With his help, Kumoi could indeed research the Bakkoto right under the noses of the Gotei 13.
He could even openly purchase those forbidden materials in the name of the Tsunayashiro Family without worrying about being arrested.
However... he needed to provide Tokinada with some very special benefits...
"Lord Tokinada must be joking..." Kumoi steadied his mind, trying hard to make his tone sound respectful and sincere. "To receive your appreciation and assistance is a blessing this lowly one must have cultivated over several lifetimes. It was truly a crime for me to bump into you just now. Please punish me, my lord."
"Oh my, I already told you not to worry about such trivial matters." Tokinada let go of his hand and leaned casually against a wooden pillar in the corridor.
His narrow eyes, which seemed capable of seeing right through people's hearts, looked Kumoi up and down.
"But I am quite curious," Tokinada smiled meaningfully. "Just now in the reception hall, all the lords were arguing until they were red in the face over the distribution of power in the new Central 46... Yet the usually shrewd, capable, and ambitious Lord Kumoi seemed to have lost his soul today, constantly distracted?"
Tokinada leaned forward and lowered his voice. "Bumping into me while walking doesn't seem like the mastermind in power... Could it be that you've encountered some thorny trouble?"
Kumoi stiffened.
He nervously looked around to confirm there were no other attendants or nobles nearby.
This corridor was very secluded, surrounded only by a few quiet pine and cypress trees in the courtyard. He breathed a sigh of relief.
"Lord Tokinada possesses exceptional foresight. This lowly one has indeed... encountered a bit of trouble." He wiped the cold sweat from his forehead. "Actually, it's about the Kasumioji Family's... Lady Rurichiyo."
"Oh? Little Princess Chiyo?" Tokinada raised an eyebrow. "What happened to her? Could it be that the child has reached her rebellious phase and is no longer listening to you, her kind old grandfather?"
"If she were merely disobedient, that would be one thing..." Kumoi sighed, a bitter expression appearing on his face. "A few days ago, I intended to arrange for her to cultivate in peace in the family's backyard, to prevent her from being disturbed by the chaotic rumors outside regarding the Seireitei."
"Who knew that her two reckless guards, Kenryu and Enryu, would actually bewitch her!"
"Those two bastards injured the guards under the cover of night and kidnapped Lady Rurichiyo, fleeing the estate!"
"Our people tracked them all the way but found nothing... I suspect they escaped to the World of the Living through a Senkaimon!"
"Escaped to the World of the Living?"
"Yes!" Kumoi said in distress. "Sigh... Without Lady Chiyo presiding over it, where will the Kasumioji Family go from here..."
Hearing his words, Tokinada's eyes widened slightly, and then he actually began to chuckle softly.
"Hehe... Hahahaha!"
Tokinada's laughter was suppressed at first, but it quickly became unbridled and spine-chilling.
Kumoi felt a chill in his heart from the laughter, completely baffled. "L-Lord Tokinada, what are you laughing at?"
"If something happens to Lady Rurichiyo, the situation this lowly one has painstakingly maintained will..."
"Kumoi, oh Kumoi. They say you're shrewd, so why are you playing dumb at a time like this?" Tokinada stopped laughing.
He straightened up and walked in front of Kumoi, his eyes flashing with a cruel and excited light. "Still putting on an act with me? Do you think I don't know you want to kill her?"
"Th-This... You can't..."
Kumoi was about to say something, but the words were choked back by that cold glare.
Tokinada continued, "How is this trouble? This is clearly a heaven-sent opportunity bestowed upon you by the Soul King!"
"A good opportunity? This lowly one is dull-witted; please enlighten me, my lord," Kumoi wiped his cold sweat, asking with feigned ignorance.
Tokinada extended a finger and lightly tapped Kumoi's chest.
"Think about it. If that little princess stayed in the Kasumioji Family estate, even if you held all the power, making her disappear would inevitably arouse much suspicion."
"There are quite a few meddlesome folks in the Gotei 13, like Retsu Unohana or Byakuya Kuchiki. They would definitely use the opportunity to intervene and investigate."
"When that time comes, even our Tsunayashiro Family would be forced to conduct an inquiry into the Kasumioji Family to maintain the order of the nobility."
Tokinada's voice slowly eroded Gyokaku Kumoi's reason. "But now she has run away on her own! She ran to the World of the Living, a place filled with all sorts of unknown dangers!"
He leaned close to Kumoi's ear, whispering in an almost undisguised malicious tone, "If that esteemed princess were to unfortunately encounter a powerful, vicious Hollow in the dangerous lands of the World of the Living..."
"Or if she were brutally murdered by some deranged Ryoka..."
"Without anyone ever knowing."
"When that happens, who could pin the blame on you?"
Tokinada took a step back and spread his arms. "A Kasumioji Family that has lost its head and is in the midst of a storm... is there a better choice than to hand full control over to a highly respected, shrewd, and capable chief retainer like yourself?"
"When that time comes, I will have the head of my family fully support you."
"Not only can you rightfully become the master of the Kasumioji Family, but you will also have the opportunity to secure a seat for yourself in the new Central 46."
"Is this not a blessing bestowed upon you by the Soul King?"
Boom!
Tokinada's words struck like a clap of thunder, causing Gyokaku Kumoi's heart to race at an unprecedented speed.
That extreme thirst for power, under such an explicit depiction, could no longer be contained, erupting like a volcano.
'Yes! This brat is right!'
'I don't have time to waste here! I must find her immediately!'
An unnatural flush of extreme excitement spread across that wrinkled old face.
But he still retained a final shred of cunning and caution.
He vigilantly looked around once more, and only after confirming it was absolutely safe did he suppress his inner ecstasy and bow deeply to Tokinada.
"Lord Tokinada's wisdom is like the light of creation, clearing away my confusion!"
Kumoi's voice grew hoarse with excitement. "This lowly one did indeed have such thoughts... It's just a pity that the girl's whereabouts are currently unknown..."
"Moreover, the environment in the World of the Living is complex. I heard that recently, not only have dimensional rifts appeared there, but it is also guarded by a Substitute Soul Reaper of terrifying strength, one who even defeated Aizen."
Gyokaku Kumoi raised his head, looking at Tokinada with pleading eyes. "Although this lowly one has trained some assassins under my command, their strength is mediocre... If I cannot eliminate her before that little girl finds reinforcements... then this lowly one will truly be doomed beyond redemption."
Listening to Kumoi's complaints and grievances, Tokinada Tsunayashiro did not show any signs of impatience.
On the contrary, his smile deepened, even exuding a chilling wickedness.
This was exactly what he wanted Gyokaku Kumoi to say.
Tokinada lightly toyed with the newly purchased wolf-hair brush at his waist, raised his slender eyebrows, and asked with a smile, "Then... Lord Kumoi."
"Since you lack the manpower and fear that interesting Substitute Soul Reaper..."
"Do you need some... professional help over in the World of the Living?"