"What's taking so long?"
Saito crouched by the roadside, her devil-may-care attitude on full display.
Spotting Makoto emerge, she rose with a casual stretch.
"Got held up talking to the Kuchiki head, huh?"
Katori stood nearby, her usual gentle smile in place, ever considerate.
"Or are your wounds still aching, Makoto?"
Her tone dripped with concern, and she stepped forward as if to check Makoto's condition.
"Hey! Hold it!" Saito's lone eye widened, bristling as she blocked Katori's path. "What's there to check? It's just exhaustion!"
Even as she spoke, she contradicted herself, gently supporting Makoto's arm while shooing Katori away like a stray pup with a "Shoo, shoo" gesture.
"Eh? Really?"
Katori's interest only grew at Saito's defensive stance.
As expected.
Stealing what others covet was always more fun.
Katori eyed Saito, a suspicious flush creeping across her innocent, smiling face.
What a wicked woman.
Makoto, reading her mischief, instinctively pulled Saito closer.
Too much.
Always picking on our Saito, huh?
Next time, I'll yank your chain.
"What's 'really' about it… Makoto, why're you tugging me?" Saito glanced at him, puzzled.
But as her head turned, her gaze froze.
A sly, mischievous grin spread across her pretty face.
A slender, elegant figure stood at the entrance, quietly observing the scene.
"Makoto-kun, you're quite the charmer."
The moment that voice spoke, Makoto's entire body stiffened.
Yachiru Unohana stood at the doorway, her soft features adorned with a motherly smile, her gentle gaze fixed on him.
"Hey! Unohana!"
Saito leapt forward, heedless of decorum, shouting, "It's been ages!"
"My blade's been craving the taste of your blood!"
But Unohana seemed to ignore her entirely, smiling warmly as she glided toward Makoto.
Passing Saito, she playfully ruffled her hair, like soothing a child.
"Hm?"
Saito turned, her expression baffled.
Unohana stopped before Makoto, her smile still tender, but a shadow of menace cloaked her gentle face, a chilling glint flickering in her narrowed eyes.
"Makoto-kun."
"You haven't forgotten our 'promise,' have you?"
"Of course not."
No kidding, Makoto might shrug off anyone's words, but never his dear teacher's!
If he dared return to the Soul Society without mastering Shikai, his beloved Unohana-mama would genuinely carve him up!
And then heal him.
As a half-baked doctor, she might stitch his stomach to his spleen by mistake.
How's that for trust?
Makoto's face betrayed his unease, "But, after that last battle, my body's not in top shape."
"And, Sensei, what brings you…?"
Unohana merely smiled, the earlier shadow melting like snow in spring, her delicate hand gently patting his head, her voice soft, "I saw Makoto-kun's name on the wounded list and came by."
"It's been a while, and your sensei missed you."
Unohana's smile was warm, like a spring breeze.
Even Makoto, well-versed in her dangers, felt a twinge of gratitude, though he suspected she mostly missed his "skills."
Just as he softened, his Zanpakuto's syrupy voice rang out in everyone's ears.
[I missed sensei's big boobs and ass!]
[Unohana-sensei, let me nap on your lap!]
[Pretty please!]
"Shut up!"
Caught off guard, Makoto's rage boiled over.
You damn Zanpakuto?!
You can't just say that!
Can you?!
But, perhaps because this was Makoto, Saito, Katori, and even Unohana seemed unfazed.
Those words from his Zanpakuto felt oddly fitting.
"Unohana-sensei…"
Makoto struggled to explain, "You know me, this blasted sword has nothing to do with my thoughts!"
"Y-Yes."
Unohana nodded indulgently, "It's not Makoto-kun's fault."
"Exactly."
Makoto exhaled in relief at her agreement.
Then Unohana continued, "But if you want a lap pillow, you'll need to make me get serious first."
"Eh?"
Makoto's face fell with mock regret.
But meeting Unohana's smiling, knowing eyes, he quickly reined in his expression.
