BLEACH: Blade of Purification

Don't even think about reasoning with the Central 46. You either obey, or you go head-to-head with them. This was a truth every Shinigami knew. It was just that the latter would usually be immediately branded a 'traitor,' with the best outcome being imprisonment in the prison beneath Squad 1's barracks. The worst outcome, needless to say, was being killed by one's former comrades.

But was the Seireitei truly a place where the Central 46's word was law, completely under their control?

Actually, that wasn't the case. For example, the affairs of the nobles were not something the Central 46 could control. Matters related to the nobles could only be resolved through the Great Noble Clan Council. And those so-called sages of the Central 46 also, intentionally or not, wagged their tails to curry favor with the nobles, especially the Five Great Noble Clans.

And on the side of the Gotei 13, as Souichirou had said, the supreme power that the Central 46 possessed actually came mostly from the unconditional support of the Head-Captain, Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni. But was the Head-Captain, whom even Souichirou revered as 'Your Excellency,' really a muddle-headed incompetent, a mere yes-man for the Central 46? From Souichirou's perspective, this could be seen as a matter of sequence. To an ordinary Shinigami, it might seem that the Head-Captain always unconditionally supported the Central 46's judgments. But they might not see what happened before the judgment was passed.

In other words, before the Central 46 could pass any major resolution, they had to consult with the Head-Captain. If they didn't want to be publicly opposed by the Head-Captain and lose face, they had to reach a consensus with him before the judgment was passed, unless the judgment they passed was in clear violation of Soul Society's laws. The Head-Captain, in places most Shinigami could not see, maneuvered with the sages of the Central 46, harmonizing the situation and stability of both parties, and even the entire Soul Society.

Considering it from this angle, despite having the 'Millennial Shinigami' as Head-Captain, why were the 'Shinigami' who inherited the name of Kenpachi also called the strongest? Had the Head-Captain ascended to a higher plane and no longer participated in the rankings?

Souichirou didn't think so.

The Kenpachi was also a special case within the Gotei 13. This special status did not refer to their combat power, but to the considerable special privileges they possessed when facing the Central 46. In other words, 'Kenpachi' was a symbol of special privilege in the Seireitei. A Shinigami with the title of Kenpachi had the privilege to be willful, and would not be punished even if they ignored the Captain's meetings and the will of the Central 46.

Souichirou knew that the origin of 'Kenpachi' was not for this purpose. But just as the Central 46 was not established for its current state, in the long course of history, had the title of Kenpachi become a warning and a reminder from the Head-Captain to the Central 46? As long as the Kenpachi did not commit an explicit act of rebellion, the Head-Captain would ignore their actions. The Kenpachi was an unstable element under the rule of the Central 46, a deliberately indulged existence. In a way, it represented a challenge and a rebellion against 'authority' and 'rules.'

Shihouin Souichirou didn't have much interaction with the captain of Squad 11, the current Kenpachi, Kuruyashiki Kenpachi, nor did they have much of a friendship. Even a special Kenpachi like Kuruyashiki Kenpachi was not very fond of the Onmitsukidō, which operated in the shadows.

But even so, Souichirou knew that Kuruyashiki Kenpachi's greatest wish in life was to fight a Shinigami stronger than himself and entrust the title of Kenpachi to him. The current Ling Qing certainly couldn't do that, but with the potential he had shown, it wouldn't take much time to reach that day.

Souichirou could even guarantee with his life that if it had been Kuruyashiki Kenpachi who had come this time, if he had known of Ling Qing's existence and his current situation, as long as Ling Qing didn't declare he was going to destroy the Central 46 and become an enemy of all Shinigami, Kuruyashiki Kenpachi would unhesitatingly protect him with his life, even if it meant going head-to-head with the Central 46.

Just as Souichirou could predict that if news of Ling Qing was sent back, the Central 46 would immediately issue an order for his execution, he could now also imagine Kuruyashiki Kenpachi joyfully patting Ling Qing on the shoulder, telling everyone he met: "This is the next Kenpachi I've chosen. Soon he'll be stronger than me!"

"Mr. Souichirou?" Ling Qing called out tentatively.

"Mm," Souichirou responded absently.

"Mr. Souichirou?" he called again, but this time Ling Qing raised his hand and waved it in front of Souichirou's eyes. Souichirou still didn't have much of a reaction, just another absentminded "mm." His attention was no longer on the outside world.

Ling Qing noticed that Souichirou had suddenly gone silent, his eyes slightly unfocused as he seemed to be lost in thought. He knew this would probably be the result. The responses were just an instinctive reaction, creating a feeling that although he wasn't participating in the conversation, he seemed to be. This kind of skill was often seen in companies with frequent and meaningless meetings; one could basically develop it after a few sessions.

Ling Qing had no doubt that if he didn't try to slash him with his sword, he could draw all over Souichirou's face with a marker and he wouldn't even notice. Of course, slashing him was out of the question. He was lost in thought, not insane. And even if he were insane, there was still the 'instinctive reaction' to avoid accidental death.

In fact, Souichirou was thinking furiously. He seemed to have found a way for Ling Qing to escape his predicament. Not only that, but it could also turn Ling Qing into a prominent figure, a pre-destined big shot overnight. Of course, this wasn't just dumb luck, but something that matched Ling Qing's magnanimity, knowledge, strength, and future.

However, Souichirou couldn't make up his mind whether to really do it. Right now, Squad 2 and Squad 11 were on a joint mission. It would be easier than usual for him to find Kuruyashiki Kenpachi to discuss things, and there was no chance of the news leaking.

But... what was this feeling of unwillingness!!

On what grounds should he, who had spent over half a month observing, pondering, and repeatedly evaluating this precious gem, just hand him over to some guy who wasn't even here and knew nothing about the whole situation! Why couldn't a giant pie fall from the sky and land on his head for once?! This feeling of making a wedding dress for someone else was so damn frustrating...

Wait, wait a minute? Land on my head?

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