HYUZ - Chapter 234: The Five Noble Clans

Hearing this, Kaien couldn't help but twitch at the corner of his eye.

Had he really been away from home for so long that it felt like there was no place for him in this family anymore?

“Ganju is still young, so don't be too hard on him,” Kaien said awkwardly. “If I had the time, I’d come back and teach him myself.”

“In that case… Aniki must be a great teacher now, right?” Kūkaku Shiba asked.

“That depends on who you’re comparing me to.” Kaien shrugged.

Kūkaku stroked her chin thoughtfully. “How about compared to Masatsuki? He’s ranked 10th Dan in Zanjutsu, Hakuda, and Kidō.”

“Oh, right. I also heard the Shihōin Clan recently established a Shunpo Association, and now he’s a 10th Dan in Shunpo too.”

Kaien’s expression twisted as if he had swallowed a fly.

What the hell is that guy doing with all his free time? What’s the point of certifying in so many disciplines? Do you really need the extra stipend that badly?

“There's no need to be so surprised, Brother-in-law,” a voice suddenly chimed in. “To be honest, I don’t care about these meaningless titles, but Master insisted I get certified. I had no choice but to put on a little show for those old guys in the association.”

The wooden door slid open. A young man in a white haori stepped inside, leading a small boy by the hand. The child obediently remained at the entrance, not stepping in, while two muscular men behind them respectfully shut the door.

“Masatsuki, you’re here?” Kūkaku’s face lit up with a dazzling smile.

“Wait… is that really Captain Masatsuki?”

Everyone froze, eyes wide in shock as they stared at the man who had just appeared.

She had assumed the girl in front of her was joking, but there was no mistaking it—it really was the legendary 11th Kenpachi, Captain Masatsuki Aozaki!

And what was even more shocking… Had she just heard someone call him “Big Brother-in-law”?!

There had only been one man in the room before—Kaien. Did that mean Masatsuki was referring to him?

And within the Shiba family, the only female relative was Kūkaku… So that meant… Kūkaku was his wife?!

Masatsuki Aozaki’s gaze swept across the room—Kūkaku, exuding her usual bold and heroic presence; the gentle, dark-haired woman beside her; and Kaien, who at this moment was practically radiating jealousy.

“You bastard!”

Kaien leapt to his feet, his emotions surging as he clenched his fist and swung it fiercely at Masatsuki’s face.

“Being too outstanding really does make you an easy target for jealousy,” Masatsuki mused inwardly as he casually extended his palm, catching Kaien’s punch with ease.

Stepping forward, he leaned in close, his voice lowering to a near whisper beside Kaien’s ear.

“I’m here under orders from the Captain-Commander.”

Though his tone was quiet, every word carried clearly throughout the room.

The lighthearted expression on Kūkaku’s face vanished in an instant.

She lifted her head, staring intently in Masatsuki’s direction.

Kaien’s pupils contracted slightly, momentarily stunned.

But after only a brief pause, he quickly composed himself, withdrew his fist, and sank back into his kneeling position.

“Why are you so late?” Kūkaku Shiba asked.

“I went to see someone,” Masatsuki Aozaki replied. “Nothing important.”

“What did the Captain-Commander send you here for?”

Kaien Shiba rested his hands on his lap, his posture slightly tense as he asked.

Masatsuki shifted his gaze from Kaien to the dark-haired woman sitting beside him, curiosity flashing in his eyes.

“She’s the 3rd Seat of the 10th Division, right? What’s your relationship with her?”

Kaien’s expression softened. He nodded slightly, his voice firm.

“She’s my future wife.”

Masatsuki frowned slightly, as if deep in thought. After a moment, he spoke again.

“Then, can I consider her a member of the Shiba family now?”

Kaien was silent for a few seconds before giving a small nod.

“Yes.”

At his confirmation, a small smile appeared on Masatsuki’s lips.

“Well then, since she’s the lady of the Shiba household, as her younger brother-in-law, I naturally have no right to turn her away.”

His teasing tone eased some of the tension in the room.

Kaien’s eye twitched. He clenched his jaw, his voice carrying a hint of frustration as he demanded,

“What exactly did the Captain-Commander send you here for?”

Masatsuki let out a weary sigh, as if already used to this kind of questioning.

“Captain Isshin should have told you already. The old man wants the Shiba family to return to Seireitei as one of the Five Noble Clans.”

Masatsuki frowned slightly and continued, “And I’m just here as their messenger.”

“Five… Five Noble Clans?”

Miyako murmured softly, a look of confusion on her face.

Coming from a commoner background, she had never heard of the Five Noble Clans—only the Four Noble Clans.

Masatsuki caught her reaction and offered a small smile.

“Do you remember Shin'ō Academy’s motto? ‘To protect the King and serve the Five Lords.’ The Four Noble Clans people talk about today were once the Five, before the Shiba family left Seireitei.”

As he spoke, he gave Kūkaku’s arm a reassuring pat.

Miyako’s lips parted slightly in surprise.

So her future husband was actually the head of a top noble family? But when she thought about his usual carefree attitude, it suddenly didn’t seem like such a big deal after all.

Kaien licked his dry lips but found himself at a loss for words.

To him, being the head of the Shiba family wasn’t something to brag about.

The so-called Five Noble Clans were nothing more than descendants of traitors who had conspired against the Soul King, and his ancestors had acknowledged that sin.

Uncle Isshin had mentioned this before, but Kaien had dismissed it as a joke and never taken it seriously.

After all, that man was unreliable more often than not—how could anyone take him seriously when he suddenly suggested something as absurd as the Shiba Clan returning to the Seireitei?

Kūkaku, still holding onto Masatsuki’s arm, grinned and said,

“It doesn’t really matter to me, but Aniki is the real head of the family, so the final decision is up to him.”

Kaien glanced at her.

This was basically her way of persuading him.

Why was his sister always siding with outsiders?!

Masatsuki nodded slightly in agreement.

Kaien hadn’t died as a Shinigami, so Kūkaku and Ganju had no particular resentment toward Seireitei.

Kūkaku had already agreed, and Ganju lacked a strong opinion of his own.

Now, all that remained was for Kaien to decide.