According to Yoruichi, there had been some changes within the Ise family recently.
It seemed that something important had gone missing. If news of it had not spread, it might have been nothing. But a few noble families learned of it through the Tsunayashiro clan.
Because of this, the Ise family had no choice but to execute a certain sinner.
The execution was not carried out at Sōkyoku Hill. Instead, it was done in secret. Thus, people in Seireitei felt nothing unusual.
"It's really unexpected," Gosuke Shigure sighed softly. Coupled with Kyoraku Shunsui's recent depression, he had a rough idea of what had happened.
Yoruichi did not know what Gosuke Shigure was thinking. She sighed as well. "Isn't that how it is? First the Shiba clan fell, and now even the mysterious Ise family has suffered an incident. I wonder when it will be the turn of the Shihouin or Kuchiki clans."
She purposely did not mention the "Tsunayashiro" clan.
As time passed and Yoruichi grew older, she gradually learned much from her grandfather about the Shihouin family. Naturally, she came to understand who was truly behind the Shiba clan's decline.
It was the Tsunayashiro family.
When the Shiba clan fell, the Tsunayashiro clan originally intended to annihilate them completely. They sent assassins to carry out the extermination. However, the plan was ultimately stopped by the Shihouin family under the leadership of Yoruichi's grandfather. At the same time, the Ise family had expressed disdain for the Tsunayashiro clan's actions.
On the surface, it seemed that the Tsunayashiro clan swallowed their anger and gave up targeting the Shiba clan. But that was not the truth.
In their eyes, they had been provoked and humiliated. That was why this incident with the Ise family occurred.
Logically, few people should have known about the loss within the Ise family. Yet, somehow, the Tsunayashiro clan discovered it and took the opportunity to strike. Even if it was an internal matter of the Ise family, after becoming a scandal, the person responsible could only be executed.
This was the warning the Tsunayashiro clan gave to the Ise family.
At the same time, it was also a warning to others.
What about the Shihouin family?
It was the Shihouin clan that had prevented them from eradicating the Shiba family. How would the Tsunayashiro family treat them next?
Yoruichi pondered quietly.
In recent years, she had felt her grandfather's age pressing down on him. To maintain the Shihouin family's status, her grandfather, Shihouin Kongchan, had done everything possible.
According to her father, he simply lacked the talent to become a true powerhouse. "So, I can only rely on myself…!"
Shihouin Yoruichi clenched her fists inwardly.
After entering the Spiritual Arts Academy and moving closer to becoming a real Shinigami, Yoruichi gradually realized the weight she carried. She had to shoulder the responsibility of the Shihouin family.
"If I become strong enough, even the Tsunayashiro clan will be powerless against us."
In the end, the Tsunayashiro clan was no longer what it used to be. They were no longer the head of the Five Great Noble Families. Currently, the Kuchiki clan held that position, showing that the Tsunayashiro family, too, had declined.
Many thoughts flashed through Yoruichi's mind. She looked at Gosuke Shigure again and said firmly, "Teacher, please continue to teach me."
At the Spiritual Arts Academy, students learned the basic knowledge required of a Shinigami—things like Zanjutsu, Hakuda, Hohō, Kidō, and various general knowledge topics.
For civilian students, the academy was an excellent place to study. If they possessed talent, their strength could grow exponentially in a few short years.
But for Yoruichi, studying at the academy was merely a formality before officially becoming a Shinigami. Much of what was taught there, she had already mastered through private tutoring before enrollment.
Compared to the general curriculum, Gosuke Shigure's personal teachings improved her real combat ability far more efficiently.
Gosuke Shigure nodded slightly, not rejecting her request. After all, it was thanks to Yoruichi that he had learned certain news today.
…
The Spiritual Arts Academy, being an educational institution, naturally had holidays. Taking advantage of the vacation, Gosuke Shigure continued to instruct Yoruichi for a while.
When her leave ended and she returned to the academy, Gosuke Shigure went back to the Eleventh Division barracks.
He understood the reason behind Kyoraku Shunsui's depression. Yet he chose not to comfort him.
After all, Gosuke Shigure was not a noble.
If one wanted to live peacefully, it was best not to get involved in the affairs of the noble families.
In other words, meddling in matters unrelated to oneself only brought unnecessary trouble.
Gosuke Shigure understood this better than anyone.
Regarding Kyoraku Shunsui, he believed that Shunsui would overcome it in time.
The years passed by.
Several more years went on.
Eventually, Yoruichi and Urahara Kisuke graduated from the Spiritual Arts Academy. Due to family circumstances, both entered the Second Division and became official Shinigami.
With her official promotion, Gosuke Shigure's task of teaching Yoruichi came to an end.
This meant one less thing to occupy his days. With nothing else to do, he had to find other ways to pass the time.
In Seireitei, there was a publication called the Seireitei Communication, issued by the Ninth Division. It was similar to an internal newspaper, summarizing major events occurring within Seireitei at regular intervals. Because it contained current news, many Shinigami subscribed to it eagerly.
In addition to current events, the publication sometimes included serialized short stories, poems, and scientific research columns. It was a hodgepodge of content.
Of course, the scientific research columns were updated less frequently, as breakthroughs in new technologies were rare. Conversely, stories and poems appeared often. Due to the times, most of these were poetic works. If they included fiction, they were often cliché short stories.
Yet, for the Soul Society, which severely lacked entertainment, reading the serialized stories was a welcome pleasure for many Shinigami.
Gosuke Shigure never intended to serialize any novels there. Although he could write stories based on his experiences as a man of the Third Generation, he subscribed simply to pass the time.
On this day, he noticed a new novel featured in the publication.
Its title was Rosy Road, authored by none other than "Kyoraku Shunsui."