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

"It depends on the specific circumstances, but overall it's Aizen Iori—this is just my personal opinion."

"Isn't this Captain Aizen's problem? Of course, if we take the five noble families into account, then it's not necessarily the case."

"It really was him!"

In the "Flowing Water Room" of the thousand-year-old Maple Leaf Pavilion, elegantly dressed and poised young people clinked glasses, listening to the tranquil and refined music while discussing something with smiles on their faces.

In one section of the room, a musician and a geisha were performing, but the guests were clearly not interested in that.

"So, it turns out everyone's opinion is surprisingly consistent... that's quite unexpected."

Some people showed signs of drunkenness, leaning against the waitress who was serving drinks, which startled her.

"Aizen Iori... I've never seen her in person. Is she really as powerful as you all say?"

"That's a genuine young hero, not even thirty years old yet... Can you believe it?"

"Thirty... a guy from a commoner background with so little experience, how come he has such a big reputation?"

"It's based on military merit, right? The Thirteenth Squad has its own promotion mechanism."

"Tsk... In the end, they're nothing but a bunch of brutes. As long as you're good at killing, you can rise to a high position. There's no elegance to it at all. Even thirty-year-old brats can swagger around in front of nobles. I think the Seireitei is getting worse every day."

"Be careful!"

Someone immediately retorted: "You know, Kuchiki, Shiba, and Shihouin are also members of the Gotei 13. Do you really think they are just martial artists who are good at killing?"

"Well……"

Even when drunk, those words carried immense weight, causing everyone to fall silent.

After a moment, perhaps to ease the tension, someone looked at Tsunayoshi Tokina, who was accompanied by two female attendants.

"Didn't you just meet Aizen Iori in person? What was your impression?"

"Ok?"

Shi Tan turned around, his eyes darting around, and he made a thinking expression before spreading his hands and smiling.

"He's just an ordinary person, nothing special to say about him."

Are they everywhere?

The group exchanged bewildered glances, clearly not believing Shi Tan's words.

The people present were all playboys from noble families, most of whom did not hold positions in the Thirteen Teams. Only about a third of them were officially employed—and they themselves did not really need the job.

Even in the eyes of such people, Iori is definitely not a minor character; rather, he is a very important figure. How could there be "nothing to say" about him?

"Shi Tan, no one here would betray a friend, why are you so cautious?"

No matter how capable he is, he's just a high-ranking member of Team Thirteen; he has no authority over us.

In the eyes of some arrogant nobles, the so-called "Gotei" refers to the nobles who protect the Seireitei, and the Thirteen Squads are just like bodyguards.

Of course, Grim Reapers of noble birth, especially members of the five great noble families, cannot be confused with ordinary Grim Reapers.

In theory, the Gotei 13 only have the duty to protect the Seireitei, and do not have the power to enforce the law against nobles. Only the 46 Chambers can make judgments, and these are mostly done through the 6th Division (the 6th Division is a noble division, and many of its positions are hereditary).

It's obviously not okay to have a direct conflict with the captain, but if it's just a few words of gossip, there's nothing to be afraid of.

"I really have nothing to say."

Shi Tan's clothes were half-open, revealing his fair chest, and his expression carried a hint of mockery.

"I thought he was some kind of extraordinary person, but when I saw him, he was just so-so. He didn't have the grandeur I imagined at all, and he wasn't even as good as the new Kenpachi."

"Is that so? I originally thought that a commoner Shinigami from Rukongai who could rise to such a high position must have an extraordinary aura..."

"He's just a good-looking martial artist."

Shi Tan feigned composure and said, "I came directly to his door to provoke him, and he didn't react at all... If he didn't cleverly control himself, then he simply lacked the courage."

"You really dare to do that..."

Someone got excited: "I heard that because of the Tenth Division incident, many people are dissatisfied with Aizen Iori and hate him for interfering in noble affairs, so they want to send someone to convey their 'opinions'."

We all thought it was going to be a tough job, who knew we'd get beaten up... but you actually did it, tsk tsk tsk~

Shi Tan, you'll really do anything to accumulate capital!

"Haha, there's nothing I can do, this is all I can do now."

