Chapter 230: Sorry, Sōsuke
At the entrance of the official street, a dark-skinned man knelt on the ground, wailing and shouting.
"Please! Let me see the members of Central 46!"
"She was killed! Why hasn't the murderer been sentenced to death?!"
His eyes were tightly shut, as if he couldn't see.
His clothes were ordinary civilian attire.
Though not ragged, they were quite old.
Several guards holding iron rods stood in front of him, two of them crossing their rods to block his advance.
"Fool, get lost quickly!"
"This is the official street, the residence of the nobles. If you keep causing trouble, we'll have to take action!"
The dark-skinned man seemed oblivious to the guards' warnings.
He reached out, grabbing the iron rods in front of him, continuing to shout about the injustice.
Seeing that persuasion was useless, the guards couldn't be bothered to say more.
The two raised their iron rods, about to strike the dark-skinned man.
However, before the rods could fall, a figure suddenly appeared beside him.
With a wave of his hand, Reiatsu surged out, effortlessly sending all the guards flying.
"Ugh!!"
The guards fell to the ground, about to get angry.
But upon seeing the newcomer, they all froze.
Quickly scrambling to their feet, the guards bowed in unison.
The man smiled and nodded, then turned to the dark-skinned man.
"Come with me."
Without waiting for a response, he walked off in a certain direction.
The dark-skinned man hesitated.
Though blind, he could sense the situation through Reiatsu.
He "saw" the guards' respectful attitude toward the man.
If it was this person, perhaps he could help him meet the members of Central 46?
Holding onto this thought, he stood up and hurried after him.
Soon, the two arrived at a deserted riverbank.
The man sat by the river and beckoned to the dark-skinned man.
The dark-skinned man approached and bowed to him.
"Thank you for your help earlier."
"My name is Kaname Tōsen, an ordinary soul from Rukongai. I'm deeply grateful for your assistance."
The man smiled. "Mr. Kaname, I know you. I saw you crying bitterly at Ms. Kakyō's funeral."
Hearing the name Kakyō, Tōsen took a deep breath.
Kakyō, like him, was an ordinary soul from Rukongai.
A few years ago, she joined the Gotei 13 and became a Shinigami.
Not long after, she married another Shinigami.
Though he felt some regret, Tōsen was happy that his good friend had found a good home.
But he never expected that his good friend would be killed by her own husband!
What shocked him even more was that despite conclusive evidence and many witnesses seeing the man kill his wife, Central 46 had declared the man not guilty!
He had come to Seireitei, desperately seeking an audience with the members of Central 46, precisely to appeal for justice for his good friend.
Now, hearing someone mention Kakyō, he couldn't help but feel agitated.
"You... you knew Kakyō?"
"Yes, I'm a Shinigami, a colleague of Ms. Kakyō."
The man nodded.
Tōsen asked urgently, "Please, how did Kakyō really die?"
"I heard she was killed by her own husband!"
The man grunted in acknowledgment.
"You are correct."
"It is said that her husband killed a Shinigami over some trivial matter."
"Lady Kakyō tried to stop him, but was slain alongside them."
Upon hearing this, Kaname's lips trembled slightly.
Tears fell from his eyes.
"Why... why did Kakyō have to die? This makes no sense..."
The man seemed contemplative and said calmly, "Perhaps it's because Lady Kakyō was more righteous than anyone else, a person who held firm to her beliefs."
Kaname grew angry. "Are you suggesting that her righteousness and convictions were wrong?"
"Kakyō was just a woman who disliked conflict and upheld justice—and such a person was killed!"
"Yet her husband, her murderer, received no punishment whatsoever!"
Listening to Kaname Tōsen's words, the man nodded thoughtfully.
"I see. So this is why you caused that disturbance at the government office street."
After a moment's contemplation, he chuckled lightly.
"Kaname, have you heard of the Five Noble Clans?"
"The Five Noble Clans?"
Kaname Tōsen was slightly taken aback.
He had naturally heard of this title.
However, as someone born in Rukongai, he didn't know much about the Five Noble Clans, only that they were the most powerful nobles.
