Who are you calling a stable boy?!

However, Komagen cannot punish Seishun.

On the one hand, he has always loved his younger brother very much, to the point that he himself is aware that he has spoiled him to some extent.

On the other hand, as a representative of the pro-war faction, Qingxiang was indeed qualified to speak out on that occasion.

In other words, those demands were actually the result of discussions within the pro-war faction.

Komagane couldn't suppress those sounds.

"We've already taken a step back, but those Grim Reapers only know how to push their luck! Now that things have come to this, are you still going to speak up for them?"

Ishida Seishun said in a deep voice, "Ishida Komagami, do you even care about this family? Do you even care about the great cause of us Quincy?"

"Never forget, our king will return sooner or later!"

"We'll settle this blood feud with Death sooner or later! If you're a coward, let me lead the men to kill you—"

The helplessness on Ishida Komagaru's face vanished abruptly, replaced by seriousness.

He slowly stood up, and his thin and hunched figure, compared to Ishida Seishun, exuded a sharp quality.

Ishida Seisho, who had been so aggressive just moments before, couldn't help but lean back slightly.

It felt like someone had suddenly pointed a sharp arrow at your face.

"Qingshang, I am the true head of the Ishida family."

"...Ishida Komagaru! You'll regret this!"

Watching his younger brother slam the door and leave, Ishida Komagaru, who had only straightened his body for a few seconds, hunched over again. His tired expression made him look even older than before.

In the past, the brothers would sometimes have disagreements about their beliefs, but now both the intensity and frequency of these disagreements have increased day by day, leaving Komahiro exhausted.

And such a change...

Koma felt that it seemed to have started with the strange mixed-race compatriots that Seishun brought back.

Chapter Sixteen: Every Family Has Its Own Troubles

"Oh!"

After being kicked angrily by Ishida Seishun, the solid wood chair crashed into the wall and shattered instantly.

"Hoo-hoo! That old codger! Ah!"

Standing amidst the chaos, having already smashed several expensive porcelain pieces, overturned a bookcase, and kicked two solid wood chairs, Ishida Seishun was still not satisfied. He roared and rolled his bloodshot eyes, fixing them on the still intact desk in the room.

Just as he was about to make a move, the tightly closed door of the room was suddenly opened.

Hearing the noise, Ishida Seisho grabbed the ashtray on the table without turning his head and threw it toward the door.

"Who let you in!"

The sturdy ashtray, accompanied by a terrifying whooshing sound, hurtled towards the unfortunate man who had opened the door, like a high-speed ball thrown by a professional baseball player.

"Clang!"

With a crisp sound, the crystal ashtray split in two in mid-air.

"Who has made you so angry, boss?"

The strange metallic color on his arm instantly faded, and the red-haired, black-eyed youth, with a polite smile, looked at the furious Ishida Seishu and asked.

"...Ramuth."

Ishida Seisho called the young man's name in a deep voice, then clenched his fists so tightly they cracked and swung them forcefully in the air: "It's all because of that old bastard Komagawa!"

"Oh, I see."

Ramuel agreed verbally, closed the door, and entered the room. Avoiding the shards of porcelain and water stains on the floor, he looked around but couldn't find a chair to sit on, and a hint of disappointment appeared on his face.

"So, how about we reconsider my previous suggestion, boss?"

"At a time like this," Ramuel said, "it's best if the Ishida family has only one voice, isn't it?"

"..."

Ishida Seishun fell silent, his expression shifting between light and shadow.

"Don't worry, we're a professional team. We'll make sure the scene is perfectly staged. Anyone who comes to investigate will find it's a hoax. Besides, even if someone does investigate, won't it be you, boss, who will be doing the investigation?"

At this point, Ramuel's smile, which stemmed from professional ethics, seemed to brighten even more.

"...How confident are you?"

"That depends on whether you are willing to cooperate."

A moment later, Ramuel came out of the room alone.

"Captain, how is it?"

The middle-aged man waiting in the corridor came up to greet him.

This is Ramuel's second-in-command, the vice-captain of the Palalion Squad.

"It's done."

Ramuel nodded.

Upon hearing this, Vice Captain Capri couldn't help but smile: "Finally, it's done. This Ishida Seisho is really timid and hesitant, unlikely to achieve anything great."

It has been almost two months since the Palalion squad followed Ishida Seisho. Ramuel did not expect that it would take so long to persuade Ishida Seisho to make up his mind to kill Ishida Komagane.

"The plan is the same as before; let the others prepare."

As he spoke, Ramuel continued walking.

Capri quickly followed, asking as he went, "Should we contact the Empire...?"

"No need, they don't care about the methods, they only care about the results."

Ramuel stated frankly.

This is why, compared to Ishida Seishun, he preferred his own team's real boss on this trip.