Shi Tan laughed loudly, raised his glass and drank heartily, fooling around with everyone, but a hint of disdain and coldness flashed in his eyes.

—What a bunch of skeletons in a tomb!

Don't be fooled by how carefree he seems hanging out with these people; he actually looks down on them!

Because of his past crimes, especially the unprovoked murder of his wife, he was sentenced to have his Zanpakuto confiscated and be placed under house arrest, theoretically leaving him with no "future."

However, although the Zanpakuto was useless, the house arrest was ineffective. In reality, he could still go out and move around, and was even more active than before.

Since they cannot cultivate Bankai and cannot climb up the ranks on their own, they must continuously accumulate connections, money, and power. These things are useless on the battlefield, but the world of nobles has another set of rules that can transform these things into powerful strength!

As a member of the Tsuna family branch, he didn't have the innate advantages of someone like Soujun or Yoruichi, so he could only accumulate resources through political maneuvering and the exchange of benefits.

This provocation, or rather, warning of Iori, was an important condition he used to gain political resources and secure the support of those old guys.

He wasn't telling the truth at all!

In fact, he had a rather deep impression of Iori, and he had to express his opinion... but these people didn't need to know!

I have no obligation to share my own feelings and excitement with others. Saying a few arrogant words to satisfy the low-end needs of these rich kids is enough.

"Speaking of which, is this all settled? Are we really going to let the Kuchiki family take charge of two squads?"

Finally, someone asked the most crucial question, which immediately attracted everyone's attention, and the focus of the room was naturally Tsunayoshi Tokina.

As one of the five major noble families who were punished, he was theoretically of high status, but in reality, he was in an awkward position. However, he was good at acting as an intermediary for certain forces, exchanging information or stirring up public opinion.

This banquet provides him with a perfect opportunity to convey the higher-ups' intentions to these younger guys:

"It's definitely been decided, after all, there's no reason to refuse."

Shitan composed himself and said, "Kuchiki Aojun has enough experience and achievements. His recommender is Aizen Iori of the Third Division. In addition, he has received recommendation letters from three other captains. The Captain-Commander personally interviewed him and confirmed his Bankai... He only needs approval from the 46th Chamber."

But as you know, reaching this stage usually means the end.

"Tsk..."

The expressions on the faces of the people at the table varied, but they all had to admit this unpleasant fact:

They may look down on the Thirteenth Squad in their hearts, but in reality, as the largest armed group in the court, the Thirteenth Squad's personnel appointments have always been decided independently internally. The Forty-Sixth Chamber theoretically has the final decision-making power, but it rarely rejects requests.

Because in essence, the 46th Chamber and the 13th Team are not adversaries; the former needs the latter to provide it with military support, and cannot interfere in everything.

"Since it's all beyond repair, why would I even send you to find Aizen Iori?"

“I’m not here to turn the tide—I’m not that capable.”

Shi Tan chuckled: "I just hope Aizen Iori won't overstep his bounds again... It's more like a request than a threat, after all, he's a captain, his status is much higher than mine~"

"Heh... As long as he's not stupid, he'll definitely know why you came to my door."

Some people at the table seemed to dislike Shi Tan and mocked him, "You're just a nobody who doesn't even have a Zanpakuto. Aren't you afraid that someone might get angry and attack you?"

"Why should I attack?"

Shi Tan looked completely innocent: "I came to buy things in a very polite manner, and I didn't say anything offensive from beginning to end. I showed him full respect... As someone who delivered a message, and I didn't offend him, why should I be afraid?"

That's true; Shi Tan really thought that way.

To be fair, he didn't do anything excessive. He simply reminded Iori of his position and offered her a suggestion on behalf of certain nobles... There was no threat, no attempt to bribe him, or any other act that insulted her dignity...

After much thought, he realized that at most he had aroused Iori's disgust, but it certainly didn't amount to hatred or even murderous intent.

So he wasn't worried at all.

They can't just kill me because I said a couple of weird things, can they?

Even Yamamoto doesn't have such a big temper!

……

After the commotion, Tsunayoshi Tokinada, accompanied by two attendants, embarked on his journey home.

