"I'm so stupid… really."
Inside the 2nd Division barracks, deep within the administrative office, a young girl collapsed to her knees, her legs giving out as if her strength had been drained. Her lifeless eyes lifted toward the empty space before her, brimming with tears.
"I knew there was more than one enemy… and yet I ignored the rear. Because of my negligence, they ambushed us… and Lady Yae was taken. This is all my fault…"
Ōmaeda Kishin's expression tightened. He couldn't blame her—not when he had been the first one knocked out.
Their attackers had come prepared. Ambush, deception. At first, they assumed it was an assassination attempt, only to realize it was something far worse: a kidnapping.
If they had known the target was Shiranui Yae, the newly recognized head of the Shiranui Clan and the newly appointed Captain of the 2nd Division…
Kishin would never have taken even a single step back.
Even if it cost him his life, he would never have allowed her to be taken.
And now?
The Shiranui Clan had finally produced a clan head recognized by their ancestral blade.
The 2nd Division had finally welcomed a new captain.
Just a few days into her appointment… she was gone.
If this spread, shame would be the least of their concerns.
This could shake the entire Seireitei.
"Enough, Ayane. This isn't your fault alone."
Watching the girl slip rapidly toward despair, Kishin's brows knotted sharply. His deep voice cut through her spiraling thoughts:
"Lady Yae has only been taken. There is still a chance to rescue her."
"As long as we identify the culprits, we can force them to return her!"
"And more importantly—" Kishin straightened, voice low and grim. "—I already have a good idea who's behind this."
Ayane's dull eyes flickered, life returning to them. She looked up at his towering frame and whispered:
"R-Really? There's still hope?"
"Can we really bring Lady Yae back?!"
Kishin nodded. "Based on their attack patterns, they've been professionally trained. The Spiritual Arts Academy doesn't teach this. Outside the 2nd Division, the only ones capable of raising operatives like this are other noble clans."
"It's time we delivered this news to the Shiranui Clan…"
News of the kidnapping of the current Shiranui clan head did not spread across the Soul Realm. Only a small circle of individuals knew:
Division Captains, certain nobles, and a handful of key personnel.
"The Captain of the Shiranui Clan… kidnapped?!"
In the 1st Division, Yagami Genzō's eyes widened, a spark of flame igniting within his pupils.
He didn't know why—but at that moment, the first person who flashed through his mind was that hopelessly troublesome disciple of his.
But he immediately shook the thought away.
Kisaragi Akira may be a fool at times, but in critical moments he always showed quick judgment—and, occasionally after a good beating, a strangely profound level of insight.
He also possessed a surprisingly strong sense of the bigger picture.
There was no way he would do something this outrageous.
…Probably.
Standing before the window, Genzō gazed toward the direction of the 6th District. A bad premonition crawled up his spine.
Shiranui Yae being abducted was not only an affront to the dignity of the Thirteen Divisions…
It was a direct challenge toward one of the Five Great Noble Families.
The potential consequences… even he hesitated to contemplate.
Seireitei — Sixth District, a Secluded Alley
A boy walked leisurely through the narrow street, a girl slung over his shoulder like a bandit lord returning from a profitable raid.
"Your plan was unbelievably crude. Did you even consider the consequences?"
Yae, hanging over Kisaragi Akira's shoulder, shot him a withering look.
"Kidnapping the head of one of the Five Great Houses—who also happens to be the Captain of the 2nd Division—is going to set off a massive upheaval. Even if you pin the blame on Kanzaki Anzai, the Central Forty-Six will never let you off afterward."
Akira flashed a toothy grin, utterly unfazed.
"Crude, yes—but effective. As long as Kanzaki Anzai's 'Ascension Plan' starts early, he'll walk straight into Yagami-old-man's fist."
"And as for the aftermath? Aren't you here for that?"
"Don't tell me the mighty head of the Shiranui Clan can't protect one person."
Yae paused, thoughtful.
Knowing Akira, a plan this layered—one with fallback contingencies—was too sophisticated to be his idea.
If this were truly his work, the solution would've been simple:
Gather the Shiranui Clan and the Thirteen Divisions. Flatten the Kanzaki. End of story.
But this roundabout scheme?
Pressuring the enemy to act first and positioning themselves on the moral high ground for a justified counterattack?
Someone else helped him.
But who?
Yae rubbed her delicate chin, deep in thought.
Kanzaki Estate — Study Room
When Kisaragi Akira explained the earlier operation to Kanzaki Anzai—and then pulled out the emblem of the Shiranui Clan as proof—
Anzai felt his blood pressure spike.
He thought he was impatient…
He hadn't expected his subordinates to be even worse.
To kidnap the current head of the Shiranui Clan—
This alone could topple the entire Soul Realm if anything went wrong.
Even he might not be able to save Akira.
"Anzai-dono, why are you hesitating?!"
Akira leaned forward urgently. "The Kurotani are weak, the Shiranui are bound, the Shibata are spent. Three of the Five Great Houses are crippled. The Thirteen Divisions are restrained by their positions!"
"This is the perfect moment for you to ascend to godhood!"
"Unless… the plan has changed?"
Akira's eyes narrowed dramatically.
"Or…"
"Have you betrayed us?!"
His final words hit like a thrown dagger—blunt, direct, and devastating.
Watching Anzai's twitching expression, Akira couldn't help exhaling inwardly.
Azuma Sōsuke called it perfectly.
Even the expression changes matched.
Kidnapping Shiranui Yae alone wasn't enough to sway Anzai.
Only emotional pressure could derail his logic and push him into acting now.
Akira only needed to be the emotionless tape recorder.
The rest?
Leave it to Azuma.
