SailorStar9: After getting Chapter 9 out, this is Chapter 10 and the final chapter of this fic. For everyone who put this fic on your favorited and followed lists and/or story alerts, thank you, but remember everyone, a lot of authors (myself included) sustain on readers' reviews.

Disclaimers: I own nothing, except for the plot bunny. Heck, even the pairings aren't mine.

Chapter 10: The Curtains Are Drawn, The End of the Kasumiōji Conflict

"Good work, Captain Amagai." Tula turned to the arriving Amagai who had entered the Captain-Commander's office. "Can I trouble you to temporarily put Komui Gyōkaku in the Squad 3's detainment cells? I shall oversee his trial, personally."

"Understood." Amagai nodded and Shunpo-ed off.

"Byakuya, is everything secure here?" Ukitake turned to the younger Captain.

"The Lieutenants are finishing off those still resisting." the 6th Squad Captain answered.

"What's your situation?" Hitsugaya turned to Kyoraku beside him.

"The Bakkōtō smithy is under our control." Kyoraku replied. "Captain Suì-Fēng is monitoring it personally."

"Now, where is Amagai Shūsuke?" Yoruichi asked.

"Amagai?" Hitsugaya echoed. "He went back to Seireitei when Madarame's group first charged in. that's the last time I saw him. Did something happen to him?" he frowned, seeing the former 2nd Squad Captain's shocked expression.

"Urahara had me check out Soul Society's storehouses while the recent events has everyone distracted." Yoruichi explained. "And in the process, I discovered the Kasumiōji Clan's dark secret. The very first member of the Kasumiōji to create the Bakkōtō was Komui Gyōkaku. He took the techniques he'd used to make the weaponry presented to the royal family, and used them to create those katana. A Bakkōtō could forcefully make their wielder use powers beyond their current ability, but with drastic side effects."

"I don't know how Amagai learnt about the Bakkōtō, but we can be sure that he worked his way in with Komui to get them himself." Ukitake added.

"It seems that he needed the Bakkōtō to advance some greater plan." Yoruichi guessed.

"That, becoming a Captain, and even an understanding of how Shinigami and Soul Society as a whole function." Kyoraku remarked.

"At any rate, he sprung into action as soon as he made Captain." Yoruichi continued. "Immediately after his inauguration, when the Kōryū conveniently stopped functioning correctly, he secretly snuck behind his Squad and by stopping the Kōtotsu himself, demonstrated his strength to his subordinates and gained their trust. He approached and gained the trust of the other Captains, and called upon them to work together, proposing joint training: all to observe and analyze the military might of each Squad. And while continuing his preparations, he tried to make use of one unplanned X Factor."

"Kurosaki Ichigo." Byakuya guessed.

"He must have wanted to wait a bit longer before setting things in motion." Yoruichi surmised. "But somehow, Lady Tula intervened and redirected his original target to Komui. Using Komui's ambitions to his advantage, he turned the commotion into a full-fledged riot. And in one fell swoop, plunged all of Soul Society into chaos, with the help of the Kasumiōji Clan assassin squads and his hand-picked 3rd Seat Kibune: all this to hide the fact that his allegations had changed and to blindside Komui."

"The latest report said Lieutenant Kira defeated him." Kyoraku piped in.

"Kira's defeat of Kibune produced the concrete evidence Tula-sama needed to back Byakuya's report." Ukitake added. "Tula-sama's scenario to Amagai seems to also account for Kira's victory."

"We have learnt a great deal, but what is Lady Tula's scenario?" Byakuya questioned.

"Well..." Yoruichi trailed.

"I see our Winter Princess still has her theatrical moments." Kyoraku chuckled.

About three days later, in the remodeled underground assembly hall in the Central 46 Compound...

"Bring in the accused!" in full ceremonial attire, Tula chaired the proceedings with Yamamoto, Amagai, Kenryū and Enryū as the only witnesses.

"Release me, you imbeciles!" Komui struggled against the two Squad 2 guards bringing him into the courtroom. "The Central 46 won't forgive this insolence on my being!"

