The Central 46's drastic actions plunged the Seireitei into an unprecedented upheaval.
However, the nobles were shocked to discover that this was not the end, but merely the beginning.
Soon after the Judge's execution,
the private armed forces secretly trained by various noble families, including their samurai and thugs, were arrested one after another by the Gotei 13.
The news they gathered through various channels left these nobles utterly astonished.
To their surprise, the one targeting them was none other than Aozaki, the Captain-Commander who was supposed to serve the nobles, pulling the strings from behind!
Although they knew Aozaki now wielded immense power and possessed formidable strength,
his overstepping actions were undoubtedly a blatant slap in the face to the nobles, practically trampling on their dignity.
This situation persisted for several days, and the nobles finally reached their limit.
They furiously gathered and stormed the First Division, intending to demand an explanation from Aozaki.
Amidst the clamor, Aozaki slowly emerged from the Squad One Barracks.
Upon seeing Aozaki, the nobles collectively swallowed hard, instinctively wanting to retreat.
But then, they quickly regained their composure.
They were nobles, after all; could Aozaki possibly kill them all?
Even if Aozaki had the audacity, would Yamamoto agree?
"Captain-Commander, you've gone too far this time!"
"Our subordinates did nothing, yet they were arrested by you. The Gotei 13 does not have such authority."
Aozaki looked at the furious nobles before him, chuckling inwardly.
These fellows usually abused their status and position, and if he hadn't been a high-ranking noble himself, they would probably have treated him like a servant.
Now, upon seeing him, they were timid and ashamed, enraged because he had taken their cheese.
However, Aozaki did not take them seriously.
He slowly began, "My lords, I believe you should understand that I naturally have my reasons for doing this."
Upon hearing Aozaki's words, the nobles immediately erupted.
"What reasons? Our subordinates are innocent!"
"This is an abuse of power!"
Facing the nobles' accusations, Aozaki merely smiled faintly.
He had no intention of getting entangled with them further and directly revealed the truth of the matter.
"Gentlemen, do you think I would arrest people without reason? If your subordinates had no issues, why would I act so lightly?"
Upon hearing this, the nobles were stunned.
They, of course, knew that their subordinates were more or less abnormal, but they hadn't expected Aozaki to bring up the Reigai issue.
For a moment, the nobles were speechless, unsure how to refute him.
Seeing this, Aozaki continued, "Moreover, don't forget, as the Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13, I have the right to investigate all actions that endanger the Soul Society's safety."
"Whether your subordinates are innocent, or even whether you yourselves are innocent, is not for you to decide, but needs to be determined after an investigation."
"Guards! In my opinion, these people are also fakes, daring to impersonate the lords. They are simply unforgivable. Arrest them all!"
With that, Aozaki turned and walked back inside, leaving a group of nobles looking at each other in dismay.
What did he mean?
They realized that Aozaki was serious this time.
If they continued to argue, it would likely only bring them greater trouble.
Helplessly, the nobles had no choice but to slink away from the First Division.
However, at this moment, even if they wanted to leave, they could not.
Looking around, they saw the streets on both sides packed with dense crowds, shoulder to shoulder, blocking the road completely.
In an instant, all the noble lords were stunned, their bodies uncontrollably trembling violently.
"Vice-Captain, Aozaki-sama, Captain Zaraki, what exactly do you want?" one of them asked tremblingly.
"My lords, did you not hear what the Captain-Commander just said? You yourselves are not above suspicion and must undergo scrutiny."
Aizen replied, with Rangiku standing beside him, and Zaraki poised on the other side of the crowd.
The nobles had some understanding of the Hell Battle, and seeing the three gathered, they couldn't help but feel a chill.
"Vice-Captain, don't joke with us. We've used the Shinigami Research and Development Institute's equipment for testing, and there are absolutely no issues..."
Before the speaker could finish, he felt a sharp pain in his chest as a blade pierced him through.
"Nonsense! The Shinigami Research and Development Institute's tools are strictly controlled. How did you acquire them? Guards! Quickly apprehend them!"
Although Aizen said "apprehend," his Squad members all held gleaming cold blades and charged directly forward.
How could the nobles not see that these fellows were clearly coming for their lives?
Evidently, this was a meticulously planned trap, specifically designed to lure them in!
Tomorrow, the Ninth Division's newspaper would likely read:
"Yesterday evening, a group of reckless criminals dared to impersonate nobles and even charged directly into the First Division's Squad Barracks! What audacity! Fortunately, these individuals were all swiftly cut down on the spot by our brave and fearless Gotei 13 members!"
At this thought, the nobles who usually feared nothing and acted tyrannically, one by one, couldn't help but tremble all over, their hearts filled with fear and despair.
After all, no one wanted to die here!
However, the Eleventh Division's Squad members didn't care if they were scared or not!
Wielding their Zanpakuto, they charged at the so-called nobles like hungry tigers pouncing on prey, mercilessly cutting them down.
In the blink of an eye, the formerly pristine street was instantly stained red with blood, as if a vibrant carpet had been laid out.
After dealing with these nobles, Aozaki turned to look at Nemu, who had walked in from outside the door, and was immediately hugged by the girl around his arm.
Nemu's enthusiastic actions contrasted sharply with her serious expression, sparking curiosity.
Aozaki asked, "How was today's mission completed?"
Nemu nodded calmly and replied, "According to the Central 46's orders, everyone has been executed."
Such a bloody scene did not cause her much psychological impact.
Aozaki took a list from Nemu, on which more than a dozen names were marked with vivid red crosses.
Then, he handed Nemu a new list and instructed, "This is the next batch that needs to be cleared. You can proceed according to the plan."
These lists were all prepared by Aozaki in advance and given to Nemu; everyone's fate was already sealed.
As for whether the people on the list were Reigai, he didn't know, nor did he need to know.
The girl looked at the bloody scene outside the door, listening to the continuous screams, and showed a thoughtful expression.
"Among these, how many have been replaced by Reigai?"
"About one-fifth, I suppose."
Aozaki replied with a smile.
His tone was relaxed, as if he were discussing a trivial matter.
However, for those suffering, it was a nightmarish disaster.
"Inaba Kageroza's efficiency isn't bad. If he were given a few more months, there probably wouldn't be many real nobles left."
Aozaki continued, still with a faint smile on his face.