29 Change of Mindset  

When Ginjirō said that, the Shinigami's face instantly turned pale. He didn't dare say anything more and hurried to his patrol position.

Captain Kuchiki's son had just died. Yet he was eagerly saying Ginjirō would be promoted to Vice Captain...

He was practically asking to die sooner!

After arranging the division members, Ginjirō personally stood guard beside Haruko Kuchiki. Regarding the position of Vice Captain, if Ginjirō said he didn't have some thoughts about it, that would be a lie.

However, after so many years in the 6th Division, Ginjirō believed he had seen through the 6th Division, or rather the Kuchiki family.

The 6th Division was a noble division. The Kuchiki family was one of the four great nobles in Soul Society. He led the noble division, fully deserving this in name and reality.

Thus, the Kuchiki family viewed the 6th Division as the family's private property, not allowing outsiders to interfere. His strength was much greater than Sōjun Kuchiki's, yet in the 6th Division he could only be 3rd seat.

Although Sōjun Kuchiki had died now, and the position of Vice Captain seemed just a step away. But Ginjirō was very clear that his own chances of becoming the 6th Division's Vice Captain were negligible.

Glancing at the young lady of the Kuchiki family immersed in grief, Ginjirō shook his head. In the future, the only one who could become 6th Division's Vice Captain would be this young lady's husband.

His only chance of becoming Vice Captain was after Captain Kuchiki retired and the young lady's husband successfully took over.

And...

Recalling the little master Sōjun Kuchiki left behind, Byakuya Kuchiki, perhaps even his own position of Vice Captain wouldn't last long.

Ah, being a Shinigami was so boring. Especially in a division where he could clearly see the outcome from the start. He might as well start a side business first. When the time was right, he would retire from the 6th Division!

What should he do?

He heard spectacles were very popular in the Human World lately...

***

Bang!

The prison door opened and Ailin opened his eyes. He sensed five familiar Reiatsus approaching. Captain Yoruichi Shihōin, Kisuke Urahara, Shaolin Fon, Ginrei Kuchiki, Love Aikawa!

"Could my trial be starting today?" Sensing the five people approaching, Ailin was somewhat puzzled. Since when did Central 46 work so efficiently?

However, to Ailin's surprise, after the five people nodded slightly at him, they walked straight to another prison cell where Kōga Kuchiki was imprisoned.

"Kōga."

After everyone stopped, Ginrei Kuchiki took a step forward, first addressing Kōga who had his back facing them.

"Oh? Rare guests indeed. Captain Kuchiki. I didn't expect the first prison visit to be Captain Kuchiki himself. What an honor."

Kōga didn't even bother turning around. Even Love Aikawa who wasn't familiar with him couldn't help frowning slightly at Kōga's sarcastic words.

Facing Kōga's dissatisfaction, Ginrei Kuchiki didn't try to justify himself. After all, it was because he wanted to catch Ailin who was following his daughter that Kōga used Bankai, violating Commander Yamamoto's edict.

Firstly, he didn't visit Kōga immediately, instead having his own daughter visit Ailin. Secondly, he didn't utilize his connections to reduce Kōga's crimes or have Kōga transferred to the 6th Division.

In summary, Kōga was sticking up for Ginrei, but in the end Kōga alone had to bear all consequences. Ginrei admitted his mistakes on this. However, he wasn't here to apologize now.

"Kōga, you should be very clear about my treatment of you over the years."

"Heh, what's not clear about it? Wasn't it having me marry into the Kuchiki family to serve the Kuchikis?"

Since they were done putting up pretenses, Kōga didn't bother giving Ginrei any face either.

"But it seems the Kuchiki family head found a better substitute, so I got abandoned, right?"

"No. I hadn't given up on you before."

"Hehe..." Kōga laughed coldly.

The conversation between Ginrei and Kōga let everyone present learn quite a bit of gossip. Even Captain Yoruichi Shihōin didn't know there were so many additional factors during the fight two nights ago between Ailin and Kōga. However, considering Ginrei's age and Sōjun Kuchiki's condition, everyone understood.

"Indeed, after that person appeared, I did have some doubts. But Kōga, do you think I would reject you over someone I just met yesterday?"

Kōga's smile froze. Indeed, over the years Ginrei had treated Kōga as his junior. And Kōga had dutifully acted as a junior, their relationship not much different from in-laws.

From Kōga's understanding of Ginrei, he wouldn't reject him over someone who just appeared either. A flash of regret appeared in Kōga's heart but was swiftly shredded apart.

Who was he?

He was Kōga, a genius with ability to overturn Soul Society.

What right did Ginrei have to speak to him so condescendingly?

Was it the might of a 6th Division Captain? Or the status of the four great nobles?

Unknowingly, Kōga's psyche had undergone tremendous change. Why could these people stand so high up and arbitrarily decide his fate?

While he had to obey their "decisions."

Even for rejection, he should be the one rejecting the Kuchikis! Thus, facing Ginrei's current attitude, Kōga only felt disgust.

"Kōga, why did you kill Sōjun?"

Facing Ginrei's interrogation, Kōga finally turned around.

"Oh? Sōjun Kuchiki died? How delightful. But Captain Kuchiki, your son died and you're pinning the blame directly on me. That's hardly appropriate right?"

"Don't bother arguing, Kōga." Ginrei didn't believe Kōga's sophistry at all. "Sōjun died under his own Zanpakutō's power. In all of Soul Society, only you are capable of this, Kōga. Answer me. Why did you kill Sōjun, Kōga!"

Facing Ginrei's aggressive questioning, Kōga laughed loudly. "Hahahaha, hahahaha... Captain Kuchiki, accusations require evidence. When I was sent to the 9th Division's prison yesterday, my Zanpakutō was personally confiscated by the 9th Division Captain. Moreover, the Shinigami guards of the 9th Division prison can testify that after I entered prison until now, I've been inside the entire time.

Captain Kuchiki, you tell me, without my Zanpakutō in hand how could I have killed Sōjun Kuchiki from inside the 9th Division prison?"

"Hahahaha, hahahaha..."