One hour later, Noble District, in front of the Shihoin family gates—
Although Shinigami have long lifespans and their pace of action has never been considered fast, given that the Sixth Division barracks were not far from the Shihoin residence, one hour was more than enough for them to assemble and completely surround the Shihoin estate.
After Rosse's reforms, the current structure of the Gotei 13 had expanded to an astonishing degree. Each division now commanded over ten thousand troops.
Moreover, even the lowest-ranked twentieth seat was required to possess at least a basic grasp of Shikai.
While Rukongai lacked top-tier combat power, its enormous population base was right there. Even panning for gold in sand, seedlings with the talent to awaken Shikai appeared in droves.
These mass-produced small experts, rated only D to B tier in system evaluations, when gathered together into a sea, still formed a force that could not be ignored.
For this operation, because most of the Sixth Division still needed to hold their Rukongai jurisdiction, they did not mobilize in full.
But the several thousand elite Shinigami assembled here, their pitch-black uniforms linked together into one mass, were like a heavy, oppressive dark cloud, enough to make the usually pampered Noble District feel a suffocating pressure.
What was more, this overwhelming, mountain-crushing momentum was aimed at nothing more than a Shihoin family that was steadily declining.
"Captain, do we charge straight in?"
Abarai Renji slung his Zanpakuto casually over his shoulder, his eyes flashing with a beast-like excitement and bloodlust.
His bright red hair stood out sharply amid the sea of black-clad figures, like a blazing flame of fury.
If not for holding back because the two captains behind him had yet to speak, he would have already rushed in and torn this broken mansion apart.
He had already heard the whole story.
Those damned Shihoin bastards had actually dared to propose executing Rukia ahead of schedule. That was a direct strike against the one scale in his heart that could never be touched.
If he had known Rukia would suffer such a calamity after returning, then that day in the Human World, even if it meant punishment, he would never have brought her back so easily.
Though, whether he held back or not probably would not have changed the outcome that day anyway.
After all, he was the first one to be cut down.
But it did not matter now. Since he finally had a chance to vent his rage, he would not hold back.
"Calm yourself, Renji."
Kuchiki Byakuya spoke lightly, his voice cold as ice.
He did not draw his blade. Instead, he stepped forward slowly, walking toward the tightly shut vermilion gate.
One step, two steps, three steps.
With each step, the spiritual pressure radiating from him grew stronger.
By the time the third step fell, the terrifying spiritual pressure of a captain had already erupted like a tsunami, instantly enveloping the entire Shihoin estate.
This was a silent warning, and also a final ultimatum.
He had already given the Shihoin family, as one of the Five Great Noble Houses, enough face.
Such a large-scale mobilization of the Sixth Division, with such overwhelming momentum, was impossible to hide from anyone.
Yet even when the army had pressed in and sealed the entire estate airtight, the inside remained utterly silent, with no one coming out to negotiate or even inquire.
This silence could only mean that the Shihoin family was refusing any form of communication with a passive stance.
Since the other side had chosen to refuse negotiations, then as the head of the equally noble-blooded Kuchiki family, the only thing he could do was grant this ancient family its final dignity.
However, unfortunately, even as this mountain-heavy spiritual pressure swept over the grounds, there was still no response from deep within the estate, as if it were already completely empty.
Kuchiki Byakuya walked expressionlessly to the massive vermilion-lacquered gate, raised his hand, and struck the door ring heavily.
Thump! Thump!
The dull knocking sounded like war drums, echoing through the deathly silent street.
In the past, whenever he visited this place, it had always been as a colleague or an old acquaintance, received with courtesy.
But this time, he came not to reminisce, but to use the cruelest reality to tell them exactly how foolish and unforgivable a mistake they had made.
Creak!
Faced with the head of the Kuchiki family knocking with overwhelming spiritual pressure in tow, the Shihoin family could no longer pretend to be deaf and mute.
Accompanied by an ear-grating scraping sound, the long-sealed massive wooden gates slowly opened to either side.
The scene behind the gates made the eyes of those outside narrow slightly.
They had been prepared long ago.
At the front stood three elderly men with dark skin and heads full of silver hair.
They wore the noble robes of the Shihoin family, their faces withered yet their eyes firm.
These three were three of the four remaining elders of the Shihoin family. In terms of seniority, they were a full three generations above even Yoruichi.
As for the fourth elder, who was slightly lower in seniority, only two generations higher, he was serving as a judge in Central 46 and had not returned.
Behind these three elders who looked like dead wood stood the current nominal head of the Shihoin family, Shihoin Yushiro.
Completely different from his sister Yoruichi's bold, free-spirited, dazzling presence, Yushiro looked like a child who had not yet grown up, small in stature, with the timid look of someone used to being bullied.
Yet at this moment, even though his legs trembled slightly under Kuchiki Byakuya's terrifying spiritual pressure, he still forced himself to straighten his back, clenched his teeth, and stared hard at the powerful enemy outside, trying to maintain the last shred of dignity of a family head.
And behind Yushiro, the Shihoin family members stood packed tightly together.
Whether main branch or side branch, along with the household servants and private troops, all held weapons in hand, their expressions grim and resolute.
Clearly, during the time the Sixth Division was assembling, the Shihoin family had also made what they considered thorough preparations.
Only, looking at those faces ready to die, this preparation did not look like it was meant for defense or negotiation at all.
It looked more like a desperate resolve, a choice to shatter like jade and drag others down with them, even if it meant total destruction.
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