Chapter 17: Chapter 17: Bringing Up the Past
Chapter 17: Bringing Up the Past
Yato nodded thoughtfully.
For the past half year since enrolling, he had been so completely absorbed in his training and studies that he had almost forgotten about the lingering issue with his Zanpakuto.
Now, it seemed that although he didn’t know why the Shiba clan took so long to seek him out, they had finally arrived.
"The Shiba clan?"
Byakuya Kuchiki, who had been sulking on the sidelines, suddenly snapped out of his funk.
"Yato, what do those guys want with you?"
Uchiha Yato gave a brief explanation of the history behind the blade in his hands. As Byakuya listened, his brows furrowed deeper and deeper.
"Yato, if you don’t mind, I’ll go with you."
"Uh, is that really necessary? I heard the people from the Shiba clan are pretty decent..."
The noble youth re-adjusted his Kenseikan, straightened his attire, and let out a soft, cold scoff:
"Outwardly generous and affectionate, but in truth, they are pests to the rules. Chaotic and unruly."
Yato cast a surprised look at his companion.
Having known Byakuya for six months, this was the first time he had ever heard such sharp, acerbic words come out of his mouth.
But thinking about it, it made sense. The Kuchiki clan was the head of the Five Great Noble Families. They placed the utmost importance on rules, pouring endless blood and sweat into maintaining the stability of the Soul Society; they were the absolute defenders of the established system.
The Shiba clan, on the other hand, was bold, uninhibited, and valued personal loyalty over law. Their actions often crossed the line, they revered freedom, and they even harbored a vague dissatisfaction with how the Soul King was treated!
To put it mildly, it was about freeing a pitiful prisoner; to put it bluntly, it was about completely overturning the order of the three realms!
It would be a miracle if the Kuchiki and Shiba clans actually got along.
However, none of this really concerned Yato, and he wasn’t going to reject his friend’s goodwill. He simply patted Byakuya on the shoulder, and the two followed the instructor toward the reception room.
As they approached the double doors, Yato could hear hearty laughter ringing from inside:
"Hahaha... So, this Uchiha Yato is an absolute genius, then?"
"Ah, to be young. It’s wonderful."
"Headmaster Hasegawa, do you know which Division Yato wants to join after he graduates? How about the 13th Division? Our Captain Ukitake is a genuinely great guy."
"Sigh, Headmaster, please don’t bring up my promotion to Lieutenant. It’s way too troublesome, and for a position that important, I still need a lot more experience..."
The leading instructor came to a halt. After a brief knock and announcement, Yato and Byakuya pushed the doors open and walked in.
Aside from Headmaster Shinya Hasegawa and Ayaka Fujita, there was a young man in the room.
He was tall and ruggedly handsome, with spiky black hair and deep, cyan eyes. On his left wrist was the tattooed crest of the Shiba clan: "The Shattered, Heaven-Falling Maelstrom."
—Kaien Shiba, the current 3rd Seat of the 13th Division!
"Headmaster."
The two youths greeted him upon entering.
Byakuya then stepped to the side, hugging his Zanpakuto. As he did, he shot Kaien Shiba a glare laden with a heavy warning.
He was only here to back up his best friend, so it wasn’t appropriate for him to actively interfere.
Kaien Shiba naturally recognized the young master of the Kuchiki clan, and was well aware of the friction between their families. Unfazed, he merely offered a cheeky chuckle in response.
Headmaster Hasegawa cleared his throat:
"This is the wielder of that Zanpakuto, Uchiha Yato... Yato, this is Moritora Shiba’s older brother, Kaien Shiba. He graduated from here five years ago and currently serves as the 3rd Seat of the 13th Division."
"Lord Shiba." Yato bowed respectfully to Kaien.
"I am deeply humbled that you would make the trip here personally."
"Hey, hey, hey." Kaien waved his hands dismissively.
"You’re too young to be dealing in all this empty formality. Our family got so sick of noble rules that we moved out to the Rukongai. Just calling me ’Senior Kaien’ is fine."
