Bleach: Azashiro

I thought for a few seconds, scrolling through the entire fight in my head, focusing on the moments of shinigami intervention.

— Firstly, his zanpakto has the abilities of hypnosis, possibly suggestion: he can make you feel certain emotions and feelings: fatigue, drowsiness, hatred, anger. Secondly, he is quite well versed in kidos. He managed to catch me by strengthening his kidos by about half, maybe more, I'm not sure. Thirdly, he has a good hiding technique. I'm not sure if he was hiding under the kido or if it was one of his zanpakto abilities. During the fight and after, I just couldn't feel it. Although once I was able to catch an increased background of spiritual power and am inclined to the kido option.

Having told my father everything that I had noticed during the battle, I leaned back in my chair and waited for my father to digest all the information. I think he already has some guesses about the alleged culprit. Just like mine.

Most likely, the Nakamura family was behind the attack. If at first it seemed impossible to me, and I attributed Akuma Nakamura's attack to his idiocy, ignoring his words before that, then after an empty attack it doesn't seem so to me. More precisely, I did not connect these two events, attributing them to an accident. Now I'm sure: this is not so.

There was no way an empty one could appear in the 15th district of the Rukongai, having arrived from the 16th district. If there had been a breakthrough from Hueco Mundo, I could still have attributed it to an accident, but this did not happen and Adjukas with their horde of empty ones came from the 16th district. And if my memory serves me correctly, this is where the territories of the Nakamura and Kobayashi families are located.

While I was thinking, my father was looking for something in pieces of paper on his desk, and judging by his expression on which it is written in plain text that he is ready to go kill right now, he did not like what he found, to put it mildly.

— Can you describe how you felt during this hypnosis? — Putting aside a piece of paper after reading, he asked me with the same angry expression.

— The first time was like an obsession, I just wanted to go and tear the empty one. I was then overcome with burning hatred and anger. I almost rushed at the empty one without thinking.

— The second time, it felt like I was exhausted, like I hadn't slept for a week and was suddenly starting to sleep.

After my words, my father clenched his fists tightly. It's not clear what hurt him so much, but it's okay, I'll wait, he'll tell you himself anyway. We had to wait about thirty seconds.

— Your words fit the description of the zanpakto abilities of the head of the Nakamura clan — Having calmed down, your father lit a pipe and told why he was so angry.

Well, basically, that's what I thought, I just had to test the zanpakto abilities of the clan members. True, then it is not clear why they should attack me. Initially, they needed Yasuko, but why attack her when the heir to the highest noble family is with her is unclear. Perhaps the target was originally me... And still their motive eludes me.

— Tomokazu Nakamura, owns a zanpakto with hypnosis abilities, but no good knowledge was seen in the kido. - Having once again checked the information on a piece of paper, he continued in an angry voice.

— Hmm, then only the Koboyashi clan comes to my mind, they could work together — I think it's unlikely, but it's possible.

— No, it couldn't be them, they had a banquet that day. And the Koboyashi family is no more, yesterday it was destroyed empty — Having lit the phone, my father refuted my guess and dumped new information.

We need to think. If not them, then who is able to use kido at a high level and has similar hypnosis abilities? Yes, anyone, it could be any shinigami unknown to us, of which there are plenty in the rukongai! The situation was starting to fester, we need to calm down.

First you need to check all the options, and not cling to the version about this unknown person. Let's assume that a noble family attacked. Which family has the capabilities and strength to do this? We're sweeping away Shikhoin for now. The head of the Kuchiki clan, as far as I know, is not clear why he is sharpening his grudge against his grandfather, but before there were no actions on their part. Or I just don't know about them, which, in principle, is possible.

No, it won't work that way. I know too little about family matters. I'll have to leave it to my father, and I'm still too weak to solve problems like this. He served with Chika Shihoin and should understand this kind of thing more than me.

— Can Tomakazu Nakamura control empty ones with his zanpakto? — It won't hurt to clarify, but I still don't really understand the boundaries of abilities based on control or deception of feelings.

— Don't know.

It was clear how my father thought about my words. Apparently, this thought did not occur to him. The prospect of having an enemy capable of controlling hordes of empty ones was frightening.

— Okay, you go, and I need to give instructions — Nodded in the direction of the door father.

— Wait. You have to understand: there are a lot of oddities and coincidences with this attack, so keep quiet. I'll pass the information on to the covert operations squad. That's it, go rest, and I'll deal with the rest — My father nodded confidently.

Perhaps I will follow his advice and go rest, and let others have a headache. As soon as I drop by the doctor, of course my wounds were treated, but it wouldn't be superfluous to check.

