Central Golden Seal Noble Conference Room.
This highest-level meeting chamber belonging to the Five Great Noble Houses was located even deeper underground than the Central Underground Conference Room.
A series of completely sealed passageways twisted and turned downward, leading to this place—theoretical highest legal decision-making ground in the entire Soul Society.
At this moment, due to the grave crisis of two of the Five Great Noble House heads falling in succession, compounded by the frontline of the Genryū War advancing from District 37 all the way to District 33—with no signs of stopping—countless feudal nobles had been slaughtered, and the interests of innumerable aristocrats had suffered severe damage.
Thus, the secret passage leading to the Golden Seal Chamber was now densely packed with the heads of major and minor families, all sporting the plump, fair complexions of those raised in luxury. Their ages varied, but the one thing they shared was the profound worry etched on their faces, impossible to dispel.
Now, the nobles of the entire Soul Society were pinning their hopes on the Shihoin Clan, responsible for the "Soul Society," to produce a viable solution in such dire times.
Among them, the most anxious was a woman with the surname Ise.
Since the Ise Clan had for generations been responsible for divine rituals, curses, and soul burials, its leaders had always been the clan's current shrine maidens.
At this moment, this middle-aged woman clutched a golden Kagura bell tightly in her hand, praying nervously in her heart.
Yet, the door before them remained firmly shut.
There was still no sign of it opening.
Everyone knew that the remaining leaders, led by Lord Shihoin Shōgo, were still deliberating an effective countermeasure.
Suddenly, a faint footstep sounded behind them.
It was a petite figure entirely wrapped in black robes, even their face concealed behind a black mask.
"Stealth Force!"
"Is there news from the frontlines?"
"Surely it's another defeat."
"I refuse to believe it! I absolutely refuse!"
Yet, none of the nobles dared to stop this "underling." Everyone quickly made way, allowing the intelligence officer to pass through.
*Clang.*
The door to the Golden Seal Conference Room opened and closed again.
When the Stealth Force member rushed inside, Shihoin Shōgo was surrounded by four or five command staff, using a map to illustrate the current changes on the frontlines.
"At present, our frontline has retreated to the Atagawa River in West District 33. The Genryū forces have encircled our last remaining troops stationed with the Uda Clan. If they manage to eliminate these forces, our flank will be completely breached..."
Shihoin Shōgo, old yet indomitable, remained steadfast even in the face of such a situation, calmly reassuring those present:
"No matter. The frontline has already received news that the Shiba Clan head has been released."
"As long as the Shiba Clan can mobilize their forces to maintain the disrupted boundaries across the regions, the Uda Clan only needs to hold out a little longer. We can then launch our first counterattack by exploiting the convenience of the Garganta..."
Just then, the Stealth Force member pushed past the surrounding officials and barged into the innermost circle:
"Lord Shihoin! Emergency report from Central 46!"
"Clan Head Shiba has defected!"
"But... the Stealth Force—the Stealth Force was unable to obtain pursuit orders!"
That abrupt, youthful voice instantly plunged the conference room into silence.
The minds of everyone present seemed to go blank.
All their counterattack plans had been predicated on this sudden reinforcement from the Shiba Clan.
The surrounding commanders stared dumbfounded at the Stealth Force member.
For a moment, countless people wanted to grab him by the collar and demand whether he was a traitor from the Genryū infiltrating the Stealth Force.
But everyone knew.
That was impossible.
So...
One of the five highest legal leaders on their side.
Had truly defected?
Shihoin Shōgo also seemed stunned.
He remained seated, the pen in his hand still pressed against a point on the map.
But now, his hand began to tremble uncontrollably.
Even so, this elder who had presided over the Soul Society's affairs for over a thousand years—despite the immense shock, despite his entire body trembling faintly, his jaw muscles clenched—still retained the most basic rationality of a leader.
Suppressing his emotions, he quickly addressed those around him: "Shihoin Madoka, Shihoin Ogata, and Kuchiki Ginrei will remain."
"Everyone else, leave."
Upon hearing this, the remaining members—particularly those from the Shiba and Shihoin Clans—exchanged glances before sighing in relief and quickly exiting the room under the order.
In the vast room, now left with only four people, the atmosphere grew noticeably emptier.
Only in front of these most trusted individuals did Shihoin Shōgo finally reveal his truest emotions.
