"The Kido Corps is the private domain of the nobility, an institution meant to groom their own children. You know this very well."
"By what right does someone from the Rukongai study here? And by what right did you authorize it without permission?"
Tsukabishi Tessai clenched his fists slightly.
"Before joining the Fourth Division, Hasumi Ren served in the Stealth Force under the Second Division. His Hakuda and Shunpo were both forged there. What exactly is the issue with someone of his background coming to the Kido Corps to study Kido?"
A cold sneer echoed from the darkness.
"That is in the past. Has he not already been transferred from the Second Division? Now he is nothing more than a medic from the Fourth Division, yet he sneaks over to the Kido Corps to learn Kido. Tsukabishi Tessai, do you not find your excuses increasingly flimsy? Do not forget your own origins."
Tessai fell silent. He understood what these people were implying. They were not just targeting Hasumi Ren; they were taking a swipe at him too.
They were reminding him that he was once a mere retainer of the Shihoin clan—an outsider to the nobility who now sat in the seat of the Grand Kido Chief. It was a position achieved solely through the backing of Shihoin Yoruichi. Now, these sages dared to bring it up to make a point, clearly operating under orders from higher-ranking nobles.
After weighing the consequences, Tessai spoke slowly, his voice deep and heavy.
"I understand. I will handle the matter regarding Hasumi Ren."
"Handle it how?" the voice pressed on mercilessly.
Tessai paused for a moment.
"I will revoke his privileges to study with the Kido Corps."
"Not enough," the voice cut in coldly. "We want him gone completely. He is not to set foot inside the Kido Corps in any capacity whatsoever. Furthermore, you will submit a written report to the Central 46 explaining your regulatory violation in authorizing an outsider entry."
Tessai's face turned ashen.
"This is an abuse of power, Tsukabishi Tessai," the voice chided condescendingly. "You used your position for personal gain, fostering cronyism and treating the Kido Corps as your personal fiefdom. The Central 46 has every right to correct your mistakes. Out of respect for your past service to the Shihoin clan, we shall waive any further liability this time. Do you have any objections?"
Tessai stood motionless, hands hanging stiffly at his sides. After a long silence, he finally spoke.
"I understand."
He turned and walked away. Behind him, the silhouettes of the sages faded back into the shadows.
Stepping out of the Central 46 chambers, Tessai felt the night wind brush past, carrying a distinct chill. Yet, he did not return to the Kido Corps immediately. He walked along the stone paths of the Seireitei, his pace much slower than usual.
Eventually, he came to a halt and stared out into the dark expanse, his gaze deep and troubled. The night breeze swept through the alleys, rustling the hem of his uniform. The conversation from tonight replayed continuously in his mind—the tone of the sages, their wording, and their attitude.
They had not brought this up on a whim; they had come fully prepared. Every question was calculated, and every rebuttal was premeditated. This was not a spontaneous strike against Hasumi Ren, but a meticulously orchestrated plot.
'But... what is the motive?'
Hasumi Ren was merely a fourth seat in the Fourth Division, a relative newcomer who had only recently joined the Gotei 13. Even if Tessai's actions leaned slightly outside regulations, the matter could be viewed as either major or minor depending on interpretation. It certainly did not warrant the Central 46 personally intervening with such gravity.
There was clearly a prominent noble family pulling the strings. It seemed there were hidden underlying factors he was unaware of.
Tessai closed his eyes, inhaled deeply, and then strode forward into the night.
A few days later, at the Kido Corps training grounds.
Hasumi Ren arrived for his usual routine. The moment he stepped through the door, he sensed a slight shift in the atmosphere. Remaining unfazed, he ignored the strange looks cast by the other Kido Corps members and walked over to a corner of the grounds, preparing to begin his practice.
"Hasumi Ren."
Tessai's voice called out from behind.
Turning around, Ren saw Tessai standing under the corridor eaves. Though his expression remained calm, Ren could spot the suppressed look in his eyes.
"Come with me."
Ren nodded and followed him to the far end of the corridor.
Tessai remained quiet for a brief moment before speaking.
"Starting today, you will temporarily be unable to come to the Kido Corps."
Ren narrowed his eyes slightly at the news. "May I ask why?"
Tessai offered no elaborate explanation, merely letting out a sigh.
"A few days ago, I was summoned by the Central 46. They questioned the unofficial research student status I granted you and ordered me to rescind it. However, this does not change much. Your mastery of Kido is already close to captain-level. Missing out on the Kido Corps will not hinder you."
He looked at Ren, his eyes reflecting unvarnished praise.
"You have already mastered the techniques I taught you. The rest depends largely on accumulating practical battle experience. When it comes to that, Captain Unohana has deep roots in Kido and is equally suited to guide you."
Ren looked back at him, staying silent for a moment. Then he nodded. His face showed no signs of anger or resentment, only absolute composure.
"I understand. Thank you for your generous guidance during this time, Grand Kido Chief."
He turned and began to walk away.
Watching his departing figure, Tessai suddenly spoke up.
"Hasumi Ren."
Ren paused.
"If you ever run into any problems regarding Kido, you may still seek me out privately. I will tell you everything I know."
Ren nodded and resumed his departure, his steps steady.
Tessai stood in place, watching the silhouette vanish beyond the gates. After a long while, he let out a soft sigh.
Having left the Kido Corps, Ren wandered along the streets of the Seireitei. The warning previously given by Yamada Seinosuke flashed across his mind, tying directly into today's sudden intervention from the Central 46.
A few threads were beginning to align, and when traced together, they pointed straight toward a single entity—a high-ranking noble with whom he shared a grudge.
Tsunayashiro Tokinada.
That man was still watching him.
'What exactly is his objective this time...' Ren pondered silently.
His thoughts drifted to the expansion of the Shino Academy Medical Relief Station. That was a project heavily pushed by the Tsunayashiro clan. Nominally, it was meant to provide better medical services to the nobility, but in reality, it served as a tool for them to control medical resources.
Once the Relief Station expanded, it would draw personnel from the Fourth Division. Yamada Seinosuke was slated to be transferred there as its chief representative—a deliberate piece of the blueprint. Once Seinosuke transferred out, the lieutenant position would be left vacant.
As the individual Unohana valued most, Ren would naturally be the prime candidate to succeed the position. The current landscape within the Fourth Division was clear as day; the lieutenant seat practically belonged to him.
But if someone wanted to block his promotion, they only needed to manufacture a blemish on his record. For instance, getting singled out for criticism by the Central 46 and labeled with some bizarre infraction.
A realization flashed through Ren's mind.
This had nothing to do with the Kido Corps, nor did it have to do with regulations. It was entirely about the lieutenant position. Tokinada was actively trying to block his advancement.
Ren fell silent.
'So that's how it is.'
Tsunayashiro Tokinada was attempting to strip him of his right to promotion through political maneuvering. It was actually quite amusing.
Amused by the thought, Ren suddenly brought his feet to a halt. He lifted his gaze to look ahead.
Through the twilight, a figure stood at the street corner. The man stood there casually, as if merely taking an evening stroll and passing by chance.
Ren stared at him for a moment before stepping forward to meet him.
"Vice-Captain Aizen."
Aizen's gaze lingered on Ren for a brief moment before shifting toward the distant direction of the Kido Corps. He spoke up, his voice carrying his signature warm tone.
"My, have you run into some trouble?"