You are very strong, but my painting style is better than yours!

In the barracks of the Second Division, Hyakuju, the head of the Shihōin family, sat in the main seat, while Yoru, who was sitting in the first seat on the left, could not help but shout out after hearing Iori's purpose, which drew a reproachful look from Hyakuju.

As someone who is about to take over as captain, he really shouldn't be shouting like that.

However, Hyakuhou could understand, because Tosen had been assigned to Iori's command during the war against the Quincy, and had fought alongside Yoruichi. The young lady of Shihouin had a very good impression of this rare black-skinned Shinigami.

Hearing that Tosen was seriously injured, and that he was attacked by the infamous Tsunayoshi Tokinada, he was naturally very surprised.

"Tokita... Could it be that the Grim Reaper who was framed back then was Tosen...?"

After calming down and thinking for a moment, Yoruichi realized the crux of the problem.

Tokina's crime of murdering his wife was very famous in a certain circle, not to mention that it later caused Kyoraku Shunsui to oppose him. The identities of these two people alone were enough to make big news, and Yoruichi had also heard about it.

She also knew that an innocent Grim Reaper had been framed by Tokida because of this... but she really didn't know that person was Tosen!

“This is a painful topic for him. I usually try to avoid it, hoping that he can get out of the shadows as soon as possible... I just didn’t expect that after so long, the shadows would still catch up with him again.”

Iori sighed softly: "Last night he went to pay his respects at his best friend's grave. For some reason, the murderer Tsunayoshi Tokina also appeared there. The two got into a fight because of some arguments, and Tokina's follower attacked and injured him first... He barely managed to escape and was on the verge of death when I found him."

"Where is he now?"

Bai Zhou calmly asked, "Are you still alive?"

"She is currently receiving treatment in the Fourth Division. Captain Unohana personally intervened, so she should be out of danger."

"Yeah……"

"Unohana—Hyakuhou's gaze shifted, and his eyes held a deeper meaning as he looked at Iori."

Whether it was intentional or unintentional, since it was Unohana who personally treated him, Tsunayoshi Tokina will be unable to deny the severity of Tosen's injuries when they confront each other in court, thus gaining half a witness.

"That's good!"

Yoruichi didn't think too much about it and breathed a sigh of relief.

"And then, what do you want us to do by coming here?"

Bai Zhou politely asked, "The Second Division does indeed have the duty to arrest mortals, especially for serious crimes like this... However, when nobles commit crimes, the Sixth Division (Kuchiki) has more say. Aren't you and Cang Jun on good terms?"

"Please forgive my selfishness."

Iori said earnestly and frankly, "Cang Jun is currently at a very important time. Because of my carelessness, the Kuchiki family's position has become very delicate... I can't cause them any more trouble at this time."

This matter involves the five major families; I wonder if we could ask Shihōin to intervene?

"no problem!"

Yoruichi patted her chest confidently, "I've been watching Tsunayoshi for a while now—"

"cough!"

Bai Zhou glared fiercely at Ye Yi, causing the older woman to shut her mouth in embarrassment.

The head of the Shihōin family then snorted and said to Iori in a more gentle tone, "The captain was injured without cause, and the captain personally reported the case. This matter is indeed worthy of being handled by the Shihōin family... However, I will not show favoritism because of Yoruichi's friendship with you. I will only handle it impartially. Do you have any complaints?"

"Of course not, that would be perfect, thank you for your help."

Iori bowed respectfully, then excused himself, saying he still had to visit Tosen Kaname.

Yoruichi seemed to want to say something, but Iori stopped her with a look and then left the room.

While the head of the Shihōin family was giving his good-for-nothing granddaughter a political lecture, Aizen Iori was freely wandering around the Second Division's barracks, quickly leaving the barracks area after a few turns.

Just as he rounded a corner, the man's physique changed noticeably after he passed through the shadows, and his appearance also changed drastically; he now wore glasses on his high, straight nose.