"Central 46 has already been abolished." Tula informed the shackled Komui plainly.

"You're..." Komui was shocked to see Tula in the chief judiciary chair.

"Former steward of the Kasumiōji Clan, Komui Gyōkaku, you stand accused of breaking the third and fifth laws of Soul Society." Tula addressed Komui. "How do you plead?"

"Not guilty!" Kumoi snapped. "When Central 46 is reformed, they will have your head for this!"

"Captain-Commander Yamamoto," Tula turned serenely to Yamamoto. "I would assume you, Captain Amagai and the two Kasumiōji servants heard the direct threat to my life."

"We have." the four Shinigami responded.

"Then, there is no need to a trial." Tula spoke, getting up from the chief judiciary chair. "A direct declaration against the Winter Goddess, Tula's, life, equates to immediate execution. Captain Amagai, if you will..."

"At once." Amagai moved beside Komui and carried out the order.

Outside the Central 46 Compound, after dismissing the four Shinigami, Tula activated the Clan Conclave summoning lodestone.

In the meeting hall in Tula's Temple later in the afternoon...

All the noble Clan Heads, including the minor Clans, were gathered in response to the Clan Conclave summoning.

"In lieu of the recent... events regarding the Kasumiōji Clan, I have come to the following conclusion." Tula addressed the assembled Clan Heads. "All the Clans are no longer under the protection of Central 46 and as such, have no immunity to investigation via the Onmitsukidō." silencing any protests with a sharp surge of her Reiatsu, she continued her proclamation. "The Clan Heads or stewards are responsible for policing their own Clan Councils. If I hear a whisper of treason from any of the Clans, I will exterminate and uproot that Clan personally! Have I made myself clear?"

"Many of the Clans will not be pleased with this decision, Tula-sama." Byakuya remained after the Conclave meeting.

"The incident with the Kasumiōji Clan is once too many." Tula reminded. "I will not have a second Clan insurrection at a time like this. Police your own Clan, Captain Kuchiki; we do not want a repeat of Kuchiki Kōga's tragedy."

"Captain Amagai, I apologize for having you play such a detestable role in this incident." Tula summoned Amagai. "I know this comes a little late, but this is the official postmortem pardon for Kisaragi Shin'etsu." she handed Amagai a rolled up scroll.

"I thank you, Tula-sama." Amagai claimed the scroll.

"I've been waiting for you, Princess Rurichiyo." Tula greeted her next guest, the Kasumiōji heiress was accompanied by Kenryū and Enryū.

"Ano, Hasu-sama..." Rurichiyo started.

"I know." Tula smiled and gestured to the sealing chambers behind her. "Shall we?"

"Right." Rurichiyo nodded and followed the teen Goddess to the sealing chambers to remove the barrier rune seal she had placed on the heiress previously.

Omake: Kon-sama's Ultimate Shinigami Illustrated Guide

Ichigo: (Exits from the Senkaimon) Um... (Finds himself in Hueco Mundo)

Child Nelliel: (Flying headbutts Ichigo) Welcome back, Ichigo! Did the core pit guys say you could come back?

Ichigo: (Pulls child Nelliel off him) Nel, how did you?

Orihime: (With Bleach manga in hand and turned to the relevant pages) Hurry up, Kurosaki. Use your Bankai and go to this scene.

Ichigo: Scene? (Finds himself instantly transported to said scene)

Orihime: (Beaming) We're all set now.

Ichigo: (Confused) Wait a sec, Inoue. What's...

Orihime: (Addresses audience) The Hueco Mundo Arc resumes next!

Child Nelliel: Don't miss it!

SailorStar9: In next arc, as Aizen travels through a Garganta portal to Karakura Town, Tula and Captain-Commander Yamamoto confront the three former Captains, with six other captains. Aizen summons the Espadas Stark and Lilinette, Baraggan, Halibel and orders Ulquiorra to protect Las Noches.

Now that's done, read and review.