You are very strong, but my painting style is better than yours!

As for whether to develop towards "Aozaki Touko" or learn from "Voldemort" and "Orochimaru" along this path...what does it have to do with Iori?

He is just an honest candidate for the Death God, who was just expressing his feelings unintentionally~

However, it would be a good thing if Kurotsuchi Mayuri could really produce some results. No matter what he researches, Iori will use it as a reference without hesitation and make it his own nutrition!

Of course, Iori didn't go crazy enough to split his soul like Voldemort. His main purpose was to study the enemy.

He clearly remembered that the ability of the final boss in "Bleach" - Yhwach, was related to the splitting (distribution) of the soul!

I don't expect Mayuri Kurotsuchi to figure out the true nature of Youha, but if he does more research in this area, maybe he'll be able to see some clues and make some magical props or something.

The process of the protagonists defeating Youha in the original work was really unreliable. Iori felt that it would be better for him to have more cards in his hand...

Volume 24: The White Moonlight of the Entire Seireitei: Chapter : What are the five great nobles?

The day before yesterday, Iori made an appointment with the first-generation captain Saito Funabushi to ask her for advice on the technique of instant movement. At that time, both of them were in high spirits and made a random agreement while drunk. Thinking back, they realized that they did not clearly agree on the time and place.

Iori had no means to contact Saito at all. As a substitute Shinigami, it was impossible for him to walk freely in Soul Society. He could only wait for Saito to come to him.

However, judging from the absent-minded look of the expeditionary force captain, perhaps he has already forgotten about this matter.

Iori didn't have high expectations for this, and after returning from Kurotsuchi Mayuri, he went to the nearby Rukongai to choose a gift.

As the saying goes, a penny can make a hero fall. Since all the money earned was spent on Kurotsuchi Mayuri, in order to have more money on hand, it is time to make an appointment with Shunsui for a meeting.

——Kyōraku Shunsui.

A character who is definitely considered a big shot in Seireitei.

In terms of bloodline, he was born into a high-ranking noble family, and his reputation as a military family passed down from generation to generation was second only to the five great nobles;

In terms of his mastership, he was directly taught by Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni, and was one of the two most favored disciples among the old man's disciples;

In terms of strength, he is ranked as the captain of the Gotei 13, and has mastered Bankai for more than a hundred years (at this time).

Whether in terms of financial resources, appearance, knowledge, or conversation, he is worthy of the title of aristocracy, and is very different from those guys who have only the title for nothing.

However, it is regrettable that such a person who can be called perfect in all aspects, even more arrogant than Byakuya Kuchiki in later generations, has a somewhat exaggerated personality, behaves casually and lazily, and even started writing romance novels in his youth. He is a real literary youth and a playboy, which is incompatible with the overall solemn atmosphere of Soul Society.

The captain-general reprimanded him countless times for this, but even the strongest god of death could not make Shunsui change, so everyone in Soul Society thought he was an "excellent but slightly regrettable" man.

——But Iori and he somehow got along well.

Perhaps it's because we are fellow creators that we resonate with each other.

Putting aside his prominent status, Shunsui himself is a very easy-going and kind person. Although he is a noble, he always likes to go to the taverns in Rukongai, and he also enjoys the games and singing and dancing of the poor.

When Iori first met him, he looked like just a half-grown child, but Shunsui was able to patiently listen to him carefully.

As for how the two of them got along better and better and eventually became close friends regardless of age difference...that is another story.

If Shunsui had not been willing to help, Iori would probably not have found a way to publish his novel, let alone keep his royalties.

In fact, the outside world did not know the existence of Iori. The publisher got the manuscript directly from the Kyoraku family, so Iori's pen name "Miyamoto Kitahara" has always been considered to be Kyoraku Shunsui's pseudonym... Thanks to this, Iori can get the highest share.

The relationship between the two is quite good, but Iori also knows that although Kyoraku Shunsui looks unreliable, he is actually a person who plays with people. He is the type who is lustful but not lewd, and has a moral bottom line and firm beliefs in his heart.

Youth version of turtle hermit.jpg

Such a person may be able to build a close relationship with you by sharing the same interests and hobbies, and ask him to help you or do something convenient. When encountering something that he cannot tolerate, he will intervene even if it offends the old man in the mountain, which is quite in the style of a traditional "knight-errant".

But if it comes to fundamental issues of principle, he will never be lured or shaken, let alone corrupted or threatened.

In short, don't mistakenly think that he is easy to deal with just because he does nothing serious all day long!