I hope they can find out who it was. The Nakamura family will get what they deserve in any case, even if the degree of their guilt is not yet clear, but I think their father will still not let them go and soon there will be one less noble family of souls in society.

***

Before I had time to move far from my father's office, I saw my mother quickly walking straight towards me. Concerned face and slightly wet hair, apparently she was recently informed that I had returned, and without even drying her hair, she went looking for me.

— Mom.

— Aki, are you okay? — A worried mother rushed to hug me.

— It's okay — I answered, bending over a little to hug her.

We stood there for a minute. Hugging my mother, I felt the smell of citrus hitting my nose. I immediately remembered her cooking. She loved to cook and often used something citrus in her food. It wasn't always delicious, to be honest. One rice seasoned with lemon and lime was worth it. But if you don't take into account her rare experiments, she cooked deliciously.

Why does she have wet hair, I can't imagine, she's so out of breath in the kitchen that her head is all wet? I won't believe it in life.

— Something happened? — I asked.

— Ah, no, nothing, everything is fine, hehe — She chuckled a little.

— Come, I just prepared the fish for your beloved — She was the first to open her arms and drag me into the dining room, not allowing me to say a word.

— Good-good — I had no choice but to follow her. I could never stand up to this woman. And why bend my soul, I didn't mind eating my mother's cooking.

Seeing her dragging my hand, the servants who met us along the way bowed to us, trying to hide their smiles. That's how we got to the dining room. Having sat me down at the table and shook my finger, my mother went to get food. Usually the servants serve the food, but apparently today she decided to do everything herself.

Of course, she forgot the plates, but the attentive cooks made a fuss and, entering after her mother with the plates, began to place them. Sitting at a small wooden table, I looked at my mother, who sat down slightly awkwardly opposite me. After waiting for the servants to finish, I put a portion of roasted salmon on myself.

At the same time, my mother sat opposite me and watched me eat. She, leaning forward and holding her head with both hands, watched me with a faint smile on her face.

— What? — I couldn't stand such close attention from my mother.

— Nothing, nothing — Without stopping looking at me, she took it away.

And so, trying not to pay attention, to my mother's close gaze, I continued to eat. The taste is simply amazing, I love salmon. He — is one of the few dishes that after entering this world I fell in love with the first time.

While I was eating, she never uttered a single word; she just looked at me, smiling from time to time. She knew it was useless to talk to me while eating. With a small snack you can still try, but if it is a full meal — is not. I'm not used to talking when I eat, so we wait for me to finish.

— How's Yasuko? I hope you didn't offend her? — As soon as I sent the last piece of fish into my mouth, she immediately spoke.

— No, didn't offend — And you shouldn't make that facial expression: I feel uneasy when you look at me like that.

— Yes? ~ Well, I'll ask her again — And such a suspicious look, as if I stole something from her.

— Haven't you been to Yoshi-san yet? — She asked in a more worried voice.

— No, I had not yet come to him — Having relaxed, I leaned back in my chair.

— Then I won't hold you, go check on him — This has already been said in an orderly tone. Well, I was already going to go to Yoshi-san.

— Then I went — I got up from the table and headed out.

— Son. I understand: you want to be strong, but... Please be careful — For no apparent reason she said.

— I will, mom — Bowing her head in front of her, I answered.

***

— Careful, right? — I muttered as I walked towards Yoshi-san's office.

Apparently she was very worried when I reported the attack. Unfortunately, I will make her worry about me more than once, but there is no other way in this world. But how unusual it is when you are taken care of so much.

Although, I must admit, this is very pleasant. The feeling that you are loved and expected is simply unforgettable. And how did I live without this before?.. I'm ready to do anything to protect my family.

Reflecting and making plans, I entered Yoshi-san's office.

***Daichi Azashiro POV***

After reading the information about the head of the Nakamura clan again, I was forced to admit: it was not he who tried to kill my son. There was no doubt about his order and the organization of the attack, with the aim of kidnapping Yasuko, but there can be no question of personal participation. I know for certain that he was at a meeting with the head of the Kobayashi clan that day. It turns out that someone tried to kill my son, hiding behind the Nakamura family.

The only one who comes to mind is Tsunayashiro. It's just not clear why: we have no conflict, much less hostility, to act so harshly, attacking the heir of the family. Or vice versa, someone is trying to frame Tsunayashiro's family. This option is also possible, but still shinigami, who has zanpakto with hypnosis abilities, and is also supposedly a master in kido... There is no such soul in the entire society of souls.

— *Knock-Knock* — A knock was heard from the corner of the room behind me. Ha~, he's as usual.