Perfect. Truly perfect.
"Ridiculous!"
Anzai exploded. "I would never let go of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! I was merely considering… the optimal method of action!"
"You don't think I'm afraid of Yagami, do you?!"
Akira nodded without hesitation.
Anzai choked.
This brat—talented, fearless, unbelievably strong—but his mouth…
No wonder Yagami beat him daily.
"Well? Have you decided?"
Akira pressed. "Everyone's getting impatient."
This part wasn't acting.
Kanzaki Anzai's indecision was maddening.
Everything was ready—only the spark was missing.
"Of course!"
Anzai's eyes sharpened. "Tomomaru! Issue my orders—convene the Golden Seal Noble Assembly and the Central Forty-Six!"
A figure slipped out of the shadows, kneeling.
"At once."
Akira jolted internally.
He hadn't sensed anyone hiding there.
This level of stealth rivaled the punishment corps.
The foundation of the Five Great Clans truly ran deep.
Even a random member might rival a seated officer.
"First diplomacy, then force."
Anzai glanced at Akira. "If we can take control bloodlessly, that's ideal."
"But if they refuse—then we use force."
Akira didn't push further.
One more word, and he risked exposing himself.
If Anzai became suspicious, Akira would end up caught between both sides.
The Golden Seal Noble Assembly
The Shiranui attacked immediately, accusing the Kanzaki Clan.
Covert reports from their stealth corps revealed the kidnappers were last sighted near the Kanzaki estate.
Naturally, Kanzaki Anzai denied everything.
Instead, he accused the Kurotani Clan, claiming they colluded with rebels, murdered division members, and attempted to assassinate the Shiranui clan head—backing it up with a long list of forged evidence.
He even threatened the Shiranui, urging them to vote to strip the Kurotani of noble status and exile them to the border realm.
Kurotani Ginrei erupted, calling these accusations utter nonsense—declaring the true traitors were the Kanzaki.
The assembly descended into utter chaos.
In the end, Kanzaki Anzai declared the Soul Realm rotten and corrupt… and announced his intent to purge it, targeting the Kurotani first.
The Shiranui observed coldly.
With their clan head missing, every noble looked like a suspect.
If they had the strength, they would have waged war against everyone.
No resolution was reached.
As the meeting ended, Kanzaki Anzai swept his icy gaze across the nobles before striding out.
Watching him leave, Kurotani Ginrei felt an ominous shiver.
Their clan's reputation had plummeted after the last failed war.
Now they were cornered.
The Shiranui, fearing for their clan head's safety, remained neutral—suspecting both Kanzaki and Kurotani of the kidnapping.
Nightfall — Under the Pale Moon
A thin veil of mist draped the moon, dimming the sky.
Suddenly—
An eruption of spiritual pressure burst across the Sixth District, thickening the air until breathing itself felt heavy.
Kanzaki struck first.
His allied rebel forces surged into the district, launching a full assault on the Kurotani household.
Kurotani Ginrei stared at the rebels encircling his estate, his expression dark.
He'd considered many possibilities—
But he never imagined the Kanzaki would abandon centuries of tradition and openly tear off the mask like this.
Did Kanzaki Anzai truly feel no fear of Yagami's retribution?
"Long time no see, Ginrei-dono."
Kanzaki Tomomaru stepped forward with a mocking smile.
"If you refuse exile, then tonight the Kurotani will be erased from the Soul Realm."
As the Kanzaki heir, blessed with talent and armed with his clan's ancestral blade, he could easily rival Ginrei—perhaps even defeat him.
"You've sunk this low?"
Ginrei's voice was cold. "For the sake of ambition, risking everything? Aren't you afraid of the Captain-Commander's wrath?"
"Ha."
Tomomaru laughed. "The old man's blade has dulled."
"Anzai-dono will handle him."
"Never underestimate centuries of Kanzaki preparation!"
"After tonight, Kanzaki will rise as gods—absolute rulers!"
Ginrei's pupils shrank.
At the Shiranui Estate
An entire force led by Kisaragi Akira surrounded the vast estate, emitting overwhelming spiritual pressure that warped the air itself.
To prevent the Shiranui from aiding the Kurotani, Kanzaki Anzai had ordered Akira's faction to delay them—by force if necessary—and use the kidnapped clan head as leverage.
Ōmaeda Kishin blinked rapidly, unable to believe what he was seeing.
Of all people…
Kisaragi Akira—the one person who should least betray the Seireitei—was standing at the front of the Kanzaki-aligned nobles.
"Lord Kisaragi… your orders?"
Tsugawa Kusaji sniffed sharply, his face flushed with exhilaration.
He already saw power beckoning him.
After tonight, the Tsugawa Clan would surely ascend.
"Everyone," Akira grinned, "our fate is decided tonight."
"Attack the Shiranui! Tomorrow, we stand above all nobles!"
"Move out!"
The moment the order fell—
Kishin's pupils shrank.
Because emerging from the darkness—
countless black-clad operatives appeared, surrounding the rebels with killing intent so sharp it chilled the bone.
"What… what is—"
"Is that… the General Corps?!"
Kishin gasped.
And then—
A familiar silhouette appeared atop the distant rooftop.
"Lady Yae…?!"
Shock after shock nearly made his scalp go numb.
Yae stood tall, hand resting casually on the hilt at her waist.
A crisp shing sliced the night—
The clear sound of a blade being drawn.
The signal.
The execution performance had begun.
First Division Barracks — Administrative Room
Yagami Genzō stood before a sudden visitor, expression darkening as the oppressive atmosphere thickened.
"Kanzaki Anzai," he said coldly, "are you truly determined to go this far?"