Being generous and not getting in the way are qualities that are rare among bosses.

"Tell everyone to prepare, so as not to ruin our own reputation."

"Yes!"

-

Kisuke's exceptional abilities in document work are widely recognized.

In just two days, he wrote a brand new performance report.

Zheng Jing didn't delay; he took the report and headed to the First Squadron.

Of course, he had to deliver it in person. After all, delivering the performance report was secondary; the main purpose was to meet with the old man and discuss the war.

"Um......"

As the chief reviewed the report in his hands, the chief sat at the head of the table, while Zheng Jing sat below him with his legs crossed.

According to the rules of Seireitei, Jeong Kyeong's sitting posture was impolite when facing superiors and elders.

But the captain clearly didn't care about any of that.

He reviewed the contents of the report, occasionally asking Zheng Jing questions.

For example, how exactly is the Great Forest of the Dead managed, or whether the Vastod under the Special Investigations Team's current jurisdiction is truly as docile as the report states, etc.

Zheng Jing answered fluently.

This is not difficult.

Before he left, Lao Lan and Zhu Zi had already helped him review the exam questions.

all hit.

At most, when the old man asked about his subjective opinions, Zheng Jing would say a few words about his own thoughts, and the rest he would just recite the answers.

After asking around, the captain put down the last page of paper in his hand.

"it is good."

Looking at Zheng Jing, the old man paused for a moment: "Zheng Jing..."

He seemed to want to say something.

But once the words were on the tip of his tongue, after a brief pause, the content changed.

"Three days later, I will send you back to Hueco Mundo with supplies. Do not cause any trouble in the court these next few days. Now go."

"Hey, old man, old man! Don't be in such a hurry to send me away!"

Zheng Jing chuckled and called out, "It's been so many years since we last met, don't you want to catch up with me, old Zheng, and have a chat? Huh?"

"Nonsense! Do you still think of yourself as a student in the Spirit Arts Academy? As the team leader, you should prioritize team affairs and fulfill your responsibilities! Spending all day thinking about joking around and slacking off is unbecoming!"

Seeing the captain glaring at him, Zheng Jing shrank back and said, "What are you saying? Does that mean I, Old Zheng, am a student?"

"No matter how many years have passed, or what kind of captain I've become, I, Old Zheng, am still your student, Grandpa!"

"Hmph, you naughty boy, all you know is how to talk a good game."

The old man sternly rebuked Zheng Jing, saying, "What are you talking about reminiscing? I think you have ulterior motives."

"Hehe, I can't hide it from you! But don't misunderstand, I, Old Zheng, genuinely want to come and help you and the Soul Society solve your problems!"

"Oh? Tell me about it."

"I just want to talk to you, sir, about this matter concerning the Quincy."

Upon hearing this, the captain's expression, which had softened slightly, hardened again.

"You don't need to worry about this. Managing Hueco Mundo is the greatest contribution you can make right now."

"That's not how it works, old man. I have so many relatives and friends in the Thirteenth Squad. If we really fight those Quincy, and someone gets hurt or crippled, do you think I, Old Zheng, would just sit idly by? For example, if I really lose my temper, ah! I'll grab my stick and rush into the human world—"

"Ok?"

"Hehe, this is just an example."

Zheng Jing grinned: "But when it comes to war, people get hurt and die, right? I know that if we fight the Quincy, those Quincy will definitely lose to us, but if we really fight, there will definitely be a lot of bloodshed!"

He shook his head as he said this.

"Why bother? Why bother?"

Hearing Zheng Jing say this, the captain did not continue to refute him as he had before.

He frowned, pondered for a moment, and then said, "What you're saying is all too clear to me. I don't want to fight this battle either. But since you know about this, you should have already learned from Captain Shihouin or Captain Aizen that whether we fight or not was never up to us from the beginning."

"I know, I know! Grandpa, you have the power of thunder but the heart of a bodhisattva. It's the Quincy's fault that things have turned out this way."

Zheng Jing nodded.

"That's why I, Old Zheng, have come to offer you a solution!"

Chapter Seventeen: Do you dare to agree?

"talks?"

Ishida Seishan was taken aback.

"Correct."

Komagaru Ishida's face glowed red when he spoke.

This is probably the first time in the past year that he has shown such a gentle and welcoming demeanor.

As the saying goes, a happy occasion makes one feel refreshed, and that's exactly what it means.

"What a joke! What's there to talk about!"

Ishida Seishun slammed his hand on the table.

He originally thought that Komagaru had called him here again, just like before, to say those stupid things about restraint and win-win cooperation.

Why did he still come even though it sounded like stupid talk?

You have to come.

How can I not come to make Ishida Komaga believe that he is really willing to change? How can I not come to create an opportunity for Ishida Komaga to be alone?

If I don't come, how can I kill this cowardly Ishida Komagaru?