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One year later.
The bright moon hung high in the sky, a clear and luminous orb that always silently watched over everything in the human world.
It was like a silver disk, emanating a soft and tranquil light, enveloping the entire world in a mysterious aura.
The former territory of the Tsunayashiro Family had undergone earth-shattering changes.
Due to their private experimentation with Hollowfication, although the remaining family members did not receive severe punishment, Although the Shiba's current influence still lagged behind other Great Noble Houses, they were, after all, nominally one of the Five Great Noble Houses.
If they didn't even have a territory, wouldn't it be a complete loss of face for a noble house?
Of course, the main reason was that the Tsunayashiro Family was powerless to resist; they were now like fish on a chopping block, left to be slaughtered.
Most people weren't thinking about helping them preserve their foundation.
Only the Kasumioji Family explicitly opposed this decision by the Central 46.
The Kasumioji Family was now headed by a child, with the actual power of the family held in the hands of the elders.
These old men were all ambitious, and as their strength grew, they had long been dissatisfied with their status as an upper-tier noble family.
They had always yearned to challenge for a position among the Five Great Noble Houses, to become the most powerful and influential noble house.
However, facing the combined pressure from Kyōraku Shunsui and Aozaki Reiji, even this top-tier noble house, second only to the Five Great Noble Houses, had to back down.
Yamamoto could still show some respect to these Great Noble Houses, but the Eleventh Division Captain never held back.
During wartime, anyone who dared to oppose him, regardless of their background, basically died directly or indirectly by his hand.
There were even some conspiracy theories in the Seireitei that the decline of the Tsunayashiro Family was his doing!
Isn't that slander? How can you speak ill without evidence?
An exquisitely designed palanquin moved slowly through the Tsunayashiro Family's territory.
As far as the eye could see, beneath the washed-out blue sky, there were only bricks and lacquered wood of various colors.
Kasumioji Rurichiyo, the head of the Kasumioji Family, boredly admired the dazzling scenery around her.
It was clear what a decadent life the people who once lived here led.
She was the current head of the Kasumioji Family, having grown up in luxury; while the Kasumioji Family couldn't compare to the Tsunayashiro Family, it was still considered a top-tier noble house.
She was already tired of all this, so she had no interest in the scenery filled with desire and confusion.
But she clearly knew that the owner here had changed; the reputation of that family in history was not bad, but they understood less than any other family how to cherish power.
There was also an interesting fellow there who stirred up trouble in the Seireitei.
The monotonous day-to-day life bored her; she wanted to meet those people.
Today, she finally had the opportunity, no longer confined to the 'prison' of tall buildings, but having received permission from her elders to see the world outside the Kasumioji Family.
"Rurichiyo… we've arrived."
Looking at the palanquin slowly stopping at the entrance, the retainer Gyōkaku Kumoi hurried forward and helped the girl step inside.
Kumoi was very proud, as everyone around them cast reverent gazes upon them.
"This young lady knows."
Kasumioji Rurichiyo gently moved her steps, then calmly said after looking around, "It's quite lively here."
Looking at the fawning expressions of the people around her, Kasumioji Rurichiyo subconsciously frowned.
She had seen such expressions too many times, the same from childhood, and she was even tired of them.
"After all, the great Five Great Noble Houses have returned; all families should come to congratulate, which is normal."
Kumoi said respectfully.
Kasumioji Rurichiyo listened to his tone and couldn't help but furrow her delicate brows.
Kumoi was the retainer her parents left behind to assist her before they passed away; normally, he was very strict, relying on this status, so his respectful and submissive appearance today made it somewhat difficult to adapt to.
Before, he had reprimanded her to be careful of her words and actions when going out as the family head, but once outside the family, he adopted the humble appearance of a servant.
However, she didn't ponder for too long, as the woman in the main hall caught her attention.
Looking at the poised Shiba Kūkaku, Kasumioji Rurichiyo suddenly felt a deep sense of despair.
No wonder it was rumored that the Kenpachi had a good relationship with her, even personally acting to deter several families to ensure the Shiba's return to the Seireitei.
Just by observing her every move, Kasumioji Rurichiyo felt a deep pressure wash over her.
The other party's strength was too great; just her casual lift of a hand or turn of the body made her feel a sense of powerless frustration.
Could she become like this when she grew up?
But does the Shiba Young Lady not even know how to wear clothes? Why does it look so strange!?
In reality, Kasumioji Rurichiyo misunderstood.
The reason Shiba Kūkaku appeared in a disheveled kimono was because she had just finished playing with Aozaki Reiji in the room.
She only had time to quickly tidy up, so she looked a bit unkempt.
Kukaku didn't like wearing such complicated clothes, nor was she good at it.
"Oh, there's even a cute little sister here, is she from the Kasumioji Family?"
A male voice suddenly sounded from behind, instantly causing everyone to widen their eyes.
"This… Lord, Miss Rurichiyo is the head of my Kasumioji Family, please show respect to the family head."
Kumoi looked back.
But when the figure from outside walked in, not only Kumoi, but even Kasumioji Rurichiyo, who was about to lose her temper, instinctively froze.
"How can such a person exist?"
Watching Aozaki Reiji slowly walk into the room, he was like the only bright lamp in the dark night.
Staring blankly at the man who had just entered from outside, Kasumioji Rurichiyo glanced at the young masters and ladies from other families beside her.
These young masters and ladies, having undergone countless generations of bloodline optimization, were not bad individually, but compared to this man…
So ugly.
Looking at the many glamorous young masters and ladies, Kasumioji Rurichiyo had this thought for the first time.
"This is…"
"Young Lady, this is the Eleventh Division Captain, the Eleventh Kenpachi, Lord Reiji!"
Kumoi patiently explained, with a hint of fear in his voice, "Not only that, he is also a newly promoted Upper Noble."
As the saying goes, a new emperor brings new officials.
Although the Shiba was not the emperor, Aozaki Reiji was not a subordinate.
But inviting the Shiba back to the Seireitei was clearly a great achievement, and a advancement in status was well-deserved.
Aozaki Reiji's noble status was elevated after the Shiba's return.
The nobles had various expressions, some showing fear.
This was one of the strongest Shinigami of today, and he was a sharp and young Shinigami, not an Old Man like Yamamoto, who was full of decline.
Some families had received his 'attention' in recent days, so it was impossible not to be afraid.
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