The man explained gently:
"The Five Noble Clans are the highest-ranking existences in the Soul Society. Even the Central 46 would not pass judgment upon the Five Noble Clans."
"The man who killed Miss Kakyō was a member of the Five Noble Clans."
"His name is Tsunayashiro Tokinada."
"And Tsunayashiro Tokinada is merely from a branch family of the Five Noble Clans... If he were from the main family, not only would he be declared innocent, but Miss Kakyō would instead be branded with a charge of rebellion."
Hearing this, Kaname widened his eyes.
"How could such a thing..."
The man sighed.
"This is the Soul Society, this is the noble system, this is the way of this world."
After saying this, without waiting for Kaname's response, he suddenly looked over intently.
"Kaname-kun."
"If one day, you or I gain the power to resist all this, should we seek revenge?"
Kaname Tōsen froze.
Revenge...
This word, like the most beautiful thing, deeply captivated him the moment it appeared.
He almost wanted to nod without hesitation.
But before nodding, he suddenly thought of his dear friend's face.
If it were Kakyō... that Kakyō who most revered justice and remained steadfast in her beliefs, she would definitely not choose revenge.
Then, if he chose revenge, it would be like spiritually erasing Kakyō once again.
After a long silence, Kaname Tōsen took a deep breath.
"No, I won't choose revenge."
"This isn't just my choice, but what Kakyō would have chosen too."
Hearing this, the man seemed relieved.
He smiled and nodded.
"Good, since even you, as Kakyō's dear friend, say so, then I too choose not to seek revenge."
Hearing the man's words, Kaname felt genuinely moved.
This man, though merely Kakyō's colleague, truly understood her beliefs.
He couldn't help but ask:
"May I know your name?"
"Oh, of course."
The man nodded without hesitation.
"My name is Tsunayashiro Tokinada."
The moment he spoke his name, the gentleness in his tone, along with that faint, seemingly empathetic stance he shared with Kaname, completely vanished.
What remained was only mockery and amusement.
Kaname froze there.
Tsunayashiro... Tokinada?
Wasn't this the Shinigami the man had just said killed Kakyō?
Suddenly, Kaname remembered something.
Earlier, when the man asked him if he would seek revenge if he had the power, a faint killing intent had emanated from him.
At the time, he thought this killing intent was directed at the nobles, at the unfair Soul Society.
Only now did he suddenly understand.
That killing intent wasn't directed at anyone else—it was directed at him!
Though his eyes couldn't see, he seemed to visualize the bizarre scene.
The man who killed his dear friend was sitting right beside him.
While he couldn't see his face, the man had asked that dangerous question.
Had he answered wrongly, probably...
As if guessing Kaname's thoughts, Tokinada chuckled lightly:
"It seems you've figured it out, Kaname-kun."
"Yes, the reason I wasted time coming here to talk with you so much was to find out whether you harbor any thoughts of revenge."
"After all, compared to those with ability, desperate people like you who have nothing are often the most troublesome existence."
"If you had just said you chose revenge, I would have killed you without hesitation~"
"Fortunately, you and Kakyō are both rather weak-willed people."
As he spoke, Tokinada burst into loud laughter.
Hearing his words, Kaname nearly broke down.
Just minutes ago, he had thought this man might be his kindred spirit.
Never did he imagine this "kindred spirit's" true identity would turn out to be the most vile and terrifying demon!
In an instant, overwhelming rage surged through his entire soul.
"TSUNAYASHIRO TOKINADAAAAAAA!!!"
Kaname roared as he charged toward Tokinada.
Yet all he received in return was a casual kick that sent him tumbling to the ground.
"Now, now, what's this... Didn't we agree you wouldn't seek revenge?"
Tokinada sighed, seeming somewhat disappointed.
"Since you've chosen to attack a noble like me, I assume you're prepared for the consequences."
As he spoke, he gripped the blade at his waist and slowly drew it.
Like an executioner's assistant, he raised the blade high and aimed it at Kaname.
Then, he swung it down!
Kaname lay half-propped on the ground, supporting himself with his hands.
Though he couldn't see what was happening, the screams from the depths of his soul relentlessly assaulted his mind.
