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After dealing with Aizen, everyone returned from Hueco Mundo to the Soul Society, including the Visored.
Yamamoto then announced that the Visored were to be reinstated into the Gotei 13. After some consideration, they agreed.
Though they had been away from the Soul Society for over a hundred years, they still missed it. Karakura Town had never truly felt like home.
And their lives had been difficult, living like rats in the shadows, constantly hiding from Aizen's watchful eye.
—
"Old man, what did you call me here for?"
Shin had barely had a chance to rest before he was summoned by Yamamoto, so he was naturally a bit annoyed.
"I called you here for a reason," Yamamoto said.
"A reason? Since you say there's a reason, how about I try to guess what it is? You want the Hōgyoku in my hands back, don't you?"
Shin looked at Yamamoto with suspicion.
Besides that, Shin couldn't think of any other reason Yamamoto would summon him.
"That's right. The Hōgyoku is far too dangerous. It's best if you hand it over. Don't keep it for yourself."
Yamamoto said to Shin with an extremely serious expression, clearly intent on taking the Hōgyoku. But there was no way Shin would listen to him.
"On any other matter, I might have considered it. But on this? Don't even bother."
Shin flatly refused. The Hōgyoku was his prize. He hadn't even had a chance to study it yet. There was no way he was giving it to the old man.
"You've seen the Hōgyoku's power. You should know how dangerous it is."
Yamamoto stood up and said to Shin, his gaze turning sharp and cold.
"Haha, you don't need to try and scare me. I know exactly what the Hōgyoku is, probably better than you do."
Shin laughed and said to Yamamoto.
"The Hōgyoku may be dangerous, but in my hands, I'd say it's safer than anywhere else. If it fell into someone else's hands... who knows what would happen."
Shin was also reminding Yamamoto.
"Besides, I have no desire for the Hōgyoku's power, so it's safest with me."
That was true. He had already copied the Hōgyoku's power; he had no need for the artifact itself.
He was keeping it for research, and to prevent anyone else from getting it.
The Hōgyoku was indeed a dangerous item. In the wrong hands, the consequences would be catastrophic.
"You really don't want to hand over the Hōgyoku?"
Yamamoto's anger flared. His temper was notoriously short, and his spiritual pressure erupted from his body. He wasn't used to being defied.
"What, are you trying to intimidate me, old man? You think I'm afraid of you?"
Shin raised an eyebrow and asked Yamamoto. You think I wouldn't dare to fight you?
"The Hōgyoku is mine now. I advise you to drop the idea. Don't even think about it. Otherwise, don't blame me if things get ugly."
After saying that, without giving Yamamoto any face, he stood up and walked out.
Shin's actions made Yamamoto's face darken, but he didn't try to stop him.
He had seen Shin's power.
Aizen was dangerous, terrifying even. But in terms of sheer danger, Shin Uzumaki was definitely above Aizen.
Look at Aizen now—sealed away. And if Shin hadn't wanted to seal him, Yamamoto suspected he had the ability to kill Aizen.
'Forget it. Just as he said, the Hōgyoku is safer in his hands.'
In the end, Yamamoto let it go. He wouldn't provoke Shin.
If he really angered Shin, it might cause an uproar throughout the Soul Society, something Yamamoto didn't want to see.
Shin wasn't just powerful on his own; he wasn't alone.
If Yamamoto made a move on Shin, the 2nd Division would likely revolt, and the 4th Division would surely follow…
—
'This demand for the Hōgyoku... was it Yamamoto's idea, or someone else's?'
After leaving the 1st Division barracks, Shin couldn't help but wonder. If it was just Yamamoto's idea, that was one thing.
But if others were coveting the Hōgyoku, Shin wouldn't allow it.
Yamamoto, at least, wouldn't be after the Hōgyoku's power. He would just want to seal the dangerous item away.
But if others were involved, they might be trying to get their hands on its power.
Many had witnessed the Hōgyoku's power. It wasn't impossible that they would be tempted.
"Forget it. Why am I thinking so much? It's a waste of brain cells." Shin shook his head. It was pointless to think about these things.
Because the Hōgyoku was with him, and no one could take it.
—
After returning to the 2nd Division, Yoruichi curiously asked what Yamamoto had wanted. Her curiosity was immense.
"The old man wanted the Hōgyoku. I don't know if it was his own idea. It's no big deal, so don't ask." Shin waved his hand, brushing her off.
"Did you give it to him?" Yoruichi asked, unwilling to let it go.
She really wanted to know. And if he had given it away, she would have been quite disappointed.
"Of course not. I know the Hōgyoku is a good thing. How could I just give it away? You wouldn't do that either, would you?"
"That's good. We can still study the Hōgyoku. To be honest, I was hoping to use it to increase my strength," Yoruichi said to Shin.
The reason she had this idea was mainly the pressure from Soi Fon. She couldn't even beat Soi Fon now; of course she wanted to get stronger.
"I'll study it first, then I'll consider helping you all get stronger," Shin nodded.
He would definitely help Yoruichi and the others improve their strength. There might be more dangers ahead, so the stronger Yoruichi was, the better.
When the Sternritter appeared, the captains would be beaten down again. Without strength, they wouldn't stand a chance against those overpowered enemies.
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