The Tsunayashiro clan, one of the Four Great Noble Houses of Soul Society, holds jurisdiction over the Great Spirit Book Gallery.
As the keepers of every scrap of Soul Society's history and intelligence, their shrouded nature is beyond question. Yet ever since Tokinada Tsunayashiro rose to the seat of family head, the once-flourishing clan had withered overnight.
Tokinada himself was originally a minor branch member—never qualified to inherit the position. But after orchestrating the assassinations of the legitimate heirs, he manipulated his way into succession, becoming a figure whose influence could shake Soul Society itself.
The authority of the Four Great Noble Houses rivals even the Gotei 13. And the Tsunayashiro, who command the Hall of Records and the Great Spirit Book Gallery, are even more so.
But to Shimo, none of that mattered.
In the end, across the Human World, Soul Society, and Hueco Mundo, true authority belonged only to strength.
Shimo respected Aizen. He respected Yamamoto Genryūsai. They had the kind of power that demanded reverence—power that could annihilate worlds.
But Tokinada? What did he have? At most, a Zanpakutō capable of copying others' abilities—still limited by his own spiritual pressure. Beyond his schemes and stratagems, he was nothing.
A petty man who hides in shadows, striking only from behind.
With a flick of his fingers, Shimo set fire to the envelope Tokinada had sent, letting the ashes drift into the squad's flower garden below his window.
Fourth Division's gardens bloomed with gentians, their pale purple blossoms soothing to the spirit. The sight eased the irritation he'd felt from receiving Tokinada's letter.
He understood: ever since revealing his strength, eyes across Soul Society had turned to him. Not only the perennially lost Zaraki Kenpachi, forever wandering toward Fourth Division, but the Kidō Corps and multiple squads had extended olive branches.
Shimo refused them all, without hesitation.
What a joke. No matter how tempting their offers, could they compare to Fourth Division? Here, I am at least a lieutenant. And besides… Hanatarō is here. I'm not leaving. Not for anything.
This time, however, the situation was different. Tokinada had invoked noble privilege to request an audience. The meeting would take place at the Kyoraku estate, under the guise of a "friendly exchange."
"As well… one meeting won't kill me," Shimo mused. "I'd like to see what this man really wants. Until the true hand behind Soul Society's shadow play reveals itself, I doubt he dares to step out openly."
Tokinada's ambition was no secret. He once plotted with Yoruichi Shihōin to restore the Shiba clan, re-establishing the Five Great Houses, and then build an institution to surpass even the Central 46 Chambers—a power ruling over all three worlds.
But ambition without matching strength had always doomed him.
Three Days Later — The Kyōraku Estate
Shimo waited calmly for Tokinada's arrival. Traditionally, when a member of one Great Noble House visited another noble family, even an upper noble, there should have been formal ceremony.
But with Shimo? Simply granting the man an audience was more courtesy than he deserved. As for ceremony—not a chance.
Tokinada discovered this the moment he entered the noble quarter. Nothing had changed; no welcoming procession awaited him. Swallowing his anger, he forced a genial smile and walked up to the estate like an old friend dropping by.
Seated across from Shimo, Tokinada revealed his skill at disguise rivaled even Gin Ichimaru's. But where Gin's masks were born of twisted affection, Tokinada's stemmed purely from ambition. They were not the same.
"Tsunayashiro-sama," Shimo said, his tone light, devoid of respect, "what business brings you here?"
Tokinada's smile stiffened, irritation flashing before his practiced calm returned. His dark-green hair fell to his shoulders as his lips curled.
"Shimo-kun, I came to propose cooperation between the Tsunayashiro and Kyōraku houses. Don't you think this world is unbearably dull?"
His words carried no warmth. To Shimo, the smile looked like a venomous serpent flicking its tongue in the dark.
"No," Shimo replied flatly. "And besides, you should take such proposals to my family head. I have no authority to decide such matters."
Unfazed, Tokinada pressed on. "What if it concerned your true ability?"
Shimo's brow lifted. "…You mean the Hall of Records?"
Tokinada nodded, his scheming nature plain. "I first took note of you when you became Fourth Division's lieutenant. Through our surveillance, I observed distortions of space and time around you. In time, I became certain—your Zanpakutō must be linked to those very forces."
He leaned forward, ambition gleaming in his eyes. "Such a power cannot be ignored. I knew I had to draw you into my fold, before it was too late."
Shimo chuckled. "Should I call you clever, or just a fool?"
Tokinada froze. His smile faltered, unease creeping in. "…What do you mean?"
"Exactly what I said." Shimo drained his cup of sake. "Your clan already wields unrivaled authority. Yet through your 'miraculous maneuvers,' you've weakened it. And from what you've said here today, I see clearly: your ambition far outstrips your strength."
Tokinada's face darkened. For the first time, he sensed dread—this visit might have been the gravest misstep of his life.
Shimo's smile sharpened. "You dream of surpassing the Central 46, perhaps ruling all three worlds. And you think you've found leverage on me? Pathetic. Do you imagine your visit was untainted by scandal? Shall I air the Tsunayashiro clan's filth once more?"
Sweat poured from Tokinada's brow. His composure collapsed, breath ragged. "Wh…what are you?"
Shimo rose, eyes cold. "Me? Kyoraku Shimo. Son of the Kyōraku house. Distinguished graduate of the Shin'ō Academy. Lieutenant of Fourth Division. Surely the head of the Tsunayashiro clan knows that much?"
His gaze burned with contempt, as though peering down at a worm. "Ambition is not wrong. But without strength to match, it becomes catastrophe. And your Enra Kyōten's power will never make you ruler of Soul Society, let alone the Three Realms."
Tokinada remembered nothing of how he left. Back home, he stared into a mirror. The man reflected there looked broken, hollow—no more than a walking corpse. His confidence had been shattered beyond repair.
"…So close. Yet so far," he murmured. Then smiled faintly. "This is the end."
News thundered through Seireitei, stunning even the Central 46 and the Gotei 13. Read complete version only at novel·fire.net
Tokinada Tsunayashiro, head of one of the Four Great Noble Houses, was dead. Cause of death: suicide.
Shimo was stunned. "He… killed himself? Suicide, out of guilt? Impossible. A man ruthless enough to slaughter his own clan wouldn't end ."
The truth was clearly not so simple. And yet, there was no time to ponder.
Because everyone knew Tokinada had visited Kyōraku's estate the day before. The Central 46 ordered an inquiry. The examiner: Byakuya Kuchiki, head of the most eminent of the Four Great Houses.
Byakuya regarded the relaxed Shimo with exasperation. "Speak. What did you discuss last night that drove Tokinada to kill himself?"
Shimo savored the Kuchiki family's exclusive sake, its sweetness laced with the fragrance of cherry blossoms. He smiled. "What could it be? Just casual talk. My work in Fourth Division, nothing more."
Byakuya frowned. "Since when were you two so close? I was unaware."
Shimo smirked. "Why, Byakuya—are you jealous of my popularity?"
Byakuya's expression hardened. "This is an interrogation. You are the suspect. The Central 46 believes you may have had a hand in Tokinada's death. And stop joking with me."
"Mm-hm. Got it, Byakuya-boy. I'll be more careful next time."
Byakuya clenched his fists, then exhaled, resigned. "…I'll smooth this over with the Central 46. For now. But remember—your name is not free of suspicion."
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