Chapter 328: Tokinada's Mockery

"Oh, Kyōraku Shunsui, if I remember correctly, the Tsunayashiro family didn't allow you to bring anyone into the Great Spirit Book Library, did they?"

Tsunayashiro Tokida revealed a malicious smile, his eyes narrowing into slits, showing a mocking glint as he spoke, "Especially not a kid like this."

With a malicious grin, Tsunayashiro Tokida pointed his long finger at H'el while speaking to Kyōraku Shunsui.

He could already envision a future where he would use Kyōraku Shunsui's unauthorized entry into the Great Spirit Book Corridor as leverage, forcing him into some interesting situations. Seeing the usually nonchalant Kyōraku's face twist in anger would be quite a sight.

H'el glanced at Tsunayashiro Tokida, then shifted his gaze to Kyōraku Shunsui. His look seemed to ask: "Do you know him? An old acquaintance?"

H'el decided to watch and see what kind of grudge existed between Kyōraku Shunsui and Tsunayashiro Tokida.

Perhaps Kyōraku Shunsui and this sinister Tsunayashiro Tokida had some unspoken bonds or feelings. Maybe they could resolve this through negotiation.

It would be much easier than having to kill members of the Tsunayashiro family, then the Gotei 13, and finally the Zero Division, before prying open the Soul King's skull to learn the secrets of creating the Three Realms. That would be quite troublesome.

In this moment, the fate of the Three Realms hinged on the outcome of the discussion between Kyōraku Shunsui and Tsunayashiro Tokida.

Both of them were oblivious to the fact that their actions at this moment would influence the future of the Three Realms.

"Well..." Kyōraku Shunsui rubbed his chin, feeling a real headache coming on.

Of all people, he had to run into Tsunayashiro Tokida, an old enemy.

He could already foresee the difficulties he'd face in the future, having been the one to expose Tsunayashiro Tokida's crime of killing his wife, which led to his confinement.

"It's best not to point your finger at H'el, Tsunayashiro Tokida. I'd advise you to show a little respect towards him." Kyōraku Shunsui rubbed his chin, unable to come up with a better plan on the spot, so he tried to change the subject, reminding him, "Your unrestrained behavior and the power you learned from our shared past might not protect you in front of this young man."

Kyōraku Shunsui was stalling for time, thinking that maybe it would take some negotiations with the Old Man Yama and the nobles to resolve the issue of bringing H'el into the Great Spirit Book Corridor.

But first, they needed to get out of here.

Kyōraku Shunsui's words left Tsunayashiro Tokida puzzled. His narrowed eyes flashed with confusion.

Kyōraku Shunsui, his contemporary from the Shin'ō Academy, was someone he knew well.

Despite his lazy demeanor, his flirtations with female subordinates, his messy, sakura-viewing, sake-drinking lifestyle, Kyōraku Shunsui was shrewd, understood social intricacies, and possessed a frightening level of insight.

It was Kyōraku Shunsui who had seen through Tsunayashiro Tokida's lie about killing his wife, leading to his confinement.

Tsunayashiro Tokida was intrigued by Kyōraku Shunsui's seemingly offhanded warning and felt a malicious urge to play along.

The Tsunayashiro family, one of the most esteemed in the Three Realms, stood above all others.

Even the descendants of the Soul King were beaten into submission by Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni, regarded merely as enforcers by the nobility.

It was laughable to think there could be anyone deserving of the Tsunayashiro family's respect, especially someone Kyōraku Shunsui mentioned.

This was too funny.

A child with spiritual pressure so low it was almost negligible, worthy of respect? Any special abilities would be ineffective with such low spiritual pressure.

Tsunayashiro Tokida's mockery and malice, intertwined with the bitterness of Kyōraku Shunsui exposing his crime, bubbled up inside him.

"No matter how noble the child, they cannot surpass the Tsunayashiro family. Unauthorized entry into the Great Spirit Library Corridor, managed by the Tsunayashiro family, is a grave crime, Kyōraku Shunsui..." Tsunayashiro Tokida's smile widened, revealing his teeth, his eyes glinting with naked malice as he said, "Here's the deal: to keep your trespass into the Great Spirit Library Corridor a secret, chop off this child's hand in front of me. Show me how far you'll go for your family and what you protect."

Tsunayashiro Tokida's mocking, malicious smile was blatant, brimming with anticipation as he looked at Kyōraku Shunsui.

The memory of Kyōraku Shunsui seeing through his lie about killing his wife made this moment all the more satisfying.

"It seems you don't know how much trouble you're getting into," Kyōraku Shunsui stopped rubbing his chin, his face losing its laziness, his eyes flashing coldly, a chill spiritual pressure emanating from him.

Kyōraku Shunsui was in a tight spot.

As a Shinigami, he would face punishment from the Central 46 for entering the Great Spirit Book Gallery without permission.

As a noble, he would also face judgment from the Nobles Council.

The worst-case scenario was the Noble Council stripping his family and those he protected of their noble status, making them easy prey for Tsunayashiro Tokida's schemes. The consequences would be dire—true ruin.

"Go ahead, unless you want to see and hear the future you dread. Chop off his hand in front of me, show me your resolve, Kyōraku Shunsui."

Tsunayashiro Tokida's smile stretched almost to his ears.

This moment of enjoyment was something he couldn't get enough of.

He finally understood.

Kyōraku Shunsui's exposure of his lie about killing his wife was just setting the stage for this moment.

H'el, observing from the side, realized that Kyōraku Shunsui had no good plan. He shook his head regretfully and said, "Kyōraku Shunsui, I thought you might talk things over with an old friend and let me read in peace. It seems I'll have to proceed as I expected."

H'el slowly extended his palm toward Tsunayashiro Tokida, spreading his fingers.

Tsunayashiro Tokida's smile widened even more. This child, with such weak spiritual pressure, wanted to attack him? How laughable...

"Ah——"

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