30 Invitation  

Kōga's crazy laughter echoed throughout the 9th Division's prison. Everyone present fell silent.

After learning that Sōjun Kuchiki had died from the power of his own Zanpakutō, everyone began to suspect Kōga.

However, as Kōga said, his Zanpakutō had been personally confiscated by Captain Kensei Muguruma of the 9th Division and stored in the warehouse. His entire person had been in the 9th Division's prison the whole time without ever leaving.

They had already gone to check the warehouse before coming to question Kōga. his Zanpakutō was still in its original location.

Just as Kōga said, if they wanted to accuse him of killing Sōjun Kuchiki, they needed to provide evidence proving that Kōga was able to kill the 6th Division's Vice Captain Sōjun Kuchiki from inside the 9th Division's prison without using his Zanpakutō.

Or, prove that the guards of the 9th Division were negligent in their duties, allowing Kōga to secretly leave the prison without their knowledge.

Yoruichi had obviously thought of the latter point first. So she walked to Ailin's prison cell: "Yo, Vice Captain Ailin. You're quite famous recently. Many Shinigami outside are saying you're the strongest under the captains!"

"Enough, Captain. If possible, I'd rather not have this notoriety."

"Oh? Seeing you like this, I thought you quite enjoyed it here."

Ailin shook his head. "It's not enjoyment, just habituation."

Yoruichi Shihōin nodded slightly. Indeed, from what Yoruichi knew, in the past thirty-odd years, when not on missions her Vice Captain was either training in his quarters or slacking off after learning some tricks from Shaolin Fon recently before occasionally leaving the barracks.

The 9th Division's prison cell was about the same size as Ailin's quarters in the 2nd Division. So Ailin saying he was used to it made sense.

"However, Captain Yoruichi, how much longer must I stay here? Also, what charges have those Central 46 nobles pinned on me?"

"Ha, if nothing unexpected happens, you can leave tomorrow. As for the charges, with Miss Kuchiki and Captain Kuchiki personally testifying for you and providing evidence to Central 46 that you were protecting Miss Kuchiki that night, what charges could they pin on you? At most you'll just pay some fees to repair the damaged streets."

"Then I really must thank Miss Kuchiki and Captain Ginrei."

After exchanging some information, Yoruichi directly asked, "Ailin, you should know what I want to ask."

Hearing Yoruichi and Ailin's conversation, the others also shifted their attention over. Even Kōga was no exception. After all, if Ailin truly wanted him dead, Ailin could simply fabricate lies.

"Mm."

Under everyone's gaze, Ailin nodded. "But I'm afraid the outcome may disappoint everyone. Last night I did sense violent fluctuations in 3rd Seat Kōga's Reiatsu, but his entire person truly never left the prison."

***

After leaving the prison, Yoruichi Shihōin looked to Kisuke Urahara after Shaolin Fon had left.

"Kisuke, what do you make of this matter?"

Yoruichi had absolute confidence in Kisuke Urahara. In her eyes, Kisuke was the smartest person in the world. As long as he wanted, there was nothing he couldn't accomplish. Naturally this incident with the Kuchiki family's eldest son wouldn't stump Kisuke either.

"Without a doubt, regardless of how Sōjun Kuchiki died or 3rd Seat Kōga's tone, we know Sōjun Kuchiki was killed by him."

"However, as Kōga said, he was in the 9th Division's prison the entire time without leaving. His Zanpakutō was also in the 9th Division's warehouse. It would be very difficult for us to find evidence of him committing the murder."

"That's right. The ability to control other people's Zanpakutōs is the power of 3rd Seat Kōga's Zanpakutō. But Kōga's Zanpakutō has been in the 9th Division's warehouse this entire time. Without his Zanpakutō, there's no way for him to activate his ability to control other people's Zanpakutōs right?"

"Mm. Oh right, Yoruichi. You go on ahead first. I have an idea I need to test out."

"Oh?"

Yoruichi stopped in her tracks, a smile on her face. As expected of Kisuke, he had never let her down before.

"Alright, Shaolin Fon and I will head back first to await your good news then."

"Mm."

After seeing Yoruichi Shihōin and Shaolin Fon's figures disappear into the distance, Kisuke Urahara took out a black stealth uniform from somewhere, draping it over himself. After that, Kisuke Urahara's Reiatsu, scent, and figure instantly vanished from the spot.

Then under the stealth uniform's concealment abilities, Kisuke Urahara noiselessly infiltrated the 9th Division's warehouse, focusing his gaze on 3rd Seat Kōga's Zanpakutō.

There were two more days until Kōga's trial. Based on Kisuke Urahara's past understanding of Kōga, someone so arrogant definitely wouldn't just obediently let Central 46's people "try" him...

***

"The air of freedom..."

Indeed, Yoruichi Shihōin hadn't lied to Ailin. On the second day, the 9th Division received the verdict from Central 46.

Because the Kuchiki family head and "victim" Haruko Kuchiki had submitted sufficient evidence to prove Ailin's innocence, Ailin didn't even need to go through Central 46's trial and was directly declared innocent.

As for Kōga... Because he had violated Captain-Commander Yamamoto's edict, there was no one in the 1st Division who dared plead leniency for him.

And Kōga's Zanpakutō abilities, along with his actions directly controlling other captains' Zanpakutōs in front of the Kuchiki residence, caused Central 46's nobles to feel Kōga was uncontrollable.

Soul Society's system could be said to have decayed completely. But for this decayed system to have lasted several thousand years showed these ruling nobles of Soul Society weren't fools either.

While their personal strength might be lacking, they had many methods of exiling powerful Shinigami beyond their control from Soul Society.

...

After retrieving his Zanpakutō, Ailin walked out of the 9th Division's prison gates under escort from the 9th Division members.

"Ailin-kun, I've caused you much trouble."

Outside the gates, Haruko Kuchiki dressed in white bowed apologetically to Ailin, her eyes red.

"Sigh..."

Seeing Haruko Kuchiki's attire, Ailin sighed. He knew Sōjun Kuchiki would die but didn't expect Kōga to act so decisively, immediately making his move after being imprisoned. To a certain degree, Sōjun Kuchiki's death held some responsibility that Ailin couldn't shirk.

"My condolences, Miss Kuchiki." Ailin's consolations caused Haruko Kuchiki's eyes to redden further.

"Ailin-kun, father has invited you to jointly attend eldest brother's funeral..."