"Why so slow?"
Saito leaned casually against the roadside, her usual nonchalant demeanor on full display.
Seeing Fujimiya Makoto step out, she finally stood up from the ground with a carefree air.
"Was it the conversation with the Kuchiki clan head that delayed you?"
Taketsuru Baien stood beside her, her gentle smile as warm as ever.
"Or is it that your injuries are still bothering you, Makoto-kun?"
Her words carried concern, and she seemed ready to step forward to check on Fujimiya Makoto's condition.
"Hey! Wait!" Saito's lone eye widened, her expression alert as she blocked Taketsuru's path. "What's there to see? It's just exhaustion, that's all!"
She said this while doing the exact opposite, supporting Fujimiya Makoto's arm and shooing Taketsuru away like a stray dog.
"Huh? Really?"
Seeing Saito's tense demeanor, Taketsuru Baien's interest only grew.
Indeed.
Taking something someone else wants is always more fun!
Taketsuru Baien looked at Saito, a suspicious blush slowly creeping onto her usually innocent face.
What a mischievous woman.
Just seeing her like this, Fujimiya Makoto knew her mischief was about to spill over. He instinctively pulled Saito closer to him.
Too much.
Picking on our Saito like this, huh?
Next time, I'll see if I can't teach you a lesson.
"What's real or not... Makoto, why are you pulling me?" Saito first looked puzzled, glancing in Fujimiya Makoto's direction.
But as soon as the girl's head turned, her gaze locked onto something.
A sly smile slowly spread across her delicate face.
A slender figure stood at the entrance of the Lingyang Bureau, quietly observing the scene before her.
"Makoto-kun, you're quite popular, aren't you?"
The moment the voice sounded, Fujimiya Makoto froze in place.
Unohana Retsu stood quietly at the entrance, her soft features bearing a motherly smile. Her gentle gaze fell upon him.
"Hey! Unohana!"
Saito immediately stepped forward, shouting without regard for the situation: "It's been a while, hasn't it?"
"My sword has been longing for the taste of your blood!"
Yet, Unohana Retsu seemed to completely ignore her, smiling gently as she walked toward Fujimiya Makoto.
As she passed Saito, she even playfully ruffled her hair, as if comforting a child.
"Huh?"
Saito looked confused, turning her head.
Unohana Retsu stopped in front of Fujimiya Makoto, her smile still gentle, but her soft features suddenly seemed shrouded in shadow. Even her slightly narrowed eyes were filled with a chilling aura.
"Makoto."
"You haven't forgotten our 'promise,' have you?"
"Of course not."
Joking aside, Fujimiya Makoto wouldn't dare ignore his beloved teacher's words!
If he dared return to Soul Society without mastering his Shikai, his dear Unohana-sensei would actually start chopping him up!
And after chopping, she'd treat him.
But now, she's a second-rate doctor, liable to sew his stomach and spleen together by mistake.
Just think about how reassuring that is.
Fujimiya Makoto spoke, his expression clearly troubled: "But due to the previous battle, my physical condition isn't great right now."
"Also, sensei, this is...?"
Unohana Retsu merely smiled lightly, the shadows and chill instantly melting like snow under spring sunlight. Her slender, white hand gently stroked the young man's head, her voice soft:
"I happened to see your name on the injury list and came along."
"It's been a while, and sensei has missed you a bit."
Unohana Retsu's smile was warm and gentle, like a spring breeze.
Even Fujimiya Makoto, deeply affected by her, couldn't help feeling a touch of gratitude—though he knew, most likely, sensei was only interested in his 'skills.'
Just as he was feeling moved, the broken sword's soft, sticky voice suddenly echoed in their ears.
"I miss sensei's big headlights and her perky butt too!"
"Unohana-sensei, let me use your lap as a pillow!"
"Please!"
"Shut up!"
Without a moment's hesitation, without a trace of concern.
Fujimiya Makoto was instantly furious.
You little broken sword, how dare you?!
Can you even say that?!
But, perhaps because the man in question was 'Fujimiya Makoto,' whether it was Saito, Taketsuru, or Unohana-sensei, they all seemed to find it perfectly natural.
The words coming from his sword sounded completely normal.
"Unohana-sensei..."
Fujimiya Makoto struggled to defend himself: "You know me, this broken sword has nothing to do with what I'm thinking!"
"Yes, yes."
Unohana-sensei seemed resigned, indulging him: "It has nothing to do with Makoto-kun."
"Exactly."
Fujimiya Makoto, seeing sensei's acknowledgment, finally breathed a long sigh of relief.