—Aizen Yuuki!

~~~~~

Chapter 319 If we're going to do something, let's do something big.

"What could the Tsunayo family want with us?"

Inside Shitan's private residence, a middle-aged man wearing a family crested haori surveyed the scene: "There are far too many people. If it were just a small matter, there wouldn't be such a grand display. It seems that guy is in trouble."

"Hmph, isn't this something that happens to him all the time?"

Someone sneered coldly, "That guy loves to do you cheap favors when you're weak, then use them to blackmail you when he's in big trouble... I'm so tired of his fake smile!"

"Let's calm down for now. After all, we've asked him to do a lot of things that we couldn't do ourselves. And even though he's from a branch family, he's undoubtedly a descendant of Tsunayoshiro. We should still show him the respect he deserves."

"Tsk! If it weren't for this, he would have been locked up in the maggot's nest long ago, based on what he did. He wouldn't be alive now."

"Haha...don't be so harsh~"

Someone joked, "If that's the case, then who among those present isn't like that?"

Upon hearing this, the room fell silent for a moment, then erupted into a burst of laughter.

While Tsunayoshi Tokinada is undoubtedly the scum of the earth, and even people in his own circle despise him, if judged by conventional standards, the people in this house are pretty much the same type... they just do things more cleanly and don't cause as much controversy.

"When is he finally coming? He invited us, but he's been so slow to show up. Who does he think he is?"

Just as everyone was starting to feel dissatisfied, a chorus of footsteps came from outside the door, and Tsunayoshi Tokinada, accompanied by two attendants, opened the door and walked in.

"Oh, Tsunayoshi family, you're a little late."

"Sorry, I had to think about some things and was a little delayed."

Is there anything more important than meeting with us?

One of them tapped his palm with his folding fan in displeasure, "We are invited guests, this is extremely rude!"

"Please forgive me, as the matter I am considering is also related to you all. As the host, I must take everything into account. It should not be considered impolite."

"What does this have to do with us?"

Everyone's attention was drawn to it.

"Yes."

Shi Tan said in a friendly tone, "I was designing your deaths, and because I wanted them to look as 'natural' as possible, I inevitably had to pay more attention to the details."

"..."

The room fell silent, and his two attendants behind him gave him a horrified look.

The nobles exchanged bewildered glances, some unable to believe what they had just heard, but soon burst into laughter.

"Hoo hoo hoo... So that's the routine~"

Shi Tan, you still love to play tricks as always. Are you going to tell us next that we're in grave danger and we have to listen to you to escape?

A carefree young man, about the same age as Shi Tan, chuckled and said, "If you're in any trouble, just say so. With our friendship, how could we just sit idly by? But to do something like this is going a bit too far."

You don't actually think the esteemed figures present are so foolish as to be easily deceived by your few words, do you?

"Of course not, but I am telling you this very seriously, it is not just empty talk."

"What are you talking about—Ugh! Shi Tan!"

Shi Tan's smile remained unchanged, but his facial features and hair began to subtly change. Although there were no major shifts, the color, shape, spacing, and other details gradually changed, eventually transforming into a completely different face.

—Transformation magic.

"Shi Tan... what happened? Your face..."

Everyone looked up in astonishment at the person, some with surprise and doubt, some with indifferent observation, and some with thoughtful thoughts. For a moment, many thoughts intertwined in the guest room.

"wrong!"

Someone suddenly realized: "You're not Shi Tan, who are you!"

"This face... could it be..."

Ultimately, someone had seen it. At first, I didn't quite believe it, but the more I looked, the more convinced I became.

"There's no mistake, you are—"

"Nice to meet you all."

The man smiled elegantly and calmly: "I am Aizen—Aizen Iori."

"Aizen Iori!"

"Aizen? Is it the Aizen who went to Hueco Mundo?"

"What are you doing here? Where's Shi Tan? Where is he?!"

Ha~

Iori ignored their reactions, finished speaking, turned around calmly, reached out to separate the two dumbfounded attendants, and then gently and elegantly closed the door.

sieve!