*Bang!*
Shihoin Shōgo's massive palm slammed onto the table, instantly cracking the wooden surface with a spiderweb of fissures as he roared:
"Shiba Yozuru!"
"He is the head of one of the Five Great Noble Houses of the Soul Society!"
"He is a clan head!!"
"How dare he... how dare he betray us?!"
"Does that brat think that by joining the Genryū midway, he can—can gain some advantage?!"
"Fool! Trash! Coward!" Shihoin Shōgo swept everything off the table, his voice hoarse with fury. "Why does the Shiba Clan keep producing these brainless brutes?!"
"Shihōin Senju is no different!"
"Those black-skinned idiots, what do they take the Stealth Force and the Onmitsukidō for?!"
"Their private property?!"
"Do these people even know what we of the Shihoin Clan have sacrificed for the Soul Society?!"
"Morons! Every last one of them!"
Outside, people first saw a large group being expelled from the room, then heard the roars of enraged curses from within. A chill ran down their spines.
Everyone understood that the intelligence brought by that Stealth Force member had likely pushed them all to the brink.
Some even began to weep openly.
Yet, amid the furious shouting, Shihoin Madoka—the eldest son and heir to the clan—glanced at the trembling Kuchiki Ginrei beside him and quickly interjected:
"Clan Head!"
"Lord Kuchiki is still present. Please mind your decorum!"
"We... haven't lost yet!"
However, Shihoin Shōgo didn't look at his heir. Instead, he turned to the quiet bastard son.
Shihoin Ogata let out a long sigh and said calmly:
"Clan Head."
"Given the circumstances, it's time to execute that plan."
Only when he spoke did Shihoin Shōgo finally cease his near-frenzied outburst.
No more grief. No more shouting.
He simply stared quietly at his bastard son.
"..."
After a pause, his voice was hoarse:
"Ogata."
"The Shihoin Clan will remember your sacrifice."
"Father."
In this final moment, Shihoin Ogata subtly changed his address, bowing slightly as he said calmly: "The clan has already sacrificed too much for this."
"If my actions fail to produce results..."
"Please cease all efforts and obey the King's command."
Yet Shihoin Shōgo didn't respond.
He only watched him silently.
"Ah."
Having said this, whether as a son or a vassal, Shihoin Ogata had fulfilled all his duties.
Father and son locked eyes.
Slowly, Shihoin Shōgo opened a wooden box at his side and pushed it toward him.
Inside lay a pure white spiritual blade.
It wasn't Enrakyōten.
Yet both Kuchiki Ginrei and Shihoin Madoka instinctively took half a step back.
Only Shihoin Ogata reached out and took it.
He was the bastard eldest son.
And this was the responsibility he had to bear.
...
"Really no one's coming after us?"
Fujimiya Makoto glanced suspiciously at Shiba Yozuru, who strode out of the Seireitei and crossed the boundary line, then at the group of Stealth Force members opposite them.
Though confident in his own strength, even he would have to expend considerable effort if so many Stealth Force members swarmed him.
Shiba Yozuru, however, smiled carefreely and produced a golden Shihoin Clan token from his sleeve:
"Big Brother Senju lent this to me before I left."
"The Stealth Force obeys tokens, not people."
"Besides..."
He suddenly laughed again, extending a hand to Fujimiya Makoto with gusto:
"From today onward, we're comrades."
Fujimiya Makoto was taken aback. The memory of personally driving an Asauchi into this man's chest seemed like only yesterday.
This transition from enemy to ally left him with a complicated mix of emotions.
Still, he took the offered hand.
An inexplicable sense of exhilaration surged within him.
It felt like being acknowledged, like walking the right path.
Tsunayashiro Jirō, walking beside them, shot the two a glance but paid them no mind—only Lord Genryūsai's praise held true value.
Yet the moment their hands clasped, a notification suddenly popped up before Fujimiya Makoto's eyes.
...
[Bond Event: The Führer's Wrath]
[Your bond level with Shihoin Shōgo has increased↑]
[Rewards: Rei-i Rank +1, Talent Point +1]
[Acquired Bond Trait: The Last Radiance]
[Rei-i: Fifth Rank·Upper → Fourth Rank·Lower]
[Bond Trait·The Last Radiance: When facing certain death, you will inevitably unleash unprecedented power, followed by a period of extreme weakness.]
[Note: RAAAAGH—POWER UP NOW!!!]