章 20: Kōga Kuchiki

These two, one is the current head of the Kuchiki family and captain of the 6th Division, Ginrei Kuchiki!

The other is the current captain of the 1st Division's Special Forces, newly appointed 3rd seat of the 1st Division after previous captain Shin'etsu Kisaragi's death, Kōga Hoshino! Hmm, also the future son-in-law of the Kuchiki family and husband of Haruko Kuchiki.

Judging from Haruko Kuchiki's behavior today, Kōga and Haruko will likely become engaged tonight. Of course, if they had met under normal circumstances, the two parties would at most greet each other out of mutual respect as fellow Gotei 13 members.

But now, the situation was as if Ailin had been caught in the act of stalking the Kuchiki family's young lady by her own father and fiancé. In their eyes, Ailin had already been labeled with negative tags like "pervert", "disgusting", and "wart".

"2nd Division Vice Captain Ailin, at your service, Captain Kuchiki."

"Oh?"

Ailin's self-introduction caused Ginrei Kuchiki's brows to furrow.

"I remember the 2nd Division's Vice Captain took office five years ago. However, instead of attending to your duties, Vice Captain Ailin, you were sneakily tailing my daughter. Please give me a reasonable explanation, otherwise I will personally apprehend you and go to Captain Yoruichi Shihōin of the 2nd Division to inquire whether my Kuchiki family is under the 2nd Division's surveillance."

"This is..."

Hearing Ginrei Kuchiki's words, Ailin was struck speechless.

What could he say?

Let alone mentioning that Ailin had escorted the Kuchiki family's young lady back from the tavern, something that damaged the Kuchiki family's reputation. Would Ginrei Kuchiki and Kōga even believe him?

Even if they did believe, to maintain the Kuchiki family's prestige, Ailin wasn't certain he wouldn't be "disposed of" by them.

Hmm, of course, the Kuchiki family could also dispose of Haruko Kuchiki. But between a "perverted" stalker and their own daughter, it was obvious who would be the one disposed of.

"Humph!"

Seeing Ailin remain silent, Ginrei Kuchiki let out a cold snort, placing his hand on the Zanpakutō by his waist.

Although he was advanced in years with greatly diminished strength, Ginrei Kuchiki hadn't dropped from the captain-level at all. Apprehending a mere Vice Captain was effortless for someone like him. However, before Ginrei Kuchiki could make a move, Kōga behind him spoke up.

"Kuchiki-sama, he is but a disgusting maggot tailing Lady Haruko. How could someone like him dirty your hands? Why don't you let me take care of this on your behalf and capture him?" This was likely the proudest time of Kōga life.

Five years ago, after the 1st Division's Special Forces Captain Shin'etsu Kisaragiattacked the Captain-Commander and was personally slain by Captain-Commander Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto, Kōga became the new Special Forces Captain.

That wasn't all. Due to his handsome looks and powerful strength, Kōga had also caught the eye of 6th Division Captain Ginrei Kuchiki.

Afterwards, under Captain-Commander Yamamoto's arrangements, Ginrei Kuchiki and Kōga had grown quite close through frequent interactions.

As the leaders of the four great noble clans, the Kuchiki family had entered an awkward situation in the last century. Ginrei Kuchiki was already of advanced age, his time possibly ending in the next twenty to fifty years.

His eldest son, Sōjun Kuchiki, though gifted, had poor health. After following Ginrei Kuchiki in cultivation for hundreds of years, despite currently being the 6th Division's Vice Captain, without Ginrei Kuchiki's suppression, Sōjun might not even last a few days before being challenged and removed from his post.

His eldest daughter, Haruko Kuchiki, was Ginrei Kuchiki's beloved. But she had just been born twenty years ago. Although healthy, her Shinigami talents were pathetic, utterly unable to become a Shinigami.

In contrast, his eldest grandson, Byakuya Kuchiki, possessed outstanding talents, robust health, and would definitely grow into the Kuchiki family's pillar in the future.

However... Time was running out!

Ginrei Kuchiki knew that at most, he only had thirty to fifty years left. In that time, Byakuya would at most grow to Vice Captain level. Becoming a true captain-class powerhouse required at least fifty to a hundred more years.

Without a pillar during that period, how could the Kuchiki family continue being the "role model" for Seireitei's nobility?

Otherwise, when the time came, the other major noble clans would surely swarm over and devour the Kuchiki family. Thus, while he still lived, Ginrei Kuchiki wanted to find a new pillar for the Kuchiki family. Coincidentally, his daughter had just come of age and he could consider finding a son-in-law.

After much deliberation Kōga became Ginrei Kuchiki's final choice.

Naturally, Kōga understood all this perfectly clearly. Of course, Kōga himself was also willing. In the 1st Division, Kōga was already at the peak. The position of 1st Division Captain wouldn't fall to him even if Captain-Commander Yamamoto retired. Kōga was self-aware of that.

As for 1st Division's Vice Captain position...

Others might not know, but as someone from the same division, Kōga was deeply aware of that man's power.

The master of lightning and strongest slash-type Zanpakutō - Gonryomaru. Just his Reiatsu surpassed most captains. More importantly, Kōga profoundly understood the absolute trust Captain-Commander Yamamoto had in his Vice Captain, Chōjirō Sasakibe.

Even if he managed to defeat Chōjirō Sasakibe through challenge one day, he would never become 1st Division's Vice Captain.

1st Division's 3rd seat was the limit for everyone in 1st Division. But things would be different in the 6th Division. In the 6th Division, Ginrei Kuchiki was getting on in years while Sōjun Kuchiki was a good-for-nothing.

If he successfully married into the Kuchiki family, then after Ginrei Kuchiki died, whether it was 6th Division's Captain position or Kuchiki family head, wouldn't it all be his, Kōga's?

Haruko Kuchiki was to be his wife in the future, how could he let someone as filthy as Ailin covet her? Thus, compared to Ginrei Kuchiki, Kōga was even more eager to make a move against Ailin.

His words made Ginrei Kuchiki halt his actions. "Very well, I'll leave it to you then, Kōga!"

"Mm. I will definitely not disappoint Kuchiki-sama." Kōga respectfully bowed to Ginrei Kuchiki. Moreover, he addressed himself as just "Kōga" too.

Because once he successfully married into the Kuchiki family, he would have to abandon his original surname and change it to "Kuchiki". By then, he would no longer be Kōga Hoshino, but would become— Kōga Kuchiki!

Stepping before Ginrei Kuchiki's front after a few strides, killing intent filled Kōga's gaze towards Ailin.

Whoosh!

Kōga's figure flashed like lightning, instantly appearing before Ailin as his Zanpakutō slashed down at Ailin.

Clang!

Ailin drew his sword in an instant to block Kōga's strike.