Crows x Souls

Chapter 267 – A Blind Counter-strike

The talk with Tsunayashiro Akifusa took more time that either Yoruichi and Itachi were happy with but they had no choice but to stay through it all because, annoyingly, he said somethings at intervals that really caught their interest. 

It was annoying because both of them were sure that he was intentionally doing so anytime he saw that their patience was fraying. 

But there was something he said that caught both Shinigami’s attention, and he knew that, because that was one of the main reasons he called them. 

It wasn’t anything concrete but the way he laid suspicion on the Kasumioji Clan was strange enough to warrant investigation from the both of them. Both of them knew that this was what Tsunayashiro Akifusa wanted, for whatever reason why, but could do nothing else but take the bait. The situation was too delicate to throw away any ounce of suspicion. 

When asked about the basics of his suspicions, he gave only a hollow answer. They wordlessly accepted it as there was nothing they could do to pressure him for more. 

Even if the Tsunayashiro Head had something to hide, it would be hard for them to know as he knew they would be investigating the Kasumioji as well as the Tsunayashiro. This was the type of shogi move that Itachi hated. Obscurity in transparency. 

It was mildly infuriating, especially for Itachi, when they had quickly realized that this was the reason he called for them. Like his earlier words, he had a good measure of Itachi’s character which meant that he fully expected Itachi’s refusal in some form, which, in hindsight, didn’t deter him a bit as he simply played the other card in his hand— his intended move— in such a way that he would be aware of where their eyes would be — the Kasumioji and the Tsunayashiro Clan. 

“Spirits, I hate that old man.” Yoruichi crinkled her nose in a show of mild disgust. It was the sort of competency that prompted involuntary respect. 

“He is… troublesome.” Itachi said, pausing to find a word that wasn’t as storing as hate but was not lacking in intensity. 

“What do you think about what he said?” Yoruichi asked as they traveled together. “Do you think this originated from the Kasumioji like he seemed to insinuate?”

“That is the thing.” Itachi replied with a faint displeased frown on his face. “We won’t know until we focus on the Kasumioji.”

“And Tsunayashiro.”

“Obviously.”

She gave him a side glance. “You don’t seem placated with that.”

They left the lands of the Tsunayashiro before Itachi responded to Yoruichi’s comment. 

“In a way, he just successfully directed where our focus would be centered on.” 

Yoruichi sighed. That was something she was trying not to think about. The actions of these groups escaped their direct surveillance three times, and that was when they were focused on them. 

If this was a diversion tactic, though she had a healthy doubt on it, then it would give them more chances to escape or do whatever they wanted with the frayed surveillance. 

“I’ll talk to Kisuke. It’s about time he got off his lazy ass.” She said. 

The inclusion of Kisuke wasn’t because she was friends with him and that they both trusted him—though that was the additional advantage— but instead it was because of Kisuke’s position as the Captain of the 9th Division. Similar to 2nd Division’s Onmistukidō and it’s role an a stealth and executive force, every other Division of the Gotei 13 had their specific branch of focus, and the 9th Division’s main task was counter-intelligence and security, and also publishing the Seireitei Bulletin. 

They were one of the few Divisions that worked well with the 2nd Division’s Onmistukidō. 

They were drawing closer to the Gotei 13 when Yoruichi looked at Itachi’s bandaged arm and asked curiously. 

“Are you going to rest to let that settle?” She raised both hands in a joking surrender at the look Itachi gave her. “Right. Forget I asked.”

They went their different ways as they arrived at the Gotei, with Yoruichi going towards Kisuke’s 9th and Itachi returning to his 2nd. 

The rest of the Division had no doubt heard about Itachi’s injury which was obvious in the way they all did a double take when they saw his bandaged hand. 

It took them a second to realize that they were gawking at their Captain before they snapped out of it and resumed their duties, although at a slower pace as the shock was still deliberate. 

Someone managed to hurt their Captain. The thought echoed in their heads as their bodies continued in familiar motions. 

The shock and disbelief was there, but it was quickly giving way to the hot liquid rage that was slowly bidding up in their hearts. 

Some bastards were getting really smug if they thought they could hurt their Captain and get away with it. 

“They are dead.” One said with a humorous whistle but the look in his eyes was far from humor. 

The woman beside him scoffed. “You don’t think they already know that?”

The man chuckled darkly. “They might have written themselves off as dead but they will be even deader when we’re through with them.”

The Captain was already out of sight when the man turned to his comrades around him and commanded with a little laugh to his voice. 

“Tell Hao and the other Overseers to gather their squads, and tell them to come see me.” It was strange seeing some Seated Officers comply with the command of a regular Shinigami but nobody said anything as some dispersed while the others continued their work, as did the humorous man. 

Meanwhile, Itachi who had entered his office was met with the presence of his ROOT: Tengu, Snake, Tiger and Fox. 

They did not radiate anything like the murderous aura that was slowly building up in the Division, instead they radiated silence. It was a silence that put everything else to a stop. 

Instead of going to his desk, he went to the other side of his office with the small table and sat down on the mat. The four shadows in the room mirrored his actions but yet none of them spoke a word. 

Itachi closed his eyes and meditated for a few minutes where he and Tsukuyomi reviewed his own memories of the last few days for anything he might have missed, especially that last attack. 

He did not end there and started going over the numerous small rebellions and attempted coup he had put a stop to throughout the years. 

They were always so spontaneous and short-lived and had seemed like the actions of stupid and overly ambitious fools. Looking back at it now, it seemed even more foolish and reckless to escalate a rebellion and coup when it was obviously known that the Gotei 13 had like 15 Captain-level Shinigami. 

An overly ambitious thought came to Itachi as he came out of his trip down memory lane: were they at all connected?

No, they weren’t. That he was certain of. There was no way they were connected. 

… But what if they were connected in a way that played out ignorance in obscurity… like the Togabito. 

He did not put up that thought process and instead set it to the side so as not to lose sight of what was currently happening 

The air in the room changed from its still silence to the faint sound of the autumn blowing winds as he opened his eyes. 

His gaze landed on Fox. “Fox, report.”

“We caught seventeen coconspirators, both willing and ignorant, and put them through T&I. The results were not extensive and the integrity of it has not been verified.”

He said nothing and turned to his second shadow. “Tiger.”

The voice that replied from behind the mask was a distorted gruff baritone. “The South and East Gates are being monitored. The 9th Division is stationed at the West Gate. Captain Zaraki Kenpachi is lounging at the North Gate.”

Itachi’s only reaction to the last piece of news was an understanding nod. Zaraki had a keen sense and he did not like being observed. Any attempt from his agents to watch the North Gates would be taken as a challenge from the man and the result would vary on his mood. 

He moved to the next shadow. “Snake.”

“Nothing from the crime scenes. Just waiting on you to start combing through the Noble Clans.” Snake was the one in charge of the crime scenes after Itachi retired for his short treatment. 

“Tengu.”

“The Clan Head of the Shihōin has given his word. He advises caution in where you step.” Tengu brought out a scroll with the Shihōin Clan Head’s seal and handed it to Itachi who wordlessly took it and broke the seal. 

The shadows continued their wait in silence as Itachi read through whatever was on the seal, a silence that was softly broken as the scroll was engulfed in black flames and consumed. 

“Let us begin.”

Their response would be a targeted counter-strike. Swift, sharp, and uncaring for whoever was on the other end of the blade. Itachi and his shadows had grown tired of the constant rebellions from the Noble Houses.

A decisive strike was needed. One that would be so brutally scarred that it will make future ambitious hearts hesitate. 

––––––

Patreøn*com/QuackVader

––––––