Damn his Zanpakuto, always setting me up!
Look at what it's done to my reputation.
Saito kicked Makoto's thigh, "You idiot, so you've been fighting tooth and nail against Hollows just for some measly reward?"
"What an idiot!"
"Idiot!"
The one-eyed girl shot him a scornful look.
Yet, there was a hint of unspoken dissatisfaction in her eyes.
What she was miffed about, who could say.
Katori stood nearby, glancing between Unohana and Saito, her barely contained laughter and gossiping spark practically bursting from behind her glasses.
Hilarious!
Makoto is just too hilarious!
"Enough."
Yachiru Unohana finally cut in, "No rush on the Shikai. Head to Captain Commander Yamamoto first."
"He likely has plenty to discuss with you."
"And don't forget to visit Kirinji-dono for healing soon."
Unohana gazed at him warmly, her smile gentle, "Once Makoto-kun's wounds are healed, let your teacher take a closelook at that Zanpakuto."
Makoto's face fell.
Then it's off to Kirinji for more healing, right?
"Y-Yes, Sensei."
…
Grumbling his reluctant agreement, Makoto headed to Yamamoto's First Division office.
Unlike the later, more balanced Yamamoto, the newly appointed Captain-Commander, Yamamoto, was a tirelessly diligent old man.
With his robust physique and boundless energy, he spent at least twenty of every twenty-four hours working, personally reviewing most documents and constantly overseeing operations.
But long hours didn't always mean good results.
At the very least, he was struggling to suppress simmering tensions within the Gotei 13's lower ranks.
Staring at yet another report on his desk, Yamamoto's brows furrowed deeply, the lines on his face etching even deeper.
Until Chōjirō Sasakibe appeared at the door.
"Captain Commander."
He knelt, "Eleventh Division Vice-Captain, Makoto, awaits outside."
"Let him in."
Yamamoto was curt.
Makoto entered the office clueless about why he'd been summoned, even prying at Sasakibe for hints before stepping in.
Sasakibe said nothing.
Inside, Yamamoto handed him a document, gesturing for him to read.
Makoto took it, scanning it briefly, his expression growing serious.
"Captain Commander."
"Keep reading."
Makoto continued.
The document was unremarkable, detailing how some former Genji School members, now part of the Gotei 13's samurai class, had accepted bribes from old noble families, married into them, and followed their orders.
In short, corruption.
The hero who slays the dragon becomes the dragon.
In this short time, thirty-six seated officers were implicated in bribery.
Considering the Gotei 13's twenty-tier structure, with some ranks holding multiple officers, there were fewer than three hundred seated officers total.
Clearly, after believing their "ideals" achieved, many Genji School veterans had grown complacent.
The report even noted widespread dereliction of duty.
No wonder Yamamoto had reluctantly tapped the nobles he distrusted, signaling change by pardoning Ginrei.
He'd been backed into a corner.
The Genji School's old guard had "entered the city" mere days ago, and it had come to this.
Without a shake-up, the entire Seireitei might rely on Yamamoto guarding the gate himself.
Makoto found it hard to believe at first, but as the shock faded, it felt almost inevitable.
These Shinigami weren't scholars, let alone idealists, most had joined to topple the nobles and climb the ladder themselves.
How many truly bought Yamamoto's rhetoric? He knew better.
Even past instructors were settled with fists, how could this rabble have any conviction?
The current issue was merely the backlash of violent politics.
"Makoto."
Yamamoto pointed to the document, "Any solutions?"
Makoto glanced at the highlighted term, "former nobles."
He pondered, then nodded firmly, "That depends on whether Captain Commander wants a big win, a medium win, or a small win."
Yamamoto let out a long breath, "Elaborate."
***
Bonus Chapter:
100 Power Stones = 1 BC
300 Power Stones = 2 BC
500 Power Stones = 3 BC
700 Power Stones = 4 BC
1000 Power Stones = 5 BC
***
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