章 71: Dismissal

Dong! Dong!

Early in the quiet Seireitei, the peace was suddenly awakened by a burst of alarm. However, from this alarm, everyone also knew that this was not an emergency alarm, it was just a summons to convene the 13 Protection Squads' captains for a meeting.

In the Kuchiki clan, when they heard this alarm, Ginrei's body shook slightly. This day had finally come.

After walking out of the room, Ginrei Kuchiki saw his youngest daughter and son-in-law waiting outside the door at a glance.

"Father-in-Law."

"Father."

Ailin and Haruko Kuchiki respectfully bowed to Ginrei.

"Father-in-Law, thank you for your tolerance and accommodation of your son-in-law over the years."

Having lived together for five years, the Kuchiki clan was the most familiar "home" to Ailin apart from the 2nd Division barracks.

In addition, Ginrei's tolerance, Haruko's gentleness, and even Byakuya Kuchiki's admiration, made Ailin feel the warmth of family. Especially Ginrei Kuchiki.

When Ginrei originally selected a husband for Haruko, it was to find someone who could support the Kuchiki clan after his death.

However, Ailin eventually went against his wishes and chose to accompany Haruko to the Human World.

And Ginrei, also chose his daughter over the clan, allowing Ailin and Haruko to go to the Human World to heal.

One could imagine that after Ailin left, in order not to let the Kuchiki clan elders gossip about Ailin and Haruko, Ginrei Kuchiki had to take over as the head of the Kuchiki clan and captain of the 6th Division again.

For Ginrei who was on his deathbed, this could only make his death come even sooner. But even so, he didn't say anything to Ailin and Haruko.

"Haruko, stay home and accompany Byakuya more. I'll accompany Ailin to the captains meeting this time," Ginrei said.

"Yes, Father. I wish you safety, Father."

After bowing to Ginrei again, Haruko returned home to accompany Byakuya for a while longer. Perhaps from today onwards, this would be the last time she could be with her family...

"Let's go."

"Yes, Father-in-Law."

Following behind Ginrei, Ailin noticed for the first time that there was a hint of stumbling in Ginrei's footsteps.

"Sigh..."

Letting out a sigh, Ailin could only comfort himself in his heart. With himself joining the Kuchiki clan, at least Haruko could live and Byakuya was also growing faster than in his memories under his guidance.

At least, Father-in-Law didn't have to endure the grief of losing his child twice. At least he was only going to the Human World and wasn't dead yet.

Over the past three months, the people in Seireitei must have been able to estimate his strength. As such, even if he wasn't in Soul Society, if other nobles wanted to move against the Kuchiki clan, they would have to consider whether they could withstand his retaliation.

Amidst Ailin's chaotic thoughts, Ginrei Kuchiki and Ailin arrived at the 1st Division and entered the meeting room.

Seeing the retired 6th Division Captain after entering, the other captains all showed surprised expressions. It seemed that today's captains meeting had something to do with the 6th Division.

Dong!

After all the captains arrived, Captain-Commander Yamamoto tapped his cane on the ground, "6th Division Captain, Ailin Kuchiki."

"Captain-Commander."

Hearing Captain-Commander Yamamoto calling him, Ailin walked out from the ranks and stood in the center of the meeting room.

"Humph."

"Captain Ailin, do you know that in order to maintain Seireitei's stability, I have enacted several prohibitions? One of them is the prohibition on captains releasing their Zanpakuto in Seireitei."

"I know."

"Then tell me, what have you been doing in the Kuchiki clan these past three months?"

"Captain-Commander, because my Bankai's abilities have a certain auxiliary effect for training, I have been teaching my nephew Byakuya Kuchiki these past three months."

"Training with Bankai released?"

"Yes."

Captain-Commander Yamamoto looked at Ailin in surprise.

This guy, was he abandoned by the Kuchiki clan?

Because his Bankai's abilities were effective in assisting training, Ginrei Kuchiki had him aid Byakuya Kuchiki in cultivating his strength. Then after Byakuya became strong enough, they would kick Ailin aside and make way for Byakuya?

What a pity.

Captain-Commander Yamamoto imagined some of the nobles' filth in his mind. Although he had been acquainted with Ginrei for hundreds of years, Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto also knew the nobles' nature very well.

However, in the more than one thousand years that Captain-Commander Yamamoto knew of the "Soul King's" secrets, he had never made a move against those nobles even when he was still an "Assassin". Now that he had transformed from "Assassin" to "Protector" as Captain-Commander, he naturally wouldn't make a move against the nobles either. Because that was the Soul King's will.

Betrayed by the Five Great Noble Families, having his four limbs severed, eyes gouged out and heart carved out by the Clan, further strips of flesh cut away to weaken him. With the Soul King's power, he could have rebelled and erased the Five Great Noble Families and all existence at any time.

But in the face of such mutilation, the Soul King did not resist at all. So everyone knew that all this was the "Soul King's" own will.

The foundation of Soul Society was built upon "sin". The nobles were the greatest source of sin in Soul Society.

It was when Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto formed the Gotei 13 and massacred almost the entire Soul Society before he managed to contain the spread of the nobles' sins in Seireitei under the name of "Protection".

However, Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto also felt that since the Soul King did not resist, he must have seen some kind of future and chosen to let those people push the world towards that future.

"It's good that you admitted it. Criminal Ailin, you violated the Seireitei prohibition on captains releasing their Zanpakuto in Seireitei and stubbornly persisted despite the Kuchiki clan Lord's repeated deterrence, knowingly committing a crime.

Hereby, in my capacity as Captain-Commander of the 13 Protection Squads, I strip you of your position as 6th Division Captain. Do you accept the ruling?"

"What?"

Captain-Commander Yamamoto's words shocked all the captains present.

"Oh my, oh my, this is really..."

Shunsui Kyōraku lightly pulled down on his straw hat, glancing at Old Man Yama and Old Man Kuchiki from the corner of his eye, not giving his opinion.

Retsu Unohana's smiling face twitched slightly, her hands wrapped under her wide sleeves and clasped tightly.

What a pity...

She had wanted to test her strength after these years of cultivation and see if she had reached the level where that man from many years ago would be pleasantly surprised instead of unconsciously lowering his strength to match hers...

As for the other captains, they were also shocked. One had to know that the captains of the Gotei 13 were already standing at the pinnacle in Seireitei.

Since the founding of the Gotei 13, only captains who died in battle or retired had their positions removed. There had never been a captain who was outright "dismissed".