"Could it be a setup?"
After hearing Yoruichi's explanation, Kaelith's mind was filled with scenarios straight out of historical dramas.
One of the most classic tropes being deliberately leaving a loophole to frame someone.
"I can't rule out that possibility."
Yoruichi shrugged.
"But if their goal was really to frame me, they should have shown a little restraint."
"Given how hard they went at it, anyone else would've been dead several times over by now."
"And more importantly, I have even more concrete evidence!"
"What evidence?"
Yoruichi grinned.
"A woman's intuition!"
SoiFon, who had been listening intently, couldn't help but twitch her eye.
Kaelith furrowed his brow. "I see, it's definitely quite credible."
"Right?!" Yoruichi nodded enthusiastically.
SoiFon: "…"
Things were starting to feel a bit off.
Yoruichi had always been a bit unorthodox, but now with Kaelith joining in, this was getting out of hand.
With these two together, was the future of the Second Division really in safe hands?
Looking at the two of them chatting happily, SoiFon couldn't shake the growing sense of duty in her heart.
For the sake of the Second Division, she would have to keep a close eye on these two!
...
...
"Sensei! My dear Sensei!!"
In the First Division barracks, Yamamoto sat quietly reading a book.
Hearing the shout, his face darkened.
A few seconds later, the paper door slid open—
"Sensei! I have important intelligence to report!"
Yamamoto put the book down and turned around, preparing to scold the visitor.
But upon seeing Kaelith standing in the doorway, he froze for a moment.
In the past, every time Kaelith came over, he'd been wearing the blue-and-white Shino Academy uniform.
But today, Kaelith was dressed in the black Shihakusho.
The sudden change in appearance left Yamamoto feeling a bit unsettled.
As he stood there looking at Kaelith, his mind flashed back to the first time Kyoraku and Ukitake had donned the Shihakusho.
Come to think of it, they were around the same age as this kid.
While Yamamoto was lost in thought, Kaelith swiftly moved forward with a smooth step.
"Sensei, I've acquired some important intelligence!"
"…What intelligence?"
Snapping back to attention, Yamamoto gave Kaelith a wary look.
This wasn't the usual way Kaelith addressed him.
Under Yamamoto's gaze, Kaelith opened his mouth.
Then, with a dramatic sigh, he said, "Ah, never mind, I won't say it after all."
Yamamoto: "???"
Seeing Kaelith's troubled expression, Yamamoto almost couldn't resist giving him a kick.
"Idiot, stop mumbling! Spit it out already!"
Kaelith, looking sorrowful, replied, "I'm afraid if I say it, it'll cause trouble for you…"
"If you're not going to say it, then get lost."
With a grumble, Yamamoto turned to walk away.
*Whoosh!!*
Kaelith flashed in front of him, blocking his path.
With a goofy grin on his face, Kaelith sat Yamamoto down.
While massaging his shoulders, Kaelith recounted everything he had heard from Yoruichi earlier.
"Ah, old man, I wasn't going to mention any of this."
"Yoruichi said it concerns the five great noble families, and without solid evidence, bringing it up might cause you trouble."
"But then I thought, the thing you care about the most is the peace and stability of the Soul Society. How could I not tell you about this potential hidden rebellion, full of lowly scoundrels?"
"With your wisdom and unparalleled skill, would we really be afraid of some noble family?"
Kaelith said, eagerly waiting for Yamamoto's response.
According to Aizen's words, the reason Yamamoto had gone to such great lengths to elevate him was to deter any nobles who were getting too ambitious.
If that was the case, now was the perfect opportunity, wasn't it?
However, just as Kaelith thought this, Yamamoto suddenly roared, "You fool! What nonsense are you spouting!"
Kaelith froze, his hand halting mid-motion.
Yamamoto, with his back turned, shouted at him, "Yoruichi is absolutely right. The Tsunayashiro family is one of the five great noble families!"
"If we don't have solid evidence and an order from the Central Forty-Sixth, the Gotei 13 cannot act against them!"
"Now, get back to bed. You're about to become a Shinigami. You've already put on the uniform, but you're still lacking some decorum!"
Without waiting for a response, Yamamoto stood up and walked toward his study.
Kaelith stared at Yamamoto's back, grinning.
"Old man, if you're not going to help, then I'll figure it out myself."
With a satisfied smile, Kaelith patted his Shihakusho, turned, and headed out.
As he was about to leave the First Division's gates, a voice suddenly called out to him.
"Kaelith-sama, wait a moment."
Kaelith turned, slightly surprised.
He saw a tall figure standing in the shadow of a building eave.
"Sasakibe-san?"
Seeing who it was, Kaelith was taken aback, and then quickly walked over.
"Is something wrong, Sasakibe-san? You need something?"
Sasakibe nodded calmly, and with a subtle movement, he placed something into Kaelith's hands.
Kaelith instinctively caught it and was about to ask what it was, but Sasakibe had already vanished with a Shunpo.
Kaelith: "..."
He paused in confusion for a moment before looking at what he had just received.
It was a folded piece of paper.
Opening it, Kaelith's eyes slowly widened as he read.
The paper listed several addresses.
Not only within Seireitei, but also in Rukongai.
Each address had notes about the family behind it, their security strength, and the level of danger they posed.
Moreover, each family was labeled with its potential involvement in last night's events…
After a brief moment of shock, Kaelith quickly folded the paper and tucked it away.
He glanced back toward the direction he had come from and couldn't help but grin.
"I was too loud earlier, not the old man, but the good old man, the really good old man."
Back in his study, Yamamoto lowered his pen, feeling a strange sensation as if someone had been talking behind his back.
Hmm, next time I give Kaelith a lesson, I'll double the intensity.
...
Leaving the First Division barracks, Kaelith made a quick stop at his dorm.
As expected, Aizen had already left.
The difference now, however, was that Aizen hadn't used the corpse-like method of lying still in bed.
The Kido dummy could only be deceiving on the surface, and once touched, it was easy to expose.
In the past, Aizen had used it as a makeshift solution, but now that Kaelith was a partner, he could help cover for him. So Aizen didn't need to resort to such dangerous measures anymore.
Kaelith shook his two roommates awake.
They were initially annoyed, but when they saw it was Kaelith, they quickly put on an obedient demeanor.
In a lowered voice, Kaelith said, "Listen up, Aizen really wants to hear the song of the Rukongai courtesan... We have to go tonight."
"For his mental and physical well-being, I've decided to take him there."
"And if the instructor comes to check, can you two cover for us?"
The two roommates exchanged a surprised glance.
They hadn't expected the usually quiet Aizen to have such a taste...
Though they were a little surprised, they agreed without hesitation.
They had seen their fair share of dorm escapes, and doing this small favor to get in good with Kaelith, a future high-ranking officer in the Gotei 13, was a no-brainer.
---------------------------
You can check out here for 65 advanced chapters!
Patreon(.)com/IDKjust
Btw you also get 2 daily chapters