Yamamoto Genryusai and Kuchiki Ginrei exchanged a glance and immediately fell silent.
The room quieted down for a moment.
Only the tea kettle beside them let out the gurgling sound of boiling water.
Yamamoto Genryusai showed no intention of speaking first. He skillfully removed the teapot and began the entire tea-making process in a calm and practiced manner.
As an elder who had lived for thousands of years, he had a natural advantage in patience.
Huh, there was no need to panic at all.
Seeing this, Kuchiki Ginrei, with a hint of helplessness on his aged face, sighed:
"It's actually not a big deal."
"It's mainly related to the Noble."
As he spoke, Tokikaze gradually understood the purpose of their invitation.
The Soul Society adhered to the will of the Central 46 Chambers as the highest judicial authority.
But in reality, the true controllers of the legal system were the Five Great Noble Clans and the Noble Assembly.
Today, the Five Great Noble Clans, except for the Shiba Clan, balanced each other out and had their own means.
And Kuchiki Ginrei wanted to take advantage of Kuchiki Byakuya succeeding him to inquire about Tokikaze's views on the Shiba Clan.
After all, there had been serious differences in opinions between the founders of the Tsunayashiro and Shiba Clan millions of years ago.
Today, the Shiba Clan had even withdrawn from the circle of nobility.
Although they still carried the title of one of the Five Great Noble Clans, in reality, they were no different from the commoners of the Rukongai.
And in the recent rebellion, the Noble side suffered heavy losses. Although not detrimental, but it was not something that could be easily ignored.
As an important participant in this matter, Tokikaze must have a different perspective from others.
And as a weirdo in the Tsunayashiro Clan, he probably had some unconventional opinions on the Shiba Clan.
Tokikaze lightly tapped the table, making a slow and rhythmic sound.
This was a habit of his when he was thinking.
Although he usually didn't like to use his brain much, occasionally he would get lost in thought about certain worldly matters.
It had to be said that as the head of the Kuchiki Clan, Kuchiki Ginrei's ability to perfectly control the importance and urgency of his speech gave people a comforting feeling.
In comparison, Kuchiki Byakuya, who had not yet taken over as head of the Clan, seemed a bit impatient.
But Tokikaze wasn't good enough to judge Kuchiki Byakuya.
As for Kuchiki Ginrei's purpose, he had vaguely guessed part of it, but the specific details would have to wait until he said it himself.
"I don't have any opinions." Tokikaze stopped tapping his knuckles and looked calmly at Kuchiki Ginrei, "Since the Shiba Clan has made a choice, they must pay the corresponding price for it. Are you telling me that you want the Tsunayashiro and Kuchiki Clan to divide up the Shiba Clan's power?"
With these words, Kuchiki Ginrei shook his head slowly. "Not at all, I just wanted to ask for your opinion. That's all."
Yamamoto Genryusai nodded in agreement on the side, as if offering his opinion.
Tokikaze had some doubts in his heart and cast a skeptical gaze at the two.
Obviously, he was far behind these two old foxes in terms of using his brain.
The two sides were not even on the same level.
"Shiba Kūkaku, Shiba Ganjū, Shiba Isshin."
Tokikaze counted on his fingers, "One of the Five Great Noble Clans, the Shiba Clan, which once controlled the Pillars of Heaven leading to the Soul King Palace, is now reduced to just a few insignificant members. Let alone me, even Akitsuki wouldn't care about them, right?"
Recently, Tokikaze's uncle wasn't having the easiest time.
Because of Tsunayashiro Tokinada, Akitsuki was in a rough spot.
And as the rising star, Tokikaze had shown remarkable performance in the Soul Society, with many Clan elders openly expressing support for him at Clan meetings. This made things even harder for Akitsuki
"Let me correct that, there is also Shiba Kaien," Kuchiki Ginrei reminded, "I invited you here to discuss this matter."
"Recently, as the head of the Clan, Shiba Kaien submitted written materials to the Central Assembly, preparing to apply for marriage."
Finally, Yamamoto Genryusai spoke, his old voice showing no change in emotion:
"Originally, this matter should have been reported to the Captains and Vice-Captains at a Captain's meeting."
"But due to the current state of the Division, as well as Shiba Kaien's request, I did not convene a Captain's meeting."
Kuchiki Ginrei nodded, "But as one of the Five Great Noble Clans, we cannot remain indifferent to this."
"A congratulatory gift must be sent. In this regard, I want Byakuya to go to the Rukongai."
As their words fell, the two men's gaze fell simultaneously on Tokikaze.
After circling around, Tokikaze looked back at the two old foxes, his eyes now tinged with a hint of disdain.
So, in the end, they still wanted to trick him.
Tsunayashiro Akitsuki definitely would not send anyone to congratulate the Shiba Clan for Shiba Kaien's wedding.
Kuchiki Ginrei's intention was already very clear.
"What is this supposed to mean?"
Tokikaze picked up the teapot for himself, filled his cup, and made rough movements without any tea ceremony spirit, which made Yamamoto Genryusai's eyelids twitch.
"I don't know Shiba Kaien that well, at most I've met her once or twice at the Noble Assembly."
"Sending a congratulatory gift is a bit forced."
By now, he had a rough idea of Kuchiki Ginrei's intentions.
Using him as a bridge to ease the relationship between the Five Great Noble Clans and prevent the Soul Society from being in a constant state of tension.
Although both were Clan heads, there was a difference between Tsunayashiro Akitsuki and Kuchiki Ginrei on this matter.
Tsunayashiro Akitsuki was more about fishing in troubled waters, while Kuchiki Ginrei had a longer-term vision.
"Kuchiki Clan will prepare the gift for you."
Kuchiki Ginrei grasped human nature and immediately got to the point, "You only need to go to the Shiba Clan with Byakuya."
After a moment of contemplation, Tokikaze readily agreed, "Time and place."
He was indeed slightly interested in the secret Kido passed down through the generations of the Shiba Clan.
"Byakuya will contact you," Kuchiki Ginrei seemed to imply that Tokikaze and Kuchiki Byakuya were bound together.
"In addition, I have something else to inform you."
Yamamoto Genryusai put down the steaming teacup, "The members of the Thirteenth Division stationed in the Human World g recently submitted a report to the First Division."
In the unexpected gaze of Tokikaze, Yamamoto Genryusai calmly stated, as if discussing a trivial matter:
"In several cities in the Human World of the Living, traces of human with high Reiatsu have been detected."
"Since the other Divisions are busy, I have decided to appoint you to investigate the Human World..."