In this Soul Society, the person whom Iori thinks highest is Shunsui Kyoraku, far above all other captains.

Of course, Iori doesn't need to be afraid of anyone now. As a candidate Shinigami with excellent character and academic performance, he has always treated Shunsui with sincerity when dealing with him. There is no falsehood in their friendship, nor does it involve any exchange of interests. It is purely based on mutual appreciation.

In addition, every time he met Chunshui, he would bring some unique snacks. It was not to please Chunshui, but because there was a little girl who was difficult to deal with by Chunshui's side, and he needed to use sweets to silence that girl's venomous tongue~

The snacks were bought quickly, but Iori could not return immediately because the four gates of Seireitei were not always open. In order to prevent strangers from Rukongai from entering, the gates were extremely heavy and remained closed.

Those who want to enter or exit need to wait here for a while, waiting for the guard to raise the gate by brute force, about once every hour, and their identity needs to be verified in advance.

Iori calculated the time well. In addition to buying things, he also strolled around and arrived at the gate about ten minutes early.

But today something was strange. The guard's expression was a little unnatural. It was okay when some people passed by in front, but when he saw Iori wearing a student uniform, he hesitated to speak.

Iori's heart moved, and he pretended to look for something on the ground and fell behind. He stood up and walked forward after everyone had left. When he passed the guard, he asked softly, "Did anything happen today?"

"you……"

The guard remembered Iori, not because Iori was so famous now, but because Iori once walked through the White Road Gate with the captain of the Eighth Division, Kyoraku Shunsui, so in the eyes of the guard, Iori should also have a certain status.

If that’s the case, today’s incident shouldn’t implicate him, right?

"Earlier, a student passed through, but he met some people here and had a conflict... and was arrested."

The gatekeeper was reluctant to explain himself too clearly. He was a wrestler from Rukongai, responsible for guarding the gate of Seireitei. But he was not actually a god of death, nor did he have his own Zanpakutō. He was called a "hero" but in essence he was just a gatekeeper, and there were some things that were not his business.

Therefore, even if he thought that the student was framed, he could not help.

...To be honest, he felt a little uneasy, and perhaps that was why he mentioned this to Iori.

"A student was arrested?" Iori frowned. "This is rare... What are the characteristics of the student?"

"He's pretty dark."

The guard did not hesitate, because the other party's features were indeed obvious.

"He is a blind man."

"Oh~ It should be my friend, thanks."

This feature is probably not found in the entire Soul Society, so there is no need to make any effort to lock onto the target.

"By the way, what exactly is the cause of the conflict?"

"Well, I'm not sure about that, but I heard them talking about a grave or something... maybe it's related to the fight for the inheritance?"

"...I see. I think I can probably guess what it is."

After Iori sorted out the things, he looked up at the guard again, as if he could see through his thoughts, and said in a comforting tone: "Don't worry, it's just a small matter, it won't be a problem."

"It's a small matter?" The guard breathed a sigh of relief. "That's good."

"Well, it's just that I offended the five nobles."

"what?!"

The guard almost dropped the door and smashed it to the ground!

Volume 25: The White Moonlight of the Seireitei: Chapter : Longing is the distance of understanding——

In a prison cell inside the Soul Society, Tosen was being held with his eyes closed. Because the case involved aristocrats, he was being held in solitary confinement. The walls and cell doors were made of murderous stones, and a mere Shinigami candidate had no ability to escape.

Tosen Kaname, dressed in white, was imprisoned, his hands were tied with cursed knots, his ability to use kidō was blocked, and his Zanpakutō, which always accompanied him, was nowhere to be found.

He still acted calm... or rather, he forced himself to be calm.

For this man living in darkness, suffering in the ordinary sense is not worth mentioning. Even if someone takes the opportunity to retaliate against him, torture him, it is just an ordinary thing. He endures all the physical pain like an ascetic monk.

However, there was one thing that made him feel uneasy:

The Zanpakutō was taken away!

As a prisoner, it was natural for his Zanpakutō to be taken away, but to Tosen Kaname, the sword was not just a weapon, it was also a symbol of his faith and his most cherished "relic"!

...But what's the point of saying this now?

He was imprisoned as a "thug who attacked the nobles" and might be questioned in a few days. In the worst case, he might even be executed. How could he protect the relic when he couldn't even save his own life?

At this point, his fate is no longer in his hands. All a prisoner can do is wait quietly in the dark cage.