The wooden door emitted a short, clear sound, separating the inside from the outside into two spaces.

……

At this moment, a neatly dressed and capable squad of Shinigami (Death Gods) was moving between the buildings in Seireitei.

They were dressed in black shihachi (a type of Japanese martial arts uniform). The leader was a strikingly beautiful woman with brown skin and a flamboyant demeanor. For some reason, the shihachi looked out of place on her, as if she were cosplaying. This woman seemed more suited to wearing clothes that accentuated her figure, such as long pants and a fitted outfit.

That's right, it was Yoruichi Shihouin, the vice-captain of the 2nd Division, and her Shinigami squad. They were in a hurry to apprehend the criminal, Tsunayoshi Tokinada, who had attempted to murder Kaname Tosen.

Yoruichi had dealt with this kind of thing before and knew that it would be very difficult to get Shida to confess, but that was a problem that needed to be addressed during the trial. As for the task of "arresting" Shida, it was not difficult at all, and could even be said to be almost effortless.

The reason is quite simple:

Shi Tan had no reason to refuse arrest.

If he accepts arrest, he can use his family's power to evade charges, but if he resists arrest on the spot, it would not only be tantamount to admitting guilt but also give others the opportunity to take the law into their own hands.

Shi Tan was always cunning and would never reveal such a flaw, after all, no one knew better than him how many enemies he had...

However, Yoruichi's confidence was shattered when she arrived near Tokina's private residence by the faint smell of blood.

"This is...something's not right!"

Yoruichi led her men in, following the scent of blood to the door of the guest room. As soon as she opened it, an even stronger stench hit her, causing her to frown in disgust.

The scene inside could only be described as gruesome. Limbs and mangled corpses were scattered everywhere, and the killers clearly possessed overwhelming combat superiority. It was as if they had deliberately tortured these people, using the most cruel methods of execution...

Yes, this couldn't be called a real battle; it was more like an execution.

"Ugh...help...oh..."

Are there any survivors?

Yoruichi perked up and quickly went over to pull a blood-covered guy out from under the table.

"What happened here? Who are you people? Where is Tsunayoshi Tokinada?"

He immediately launched into three questions, and only after asking them did Yoruichi realize that this person seemed somewhat familiar.

"You are……"

"Shi Tan... Shi Tan... It's him..."

The man was disoriented, perhaps knowing his chances of survival were slim. He opened his eyes wide and shouted with all his might, "He killed everyone! He, he's going to—uh!"

Before he could finish speaking, the man died. Since the team lacked anyone skilled in the art of resurrection, they couldn't even perform a temporary revival. The only lead had been lost, leaving Yoruichi's expression grave.

"Shi Tan... would he really do this?"

Such a heinous crime, and it happened in his own home. Once the matter is exposed, Tsunayoshi Tokinada will be unable to shake off the suspicion no matter what. This is completely out of character for him!

And why did he do this? What was his purpose?

Yoruichi realized she might have underestimated this mission. Although the truth about the attack on Tousen was clear and didn't require further investigation, Tsunayoshiro Tokinada was hiding countless secrets, and any one of them could be a huge news story!

Yoruichi could barely recognize them at this point. Almost every one of the dead in the room was a nobleman's son. Even if she didn't know them personally, she would at least recognize their faces... How could they have inexplicably gathered here and been killed?

If Shi Tan really did it... then he must be insane!

"Was it a verbal altercation? Or a conflict of interest? Or simply a fit of madness?"

Yoruichi's face tightened; she couldn't fathom Tokina's motives for doing this.

—Of course she couldn't have imagined it, because it wasn't Shi Tan who did it at all.

Even the survivor who was on the verge of death was deliberately left behind by Iori, who used a simple magic trick to give his fragile consciousness a hint, causing him to say those words on his deathbed.

"Vice Captain."

The team members quickly searched the room, and a trusted confidant whispered in Yoruichi's ear, "These people didn't even put up a decent fight. They probably never expected anyone to make a move, so... the murderer must be someone they know."