, ready to be ignited at any moment."
"At a time like this, once it's rumored that the Shihoin family has become a traitor colluding with a Ryoka, what do you think the furious Soul Reapers will do? The answer is obvious."
The cold smile at Kukaku's lips grew more piercing, every word cutting deep.
"With your little brother's current strength, do you really think he can protect the Shihoin family?"
Because of Kuchiki Rukia being sentenced to execution, the entire Gotei 13 was filled with dissatisfaction from top to bottom.
This had nothing to do with whether Rukia was a noble. After years of Rosse's manipulation and indoctrination, Soul Reapers had long stopped placing those lofty nobles on a pedestal.
What was Central 46, anyway?
A bunch of stubborn old men, and they thought they were worthy of judging comrades of the Gotei 13?
Throughout this process, even though Commander Yamamoto and people like Kyoraku Shunsui tried to maintain order, beneath the surface the undercurrents were already surging.
Yesterday, the Eighth Division was destroyed. Kyoraku Shunsui was accused of being a Hueco Mundo spy. Ise Nanao was arrested for harboring a human.
To ordinary squad members, these earth-shaking changes could even be described as deeply satisfying.
It wasn't just other divisions secretly rejoicing. Even the new recruits of the Eighth Division felt a hidden thrill at the collapse of the old order.
All dissatisfaction needs an outlet. All dissatisfaction needs a target.
At that time, under Rosse's guidance, using one of the Five Great Noble Families, the Shihoin family, as the sacrificial flag to quell public anger and consolidate power would be nothing more fitting.
"Don't say such nonsense. The Shihoin family's affairs aren't for you to worry about. After I take her away, I'll explain everything to everyone myself."
Yoruichi Shihoin snorted coldly, exerted force with her arm, and forcefully shook off Shiba Kukaku's hand.
Before the words had even finished, her figure blurred again, shooting straight toward Inoue Orihime on the bed like an arrow leaving the bow.
Her speed was terrifyingly fast, so fast that it didn't even leave an afterimage behind. In front of this level of Shunpo, an ordinary vice-captain wouldn't even have the chance to react.
But that was only true for ordinary cases.
Although Shiba Kukaku was the current vice-captain of the Second Division, she was no longer the helpless little girl who had been at a loss during Shiba Kaien's funeral.
From the moment she learned Rosse's true identity and pledged loyalty to Hueco Mundo, she had accepted the modifications Rosse bestowed on her without any reservations.
Now, beneath this seemingly ordinary body surged a terrifying spiritual pressure that could rival that of veteran captains.
At the instant Yoruichi made her move, a sharp glint flashed in Kukaku's eyes. Her muscles tensed as she prepared to cut off Yoruichi's action by releasing her spiritual pressure.
However, just as she raised her hand, her movement froze abruptly.
From the corner of her eye, she glanced toward the shadow near the doorway. Her gaze shifted slightly, then she gave an almost imperceptible nod.
In a place only her eyes could see, Rosse was leaning lazily against the doorframe.
A playful smile hung on his face. When he noticed Kukaku looking over, he casually raised his index finger and lightly made a gesture to let her through.
Receiving the instruction, Shiba Kukaku instantly dispersed the power she had been gathering. Her previously tense body relaxed once more.
She stood there expressionlessly, quietly watching as Yoruichi Shihoin wrapped an arm around the dazed Inoue Orihime and disappeared in a few bounds.
From beginning to end, Yoruichi Shihoin, completely focused on saving someone, never noticed Rosse, who was hidden using Kyoka Suigetsu.
Only after confirming that Yoruichi Shihoin had completely left did Shiba Kukaku slowly let out a breath, turn toward the man at the doorway, and ask in a low voice, "Do you need me to activate Tenteikura now and spread the news that she abducted Inoue Orihime to all Soul Reapers?"
"No need to make such a big fuss."
Rosse stepped out of the shadows, adjusted his collar, and the corner of his mouth curved into a confident smile.
"After something as serious as what happened yesterday, Commander Yamamoto will definitely convene an emergency captains' meeting later. When the time comes, I'll give you a signal. You just need to appear at the First Division barracks at the right moment and, in front of everyone, 'truthfully' report Inoue Orihime's situation."
"Although it's an unexpected little episode, everything is still under control."
Rosse chuckled softly and looked in the direction Yoruichi had vanished, his eyes filled with amusement.
With Yoruichi Shihoin stepping in to save someone, those two chess pieces that had already been pushed to the margins suddenly regained their value in the main battlefield.
As for what kind of brilliant drama would unfold next, that would depend on how those two performed when driven into a corner.
"Understood!"
Shiba Kukaku bowed slightly in acknowledgment. Then she lowered her eyes and silently shook her head.
Looking at Rosse's calm and unhurried demeanor, she could almost already foresee the miserable fate awaiting the Shihoin family.
She felt no ripple in her heart over it, nor did she wish to offer any judgment.
In this world, there were never many people who truly deserved to die, yet everyone was constantly being dragged down, swept along toward death.
Her elder brother was like this. Rukia was like this. That Inoue Orihime who had been played until she broke was like this. And the Shihoin family, with disaster looming, would be like this as well.
In this massive vortex, the ones at fault were not people like them, struggling just to survive.
What was wrong was this disgusting world itself.
Since this was destined to be a dark world with no future, then it might as well be completely destroyed by Rosse.
After destruction, perhaps there would finally be true peace.
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