Bleach: Watch Closely, This Is How You Use a Zanpakutō-Chapter 227: Boredom

"This incident has been a wake-up call. The enemy doesn't always come from outside—many dangers may be lurking within Seireitei itself."

"If the Gotei 13 cannot respond in time when an internal crisis occurs, it could lead to catastrophe, or worse, destabilize it."

"Therefore, my second decision is to establish a Special Security Unit, responsible for the daily defense of the Noble District and noble territories."

With a firm tap of his cane against the ground, Yamamoto's words sent a shock through the captains.

This was bound to cause a major uproar.

The last time the Gotei 13 suggested installing surveillance insects in Seireitei, the noble families fiercely opposed it.

Despite their polished and prestigious facades, they had plenty of dirty secrets they wanted to keep buried. Naturally, they wouldn't allow any measures that risked exposing them.

As a result, the surveillance network only covered the Gotei 13 barracks. This was the very reason the attack on the Tsunayashiro Clan had gone unnoticed—the Gotei 13 had no way of detecting it.

If surveillance had been placed at the Tsunayashiro estate, even without a call for help, the Gotei 13 would have noticed something was wrong.

"The nobles won't agree to this, will they?" Jūshirō Ukitake asked in a hushed voice.

"This time, they have no choice," Yamamoto replied coldly. "I will not allow threats to Seireitei's safety to unfold right under our noses while we remain blind and powerless to act."

His tone left no room for argument.

A heavy silence filled the room.

No one held a stronger resolve to protect the world than this old man.

He could have easily stood at the pinnacle of power—a monster capable of bending the world to his will. Yet, for the sake of maintaining order, he willingly bowed his head to a group of nobles he personally despised.

But if those very nobles he once upheld ever became a threat to the world, he would not hesitate to crush them.

"Whatever Master intends will be done," Masatsuki Aozaki said. "Just give the order."

The nobles had no power to stop Yamamoto from forming this unit.

Even putting aside his strength, the Tsunayashiro Clan was all but extinct—their influence had crumbled. Without their backing, the so-called wise men and judges of Central 46 wouldn't be able to cause any real resistance.

As for the remaining four Great Noble Clans, the Kuchiki and Shihōin Clans were loyal to Yamamoto. The Shiba Clan had distanced themselves from the political core, residing in Rukongai, while the Yomi Clan had no interest in power.

The lesser noble houses weren't worth considering.

In fact, if Yamamoto established a security force to oversee noble affairs, Central 46 might not just approve it—they might even fully endorse it.

"Lieutenant Iba," Yamamoto called.

"Present, Captain-Commander," Chikane Iba responded with a slight bow.

"I have heard that 3rd Division's Third Seat, Rōjūrō Ōtoribashi, has achieved Bankai. Is this true?" Yamamoto's expression was serious.

"Captain Aizen and I can both confirm it, Captain-Commander," Iba answered respectfully.

"Very well... After this meeting, have Rōjūrō Ōtoribashi report to the 1st Division. Once I verify his abilities, I will officially appoint him as the Captain of the 1st Division's Special Security Unit."

Yamamoto gave a slight nod, his tone steady.

"As for the members of this unit, I will personally select suitable candidates from each division."

"That is all."

...

"Oh dear, the Tsunayashiro Clan really got unlucky this time. Hollowfication experiments sure are dangerous."

Yoruichi Shihōin walked out the door, linking her arm around Masatsuki Aozaki's with an amused tone.

Behind them, Retsu Unohana simply smiled without saying a word.

Since their first prolonged battle, Unohana had never confronted Yoruichi directly again. Instead, she had adopted an air of calm detachment, as if she had placed herself above such conflicts.

That aura alone was enough to make the usually carefree Yoruichi feel just a little uneasy.

"Hollowfication is indeed dangerous. I seem to recall someone dabbling in this kind of risky experimentation, don't you think, Kisuke?"

Masatsuki Aozaki, ever eager to stir up trouble, spoke meaningfully.

"Hey now, how would I know anything about that? I'd never mess with something so dangerous!"

Kisuke Urahara quickly waved his hands in denial, casting a cautious glance over his shoulder toward the meeting room.

Only when he saw Yamamoto engaged in conversation with Shunsui Kyōraku did he finally breathe a sigh of relief.

"Really? But didn't you ask me to help with your last experiment when you were trying to—"

Before Masatsuki could finish, Urahara slapped a hand over his mouth.

"For the love of—can you not? Do you want the Captain-Commander to kill me?!"

Urahara looked absolutely miserable.

Did Masatsuki not notice how dark Yamamoto's expression had gotten the moment the word Hollowfication was mentioned in the meeting?

Bringing it up in front of him now was not an option.

If the Captain-Commander found out that he had developed something capable of inducing Hollowfication... Well, Masatsuki's influence might be enough to keep him alive, but at the very least, he'd get skinned alive as a warning.

"Mmmph—" Masatsuki muttered something unintelligible under Urahara's grip.

"I'll let go, but if you have something to say, just say it. And for the love of everything, do not say the word 'Hollowfication' again!"

Urahara's voice carried an edge of desperation. Only when Masatsuki nodded in agreement did he cautiously release him.

Unohana, watching the exchange, looked slightly surprised—she felt as though she had just uncovered the truth.

She had initially assumed that Hollowfication research was Masatsuki's doing, but judging by their interaction, that clearly wasn't the case.

This kind of forbidden research... It was most likely Kisuke Urahara's work.

"Look at you, panicking like that. What's there to be afraid of? Coward."

Masatsuki scoffed. "As long as I'm here, if I put in a few good words with the old man, he won't make things difficult for you even if he finds out."

"With your big mouth? The moment you open it, the Captain-Commander will probably tear me to shreds."

Urahara gritted his teeth.

"Huh?"

Masatsuki drew out the sound, narrowing his eyes at him.

Urahara immediately flashed a sheepish grin.

"My bad! You're an honorable person, after all. Please don't hold it against me."

"That's more like it." Masatsuki folded his arms and nodded. "But your attitude still isn't quite sincere enough. And your acting? Sloppy. Needs work."

"What? Impossible! I was professionally trained in the 2nd Division!"

Urahara puffed up his chest, raising a fist in mock pride—before quickly hunching over, rubbing his hands together in exaggerated humility.

"But if you say there's a flaw, then there's a flaw. I'll make sure to train harder when I get back."

"Now that's a teachable student."

Masatsuki nodded, speaking in an almost condescending tone.

"...So, what do you actually want?"

"Kisuke."

Masatsuki's voice suddenly turned serious.

Urahara blinked at the unexpected shift. "Masatsuki?"

"Don't you think this world is getting a little boring?"

Masatsuki gazed off into the distance, looking as if he were peering down from some lofty height.

...

(40 Chapters Ahead)

p@treon com / PinkSnake