"Yes, Senior Kaien."
"That’s more like it! Young people should be full of life. Don’t go learning from those rigid, stick-in-the-mud types."
Leaning against the wall with his eyes closed, Byakuya’s eyebrow twitched. He scoffed internally, knowing full well Kaien was jabbing at him.
However, Kaien was ultimately a straightforward and honorable man. He didn’t dwell on teasing Byakuya. Instead, his expression shifted to one of profound seriousness as he turned to Yato.
This rising genius of the Gotei 13 lowered his head, bowed slightly, and spoke with an unprecedented solemnity:
"Then, Uchiha Yato. I formally request to view your Zanpakuto. May I?"
His attitude was earnest and sincere, completely beyond reproach. Coupled with his status as a Great Noble and his position as the deceased’s elder brother, it was an entirely reasonable request that no one could possibly refuse.
Without hesitation, Yato unfastened Akame and handed it to Kaien Shiba.
"My condolences," Yato said softly.
Kaien nodded silently, his fingers gently tracing the blade.
From the handguard down to the hilt wrapping, he scrutinized every detail. Drop by drop, memories of the past flooded his mind.
He remembered the day his little brother received his Asauchi for the very first time, running over excitedly to spar with him. Back then, the usually mature Moritora had shown a rare, childish enthusiasm:
"Big bro, I’m going to use this sword to achieve Shikai and Bankai! Together with Uncle Isshin from the branch family and you, we’ll make our names known across the Soul Society! All three of us are going to be Captains!"
"When the time comes, we’ll free the Soul King, rebuild the order, and everyone will live freely! After all... Hollows have hearts too..."
The echoes of the past still lingered in his ears.
But seeing this blade again, the one who wielded it was already separated from him by the insurmountable veil of death.
The corners of Kaien’s eyes turned red, and his arm trembled slightly.
"Yes... this is the sword..." He paused, taking a steadying breath before looking up. "Yato, what is her name?"
"Akame."
"A beautiful name. It suits you well."
Kaien Shiba’s expression was steeped in overwhelming sorrow.
"I should have come sooner.
"Three years ago, Moritora participated in a live combat drill hosted by the academy. He was tragically ambushed by Menos Grande. Not even his bones remained, and his Asauchi was lost.
"My little brother..." He choked up for a second before pressing on, "My little brother, Moritora Shiba, had talent that surpassed even mine. Before he was even old enough to enroll in the Shin’o Academy, he could cast level 50 Kido without an incantation, and he had completely mastered our family’s secret sand-manipulation techniques!
"Once he entered the academy and received his Asauchi, he had the potential to achieve Shikai within months and reach new heights. Tragically, he died in a training exercise just two weeks after enrolling.
"The academy’s official report stated that his squad was wiped out after encountering an Adjuchas-class Menos.
"Of course I didn’t believe it. An Adjuchas? Even if my brother couldn’t defeat it, he could have easily escaped! His Shunpo was praised even by the head of the Shihoin clan!
"Fortunately, half a year ago, I received intel from the Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force. They found that very Adjuchas. So, I took an extended leave and went to Hueco Mundo to investigate. The result..."
Even a man as boisterous and open-hearted as Kaien Shiba looked terrifyingly dark in this moment, his teeth grinding together with an audible creak.
"Hueco Mundo is a realm of savage slaughter. That Adjuchas had already been devoured by a Vasto Lorde, vanishing completely.
"I found no closure. Only the bitter hatred of being unable to cut down my brother’s murderer with my own hands."
Kaien Shiba’s Spiritual Pressure surged like a turbulent ocean. Under his volatile emotional state, everyone in the reception room felt a heavy, suffocating pressure bearing down on their chests.
"The dead cannot return to life. As his older brother, I shall inherit Moritora’s will. But this Asauchi..."
Kaien calmed his raging emotions, letting out a long, heavy sigh as he handed Akame back to Yato.
"...no longer has any relation to the Shiba clan.
"She belongs to you."
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