Chapter 167 – The Authority of the Five Great Noble Houses

Chapter 167 – The Authority of the Five Great Noble Houses

"The Shiba Clan..."

Several shadowy figures gathered within a dim room, their voices hushed and devoid of vitality, perhaps due to the enclosed space.

"Are you certain?"

"Not entirely..." one figure replied. "Three hundred years ago, we found the main house of the Shiba clan..."

"Although we killed the head of the family at that time, we didn't obtain any information about that item, and we lost track of the Shiba clan."

"We've confirmed that the Captain of the 10th Division isn't from the main house due to his age, so we haven't taken action against him."

"Our initial plan was to use this branch family member to lure out the main house."

"After three hundred years, a member of the Shiba clan has finally entered the Seireitei..."

"Don't be hasty. We can't confirm whether this Kaien Shiba is from the main or branch family. We'll act once we're certain."

"Otherwise, our aspirations to obtain that item and ascend to the ranks of the 'Great Nobles' will be delayed even further..."

"Indeed, but how do we determine whether he's from the main or branch family?"

"Leave that to me!" one figure volunteered. "Coincidentally, my clan has some children of the right age to enroll in the Shin'ō Academy. I believe they'll bring us good news."

"Very well, we'll leave it to you..."

Kaien Shiba, newly enrolled in the Shin'ō Academy, remains oblivious to the fact that his arrival had stirred unease among certain individuals within the Seireitei.

Since the creation of the three realms, there had only ever been "Five Great Noble Houses" in Soul Society.

The founders of these houses were individuals who had followed the Soul King since the very beginning. After the realms were established, the Five Great Houses became the true rulers of Soul Society, each wielding a unique "authority."

The Kuchiki clan maintained the order of the nobility and upheld the "rules" of the Seireitei.

The Shihōin clan controlled the "Heavenly Bestowed Armaments," possessing numerous powerful weapons with various abilities.

The Tsunayashiro clan wielded the strongest Zanpakuto, "Enrakyōten," making them the most individually powerful family among the Five Great Houses.

The Shiba clan held dominion over the "Fireworks Cannon" and "Reishi Shells," granting them free access to the Soul King Palace and the right to meet with the Soul King.

The identity of the final Great Noble House remained Soul Society's greatest secret. Even Ailin, who nearly became the head of the Kuchiki clan, couldn't glean any information about them from Ginrei Kuchiki.

However, after years of speculation, Ailin had a hunch.

The fifth Great Noble House was likely the Ise family, guardians of the sacred "Eight Mirror Sword."

The "Eight Mirror Sword" was an artifact incapable of harming mortals but possessing the power to "slay gods."

To mortals, Shinigami were "gods."

So, who were the "gods" to Shinigami?

The Soul King!

The "Eight Mirror Sword" was the Five Great Houses' trump card against the Soul King, a safeguard should he ever refuse to remain as the "Linchpin" and attempt to break free from his crystalline prison to seek vengeance.

Although the Soul King wouldn't do such a thing, his will instinctively rejected anything harmful to his existence. This was the reason behind the curse associated with the "Eight Mirror Sword."

Anyone who wielded the "Eight Mirror Sword" would lose their spouse to an unnatural death.

Each occurrence of this curse signified that the Ise family had inflicted harm upon the "god" of the Shinigami.

From this perspective, the Ise family likely aligned with the Tsunayashiro clan.Fiind updated novels at novelhall.com

Perhaps only a divine weapon like the "Eight Mirror Sword" could sever the Soul King's limbs and extract his internal organs...

Nanao Ise's mother might have witnessed the darkest secrets of Soul Society after being ordered by the previous head of the Tsunayashiro clan to attack the "Soul King."

Nanao didn't show any pride in response to Ailin's praise. Despite feeling her strength growing rapidly during this period, it seemed to make little difference before Ailin.

Since she began training with him nearly three months ago, every spar ended within fifteen minutes.

