Hail to the Spirit King!
The Kuragawa Clan merely wanted to strengthen their influence among the lower nobles to secure more power in the Noble Council. How did it turn into such heinous crimes?!
Kuragawa Zanosuke's anger was replaced by feat. He said frantically, "Lord Tokikaze, I assure you I'm not planning such a thing. Please, let me explain!"
"Us Kuragawa Clan only aimed to elevate our Clan's influence. We never had any intentions of undermining the positions of the Five Great Noble Families!"
Tokikaze glanced at Nanao Ise beside him. "Did you record that?"
"Recorded," Nanao nodded. "The Kuragawa Clan monopolized the water resources in Inuzuri for personal gain, causing a large-scale disturbance and deaths of several souls. Additionally..."
Nanao hesitated for a moment, her delicate face showing a hint of awkwardness. "Additionally, one of Kuragawa Clan's member, Kuragawa Ryo, along with his men, attacked Ninth Division Captain, Tsunayashiro Tokikaze. This is a severe violation of the laws of the Soul Society, and the individuals involved need to be detained for trial!"
Before she could finish speaking, Kuragawa Zanosuke had already slumped to the ground.
His eyes were lifeless, as if all the bones in his body had been plucked out.
There was no point in defending himself anymore. Seeing the Soul Reapers escorting Kuragawa Ryo and his men there was a testament to the statements.
Kuragawa Zanosuke couldn't comprehend why the heir of the Tsunayashiro Clan had become the Captain of the Ninth Division.
The only thing he could think of was that the future of the Soul Society might undergo a significant change.
With Tokikaze's signal, the members of the Ninth Division swarmed like hungry wolves, hastily restraining Kuragawa Zanosuke using spiritual tools.
They had been waiting for this day for a long time.
As members of the Ninth Division, they had always turned a blind eye to the nobles. They were never this assertive so fast.
This unprecedented action undoubtedly brought immense satisfaction to them.
Their respect for Tokikaze ever increased.
All of this was bestowed upon them by their current Captain!
After a thorough search and capture, about seventy to eighty percent of the Kuragawa Clan members were directly taken away.
According to the testimony provided by Kuragawa Ryo, those people were all involved in monopolizing water source in Inuzuri.
Faced with this situation, Kuragawa Zanosuke sat on the ground with lifeless expression on his face.
"All to be detained in the prison. As for the trial of the crimes..."
Tokikaze looked at the scene before him with satisfaction and ordered, "Tell those guys from First Division to relay a message to Central 46 for me: Don't keep me waiting too long."
Seeing this, Nanao opened her mouth, wanting to say something but hesitated.
On the other hand, Matsumoto Rangiku, standing beside her, casually reached out and stopped her on the shoulder, saying in a carefree manner:
"Don't think too much. You'll get used to it later."
"That's just how the Captain does things..."
Matsumoto Rangiku's sudden gesture made the usually calm Nanao Ise flustered.
Since Lisa Yadomaru was exiled to the World of Living, this was the first time she had been so close to someone else.
"This mission is finally over. Running back and forth sure is tiring."
Matsumoto Rangiku's mouth curled up in a relaxed smile. "Well, don't be so stiff and serious!"
"Captain doesn't like subordinates with that kind of personality."
"Before the verdict is delivered, why not go and relax a bit?"
"How about drinking? I know a good place..."
Before she could finish her words, Nanao interrupted her, "I don't drink."
"Alcohol can numb the nerves, leading to sluggish thinking and affecting work progress."
Interrupted by Nanao, Matsumoto Rangiku showed no signs of displeasure. Instead, she continued thoughtfully:
"If that's the case, how about going shopping?"
"There's a new jewelry store in Junrinan. It's very fashionable!"
Her tone was full of temptation.
Undoubtedly, beneath Matsumoto Rangiku's seemingly carefree personality was an extremely delicate mind.
Although they hadn't known each other for long, she still accurately guessed Nanao's thoughts and preferences.
Nanao felt slightly tempted.
Shopping was one of her few hobbies aside from reading.
Now that someone invited, it was indeed challenging to refuse.
"But what about the paperwork..." she hesitated.
Before she could finish her sentence, Matsumoto Rangiku interrupted her, "Just let the guys handle such a trivial matter."
"If it comes to worse, there's still Captain-dono!"
Tokikaze timely took over the conversation, responding calmly, "Impossible, don't even think about it."
"I'm not like Shiba Isshin; paperwork and such are things I won't even touch."
As the Captain of the Ninth Division, he couldn't even remember how many regulations Soul Society had, how could he handle paperwork?
Matsumoto Rangiku was probably out of her mind.
He would dump everything on his subordinates and had Nanao Ise evaluate it.
With such a smart and capable subordinate, not utilizing her properly would be a crime.
Although Nanao was concerned about paperwork and document-related issues, Matsumoto Rangiku's persistence, combined with Nanao's own curiosity, eventually led the two went to Junrinan.
As for Tokikaze, he took the Kuragawa Clan members back to the Division's quarters and proceeded directly to the prison.
He hadn't forgotten.
There was still an important figure imprisoned there.
...
In the prison.
The influx of a large number of people instantly filled half of the vacant cells.
The Eleventh Division members who had previously occupied the prison were also standing behind the cage, curiously observing the scene before them.
"This new Captain is indeed energetic. It hasn't been long since he brought us in."
"I recognize that guy. He clashed with us in the Inuzuri last time, a member of the lower noble Kuragawa Clan!"
"Hahaha, even the can be thrown into this prison. Amusing, truly amusing!"
The clamor continued, creating a lively atmosphere. Even Ikkaku, who was also in the prison, was holding onto the railing, curiously watching the spectacle.
He had more or less figured out Tokikaze's way of doing things.
He thought that his crime was bad enough, but it turned out Kuragawa Clan went ahead and attacked the noble. Truly a surprise!
As Tokikaze walked into the prison, the previously lively atmosphere instantly quieted down.
People instinctively closed their mouths, and some even held their breath.
Just a short while ago, Tokikaze's overwhelming pressure made even Ikkaku submit, let alone them.
Ikkaku could only feel a blur as a figure blocked the light.
"Regarding your punishment, I have a good idea."
Under the dim light, Tokikaze was smiling...