CHAPTER 100: CHAPTER 100: THE CENTRAL 46’S ACCOUNTABILITY

Katori Nanatsuki had arrived after hearing the commotion and quickly explained the situation to Katori Batsu’unsai.

After listening to Nanatsuki’s account, Batsu’unsai couldn’t help but sigh.

"To think you managed to survive through something like that..."

"I’m just glad you’re alright..." Batsu’unsai hugged Nanatsuki tightly, resting her head on his shoulder.

"When I first woke up, I thought they had taken out your Spiritual Pressure Core!"

Nanatsuki felt the soft, drawn-out breath from Batsu’unsai and replied gently,

"This is already the best outcome we could hope for. I’ll keep studying Kaido. As Soul Society’s techniques advance, we’ll eventually find a way to repair your Spiritual Pressure Core..."

"Yeah! We both have to live on."

The news of Katori Batsu’unsai’s recovery brought joy to everyone at the Katori-ryu Dojo—but Kyōraku Shunsui came bearing bad news.

"Batsu’unsai killed the Kasumioji exiles in the Dangai?" Nanatsuki frowned slightly—this was the first he’d heard of it.

Then he remembered—Batsu’unsai had come to him through the Senkaimon that day.

Which meant... she must have gone to the Dangai first and taken out the exiled members of the Kasumioji Clan.

"The exile to the Dangai was a sentence passed by the Central 46," Kyōraku said with a bitter smile. "By acting on her own like that, Captain Katori has essentially questioned their authority. I was hoping to keep the matter quiet... but it was discovered."

"The Central 46 knows now. Captain Katori needs to prepare herself."

"Captain Kyōraku, are you saying the Central 46 plans to hold her accountable?" Nanatsuki’s brow furrowed.

Kyōraku nodded helplessly.

"What kind of punishment are we looking at?" Nanatsuki asked.

"Possibly several years in Muken," Kyōraku said gravely.

He knew full well what condition Batsu’unsai’s body was in. Being imprisoned in Muken in that state was a death sentence.

"Absolutely not!" Nanatsuki’s voice thundered. If she were cut off from her supply of Reiatsu, she’d be dead in mere months.

"Katori-kun, before I came here, I discussed it with Old Man Yama," Kyōraku said in a hushed voice. "There might be another way."

"What way?!"

"Petition to change the punishment."

"And how would we do that?"

Kyōraku explained slowly,

"For crimes that don’t require permanent imprisonment, there’s an alternative—serve in battle. By accumulating military merits, the sentence in Muken can be replaced."

Nanatsuki hesitated. "But Batsu’unsai’s body can’t handle battlefield combat. Could her past achievements count toward the penalty?"

"Past merits don’t count with the Central 46..." Kyōraku said with a sigh.

"But we could argue for you to fight in her place. Katori-kun, with your current strength, that shouldn’t be a problem, right?"

"If it can spare Batsu’unsai from Muken, of course I’ll fight in her place," Nanatsuki replied without hesitation.

After thinking about recent conflicts in Soul Society, he asked,

"Is it Hueco Mundo?"

"No, the Hueco Mundo expedition force already left," Kyōraku shook his head. "This one’s different—we’re going after the Quincy in the World of the Living."

Nanatsuki was surprised.

"The Quincy?"

Kyōraku nodded.

"You remember the Karakura Town incident, right? You were there yourself."

"The Onmitsukidō tracked the Quincy who appeared in Karakura and found a major stronghold—possibly even their main base in the living world."

"We’ll be launching a purge operation soon."

"A Quincy war, huh..." Nanatsuki fell silent.

From memories of his past life, he vaguely recalled such a purge occurring.

He just hadn’t expected to be part of its beginning. Let alone to fight in it.

Thanks to the Kasumioji Clan’s mess redirecting attention toward the Quincy, the war was starting sooner than expected.

"Although the Quincy still have some strong fighters, our side is sending even more powerful forces," Kyōraku explained.

"Captain Unohana, Execution Captain, and Captain Kuyashiki Kenpachi will lead the mission."

The "Execution Captain" referred to Nobutsuna Shigyō, the original 7th Division Captain—one of the few remaining first-generation captains still in service.

First-generation captains were monstrously strong.

Kuyashiki Kenpachi was a top-tier combatant even among captains.

The Gotei 13 was clearly deploying its heavy hitters.

"Then I’ll go in her place," Nanatsuki said calmly.

The Quincy still had strong fighters left in this era, but he wasn’t afraid.

His strength now was nothing to scoff at—and with Kaido Self-Regeneration, his survivability was unmatched. He was confident he could earn enough merit.

Two days later, Nanatsuki once again stood in the Central 46’s courtroom.

"Why did you go into the Dangai and kill those exiles?" one of the judges demanded.

"Are you questioning our verdict?"

Batsu’unsai responded firmly,

"Some of those exiles snuck back into Soul Society and even attacked my dojo’s disciples. That’s why I acted."

"Lies!" the judge barked.

"The ones who returned weren’t the same as the ones you killed in the Dangai!"

"Katori Batsu’unsai has no regard for the law. I propose a sentence of ten years in Muken!"

Another judge followed up,

"And the Intelligence Division failed in their duties to monitor the exiles. Kyōraku Shunsui and others involved are to be docked three years’ pay!"

"Hold it!"

The deep voice of Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto echoed in the hall.

"Soul Society is about to begin a Quincy purge war. The Hueco Mundo expedition is still underway. Our forces are stretched thin."

"I propose altering Katori Batsu’unsai’s sentence to conscription into the war effort. However, due to her condition, she is unfit to fight. Her brother, Katori Nanatsuki, will go in her place."

The judges turned to one another, murmuring in debate.

"Changing the sentence to war service is acceptable—it’s within the rules. But why let someone else go in her place?"

"Didn’t she slaughter twenty or thirty exiles all by herself?"

"Exactly! She could fight then—why not now, just because it’s the Quincy?"

"And who even is this Katori Nanatsuki? Is he stronger than Batsu’unsai?"

Nanatsuki stood silently in the middle of the courtroom, coldly observing the judges who objected.

He didn’t recognize most of them. But thanks to his Status Interface, he could see their names.

He recorded them all.

Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto spoke again:

"I can personally vouch for Katori Nanatsuki—his strength exceeds that of Katori Batsu’unsai in her current state."

Hearing Yamamoto’s guarantee, the judges dared not object further.

"Very well. Katori Nanatsuki will serve in her place."

"But if he fails to earn sufficient military merit in the war, the original sentence for Katori Batsu’unsai will be reinstated!"