"Hahaha, Nanao, don't be discouraged. There are few your age who possess your level of skill," Ailin chuckled, wondering if he had been too obvious.

He had deliberately timed each spar with Nanao to last exactly fifteen minutes.

Kidō battles were essentially battles of "wit."

Choosing the right Kidō for the right situation and environment was crucial.

During this fifteen-minute window, Ailin would sometimes surpass Nanao in speed, sometimes in strength, and sometimes employ various Bakudō techniques for distraction...

After spending the first two months learning new Kidō spells, Nanao had spent the past month sparring with Ailin in simulations of various environments and against opponents with different abilities.

Through this training, Nanao's Shunpo had improved significantly, alongside her Kidō skills.

"Nanao, remember, all battles are about defeating or killing the enemy while ensuring your own survival," Ailin explained.

"Therefore, before engaging in combat, you must remain calm, observe the battlefield, identify your advantages and disadvantages compared to the enemy, and find ways to turn those disadvantages into advantages."

"Yes, I understand, Uncle Ailin."

"There are still a few days left before the three-month mark. During this time, I'll teach you another interesting technique, Nanao," Ailin smirked. "If you can master this technique, you'll secure your place among the top vice-captains of the Gotei 13!

This technique is a pure perception skill, which I call 'Kenbunshoku'. First, let's take a look at Bakudō #58: Kakushitsuijaku, and then observe Bakudō #77: Tenteikūra..."

"These two Kidō spells are tracking techniques capable of sensing and locking onto another's spiritual pressure."

Ailin had previously taught this "Kenbunshoku" technique to his second disciple, Gin Ichimaru.

Combining Kidō with Hakuda was known as "Shunkō," a technique developed by Yoruichi Shihōin that rivaled the power of a Zanpakuto's Bankai.

After obtaining Yoruichi and Soi Fon's Zanpakuto, Ailin gained deeper insights into merging Kidō spiritual pressure with one's own.

Yoruichi, Soi Fon, and Yushiro Shihōin, all used "Shunkō" as an offensive technique that combined their spiritual pressure with the destructive power of Hadō.

"Kenbunshoku," on the other hand, was a support ability developed by Ailin based on the principles of "Shunkō" and inspired by the cultivation system of another world. By merging the perception of Bakudō with his own spiritual pressure, Ailin created a Shinigami version of "Kenbunshoku Haki."

Unlike "Shunkō," which significantly enhanced one's offensive capabilities, "Kenbunshoku" focused on enhancing perception.

Upon activating "Kenbunshoku," the user's awareness within a certain range would be amplified, allowing them to sense the enemy's movements, attacks, and even predict their actions with further mastery.

In Ailin's view, "Shunkō" was similar to the "Busoshoku Haki" of the pirate world. It was impossible to definitively say which was stronger, as it depended on the individual and their style.

For example, even if Ailin taught Nanao "Shunkō," her poor Hakuda skills would likely result in her defeat before she could even land a blow on the enemy.

"Kenbunshoku," however, would significantly improve Nanao's adaptability on the battlefield, allowing her to better utilize various Kidō techniques against her opponents.

As for Gin Ichimaru, "Kenbunshoku" perfectly complemented his Zanpakuto, "Shinsō."

Within the range of "Kenbunshoku," no one could evade Gin's attacks.

Of course, mastering such a powerful ability wouldn't happen overnight. Even after learning it, one needed ample time to familiarize themselves with it before applying it in combat.

To demonstrate the capabilities of "Kenbunshoku," Ailin closed his eyes and stood before Nanao.

"Nanao, you can use any means to attack me. I won't fight back or defend myself," he instructed. If you can force me out of this circle within fifteen minutes, I'll tell you something about your Ise family."

"Really?" Nanao's expression turned serious upon hearing Ailin's words.

Nanao had been a member of the 8th Division for decades. However, despite her extensive investigations, she found almost no records of the Ise family within Soul Society. It was as if the Ise family had never existed.

Such a situation was highly abnormal unless someone had deliberately erased all traces of their existence.

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