I'm going to die, I'm going to die!
Run!!
Fully aware of the gap between himself and his enemy, he slowly closed his eyes.
For someone foolish enough to bare his heart to an enemy, death was perhaps the most fitting end.
However, just as he prepared to meet his death, a voice suddenly rang out—
"Dragon's Tail!!"
Under Tokinada's stunned gaze, a figure cloaked in a black mantle suddenly emerged from nowhere.
He instinctively tried to evade, but found his speed was no match for the other.
The figure executed a spinning kick mid-air, landing squarely on his face.
BOOM!!!
The tremendous force smashed into his face, sending Tokinada flying backward uncontrollably.
His head yanked his neck, his neck dragged his body, and he crashed into the nearby river, sending up a huge splash.
"Hup."
Satoru landed lightly and glanced at the river surface.
"Splash too big, Philippine diving team level, negative points."
Kaname stared wide-eyed, momentarily confused about what was happening.
Not far away, Aizen stood in the shadows, wearing an identical black mantle to Satoru's.
He sighed helplessly and facepalmed.
...
…
Some time earlier, at Official Pavilion Street, Satoru had seen the guards about to assault someone and was preparing to intervene.
But after taking just a few steps, a hand pressed down on his shoulder.
Turning around, Satoru was surprised to see Aizen standing beside him in a black mantle, making a shushing gesture.
"Sōsuke?"
"Don't go over there yet, Satoru."
Aizen lowered his voice.
Under Satoru's puzzled gaze, he explained: "That man is Kaname Tōsen, a soul I discovered not long ago."
"Initially, I planned to take him back as experimental material."
"But... before acting, I realized he possesses remarkable potential."
"If we can awaken that potential, we might be able to cultivate a vice-captain level, or even stronger subordinate."
"Most importantly, he just suffered severe psychological trauma. If we exploit that, we can easily make him completely loyal to us."
"So for now, let's not intervene."
"Let him taste all the suffering and fall into complete despair before we offer help. That's how we maximize our gains."
Upon hearing Aizen's words, Satoru clicked his tongue in disapproval.
However, when he heard Kaname Tōsen's name, he didn't press the matter further.
Kaname Tōsen—the future captain of the Ninth Division, Aizen's staunch subordinate.
Judging by Tōsen's portrayal in the anime, he seemed quite content serving under Aizen.
Interfering recklessly might cause unnecessary complications.
He stopped walking and took the black cloak Aizen handed him, putting it on.
Seeing how cooperative Satoru was being today, Aizen breathed a sigh of relief.
If this guy had insisted on acting recklessly regardless of consequences, he would have had to use alternative methods to recruit Tōsen.
For the rest of the journey, Satoru remained unusually quiet.
The two followed Tokinada and Kaname to the riverbank, listening to their entire conversation.
Watching Tokinada—the actual perpetrator—take advantage of Tōsen's blindness to pose as a victim, even Aizen couldn't help but feel some admiration.
This man truly embodied the word "despicable" to its fullest extent.
Thanks to Tokinada's actions, Tōsen had already developed hatred toward the Seireitei and the noble system.
After Tokinada made his move, he would descend like a savior, promising Tōsen a new world and making him his subordinate.
However, his plans encountered an obstacle when Tsunayashiro Tokinada revealed his identity and burst into laughter.
Looking at Tokinada, Satoru showed a smile.
He took a step forward.
Noticing Satoru's movement, Aizen was momentarily taken aback.
"Satoru."
He called out as a warning.
Under Aizen's gaze, Satoru turned his head to look at him.
"Sōsuke."
"My apologies, but I'm going to interrupt your plan."
"As compensation, whatever you intended to have Kaname Tōsen accomplish through your future training, I will handle it for you."
The moment his words fell, his figure blurred as he dashed forward.
Watching Satoru's retreating back, Aizen raised a hand to his forehead.
A smile—both resigned and gratified—touched his lips.
From behind came the sound of numerous guards rushing toward them.
Hearing the approaching footsteps, Aizen turned and strode toward them.
Simultaneously, he drew the Zanpakutō at his waist.
"Shatter, Kyōka Suigetsu!"