nownovels Chapter 70 ⥤ In the Name of Exorcism, Please Change to This Clothes!
Chapter 70 ⥤ In the Name of Exorcism, Please Change to This Clothes!
Chapter 70 - 70 ⥤ In the Name of Exorcism, Please Change to This Clothes!The Shihōin Family Shrine.
With its blue bricks and dark tiles, upturned eaves and corners, the ancient building stood in the intersecting sunlight. A faint dust surrounded its edges, exuding an air of mystery.
"This is where we keep the family's Zanpakutō." Yoruichi explained, "No one can remove it from the shrine without first gaining its acceptance."
Along both sides of the shrine's corridor stood several Shinigami, completely shrouded in black clothing. Their presence was so well suppressed that if Yoruichi hadn't mentioned them, Akira wouldn't have noticed them at all.
There wasn't even the slightest trace of Reiatsu.
"Stop looking around — this is a secret technique of the Onmitsukidō. Once you join the Second Division, I'll teach it to you personally." Yoruichi grabbed his hand and strode casually toward the shrine.
"You're that certain I'll join Second Division?" Akira asked, puzzled, "Captain Unohana made quite a generous offer."
Yoruichi turned to look at him with disdain, "I don't know about others, but judging by your standards... The conditions I'm offering are something you simply can't refuse."
After several interactions, she had figured him out — he was easy to understand with the right approach. Like giving honey to a bear, this lecherous priest could be managed with the right incentives... women.
This was how the Shihōin family head handled relationships and social affairs!
"Lady Yoruichi." At the entrance, the guard Shinigami bowed respectfully.
"I'm bringing a friend in to resolve the Zanpakutō issue." Yoruichi waved her hand and, to Akira's surprise, simply walked in without ceremony.
There wasn't even a second round of questioning!
"Say, is guarding the Shihōin family shrine always this relaxed?" He asked curiously, "I feel like I could do this job too."
She explained with a smile, "Actually, it's because there have been so many visitors to the shrine lately — not just you, but Captain-Commander Yamamoto, Captain Ukitake, Captain Unohana... They've all been invited to help resolve the Zanpakutō issue."
So that's how it was. Akira understood.
They'd gotten used to it due to the frequent visits.
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The two entered the shrine's interior smoothly.
To Akira's surprise, the overall structure resembled the Sakahone Shrine, except for a Zanpakutō embedded in a craggy rock at the center.
Memorial tablets of successive Shihōin family heads lined both sides of the Zanpakutō.
He counted — twenty-one in total.
Since Yoruichi would be the twenty-second head of the Shihōin family, it appeared all previous family heads had passed away.
No wonder the family elders were anxious.
With the current turmoil among Soul Society nobility, the Shihōin family risked being absorbed or supplanted by hostile forces if they delayed selecting a new head.
"I almost forgot to ask, do you need anything prepared for this exorcism?" Yoruichi turned and asked, "The Ise family priests usually use incense, ritual wands, shrines, sacred stones, and other items during ceremonies. I can have them prepared if needed."
Akira waved his hand, "No need — I'm different from those second-rate priests. However, I will need your assistance."
From his empty sleeve, he produced a complete set of shrine priest's garments, followed by ritual wands, incense, cinnabar, brushes, and an altar table.
Beside him, Yoruichi stared in disbelief. She moved closer, her delicate hands patting his body,