These two men were ostensibly there to monitor him, since he was currently under house arrest... but in reality, they were just servants.

He secretly reviewed what he had said that day, how many people he had connected with, and categorized them one by one: who could be relied upon, who could be used, and who were worthless.

It was all thanks to Kyoraku Shunsui that after killing his wife, Utamaro, his crimes were gradually exposed. Although he dealt with the matter relatively cleanly, he still ended up having his Zanpakuto confiscated.

For a Shinigami, having their Zanpakuto taken away is like having their tendons severed in a martial arts novel. Tsunayoshi completely lost the possibility of competing for a position through normal means, and her status plummeted both in the Thirteenth Division and within her clan.

Putting aside the extent of his hatred for Chunshui, Shitan has now changed course, deciding to use strategy, wealth, and connections to climb the power pyramid of the Tsunayo family...

As the saying goes, the fastest way to build relationships is to commit a crime together, so he's happy to do dirty work for others.

In the future, those who want to take advantage of him will still do the dirty work for him.

"Not bad, those three sons of upper-class nobles can be put to use..."

Shi Tan suddenly stopped and calmly looked around, his brows gradually furrowing.

The two attendants who came with him were also puzzled: "What are you doing... Didn't you bring us here?"

"I?"

Shi Tan's fake smile gradually disappeared. He gave his attendant a deep look. He remained calm on the surface, but a look of panic flashed deep in his eyes.

"I brought you here?"

"Yes, young master, you said you had something to do and told us to follow you... so we came here."

I didn't say that!

Shi Tan did not immediately refute loudly, but instead nodded perfunctorily.

Then he seriously examined the surrounding scenery. Under the moonlight, he saw only a quiet, deserted wilderness. The three of them were on a slightly elevated earthen slope, with nothing unusual about them.

The problem is that Shi Tan was originally planning to go home and hadn't said anything to his entourage. He was clearly on his way home before... How did he end up in such a secluded place?

This is... utterly unbelievable!

"Huh? Who is it?!"

Shi Tan suddenly turned around and stared at a big tree, while raising his sleeves to hide his hands inside his large clothes.

Even without his Zanpakuto, he was still a veteran Shinigami who had studied with Kyoraku, Ukitake, and others. His spiritual pressure was above that of a typical vice-captain. Given enough time to prepare, he could easily unleash more than eighty Kido spells.

An ordinary assassin would have no chance against it... Hiss!

Shi Tan's pupils contracted in shock, but a cruel smile involuntarily crept onto his lips:

The person who emerged from behind the tree was someone he knew—

Kaname Tosen!

"Oh! I thought it was someone else~"

Shi Tan immediately relaxed. He knew that this blind man harbored a deep-seated hatred for him because of Ge Kuang's death, but to be honest, he didn't take Dong Xianyao seriously.

In terms of strength and status, Tosen Kaname is no match for him now. If Tosen Kaname was behind today's strange events... then Nada would have a reason to eliminate this threat, and might even be able to follow the clues to find Iori's weakness and use Tosen Kaname to threaten him...

"Did you set this up to ambush me? Well, you certainly chose a perfect spot to cover your tracks. You figured this place was desolate, didn't you?"

Tosen didn't speak, but just stared intently at him. It wasn't until Shitan, smiling, realized something was wrong that the blind Grim Reaper finally opened his mouth:

"Don't you know where this is?"

"What?! Ugh!"

Shi Tan was initially indifferent, but suddenly his expression changed: something he hadn't noticed before had come into view.

It wasn't an ambush, nor a trap, but a solitary, unremarkable grave with a wooden plaque that read...

“Ge Kuang? Is that the damned woman? What are you doing, leading me to a place like this... Do you want to kill me in front of that woman's grave?”

Hahaha... Don't make me laugh!

Shi Tan found it incredibly ridiculous that a man who wanted to kill him was standing not far away, yet he felt no sense of danger whatsoever.

"You idiot... You've gotten yourself into a self-indulgent trance over the righteous cause of revenge, haven't you?"

If you want to kill me, then strike suddenly in an empty alley, or poison my wine, or something even simpler... but you shouldn't use such a ritualistic trap!

Do you really think you're some big shot?