Fortunately, he had long been accustomed to the darkness... To be honest, he never thought that there would be a day when he would be glad that he was blind, because only in this way he would not have to see how ugly this was!

"In the end... there's nothing you can do? Haha..."

Just as Dongxian sneered in self-deprecation, a leisurely sound of footsteps came from outside. He immediately closed his mouth tightly, unwilling to reveal his true emotions in front of others.

He originally thought that the person coming would be a jailer or a lackey of the nobles, but as the footsteps approached, a familiar and unexpected voice sounded:

"You look like you've suffered a lot, Tosen-senpai."

"...Iori? Aizen Iori?" Tosen turned his head and tilted his ears toward the outside, with a look of astonishment, "Why is it you!"

"Why can't it be me?"

Iori smiled and sat down casually in front of the iron fence: "Don't lean so close, come closer and let's talk."

Dong Xianyao suppressed his doubts for the moment, stood up, moved to the fence, and sat down as he was told. He then felt something soft and warm in his hand, and an enticing fragrance filled the air, making his stomach growl instinctively.

"This is?"

"I thought the food in prison wouldn't be very good, so I brought you a bean-filled bun. But don't be too happy, I just took it from the cafeteria."

"……Thanks."

Tosen pursed his lips and expressed his gratitude in a restrained manner, but did not start eating immediately. Instead, he continued to ask Iori questions.

"Why are you in prison too? And alone..."

"Don't worry, I'm not like someone who was captured." Iori actually had the mood to tease Tosen in such a place.

Then he said in a serious tone, “Because I heard that you got into trouble and were locked up, I found this place after asking around, and asked for help from my connections to come in and see you.

Don't worry, it's not a big deal, and I've asked someone I know to look into it, so it won't be long before we get a result."

Iori said it easily, but Tosen knew how much effort it took to achieve this, and it was not just about having a wide network of contacts.

"…Why did you go to such lengths?"

Tosen considers himself and the Aizen siblings to be just "friends", but he is not willing to risk offending the nobles by generously helping them.

He has seen the ups and downs of life, and although he insists on his inner "justice", he does not trust the so-called human nature.

However, if you say that Iori has any plans...it seems that he has nothing worth remembering.

This is really confusing!

"Because you're a good person."

Iori thought about it, then added with a smile, "An easy-to-use person."

"..." Tosen was stunned for a moment. Although he had prepared many possibilities, Iori's answer was still beyond his expectations.

"To put it simply, I think you will achieve great things in the future and are very loyal. I think you are suitable for early investment and to be my younger brother. Is this reason sufficient?"

Iori spoke very seriously, and it didn't sound like he was joking at all. Tosen looked up blankly with his eyes closed, not knowing how to respond for a moment.

"Iori you..."

"Or should we use a more heartwarming and touching statement?

For example, I can't stand the nobles' tyranny and oppression of the good, so I speak up for justice and help them?"

Iori stroked his chin: "Which one do you like?"

"..."

Tosen was silent for a long time, then suddenly asked, "Why me? There are many people with better talents than me, and I'm just a blind man. There has never been an example of a blind person becoming the vice-captain or captain of the Gotei 13.

Even, I'm not sure whether I can join Team 13 as an ordinary soldier when I graduate.

Even if I was looking for someone to exploit, why me?"

"If the evaluation standard is based on 'prospects' in the ordinary sense, then I should win over those noble children instead of offending them."

Iori sneered: "Do you think I'm a garbage man who accepts everyone? If you want to catch my eye, it's not enough to have a brilliant resume and family background.

Why you? Because I admire you very much and think you are someone who can agree with my ideas and stick to them till the end. "

"…concept?" Dong Xian was cautious. "What do you mean?"

“It’s just a simple idea.”

Iori paused, then asked slowly, "Tosen, don't you think this world is too unfair?"

“——!” Dongxian’s body shook slightly.

"In this society, status is not determined by one's character and talent. Nobles have lived in the prosperous Seireitei for generations, and even if they have no talent, they are superior to the common people.

After all, Seireitei is ruled by the Forty-Six Chambers and the nobles. Although there are strong people among the common people who can cultivate Bankai, that can only make themselves transcend, but cannot change the overall order.

Therefore, the nobles who are high and mighty can bully the common people at will, and even if they commit crimes they can be pardoned, while the ordinary people who are harmed have nowhere to appeal, and no one can uphold justice for them!

Even if there are one or two fair treatments occasionally, it is often because of big shots who speak out, who are essentially the masters of justice...power overwhelms power, rather than normal procedures. "