Then, he heard Unohana-sensei continue: "But if you want to use my lap as a pillow, at least let sensei see your true skills first."
"Huh?"
Fujimiya Makoto instinctively looked disappointed.
But when he met Unohana-sensei's smiling eyes, his expression quickly sobered.
Damn this broken sword, always getting me into trouble!
Look at the mess it's made of my reputation.
Saito kicked his leg from the side: "You, so you've been fighting Hollows desperately just for this reward?"
"What an idiot!"
"Idiot!"
The one-eyed girl looked down on him.
But there seemed to be a hint of unspoken dissatisfaction in her tone.
No one knew what she was dissatisfied with.
Taketsuru Baien stood beside them, alternately glancing at Unohana and Saito, her uncontrollable laughter and gossip practically bubbling out from behind her glasses.
Interesting!
Makoto-kun is truly fascinating!
"Alright."
Finally, Unohana Retsu interrupted: "Don't worry about the Shikai for now, go see Urahara first."
"He probably has a lot to discuss with you."
"And remember to go to Kirinsaji to recover from your injuries."
Unohana Retsu smiled gently at him, kindly saying: "Once Makoto-kun's injuries are healed, let sensei take a good, close look, okay?"
"At your Zanpakutō."
Fujimiya Makoto's face instantly fell.
And then, I'm supposed to go to Kirinsaji to recover, huh?
"Yes, yes."
...
He reluctantly agreed, eventually heading to Yama-jii's First Division office.
Unlike his later image of 'balancing work and rest.'
Yamamoto Genryusai, newly ascended to the position of Captain-Commander, was a remarkably diligent old man.
Coupled with his robust physique and abundant energy, he spent at least 20 hours of his 24-hour day working, personally reviewing most documents and constantly supervising.
But working long hours doesn't necessarily mean working well.
At least, some of the underlying conflicts within the Gotei 13 were beginning to spiral out of his control.
Looking at the document just submitted, Yamamoto Genryusai's brows furrowed deeply, the lines on his face growing more pronounced.
Until, suddenly, Sasakibe's figure appeared from behind the door.
"Captain-Commander."
He knelt on the ground: "Vice-Captain of the 11th Division, Fujimiya Makoto, has arrived outside."
"Let him in."
Yama-jii was direct.
Fujimiya Makoto had no idea why he was summoned until he entered the Captain-Commander's office. Before entering, he even asked Sasakibe a couple of questions in confusion.
But Sasakibe said nothing.
Once inside, he saw Yama-jii hand him a document, gesturing for him to read it.
Fujimiya Makoto took the document, glanced at it casually, and his expression instinctively grew serious.
"Captain-Commander."
"Keep reading."
Fujimiya Makoto continued flipping through it.
The document's contents were nothing unusual—just records of some former Urahara Shop members, after becoming part of the 'warrior class,' accepting bribes from former nobles, marrying into noble families, and acting on their behalf.
In short:
Corruption.
The hero who defeated the dragon becomes the dragon.
In this short period, there were no fewer than thirty-six records of officers accepting bribes.
Keep in mind, the entire Gotei 13, from top to bottom, is divided into twenty ranks. Though some ranks have more members, there are still fewer than three hundred officers in total.
It can only be said that, after believing they've 'achieved their ideal,' many of Urahara's old guard have grown complacent.
According to the investigation, there are even instances of dereliction of duty.
No wonder Yama-jii suddenly started using the noble forces he'd always disliked, sending a signal by 'pardoning' Kuchiki Ginrei.
Looks like he was backed into a corner.
So, Urahara's old team had only been 'in the city' for a few days before things reached this point.
If he didn't give them a little nudge, the entire Seireitei might end up with Yama-jii personally guarding the security booth at the entrance.
Fujimiya Makoto first found it unbelievable, but after the initial shock, he suddenly felt it was only natural.
After all, Shinigami these days have no education, let alone ideals—most initially just wanted to pull down the nobles and become the new elite themselves.
How many people actually believed in Yama-jii's slogans? Did he even know?
Even the former Master Conference had to rely on brute force to continue. What beliefs could such a rabble have?
The current problem is merely the backlash of violent politics.
"Makoto-kun."
Yamamoto Genryusai pointed to the document on the table: "Can you solve this?"
Fujimiya Makoto glanced at the highlighted words in the document.
It was the term 'former nobles.'
He thought for a moment, nodded seriously, and affirmed: "It depends on whether Captain-Commander wants a big win, a medium win, or a small win."
Yama-jii finally breathed a long sigh of relief:
"Explain."