Ignoring one dunce, I laid out sheets of personal information about the heads of families in front of me.

— Well~, it's not interesting. You should at least raise your voice, I'm here with news, and he doesn't even want to play along — Chika Shikhoin said offendedly.

— I'm not in the mood right now to fool around with you — Watching Chika walk around the table and sit down on the chair my son was recently sitting on, I replied.

— Da~, of course you gave me a business, with the smell — Not paying attention to the serious look, Chika continued to stretch out his words.

— Come on to the point — I had no desire to bother with him.

— To the point, so to the point... First news: Nakamura family is cut empty — I almost had a tube fall out of my mouth in surprise.

Something strange is happening. Too often you come across empty ones. It doesn't happen that easily, especially in the first twenty districts of Rukongai. And the power of the empty must not be small in order to destroy a noble family, even a lower one. And here it turns out to be two cases in a row. Three, if you count the attack on your son. And all this in one area, where it is already surprising to see empty ones every two years.

— Hah, you think it's suspicious too, right?! — Leaning forward, exclaimed Chika.

— Have you already interrogated Akuma Nakamura? — He could shed light on the situation.

— Well, I received the answer to the main question. He didn't know your son and what clan he was from until he introduced himself to him. And he attacked wanting to kidnap Yasuko Ito in order to blackmail the head of the Ito family — Playing with his earring, he bored Chika — And yes, he acted on the orders of Tomakazu Nakamura.

I don't understand anything. It turns out that he simply did not recognize my son and decided to attack without imagining which clan he was from?! It's just ridiculous.

— Are you saying that he didn't recognize my son and just decided to kidnap Yasuko? — I still can't believe it.

— Well, yes, he just thought it was her escort — Chica said.

— But that's not the problem. My squad watching Nakamura was killed, but the captain managed to send a message — With his hands folded in front of him into the castle, Chika stopped working out. His angry look was directed at one of the leaflets in front of me — That's why I came to you so early. They were attacked by Tomakazu Nakamura and helped by empty ones.

Shock. This is what I was experiencing now. It turns out that he can control empty ones. And not the weak: to destroy one of the detachments, you will need at least three adjucases, and then there remains a high probability that someone will be able to leave. It turns out that he may have four, or maybe more. They've gone too far. All Shinigami adhered to the unwritten rule of not messing with empty ones.

While restoring the chain of events, I had to admit: if Akihiko had been weaker, Nakamura would have achieved his goal.

Akuma had no information about Akihiko and Yasuko was solely the target. Empty went ahead of time and came across my son. Initially, the horde of empty ones was supposed to cover their tracks so that no one would know about Yasuko's abduction. Adjukas would have had time to destroy the entire area before help arrived and no traces would have remained. At the same time, there was someone else there interested in my son's death or just an observer who took the opportunity to eliminate Akihiko.

— When did this happen? — I asked.

— Today, a couple of hours ago. I was informed only thirty minutes ago and I immediately came to you — It was clear from him how dissatisfied he was with the current situation. He can be understood: he only recently became the Head of the Shihoin clan and one group under his command is immediately killed. Surely there will be pressure on him within the clan, albeit not strong, but this is not a pleasant thing — I sent three detachments for reconnaissance, they should already be there, let's see what they find out.

— I'm more concerned about where he gets so many adjukas from. They rarely appear in the company of souls, but for Hueco Mundo he is not strong enough, but they will kill and not notice — Another strange thing. Adjukas extremely rarely leave their world, especially into the Soul Society, but here there are several at once and all of them are controlled by one person. Where he got them from is absolutely unclear.

— Let's not speculate out of nowhere, let's wait for a message from my people, they have to find out something — It won't be superfluous, I hope they can handle it.

— And one more thing, Chica, my son was attacked. More precisely, during his battle with the empty one there was someone else whose zanpakto abilities fit Tomakazu Nakamura's description of hypnosis. - I needed to consult with him: unlike me, he communicated more with the Tsunayashiro family.

Having told him everything that Akihiko told me, I looked at him without interfering with thinking about the situation. Now Nakamura, no matter how they are involved with empty ones, is in the background for me. It's more important to find out who attacked my son and even if it was Tsunayashiro, I'll find a way to spoil him too.

— Hmm, ambiguous situation. Tsunayashiro comes to mind. And I have no doubt that he will use Enraquietin, given the situation they are in now. And in kido he is a master. Everything points to him. It's just strange: making enemies out of nowhere when he has to provide maximum security for his family — I didn't rush him and waited for him to continue — You should wait a little. If it's him, Hideo won't be long in coming.

— Okay.