Help! I am bound to Aizen!

"Thank you for honoring us with your presence," said the old man gratefully.

In a study at the Kuchiki residence, Kuchiki Ginrei was seated on a tatami mat, nodding to Kaelith Yurei and Yoruichi in greeting. He wore a Kenseikan and a silver-white floral scarf around his neck. Behind him stood a handsome young man. Like Kuchiki Ginrei, he too wore a Kenseikan. However, the floral scarf around his neck was red.

Upon seeing this man, Kaelith Yurei raised his eyebrows. Wearing the Kuchiki family's signature Kenseikan but with a red scarf—undoubtedly, this man was Kuchiki Ginrei's son-in-law, renowned for his extensive extermination of rebels, a rising star among the spirit beings. 

"Kuchiki Kōga!"

Having been in the Soul Society for so long, this was the first time he had met this infamous Soul Reaper. Instinctively, his gaze drifted to Kuchiki Kōga's waist. 

The Zanpakutō, Muramasa... truly a fine blade, and one he was jealous of. 

As Kaelith Yurei observed Kuchiki Kōga, the latter also unreservedly returned his gaze. 

A genius of the Central 46, the Captain-Commander's disciple, and even before officially becoming a Soul Reaper, he had served as an examiner for the captain's test... 

Various rumors had long made Kuchiki Kōga curious about Kaelith Yurei. As a peer among the young elites, he had always wondered how Kaelith Yurei compared to himself. 

Seeing that Kaelith Yurei fearlessly met his gaze, his eyes drawn to his Zanpakutō, Kuchiki Kōga couldn't help but be surprised. 

Is this guy... more aggressive than himself? 

Their first meeting, and already he wanted to compete in swordsmanship? 

"Interesting..." It seemed they would get along. 

---

As the two "followers" harbored their thoughts, Yoruichi settled down, bowing slightly to Kuchiki Ginrei. 

"Lord Ginrei, you flatter us too much. The Shihōin family and the Kuchiki family have been allies for generations. To me, you are like an elder of my own family." 

"Who could refuse an invitation from such an elder?" 

Hearing this, the wrinkles on Kuchiki Ginrei's face seemed to soften. 

Kaelith Yurei looked at Yoruichi, surprised. 

This crazy girl... she could actually say something so gracious? 

It seemed Yoruichi guessed Kaelith Yurei's thoughts, giving him a slight, imperceptible glare. 

Kaelith Yurei looked around, then asked curiously, "Where's Teacher Sōjun?" (t/n Btw if you forgot he calls him teacher as a meme)

"Teacher Sōjun?" Kuchiki Ginrei paused. "Oh, you mean Sōjun, right?" 

Suddenly using Kuchiki Sōjun's full name, Kaelith Yurei felt a bit uncomfortable. 

Kuchiki Ginrei realized this and gently shook his head. "My son is currently in training, so he cannot receive guests." 

Kaelith Yurei narrowed his eyes. That answer was... problematic. 

In movies and TV shows, such a response from Kuchiki Ginrei usually meant something was being concealed. 

"Hmm..." Sōjun is his son. He probably wouldn't come to harm. 

Suddenly, a thought flashed through Kaelith Yurei's mind. 

Could it be that the Kuchiki family was plotting a rebellion, and Teacher Sōjun had accidentally found out, and tried to inform others, but was discovered? 

To silence him, the cunning old Kuchiki head had imprisoned Teacher Sōjun in their home, strictly forbidding him from leaving?! 

Thinking this, Kaelith Yurei was shocked. 

The calm-looking old man in front of him... such a villain? 

Watching Kaelith Yurei's changing expressions, Yoruichi knew her friend was probably thinking something bizarre again. She coughed lightly. 

"Lord Ginrei, you suddenly called us here. Is there something you need?" 

Under her gaze, Kuchiki Ginrei nodded. 

"Not long ago, my son Kuchiki Sōjun got engaged." 

"Pfft—" 

Just as Kaelith Yurei lifted his cup to drink tea, he spat it all out. 

Wiping his mouth with his sleeve, his eyes widened. "Teacher Sōjun got engaged? He's only a few years older than me!" 

Then, as if struck by a thought, he said warily, "Wait, he didn't fall for a girl from Rukongai and break the family laws, so now he's imprisoned, did he?" 

Kuchiki Ginrei originally had a very serious expression, as if he was about to announce something significant. But Kaelith Yurei's remark completely threw him off. 

He looked somewhat astonished and said, "Why would you say that? Did my son do something at school?" 

Kaelith Yurei blinked, then quickly shook his head. "No, nothing at all." 

Kuchiki Ginrei: "…" 

Sitting behind Kuchiki Ginrei, Kuchiki Kōga gave Kaelith Yurei a somewhat curious look. 

This Kaelith Yurei... seems like an odd one. 

After eyeing Kaelith Yurei suspiciously a few times, Kuchiki Ginrei recomposed himself. 

"…Sōjun's betrothed is Miss Teien Sakurako from the Teien family." 

Upon hearing this, Yoruichi showed a look of realization. 

"Teien… A high-ranking noble family that has good relations with the Kuchiki family. Marrying their daughter is indeed a wise choice." 

Kuchiki Ginrei shook his head. 

"Actually, there's been a slight complication with the marriage arrangement." 

"What kind of problem?" Kaelith Yurei raised his eyebrows. 

A good friend getting married, though enviable and frustrating, should not be disrupted by outsiders! 

Kuchiki Ginrei did not answer directly but looked at the two sitting before him. 

After a long silence, he suddenly said, "Lords of the Shihōin and Kaelith, it seems that you two have recently had some conflicts with the Tsunayashiro family." 

The two exchanged glances, then nodded together. 

Although Kaelith Yurei had just concocted a grand conspiracy in his mind, in reality, such a conspiracy did not exist. 

With the control over the Central 46 seats held by the Kuchiki and Tsunayashiro families, if they truly allied, they could instantly take control of the Seireitei. Why would there need to be continuous strife like now? 

Seeing their acknowledgment, Kuchiki Ginrei nodded. Then, he slowly began— 

"Last night, while preparations for the wedding at the Teien residence, a fire broke out." 

"In the blaze, the head of the Teien family, Teien Enjiro, died!" 

As he spoke these last words, a cold light flashed in Kuchiki Ginrei's eyes. 

Yoruichi's eyes widened. 

Kaelith Yurei looked shocked. 

From what Yoruichi said, the Teien family was a high-ranking noble family. As such nobles, not just the head of the family but even ordinary members would have protection. 

A mere fire shouldn't be that lethal. 

Combining this with what Kuchiki Ginrei had mentioned about the Tsunayashiro family… 

Sure enough, without waiting for Kuchiki Ginrei to speak, Kuchiki Kōga suddenly exclaimed angrily, "It must be the Tsunayashiro's doing!" 

"Because our Kuchiki family is growing stronger and becoming a threat to them, so they killed Teien!" 

"Father, please let me handle this! I'll personally take action and kill one… no, two Tsunayashiro!" (t/n: In many cultures, people call their father/mother inlaws as father/mother) 

"If we don't strike back hard, the nobles who rely on us will surely lose heart!" 

"Please trust me! I will definitely… ugh!!" 

Suddenly, a terrifying spiritual pressure burst forth from Kuchiki Ginrei. 

This spiritual pressure, avoiding Kaelith Yurei and Yoruichi, pressed down harshly on Kuchiki Kōga. 

Kuchiki Kōga grunted, caught off guard, nearly falling flat on the ground. 

As he looked up in surprise, Kuchiki Ginrei angrily said, "Kōga, you are too presumptuous!!" 

---