Kido Classroom.
At the podium, the newly appointed Kido instructor spoke with confidence, detailing the latest progress in Kido development, alongside the personal insights and innovations of the new Head Kido Master, Kagiri Tessai.
The students below—many of whom could barely understand the foundations of Kido—were lost.
For students still mastering the basics, integrating Kido into complementary techniques might seem straightforward at first glance. But delve any deeper, and it became akin to deciphering an ancient, incomprehensible text.
It was like asking an elementary schooler to understand calculus.
Kisaragi Akira's eyes glimmered with curiosity. He tilted his head back slightly, speaking without even turning:
"I could have sworn the Shirogane Clan was wiped out back then. How could a branch suddenly appear out of nowhere?"
Aoyama Sosuke shook his head, quietly explaining:
"The main branch is indeed down to just Shirogane Sōya himself."
His gaze darkened, reflective, almost nostalgic:
"The nobles who were conspiring against the branch planned to strike… but before they could act, the very same nobles who'd come to witness the 'execution' were all killed by Sōya himself."
"And after that, nothing more happened."
Akira's brows furrowed, a strange sense of déjà vu creeping over him.
"Wait… if I remember correctly… back then the main Shirogane branch was wiped out due to some fabricated crime. All the family members were framed and killed, leaving only Shirogane Sōya, right?"
"Could this incident… be something similar?"
Hearing this, Aoyama raised his eyes, looking at Akira with a hint of approval and relief.
"Indeed, it's possible."
"But the full situation… we'll need to wait for the investigation to conclude."
"If nothing unexpected happens, the covert operations unit will likely come to you soon."
Akira slowly formed a question with his lips:
"The Shirogane Clan's betrayal… are they really going to investigate the victims?"
Aoyama fixed him with a serious gaze and reminded him:
"Don't forget. Shirogane Sōya has already transferred all the clan's assets into your name."
"Right now, you're not just a victim—you could be considered an accomplice to the betrayal…"
The shift in status came too fast.
One moment he was a loyal subject, the next, a rebel.
Akira fell into a contemplative silence.
He hadn't even touched the Shirogane family's fortune.
Was it too late to return it?
The monotonous Kido class finally ended with the teacher's announcement.
And, under the watchful gaze of several students, the new Kido instructor personally approached the pensive Akira with a sincere expression.
"Kisaragi-kun, let me reintroduce myself. My name is Arata Hotsugen…"
Startled, Akira snapped out of his thoughts, eyes wide as he stared at the well-proportioned young man with short, pink hair standing before him.
Arata spoke gently, as if every word were deliberate:
"I am currently the Seventh Seat of the Kido Corps, temporarily serving as the Kido instructor for the Academy's Elite Class."
Akira froze, then scrutinized the newcomer carefully, noticing a faint familiarity about this Kido instructor.
In his memory, Arata Hotsugen had been a broad, hefty man with a carefree demeanor.
But now… this figure in front of him was completely different.
What had happened in the intervening years?
Could time itself wield a butcher's knife?
Despite not fully understanding Akira's shock, Arata continued dutifully:
"The Head Kido Master has asked me to convey this message: the gates of the Kido Corps are always open to you.
If you encounter troubles you cannot solve alone, you may request aid from the Kido Corps."
After delivering the message, he offered a faint smile and left the classroom.
It was obvious.
Kagiri Tessai, the Head Kido Master, must have known some inside information to entrust Arata with this task.
Akira noticed this sharp detail immediately.
Aoyama, of course, wasn't oblivious either. After a moment's thought, he spoke earnestly:
"My knowledge of the nobles is limited.
At our current rank, it's difficult to discern what the upper echelons of the Soul Realm are truly thinking.
For now… you might consider asking Yoruichi Shihoin or Captain Yamamoto. They may know something."
Eleventh Division Barracks, Tea Room.
The scent of tea drifted lazily through the air, punctuated by the occasional gurgle from the teapot.
Like clockwork, Yamamoto always appeared in a few fixed places: the Tea Room, the Office, the Dojo.
And every time he appeared, his posture was exactly the same as before.
"You made the right decision by coming to me," he said, stroking his beard. His tone was grave.
"The investigation into the identity of the assassins is complete."
"But this matter is far more complicated than it seems on the surface."
Under Akira's curious gaze, Yamamoto offered a concise analysis of the hidden truth behind the façade.
The Soul Realm's power was divided among the nobles, split into various factions.
The struggle for dominance between them often left no room for scruples.
Apart from ongoing wars, schemes, slanders, and assassinations were common tactics.
Over the millennia, Yamamoto had witnessed such incidents more than once.
Sometimes, for reasons beyond his control, he himself became entangled.
This time with the Shirogane Clan was simply a pawn in the nobles' power struggle.
In short, one noble faction planned to strike another, using the Shirogane betrayal as a catalyst to start a new conflict.
And Akira? He was merely the unlucky one caught in the crossfire.
After hearing Yamamoto's analysis, Akira frowned:
"So… I'm just a pawn?!"
Yamamoto, unflinching, poured himself another cup of tea, sipped lightly, and replied nonchalantly:
"What else would you expect?
Do you really think a genius like you would be on the radar of those lofty nobles?
Don't take yourself too seriously."
He set the cup down, speaking like a seasoned mentor, voice calm but weighty:
"To those people, even the Gotei Thirteen—the backbone defending the Soul Realm—is nothing more than a tool.
The only beings they truly fear are those who possess the power to destroy everything…"
As Akira stared at the elderly man's earnest expression, he couldn't shake the feeling that Yamamoto was implying far more than he was saying.